May 2016

Your choice. Their future. Our family. โรงเรียนนานาชาติการ์เด้นอีสเทิร์นซีบอร์ดบ้านฉาง May 2016
Inside this month's newsletter...
Find us at:
Website: www.gardenrayong.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gisrayong
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Garden-International-School-Rayong-Thailand/128699487157809
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/gardenrayongthailand
Accredited by
Affiliated to

From Dr Tasker: Principal
From the Principal
Dear Parents, Students and Friends of GIS,
It is hard to believe we have less than 4 weeks left of the academic year. There is of
course a lot happening to round the year off for the students of GIS.
As part of our ongoing accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS) we had
a scheduled 5-Year Visit during May. The visitors met with students, parents, Board
members and staff as well as looking around, viewing classes and even visiting the
Boarding House. The verbal feedback they gave me was very positive – with many
commendations and some useful recommendations for us to continue moving forward; we
await the formal report for full details.
Congratulations to the Primary FOBISIA Games team who had a successful trip to
Bangkok. They came back with lots and lots of medals and many great memories. A big
thank you to the large team of parental supporters and to Mr Edwards, Mr Amuchou and
Mrs Gordon for looking after them so well.
The Friends of Garden Family Picnic is on Saturday June 18 and we hope as many
families as possible are able to attend. A poster advertising the event is included in the
newsletter. Soon we will be asking for parents to confirm if they will be attending as we will
be providing free food from next year’s Canteen menu and we will need to be able to cater
for the number of people in attendance. Friends of Garden are also hosting a Car Boot
Sale on the morning of Saturday June 18, the fliers for this are also included in this
newsletter – please contact Khun Bonnie at the Front Office if you are interested in having
a stall.
We have a new leadership team for Friends of Garden and I am delighted to announce
them as follows:
• Rashmi as Chair (fogchair@gardenrayong.com)
• Kanika as Events Coordinator (fogevents@gardenrayong.com)
• Dianne as Secretary (fogsecretary@gardenrayong.com)
• Ilse as Treasuer (fogtreasurer@gardenrayong.com)
• Kanika also as Parental Support (fogevents@gardenrayong.com)
There will also be a Primary Coordinator and a Secondary Coordinator appointed soon.
Friends of Garden also have a voice on 3 key committees of the school. Ilse is on the
Canteen and Café Committee, Rashmi is an Eco Warrior and Dianne is on the Social
Justice Committee. Having such sterling parental support is a fantastic thing and helps the
school enormously in supporting what we do for the students. Feel free to contact any of
these wonderful people as you feel the need.
Mr Edwards’ now well-established Sports Awards Evening is set for the evening of
Thursday June 16, our students who have represented the school will receive certificates
and there will also be some special awards for Most Valuable Player, Sportperson and

Most Improved Player awarded for each team, there is also the overall Students and
Coaches awards. This event is always a special one, I hope to see you there with your
children.
The countries we have been celebrating by flying the flag and with a poster of information
this month were New Zealand, Italy, Norway and the Republic of Korea. Copies of the
posters are at the end of this newsletter.
Our new Principal, Ms Hawtree, is visiting GIS next week to ease the transition for the start
of the new academic year, please do say ‘Hello’ and introduce yourself if you happen to
see her!
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
Encounter Church
Indorama
Thunder Cranes
Universal Plus
Gold
Aditya Birla

