BLOOMSBURY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HATYAI 2021 Office Staff Guide
ABOUT BLOOMSBURY Bloomsbury International School Hatyai provides Nursery (aged 2.8 - 5) to Key Stage 5 (aged 16-18) students with a broad and stimulating education of high quality that follows the English National Curriculum. Our qualified teaching staff mostly originate from the UK as well as Australia, Canada and USA and all have had experience working with the English National Curriculum. The school offers a wide range of facilities for Primary and Secondary students. Adjoining our 60 metre-long corridors on two floors in both the England and Wales buildings, we have 24 classrooms, a Music Room, a Drama Studio, an ICT Suite, a Cooking Room, an Art room, a newly refurbished Science Lab and two libraries. In the 6-storey Scotland building, we have a large Convention Centre where whole school events take place. We also have our boarding house on the 5th floor.
Our Mission It is the mission of Bloomsbury International School Hatyai to promote Academic Excellence in a warm, supportive, caring and professional environment. We support each student to develop an enquiring mind and the confidence to tackle new things, creativity and problem-solving skills in order to succeed in life and make a positive contribution to society. Students are encouraged to become lifelong learners and global citizens within the framework of the school’s core values: Respect, Curiosity, Unity and Ambition. Our Vision The school through its curriculum, its teaching and learning and its institutional ethos promotes intercultural understanding, empathy, communication and respect as complements to a sense of cultural and national identity and as essential aspects of global citizenship.
OUR MEMBERSHIPS The Council of International Schools (CIS) is a membership community committed to high quality international education. CIS community includes more than 1360 institutions - over 740 schools and 610 colleges and universities representing 122 countries. Bloomsbury International School Hatyai has been officially accepted to join the ISQM accreditation and school improvement programme on 5th September 2020. Bloomsbury International School, Hatyai is a proud member of the CIE network and approved to offer and examine CIE qualifications up to A level since February 2016.
OUR MEMBERSHIPS OxfordAQA is a joint venture between Oxford University Press, a department of the University of Oxford, and AQA, the UK's leading academic awarding body. Drawing on over 100 years of exam experience, OxfordAQA is meticulous about how the qualifications are developed. Bloomsbury International School, Hatyai is a full member of ISAT since 2015 and regularly attends conferences and supports education development in Thailand. In June 2016 IQA carried out its first visit of Bloomsbury International School, Hatyai. The visit was part of the OPEC regulations, which requires that all private schools undergo an ‘Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)’ process. Bloomsbury achieved a score of 96/100, which is a great achievement for a school just finishing its first full year of operation.
CAMBRIDGE EXAMINATIONS Bloomsbury is a Cambridge International School – this means it is an approved curricular and assessment center for Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), the region’s largest and best known global curricular body. CIE is part of the UK’s University of Cambridge, which has been a pillar of educational excellence for over 800 years. The school has had to meet the high standards insisted on by CIE to be awarded this status.
CURRICULUM Bloomsbury International School Hatyai follows the British National Curriculum that is renowned for its holistic approach. The British system fosters students’ development with a balance of their full potential and learning of the outside world around them. Through transformative learning, students are equipped with the integration knowledge of science and arts and self- learning skills. This fosters students’ academic achievement, and essential life skills as regarded as necessary for global citizenship and leaders with the knowledge, qualifications and qualities to succeed. It can be assured that our educational standards will be comparable to the UK, where the government monitoring of the curriculum guarantees quality. The Bloomsbury Curriculum follows the curriculum guarantees quality. The Bloomsbury Curriculum follows the normal UK path as each level is shown in the following.
PRIMARY SCHOOL Boomsbury International School Hatyai offers a broad and balanced curriculum. At the end of each key stage, each subject has a target. Students work towards developing skills, knowledge and understanding at their appropriate level. KEY STAGE 1: Years 1 and 2 KEY STAGE 2: Years 3 - 6 The core curriculum in Year 1 The core curriculum is based and Year 2 comprises: on: English English Thai language and culture Mathematics Mathematics Science Science Thai Computing Informational and Communication Students also study the Technology following subjects: Students also study the Art and Design, Art and following subjects: Design Technology Music Chinese (Mandarin) PE Art and Design, Art and Humanities (History and Design Technology Geography) Music PSHE PE Drama Humanities (History and Geography) PSHE Drama
KEY STAGE 3: Years 7 – 9 SECONDARY SCHOOL All subjects at this Key Stage are compulsory: KEY STAGE 4 – International General Certificate of English (Language and Secondary Education Literature) (IGCSE): Years 10 – 11 Mathematics Science At Bloomsbury, we offer the Thai following subjects at IGCSE Humanities level: Information and Communication English Technology Mathematics Music Coordinated Science Personal, Social and Thai Health Education Information and (PSHE) Communication Physical Education Technology Art and Design Sociology Chinese (Mandarin) Global Perspectives Travel and Tourism Business Studies Art and Design Music In addition, all students take P.E.
