NEWSLETTER

Garden International School
Eastern Seaboard, Ban Chang
NEWSLETTER
Established 1994
Your choice. Their future. Our family. โรงเรียนนานาชาติการ์เด้นอีสเทิร์นซีบอร์ดบ้านฉาง October 2014
Find us at:
Website: www.gardenrayong.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gisrayong
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gardeninternationalschool
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/gardenrayongthailand
Accredited by
Affiliated to

From Dr Tasker: Principal
Dear Parents, Students and Friends of GIS,
Here at Garden International School the students are always busy. They have the very
important business of the formal curriculum to be learnt as well as developing all the
necessary social skills as they grow and mature. On top of this is the myriad of cocurricular
and extra-curricular opportunities available to them.
Examples of these are that recently the Year 2 students had a wonderful trip to Birds and
Bees in Pattaya (check the blog!) and the IB2 Geography students visited Ayutthaya to
undertake field work. There are many trips, particularly in Primary, coming up before
Christmas. These are on the school calendar, which is on the school website, and also
under Coming Events here in this newsletter.
Before the half-term break we had a superb evening celebrating Diwali, with many
students performing wonderfully well. I really enjoyed seeing the students perform – a lot
of worry, practice and costume sorting out really came together well. Next week we have
the Secondary production on Grease, which will be a fantastic show to see. Make sure you
get your tickets!
In the next couple of weeks we also have students at the Under 15 FOBISIA Games
hosted by Traill International School in Bangkok and we wish them good luck. Don’t forget
the Mambooks Book Fair hosted by the Library next week, a great opportunity to purchase
some wonderful books for your children.
Once again GIS will be a part of the Poppy Appeal, raising funds for the families of
members of the armed forces who are dealing with loss of a loved one or coping with
injuries (20% of the collection does go to the families of Thai military personnel). We will
be having a special Whole School Remembrance Day assembly. This will be at 11am on
November 11 in the Main Hall; parents are most welcome to attend.
Thursday November 20 at 7pm in the Primary Hall is a Friends of Garden PTA meeting,
the focus being on the Christmas Fun Day food. Christmas Fun Day is not far away, and
we hope everyone will be able to attend; it is always a special day. The goal is fun for the
children and an opportunity to get in to the Christmas Spirit. We will have the annual
Christmas Fun Day Raffle, with many wonderful prizes. If you, or your company, are able
to make donations towards the raffle, they are being accepted at the Front Office.
At the end of this newsletter there are the posters that have accompanied the flags that
have been by the Front Office for our focus country so far this term. Next week is Sweden!
Kind Regards,
Dr Stuart Tasker
PhD (Ed), PGDipEd (Math Ed), PGCertEd (Ed Admin), PGDipTchg, BSc
Principal
Garden International School

Many thanks to our generous GIS sponsors:
Platinum
Indorama
Encounter Church
Universal Plus
Gold
Aditya Birla
Thunder Cranes
Silver
Blue Sky Developer Company Limited
Upcoming events
Whole School
Nov 3: Friends of Garden PTA coffee morning, canteen, 8am
Nov 4-6: Book Fair in the library
Nov 4: House T-shirt day
Nov 6: Loy Krathong
Nov 6: Saxophone Day
Nov 11: Origami Day
Nov 11: Whole School Assembly: Remembrance Day, 11am
Nov 29: Christmas Fun Day
Primary
Nov 5: Year 6 trip to Ripley’s and Art in Paradise, Pattaya
Nov 10: Year 2 trip around Ban Chang
Nov 13: Year 3 trip to a weather station
Nov 13: Year 4 trip to mangrove forest
Nov 14: Nursery trip to Suppatra Land fruit farm
Nov 25: Year 1 trip to Dr Win’s veterinary surgery
Nov 28: Reception trip to a Chinese temple
Secondary
Nov 5-7: Grease Secondary production
Nov 10-11: Year 9 History and English trip to Kanchanaburi for Remembrance Day
Nov 13-16: Under 15 FOBISIA Games, Bangkok
Nov 24: Assembly, Period 2