Upcoming events
Whole School
June 1: Eco Warriors Meeting, Geography room, 3.30pm
June 2: Environment Day – activities Periods 7 and 8
June 5: World Environment Day
June 6: Friends of Garden coffee morning, 8am at the canteen
June 14: House T-shirt Day
June 16: Sports Awards’ Evening
June 18: Friends of Garden car boot sale (10am-2pm) and Family Picnic (2pm-6pm)
June 21: World Music Day
June 24: Last day of the school year, finish at 12noon
Thursday August 18: New school year starts
Primary
June 1: Year 2 trip to see helicopters
June 2-3: Year 3 residential trip to Khao Kheow Open Zoo
June 3: Funtastic Fantabulous Friday
June 7-10: Year 6 residential trip to Chiang Mai
June 7: Introduction to Secondary for Year 6 parents, 8am
June 7: Year 1 trip to the Teddy Bear Museum, Pattaya
June 13: Foundation Reports issued
June 14-15: Foundation Parent Conferences
June 16: Year 7 Taster Day for Year 6 students
June 21: Years 1 to 6 Reports issued
June 22: Primary Summer Concert and open afternoon (12.30pm-3pm)
June 23: Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly
June 24: Foundation Graduation Ceremony, 10am
Secondary
June 9: Years 8 to 10 and IB1 Spanish trip to Tuke's Restaurant
June 11: Year 11 Formal, Movenpick, Pattaya
June 13-15: ELS KET/PET examinations for Years 7, 8 and 9
June 14: Bandslam, Period 8
June 15: Year 11 to IB2: CAS Careers’ Fair, Drama Room, 1.30pm-3pm
June 16: ABRSM examinations, Bangkok
June 17: Year 7 Mandarin/History trip to Vihana Sien Chinese Museum
June 20: Years 7 to 10 and IB1 Reports issued
June 21: Years 7 to 10 and IB1 Parent Conferences, 7pm-8.30pm
June 23: IB1 provisional Extended Essay deadline
June 24: Secondary Academic Prize-giving Ceremony, 10.30am

Head to our Facebook page for the latest news on
what’s been happening at GIS. This month, you
can read about:
www.facebook.com/gardeninternationalschool
You can also watch our latest videos about what’s
been happening at GIS by going here:
www.youtube.com/user/gardenrayongthailand
Follow us on Instagram! Find us at
garden_international_school or search for
#gistitans
Check out our Pinterest page and see the dozens
of photos showcasing life at GIS.
https://www.pinterest.com/GISThailand/
Follow our tweets on Twitter!
https://www.twitter.com/gisrayong

IB STUDENTS GRADUATE AT TOP RESORT
Garden International School's oldest students graduated in style from a five-star resort in
Pattaya.
The final examinations for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme have just
finished, and the students celebrated the end of their studies with a graduation evening at
the Mövenpick Resort on May 28.
To begin the evening, the school's Head Boy and Head Girl welcomed everyone and IB
Coordinator Ian Fraser gave a speech praising the students' efforts and thanking parents
for their support. In between speeches and musical performances, guests enjoyed a
fantastic buffet dinner.
The school's IB students then gave their own speeches, thanking their parents, teachers
and classmates for helping them complete the course. Students were then presented with
their Yearbook and a special GIS teddy bear. The evening ended with the students
heading outside to release balloons and make a wish for a successful future. Having the IB
Diploma helps ensure a successful future as it's the world's leading pre-university course.
GIS is the most experienced IB school in the region and its results are regularly far above
the global average.

IB Graduation – Class of 2016

HEAD BOY AND HEAD GIRL
The month of May really tested the students at GIS (pun intended).
With the IB and IGSE examinations being done, we saw Year 9s, 10s, 11s, and IB2s going
through examinations. Plus there were the Term 3 examinations for everyone not in Year
11 or IB2.
Furthermore, the Council of International Schools (CIS) came to visit, and the Head Girl
and myself gave them a tour of our school facilities, and the Prefects all sat down to
discuss ways in which we can improve.
We also enjoyed International Jazz Day here, in which three students, including our
Creativity and Activity Prefects, took on their own rendition of Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the
Moon, wooing the whole canteen with their soft melodies. Now with the examinations are
over, the final event to take care of is the IB2 graduation of 2016, which was excellent and
took place on May 28, and the IGCSE Formal, which is in June.
Berenice – Head Girl
Gear – Head Boy

JOHN’S TREE
GIS has recognised the commitment of one of its students by
planting a tree in his honour.
John Caules has spent his entire education at GIS, starting in
Foundation and recently finishing his final examinations for the
IB Diploma.
To recognise this achievement, the school has planted a tree
in John’s honour, which is now alongside several other
students who spent their entire education at GIS.
John helped plant the tree and was then congratulated by Dr
Tasker, GIS Principal, Mr Fraser, IB Coordinator, and his
friends.

