NEWSLETTER

Garden International School
Eastern Seaboard, Ban Chang
NEWSLETTER
Established 1994
Your choice. Their future. Our family. โรงเรียนนานาชาติการ์เด้นอีสเทิร์นซีบอร์ดบ้านฉาง January 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
From the Principal
Dear Parents, Students and Friends of GIS,
Congratulations to Mr Steve Armstrong on his appointment as the new Principal of REPS.
Mr Armstrong has been teaching History at GIS and has also taken on the role of Assistant
Head of Secondary. He has a wealth of senior management experience and I am sure that
I speak on behalf of the whole GIS community in wishing him well in this new role.
Fortunately for us Ms Emily March has just arrived to join her fiancé Mr Doyle who has just
joined us teaching English. Ms March is a highly capable and experienced teacher of IB
History and was initially to teach part-time and then take over the History position from Mr
Armstrong for the new academic year. Mr Armstrong will be working with Ms March to
ease the transition over the coming weeks.
The construction of the additional swimming pool, grandstand, changing rooms and PE
office are well on track to be finished on time. This is wonderful news as we can get the
students swimming again on-site. The FOBISIA swimming teams have been using Eastern
Star for training, but it will be nice to have swimming back in the curriculum as soon as
possible of course.
Construction is about to begin on the new Primary Music room and Primary ELS
classrooms, this will be a 2-storey addition which will be on the end of the Primary Hall on
what was the Year 1 and 2 playground. We hope for this to be completed in early May.
This year we are expanding on our recognition of Chinese New Year by hosting an
evening event on Thursday February 12 from 7pm in the Main Hall. Students will be
performing a variety of items and also explaining the importance of the coming Year of the
Goat (or Sheep or Ram). It promises to be a wonderful night – make sure you get your
tickets from the Front Office.
Year 11 and IB2 students have just completed their Mock Examinations; it is not long now
until the IGCSE and IB examinations get underway in Term 3. We will be hosting a
Parents’ Evening for the parents of these students on Tuesday February 10.
Included with this Newsletter are 3 more posters of the GIS Core Values – Knowledgeable,
Inquirers and Caring and also the posters we have had on display recognising more of the
countries represented in the school - Switzerland, USA, Belgium and Australia.
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
Feb 2: Friends of Garden PTA coffee morning, 8am at the canteen
Feb 4: House T-shirt Day
Feb 6: Mufti Day
Feb 12: Pancake Day
Feb 12: Chinese New Year celebration, 7pm in the Main Hall
Feb 14: Valentine’s Day
Feb 14-22: Mid Term Break - school closed
Feb 26: Friends of Garden PTA meeting, Primary Hall, 7pm
Feb 26: Tell a Fairy Tale Day
Primary
Feb 12: Year 1 Trio Houses and Homes
Feb 13: Tear 2 Trip Horse Riding
Feb 25: Reception to Year 2 Sports Morning
Feb 26: Years 1 to 6 Games Afternoon
Secondary
Feb 2: Year 7 to Alangkarn
Feb 3-6: FOBISIA Drama Festival, Manila, Philippines
Feb 7-8 Senior Games at ISR (football and basketball)
Feb 5: Science Fair, St Andrew’s
Feb 9: Reports issued for Year 11 and IB2
Feb 10: IB Taster Day for all Year 11
Feb 10: Parents’ Evening for Year 11 and IB2, 6pm in the Main Hall
Feb 13: Grade Cards for Years 7-10 and IB1 issued
Feb 13: Talent Show (Period 8)
Feb 23: Year 11 Science Trip to Maptaphut
Feb 27: Secondary Sports Day

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, we have Primary’s Got Talent semi-finals
Book Week in Primary
International Hat Day
You can also watch our latest videos about what’s been happening at GIS by going here:
www.youtube.com/user/gardenrayongthailand

Book Battle 2015 is on!
What is Book Battle
Book Battle is a race between books. Students vote for their favourite books. The book
with the most votes wins. At Songkran the winners are announced at a special Winners
party.
How do we join in
Choose which Book Battle books you want to read from the Book Battle display in the
Library.
bookbattle.gardenrayong.com
Visit this blog and make a comment about the book you've read.
If it's a really great comment you'll win a golden ticket to the winners’ party.
Vote!
Also when the voting opens- don't forget to vote for your favourite book.
Party!
Golden ticket winners come to the feast: cakes, fizz and chocolate. Ticket winners will
announce the winning books!

