Cover OK.

indd 1 12/10/09 10:22:30 PM

IN F COVER.indd 1 12/10/09 10:26:05 PM
P1 OK.indd 5 12/4/09 4:39:19 AM
P2 OK.indd 5 12/8/09 10:44:56 PM
 HEADMASTER: From 36/15
Simon Leslie Headmaster’s Message .............................................5
EDITOR: Same Same But Different ...........................................6
Jaemi Hodgson School Board Update .................................................7
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT:
Pook Srisuksawad

ADVERTISING ASSISTANT: School News

Pook Srisuksawad News from Development ............................................9
Student Achievements .............................................12
@36/15 is published by the
Bridges: Dialogues Towards Peace ...........................13
Office of Development, NIST
36 Sukhumvit Soi 15, Alumni News ............................................................36
Bangkok 10110,
www.nist.ac.th NIST in the Community
DESIGN & PRODUCTION Right to Play ............................................................11
Ritika Mirchandani NIPTA .....................................................................33
FUSION ...................................................................34
ADVERTISING CONTACTS
Ritika Mirchandani
ritika2200@yahoo.com

Pook Srisuksawad Round-Up of Activities

pook@nist.ac.th Habitat Awareness Week ..........................................10
Model United Nations ...............................................14
Blast Off...................................................................16
Voices .....................................................................18
Art Around the School...............................................25
Sports .....................................................................27
PE Curriculum ..........................................................39
Photography ECA ....................................................40

Calendar ................................................................37

3 Content OK.indd 3 12/9/09 2:32:20 AM

LMP NIST_P4 vol.5 Imac2 Boyd.indd 4 11/28/09 3:04:01 PM
5 headmasters OK.indd 5 12/9/09 2:34:04 AM
 Same Same But Different : Communication

U
nfortunately, the frequency and quality of conversation
between parents and their children regarding the
school day is limited if at all. There are many reasons
why we as parents are not able to find quality conversational
opportunities with our children. Time is perhaps the most
challenging obstacle, followed by distractions such as
television, activities, and other commitments. Therefore
my point is that we need to seek quality opportunities and
engage our children in meaningful conversation about their
experiences as learners. We need to take an active interest
in our children’s schooling.

Consider the following scenario of a common interaction

between a parent and student at the end of the day:

Parent: Hi, how was school today?

Student (returning home from school): Fine
Parent: What did you learn?
Student: Nothing
Parent: Ok, dinner is in ten minutes

Believe it or not this is one of the most common

conversations, and the extent of most conversations that
parents have with their children about school. So let me
pose the question to you: what do you say to your child when
they return from school? Do you ask how was their day? Do
you ask them what they learned over the course of the day
and how this learning will make them a better, smarter, more
curious learner? Do you spend time at the dinner table (with
the TV off) engaged in meaningful conversation about the
eight hours of schooling that has taken place. If you do,
then you are in good company but only with about 30%
of parents according to a recent Columbia study. Studies
are indicating that families who take a genuine interest in
their children’s education are seeing dramatic increases in
student achievement and less discipline problems.
By nature, children are not the most forthcoming with
information, especially when it comes to their day in school.
This is often magnified if some part of their day was not
something they are proud of ie., they got in trouble on the
playground, or did not do well on a test. Therefore, we
need to ask probing and open-ended questions. “How was
school today?” is a closed question that can be answered
with “good or bad.” This is okay as long as you follow up
with a probing question such as “why was school good?” It
is fine to ask a simple yes or know, good or bad question if
you continue to find out the reasons for the answer (you will
be a good IB practitioner working as an inquirer.)
We all want to be proud of our children. We want them to
be mature, responsible and honest people as they grow up.
The best way to do this is to give them the opportunity to
develop these traits with you as their mentor or guide. Isn’t
raising children supposed to be one of the great reasons
for having children? Take the time, take the initiative and
invest in your child. A wise lady once told me that life is
about choices. Everyday we make choices; what to eat,
what to wear and what to do. We don’t have a choice to be
born into this world, and we probably won’t have much of a
choice when it is our time to leave. But in between birth and
death, we are blessed with the opportunity to make many
choices (this is called life). How we spend our time is our
most important choice. Choose wisely, choose children.
Tarek Razik, Head of Admissions

6 tareks column ok.indd 6 12/9/09 2:54:49 AM

 FIE

What is the Foundation for

International Education (FIE)?
The FIE is the governing body and license holder of the
New International School of Thailand (NIST). It consists of
23 voting members (mainly parents) along with the Director
of the School, the Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster
as non voting members. Members are elected, some by
the parent body and some by the FIE for a two year term.
The Chair of the FIE is M.R. Pridayathorn Devakula. The FIE
meets four times per year and makes the major governance
decisions: approves the budget; appoints the Headmaster
and approves major policies as recommended by the
Executive School Board.

The current FIE members are:

M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula Chairman
Mr. Ravi Sawhney Founding Member
M.R. Pridayathorn Devakula
Mr. Sarath Ratanavadi Vice Chairman
Mr. Peter Romhild Secretary
Mr. Scott Christensen Treasurer
Ms. Andrea Le Bruen Member
Mr. Bruce Hemmingsen Member
Mr. Chaipat Sahasakul Member
Mr. Chana Asdathorn Member
Mr. David Mandel Member
Ms. Hong Ying Member
Mr. Ilan Stern Member
Mr. Joerg Huppertz Member
Mr. Jon Selby Member
Mr. Montree Sirisomboonwong Member
Mr. Narong Kokar Member
Ms. Ornkanya Pibuldham Member
Mr. Prabsharan Thakral Member
Ms. Sana Peechapol Member
Dr. Varun Taepaisitphonse Member
Mr. Visit Tantisunthorn Member
Dr. Vorapol Socatiyanurak Member
Ms. Wantana Thongthai Member FIE members with Elementary Principal Paul
Mr. Winn Santipongchai Member
Hamlyn at a recent meeting

7-8 FIE OK.indd 7 12/9/09 2:55:50 AM

 What is the NIST Executive School
Board?
Each year at the first meeting of the FIE in August, nine
members are elected to serve as the Executive School
Board for the duration of the academic year. All members
of the Executive Board must be parents. They meet with
the Headmaster and other senior staff, along with a NIST
teacher representative, on a monthly basis. The Headmaster
reports to the Board and raises policy issues for the Board’s
approval. There are five Board committees who work with
the Headmaster and Senior Management Team to establish
clear policies which the Headmaster can implement. The
Executive Board delegates the day to day management of Sarath Ratanavadi Peter Romhild
the School to the Headmaster.

Current Action
The School is continuing to undergo major physical
changes as it moves forward with the re- development of
the NIST Campus. The FIE has accepted and approved
Board submissions in regard to these major works. The
new Secondary classroom building will be ready to occupy
in August, 2010. A roof over the tennis courts, as well
as new tennis courts, will be constructed after Songkran
2010. Funds have also been approved for the renovation
of the Elementary classroom building during the 2010
academic year. In addition, approval has been granted
for the introduction of ‘Smart Boards’ and the ‘Front Row’ Scott Christensen Bruce Hemmingsen
sound system in classes across the School. All of these
improvements will ensure that our children receive the best
possible education available in Thailand.

The current Executive Board members are:

Mr. Sarath Ratanavadi President

Mr. Peter Romhild Vice President
Mr. Scott Christensen Treasurer
Mr. Bruce Hemmingsen Member
Mr. David Mandel Member
Mr. Jon Selby Member
Mr. Joerg Huppertz Member
Mr. Narong Kokar Member
Ms. Ornkanya Pibuldham Member David Mandel Jon Selby

Ornkanya Pibuldham Joerg Huppertz Narong Kokar

7-8 FIE OK.indd 8 12/9/09 2:55:53 AM

 Donations

O
ver the years, NIST has had several different
fundraising programmes, including the ‘Buy a
Plaque’ scheme for our Sports Complex, the Take a
Seat campaign for our Theatre and most recently the Annual
Giving Campaign. What many perhaps did not realize was
that running alongside these programmes was another, the
naming rights programme for our top tier of donors.

This programme was initiated by the School Board when

NIST started its first phase of redevelopment over four
years ago. NIST works closely with our donors to tailor a
gift that matches their philanthropic interests, budget and
recognition with the school’s needs.

The Charnvirakul Library was the first of our buildings and

facilities to be named after a donor in recognition of his
or her gift. More recently, we have the Khunying Patama
Swimming Pool and the Tantipipatpong Theatre thanks to
the generosity of the Leeswadtrakul and Tantipipatpong
families. Their support allows us to move forward with
our next phase of development and provide even better
facilities and education to our children.