From Mrs Gordon: Head of Primary
Hello,
I am delighted to say after a wet start to the day the weather
was kind to us for our Swimming Gala and everyone got to
swim in their races. It was a great event enjoyed by all.
After tallying up all the scores the event was a draw
between Tiger and Gecko!
It was also great practice for our Primary FOBISIA team who
went to Bangkok to compete in the FOBISIA Primary Games
hosted by Bromsgrove International School. The children
from Year 4, 5 and 6 took part in T-Ball, football, athletics
and swimming along with 10 other international schools from
around Asia. See below to find out how we got on!
I know many of you were disappointed that we had to cancel
our Sports Day this year; we’re hoping to use our last two
House Activities of the year to hold some mini sports day events. More details to follow.
CLASS TRIPS
Class trips are in full flow with Year 6 off to
Chiang Mai and Year 3 getting to spend the
night at the zoo! Reception also spent a day in
the zoo as part of their Rainforest unit and
Nursery did some travelling to see trains and
planes!
Year 1 visited the turtles and Year 2 are off to
see some helicopters. To see what else your
children have been up to in their classrooms
please visit the class blogs.

NEW HARDCOURT
The old Primary Hardcourt has now been removed and work on the new structure should
begin shortly. Thank you for bearing with us as the work continues.
Don’t forget our Primary Summer Concert and Open Afternoon on Wednesday June 22.
We will start with a concert in the school’s Main Hall and then move to the classrooms
where you can see what your children have been learning and have a chance to informally
chat with the class teachers and specialists.
For our Year 6 parents we will have the Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly on Thursday June 23.
Our Foundation end of year show and graduation will be on the last day of term, Friday
June 24, at 10am in the Foundation Hall. We look forward to seeing you all then.
Kind regards
Mrs Gordon
Head of Primary
headpri@gardenrayong.com
JAZZ DAY
To celebrate Jazz Day, IB1
students got together to
perform some random
numbers around school.
Jun Beom, Knight and Praw,
helped by Mr Abbs, were
known for the day by their
jazz names Fat Abbs, Kaiser
Knight, Count JB and
Princess Praw! They all
visited Primary and the
Canteen to share some cool
jazz vibes.

We have some great school
blogs to tell you about life at
GIS. Click on the links below to
see what’s been going on!
PRIMARY BLOGS
Early Years http://earlyyears.gardenrayong.com/
Nursery http://nursery.gardenrayong.com/
Reception http://reception.gardenrayong.com/
Year 1 http://year1.gardenrayong.com/
Year 2 http://year2.gardenrayong.com/
Year 3 http://year3.gardenrayong.com/
Year 4 http://year4.gardenrayong.com/
Year 5 http://year5.gardenrayong.com/
Year 6 http://year6.gardenrayong.com/
ESL Blog: http://primaryels.gardenrayong.com
SECONDARY BLOGS
Year 7-9
IGCSE
IB
http://year7to9.gardenrayong.com/
http://gisigcse.gardenrayong.com/
http://gisib.gardenrayong.com/
WHOLE SCHOOL BLOGS
Extra-curricular Sport http://gissport.gardenrayong.com/
Extra-curricular Music
http://gismusicblog.gardenrayong.com/
Extra-curricular Drama http://gisdrama.gardenrayong.com/
Library
http://library.gardenrayong.com/
Community Programmes http://communityprogrammes.gardenrayong.com/
Community Service
Friends of Garden
Boarding
http://gisserviceprojects.gardenrayong.com/
http://friendsofgarden.gardenrayong.com/
http://gisboarding.gardenrayong.com/

House Competitions
CRAZY HAIR DAY
Students sprayed, twisted, waxed and pulled their
hair into crazy styles and colours for the 'crazy hair
day'.
There were lots of weird and wonderful designs
from students and teachers, even follicallychallenged
Mr Whittle managed to grow hair
overnight.
Well done to everyone who took part and to Eagle
for having the craziest hair.'