Hat's Amazing!
Students from Garden International
School were brimming with pride as
they enjoyed International Hat Day.
Fedoras, bowlers and DIY hats were all
around GIS on January 15 to mark this
fun event. The school's Prefects
organised the event and handed out
prizes to the most amazing designs.
Well done to everyone who took part!
See more photos on our Facebook
page -
www.facebook.com/gardeninternational
school

From Mrs Gordon: Head of Primary
Hello,
2015 has got off to a busy start in Primary and Foundation. We have had lots of new
children joining us whom I'd like to welcome:
Early Years - Tom, Jedi, Eunice, Poomjai, Prin, Porjai and Isla
Nursery - Aomaom, Kiichi and Alice
Reception - Katrina, Muhammad, Tonhom and Poom
Year 2 - John
Year 4 - Sandee
Year 5 - Jasmine
Year 6 - Sam
We hope they and their families will be very happy here at Garden.
The ‘’One Day, One Goal’’ charity football
tournament at St Andrews on Saturday January 17
was a great day out for the children and their
supporting parents. A big thank you must go to our
FoG Sports Committee who provided our children
with cool drinks, healthy snack and ice towels to
keep them in tip top shape for all their matches.
And to our very proud and hardworking football
coaches, Khun Ball, Mr Amuchou, Ms Natalie, Mr
Carson, Mr James, Mr Anthony and Mr Joe.
Our Under 9s Girls team came back with the
trophy for their section, I don’t know who was
more excited, Ms Natalie or the girls! See our
Sports section for a full report.
Talent Show Semi-Final
We had the last of our talent
show heats this week with
Nidhish and Natalie making it
through to the finals in May
playing guitar and piano.

Brilliant Blogs
We are so lucky to have such wonderful teachers at our school please have look at their
year group blogs to find out what goes on behind the classroom door!
Blogs
Year 6 – http://year6.gardenrayong.com/2015/01/vehicles-in-progress.html
Have a look at the Year 6s creating their war vehicles and then come upstairs
to Year 6 to see their amazing finished vehicles on display
Year 5 – http://year5.gardenrayong.com/2015/01/our-brilliant-barge-trip.html
Check out the Year 5 Brilliant Barge Trip in their own words
Year 4 – http://year4.gardenrayong.com/2015/01/circulatory-system.html
Find out how Year 4 went on a trip inside their circulatory system
Year 3 – http://year3.gardenrayong.com/2015/01/scientists.html
Need an electrician Year 3 may be able to help out!
Year 2 – http://year2.gardenrayong.com/2015/01/new-house.html
A big thank you to Jaacee’s mum and dad for donating this fantastic
playhouse for the Year 1 and 2 playground.
Year 1 - http://year1.gardenrayong.com/2015/01/international-hat-day.html
Look at all those hats. Year 1 get creative for International Hat Day.
Reception - http://reception.gardenrayong.com/
Move over Bob the Builder, Reception are in town!
Nursery - http://nursery.gardenrayong.com/p/nursery-ants-newsletter.html
Look who Nursery got as their Mystery Reader during Book Week.
Early Years - http://earlyyears.gardenrayong.com/p/photo-gallery-term-2.html
EY got lots of special visitors to their class for Book Day
Enjoy your half term breaks and please remember to check your child's hair for headlice
over the holidays as we'll be having our second 'nit-busting' week when we return.
Kind regards and Happy Chinese New Year.
Claire Gordon
Head of Primary
headpri@gardenrayong.com