The core subjects studied at Bloomsbury include: English, Math, Science, Thai Art ICT, Mandarin, Physical Education, Personal Social Health Education (PSHE), and Music. Our Extra Curricular programme (ECAs) provides opportunities for students to choose to participate in clubs based on their interests. For example we currently have Sports (Football, Basketball, Drone club, Archaeology), Robotics, Coding, Sewing, Art, Music and many more.
EAL AT BLOOMSBURY English is the medium of teaching at Bloomsbury International School. As most schools around SE Asia, we have a high percentage of students requiring English as an Additional Language (EAL). Children who enter the school during Early Years can learn English sufficiently enough to cope with the demands of a classroom. However, children arriving in higher year groups often need additional support in English language. For students in Year 1 and Year 2, we offer an EAL programme for those whose English language skills are emerging and developing. Our aim is to ensure that their level of English is proficient enough to cope with the demands of the curriculum.
House system Bloomsbury International School Hatyai has a four House System based on colors. The Houses are Einstein (Blue), Turner (Rad), Nightingale (Yellow) and Newton (Green). Every student is placed in a house throughout their time in school. Our House System builds cooperation and support between students and teachers and fosters strong relationship between students.
Boarding School Boarding at Bloomsbury is a home away from home experience in a modern, comfortable and secure environment. Our priority is to ensure that every student is happy, healthy and well occupied. Our boarding section accommodates students from Year 6 to Year 13. Boys and girls are housed in separate sections. We offer both dormitory style and twin beds with a private bathroom.
WE ARE A SAFE SCHOOL! At Bloomsbury we are fully committed to providing a safe school environment for our students, staff, parents, visitors and other stakeholders. The attached document sets out the practical ways in which we implement this commitment so that everyone who belongs to or comes into the school can be assured of the highest standards of safety at all times. We regularly review our safety provision in the interests of best practice and continuous improvement, and we welcome suggestions as to how we can develop and enhance our safety provision in all the various aspects it assumes in and around the school.
Admissions Bloomsbury International School Hatyai accepts student from Nursery (2.8years old) to Secondary (17years old). Students applying in Year 2 – 13 will be assessed on the Basic English language skills. The purpose of the assessment is to place students in the right year level and determine the level of English as an Additional language (EAL) support they will require.
SCHOOL FEES 2020–2021 Admission Fees Application Fee 5,000 THB (Paid once; non-refundable) Enrolment Fee 70,000 THB (Non-refundable) Deposit 30,000 THB (Paid once; refundable) Deposit will be refunded after at least 1 year of study in the school. If a student wishes to resign, this must be done in writing 30 days in advance before the new semester. Tuition Fees
Food Cost Boarding Fees Deposit (Paid once; Refundable) 30,000 THB
BLOOMSBURY TEACHING STAFF
JOHN CALVERT (BA Hons, PGCE, NPQH, NPQSL) - Principal
MARK ELLIS (BA, PGCE) Head of Primary/Pre-Primary RYAN WINDSOR (BSc, PGCEi) Head of Secondary / Sixth Form ANDREW STRUBELT (BSc, PGCEi) Head of EAL / ECA Coordinator KRISTINA ANNE KING (BA) Accreditation Manager Head of Boarding AMY JOANNA DUFFY (BA, PGCE) Nursery
CORRINA GRACO (BA) Reception SEBASTIAAN LEBER (BA, PGCE) Year 1 JESSICA SHANDLEY (BA (hons), PGCE) Year 2 ELIZABETH SCHACHINGER (BA, PGCEi) Year 3 ELLEN FERGUSON (BA, PGDE) Year 4
DONNA COWAN (BA, PGDE) Year 5 KATE ADAMS (BA, PGCE) Year 6 NANCY SACHDEV (BA,MA) EAL KS1 teacher TOM SCHACHINGER (BA) EAL KS2 teacher NUTTANANUN NONTHISIT (B.Ed.) Primary Teacher of Thai
SAOWAPHAK DISAWAT (BA,MA) Primary Teacher of Thai SANDRA DUNCAN (BA, PGCE) Year 7 / Art and Design JOSEPH CHANG (BA) Year 8 / EAL Secondary JESSICA EVANS (BSc, PGCEi) Year 9 / Science DANIEL FLAVEL (BA (hons), PGCE) Year 10 / English
CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT (BSc, PGCE) Year 11 / Maths PAVANDEEP DHAMRAIT (BSc, PGCE) Business Studies CHASE NOONAN (BA, M.Ed.) Music SUCHAI BORRIRAKSANTIKUL (BA, MA) Teacher of Chinese HAZWANI CHOBNGAM (B.Ed. (2nd hons) Secondary Teacher of Thai
ALFREDO EUSEBIO (BSc) ICT SCOTT RITCHIE (BSc) P.E. teacher Amonrat Chaisuwan (BA, MA) Teaching Assistant Subil Saree (BA) Teaching Assistant SIRIPORN YUENYONG (BA) Teaching Assistant
SUNISA RUNGSIN (BA) Teaching Assistant SASIWIMON PATTANO (BA) Teaching Assistant
ADMINISTRATION STAFF
KHOSAK SRINOI (B.Ed., MA) Director and School Manager
