Handbook SEC 0910

Secondary Parent Handbook

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Welcome to NIST

Sawasdee Krab! Welcome to the New International School of Thailand (NIST). Whether you are a new or returning parent, this handbook is designed to answer some of the questions you may have as parents. Along with the NIST Portal (http://portal2.nist.ac.th) this handbook will help you to understand more completely the way the school works, and how your child's educational development is promoted through direct personal contact with teachers and administrators. You may be surprised how many of the questions you will have during the coming school year are answered within this handbook, so please keep it safe. How to use the Handbook You will find information about the school, its history, the Secondary School Curriculum, reporting and discipline procedures in the first section. Following this there is a section on the NIST Parent Teacher Association (NIPTA) and then another entitled General A-Z; this section deals with many of the routine processes and procedures that help us run the secondary school. The section General A-Z is organized in alphabetical order so that you can find the information you are looking for quickly. If there is something that you want to know, but cannot find the answer to, in this handbook, please contact the secondary school office, preferably by email at: [email protected]. One of the secondary administration team will reply to you. The final section contains the school’s general calendar and a draft calendar of secondary school events. This is only a draft and liable to change, but does provide some idea of when events are likely to be scheduled. An accurate calendar is issued weekly in the NIST News and is available on the school portal http://portal2.nist.ac.th. The secondary portal page (http://portal2.nist.ac.th/secschool) carries information about upcoming events, recent mailings and Frequently Asked Questions. NIST is an exciting and diverse community and we look forward to your contribution to our rich tapestry over the next year. We wish your children a happy and successful year at NIST, and we look forward to working closely with you. Julian Edwards Secondary Principal

http://portal2.nist.ac.th/

mailto:[email protected]


http://portal2.nist.ac.th/secschool


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NIST MISSION STATEMENT

As a leading IB World School, NIST’s mission is

to inspire and empower each student

to pursue individual excellence

and to enrich the world.

CORE VALUES We believe that:

Embracing diversity strengthens the individual and community.

Individuals have the right to choose and are responsible for the consequences of their choices.

All learning enriches life.

The pursuit of excellence is worth the effort.

Understanding deepens when meaningful connections are made.

People thrive in a safe, clean and caring environment. In the Secondary School to help make the mission and values a key part of everyday life and learning they are summarized in three key strands. It is important that every member of our school community strives to develop each of these key strands. Together the strands make the school what it is. The strands are:

Learning and Individual Excellence

Connections and Diversity

Responsibility and Choice


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HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT The New International School of Thailand (NIST) opened its doors to students seeking an international education in August, 1992. The initial enrolment was 523 students from Kindergarten through to Year 9. Much prior work had been undertaken by a group of parents, many of whom were UN connected, who were then designated as the Council of Trustees of the Foundation for International Education (FIE). They had sought and received approval from the appropriate Thai Ministries and gave direction to the school through the founding philosophy based on principles contained within the Charter of the United Nations. NIST is licensed by the Ministry of Education of Thailand and accredited by both the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). NIST is also a founding member of the South East Asia Student Activities Conference (SEASAC). The school is governed by the FIE in line with its Mission Statement and Philosophy and through the school’s management structure. Khun Meechai Viravaidya is the current chairman of the FIE. The FIE consists of at least eighteen and no more than twenty-three voting members, of whom the majority must be parents or guardians of a child or children at the school. The FIE meets at least twice a year. It appoints an Executive Committee (known as the School Board) to oversee the school on its behalf. The School Board consists of nine voting members elected by the FIE, with the addition of four non-voting members: the Head of School, the Business Manager, the Khru Yai (Thai Head) and an elected member of the school staff. The role of the School Board is to set and review policies and ensure that these policies are implemented. The Administration is responsible for implementing these policies. NIST is authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) to deliver all IBO Programmes. As an IB World School, we offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme.


