NIST News - 5 September 2014

While our IT staff work diligently to integrate Mynewsdesk with our email system, we are attempting a temporary solution to bring NIST News to you via email this Friday. If it is not responsive on your device (it is not enlarging the text to the size of your mobile or tablet) or email client, we recommend that you view the online version at Mynewsdesk. We would also appreciate it if you would complete a brief survey if you do encounter any difficulties viewing the newsletter.

Dreams for the Future Art Auction

Students, parents, alumni and staff are welcome to submit artwork for the NIST Arts Auction, an event to be held on 24 November in order to raise support for the NIST Campus Development Plan. Submissions should align with the theme Dreams for the Future and can be in any medium or size. Email photos of any submissions to Jenny Tiefel by 17 November. Artwork must be completed and brought to the 4th floor of the CAB on 24 November.

Wai Khru

Thank you to the many students and parents who participated in the Wai Khru assemblies held earlier this week. As educators, we sincerely appreciate the support we receive from this community, and it makes our efforts worthwhile. Photos of the event can be viewed in our Zenfolio album.

NIST vs. Patana Alumni Sports Day

Alumni from NIST and Bangkok Patana are joining together tomorrow in the two schools' first collaborative alumni sports day. Beginning at 2:00 PM, they will face off in basketball, volleyball and football. Pizza and refreshments will be served at 6:00 PM in the Staff Lounge. Stop by the Sports Complex tomorrow and cheer on the veterans!

Mindfulness Course for Parents

This month, Siri Chandler will be offering a .b Foundation course for parents here at NIST. The course provides first hand understanding of mindfulness as a skill that can be cultivated and incorporated into daily life. This course has been created by the Mindfulness in Schools Project, a non-profit organization whose aim is to encourage, support and research the teaching of secular mindfulness in schools. To learn more, visit our website.

New Elementary Playgrounds

We are very excited to announce that from this Saturday, 6 September, phase 1 of the construction of our Elementary Playground redevelopment will be starting. This will be followed by the second part of phase 1, the redevelopment of the Junior (Early Years) Playground, with this redevelopment commencing over the NIST long weekend from 18 September. Read more about the project on the Elementary School Blog.

NLCS: Parents New to the PYP

Deputy Head of Primary - Curriculum Kate Grant will be running an NLCS for elementary school parents who are interested in learning the basics of the Primary Years Programme. The event will be held from 8:45 to 10:00 AM in Ratchapruek (3rd Floor, Elementary Building). You can RSVP at the Elementary School Blog.

Research Indicates PYP Students Excel beyond Peers

A study conducted by Deakin University has shown that students in the Primary Years Programme may possess a higher level of literacy, "learning skills" and self-awareness than other children of the same age. This results in large part from the PYP's focus on learning based in inquiry and play, which in turn better prepares students for future studies. A summary of the research can be viewed online.

Coffee & Questions Morning

Our Secondary Leadership Team will host this year's first coffee morning for secondary school parents from 8:00 - 9:30 AM on Wednesday, 10 September in Room 4309 (Secondary Building). They will discuss campus developments, drug testing in the high school and new laptop guidelines, and will also be open to questions. To RSVP, visit the Secondary School Blog.



Thanks to all of the students, parents and staff who were involved in making the first week of the ECA Programme a great success. For this first session, 1,057 students are involved in 140 activities. We hope your child enjoyed the first week of ECAs, and be sure to follow the ECA blog for updates over the next few months.

2014 Falcon Friendship Varsity Soccer & Volleyball Tournaments

The ever-popular annual friendship Falcon Friendship Tournament will take place next Friday, Saturday and Sunday (12-14 September). The event brings together many schools in the area for a weekend of friendly sports competition. All members of the community are welcome to join; we hope to see you there!

NIPTA Gourmet Cooking Club

Do you have a passion for cooking or would just love to learn more about how to make a favorite dish? Some highly talented NIST parents have kindly volunteered their cooking expertise and time to provide parents the opportunity to develop their cooking skills, learn new recipes and have fun at the same time.

The first NIPTA Gourmet Cooking Club will take place on Thursday, 11 September from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM in the new, state-of-the-art kitchen facilities at school. Khun Goh and Nicola will present a delicious menu of spicy minced pork/chicken salad (larb moo/kai), followed by a delicious apple flan. Ingredients will be purchased on your behalf, and spaces are strictly limited. The cost is 300 Thai baht per person, pre-paid. Please RSVP to nipta.activities@gmail.com by Monday, 8 September. (Please indicate your preference for pork or chicken.)

NIPTA Coffee Morning: Hosted by the Thai CC Club

We welcome all parents and teachers to join us for coffee and a Thai-style breakfast on Friday, 12 September, from 7:30 - 9:30 AM in the Staff Lounge in the Elementary Building. A variety of traditional Thai snacks and refreshments will be available.

New Parent Country Group

Any parents interested in joining a new country group for those from Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Chile and Italy (Spanish-speaking, Italian-speaking and Portuguese-speaking) please join us at 10:00 - 11:00 AM on Thursday, 11 September to learn more. (The room will be posted on the NIPTA board near the campus entrance.)

Parent & Teacher Night Out (Tonight!)

Join us tonight at Crave Restaurant at the Aloft Hotel (Sukhumvit Soi 11) for a fun evening from 7:00 PM onward in which you can catch up with old friends and meet new ones. For 500 Thai baht per person, you will receive two selected drinks from a set number of choices, accompanied by delicious snacks. Happy Hour prices continue the whole night, beginning at just 100 Thai baht! Tickets will be available at the door.

• 5 September: Parent & Teacher Night Out (7:00 PM - onward, Crave Restaurant at Aloft Hotel. RSVP nipta.activities@gmail.com.)
• 6 September: NIST vs. Patana Alumni Sports Day (12:00 - 6:00 PM. Contact Mini Pavaphiphat for more information.)
• 6 September: U19 Boys & Girls Soccer and Volleyball Tournaments (8:00 AM - At RIS)
• 8 September: NIPTA Japanese Country Group Meeting (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: 4th Floor, The Hub)
• 10 September: Love & Logic Parenting Course 1 (Ratchapruek/3309. Contact Chris Boreham for more information.)
• 11 September: Bangkok Gifted & Talented Education Network Meeting (7:30 AM - 2:30 PM. Contact Trish Curtain for more information.)
• 11 September: NIPTA Gourmet Cooking Club (1:00 - 2:30 PM)
• 12 September: Back-to-School Dance (6:30 - 9:00 PM: 5th Floor, The Hub)
• 12-14 September: Falcon Friendship Varsity Boys & Girls Soccer and Volleyball Tournaments
• 13 September: Clean Up the Reef Day
• 13 September: Living in Bankgok at Bumrungrad Hospital
• 10 October: Diwali (student celebration)
• 29 October: Japanese Culture Day (student celebration)

Next Week in Sports

• 8 September: U15 Girls Basketball vs. Traill (3:30 PM - At NIST)
• 8 September: U13 Girls Basketball vs. Traill (3:30 PM - At NIST)
• 9 September: U13 Boys Basketball vs. Traill (3:30 PM - At NIST)
• 11 September: U15 Boys Rugby vs. BPS (3:30 PM - At BPS)
• 12-14 September: Falcon Friendship Varsity Boys & Girls Soccer and Volleyball Tournaments