Electric shuttle car donated by Khun Khacharin and Khun

Rachnee Sosothikul

9 donations ok.indd 9 12/9/09 2:56:59 AM

 10

10 habitat OK.indd 10 12/10/09 10:44:17 PM

 11

11 right to play OK.indd 11 12/9/09 2:36:48 AM

 Student Achievements

the first Thai National competition I had, I got 0.00 points for
two apparatus! There were two sessions, morning session
and afternoon session. I came second on beam in the
morning session, so I had the chance to go to the finals on
October 8, 2009.

I made it to the finals! I qualified in floor, beam and vault. I

was surprised that I got qualified in floor because I had a low
score comparing to everyone. My coach told me to enjoy
the competition, so I did. The results were pretty good. I
was fourth on beam out of eight people, on floor I was sixth
and on vault, I was fifth. I couldn’t get any medal, but I am
still happy because I did my best!

O
n October 6, 2009, I had my Thai National
Gymnastics competition at Suphamburi, Thailand.
It took us approximately two hours to get there from
NIST, so I had to wake up about 4.30 a.m. Besides me,
there was also Rena and Tara from Y5 competing from NIST.
I was kind of nervous but kind of excited because when my
dad told me to sleep in the bus, I couldn’t sleep. The place
where we did the competition was a big sports school. One
gymnasium was bigger than our whole PE centre at NIST! I
saw many gymnasts from Thailand doing a lot of high level
skills compared to ours. They did twists on floor, they did
back flips on the beam; many hard skills.

During competition, I wasn’t too nervous. When my friend

and I finished our turn, we talked about who’s good and who
made mistakes. Our scores were pretty good. We came
fifth in our team score, out of 10 teams. I was surprised
when I saw my beam and vault score because they were
both 11.00 points and I never got that high point. Even, in

   
Congratulations to Saris Ratanavadi on his performance at
the True Visions-Singha Junior Golf Championships 2009
held at the The Pine Golf Club, Bangkok. Saris achieved
the runner up position in the Class C(boy) category. Well
done !

12

12 student achievemt ok.indd 12 12/9/09 2:57:57 AM

 13

13 bridges OK.indd 13 12/9/09 2:38:06 AM

 14

14 mun OK.indd 14 12/9/09 2:39:07 AM

 Loy Krathong in the Early Years Centre

Prior to Loy Krathong, each class made paper Krathong with their Thai teacher, Khun Warunee. Then
on the morning of Loy Krathong all the children were involved in helping to make Krathong from fresh
materials, with parent helpers.

Once these were made each class went to the EY pool to float their Krathong.
Later all the parents, children and teachers were invited to dance in the EY playground to drummers
playing Thai rhythms.

Some quotes from children and parents:

“My one was floating away.”  Ashoka
“It was so fun.” Raisa
“I was wearing a beautiful dress with a pink thing and a crown.”  Hui Ju
“My mum help us make the flower thing.”  Hiroki
“The children liked to  participate with the krathong decorating.”   Dean’s Mum
“We love the Loy Krathong music.”  Sophie’s mum

15 EY OK.indd 15 12/10/09 10:53:37 PM

 16

16-17 blast off OK.indd 16 12/9/09 2:41:24 AM

 17

16-17 blast off OK.indd 17 12/9/09 2:41:55 AM

 ‘The Gift of Gurpurab’

Squeezing my way through towering troops

In the Golden Globe of the Gurudwara,
I tightly tugged on my mothers’ dupatta,
Stumbling as I bowed back,
Blinded by the sparkling harmony of
But now, my vision blurred as flashes
Lights assembled neatly as the day of Gurpurab
of light struck my face. My head hammered,
Boomingly approached.
Dragging weightless burdens thrown over my
shoulder. Heavy harmonies
Hundreds of faces wove through
channeled emptily through my ears,
my distorted gaze, their eyes twinkling
As I struggled to fasten in. A House
with utmost content. A dark curtain
never lived in, a Shelter never used. The
of waves smoothly slithered past
Glorious Gift of Gurpurab once valued,
my puerile face, as countless strands
now shattered in the long stretch
of smooth sinuous hair eagerly
of Life.
Lunged for the red blanket
Sweltering down low.
By Anmol Narang, Y11
The urge to sweep my hands through
the dark puddle of waves, enclosed
on me as I took one tiny step
Meanings and pronunciation of religious terms used:
Forward.
Gurudwara: (Guru – dwara) – A Sikh temple.
Dupatta: (Du – pa – tta) – A long scarf a woman wears
Just then, the sweet stroke of Kirtan
around her head or shoulders.
trickled through my delicate ears,
Kirtan: (Kir – tan) – The process of singing the words and
Like drops of sound forming melodies
phrases from the Guru Granth Sahib.
of devotion. I scampered upstairs
Guru Granth Sahib: The holy scripture in Sikhism compiled
and bounced between mounted figures,
by the Guru’s, also being considered as the present Guru of
Watching the thick streak of Honored Sikhs
the Sikhs.
Striding through the centre, balancing the
Guru: According to Sikh belief, Guru’s are teachers/
Guru Granth Sahib on their Turbans.
preachers who are sent by God with His knowledge, to
I joined the blissful chorus, reciting His name
teach this knowledge to people.
and celebrating the Guru’s Birthday.
Gurpurab: (Gur – pu – rab) – A celebration of one of the
All I wanted to do was bury myself
Guru’s birthday.
in this unknown, but warm
Touch of joy.

18

18-24 voices OK.indd 18 11/28/09 4:10:41 PM

 Fading 
 
Seamlessly tiring; the tedious task of waiting
For my father. It had been an eternity since
The school bell rang. Teachers had dismissed the
Excited children, ready to enjoy their weekend.
But there remained a few:
Those abandoned, those left behind in the playground.
 
Haunting wails of defiant children filled the air; Home
A grave tune. Early December. The smell of salt in the air
As a distraction, I opened my sketchbook. And the silky feel of sand underfoot.
The smell of paper was all too familiar. Being soothed into drowsiness by the
I gripped the pencil in my hands: the slick coat Comforting sounds of surf
Of blue paint that had encased the wooden shell. Like the rhythmic pat of a father’s hand.
I began to draw what I saw in front of me: I sit on the shore squinting against the glare
  Of the sun. I watch the expert
A tree firmly rooted, its entwined roots Ride the waves with ease.
Locked like lovers, in an eternal embrace. Birds soar above, Ducking and weaving.
The dancing leaves, the blistered bark. I build a castle. The biggest of its kind.
The tranquil soil, the rigid concrete.
And in the distance, a towering giant Now as I look out my window
Engulfing everything in its broad shadow. I find a sea of buildings
Streets are sois and the sound of crashing waves
The charcoal grey of the pencil was able to Replaced with clunking machinery.
Highlight where sunlight fell onto these objects; Trains weaving around buildings.
Where light gave birth to shadow. The bright lights and towers
  that put my castle to shame,
Today, as I look at this drawing Soar towards the sky and
I realized how dull and unsightly it was. Hide the stars from sight.
The marks of the pencil faded away to I’m lulled to sleep by sounds of car horns and sirens
Reveal only ashen lines, unelaborated lines. By the sounds of home.
No matter how good a drawing may be,
Deception lies beneath what is seen. By Erin Lloyd, Y11
The imperfect harmony created by these lines
Are no longer beautiful to me.

By Chayanid Ongpipattanakul, Y11

19

18-24 voices OK.indd 19 11/28/09 4:10:42 PM

 Inconstant Summer

Skipping along the sweltering road

Anticipation rising with the heat Encircling the grinning child

Smooth cement gives way to grumbling gravel Sparkling eyes

Ripened branches encroach on the worn path Silky soaked hair

Distant sounds, a trickling symphony Waves riddled with giggles

A green leaf flutters past, floating on the jubilant wind

Trees fingering the sky, intertwined overhead When summer returns we are met with cold steel

A soft carpet of luscious green A cacophony of grinding and scraping

Slipping down the muddy bank Metal on metal, the colossal arms grope at the ground

Emerging from the verdant tunnel Digging up the mud we once squelched.

