DBS NEWSLETTER

Dear Parents and Guardians, With one week until the end of the year there is a lot  going on at DBS. Tonight, we hold our first ever 6th Form Prom, another milestone as our pioneer group get ready to finish their time at DBS. We also have our first ever graduation ceremony on Monday. We are immensely proud of our graduating class and whilst sad to see them leave, we are full of pride about their achievements. Last night we held our 2nd ever Denla Piano competition with over 240 students from over 100 schools across Thailand entering the competition. The quality of the performances was exceptional and we hope to continue to make this annual event a highlight of our calendar. In the Prep assembly today, Mr Bridges and Mr Paveley came to launch an exciting new initiative for next year called 'High Performance Pathways'. We will begin by offer this in football and basketball. This year, in response to parent feedback, we launched morning training sessions in key sports. Parents hav...

As we approach the end of another school year, it is with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to two remarkable educators who have profoundly impacted our school community: Ms. Johnston and Mr. Apter. Their dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence have left a lasting mark on both students and staff alike. While we are saddened to see them go, we celebrate their achievements and wish them the best in their future endeavours. Ms. Johnston: The Ideal Partner in Any Business Ms. Johnston has been the embodiment of an ideal partner in any professional setting. Her ferocious student-centered approach, coupled with her unwavering moral compass, has set her apart as an exemplary educator. As the Head of Years 9 to 11, Ms. Johnston's passion for improving student outcomes has been nothing short of inspirational. She has tirelessly worked to ensure that every student under her care is given the tools, support, and encouragement needed to succeed. Her leadership has been characterise...

  Celebrating Achievement: Individually As we gear up for the final week of the school year and some exciting celebratory events, I wanted to share my thoughts on what achievement really means in the Prep School at DBS. I have recently had some interesting discussions with parents about the classes and groups their children are placed in. The majority of our Prep School curriculum is taught in mixed-ability groups; we call them classes (Years 3-6) or forms (Years 7 & 8). This model helps children learn well and develop their collaborative skills, learning to work with others with different strengths and challenges. These groups are planned carefully to have an equal mix of abilities, genders and interests. It was wonderful to see our new classes experience their first time together with their new teacher on Monday as part of our Move Up Day. In some subjects, we organise the children by what they can do and their current ability. This is helpful in languages, where the range of...

As part of our rewards programme in the Pre-Prep, the children work towards achieving house points. These points are awarded for a variety of reasons including excellent behaviour, showing kindness, putting in a great effort with their school work, and helping others. We believe that this system encourages positive behaviour and motivates our students to strive for their best in all areas. This week, we are delighted to announce that seven children in the Pre-Prep have reached a milestone of 400 house points! To celebrate this impressive achievement, they were treated to refreshments and cake with both myself and Miss Taylor in the Pre-Prep office. This was a wonderful opportunity for us to chat with the children, learn about their year, and hear about their highlights and most enjoyable moments. We are incredibly proud of all the hard work and effort that every child has put in this year. Their achievements have been outstanding, and it is heartwarming to see how much they have grown ...

Meet Alex and Prang who will take you on a journey of discovery with DBS Early Years! At DBS, we believe that learning through play is the cornerstone of a child's development. Our Early Years programme provides a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can explore, experiment, and grow at their own pace. Through a variety of engaging activities, students are developing essential skills such as communication, creativity, problem-solving, and social-emotional learning. They are also fostering a love of learning that will last a lifetime. Watch full Video :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9QTmBMlp2M

It gave us great pleasure to welcome the Le Cordon Bleu faculty members to the school to talk about the training and education needed to succeed in the culinary arts.  This aligns perfectly with our mission to help every DBS student develop the knowledge, values and skills required to thrive as great global leaders in the 21st century. By understanding the dedication and expertise behind seemingly simple dishes, our students gain a deeper appreciation for all career paths.  We hope that the next time they have an amazing meal, they will not only savour the flavours but also appreciate the training, care and attention that went into its preparation.