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THE SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM In Years 7-11 students follow the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). This builds on the work of the IB Primary Years Programme and prepares students for entry to the IB Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13. The MYP is a broad based programme in which students must study their first language (Language A), a second language (Language B), Science, Mathematics, Humanities, Physical Education, Technology, and Visual or Performing Arts. The main aims of the MYP are to give students:

A sound knowledge base across a wide range of subjects

The ability to find and process information

A holistic view of human understanding

Skill in communicating

An awareness of their role in society On successful completion of the final two years of the MYP, students receive an MYP Certificate and a Record of Achievement from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). The combination of academic rigour and flexibility, which is the hallmark of the MYP, means that it is an excellent preparation for the Diploma Programme, and it eases transition into both national and international systems of education. Students also undertake a Personal Project which begins late in Year 10 and is completed in Year 11. In Years 12 and 13 students may follow either the full IB Diploma Programme or an IB Certificate Programme. The Diploma Programme is a very effective preparation for further education at universities and colleges throughout the world. It involves the in-depth study of: six subjects, three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level; a Theory of Knowledge course; an Extended Essay, which is research-based; and participation in Creativity, Action and Service activities. Assessment within the Diploma Programme is by means of coursework submitted to the IBO, and a full set of external written examinations at the conclusion of the second year of the programme. The progress of students in all year levels is internally assessed against published criteria. Parents are kept informed of progress through written reports three times each year (November, March and June), Three Way (parent, teacher and student) conferences in October and February and a Student Led Conference in May. In accordance with the IB Mission to create ‘empowered, compassionate and lifelong learners’, Secondary School students maintain a portfolio throughout the year which allows them to monitor and evaluate their development as learners. A key aspect of maintaining the portfolio is that parents are asked to read and make comments about their child’s progress at regular times throughout the year. The conversations based around this should focus on the child’s ability to learn and their development as a whole person, not their results or grades in individual subjects as research shows that


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students who can understand how they learn as well as what they learn become more powerful learners. We believe that this variety of reporting and the shared responsibility between parent, teacher and student is an effective way for everyone to understand each student’s learning. Additional information evenings are held to inform parents about other aspects of the secondary school as required.


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THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

This information is meant to complement and be used in conjunction with the Parent Guide to the IBMYP, and the Prospectus of the IB Diploma Programme. Both of these documents are available from the Secondary Office. The following allocation of periods per subject is based on a ten day schedule. This is described further in the section on ‘The Secondary School Day’ (page 8). MYP Years 7 and 8 (1 Period = 80 minutes) Per 10 days

English 5 Periods Humanities 5 Periods Mathematics 5 Periods Science 5 Periods World Languages* 5 Periods Health & Physical Education 4 Periods Art Drama 12 weeks per subject 4 Periods Music

Design and Information Technology 4 Periods Thai Studies 1 Period

Years 7 and 8 will also have one homeroom / assembly period/ house activities period. As well as the formal periods of Information Technology, IT instruction will also be integrated within the subjects.

MYP Year 9 (1 Period = 80 minutes) Per 10 days English 5 Periods Humanities 4 Periods

Mathematics 5 Periods Science 5 Periods World Languages* 5 Periods Health & Physical Education 4 Periods

Art 2 Periods Drama 2 Periods Music 2 Periods Design and Information Technology 3 Periods Thai Studies 1 Period

Year 9 will also have one homeroom / assembly period homeroom / house activities period.

MYP Years 10 and 11 (1Period = 80 minutes) Per 10 days English 5 Periods Humanities 4 Periods


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Mathematics 5 Periods Science 6 Periods World Languages* 5 Periods

Health & Physical Education 4 Periods Art Drama Students will select one visual or performing 4 Periods