The river, meandering, greets How it hurts,

Our bare feet squelching through magnificent muck Our feet burn as we step across

Wide eyes travel up the wise wrinkled bark of a willow The hot gravel piercing like knives

The golden rope sways To find

Exuberant shrieks tumble through the wind A rigid pillar in place of the swaying hemp

Tiny hands grip the thick hemp Tripping over bones of the old willow

Toes curled around the gnarled knot Stifled by the thick cement

Laughter rides the clouds Of the bridge overhead, scarring the graying

Crickets chirp, birds sing sky

Geese gabble, toads chuckle We can only wallow in our disappointment,

Silence suddenly spills As our feet are swallowed up by mud

The rope swings out over the quickening current Muted water crawls gently forward

Mouths as round as wet washed pebbles The only constant in an inconstant world

Crashing water splits the air

Ripples rumble away By Nancy Monahan, Y11

What is the moon? Moon

The moon is a silver disk Moon:
High up in the sky Round, shiny
The moon is a pie made of silver Shining, spinning, fading away
That the sky takes a bit out every day The ruler of the night,
The moon is the only light in a dark night Moon
Coming from a golden flashlight By Mitthi Jain, Y7
The moon is pale white cheese
Full of craters

By Lieke Rouwers, Y7

20

18-24 voices OK.indd 20 11/28/09 4:10:42 PM

 Khao Yai
At the tender age of four
the world was the utopia of my youth
I would anticipate the day my grandfather’s
murky blue van idled to a halt on the driveway
His van’s citric fragrance tickled my nose
as I inhaled the sweet glow of excitement
that filled my lungs, whilst I
fiddled impatiently in the back seat
What is Classical Music?
Classical Music is a joyful poem
Bringing relaxation to people’s hearts
It is an angel’s song
That everyone can hear
It is a bright light in a dark world
Bringing warmness to people’s hearts

It is a colourful dot
Awaiting my return, the heavenly call In the middle of a black and white desert
of Khao Yai whispered my name through
the wind’s gratifying blow which It is a piercing noise
pulled me in like a blanket of warmth. That people enjoy

I always treasured the feeling of cool By Isabel Hahn, Y7

mud squelching between my toes
as I strode into the earthly brown
lake hesitantly wading into the deep

I’d lay on the surface of the water

as I looked up into the infinite blue,
Nature
as birds soared through the canopy
that swayed with the whistling wind.
Beautiful and free,
Birds glide around in the sky,
As twelve years flew by
Lions go hunting,
my excitement gradually wilted.
Bears and cubs come out to stretch,
As the towering canopy of trees morphed
Polar bears swim in the sea.
to the urban forest that now surrounds me.
Trees give oxygen,
Water keeps us looking fresh,
As time goes by, the less I crave returning
The sun keeps us warm,
to the utopia that once held my joy.
The wind makes us feel alive,
The place that once lifted my spirits is now
The ground makes us fit and firm.
just another memory that is soon to be forgotten.
It’s all around us,
Come on we should all think green,
Every so often, I visit that place.
Let’s keep Earth healthy!
And even as my memories start to flow
with nostalgia, they instantly disappear
By Pam Suphakamol Vuntanadit, Y7
as the ghastly smell of manure floods my lungs.

By Nicole Vorasaph, Y11

21

18-24 voices OK.indd 21 11/28/09 4:10:42 PM

 A Gift of Life
We are all born with all our needs,
That satisfies our life, indeed!
Our family is a part of it,
Who supports us, not a bit!
Our friends are the ones we trust,
Whose help doesn’t disappear like dust.
Our cousins and relatives keeps us fit,
With sayings which are remembered like
the parts of a skit.
Education is like our key of success,
This is like our fortune, more or less.
So take a guess of how lucky you are,
And how you can be historical star.
Leave a legacy and do your best,
Don’t forget what you can posses…
By Pam Suphakamol Vuntanadit, Y7
I want to give up being a
student
I want to give up being a student,
I’ve been a student too long.
I want to be a scientist
in a laboratory
And be researching new substances,
In a science room.
I want to give up being a student,
I’ve been a student too long.
I want to be a doctor
Healing magically in a hospital.
Or be a teacher,
In a school
Answering questions
Among a crowd of kids.
The question is:
Can you give up being an apprentice?
By Pam Suphakamol Vuntanadit, Y7
22
18-24 voices OK.indd 22
Crying at Christmas
Excitement and electricity pulsed through the cool dusk
Breeze, sending brightly coloured streamers and
balloons
Bobbing. The sweltering heat of day was vanquished,
Replaced by a rare chill. Bobble hats and jackets
Appeared as the crowd settled down, buzzing and
chattering,
The festive spirit shining out of all their faces.
Mats are rolled out as yesterday’s squealing Christmas
pig
Is shared in steaming bowls of curry.
The stars twinkled above as carols blared from speakers
Around the field, mixed with the croaks of frogs
And the melodious hum of crickets.
Babies lay slumbering, contented on laps,
Oblivious to the bustle around them. My sister sat on
Nanny’s lap, her eyes straining to stay open,
Her head tipping backwards and forwards. The stage
Went up, torches balanced precariously as spotlights.
Behind the curtain of bamboo the first few acts
Waited nervously, prepping and preening for their five
minutes
Of fame. I stand among them, my dance rehearsed and
Music ready in my hand.
Every flick and turn, kick and step practiced
And memorized. No visitor to our house escaped
Without a private recital, no neighbor was denied a
Preview performance. I peered out from
Behind the makeshift scaffold and gaped at
The sea of staring faces. My hands shook and my
stomach Turned.
Two tears trickled down my face, followed
By a torrent more. Gripped by an unfamiliar new
Feeling, my sobbing grew uncontrollable and even
The efforts of the Virgin Mary from the first act
Could not comfort me. For the first time, I was scared.
I could not go out onto the stage.
By Rachel Fucella, Y11
11/28/09 4:10:43 PM
 Statement of Intent
In order to create a pastiche of a Seamus
Heaney poem I have taken a significant and personal
experience from my childhood, in an attempt to recreate
his distinctive style. I have used his early poems, most
notably “Death of a Naturalist”, as a template in which
to place my own memories, keeping in mind Heaney’s
most common theme of loss of childhood innocence. I
have used a variety of intentions and techniques from
Heaney’s poetry in the process. Firstly, I have used a
memory in my life where innocence and naivety was
lost, as with situations Heaney’s poems describe.
Through my stage fright and fear I experienced similar
feelings as several of Heaney’s personas. Secondly, I
have used strong imagery, copying Heaney’s technique
of vivid and detailed descriptions. His poems paint a
picture for their audience, giving a sense of place and
time that I have also provided. Lastly, I used a similar
structural pattern to that of “Death of a Naturalist”,
weaving together a positive first stanza with a negative
second, emphasising the shift that takes place.
My poem is a snapshot of my first genuine
experience of fear, not of monsters or villains but a
deeper, darker enemy. It chronicles my fear of rejection
and humiliation that comes with the turbulence that is
growing up. Though not the same subject as Heaney I
believe that the common ground between our poems
centres around a realisation that the world is not so
kind. “I sickened” (31) is how Heaney describes his
persona’s reaction to the threats of “The great slime
kings” (31). This is as painful as my “tears trickled” (27),
both harsh examples of the hurt of losing that childhood
innocence.
Evocative imagery is one of Heaney’s
strongest techniques and he uses it seamlessly and
with flair. He has an ability to draw the reader into
his rich settings and I have tried to do the same. His
descriptions of the “thick slobber of Frogspawn” (8-9)
conjure up disgustingly intense and accessible images,
enlivened by the reader’s imagination. My account of
the “squealing Christmas pig” (7) being turned into
“steaming bowls of curry” (8) creates the same kind
18-24 voices OK.indd 23
of impression. Synesthesia is also commonly used
in Heaney’s poems as he draws upon the different
senses. In “Personal Helicon” he uses olfactory, tactile,
visual and auditory references to describe his favourite
wells: “the rich crash” (6) of one, “the dank moss” (4) of
another and lastly the “slime” (17) of a new one’s touch.
I mirror this with similar references, from the “rare chill”
(4) to the “melodious hum of crickets” (11).
I have used a similar structure to “Death of
a Naturalist”, mimicking the rhythm and pattern of
Heaney’s poem. I have chosen this poem because I feel
the structure, particularly the strong shift from stanza
to stanza, fits best with my subject. The happy tone
of the first stanza in both poems is contrasted by the
darker tone of the second. What Heaney describes as
“slobber” (8) in the first stanza, changes dramatically in
the second, where it is described as “spawn” (33) that
“would clutch” (33) the persona’s hand. My descriptions
of “The festive spirit” (6) shining from the crowd’s faces
is similarly contrasted by my later depiction of “a sea
of staring faces” (26), a much more aggressive image.
Importantly, “Death of a Naturalist” lacks an obvious
rhyming pattern; something I was quick to emulate.
Overall, I believe my poem to be a successful
pastiche of a Heaney poem, incorporating techniques
and intentions he commonly uses. Heaney and I come
from different backgrounds, from opposite sides of the
world. Yet I see similarities in themes we draw upon for
inspiration. My hardest task is presenting my personal
experiences in a way that is accessible to a wide
audience, who have not had my experiences. I have
found that through writing this poem I better understand
the way the environment we grow up in shapes and
teaches us. Whether in rural Ireland or a Burma border
town, our context will throw both positive and negative
experiences at us and these shape the people we
become, just as they shaped Seamus Heaney, and
shaped me.
By Rachel Fucella, Y11
23
11/28/09 4:10:43 PM
 Where is the Key?