Grease is the word!
Students from Garden International School (GIS) are working like 'greased lightning' to get
ready for a performance of the classic musical Grease! After weeks of rehearsing, the show
has got groove, it's got meaning, and will be staged at GIS on November 5, 6 and 7.
If you want your 'Summer Nights' to be more entertaining, then head along to GIS, where
students will be 'Hopelessly Devoted' to entertaining you. Tickets are just 120 baht in
advance, or 200 baht from Monday November 3. They are available from school or will be
available on the door. The show starts at 7pm. Food and drinks will be available to buy.
Follow us on Facebook!
Head to our Facebook page for the latest news on what’s
been happening at GIS.
www.facebook.com/gardeninternationalschool
This month…
- Year 4 assembly about Brazil
- Year 3 work on Egypt
- Year 2 learning about plants.
- Grease preview
- Diwali photos and video
- Peace One Day photos

www.youtube.com/user/gardenrayongthailand
snacks, which had
parents. Prefects
to their seats before
After a shadow
was performed by
were some amazing
from Primary and
students.
There were flashes
and Indian pop stars
performed hit songs
Vishal Dadlani,
Sukhwinder Singh
Jiwaani’ by Sunidhi
Vishal Dadlani.
Video 1: Diwali!
GIS lit up to celebrate Diwali – with an explosion of dance,
food and Indian culture.
GIS’s main hall was packed out on October 15 to celebrate
Diwali, the annual festival of light.
Candles lit the way towards the hall, where visitors snacked
on delicious Indian
been provided by
showed everyone
the show began.
puppet show, which
IB students, there
dancing displays
Secondary
of classic Bollywood
as the students
such as ‘Tu Meri’ by
‘Singham’ by
and ‘Sheila Ki
Chauhan and
Many thanks to the parents who helped organise the events, the teachers and GIS
staff who made the hall look amazing and the students for preparing so well to
ensure another dynamite Diwali.

Diwali 2014
at GIS

Video 2: Peace Day
On October 3, IB1 students
organised a series of fun activities
and challenges to raise awareness
for the Peace One Day event.
As part of their Creativity, Action,
Service (CAS) requirements, the
IB1 students put students into
Houses and then gave them
several tasks around the school.
These included playing charades, a
basketball challenge, and other
tasks that showed the importance of
working as a team.
Everyone who took part gave a donation. As a result,
around 4,200 baht was raised, which was given to
Queen Sirikit Hospital in Ban Chang. Well done to the
IB1s for arranging such a great afternoon!
Video 3: Primary Activities in Term One
See a collection of activities, from Thai dance to building a tower!

From Mrs Gordon: Head of Primary
Hello,
I hope you all had a good half term break. Primary has just enjoyed its Halloween Party on
Friday afternoon. There were lots of spooky fun and snacks. The IB students created our
very own Haunted House for the event! All funds raised from the event will go to the Hand
to Hand Foundation in Pattaya (www.handtohandpattaya.com).
A big thank you to all parents for their support in our Nit Busting week. The
few cases of lice that were found were dealt with swiftly and hopefully we’ll
all be nit free for the rest of the term.
Over the half term
holidays the new
surface in the Years 1
and 2 playground was
installed. The children
are loving having all
the extra space to play
in and it looks
wonderful. Thank you
to our Site Manager,
Mr Martin, for organising
that.
Our House Competition this week was a tense Spelling Bee for Years 3 to 6 with a very
close final round between Gecko and Eagle. Ms Julie just pulled it off for Gecko by spelling
the word ‘poignant’ correctly. Thank you to Ms Natalie for being MC for the event. Ms Jane
had an even tougher job judging the House Poetry Recital Competition in Years 1 and 2.
In the end Cobra won, with an excellent recital of a Snake Poem by Jessica in Year 1.
We look forward to celebrating Loy Krathong with you next Thursday afternoon, November
6.
Warm regards
Claire Gordon
Head of Primary
headpri@gardenrayong.com

Primary Blogs
What have our children been learning about this month? Have a look at our class blogs to
find out…Check out these blogs to find out the latest happenings in Primary!
Early Years
earlyyears.gardenrayong.com
Have a look at some of the songs and rhymes EY have been learning for Halloween
http://earlyyears.gardenrayong.com/p/poems-and-songs.html
Nursery
nursery.gardenrayong.com
Nursery made some beautiful Diva Lamps to celebrate Diwali
http://nursery.gardenrayong.com/2014/10/dear-parents-i-hope-you-all-havea.html
Reception
reception.gardenrayong.com
Reception has been learning about what our liver does
http://reception.gardenrayong.com/p/reception-owls.html
Year 1
year1.gardenrayong.com
Have a look at what the Year 1s made on their healthy fruit picnic this month.
http://year1.gardenrayong.com/2014/10/our-healthy-picnicyum.html
Year 2
year2.gardenrayong.com
Year2 – took a trip to the birds and bees resort to see their farm garden
http://year2.gardenrayong.com/2014/10/birds-and-bees-resort-trip-we-all-had.html
Year 3
year3.gardenrayong.com
Be very careful venturing into Year 3. You may get mummified!
http://year3.gardenrayong.com/2014/09/mummification.html
Year 4
year4.gardenrayong.com
Brazil Day & Assembly – Hola from GIS Brazil
http://year4.gardenrayong.com/2014/10/hola-what-fantasticmorning-we-have-had.html
Year 5 – it’s all Greek to me!
Year5.gardenrayong.com
http://year5.gardenrayong.com/2014/10/comedy-or-tragedy.html