PIMONRAT SAE-TIA (BA) Personal Assistant to the Principal JARINYA PHOONSONG (BA) Human Resources Officer NUTCHADA JANARPON (BA) Admissions Officer NISARAT KANJANASOMBOON (BA) Reception and Marketing Officer WISARUT SOHMAT (BA) Purchasing Officer
EDWIN DELA CRUZ (BSECE, DipTEd) ICT Services Officer Sopa Choosri Finance officer Miss Phantira Narawut Accountant
LEARNING SUPPORT STAFF
RUNCHIDA SUNJAY(BSc) Learning Support Staff TABITHA RODRIGUEZ (BSEd) Learning Support Staff
Support Staff
Surat Phutthawiro Catering Staff Kamonporn Booksiri Catering Staff Supawadee Srinualkaew Barita Prani Samakphong Housekeeper Wilaivan Khunlad Housekeeper
Kanlaya Heemmamad Housekeeper Kamonlak Insuwanno Housekeeper Mr. Somnuk Bunyod Security Guard Surapong Nongnuch Driver /Maintenance Praphan Kaewauthai Driver /Maintenance
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How is the Thai school's English program different from the Bloomsbury International School Hatyai curriculum? The school realizes that many Thai schools offer students excellent English language courses. Students can learn English, math, science, and others from English textbooks and learn with native teachers however Thai schools do not have a quality control agency that establishes and enforces universal standards for teaching or testing. To formulate an effective educational plan and to provide advancement for students that are recognized around the world. The international school program is administered by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). It is the world's largest curriculum drafting system that sets common academic standards for nearly 1 million learners in 10,000 schools in 160 countries around the world. For this reason, students at the school use these courses to pass rigorous exams and assessments, using quality control mechanisms recognized by universities and employers around the world. For this reason, students at the school use these courses to pass rigorous exams and assessments, using quality control mechanisms recognized by universities and employers around the world.
2. What are the benefits that students will get from the school's international program? First, an international program of study offers more opportunities to students interested in pursuing higher education at universities around the world. Most universities require students to graduate from an international program, such as students who have passed the CIE exam. Second, the school uses English as the main language for all subjects except foreign languages and Thai. Students at the school Therefore can use English fluently. They will need to use these skills for higher education and global study. Third, the international school curriculum emphasizes essential skills such as critical thinking, time management, problem-solving, and specialist knowledge. These skills are critical in getting students to think, act, and make decisions for themselves in their academic, professional, and life general. Finally, the school community is made up of multinational people, and they can learn from a variety of cultures.
3. Why is a strong command of English so important for Bloomsbury students? English is not just a subject on the curriculum of Bloomsbury International School Hatyai (‘BISH’) and other international schools; it’s also the medium of instruction for most other subjects (such as Mathematics and Science). Consequently, it’s essential that students attain a high standard of English for their academic advancement and their communication skills. English also has great significance outside the classroom. Approximately 400 million people speak it as their first language while around 1.2 billion speak it as a second language. It’s the world’s largest lingua franca, the native language in the United Kingdom and the United States, the official language in 69 states and the accepted medium for international business, science, technology, diplomacy, air and sea transportation, sport, academic conferences, advertising, pop music and the Internet. In November 2007 English was officially adopted as the working language of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), which Thailand joined as a founding co-member in August 1967. A good command of English is thus essential for reasons arising not just from studying but also for expression, comprehension and communication purposes in situations relating to careers and general life. To enable students to achieve, sustain and develop high standards in English, BISH includes a substantial element of English studies in its curriculum. BISH students’ English is regularly tested with specialist and supplementary support being made available to individuals as their circumstances require. BISH firmly believes that providing all students with rigorous English studies is an essential component of international studies in the C21.