Science Cluster Day
On January 22 some children
from Year 3 and 4 were invited
to a science workshop at St
Andrews School. It was
fantastic day!
We got to design our own
birds, construct a raft to carry
marbles and create paper
rockets. It was a super
opportunity to practise and
improve our scientific skills
and ideas, working with new
friends.
Here is what we enjoyed the
most:
* I enjoyed discovering which
things were stronger than
other things.
* I really liked making the
design for the raft challenge.
* It was funny trying to be a
bird beak, picking up food with
a straw!

Barge Trip
By Mary (Year 5JH)
On January 7, it was time for the amazing
Year 5 Barge Trip! We went on a trip to
learn about the Chao Phraya River and its
uses.
Before we got on the boat in Bangkok we
met the barge crew - Mr Craig, Ms Erica
and Mr Tee who told us the safety rules. On
the second day, we woke up at 6.30am and
were treated to some hot chocolate. The
boat was not moving yet, but I saw a
wonderful temple with a big golden Buddha.
We went swimming and canoeing; it was the best day of the trip. When we got in the water
it was FREEZING!
On our final day, we went shopping for breakfast at the market and it was fabulous. At 9am
we bought souvenirs and I got a badge and a key chain to remember the trip.
Over the three days, we learned lots about the river and how it is used, we even got to
study the plants and animals that live on the river.
I would definitely recommend the trip to next year’s Year 5s. We had a great time!

Static Electricity Day
By Science Prefect Hui Eun
The activity was at the Primary Hall for 30 minutes,
and I had several other IB students to help me
organise it. There were about 20 students from Year 3
and they became more aware of static electricity by
inducing it on balloons and sticking the balloons to the wall and the ceiling (they had to rub
their balloon on each other’s hair.) They also got to do a 'magic trick' by sticking small
pieces of paper on balloons without touching. The Primary students were pretty excited
during this activity.
Book Week
Primary students celebrated Book Week with a
range of activities.
Teachers picked their favourite children’s books
and became mystery readers as they wandered
into classrooms to read extracts. Students
dressed up as their favourite characters from
books and older children read to younger ones.
The Book Week started with a House Drama
competition where the children in the House
had to act out a ‘’Silly Fairy Tale’’. A lot of
blood, sweat and tears went into the rehearsals
and performances but thanks to our Year 9
judges they made the decision that Eagle
House were the winners, in spite of their
technical difficulties…
Our Book Week centred around the books in
the Library Book Battle so Friday saw lots of
Wolves and Wigs wandering around school.
Visit the school YouTube channel to see more
of what we got up to
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=nJ4UWtXaHmQ&list=UUee4rp6G8zwS6j3Nb8OdOpQ

From Mr Ball: Head of Secondary
Hello Parents and Students,
The IB2 and Year 11 Parents’ Evening is being held on Tuesday February 10. We look
forward to seeing as many parents at this night as are able to attend. This Parents’
Evening offers a wonderful opportunity to discuss the mock examination results and how
to best prepare for the IB Diploma and IGCSE examinations that are fast approaching.
The Year 9 and IB2 students headed off on Thursday to the NASA exhibition at the
Bangkok Convention Centre in Central Plaza. This is a trip I very much would like to have
joined. Many artifacts were on display as well as a G Force Simulator, which sounds great!
Further information can be found by clicking on the links below:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/446564/nasa-exhibit-teaches-kids-to-aim-high
http://www.tatnews.org/nasa-space-exhibition-to-be-held-in-bangkok-the-first-of-its-kind-insoutheast-asia/
In recent weeks the tag line on my email has included a weekly changing Core Value of
Garden International School. Core Values are the fundamental foundation of a school and
help to focus the direction the school moves in and the decisions that are made within the
school. There are three Core Values at Garden International School. These are:
Generous, Internationally Minded, and Studious. Each Core Value has several descriptors.
I am focusing on Internationally Minded at the moment.
So far I have used:
• Open-minded - we are open to perspectives, values and traditions.
• Communicators - we understand and use various ways to communicate.
Next week my tagline will read: Knowledgeable - we explore concepts, ideas and issues.
The Core Values of GIS are on the homepage of the school website.
After an away sports fixture, students return to GIS at the following times:
Away Fixture at St Andrews. Return to Garden at: 5.30pm
Away Fixture at Regents. Return to Garden at: 6pm
Away Fixture at ISE. Return to Garden at: 6pm
Please ensure that transport is waiting at the school to collect your son or daughter at this
time. I will also add this time as a reminder in my weekly emails.
Regards
Sage Ball
Head of Secondary
headsec@gardenrayong.com