Music arts course in both years Design Technology 2 Periods

IT 2 Periods Thai Studies 1 Period

Years 10 and 11 will also have one homeroom / assembly period homeroom / house activities period. * Please refer to the detailed World Languages definition in the General Section page 54. Years 12 and 13 The Upper Secondary curriculum is based on the IB Diploma Programme. This is a programme requiring more than just mastery of academic subjects. It demands commitment in several additional areas: CAS (Creativity, Action and Service), an Extended Essay, and the study of Theory of Knowledge. In order to enter the full diploma programme students will need to have achieved a minimum of an MYP Certificate (36 points). Students who do not meet this requirement may be accepted to do single subject certificate courses. Please contact the Diploma Coordinator for specific requirements. IB Diploma candidates sit external examinations in May of Year 13. Senior students who have successfully completed all their school commitments qualify for the NIST Graduation Diploma. Details can be found on page17. Selecting Courses In order for all students to achieve the goal of individual excellence it is essential that they make well-informed and realistic course selections. Reports from earlier years and the advice of teachers provide clear direction to students when choosing courses. There are many pathways a student can take through the IB Diploma and certain subject choices will lead to greater success than others. All course selections are made in consultation with the Upper Secondary Coordinator, the Middle Years Curriculum Coordinator, students, faculty, counselor, parents and the Principal. For continuing students, course option choices and selections are made in February/March. Students in Year 10 and Year 12 should be aware that choices made are for two-year courses. Meetings and details about courses are provided in February/March each year. Students have the opportunity to change their World Languages courses at the start of Year 7 and again at the start of Year 12. Students changing World Languages courses should select ab Initio (beginners level) courses, unless they have previous experience of the language.


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The Secondary School Day Arrival and Departure The safety of students is one of our primary concerns and we ask for your cooperation in reinforcing this, particularly at the end of the day. If you do not drop off/collect your child yourself, please stress our expectations to your drivers. All drivers are expected to observe the directions given by the guards in the car park. Priority is given to pedestrians using the yellow-painted pathways in the car park. No parking is allowed between 7.00 am - 7.30 am and cars are expected to drop students and leave the school grounds promptly. Parents who need to visit the school during this time should park in the off-campus car park. Security guards supervise the arrival/departure of students and parents. They are responsible for ensuring that students without a gate pass and a supervising adult do not leave the campus during the school day. It is essential to send a note if your child needs to leave during the school day. A gate pass will be issued at the Secondary Office and must be shown to the guards at the main gate. It is important that drivers should not arrive too early in the afternoon as this causes congestion on Soi 15. It is suggested that all parents instruct drivers not to arrive at school before 14:15 for a 14:30 collection and 15:15 for the 15:30 collection. When waiting in the car park, drivers are required to turn off the car engine in accordance with NIST’s environmental guidelines. The 10 Day Cycle. From the beginning of the 2008-9 school year NIST has moved to a ten day cycle. Instead of the usual Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday day names, each day is given a letter from A-J. The first day of the year Thursday (7th Aug.) is Day A, Friday (8th Aug.) is Day B, Monday (11th Aug) is Day C, Tuesday is a holiday so Wednesday (13th Aug) is Day E and so on. This system has been implemented because students who had a class on a Monday (under the old day name system) frequently missed these classes due to the number of Mondays that were holidays. Parents should note that should the school have to close for any emergency or unplanned event the next school day will follow on from the day preceding the event. Please Note: Extra Curricular Activities, Gymnastics, Swimming, Tennis, and Instrumental Music programmes will continue to follow the normal Monday, to Friday system. The ten day cycle applies to academic programmes only. Although the schedule may appear complicated such a schedule is used in successfully in many international schools and students in the school usually have no difficulty in following it once they have understood the principle.


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The Secondary School Daily Schedule

Homeroom and Registration 07:30 – 07:40

Period 1 07:40 – 09:00

Break 09:00 – 09:20

Period 2 09:20 – 10:40

Lunch 10:40 – 11:30

Period 3 11:30 – 12:50

Cross over 12:50 – 13:05

Period 4 13:05 – 14:30


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THE HOUSE AND HOMEROOM SYSTEM Communities within the School Community

To support the school mission to develop ‘empowered learners’ and the IBO aims of creating ‘active, compassionate and lifelong learners’ the school has created smaller communities within our school community. Two periods each week are devoted to House and Homeroom activities and events.