 Where is the key?

To open a door The sky in the night
To open a treasure chest, Breaking the darkness proudly
Or a lock Letting out anger
To a deep, deep secret.  
With the shining speed
Where is the key? It makes itself outstanding
Maybe it is lost, The fight for the light
Maybe someone stole it, The night becoming clearer
Or it is in the sewage, With everyone sleeping
Or a fish pond.  
   Between the houses
Where is the key? The dark sky is exploding
Even if it can’t unlock, The night of worries
Even if it is broken,
Even if nothing is inside. By Petra Larsson, 7D
Where is the key?
 
At least you will discover the truth.

By Pran Phakdeekitcharoen,Y7

Personification Poem-Tree

I grow some small leaves

I can smell healthy carbon dioxide
I have lots of leaves
I am very old
I remember while I was still small in the soil
I am afraid of fire,it hurts me
I dream of seeing the big sky
I’ve heard raindrops falling
I don’t understand why people kill me
...........I am a TREE

By Siri Asdathorn, Y7

24

18-24 voices OK.indd 24 11/28/09 4:10:44 PM

 Mitch -Y2

Annie -Y13

Hannah -Y7
Felix - Y1

Dhruv - Y5 Allesia -Y3

25

25-26 OK.indd 25 12/4/09 5:02:21 AM

 Poji - Y10
Mim - Y9

Punn - Y4

Hanna - Y8 Mari - Y6

26 Manisha - Y12 Ingrid - Y11

25-26 OK.indd 26 12/1/09 2:01:34 AM


SEASAC and BISAC Results
Well done to our Falcon student athletes on a solid set
of performances at the end of this season’s SEASAC
and BISAC tournaments. In addition to playing well,
our students prepared well and conducted themselves
in the high standard that we expect – great all round
ambassadors for the school and the sports programme.
In addition, special thanks to our coaches for the hard
work and detailed approach to the season and all the
parent supporters who encouraged and cheered the
Falcons on…!!
SEASAC Results:
Girls Volleyball Champions
Boys Volleyball Champions
Girls Soccer 2nd Place
Boys Soccer 3rd Place
BISAC Results:
U13 Tennis Champions
U15 Basketball Boys 2nd place
U15 Basketball Girls 3rd Place
U13 Basketball Boys 2nd Place
U13 Basketball Girls 5th Place
U17 Volleyball Girls 4th Place
U17 Volleyball Boys 6th Place
VARSITY BOYS VOLLEYBALL
SEASAC CHAMPIONS - 2009
The NIST Varsity Boys Volleyball Team concluded the
season with an epic SEASAC five setter final with RIS in
“The Falcons Nest.” For those spectators lucky enough
to witness such an exciting game, they saw two evenly
balanced teams keeping everyone on the edge of their
seats.
As both teams tried to gain the edge at the beginning of the
game it was the Falcons who went into the lead by winning
the first set. Up for the challenge, the Phoenix bounced back
immediately winning the second set with ease. In the third
set, the Phoenix were confident and played their attacks
27-32 sports OK.indd 27
Sports-Roundup
with precision. They looked unbeatable with an eight point
lead but the Falcons clawed back to within a point before
the Phoenix slipped into a 2-1 set lead.
With the Phoenix playing with confidence, the Falcons knew
they had a battle on their hands. This was a real test of their
character. They could give up at this point or fight back and
at least if they went down, the Phoenix were going to have
to play their best. In the fourth set, the Falcons took stock of
their situation and played set plays that they could attack the
ball with spikes and outsmart the defense with clever tips.
The spectators began to realize that there was more to this
game. The defense of the Phoenix began to stretch despite
some outstanding blocks at the net and diving saves. Once
the Falcons hit the ‘red zone’ they began to feel that sense
of victory was in sight as they clinched the fourth set.
With two sets each, both teams began to feel the tension
and the score of 8-7 as they changed sides indicated that
this game was going down to the wire. Supporters from
each team sat on the edge of their seats as the game came
closer to the end. Athletes from the participating schools
watched in awe as these two rival teams played as if their
lives depended on it. Each point played and won by the
Falcons was celebrated with emotional shouts of “TEAM”
or “NO FEAR” and this would best describe the eventual
victors for 2009. The Falcons played to the strengths of
each individual in the team and supported each other by
the choices they made without being afraid to do so.
And so it was......15 -12 to the Falcons in the fifth set....
Game Over......SEASAC Champions 2009.....Emotions ran
high once the final point was played. The tension of the
game was released as players celebrated with each other
the joy of winning. Although the Phoenix had lost this final
and they felt the pain of this loss, everyone knew that this
game was so close that it would be remembered as one of
those historic sporting battles between RIS and NIST.
The Falcons unbeaten record throughout the tournament
was impressive and one of which we can all be proud. They
also were great ambassadors for the sport of volleyball and
made us all proud as they represented NIST.
Congratulations to Tim Luebbers, Suk Hwan Chang, Andrew
Yang and Matthew Shepherd for their MVP awards.
Reflections from the 2009
SEASAC CHAMPIONS
Prahbdev Kanijoan (Outside Hitter) Co Captain No 1
“Never giving up and learning from our losses helped us
to become stronger and more prepared when it mattered
most. SEASAC Champions final proved that we are worthy
of the title.”
27
12/9/09 2:45:37 AM
 Suk Hwan Chang (All rounder) No 2 “Winning SEASAC was
my dream come true. Thank you to my team mates who
endured my intensity and to my coaches who gave me the
chance to bring the best out of me.”
Pat Palalikit (Centre) No 3 “No matter how many SEASAC
tournaments I may play, this will always be the most
memorable for me because it was my first and to be
SEASAC Champions at home in the Falcons Nest is an
unbelievable feeling.”
Charlie Vanichstian (Outside Hitter) No 4 “Playing in the final
wasn’t really something that I thought was going to happen
this year for me. Everyone in the team made that possible.
I am glad that I will be a part of this team to defend our title
next year.”
Tim Luebbers (Libero) Co Captain No 5 “In my final year to
win SEASAC volleyball is the greatest feeling. We played
our best when we had fun and never worried about the
mistakes. When we played our game no-one could beat us
and our results prove this.”
Purikorn Dentham (Outside Hitter) No 6 “ Our SEASAC final
with RIS clearly showed our character and what we’re all
made of. You have all shown me what it means to be a
part of a team and I am proud to have made it to The Wall
of Fame.”
Andrew Yang (setter) No 7 “Our team bonded like a family,
making each other laugh and supporting each other on and
off the court No Fear in the game!”
Jom Kombsoom (Centre) No 9 “I was motivated to come
to school to play volleyball. I still can’t believe we did it!
SEASAC Champions.”
Matthew Shepherd (Centre) No 10 “An injury mean’t that I
missed most of the volleyball season which was frustrating
so when the doctor told me that I could play just before
SEASAC I felt free. Our championship final was exciting and
I can’t wait to play next year.”
Yih-Heng Wang (Setter) No 11 “The SEASAC tournament
was one of the highlights of my sports career at NIST. Playing
and winning the SEASAC finals on your home court is an
honor. This season we learned that each player matters.......
this is what makes a strong team.”
Tij Jhaveri (Outside Hitter) No 12 “SEASAC Champions and
most of us are in our first year of varsity volleyball - rookies.
Our senior players made sure that we kept our focus. Mrs
Edwards instilled us with self belief even though sometimes
we had our doubts, Khun Larn pushed us to get our skills
to the next level and Mr Hodgkinson prepared us to be
mentally tough under pressure which you need for games
such as our final. Defending our title in Singapore next year
will be exciting. Bring it on!”
28
27-32 sports OK.indd 28
SEASAC Ladies Volleyball
Champions 2009
It is quite difficult to paint the picture of the perfect volleyball
game. I would say, it starts with a season of emotional
highs and lows, physical peaks and falls, and both mental
toughness and weakness which eventually develops into
individual and team composure and focus. A former
professional volleyball player who watched the SEASAC
final said that NIST demonstrated “composure and extreme
focus that is comparable to a professional volleyball team.”
The perfect game; but the personal experiences are best
described by the team itself:
This season can be defined by three words: fitness, humble-
ness and team-ness. Great skills make a volleyball team
strong on court; however, positive attitude makes a team
complete. The most important lesson that I take away with
me for the rest of my life is “never give up”. (Ting-Ting Chou,
Co-captain, SEASAC MVP, outside hitter, Yr 13).
I understood the meaning of team-ness and realized that
we became more of a family than just team mates. (Suphavi
Anandsongkit, SEASAC MVP, setter, Yr 11).
Volleyball started out as just a sport for me. It’s now also
a hobby, a way to find friends, a huge part of my life and
my new love. It changed me and my life dramatically by
all the ups and downs we had as a team and the way we
got through them all together. (Elina Olsson, middle hitter,
Yr 10).
Volleyball has become such an important part of my life; I
have grown to love it so much. As a team we have become
like sisters + Kuhn Chate. We’ve made great memories
together, including smiles and tears. I loved every moment.
(Katarina Lauritano, Co-captain, SEASAC MVP, middle
hitter, Yr 12).
One of my favourite memories is doing the dance warm-
ups before games. (Tara George, outside, Yr 10).
I loved how everyone was there for each other through
good times and bad because it made us so much stronger
as a team. Best moment was winning SEASAC together
as a team, having fun and dominating throughout the
tournament. I’m so thankful for all the things the team has
done for me and for each other. (Piyarat Siripoksup, middle
hitter, Yr 12).
12/9/09 2:45:38 AM
 Volleyball has made a difference in my life by giving me
something to look forward to everyday after school, by
making me laugh and have fun, relieving the stress of IB,
and most importantly, letting me know that there are 11
people who are always there for me. (Suthida Chawla,
SEASAC MVP, outside hitter, Yr 13).
Volleyball revealed a different side of me: I learnt that it
was possible to communicate my emotions, thoughts and
feelings through the language of volleyball. I didn’t believe
that the bond between the team could be so powerful that
it affected me both physically and mentally. I really cannot
describe it in words, but it was a part of life that was in
which I shared an amazing experience with amazing team
mates and coaches, “don’t give up”. (Emily Chen, setter,
Yr 12).
I’ve learned that volleyball is a mental game; it’s all in the
mind. I’ve never really understood it until this year. I’ve
learned that, with positive attitude, come the skills. If you’re in
a positive space, if you forgive yourself for making mistakes,
you will be able to move on and play so much better. I have
finally understood that it is okay to make mistakes, and that
I CAN’T be perfect. This has allowed me to feel better about
myself, become less stressed, and be in a happier mood.
(Tanya Sornthaiteva, opposite, Yr 12).
As a fellow NIST coach put it: “It was quite frankly a surreal
experience”. In my ten years of coaching, I have never
witnessed nor coached such a successful team, nor such
a perfect final game. Why perfect? Because we all had our
lows, we all made mistakes, we all at one point did not give
our best; and because of those moments, we were able to
choose, as individuals and as a team, that we would do it
differently. Perfection implies a sense of completeness. As
a team, together, we have achieved a great deal, that is to
be SEASAC champions. However, as individuals, we grew
and learned more than a gold medal could ever prove. We
cannot be perfect in the sense of being flawless. Yet, there
is beauty and perfection in the notion that both struggle and
triumph make us feel whole and complete.
Lina Paumgarten (Girls Varsity Volleyball Head Coach)
Khun Chate (Girls Varsity Volleyball Assistant Coach)
Cassandra Toogood (Girls Varsity Volleyball Assistant
Coach)
Varsity Boys Soccer
What a season and what a result. But, first let’s start this
from the beginning. The first day of tryouts many anxious
faces marched on to the pitch, all with a similar goal, making
the Varsity squad. Over the next few days there were highs
and lows, each player performing to the best of their ability
which for some was enough to make the initial cut. Three
days later the BISAC 15 was selected. Kris Matsuo, Riku
Pudas, Jordan Calvet, Andre Silberman, Simon Hillbourne,
Nicolas Laguette, Fabian Gorsler, Maan ‘sicko’ (Maansingh)
Ghogar, Thomas Pound, Sukhjeevan Narula, Carl-Lukas
Durrenmatt, Teodor Olsen, Yannick Scholl, and Christoph
Durrenmatt.