ULTIMATE FRISBEE
GIS tried out Ultimate Frisbee for House activities, a new sport which many students were
playing for the first time.
There were children flying through the air, frisbees launched the full length of the pitch and
a small bump to the head for one unlucky Gecko. In the end Eagle were victorious as they
outclassed Gecko in the final.

From Mr Ball: Head of Secondary
Hello Parents,
What a month it has been…the International Baccalaureate examinations are now over.
The IB students looked exhausted but exhilarated. The IB students now have the long wait
for their results; I am sure however that they will find something to occupy their time now
that they are not revising for 12 hours a day.
The IGCSE examinations are now, in the main, over with just six examination papers left
to trickle through. Oddly enough, the IGCSE students also look exhausted but exhilarated.
They also will be looking forward to receiving their results.
Next month, on Monday June 20, the Term 3 Reports will be issued to students in Years 7,
8, 9, 10 and IB1. These Reports are more detailed than the Grade Cards. I hope that you
will be pleased with the report that your son or daughter will receive. The criteria for the
grades given on the report can be located on the following link:
Attainment criteria (All Year Groups):
http://www.gardenrayong.com/gis/index.php/theirfutur/curriculum/secondary-years-7-to-9
Whole School Theme Grade Descriptors:
http://www.gardenrayong.com/gis/images/PDF/Secondary%20Themes.pdfhttp://www.gard
enrayong.com/files/IB%20Attainment%20Descriptor.pdf
Effort and Homework Grade Descriptors:
http://www.gardenrayong.com/gis/images/PDF/Effort%20and%20Homework.pdf
The Secondary Parents’ Conferences will follow the Term 3 Reports and will be on
Tuesday June 21, starting 6pm. It is the perfect opportunity to hear the teachers explain in
detail about how your son or daughter has performed academically over the year, about
how great your son or daughter is, and how you can continue to support them next year.
There will be a fine selection of nibbles and beverages available on the night.
On the final day of school, Friday June 24, the Secondary Academic Prizegiving will start
at 10.30am. Book prizes, trophies, and certificates will be awarded to students. The
majority of the awards are for Academic Excellence and Academic Endeavour. There will
also be the Special Awards which are the Leadership Award, the CIS International Student
Award, the Nam Jai Ngam Award, the Contribution to the Arts Award, and the
Sportsperson of the Year Award. More information on the awards’ ceremony will be sent
out closer to the date. It promises to be an excellent event which celebrates a wide range
of the aspects that make up the life of Garden International School.
Regards
Mr Ball
Head of Secondary
headsec@gardenrayong.com

By Abhigyan Khullar (IB1)
SPECIAL VISITS
IB students have been visiting a special school in Ban
Chang to help children who have mental disabilities.
This doesn’t mean that those children at the special school
are any less than any of us; they are equally as human as
any other person amongst us. There is but one difference,
and that’s their unconditional love and appreciation for any
and every person who offers to spend time with them.
I have been to the special school three times till now and
every time we reach there the children are overjoyed to see
us and welcome us with such enthusiasm. Up to now we
have conducted a few fun activities, namely colouring
in, ‘dug dug goose’, bowling and catching the ball.
It isn’t always easy for the children to follow
instructions but despite that their willingness to
actively participate is commendable. They thoroughly
enjoy more physical activities such as musical chairs
and bowling and, for me, perhaps the most precious
moment is their happiness when they are able to
achieve something. It is truly elating when you realise
that your effort has led to someone else’s
accomplishment and happiness.
That being said I wouldn’t say it’s easy volunteering at the Special School, you have to
accept that your private space may be invaded and be willing to become one of them but
at the end of the day I feel like it’s well worth it when we the privileged students of Garden
International School are able to bring joy to the less fortunate, even if it’s only once in a
week.