Valentine’s Disco
On January 29 a Secondary Valentine’s Disco was held in the Primary Hall.
DJ Teng, our Action Prefect, was in charge of the music as a packed hall was filled with
students.
The disco was organised by the
Student Council and money raised
will go to a good cause.
Hearts and candies with romantic
messages filled the hall, thanks to
Student Council members, who
helped to decorate.

Teacher of the Month
This month we talk to Ms Kate from Primary.
1. Where are you from What's it like there I am from the UK. I
love London, it's a buzzing city with so much to do and I also love
the countryside. You can't beat a country walk and a pub lunch on
a hot, summer day.
2. Tell us about the funniest incident in your life. I tried to play an
April Fool’s trick on my parents so I switched the salt and sugar. My
dad also had the same idea and so unwittingly switched them back! Runs in the family...
3. List five things you would need to survive, if left alone on a deserted island.
A pile of books, a flint, a machete, sun cream and some scuba gear.
4. Which was the most embarrassing moment of your life My brother convinced me that
the surfing wax comb that comes attached to board shorts was a beard comb. I was
teaching some people diving one day and saw the wax comb attached to one of my
client’s shorts so I said, "Oh, that's a cool beard comb!" He didn't have a beard and looked
at me funnily for the rest of the day...
5. If you could spend your time doing only one activity, what would that activity be Why
Teaching. I am fortunate to have a job that I love, I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
6. If you could learn how to do something new next week, what would you choose Why
I would learn the guitar because I want to sing songs with my class.
7. If you could have a super power, what would you choose to have Why What superhero
name would you choose I would definitely fly. I would love to soar over the
land and sea, saving money on air travel! A name Kite Kate!
8. You went to school in Thailand and now you teach here. What's the best thing about
Thailand It is impossible to choose just one thing. The culture, the people, the food, the
weather, the beaches...I love it all.
9. Favourite food You can't beat a good krapao moo krob, with a fried egg on top!

10. What's the last book you read To the class: Macavity the Mystery Cat - I cannot read
this without singing! For myself: The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton - I could not put this
down.
Student of the Month
This month we talk to Milk, who is in Year 6.
1. Tell us something interesting about where you
are from.
I come from Thailand, we have beautiful buildings
and temples, lots of tourist attractions and an
interesting culture.
2. If you could learn how to do something new next
week, what would you choose Why
I would like to learn how to draw animals perfectly. I like drawing and it helps me relax.
3. If you could send an e-mail or text message to anyone in the world knowing that they
would in fact open it and read it, to whom would you send it What would you say Why
I would send a message to HM the King to ask how he is and send him my best wishes.
4. If you could have a super power, what would you choose to have Why What superhero
name would you choose
I would be super smart so that I could help everyone. My superhero name would be Super
Smart.
5. Favourite animal - and why Dogs, because they are so cute and can be our friends.
6. What's the most disgusting food I don't like tomatoes. I think they taste horrible.
7. What is the silliest thing you’ve ever done
I like to pull funny faces at the camera when I get my photo taken.
8. What is your favourite sport or game I like basketball. It might make me taller.
9. If you could design the perfect play space for yourself, what would it have in it Where
would it be
I would like it in my garden. It would have an air-conditioner, sofa, television and
bookshelves.
10. What job do you want to do when you are older