This squad played fantastically during the seasonal
27-32 sports OK.indd 29
games with wins against BPS, RIS, EIS, and TCIS going
undefeated. Each win was vital to gaining the confidence
that seemed to let our team down in BISAC. Throughout
the seasonal games each player performed well, most
contributing at least one goal, and all contributing energy
and determination.
The first tournament was the ISB Friendship tournament. I
think I speak for all of us when I say before our first game
against the home squad on their field, under their lights, with
their crowd, we were all as nervous, if not more, than before
that first tryout. This was the first time we had ever played
11 a side football. We won the first game 3-0 on a stellar
team performance with goals from Nicolas Laguette and
Teodor Olsen. We rode this confidence through the next
game beating Prem, 2-0. We were already through to the
finals and lost 3-1 to BPS with nothing to play for. Playing
BPS in the finals was both an exhilarating experience and an
excruciating defeat. We were down an early goal but came
back strongly to take a 2-1 lead off of an incredibly struck
free-kick by Nicolas. With 30 seconds left, an unfortunate
hand-ball “inside” the box gave BPS a game tying penalty.
After a tense extra-time we lost the game in penalties and
thus, as a team, had a lot of mixed feelings going into our
next tournament (the BISAC tournament).
At the beginning of the tournament we truly felt that our
team had what it took in order to come away with a gold
medal regardless of the setting (Patana, the home field of
our greatest seasonal rival). We scraped through to the
semis by winning close games, but still not performing at
our optimal level. The confidence we had previously felt
going into the tournament was shattered the game before
the semis as we lost to RIS 5-2. This was truly a wakeup
call. Our semi-final game was a close loss. We lost 1-0
to our best friends, Patana. It was our best game of the
tournament by far as we had many opportunities and were
able to spread the ball around to the whole team. The only
unfortunate fact was our inability to finish off our chances.
Our loss took away a lot of drive and we lost in the 3rd/4th
place game against Harrow. This defeat left us angry and
unsettled. It is safe to say that while BISAC created an aura
of disappointment, it also created the amount of drive that
we needed to succeed in SEASAC.
A few weeks and the NIST friendship tournament later, our
SEASAC Varsity squad entered the SEASAC tournament
ready for any obstacles and driven to win. We played as
a team and with confidence in the group stages beating
teams by scores of 7-0, 5-0, 3-1, and 3-0, losing one
game 2-1. The game of our tournament was against UWC
29
12/9/09 2:45:39 AM
 as we became the only team in two SEASAC tournaments
to defeat this year’s SEASAC champion. The anxiousness
we felt before our game against the UWC giants was
similar to the feeling we felt before our tryouts. It seems
that anxiety that we felt prior to the match transformed into
intensity. We soaked up some early UWC pressure with
some ninja-like saves from Simon Hilbourne in goal. We
completely outplayed UWC in the second half with valuable
contributions from the every member of the team. We were
defeated in the semi-finals by a confident old friend, Bangkok
Patana School, 5-1 kicking us out of title contention. Our
blood, sweat, and tears seemed to be left on the field as
our team morale hit an unparalleled low. Going into the 3rd/
4th place game at SEASAC we didn’t seem prepared as
we all sat hanging our heads, but maybe this defeat was
the inspiration our team needed for a well-deserved win.
4-0 against RIS, just the result we needed to go out on
a good note. The SEASAC tournament was truly a test of
our character as we hit spectacular highs and devastating
lows. In the end, it was NIST who got the standing O from
a victorious UWC squad and NIST that truly was the team
to beat.
Our squad began as a group of individuals and ended as,
clichéd as this may sound, a team. The seniors played a
key role in this year’s squad making up for seven of the 12
players selected for SEASAC. Their efforts over the years
will never be forgotten. As for the future? There are some
big boots to be filled, so who knows who will step up next
year. After all football isn’t a sport about individuals, it is one
about team discipline and sportsmanship. I will leave you
with this, a famous quote from our captain Nicolas Laguette.
“Commitment, Passion, Desire.”
Andre Silberman aka “the duracell raptor”
Girls SEASAC Soccer Team
2009 SEASAC was to be a very eventful season. The
season started with our squad made up of 12 players, nine
of which were new. These 12 players were highly valuable,
so to lose two before the SEASAC finals was a major
challenge. One player dislocated her shoulder two weeks
before and our Vice Captain Tessa Sheehan going down
with the flu a couple days before we left for Jakarta.
Our very first game was against the home team BISJ and
ended with a positive 2-0 win which was a great start.
Second up was UWC; we knew this team was going to
30
27-32 sports OK.indd 30
be the toughest of our pool. We played a defensive game
and to keep it 0-0 at half time was a job half done. The
second half was 90% complete when they scored a good
goal. We then chased the game looking for an equalizer,
but couldn’t find the net. We conceded another, so lost 2-
0. Never mind, we had to move on. We then re-grouped
and worked hard to win the next three games of the pool
5-0, 5-1 and 3-0. We finished a well deserved second
in our group with a fantastic goal difference and 12 hard
earned points. We expected to play BPS in the semis, but
to our surprise they didn’t qualify and we ended up playing
SIS - an Indonesian team we haven’t played for a few years
now. In what was a very physical affair with chances at both
ends, it was decided by a dream goal. As the second half
kicked off, Sam hit a beauty from the halfway line. It sailed
in top right and we then defended our win to take us into the
grand final versus our division winners, UWC. We set out
trying to contain this powerful team and again at half time,
it was 0-0 with the team working very hard to protect our
goal. Within two minutes of the second half UWC scored.
We kept the game tight but had to chase the game as they
scored a second and then a third goal. We then scored
a consolation close to the end to help make the score
look respectable. As the whistle went, most of our players
dropped to their knees in exhaustion, the UWC players
were in tears of joy. They had been pushed to their limits
by the NIST SEASAC Varsity girls. As a team we would
like to thank Coach Martin for all the effort he has put into
coaching us this season and also Ms. Jennilea for coming
and supporting us at SEASAC. I can’t wait for next year.
By: Samantha Calvet and Coach Martin.
U 15 Boys Basketball Team
On November 30 and 31, we had our BISAC tournament.
Going in, we were missing a captain (Anmol Jhaveri) due to
an injury. Our group consisted of Shrewsbury, Thai-Chinese
International School (TCIS), and Ruamrudee International
School (RIS). These were all decent teams that would not
be beaten easily.
Our first game was against Shrewsbury. Overall, we played
a good game. We were leading the whole game, but the
score was never a match decider. Shrewsbury could have
12/9/09 2:45:43 AM
 come back easily and so we had to play a very tough,
very tight defense. We had a wide range of point scoring.
Another captain, Rowan Boreham, was shooting some
amazing jump shots, while center Bow Smit was a monster
in the post. We also had a few fast breaks from another
captain, Rigel Jose Raju, and a fellow guard, Manak Chawla.
Our big men were playing extremely tough defense with
huge rebounds on the offensive and defensive boards.
Center Bow Smit had a countless number of blocks which
constantly filled the team with more energy. Our guards
played a fast game not allowing the opposition to penetrate
our defense and contesting passes. We ended up winning
the game and that lifted a bit of pressure off our shoulders.
We went back to our team room and relaxed while we
waited in anticipation for our next game against TCIS.
We went into the TCIS game with a little pressure as we
found out from an earlier friendly game that they were in
fact a good team. We did not start the game off the way
we intended to. TCIS got a head start because of some
poor passes by us. They had a constant lead throughout
the game but no matter how bad the score looked, we
pushed on. The way we were playing, it was visible that
our heads were not in the game. Our shots were not falling
and we were being called for a countless number of fouls.
This was the deciding factor in the game because the TCIS
players were very good free throw shooters and they got
sufficient shots to put a great distance between us and
them. In the end we lost by twenty six points. This was the
concluding game for the first day and it was not pleasant.
After the game, we had dinner at Coach Randy’s house and
everyone’s mood was lifted by the end of it.
November 31, was another day. Our first game of the
day was against RIS, another strong team. We had to
win against RIS otherwise we would not have a shot at
the championship. This game was close the whole way
through. We were losing for the first part of the game and
then we made a huge comeback with some excellent, fast-
paced offense that the RIS players could not stop. On
the other end of the court, we played defense that the RIS
players could not find a weakness in. Towards the end
of the game, RIS became desperate and started putting
up three pointers. One made three pointer was enough
to scare us into tightening our defense even more. With
around twenty five seconds left in the game, and a lead of
a mere four points, captain Rigel Jose Raju stole the ball
and went up for a fast break. An RIS player came up to
the side blocking the lane and with a through pass to Bow
Smit and an easy layup, NIST extended the four point lead
to six points. Bow was also fouled on the way up giving
him a free throw which was missed and rebounded leaving
NIST with possession once again. The ball was handed to
Rigel, who just held the ball with no defenders on him with
a mere twelve seconds on the clock. With an open pass to
Akash Mirchindani, Rigel dished it out but was fouled which
granted NIST a further two free throws. One was made but
the other was missed. RIS got possession of the ball, but
with just five seconds on the clock and NIST with a seven
point lead, they had given up and threw the ball away. The
whistle blew and we were through to the semi-finals.
The semi-finals game was against BPS, yet another good
27-32 sports OK.indd 31
team. Just before the game, Coach Randy gave us an
unexpected, but very, very welcome surprise. He told us
to imagine what we were going to do in the game, but with
Anmol, our injured captain, back in the picture. The game
started off with BPS having a lead of eight points because
we had not scored yet. In the first quarter, they made two
three pointers and a silly basket that we just handed to them.
In the first quarter, they were twelve and we were eight. In
the second, third, and fourth quarter, we held BPS back
so much that they only scored seven points in twenty four
minutes whereas in those twenty four minutes, we scored
thirty points. So, the final score was thirty eight to nineteen.
They tried some more three pointers against us when they
started losing by a lot. We found out their strategy and did
not allow them to take the three. Overall, our whole team
had a good game with people scoring if the ball was put in
their hands. The weak BPS defense also contributed to this
win. This win took us through to the finals where we were to
play TCIS again for the third time in the week.
The BISAC finals! I t was a moment of excitement for all of us
because we overcame many, many obstacles to get to there
but finally, we got there. It started off with the announcing of
the players from either side and the shaking of the hands.
When the game started, we were under a lot of pressure
as most of the opposing teams that had stayed for the
presentation ceremony were supporting TCIS. The game
started off with TCIS with a slight lead. By half-time, they
had a six point lead. Coming into the game the lead stayed
at six but as the game progressed, our defense improved
and so did our offense, but TCIS through up some strange
shots and they fell in the basket. With only a few minutes
left in the game, we had narrowed the lead down to three
points. The difference of the games was in the free throws.
All their players hit almost all their free throws whereas we
were hitting only half our free throws. It was a tense game
but one that we lost. In the end we came second place to
TCIS with a final score of twenty seven to twenty four.
U 17 Boys Soccer Team
31
12/9/09 2:45:44 AM
 U 15 Girls Basketball Team U 13 Girls Basketball Team