4. Which International Curriculum does Bloomsbury International School Hatyai offer to its students? Bloomsbury International School Hatyai (‘BISH’) is an approved local delivery centre for Cambridge International Examinations (‘CIE’). CIE is the world’s largest provider of international qualifications for Secondary school students as well as being renowned for its Cambridge International Primary Programme and Cambridge Checkpoint tests. CIE forms part of the University of Cambridge, UK, which has been delivering education of the highest quality for over 800 years. While Cambridge is situated in the UK, CIE has - out of all the contemporary international school curriculum providers - distinguished itself by offering courses suitable not just for the children of British expatriates but also for all young people seeking a truly global preparation for their university studies, careers and lives. CIE is a not-for-profit organisation where the concepts of service and professionalism always come first: consequently, it is committed to best practice in all aspects of its operation. All proceeds are directed to the continuous improvement of its resources for schools such as BISH, students and other stakeholders. BISH has chosen to work with CIE as a curricular provider on the basis of the latter’s provision of high quality, leading-edge qualifications that meet the ongoing demands of employers and educators across the world. CIE has over 150 years’ experience of working in partnership with ministries of education, qualifications authorities, examination and assessment boards and schools around the world.
In some countries (such as Singapore) CIE examinations constitute the default state qualification for Secondary students. In others, CIE works with governments to reform education systems, localise examinations and train officials, teachers, markers and examiners in curriculum development and assessment. Every year, nearly a million students aged 5 – 19 from 10,000 schools in 160 countries prepare for their future with CIE examinations. The fact that CIE qualifications are recognised by universities and employers all over the world provides students preparing for them at schools such as BISH with yet another advantage: that of easy flexibility and transferability. Students who take one particular CIE grade at a school which enjoys CIE local delivery centreship (such as BISH) can transfer easily and smoothly to another approved CIE anywhere in the world to continue their studies should their parents change their job location. Consequently, a CIE education provides students with an educational ‘passport’ to equivalent institutions in other countries and continents. Moreover, CIE schools such as BISH form part of a global educational community which offers teachers a range of helpful ways to share knowledge and ideas for the benefit of their own professional development, the institutions at which they work and – above all – their students.
5. What does the Cambridge International Examinations ('CIE') schools' curriculum consist of? The kernel of the CIE curriculum for students of statutory school age is the National Curriculum of England, the latest version of which came into effect in September 2015. This curriculum (which is also sometimes referred to as the ‘English National Curriculum’, the ‘UK National Curriculum’ and the ‘British National Curriculum’) is highly popular with international schools in a range of different countries. It is famous for its extremely detailed, meticulously planned, comprehensively structured and highly integrated approach to students’ ‘whole school experience’ from the ages of 3 to 19. It is a skills- and outcomes-based curriculum well supported by a host of excellent textbooks and associated resources with its own testing system. It fits into the English public examination system (of which the [i]GCSE, AS and A Level examinations are the best known components), which is recognised and accepted by universities and employers across the globe. The National Curriculum for England provides students with an education that is both recognised and generally held in high esteem around the world. Acknowledged for its high academic standards and its well-rounded approach to education, the curriculum provides students with transferability and the opportunity to gain access to reputable universities, worldwide. Many international schools in a range of territories (including BISH) use the National Curriculum of England but adapt and supplement it with other contents chosen in accordance with local and regional cultural needs and expectations. This results in an effective academic blend which is both locally relevant and globally applicable – the best of both worlds!
6. Please explain the relationship between the different examinations students at Bloomsbury take within the CIE curriculum. The National Curriculum of England organises school education into various Key Stages corresponding to different student ages and qualifications. Perhaps the best way to explain this is in chart form: Cambridge Primary Checkpoint is a diagnostic assessment tool for the end of the Cambridge Primary programme in English, Mathematics and Science (taken at the end of Year 6). BISH does not currently offer this programme; our Primary students are evaluated using the New Group Reading Test (NGRT) assessments at the beginning and end of the academic year. Please see for further details. We also use UK SATs to assess Primary students’ English at all levels (for Writing, Spelling Punctuation and Grammar and Reading Comprehension) and Maths. For History, Geography and Science, we use teacher created assessments as there are no standardised tests for these subjects at this level.
