A Successfully Proven International School

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Click the link below to read our Pre K- Kindergarten Newsletter:

http://www.berkeley.ac.th/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/KG_Newsletter-Apr.pdf

Click the link below to read our Elementary & Middle School Newsletter:

http://www.berkeley.ac.th/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Elem_Mid_Newsletter-Apr.pdf

April 27th, 2012

To All Berkeley Stakeholders:

Mrs. Saowanee Fungtammasan has recently been appointed by Mr. Apichart Jurangkool, Berkeley International School Board President, as our new Thai Director and member of the Berkeley School Board of Directors. Mrs. Saowanee officially began meeting her job responsibilities as of Monday, April 23rd, 2012. Please help me welcome her to her new position by extending a warm greeting when you have the opportunity to meet her. As a means of introduction I offer this personal brief profile highlighting her vast amount of administrative background and experiences.

Born in Bangkok, Mrs. Saowanee Fungtammasan graduated from the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University with a Bachelor of Arts, English Major.  She then obtained a Master of Education (MEd) from the School of Education, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Saowanee has more than twenty years of experience in administration in international organizations.  Her career began with the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) Sydney Office, as an assistant to the Office Director. She joined the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, working as the Cultural Relations Officer and Administrative Assistant to the Counselor of Public Affairs.  She also held administrative assistant position in the Mekong Secretariat of the United Nations (now known as the Mekong River Commission).

For the last twenty years, she was the Thailand Chapter Administrator of the Young Presidents’ Organization Inc., or better known as YPO, which is a non-profit, worldwide organization whose objective is to make its members, who are young and successful executives to become better leaders through education.

Saowanee is married to Dr Bundit, Vice President for Research at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi.  They have a daughter and a son, both studying in Sydney.

Written by Miss Podchanamas Rakmanee (Dao), Thai Teacher

On Thursday, April 12th, Berkeley International School stakeholders gathered to celebrate Songkran, the Thai New Year, with traditional holiday celebration activities. In the morning parents, students, and staff prepared an abundant amount of donations, and then distributed these numerous food and sundry offerings to nine Buddhist Thai Monks. A second endearing Thai custom included the practice of all students pouring scented water into the hands of their teachers symbolizing thanks, appreciation and respect.

Morning activities also included a showcase of talent seen and heard as students dressed in costume representing Thai culture, competed in a contest for the crown of Mr. and Ms. Songkran 2012. Student contestants displayed their talents of classical Thai dance and singing of several Thai songs, including one composed by our beloved King Rama lX. Fine arts were further on display with entries of a kite, designed, assembled and displayed also for competition by each of the individual classes at each grade level. The kites designed and constructed by the students were put to a test after lunch as each homeroom teacher attempted “to fly” their entry!

The day concluded with very traditional and fun water throwing activities, squirt gun fights, a “mile long” water side and a kindergarten pool party. Overall it was a joyous occasion and a truly fun Songkran 2012 Celebration!!!



Written by Ms. Caitlin Carr and Ms. Melisa Pubil

On March 27^th, 2012, Berkeley International School held its first annual Spelling Bee competition. Students from three different divisions competed for the chance to be crowned Spelling Bee champion. The Spelling Bee was part of the school-wide goal to improve literacy and gave the top speller in each grade the opportunity to show of their spelling skills alongside other strong spellers.

From the very beginning of the competition, the feeling in the room was tense as parents, teachers and students quietly supported the competitors. Division 1 included grades 1 and 2 and featured common sight words, words that are taught throughout the Reading and Language Arts curriculum.

The second portion of the competition was equally as tense, with Dr. Tom arriving to read the words. Division 2 included grades 3 and 4 and also featured common sight words learnt throughout the year.

Finally, Division 3 featured Middle School students (Grades 5-7) and featured common SAT words, which the students had been learning for weeks in Reading and Language Arts class.

Congratulations to all of the competitors both at the classroom level and at the school-wide level. Every student should “bee” proud of their preparation and participation in the Spelling Bee. We are already looking forward to next year!

Written by First Grade

Yea! Yea! Hurray! Our field trip to Dream World was the best! First, we went on the super-crazy fast and twisty roller coaster called Speedy Mouse. You should have felt the wind going through our hair!

Then, we got soaking wet on the Super Splash and from spinning down the Grand Canyon on a raft. Next, we drove old cars from the past, flew around and around on the NASA Thunderbolt spaceships, went into a Giant’s house (Don’t wake him up) and even had reading time after lunch.  We’re angels aren’t we?

After that, we nearly froze to death in the Snow Town. We warmed back up outside where we saw a pet show with dogs, cats, goats, monkeys, and birds that did tricks. One monkey could even do addition. And one dog was so amazing he jumped through a ring of fire!

We ended our fantastic field trip with a ghostly scare. We held each other close, shut our eyes, and tried not to cry as we tip-toed through the Haunted Mansion. It was so, so, so scary!!!

Click the link below to view Photo Gallery on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fk2PJvpXLw&context=C4059625ADvjVQa1PpcFPfHjP1GVBxLucei1iqCnwFI7cLyh_x9jU=

Written by Mr. Thomas Lovell, Grade 6 Teacher

On Friday, March 23rd, 2012, Berkeley hosted our second annual International Day. Students were able to experience aspects of many different cultures in the comfort of the classrooms and taste foods from numerous countries around the world. Kindergarten student’s art work and costumes represented the countries of Spain, England, Canada, Greece, India and Japan while Elementary and Middle School students represented different continents. Classrooms were decorated the week previous to the scheduled program day making all ready for visitors see as well as having art work displayed which included a flag competition representing countries studied in grades one through seven.

On that day, students and teachers arrived dressed in fantastic costumes spanning the globe- Cowboys, Native American Indians, Sheiks, Thai, Chinese and Korean traditional dress were also seen. In the morning hours, students attended arts and crafts classes as students  had “passports” to travel from place to place while enjoying making such things as Japanese koi windsocks, South American pinatas, African masks and even eating Korean food and Vegemite sandwiches made by themselves. Much more food was available at the world food fair table where parent contributions had been most generous; creating a feast rivaling any top banquet- an ideal way to end a fun-filled cultural festival!

Written by Mr. Jeffrey Olson, School Counselor

Berkeley International School conducted Anti-Bullying Week during the week of March 5^th-9^th, 2012.  Anti-bullying week is an international campaign centered around a chosen theme.  This year’s theme is “Stop and Think –Words can Hurt.”  Internationally, the week is recognized during November of each school year.  Due to the extended uncertainties of the potential, yet unrealized flooding this year, however, Berkeley staff and students were enjoying themselves far away from school, pushing back anti-bullying week to March, a more convenient time.

Anti-bullying week kicked off before the week even started with a school-wide t-shirt design contest.  We are proud of our 7^th grade student, who created the design that won the contest.  Her design was printed onto bright blue t-shirts which were given to all elementary and middle school students.

During anti-bullying week, students were taken out of their normal routines to learn about bullying and their roles as responsible global citizens to stop bullying in and out of school.  Students enjoyed fun activities throughout the week, culminating in a poster project for the elementary school and a video project for the middle school.

An assembly on Friday capitalized on the work and lessons produced throughout the week.  Students and staff all wore their anti-bullying week t-shirts, coloring the school in bright blues in support for the cause.  At the assembly, students signed commitment cards and received a bracelet as a token for their support.  Workshops were organized during the event to solidify the anti-bullying message, and finally, the much anticipated announcement of elementary poster winners and viewings of the student videos were presented.

We are proud of the work our students accomplished at Berkeley, and some of the student videos will be submitted to the KIS Film Festival in the coming month.