U 13 Boys Basketball Team

Falcon Golf Team Success !

On September 17, our Falcon Golf team played the first
annual cup match against the Bromsgrove Golf Team at the
Amata Spring Country Club.

The goals for our golfers were to gain playing experience

against good players and to make friends in golf – both of
these goals were surpassed on the day. In fact the whole
match came about because of the friendships between
Saris, a NIST golfer, and Bright and Eng, Bromsgrove golfers.
The team travelled down to Amata for an early meeting
on the format and course tactics. Then out to the driving
range for a quick practice before the match began. The
format for the match was Texas Scramble which allowed for
each grouping to play tactical golf, based on each golfers
strengths – a great format for this event ! Our golfers played
well and enjoyed the friendship and competition on the day
at the fabulous Amata Spring Country Club course.

After the round, the golfers were treated to a dinner

U 13 Tennis
Congratulations to Kavin, Kanis and Ayaka on their results at
the U13 BISAC Tennis Championships. Kavin was individual
champion with Kanis runner up in the boys tournament and
Ayaka was runner up in the girls event – fantastic for the
tennis programme!
presentation where K. Sarath (golf team supporting parent)
kindly awarded prizes and the annual trophy to this year’s
winners, Bromsgrove ! Our Falcon golfers were determined
to try and wrest the trophy back at next year’s match ….
Many thanks to Saris for all his organizational work to make
the day such as success and the Amata Spring County club
for allowing both schools to play the match on the course.
Susan Glover from Bromsgrove and Mr. Hodge from NIST.  