THE HOMEROOM SYSTEM Students are assigned to a homeroom under the guidance of a homeroom teacher. The homeroom teacher meets with the students at the beginning of each day for registration of attendance and for passing on messages for the day. There are also two homeroom/house periods a week. Through this regular contact, the homeroom teacher is in a position to monitor each student’s academic and social progress. The Secondary School homerooms have approximately 17 students per group. A key feature of the homeroom programme is the development of student portfolios which help students to plan, act and reflect as independent learners. The portfolios are arranged around the NIST GPS Challenge:

The G.P.S Challenge: Empowering Learners The G.P.S. Challenge is designed to help students become independent and empowered learners who act to enrich themselves and to enrich the world. In this respect it directly supports the NIST mission and that of the IB organization which are to produce learners who are:

Active learners

Compassionate learners

Lifelong learners The G.P.S challenge also fulfills the requirements of the MYP that all students develop an understanding of Community and Service and have opportunities to act for the betterment of themselves, their community or the wider world. G.P.S stands for:

Global goals and action-acting to enrich the lives of people you do not know and to protect the planet

Personal goals and action-acting to enrich oneself

Social goals and action-acting to enrich the lives of people you know Each year every student establishes goals for each GPS element and with the support of their classmates and teachers, strives to achieve their goals throughout the year. They are encouraged to take action to develop as learners and to become involved in service activities within and beyond the NIST community. Assessment of these goals and actions is ongoing by the homeroom teacher and the students themselves. The goals, documented in the student’s portfolio, are shared with parents a number of times during the year to encourage self-monitoring and to promote discussion. Final


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NIST GPS Challenge Empowered Learners

(Active, Compassionate, Lifelong Learners)

Act to enrich the world

PERSONAL ACTION

evaluation is based on criteria from the IBO and is carried out by student, parent and homeroom teacher. In order for the G.P.S challenge to develop empowered learners is essential that each student has ownership of their goals. Sometimes goals which seem small scale can be the most powerful in developing the best attitudes and an understanding of action and service. This is particularly true for younger secondary students. As students mature and move through the school they are encouraged to set goals which are increasingly challenging and which engage them beyond their immediate community.

Act as independent, self-regulated learners

Act to enrich their communities

GLOBAL ACTION

SOCIAL ACTION

Acting for the betterment of the planet and

those we do not know

Goal setting, reflection and evaluation through student portfolios and Student Led Conference

Acting for continuous

personal and academic

growth

Acting for the betterment of those we know


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THE HOUSE SYSTEM All students and staff belong to one of six houses - blue, green yellow, purple, orange, and red. At each year level, the six houses determine the homeroom groupings of the students. Whilst the homeroom system has a focus on learning, the aims of the NIST house system are:

To enhance the sense of school community and spirit

To promote the participation of all students in a wide range of activities To provide additional opportunities for student leadership roles

The specific objectives of the house system are:

To develop well balanced students who feel valued and respected

To promote a positive sense of involvement and enjoyment, creating an environment in which the secondary school community takes pride

To promote more activities and relationships which involve all of the wider NIST community

To help integrate students of different age groups to learn and communicate with each other in and outside the classroom

To provide students with many opportunities to develop a sense of achievement through leadership and involvement

To nurture accountable leadership through active delegation of responsibilities within the House

The house system includes a variety of extracurricular events such as Sport for All, Creative Arts activities and academic activities such as Academic Challenges, Speech, and Debate. These regular activities are supplemented by a variety of other one-day events. Students are also provided with the opportunity to contribute in positive ways to their school community through organizing more spontaneous events, being involved in peer tutoring, peer support and other community service projects. The organizational structure of each house is as follows:

HOUSE COORDINATOR

HOUSE TEACHERS

2 HOUSE STUDENT LEADERS per House YEAR 12 and 13

2 HOUSE STUDENT DEPUTY LEADERS per House YEAR 12

HOUSE YEAR LEVEL REPS YEARS 7-11

HOUSE STUDENTS


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Secondary School Administrative Structure

Secondary Staff Department Teachers Initials Responsibility

Art Caroline Little Karen Fish Ian McGill

CLI KFL IMC

Visual Arts Coordinator Arts Arts

English Mark Redlich Angela Boreham David Towe Helen Stanton James Williams Paul Dunbar Robert Francis Susan Richie

MRE ABO DTO HST JWI PDU RFR SRI

English Coordinator English/Personal Project Coordinator English/TOK English/TOK/VP for Upper Sec & IBDP English/Humanities English English/ESL/TOK English

