A Note From The Principle
28 February 2025
It is hard to believe we have already reached the end of February—the term is certainly flying by! This week in Primary has been a little quieter, providing a welcome opportunity to focus and recharge amidst the usual busyness of school life.
Next week, we are looking forward to Smile Day on Wednesday, where we will be raising funds for Operation Smile. Students are invited to wear yellow (or bright colours) and bring in a 100-baht donation. Fun Day is also just around the corner, and it is always a much-anticipated highlight of the year. Thank you for your support!
Sarah McCormack
WE ARE CURIOUS
Positive Behaviours
This week in Year 1 we introduced 3 new behaviours that we will be focusing on and teaching our children about this term:
Please discuss these with your child and how they could show this at school.
We disagree in a kind and respectful way
So how do we disagree in a kind and respectful way?
Disagreements are a normal part of life, but learning how to handle them well is a skill that will benefit children for years to come.
As parents, we can help them express their opinions while still being kind and respectful. Here are five simple ways to support your child to disagree in a kind and respectful way:
Model Calm Conversations
Children learn by watching us! If they see us disagreeing in a calm and respectful way, they’ll follow our lead. Using phrases like, “I understand you feel that way, but I see it differently,” shows them that it’s okay to have different opinions without arguing.Encourage Listening First
Before jumping in with their own thoughts, encourage your child to listen carefully. A good tip is to have them repeat what the other person said before responding. This helps them understand different perspectives and practice respectful communication.Teach “I” Statements
Instead of saying, “You’re not sharing!” help your child say, “I feel upset when I don’t get a turn.” This teaches them to express feelings without blaming, which keeps conversations kind and fair.Help Them Solve Problems Together
When children disagree, they often focus on who’s right. Instead, guide them toward finding a fair solution. Asking, “How can we solve this so you’re both happy?” helps them learn to compromise and think about others.Praise Positive Efforts
When you see your child handling a disagreement well, acknowledge it! Saying, “I loved how you listened and stayed calm,” encourages them to keep practicing respectful communication.
By helping children with these simple strategies, we give them the tools to handle disagreements in a positive way—both at school and at home!
Save the date RSE (relationship and sex education)
Information mornings for Primary Parents March 2025
Dear Parents,
During Term 2B, we introduce age-appropriate RSE units as part of our Personal, Social and Health Education curriculum in Years 1 to 6. These units help children to develop an understanding of their own physical, social and emotional development, and encompass key values such as respect, kindness and consent.
If you would like to hear more about how and what we teach your child, please join us at a parent presentation. Please sign up via the links below.
You may also find these suggestions for talking with your child helpful.
All presentations start at 8 a.m. in the Primary Hall.
All presentations will be recorded and made available to Patana parents.
Tuesday 11th March – led by Diana Jones Y3, Patrick O’Connor Y2 and Michael Dolan-Hodgson Y1
Audience: Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 parents and carers
Regards
Carol Battram
Vice Principal, Pastoral
Bangkok Patana Wildlife
CAT blog
Please check out the Community Action Blog
Year 1 CAT - Bangkok Patana School
Curriculum
To find out about the Year 1 curriculum, please visit our Curriculum page:
Class Blogs
Please check your class blog every Friday for updates on learning for each of the classes. Click the picture to go to the blogs!
Upcoming events
| 4 March | Primary Parents Workshop : Building Fine Motor Skills for Life | 8am Primary Hall |
| 5 March | ||
| 6 March | An Evening with The Primary Arts | 3pm-6pm Theatre |
| 7 March | Y1 - 2 Singing Assembly : Parents are invited | 8.45am Primary Hall |
| 8 March | PTG Fun Day | |
| 11 March | Primary Parents Workshop : RSE for Y1-3 Parents | 8am Primary Hall |
| 14 March | ||
| 17 March | ECA Block D Phase 1 Sign-up OPEN | |
| 20 March | Nowruz (Persian New Year) | |
| 21 March | Y1 - 2 Assembly : Parents are invited | 8.45am Primary Hall |
| 24 March | ||
| 24 March | Primary: Parent-Teacher Meetings | Classrooms |
| 25 March | Primary: Parent-Teacher Meetings | Classrooms |
| 26 March | Primary: Parent-Teacher Meetings | Classrooms |
| 31 March | ||
| 31 March | Primary Thai Cultural Week (Day1) | |
| 2 April | Y1 Swimming Gala (Primary PE) | |
| 4 April |
|
Smile Day
FUN DAY 2025!
FUN DAY - Titanic Splash!
FUN DAY - SCUBA DIVING!