32

27-32 sports OK.indd 32 12/9/09 2:45:51 AM

 Nipta

O
ur objectives are to support cooperation between
home and school in order promote good will and a
sense of community so that each student can attain
the best possible scholastic and personal experiences at
NIST.
NIPTA’s 2009-2010 Executive Committee is composed of
parents from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan,
Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand, and the USA.
Along with our Deputy Headmaster, Adrian Watts, “ExCom”
brainstormed to identify and prioritize NIPTA’s activities for this
school year.
Relay Tournament at Shrewsbury International School, the
Swimathon, and the Age Championship.
• CAV organized a Chatuchak Food and Plants Market tour,
and a Flight of the Gibbons adventure.
• NIPTA provided support for the Students Charity Concert
fundraising event for Operations Smile at NIST.
• Secondary Class Parents and Secondary school
administrators organized an “Open Meeting with Secondary
School Principal and staff” inviting all secondary parents to
come together and discuss school affairs.
• Fun Friday event for Teachers and NIPTA—the first of many
events uniting teachers and parents in a social setting.

NIPTA has been working hard to try to welcome new families In December:
and reach out to already established NIST families. Here are • The CAV plans to organize a Christmas and New Year
the highlights—from August through November: Decoration Tour.

In August: We are looking forward to providing more support to help build

• NIPTA kicked off the school year with a Welcome Coffee
for all new and returning parents. The hot morning did not
deter a great turnout! In spite of the heat, there were many
hugs and handshakes in the crowded CAB. Volunteer lists
filled up quickly.
a stronger NIST community. We thank all those who have
helped with our activities both as volunteers and participants.
And if you have yet to become fully indoctrinated into the
NIST community, please stay tuned for more community
events to come!

In September:
• We hosted a pool party for new families, hoping to help
them attain their NIST legs.
• In the Elementary and Secondary schools, Class Parent
Coordinators organized a separate meeting with each
school’s principal and all new Class Parent Representatives
to review the duties and responsibilities of the volunteers.
• Both Secondary and Elementary class parents met to
discuss issues pertaining to each.
• Toward promoting the NIST community, NIPTA’s Community
Activity and Volunteer Committee (CAV) organized a series
of community learning classes with a new initiative named
“NIST LIVING”:
o Simple Thai lesson by Jentana and Associates,
o Indian food cooking classes with Mrs. Balbir, and
o Water Color Painting lessons with Lalanta

In October:
• NIST’s Indian community and NIPTA organized a Diwali-
Teacher Appreciation Event to thank the teachers and staff
for all their hard work and dedication.
• NIPTA’s Sports Committee provided support for both
the Gymnastics tournament and the BISAC Volleyball and
Swimming Tournament hosted at NIST.
• The Friends of Creative Arts Committee provided support
to the drama production “Blast Off”, along with a cast party
following the final performance—a celebration of the wonderful
spectacle put on by students in years 4, 5, and 6.

In November:
• The Sports Committee provided support to the SEASAC
Volleyball teams hosted by NIST as well as the Swimming

33

33 nipta ok.indd 33 12/9/09 2:59:06 AM

 Fusion

Ben Douglas is the proud founder

and owner of the Fusion Academy of
Performing Arts, Britain’s best-loved
theatre school. Here he tells us about
the academy’s expansion into Asia,
and how he plans to bring the Fusion
Method to you.

W
hat a difference six months makes! When I first
had the idea to bring Fusion to Bangkok, I never
dreamed the concept could become reality so
quickly and with such impact.
It is only five years since I launched Fusion in the UK and
in that short time it has become fantastically popular and
successful, bringing the joy of performing to hundreds upon
hundreds of youngsters.
People often ask me how we have achieved this, and
having mused on the issue at length I would say it comes
down to three main factors:
 
Firstly, we only work with the very best teachers – all of
whom are talented performers in their own right (we insist
on it!)
 
Secondly, our focus is always on staging exciting
performances that are a real showcase for the students’
talent and dedication.
Finally, and most importantly of all, the students love Fusion
simply because it is great fun!
 
Allow me to explain a little about the Fusion Method. For the
seniors (age 8-18), the students are tutored for one hour
each in dance, drama and singing. For Junior Fusion (ages
4-7), we offer 90 minutes of dance, drama and singing-
based activity plus 90 minutes of theatre-related arts and
crafts such as making costumes or props.
 
We take a holistic approach to our work, looking at the whole
child. By this, to move away from jargon, I mean assessing
all their strengths and weaknesses and developing suitable
skills for each individual’s unique talents.
 
I firmly believe that the performing arts are a supremely
effective means of building confidence and team skills, as
well as in improving articulation (all invaluable tools whether
a child wants to become an actor or a captain of industry).
Our approach works, and we are very proud that many
globally recognized figures have put their weight behind
us as patrons. The list is, I’m sure you will agree, rather
impressive. To name but a few our patrons include Ewan
McGregor, Dame Joan Plowright, Thandie Newton and
Julian Lloyd Webber, all of whom firmly believe in the ethos
of Fusion and support our work. (There are many, many
more big names – please log on to our website for full
details)
So why Thailand? As for so many others, my connection
with the country started many years ago when I discovered
what an amazing holiday destination it was. Quite simply,
I fell in love with its exotic charm, the culture, the glorious
weather, amazing cuisine and, of course, the people.
In 2008, I was at a rather glamorous dinner party in a Phuket
villa when a mother seated on my right said: “I really want
my children to get involved in the performing arts. You have
so many amazing professionals working with you – why
don’t you bring Fusion to Bangkok?”
 
I have always believed in following your dream and so I
quickly set to work assembling a team of professionals to
lead a number of holiday workshops which took place at
Harrow International School in Bangkok throughout July and
August.
 
For Junior Fusion I called on one of my teachers from the
UK, Natalie Francis, who led the four to seven year olds
through songs and routines from High School Musical,
Oliver!, Mamma Mia and The Jungle Book.
 
The first senior workshop was headed up by West End
star Tracie Bennett who guided 60 enthusiastic youngsters
through a routine from Hairspray – the musical for which she
picked up the second of her two Olivier awards. Not only
did Tracie stage and direct the show but she also wowed
students and parents alike by treating them to a star turn
on stage.

34

34-35 fusion OK.indd 34 12/9/09 2:49:14 AM

 Then we had drama week. This was lead by Edward
Williams and saw the students learn many different aspects
of acting. Edward is a truly talented director who is Head of
Drama at St Paul’s school in London as well as being an
associate director of the RSC.
Up next was pop week, for which I flew in Susan Kemp,
vocal coach to the stars, which culminated in a funky
showcase which brought the house down.
 
For the final week I decided that I’d had enough of running
the show and needed to flex my own creative muscles, so I
personally headed up a Song & Dance workshop.
 
On each and every one of the workshops something really
magical happened, with an extraordinary bond being formed
between all the students to culminate in the most amazing
performances.
 
The feedback we received from parents was amazing.
“I cannot believe what a difference this has made to my
child’s confidence. I can’t thank you enough,” was a
typical comment. Another mother enthused: “My child
literally leaps out of bed in the morning desperate to get
to Fusion.”
There are more holiday workshops to come at Harrow and,
in January 2010, I will launch a Saturday school – modeled
on my established and highly successful British venture
– at the New International School Thailand (NIST) in the
Sukhumvit area of central Bangkok.
 
In addition, I will be bringing out a special teacher to train
students for LAMDA (The London Academy of Music
and Dramatic Art) exams, which are recognized by UK
universities for their quality and value to students.
 