English as a Second Language and Additional English

Alan Kennedy Detlef Hansen Michelle Dezerne Raymond Normand

AKE DHA MDE RNO

ESL Coordinator ESL/CAS ESL/Learning Support ESL/English

Principal Mr. Julian Edwards

Middle Years Student Welfare Vice Principal

(Yrs 7 -11)

Ms. Cynthia Wissman

Middle Years Curriculum

Vice Principal (Yrs 7 -11)

Ms. Pia Bergqvist

Vice Principal for Upper Secondary & IBDP

(Yrs 12 -13)

Ms. Helen Stanton

Year 7 -11 House Coordinators

Homeroom Teachers

Year 7 -11 Subject teachers Year Level Teams

Year 12 & 13 House Coordinator Year Level Teams Subject teachers


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Humanities Simon Scoones

Cynthia Wissman Elaine Walker Nicole Schmidt Stephen Rothkopf Tara Srinidhi Philip Branston Paul Cooper Maggie Hos-McGrane

SSC CWI EWA NSC SRO TSR PBR PCO MHO

Humanities Coordinator Middle Yrs Student Welfare Coordinator/Humanities Humanities Humanities Humanities Humanities Humanities Humanities Humanities

World Languages Ruchi Sehgal Monica Savilaakso Marja Schilstra Heli Ramula Anne Delaval Guerrin Guillaume Bianca Dierks Lalitha Swaminathan Hiromi Yamada Midori Sasaki Soo Yeun Lee Chi-Fen Chen Ai Li Gao Joy Chou Emeli Ward Chaweewan Vosko Patcharin Sinpaiboon Prapatsorn Charoensuk Laddawan Koomrob Victoria Theeravanvilai Saengkae Chaichanavong

RSE MOSA MSC HRA ADE GGU BDI LSW HYA MSA SLE CCH AGA JCH EWA CVO PSI PCH LKO VTH SCH

Language A Coordinator / Hindi Language B Coordinator/ Spanish Dutch Finnish French French German Hindi/Maths Japanese Japanese Korean Mandarin Mandarin Mandarin Spanish Thai Thai Thai Thai Thai Thai

Library Stephanie Wallis STWA Library Coordinator

Mathematics David Hilbourne Barry Wells Jennifer Bricknell Brian Johnson Ian Radcliffe Anthony Callaghan

DHI BWE JBR BJO IRE ACA

Maths Coordinator Maths Maths Maths Maths Maths


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Performing Arts Annie Millard Roger Mantel Leigh Pritchard Tama Karena Joshua Davis

AMI RMA LPR TKA JDA

Drama Coordinator Drama Music Coordinator Music Instrumental Music

Physical Education

Paul Hodgkinson Katrina Englart Simon Millward Jane Mycroft John Bellamy Jago Gazendam Graham Wardle

PHO KAEN SMI JMY JOBE JAGO GWA

Activities & Athletics Director PE/Life Skills Coordinator PE Coordinator PE PE PE/CAS PE/ EOTC & CAS Coordinator

Science Pia Bergqvist Christopher Hines Daniel Whitehair Darren Smyth Jason Reilly Julian Neller Leah Abbott Neil Commons Ronald De Vries

PIBE CHI DWH DSM JRE JNE LAB NCO RDE

VP Middle Years Curriculum / Science Coordinator Science Science Science Science Science Science Science Science

Technology Deryck Ashcroft Ian Baverstock Alastair Moir Graham Taylor Jay Priebe Peter Lloyd

DAS IBA AMO GRTA JPR PLL

DT DT DT IT IT/Tech Director Tablet Coordinator

Counsellor Learning Support

Bevin Clark Benjamen Fishman Lina Paumgarten Ashley Sleeth Lynda Walls Derrick Seibert Sandra Helmig

BCL BFI LPA ASL LWA DSE SHE

Careers & Further Education Advisor Middle School Counsellor Year 7-10 Counsellor Year 11-13 Secondary Resource Counsellor Secondary Support Services Coordinator Secondary Learning Support Secondary Learning Support