Teacher of the Month
This month we talk to Head of Secondary Mr Ball.
1. What made you choose to live in Thailand?
Purely by accident, my wife’s mother has a condo in Bangkok
and after we finished school in Malaysia it seemed like a good
idea to stay.
2. 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?
I would send an email to Donald Trump, and ask how he
considered being the President of USA given his surname = let’s
face it, President Trump is just funny.
3. If you weren't a teacher, what would you be doing?
I can’t think of anything else I would rather do; I have lots of friends in lots of
careers the teaching is by the most interesting.
4. What kind of student were you? I was a student that got by on natural ability
rather than hard work; I learned to work hard later.
5. If you could pick something in your bedroom that would last forever, what would you
choose? There’s a selection of books in my bedroom and I wish that the entity of
reading them would stay there forever.
6. What’s your favourite book and why?
It’s a ridiculously hard question to answer I think ‘Moments of Reprieve by Primo Levi’ his
writing style is wonderful and the way he approaches the topic is remarkable given what
he is writing about. The book consists of vignettes from a person who survived the
concentration camps and Levi approaches it in a very detached angle
7. The loudest you had laughed was when...
The last time somebody told me something ridiculously funny.
8. What part of being a kid do you miss the most? The fun part.
9. List five things you would need to survive, if left alone on a deserted island.
A group of friends, a group of people who know how to survive on a deserted island,
Ribena, fresh water, food.
10. What is your favourite sport? If you could change one rule, what would it be?
Football, the players that swear at the referee should get sin binned for 10 mins,
there is no reason why the referee shouldn’t be respected.

Student of the Month
This month we talk to IB1 student Jun Beom.
1. What is your favourite subject?
Chemistry with Mr Fung is really fun.
2. How many languages can you speak?
English, Korean, Mandarin and Thai.
3. What's the best country you've visited (apart
from Thailand)?
Korea, if you want to know why just try
Korean food and, if you do, bring me with you.
4. What is your favourite animal? Why?
Panda ;3
Or the red panda or sloth (they do nothing but sleep
except like 1 hour per day or something – like me!)
5. If you could spend your time doing only one
activity, what would that activity be? Why?
Sleeping because I love it, I could do it all day.
6. What is one thing that you think you will definitely be great at when you are an
adult?
Procrastination, jumping to conclusions, avoiding responsibility, sleeping,
eating, drinking and sleeping. Just kidding, probably just sleeping.
7. What is the silliest thing you’ve ever done?
Um… choosing IB without mental preparation, thinking I could sleep and play as
much as I used to and still be fine… silly me ;-;
8. Who's the funniest person you have ever met?
I have not met anyone yet who is funny enough for me to remember.
9. What is your favourite sport?
Basketball
10. If you could have a super power, what would you choose to have? Why? What
super-hero name would you choose?
I just want to do whatever I want whenever I want, like controlling time and
space (pause time, travel to the past and travel to the future, teleportation etc.),
be invisible ;), read and manipulate people’s mind ;)

Sport
FOBISIA Primary Games
Primary students did brilliantly at the recent
FOBISIA Primary Games in Bangkok.
Garden’s girls came 2nd in the athletics
overall, 3rd overall in the swimming and the
Garden A girls' side came third in the football.
Both girls teams won or drew all their pool
matches and made it through to the play offs.
Team B narrowly missed out on the bronze
while Team A secured the bronze in a nailbiting
penalty shoot-out at the end.
A total of 11 schools took part in the
competition, which was held at Bromsgrove
International School.

We continue to celebrate all the countries represented at GIS by flying a different
nation’s flag each week. Here are the countries that have recently been recognised
at the front of the school.

Garden International School
Your choice. Their future. Our family.
Find us at:
Website: www.gardenrayong.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gisrayong
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Garden-International-School-Rayong-Thailand/128699487157809
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