My Bangkok adventure has been an amazing rollercoaster
so far and it is only going to get better. The Saturday School
launches on January 16, 2010. See you there!
For more information, see www.fusionacademyglobal.
com or call BOOKING HOTLINE NUMBER:
02 503 7222 (Ext 1129 or 1127)
FUSION MOBILE
08 442 45092
FUSION LANDLINE
02 660 3866
EMAIL addresses:
info@fusionacademyglobal.com
news@fusionacademyglobal.com
Norma Nelson’s e-mail:
norma@fusionacademyglobal.com

35

34-35 fusion OK.indd 35 12/9/09 2:49:15 AM

 Alumni
Wataru at NIST!
On September 22, NIST alumnus Wataru
Sado represented the World Kid’s Sport
Summit and presented Jacques Rogge,
President of the International Olympic
Committee (IOC), with a Declaration
at the IOC Headquarters in Lausanne,
Switzerland.
T
he Declaration, a call by the world’s new sporting
generation to spread the spirit of fair play across the
world, was issued by the World Kid’s Sports Summit
in Yokohama, Japan on 21 August.
Wataru, who was at NIST from 2006 to 2008 and from the
class of 2016, is continuing to exemplify the IB profile. Now
living in Yokohama and in fifth-grade, Wataru read aloud the
declaration and then presented it to Mr Rogge. Following the
reading of the Declaration, a fellow representative, Megumi
Terasaki, a sixth-grade student from Tsukuba, presented
the IOC president with a momento that symbolises children
from five continents joining hands to make a better world
together. Mr. Rogge mentioned that he would add the
Declaration to the Olympic Museum.
“I am very pleased to know that the Sports Summit was held
and the declaration was adopted by the young generation
based on the spirit of fair play. As you know, the meaning of
sports is not only to win or set records. Instead, like Judo,
which originated in Japan, it is the opportunity to learn
manners and to respect others. By spreading this idea to
people all over the world, I believe we can contribute to
world peace. I hope the kids who participated in the summit
will continue the Olympic Movement in their countries and
regions from now on. Your accomplishment, the declaration,
will be displayed in a special place in the Olympic Museum,”
he said.
36
36 alumni OK.indd 36
Wataru now playing Rugby in Japan
For his part, Wataru said, “I was very excited to present
the declaration which was adopted by the kids from 16
countries around the world to President Rogge. It was a
very important day for me!”
The Declaration was written at the World Kid’s Sports
Summit which took place in Yokohama as part of the
celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the opening of the
Yokohama Port. The students attending the summit wrote:
We, the Participants, at the World Kids’ Sports Summit in
Yokohama, will work to create a better future by promoting
the spirit of fair play which we have learned through sports.
This spirit of fair play will not only be limited to the world
of sport, but will include relations with society, earth and
people to solve various issues that the world is now facing.
They also came up with five Action Guidelines.
Action Guidelines
1
We, on this earth, will confront environmental issues by
respecting others and cooperating with friends through
sports!
2
We will cultivate healthy bodies and minds, through sports,
to lead vigorous lives!
3
We will develop new friendship through sports, by better
understanding each other’s culture, to build a more
peaceful world!
4
We will challenge everything with a smile and confidence
to convey the importance of doing one’s best to people all
around the world through sports!
5
We will follow the rules, and perform our best in every
competition, to spread the spirit of fair play across the
world!
12/9/09 2:50:21 AM
 December 2009

31 1 2 3 4 5 6
Senior Production Senior Production Senior Production
H.M. The King’s
SEASAC Gymnastics Birthday
Usmile to collect order Usmile to collect order
forms and money Senior Production forms and money Secondary Spirit Day
Year 1,2,3 Assembly SEASAC
Parent workshop -ESL Usmile to collect Year 1-3 Sports day Gymnastics
order forms and University Visit - Quest SEASAC
Year 4,5,6 Assembly money SEASAC Gymnastics University, BC Canada SAT Gymnastics

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Instrumental Music
Recital
Instrumental Music
Recital

EY Parent Morning
Tea
Feeding Frenzy

H.M. The King’s Instrumental Music Instrumental Music Week on the Wild
Birthday, holiday Recital Year 12 Exams Recital Feeding Frenzy Feeding Frenzy Side 13-18

14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Year 13 Extended
Essay Week
(students in school) Early Years Sport Whole school Yr. 12 - Build for the
14-17 day Elementary Better trip 18-21

21 22 23 24 25 26 27
School closed

28 29 30 31 1 2 3
School shop closed New Year’s Eve

January 2010

28 29 30 31 1 2 3
New Year’s Day

4 5 6 7 8 9 10
BISAC U19 Open
Singles Tennis
Tournament Girls

BISAC U19 Open

Singles Tennis
Tournament Boys

11 12 13 14 15 16 17
BISAC U19 Team Tennis Boys
BISAC U19 Team Tennis Girls
BISAC U19 Basketball Boys
BISAC U19 Basketball Girls
BISAC U17/U19 Touch Rugby
U15/U17 Invitational Rugby
School starts Yr 12 IYA Gold Multi Trip Training 16 - 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24
U19 Cricket
23-24
U19 Basketball
Bridges Lecture Friendship Harrow Golf
World Languages Tournament 22-23 Invitational
Bridges Lecture Parent workshop- in the MYP
(International Language The Workshop (NCLS) Yr 12 IYA Gold Kayak International Day
Peace Foundation) Writing Continuum Parents Evening Training 22-24 2010

25 26 27 28 29
Bridges Lecture
30 31
BISAC U17 Basketball Boys
BISAC U17 Basketball Girls
BISAC U13 Football Boys and Girls
Yr13 Trial Exams BISAC U 15 Football Boys
(International All student photos Three-way
StartFoundation)
Peace delivered to school Conference BISAC U15 Football Girls

37-38 calendar ok.indd 37 12/9/09 2:59:48 AM

 February 2010

1 Personal Project Due

2 3 4 SEASAC Basketball
SEASAC Rugby
5 6 7
SEASAC Tennis Girls
Parent workshop-
International Mindedness MADD Concert SEASAC Tennis Boys ISAT Golf

8 9 10 11 12 13 14
11&Over - BISAC
League Swim Meet
2 - NIST v PTS

10& under - Taiwanese

BISAC League community Lunar
Swim Meet 2 Celebration Mixed Up Concert
- NIST v PTS 11-12 Yr. 7-13

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Yr. 13 Cadet Retreat

(by Government
Office) 18-22

Year 4-6 Sports Day

NIST Community
Golf Mixed Up End of Term 2

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SEASAC Arts
Festival 26-28

School Holiday Shakespeare’s

22-26 Festival 26-28 Makha Bucha Day

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
March 2010

1
Substitution for
Makha Bucha Day
2 3 4 SEASAC 5
Swimming 5 - 6
6 7
TPL Days, School Year 12 Gold SEASAC Arts
closed Kayak 4 -8 5-7

8 9 10 11 12
Parent workshop-
Girls
13 14
BISAC U19 Softball Boys &

BISAC U19 Badminton Boys

BISAC U15 Open Tennis

Science in the Singles Tournament Boys BISAC U19
PYP & Girls Badminton Girls

15 16 17 18 19 20 21
SEASAC MUN
19-20

SEASAC
Badminton 19 - 21
Year 11 Subject BISAC 10 & BISAC 10 &
Choice Parent NIST Age Swim SEASAC Softball under Swimming Under Swimming
Evening Championship 3 19 - 21 Champs Champs

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Yr 12 IYA Gold Multi

Trip Assessment
25-29

Year 11 Personal
BKK Gymnastics
Invitational 26-28

Project Fair / Year Year 12 IYA Gold

10 Parent Evening Cycling 26-30 U19 Golf

29 30 31 Middle School
Production 31-2

Year 12 IB
1 2 3 4
IB Art Exhibition Geography Trip
30-2 31-3

37-38 calendar ok.indd 38 12/9/09 2:59:48 AM

 Acrogym
PE curriculum :

Acrobatics have been a part of the culture in China for over

2,500 years and had traditions in ancient Greek sports
(Akro= high  bat= walking) as well. The Year 8s have just
completed a unit of Acrogym, which combines elements of
acrobatics, dance and gymnastics. Acrogym is a popular
sport today in the Netherlands and Belgium and has its
own World Championships. The unit was based on the
theme of circus. ‘How can the art of circus influence my
sequence?’ The students considered the circus influences
on their compositions through the MYP Area of interaction
of Human Ingenuity. They composed and performed
partner and larger group sequences. The following photos
represent their most creative pyramids from their group
collaborations. The students were required to link four
pyramids with flowing transitions. They needed to work
collaboratively and consider the makeup of the group and
their individual strengths to create imaginative balances.

39

39 acrogym OK.indd 39 12/9/09 2:52:35 AM

 Photography

The beginning of this year saw a group of year 10 and 11 girls come together for an afterschool  photography course.  The
students spent Thursday afternoons exploring Bangkok from the downtown areas to their own backyards.  Here are some
examples of the work that they produced.

40

40 photography OK.indd 40 12/9/09 2:53:34 AM

 41

40 photography OK.indd 41 12/9/09 2:53:36 AM

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BACK COVER.indd 1 12/1/09 2:51:17 AM