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HOMEWORK GUIDELINES

Homework is an important component of your child’s education at NIST and provides an opportunity for students to reinforce concepts and practice skills, thus enriching their in-school programme of studies. We believe that homework should: Reinforce and support a child’s in-school experience through related out-of-class

activities Promote self-discipline, organization and effective study habits Promote positive attitudes towards independent and life-long learning Provide parents with insights into their child’s development and learning

experiences, and invite their involvement in an appropriate way. Students are responsible for: Recording assignments appropriately in their student organiser Asking for assistance from the teacher if the assignment is not understood Developing a homework routine Completing and turning in assignments on time and to the best of their ability Asking for assistance if needed, after attempting to complete an assignment

independently Finding out and catching up on homework when absent. Teachers are responsible for: Providing a range of relevant and meaningful assignments during the school year Modifying expectations, when necessary, to meet the needs of individual students Correcting and providing feedback on homework so that student learning is

enhanced Ensuring that assignments are understood by the students Encouraging students to seek assistance when necessary. Parents are responsible for: Providing students with the time, materials and facilities for work at home Assisting students to develop a homework routine Ensuring that students work on their assignments Checking the student organiser Encouraging effort, achievement and a positive attitude towards homework. How much time should your child spend on homework? Students in Years 7-9 should spend 60-90 minutes per subject per week. Students in Years 10-11 should spend 90-120 minutes per subject per week. Students in Years 12-13 should spend 180+ minutes per subject per week.


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Secondary School Assessment and Reports

Reporting is one of the most important forms of communication between school, students and parents. Within each report there are many messages that the school and teachers are communicating to both students and their parents. Therefore, it is essential that parents look closely at their child’s school report and do not solely focus on the grades. At NIST, we have carefully designed our reporting process to communicate a holistic picture of our students’ academic performance and progress at strategic points in the school year. We hope the following guide will help you understand this process and play an active role in praising and encouraging your children to improve their academic performance. Secondary School Reporting Events Assessment is an ongoing process involving a wide variety of methods throughout the year. Below are the key events that report formally on a student’s progress during the year. You will note that students also report on their own progress through the sharing of portfolios at home or more formally at school during the student led conferences.

August 21st Back to School Night: ‘Empowered Learners’

September 5th Students begin goal setting and portfolios

October 7th Three Way (Parent Teacher Student) Conferences including goal-setting

November 17th First Trimester reports

January 16th Student portfolios go home for sharing and parent comment

January 28th Three Way Conferences

March 9th Second Trimester reports

April 24th Final week of preparation for SLC

May 1st Student Led Conferences with self- and parent-evaluation

May 25th Year 10, 11 and 12 Exams

June 10th Third Trimester Reports (Portfolios come home for final comments before the end of term)


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SECONDARY SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICY The core values at NIST value offering choices. With these choices we expect students to take personal responsibility. Student Rights and Responsibilities

All students have the right to: All students have the responsibility to:

be themselves: to feel safe, emotionally and physically and to receive respect from other students and teachers expect their property to be safe

treat others with respect: not to laugh at them, tease them or humiliate them; not to threaten them or harm them respect other people’s property; not to take or destroy the property of others, including the property of the school

learn have full access to school resources

arrive on time to class, prepared to work conduct themselves in an acceptable way attend all classes use IT resources appropriately

their own opinion, and to be treated fairly

be honest and trustworthy, to protect their rights and the rights of others

It is understood that there will be times when some students may have difficulty with acting responsibly and making good choices. In such cases we believe that consequences for misbehaviour need to be fair to help students develop self-discipline and personal responsibility. To this end, a consequence for misbehaviour should involve some follow-up discussion with the student. In order for consequences to be fair and effective incidents need to be considered individually. However, in order to maintain consistency, NIST operates within a series of consequential guidelines. Listed below are possible consequences for disciplinary incidents, which may be single, sequential or simultaneous.