Year 6
Year6.gardenrayong.com
Grammar murder mystery - who would have thought apostrophes could be so exciting?
http://year6.gardenrayong.com/2014/10/english-murder-mystery-challenge.html
Halloween
Ghouls, ghosts and black cats appeared at GIS to celebrate Halloween. Foundation
students got dressed up in spectacular fashion on October 31 to mark the day. Over in
Primary there was a special ‘haunted house’, which was organised by the IB1 students.
Well done to the IBs for arranging such a
fun activity.

From Mr Ball: Head of Secondary
Hello Parents,
It is a story that is old beyond time.
Boy meets girl.
Girl meets boy.
They fall in love.
There is misunderstanding.
They are thwarted.
There is reconciliation.
There is happiness.
There is a really old battered car that is
‘souped up’.
Grease is the word.
Grease: Wednesday November 6, Thursday November 7, and Friday November 8.
Contact Khun Bonnie for tickets (120 baht and 200 baht from Monday November 3).
Thank you to Mark Beales for the following words. He is far more eloquent than I, so:
After weeks of rehearsing, the show has got groove, it's got meaning, and will be staged
on November 5, 6 and 7. If you want your 'Summer Nights' to be more entertaining, then
head along to GIS, where students will be 'Hopelessly Devoted' to entertaining you.
Last half term we began a new reward system in Secondary, based on the IB Learner
Profile and the School Core Values. The reward system was based on the IB learner
profile ’Knowledgeable’. Staff and students were informed of the criteria for success.
The criteria were: Who showed a development of their knowledge? Who used their
knowledge? Who has brought in knowledge from other subjects in their lessons?
For a month staff observed students from Year 7 to IB2. Departments then had the
difficult job of deciding on one student from Years 7-9 and one student from Years 10 to
IB2 who deserved to be rewarded for being knowledgeable. A varied selection of
students received their Magnum award during a lesson with the reason for their success
being read out. The next reward profile is Open Minded. The criteria are: Demonstrated
they are open to the perspectives of others. Show value to the opinions of others.
Demonstrate being Open Minded in their lessons (related to the lesson). I look forward
to seeing who will be nominated in one month’s time.
Sage Ball
Head of Secondary
headsec@gardenrayong.com

Trip to Bangkok’s 16 th
International Festival of Dance
and Music
By Tanisha (IB2)
The Languages’ Department at GIS
organised a trip to the International
Festival of Music and Dance in Bangkok,
on Sunday September 28.
The performance we attended was called
“Aeternun” from Spain. A lot of students from
different classes from Year 7 to IB2 attended.
It was a wonderful opportunity for all IGCSE
and IB Spanish students to experience
authentic Spanish culture, which also helps
increase their knowledge towards the Spanish
cultural dance for their study course as well. It
was a fantastic chance to be exposed to worldclass
music and dance.
We all had a great time watching the amazing dance and music performed by seven
talented Spanish dancers. After the show, we had the opportunity to meet the 7 dancers,
get their signatures and also took pictures with them. It was a great experience and we are
looking forward to go again next year.
IB News
Book Donation
A Pattaya library has been given dozens of books –
thanks to GIS students.
Prefects from GIS asked students to donate any old
books, which were still in good condition, as part of
International Literacy Day.
Students responded brilliantly and sent in dozens of
books. IB Coordinator Mr Beales then went down to
North Star Library, which is part of the Father Ray
Foundation, to give the books to some very grateful
helpers.

