Head’s Lines: Exam Season

Year 11 and Year 13 students are getting into the swing of external (i)GCSE and IB examinations. EDT Accreditors visit the school meeting school leaders, teachers, students and some PTG parents. And we look forward to the exciting times ahead in Term 3 with STA Parents a welcome on to campus to watch their children compete in Sport fixtures and for Performing Arts shows. 

Our Year 11 and Year 13 Senior Studies students have now started their external examinations. Year 11 students are sitting the General Certificates in Secondary Education (GCSE) or International General Certificate in Secondary Education IGCSE examinations. These are set by British examination boards and sent to the school under strict security. These test papers are opened for the first time in the actual examination room just prior to the students beginning their 1 to 2 hour testing sessions. The invigilators and students have no idea what specific questions will be asked, and thus, it is a good objective assessment of what the students have actually learnt during the two years (or five terms) they have been studying their courses. 

A very wide range of GCSE/IGCSE courses are first presented to students in Year 9 students so that they can pick an individualised programme of study in Year 10 and 11 that is closely aligned to their interests and career aspirations. You can learn more about the range of course options available to Year 9 students picking their Year 10 study programmes by clicking on this link, and you understand why our IGCSE Programme is the right choice for your child by reading this article.

Similarly, the students in Class of 2022 chose their individualised programmes of study for their last two years of High School during their Year 11. There are a wide range of courses and programmes on offer in the St Andrews International School Senior Studies programme with theInternational Baccalaureate Diploma Programme serving as the main backbone of Years 12 and 13. If you would like to see the wide range of courses currently on offer for next year's Year 12 students, please click here. 

The students in Year 13 have another two weeks of examinations after which they will be able to relax and enjoy their Graduation ceremonies. These will take place during the week beginning the 23rd May with their close friends and family in the theatre at our school. The Graduation celebrations will finish with the Class of 2022 having a Graduation Party with their families, friends and teachers on Sunday 29th May at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park. I know everyone is looking forward to the Graduation of this remarkable group of young men and women who I know are fully prepared for the next chapter of their lives at institutions of higher learning.

I know you will join me in wishing the Year 11 and 13 students every success and the best of luck in their external exams.

Education Trust Accreditation visit

On Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th May, two education consultants - Sally Lane and David Bowles - have been visiting our school. There is a very tight schedule planned with them where they will meet many key leaders across the school, students and parents from the PTG. 

The consultants will also be visiting classrooms and generally really getting a feel for how our school has managed as we come out of the pandemic. It will be good to have them in school and give feedback to us on their observations from their meetings and discussions. 

Our school has earned full international accreditation by the Education Trust which has granted us the prestigious British Schools Overseas Award recognising that our operation meets their high standards of being equal to the best independent schools both in Britain and internationally.

Term 3 Events

Looking at the school calendar of events, it is amazing to see just how many events and activities are happening across the school throughout this term. The sports competitions and fixtures are well underway with many year group teams and squads taking part in a huge range of events. It is great that parents will be able to come to our school to watch their children play, and we will work with the other international schools to further increase the opportunities for parents to visit the away fixtures and tournaments.

It will also be fantastic to see the High School production later this week. I know a huge amount of effort has been put into this, and I am certain it will be a memorable event. Parents will be able to come and watch their children perform, in person, which again is a great step forward. 

There will be the first Dance Festival at our Primary School on Saturday 14th May. This will be another wonderful opportunity for children to really explore and enjoy the opportunity to develop and show their dance skills.

The Primary School will hold their International Day on 2nd June. All the Primary children will be invited to come to school dressed in their national costume or clothes representing their country. There will be lots of activities across the school celebrating our wider range of nationalities and cultures from within our school community.

I know also everyone in the Primary School is looking forward to hopefully being able to hold the annual Expos for each year group. This is where parents are invited into school to see all the work and activities their children have been undertaking on the topic of study this term. These have always been one of the highlights of the academic year, and it is a great way for parents to appreciate the wide range of skills and work their children have been involved in creating.

STA LINE Channel for Communication

With LINE being one of the most popular platforms for our parents to communicate with each other, we have reinstated our STA LINE account, and we will be using this to share important school-wide updates and reminders. 

To sign up for the school Line account, please either search for @standrewsbangkok in Line, or scan the QR code below for direct access.