Parent Workshop
Raising Strong, Confident and Emotionally Healthy Children
Parent Workshop: Raising Strong, Confident and Emotionally Healthy Children
Date & Time: Friday 14th March, 8-9am, Con 420
Presenter: Lisa Low from Beyond Bridges Education
Sign-up link: https://forms.office.com/r/0L2YhZLm3x
Workshops
https://patana.fireflycloud.asia/daily-life/patana-parent-workshops-and-presentations
Start of day timings
For families who arrive by car, getting departure and arrival times right can be difficult.
You don’t want to arrive too early, but you also don’t want to be stuck in the LaSalle traffic.
The occasional late arrival is well understood - and sometimes unavoidable.
However, the class teacher will be in contact if there is a persistent pattern of lateness.
Primary school timings – start of day
- Staff on duty from 7 a.m.
- Students enter classrooms at 7:30.
- Timetabled learning begins at 7:40.
If a child arrives rushed, and perhaps stressed about missing a lesson, this is not the best start to their day.
Those first ten minutes, from 7:30 – 7:40, are an important part of the school day.
Established start-of-day routines give children time to settle and switch into learner mode.
We want all of our children to know about the importance of punctuality, and not only in their school setting.
Swimming
We often notice a drop in swimming participation after colder weather and poor air quality days.
We’d like to gently remind parents of the importance of swimming as part of the curriculum. Regular attendance helps children build confidence and develop essential water safety skills.
Thank you for your support in ensuring your child is prepared for their lessons. If your child is unable to swim, please follow the school’s guidelines regarding medical notes.
If you have any concerns about swimming, please reach out to your class teacher.
We appreciate your cooperation!
After school
Students are not permitted to use any of the climbing or play equipment before 7:30 a.m.
There is no staff supervision in any play area after 2:30.
The accompanying adult is therefore responsible for the safe supervision of the child.
We encourage parents and family employees to take children straight home at the end of the school day.
Preventing the spread of colds and flu
Please help us to prevent outbreaks of cold or flu as we head into the rainy season.
Children with cold or flu (influenza) symptoms should be kept at home until they are completely recovered. Even when the main symptoms have gone, your child may still need time to return to full strength.
Please do not send your child back to school too soon, even if they are no longer in the contagious phase. If your child is still coughing or sneezing, please keep them at home and limit their contact with other children.
A child who has a fever should be kept at home until ‘fever free’ for a minimum of 24 hours.
Influenza is a serious and contagious infection that affects the nose, throat, and respiratory system. The virus is commonly spread through droplets in the air, allowing infection to spread quickly.
When unsure, always seek medical advice, especially if a child has a chronic condition e.g., asthma. If Influenza is confirmed, please send a copy of the medical certificate to Nurse@patana.ac.th
Allergies and Dietry Requirements
Please ensure your child/ren's medical information is fully up to date on our systems.
Should your child suffer from critical conditions related to their diet they are no longer able to eat any birthday treats brought into school from outside.
We encourage parents now to provide a small box of dry snacks/treats that their child can eat, which the class teacher can keep, and use during any celebrations in class.
Please remember we are a nut-free Primary School and also check with the class teacher for any other dietary requirements of the class.
Taking photos on campus
Taking photos and videos of students on Campus
At Bangkok Patana School we welcome parents on to our campus.
As part of this agreement, all parents must agree to our Parents’ Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
This includes:
- Never taking images in toilets, changing rooms or areas where privacy is expected.
- Using judgement before taking and before sharing images of students.
During a regular school day, parents may only take images of their own child – unless they have sought and received permission from another family to include their child in a group photo.
Family employees with access to the campus must also abide by this rule.
Important Contacts
| Department | Contact Number | Email |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Office | 02 785 2258 | primary@patana.ac.th |
| Transport | 02 785 2470 | transport@patana.ac.th |
| Primary Nurse | 02 785 2478 02 785 5460 | nurse@patana.ac.th |
| ECAs | 02 785 2231 | eca@patana.ac.th |
| PTG | Year 1 Rep: ptgy1@patana.ac.th | |
| Year Group Leaders | Curriculum - Meagan Wilson - mewi@patana.ac.th Pastoral - Michael Dolan - mido@patana.ac.th Assistant Leader - Vicky Paxman - vipx@patana.ac.th |
Year 1 birthdays
Happy birthday to Peyton (1V), Aggie (1A) and Liam (1R) who are celebrating their birthdays!
Birthday Treats
Children may bring in a special treat to share with the class.
Please contact the class teacher to arrange a suitable time.
Brownies, cupcakes, small donuts, and cake slices are easier for your child to give out
We do not give out drinks (e.g., bubble tea, sodas)
Please reduce plastic packaging.
We do not allow party bags or other gifts to be given out at school, either for birthdays, or other celebrations.