I want to be an engineer like my dad.
Sport
Under 9 Girls Win Tournament
Congratulations to the Under 9 Girls’ Football Team who
were crowned 'ONE DAY, ONE GOAL' Charity Football
tournament champions at St Andrews.
On January 17, seven GIS teams travelled to St
Andrews, Green Valley, for a five-a-side Charity Football
Tournament called 'ONE DAY, ONE GOAL' competing
against several local international schools. Both boys'
and girls' teams represented GIS at U13, U11, U9 and
boys U10.
It was an excellent morning for all 51 GIS students who
played excellent football and fought hard for their team.
Thanks to all the parents who came and supported and
to all the coaches whose hard work makes it all
possible.
The victorious U9 girls football team came home with a
trophy as the new champions of the “One Day One
Goal” event.
Fantastic effort girls and well done Coach Natalie in your debut season!
The U9 boys played some flowing football, working the ball from the back and scoring
many goals during the tournament.
U10 boys came 5th overall in the tournament.
U11 girls were runners-up, winning 2 games, drawing one and losing one – in the last
kick of the game.
The U11 boys came 4th with a draw, a win and three loses.
The U13 girls football team drew 4 games and lost one game to finish 3rd in the
tournament.
All of our Primary football team showed significant
improvement. There is a lot of time left before the

FOBISIA Games, so we hope for even better things then.
Amuchou Yumnam Singh
Physical Education Teacher
Swimming Coordinator
Poon Triumphs in Golf Tournaments
Year 10 student Poon has won two junior golf tournaments.
Poon took part in the Ambank Sport Excel International Junior Golf Tournament from
16-18 December 2014 at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club,
Selangor, Malaysia. Poon came out as the winner in the boys 13-
14 year category.
He then followed this up by winning the International Junior Golf
Asian Circuit Thailand Qualifier 2015. This was held on January
18 at the Royal Lake Side Golf
Club Bangpakong, Chonburi.
Poon took first place in the boys
13-15 years category. The top score for girls and boys in
the tournament will receive flights and tournament entry to
the prestigious Asian Tournament of Champions (ATOC)
in China in April.
IB News
Discover IB
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is the world’s
leading pre-university course for students.
GIS is the most-established IBDP school in the region and our
examination results are regularly above the global average. To allow
our Year 11 students to discover how IB can give them an even
better future, we are holding an IB Taster Day on February 10. Year
11 students will go to IB lessons, get to chat with IB students and find out
what life is really like as an IB Diploma student.
To find out more, visit www.gardenrayong.com/international_baccalaureate.html

Here are the latest posters which have been posted alongside the flags by the front office.
All thanks to our Humanities’ Prefect Renee.

Core Values
At GIS, we have been looking at ways to show our Core Values. Here are some of the
images we have created that will soon be on display all round school. Look out for more
new ones soon!

Foundation Playground To Get Major Facelift
Major changes are being planned for our Foundation Playground.
The aim is to make the area even more stimulating and fun for our youngest students.
Soon, there will be a huge rocket-themed themed playground area, a castle-themed
playground area, percussion instruments for a music garden, a new pavilion for the back
playground and equipment for building two outdoor play kitchens.
But that’s not all! There will also be a 60-metre bike path, a wooden balancing beam, tree
stump balancing blocks/seating, rowing boats that will be set in the ground and new
bicycles, trikes and scooters.
Rocket-themed playground!
Castle-themed playground!
As well as lots of new fantastic equipment, there
will also be many more trees and an improved
garden area.
Find us at:
Website: www.gardenrayong.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gisrayong
Garden International School
Your choice. Their future. Our family.
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