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Behaviour not meeting NIST expectations

First time Repeated occurrences

Being uncooperative and disruptive in the classroom. Absent from class without permission. Frequent lateness to school, homeroom or class. Plagiarism, copying of homework, or exam malpractice. Using inappropriate language and offensive behaviour, including public displays of affection. Theft

Student/teacher individual conference. Strategies for improvement discussed. Note in student organizer. School detention set by the relevant Vice Principal. No credit for the work missed nor the opportunity provided to make up work. Student/teacher individual conference. Strategies for improvement discussed. Note in student organizer. The work/exam plagiarized will remain ungraded. Secondary School detention. Warning by teacher, review of expected behavior, possible detention. Parent conference, suspension, disciplinary probation. Extreme cases referred to the Head of School, and the School Board may result in student being asked to withdraw from school.

Referral to appropriate coordinator, detention, suspension from class. Academic/Behavioral Concern sent home, leading to a Parent /Teacher/Student conference. As for the first offence plus parent conference. Disciplinary probation. Detention, parent Conference, required to make up time after school. No grade for the course, note in the student file, parent conference. Parent conference called by appropriate coordinator, internal suspension, suspension. Referred to the Head of School and School Board, who will probably ask the student to withdraw from school.


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Behaviour not meeting NIST expectations

First time Repeated occurrences

Sexual, ethnic, racial, verbal, or physical harassment. Consumption of alcohol or tobacco on school premises, field trips, functions, or use whilst in school uniform on the way to and from school; deliberately interfering with school safety equipment. Possession, distribution or consumption of drugs at school, at school events, or on the way to and from school. Possession of dangerous weapons. Destructive vandalism of school property. Interference with NIST computer equipment, deliberate virus introduction; loading or sending pornographic and offensive material and messages. Hacking, or the possession of hacking software will be considered destructive vandalism of school property or harassment in the case of offensive e-mail messages

See School Guidelines for Bullying Parent conference, suspension, disciplinary probation. Extreme cases will be referred to the Head of School and the School Board, and may result in student being asked to withdraw from school. A maximum suspension for up to 10 days and potentially recommendation to withdraw from school. Student will be expected to attend counseling. Damage to be repaired or recompensed for. Suspension. Suspension with possible recommendation for withdrawal from school. Ban from using school computer equipment.

See School Guidelines for Bullying. The Headmaster will inform the School Board and the student will be asked to withdraw from the school. The Headmaster will inform the School Board and the student will be asked to withdraw from the school. Under Thai law the school is required to notify the authorities if a student is involved in serious computer-related offenses


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The NIST Graduation Diploma The NIST Graduation Diploma is awarded to students on the occasion of their graduation from school in the last semester of Year 13. General Conditions of Award To qualify for the NIST Graduation Diploma students must satisfy the minimum requirement of 26 academic credits and meet the non-academic requirements. A credit is obtained by receiving an overall grade of 3 or above for the school year whilst attending a minimum of 90% of the classes. This requirement is meant as the minimum standard and students at NIST are encouraged to exceed this whenever possible. Students are expected to take a broad range of courses and extracurricular activities, actively undertake Community Service. Graduation Requirements Academic Requirements

Minimum Recommended for College Entry Subject Area (1) Credits Credits English/Language A (2) 4 4 Mathematics 4 4 Science 3 4 Humanities 3 4 Additional Language (3) 4 4 Visual/Performing Arts 2 2 Technology 2 2 Health & Physical Education 4 4 Non- Academic Requirements Community and Service (4) Extracurricular Activities (6) Course Attendance (7) Notes: 1. Students must take a minimum of eight subjects in Years 10 and 11

and a minimum of five in Years 12 and 13. 2. English can be at A, B or ESL Levels. 3. Intensive Additional English instruction in Years 10 and 11 may gain credit in

place of another language if that language is not offered as a World Language A 4. Students must participate in Community Service throughout their final four

years in Secondary School. 5. Students must take a Thai Studies/ Culture course for a minimum of two

semesters or three activity sessions. 6. Students must have participated in a minimum of four sessions of


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extra-curricular activities during Years 10 – 13. 7. Students must maintain a satisfactory course attendance record in Years 10 –