Teacher of the Month
This month we talk to Ms Jessica in Foundation.
1) How long have you been in Thailand? What's the best
thing about working at GIS?
I first came to Thailand travelling in 2001, but moved here in
2004. I’ve been back and forth from Canada ever since, but
at GIS since last year. The best thing about working at GIS
for me is the location and the community; it’s a great place
to raise a family. I also love my job teaching Reception, and
it’s great to be a part of the progress and growth that is
happening in GIS.
2) What do you do when you're not teaching? As a teacher
and a mum I usually don’t have time to do much other than the day-to-day stuff of working
and looking after my 2 boys. However for holidays my favourite thing to do is road trips!
Just pack the kids in the car, drive and explore!
3) Favourite singer/band? I have rather eclectic tastes in music and don’t really have a
specific favourite, but I love songs that I can sing (horribly) along with.
4) Favourite movie and why? I truly can’t remember the last time I sat down to watch a
movie not made for children! So with that in mind I’d have to say The Lego Movie. It’s full
of clever innuendos for adults, and I love the twist ending. I hope it gets parents thinking
about how they play, or don’t play, with their children and the effects that has on them.
5) If you weren't a teacher, what would you be doing?
I can’t imagine doing anything other than teaching! But since my first degree is in
Psychology, it would probably be in that field.
6) What's the best place you've been to in Thailand?
I’ve had the chance to travel through a lot of the country and find it all amazing in its own
ways. Two of my most memorable experiences are going to Phraya Nakhon cave in Khao
Sam Roi Yot National Park, and Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai.
7) What's the biggest difference between your home country and Thailand? The weather!
8) What kind of student were you? I got straight As, but was and still am a procrastinator
for sure. I always ended up getting things done just in time!
9) What are you afraid of? To be honest, I’m not particularly afraid of much; my
biggest fears are about anything that can harm my children.
10) If you could have a superpower, what would it be? To fly!

Student of the Month
This month we talk to Franzsel John Garcia (FJ) in Year 4.
1) Where are you from? What's it like there?
I come from the Philippines. It is fun, sunny and the people
are very friendly.
2) Who is your favourite teacher? Why?
Mr Paul, because … he just is.
3) What is your favourite activity in school?
Running around with my friends at playtime.
4) What job would you like when you finish school? I’d
like to be a teacher, I want to teach small kids not big kids.
5) What is your favourite subject? English and reading because it is fun.
6) What's the best country you've visited (apart from Thailand)? I haven’t been to any
other countries, only Thailand and the Philippines.
7) Favourite Thai food? Khao man gai, it is really yummy.
8) How many languages can you speak? English and Bisayan
9) Favourite animal. Cheetahs and cats because they are fast and cute.
10) If you could be a superhero, who would it be? Why? The Invisible Man because you
can’t see him and I could scare people for fun.

Sport
Sandy is first Thai F3 champion!
Former GIS student Sandy Stuvik has become the first Thai motor racing driver to win the
Formula 3 Championship.
Sandy, who gained his IB Diploma from GIS earlier this year, secured his first F3
Championship at the Monza Circuit in Italy to win
the Euro Formula Open Championship.
Sandy has also recently featured on national
television as Channel 9 recorded a documentary
about his racing career.
Sandy spent his entire education at GIS and he
planted a long-service award tree to recognise this
achievement (pictured right). Well done, Sandy!
More Medals for Daseul
Year 10 student Daseul has won
another medal for Taekwondo!
Daseul took part in the 4 th
Heroes Taekwondo
Championship, held on October
4 at Undomsuksa School in
Bangkok.
She competed in the 12~14
poomse 1st junior black belt and
was awarded a bronze medal
(pictured left). Well done, Daseul!
Daseul had a particularly busy month as she also ran in the charity ‘Oxy’ run in Bangkok
on October 26. She completed the 12 km course in a time of 1 hour and 40 minutes, and
picked up a medal and shirt as a result (pictured above right).

Front Office Flags
Here are the posters that have accompanied the countries that we are celebrating each
week at GIS. Next week’s it’s the turn of Sweden!
Renee, our Humanities’ Prefect, has put these together each week and has done a
fantastic job.

Garden International School
Your choice. Their future. Our family.
Find us at:
Website: www.gardenrayong.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gisrayong
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gardeninternationalschool
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/gardenrayongthailand
Accredited by
Affiliated to
Rayong Campus : 188/24 Moo 4 Pala-Banchang Road, Tambol Pala, Amphur Ban Chang, Rayong, Thailand 21130. Tel. +66 (0)38 880360-3 Fax. +66 (0)38 030805
Bangkok Campus : 2/1 Yen Akart Soi 2,Yen Akart Road, Bangkok, Thailand 10120. Website : www.gardenbangkok.com
REPS Campus : 188/46 Moo 4 Pala-Banchang Road, Tambol Pala, Amphur Ban Chang, Rayong, Thailand 21130. Website : www.repsrayong.com