Big congratulations to David from DBS Pioneer Sixth-Form for securing an impressive offer! David's hard work has paid off with offers from prestigious institutions: ✅ Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management (Cuisine) from Le Cordon Bleu Melbourne Your dedication and achievements are truly commendable!  Here's to an exciting academic journey ahead!

We met so many excited faces and shared valuable information about your child's journey at DBS. ‍‍‍ The workshop explored our curriculum, designed to nurture well-rounded individuals, and showcased our vibrant learning spaces. We also had a lively open discussion – your questions were insightful! We're excited to welcome our newest members and can't wait to see their children flourish at DBS! As a school community, let's extend a warm welcome and support to all our new families. Stay tuned for more opportunities to connect and build a strong DBS community!

Mr Michael Neville is a creative and innovative educator with over 20 years of experience teaching and leading across a range of educational organisations. After completing his studies in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Queen Mary College, University of London, he pursued his PGCE at King's College London, immediately falling in love with the classroom experience and recognising the privilege of working with young people. His teaching journey began at Camden School for Girls in London, a school steeped in tradition and famous for its work in the advancement of women's education. Seeking a change of scenery after six years in London and a new challenge, he then moved to Bermuda for his first international teaching role. This experience added to his previous overseas adventures in West Africa and South America, enriching his teaching methodology and allowing him to bring a truly global perspective to his educational approach. 📖 Read more: https://www.dbsbangkok.ac.th/mr-michael-nevi...

On-Air today, Friday 21st June, at 5:30 pm on Channel 5! Our students have been busy filming an anti-corruption short film alongside talented actors and industry professionals from Thailand's film scene. Last week, over 100 students took part in workshops, gearing up for an incredible shoot day on Saturday. Stay tuned for updates on this amazing project! The DBS anti-corruption short film project is a fantastic example of the school's educational philosophy in action. From developing critical thinking skills to fostering integrity. Students are gaining valuable real-world experience and the opportunity to make a positive societal impact, all while embodying the DBS spirit of continuous improvement, entrepreneurial thinking, and responsible leadership. This project is sure to nurture well-rounded individuals prepared to be impactful future leaders. Please join us in celebrating our talented young actors and actresses! View Gallery

    DENLA  PIANO  COMPETITION                           2024 We are pleased to announce the above-mentioned prize winners of the 2024 Denla Piano Competition, which took place on 20 June 2024 at the magnificent Araya Hall. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists for their exceptional performances! It was truly a showcase of pianistic brilliance and virtuosity. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our adjudicating jury, our sponsor Steinway Thailand, and all the parents, teachers, and friends who have supported these young musicians throughout their journey. Stay tuned for highlights and photos from the event, coming soon! 🎵

Our final Senior School house event of the academic year was a blast with representatives from each of our four houses competing in some epic Mario Kart races!  Big congratulations to Marc from Windsor House, our ultimate Mario Kart Champion! It was a great way to wrap up our house competitions. This event exemplifies DBS’ motto, “A’ways to Greater Things” perfectly. The Mario Kart competition provided a platform for students to challenge themselves, and develop their strategic thinking and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging environment.  It wasn't just about winning the race, but about participating, displaying good sportsmanship, and striving for their personal best. Thank you to everyone who participated.

  This week, Year 5 linked their humanities studies on ancient Greece to a hands-on cooking experience by making traditional Greek Tzatziki sauce. As they prepared this classic dish using yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs, students engagingly connected with ancient Greek culture. Enjoying the creamy, tangy Tzatziki with warm pita bread allowed them to experience a taste of history. The activity was a hit across all Year 5 classes, providing an enjoyable and educational break from routine, and deepening their appreciation for ancient Greek traditions.