7. Could you provide more information about Key stage 5? Key Stage 5 refers to students in Years 12 and 13 (known in the UK as the Upper and Lower Sixth Form and internationally as the Advanced Level). It’s the stage that prepares BISH and other students for GCE AS (Advanced Supplementary) and A (Advanced) level examinations. These are the world’s most popular pre-university qualifications; they’re recognised worldwide for their high academic standard and rigour. They’re currently taken in c 130 countries by c. 170,000 candidates and usually follow 13 years of education (hence ‘Year 13’). The ‘norm’ is that students preparing for AS/A Levels complete c. 360 hours of guided learning normally over a 2-year period; one A Level course normally equals 7 modules (consisting of 4 AS and 3 A2 units: the former taken in Year 12 and the latter in Year 13). Teachers and academic managers at BISH liaise closely with students, parents and guardians to advise over AS/A Level subject choices, to monitor progress and to provide counselling.
8. What's the difference between the IGCSE and the GCSE? Both qualifications have their origins in the introduction of the General Certificate of Education (‘GCE’) Ordinary Level (‘O’ Level) examination for 16 year old students in England in 1951. In 1988 two important changes took place. Firstly O Level examinations were replaced by the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education); secondly, Cambridge agreed to make special provision for the growing number of international schools being established throughout the world to cater for children of British diplomats and the increasingly mobile workforce of international corporations. This was based on the GCSE but was entitled the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (‘IGCSE’) and generally included contents and orientation of a more global character. The domestic UK GCSE examinations were set according to nationally agreed criteria that provided guidance on syllabus content; this system continues today. A national quality assurance framework laid down by the British government ensures parity of GCSE standards across different examining boards and syllabuses The IGCSE has remained broadly similar in scope and standard to the GCSE but more global in outlook, orientation & subject matter; today it’s taught in more than 100 different countries and is recognised by universities worldwide. In 2006 the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (‘QCA’) commissioned a comparative evaluation of GCSEs and IGCSEs and concluded course syllabuses and assessment criteria were broadly similar in standard. Over recent years, the outlook in many UK schools has become more global, resulting in an increasing number now offering the IGCSE as well or instead of the GCSE.
9. In which countries do universities recornise CIE and A Level qualifications? All universities in the United Kingdom recognise these qualifications. The latter are also recognised by 434 universities in the United States of America, by 41 universities in Canada, by 38 universities in Australia and by various universities and other higher education institutions in India, Singapore and South Africa. In Thailand, A Levels are now insisted upon by the Thai Ministry of Education as entrance qualifications to international programmes delivered at universities across the country including Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, Thammasat, Assumption and Prince of Songkhla University.
10. Is there a virtual exam for IGCSE students at school? At the end of Semester 1, 2, and 3 of Year 10, all school students will take IGCSE exams on the subjects they are studying. These exams assess what students have learned throughout the year. Year 11 students will try the IGCSE exam that covers as much of the course content as possible. During this time, the mock exam is intended to summarize results, enabling students and parents to know their strengths and weaknesses so that teachers can advise and guide their development over the remainder of Year 11. Precisely.
WORDS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Accreditation having official approval to do something, especially because of having reached an acceptable standard Admission permission given to someone to enter a building or place, or to become a member of a school, club etc. Affiliation the connection or involvement that someone or something has with a political, religious etc. organization Boarding school a school where students live as well as study Certificate an official document that states that a fact or facts are true birth/death/marriage certificate Curriculum the subjects that are taught by a school, college etc., or the things that are studied in a particular subject Enrolment the process of arranging to join a school, university, course etc. Equivalent having the same value, purpose, job etc. as a person or thing of a different kind Extracurricular extracurricular activities are not part of the course that a student is doing at a school or college
Formal school a structured and systematic form of learning. This is the education of a certain standard delivered to students by trained teachers. Graduated divided into different levels Institution a large organization that has a particular kind of work or purpose financial/ educational/ research etc. institution International An international school is a school that school promotes international education, in an international environment, either by adopting a curriculum such as that of the International Baccalaureate, Edexcel, Cambridge Assessment International Education or the International Primary Curriculum, or by following a national curriculum different from that of the school's country of residence. Pathways a series of nerves that pass information to each other Permission if you have permission to do something, you are officially allowed to do it Preponderance The preponderance of evidence suggests that he's guilty.
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