Dear Parents/Guardians, First News is the leading source of news and news-based learning for children, tailored for ages 7 to 14 but accessible for all. It's impartial and helps keep kids reading while developing critical literacy skills. We enjoy using First News in the classroom and are excited to offer all Denla British School students a free First News digital subscription for the summer holidays. It's packed with fun and educational content that will keep minds active and entertained throughout the summer. First News Digital, accessible via an app, includes: Daily news stories that children can read, listen to, and engage with, covering topics like the Euros, the Summer Olympics, and the upcoming general election. Access to the latest issue of the newspaper and archives of past issues. Weekly polls for children to participate in. The latest episodes of the Sky Kids FYI weekly news show. Fun puzzles and games that are great for improving vocabulary. Tips and Talking Points ...

As a part of our ongoing charity initiatives, Heart of DBS is proud to be able to plan and deliver a wonderful residential trip for the students of TaladSamlong School in  Kanchanaburi. A special thanks to Phra Archan Manoj for introducing us to the students, and our residential provider for leading the trip.

This week in the Dragonfly class was filled with excitement and learning! We kicked off the week with an exciting Move Up Day, where the children had the opportunity to meet their new teachers and explore their new classroom. Throughout the week, we continued to review and practice our maths skills, focusing on positional words, symmetry, and addition and subtraction. Our exploration of space was a highlight, as the children learned the names of the planets and created amazing space-themed artworks. We also had a blast playing with the green screen again, pretending to float in space and bringing our imaginations to life.  

 Hedgehog Class  This week, the Hedgehogs have been writing  narratives about their characters being afraid of the dark. They've done an excellent job writing their stories with clear beginnings, middles, and ends.  In maths, we are reinforcing and extending our understanding of place value. Using Dienes blocks, the students explored the four operations: addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication.  Move Up Day was also a great success; all the Hedgehogs returned to class with excitement and smiles.  Here's to a fantastic final week ahead!

 The Woodpecker class were beyond excited to visit their new class this week! They all had a fantastic time with their new teacher and classmates and returned to class full of smiles and energy. In English this week, the children have been busy story writing, based on our Talk4Write story ‘The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch’. They used our story map for guidance alongside adding in their own ideas. The also added a new section to the story about how the character was feeling. During Maths this week, the children have been recapping addition and have truly impressed me with how much they have remembered from the beginning of the year. In Science, the children enjoyed learning about magnets and how they can be used to play games. I am so unbelievably proud of how mature, confident and resilient the Woodpecker’s have been this week - they are definitely ready to move into Year 2!

 Our second to last week is done! Only 1 more week left in Year 1! I can't believe the year is almost over! It has been amazing, and the children are so ready for Year 2 now. They are finished with their English write up, and their stories are absolutely unbelievable, they have so much to be proud of! We look forward to an exciting last week, with many fun activities planned including prize day! We look forward to celebrating their achievements over the year!

At the start of the week, we had an exciting visit to our new classrooms for next year, where we got to explore and meet our new teachers. In our Jigsaw lesson, we've been discussing the transition into Year 1, sharing our excitement, and talking about how to handle the small changes ahead. It has been a week full of learning and anticipation, setting the stage for a wonderful end to the term. Despite our anticipation, the Ladybird Class has been hard at work, engaging in a variety of educational activities. In our reading and phonics sessions, the children have made excellent progress. In Maths, we've focused on number recognition and have challenged ourselves to count in 2s. Our Literacy lessons have taken us on an imaginative journey as each student created their own planet, complete with a unique name, temperature, and size. Our exploration of space didn't stop there; our role-play area transformed into a rocket, with our Ladybird Astronauts enthusiastically flying into...

  Well done, Butterfly class for another fantastic week at school! This week the children all went into Year 1 to meet their new Year 1 teachers. The ‘move up’ session was a great success and a good opportunity for parents to see their child’s new learning environment. The children have also enjoyed a story time in their new classroom and lots of little interactions with their new teachers to help with their transition. We have spent every spare opportunity in the EY garden and we have all very much enjoyed the slightly cooler weather and the shade of the trees as they grow there. We can’t quite believe that we only have one more week to go. What a journey! Enjoy the weekend everyone and see you on Monday.  Mrs Grassi, Miss Pa and Miss Chawi xxx

  What a busy second to last week we have had in the Fox Class. We have been having a lot of fun in maths as we have been recapping and consolidating previous topics, but this time in the form of team games and challenges! Well done to everyone for recalling the properties of 2D and 3D shapes. In English we have written our final narrative of the year. It's been wonderful to see how far everyone has come with their writing and I am so proud of all their effort with their final piece.

  The Caterpillar Class have had an exciting week looking forward to Year 1. On Monday we had our Move-Up day where everyone got to visit their new classroom and meet their new teacher. The children all had lots of fun creating their class animal craft and exploring their new rooms. In Jigsaw we continued with this by talking about what our favorite part of Reception has been and what we are looking forward to the most in Year 1. Our Assembly on Friday complimented this theme by exploring change and showing how small changes are exciting and help us grow. Our learning continued as we explored space even further and began to get ready for our space picnic next week. We have been talking about our costumes and what we will wear for our end of topic celebration. In Talk for Write we used our story telling knowledge to draw our own story maps in pairs using   our favourite parts of ‘Whatever Next’. From making alien hats to drawing and painting planets to hang from the ceiling, it...

The Jellyfish have been so excited and shown such courage this week during our transition activities. On Monday all the children went upstairs to meet their new teachers and see all their new classmates. We have had a good look around the 3rd so the children are familiar with their new environment. This morning we had a fun transition assembly discussing all the little things that will change. All the Jellyfish are ready for the next steps in the educational journey. 

  This week the Tulips said a big thank you to all the people who support our class. We decorated cards to give to Miss Som, who helps us at mealtimes; Miss Da, who helps us keep the class tidy; Mr Phur, our librarian; Mr Gower, our music teacher; and Khun Wandee, who takes care of the garden. On Friday, all the Mini Dragons children were excited to give the cards to all the people who have helped us this year. We are excited for next week and Graduation day! - Miss Taryna, Miss Angel, Gino, and Miss Sai

  What a busy week! Pufferfish class have been very brave this week, playing in their new classes and meeting lots of new people. They have continued to enjoy making lots of different arts and crafts including wands and lanterns using lots of different skills and resources to help them. In Phonics we have finished learning all our sounds and are brilliant at blending them together, reading and hearing lots of new words. Well done everyone!

  This week in the Otter Class, we have have enjoyed writing some extremely inspiring stories. With our knowledge from our story maps, and our plans, we created some amazing stories about animals that were afraid of the dark. We are looking forward to writing up a published copy next week and have enjoyed writing our longest piece of writing this academic year. What a way to finish year 2.  In Maths this week, we have been recapping key elements from our learning throughout the year. We took a trip down memory lane, exploring shape arrays in multiplication and division, and shape and space focusing on 2D shapes and then 3D shapes.  To conclude, in art this week, we have finished off studying Pablo Picasso but creating 3D models of our owls using clay, and finally painting them! We cannot wait to bring them home to show you!

  For the penultimate week in Nursery we have been very busy! On Monday, we displayed tremendous courage and enthusiasm as we met our new teachers for our upcoming Reception classes and discussed our transition. The children were keen to explore their new classrooms and meet all their new classmates. Our exploration of "The Enormous Turnip" story continued, allowing us to delve deeper into the world of fruits and vegetables. In music, we practiced several songs in preparation for our Prize Day next week. As the end of the year approaches, we are filled with excitement and anticipation for the adventures that next year will bring!

It’s hard to believe that the children only have 1 week left in Magpie class! They have worked incredibly hard all year and she be really proud of everything that they have achieved! In English this week we have been writing our final Talk4Write piece and the children added their own part of the story as well. In maths, we have been consolidating our understanding of addition and using equipment to support us with adding numbers to 20. Well done everyone!