13. A credit can only be awarded to a student who has maintained an attendance record of more than 80% for the course.

Student Transfers For those students joining NIST after the start of Year 10, appropriate credits will be awarded for work done and activities undertaken up to a maximum limit of seven credits per year. Awarding the NIST Graduation Diploma The decision to award the NIST Graduation Diploma will be taken by a committee that meets to review all credits earned. Records will be maintained over the four years by the secondary administration. This committee, chaired by the Secondary School Principal, will make recommendations on awarding the NIST Graduation Diploma to the Headmaster, who will pass on the information to the Board. Any student who is not to be awarded a NIST Graduation Diploma will be notified in writing by 1st May. Secondary School Principal’s Discretion If circumstances dictate, the Secondary School Principal may recommend that the Headmaster withhold a Graduation Diploma or attach conditions to its award. The Secondary School Principal may recommend that a Graduation Diploma is awarded in cases where credit requirements have not been met, but it is deemed that there are sufficient extenuating or mitigating factors to justify its award.


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Anti-Bullying Statement for NIST Statement of Intent We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our pupils so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable and NIST and the community have a responsibility to respond to it. When bullying occurs, anywhere within the NIST community, all pupils should be able to report it with the assurance that the incident will be dealt with promptly and effectively. We are a TELLING school. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is encouraged to tell a staff member. Incidents within the NIST community include: before, during and after school, on or off school grounds, in buses, via text and email, and on school trips. What is bullying? Bullying is direct or indirect physical or psychological intimidation that typically occurs to create a pattern of harassment and abuse. Types of Bullying Examples Examples

DIRECT INDIRECT

Verbal abuse Verbal Insults

Racial/ethnic insults

Sexual harassment

Persuading another person to criticize or insult someone

Spreading malicious rumors

Anonymous phone calls, emails and text messages

Threatening and obscene gestures

Social/Emotional bullying Using guilt ‘you won’t be my friend if…’

Manipulation

Being unfriendly

Forming tight groups or cliques against someone

Deliberately turning away or averting one’s gaze to ignore someone

Rolling eyes

Persuading people to exclude someone


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Physical means Striking or hitting

Throwing things

Using a weapon

Removing and hiding belongings

Persuading another person to assault someone

Why is it important to respond to bullying? Bullying hurts. No one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Everybody has the right to be treated with respect. Pupils who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving. Membership in either bully or victim groups is associated with school drop out, poor psychosocial adjustment, criminal activity and other negative long-term consequences such as poor school attendance and achievement, depression, eating disorders, etc. What is of particular concern is that serious and sustained bullying in schools can have devastating long-term effects on the health and well-being of people when they reach adult years. Responsibilities of members of the NIST community

1. Students’ Responsibilities

Take action if you witness bullying e.g. Change the subject, tell the bully to stop, create a diversion

Tell an adult you feel comfortable with

Be aware of the rules of the school as well as the consequences if you break them

Be a positive role model

Be aware of the anti-bullying statement and help to promote it

2. Teachers’ Responsibilities

Take reports of bullying seriously and give feedback to students on what they plan to do about the reported incident

Be aware of signs and symptoms of bullying

Take action when bullying is happening

Notify the Pastoral Coordinators who will document the incidents

Praise cooperation and good deeds

Offer suggestions and advice to improve the situation


3. Parents’ Responsibilities

Know how to identify signs and symptoms by attending workshops offered to parents

Inform the school when a bullying incident is reported by your child

Take bullying reports seriously


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Get advice and help from other parents, school counselors or NIPTA

Offer advice but do not solve the problems for them


4. Administration and School responsibilities

Provide professional development workshops for staff

Create opportunities for parents, teachers and students to attend workshops or information sessions.

Monitor incidents and initiate consequences

Be a positive role model Procedures:

The severity, seriousness and frequency of the bullying will be assessed and the appropriate action will be taken.

Report incidents of bullying to the Pastoral Coordinators.

The incidents will be documented and investigated by the Pastoral Coordinators.

The incident will be assessed in conjunction with the counselors.

Subsequent to the investigation and assessment of the incident, some of the following procedures may be deemed appropriate:

Parents of all parties should be informed and will be asked to come to a meeting to discuss the problem.

The victim and bully will be provided with support by the counselor.

An attempt will be made to attempt to change the bully’s behavior.

The bully will be required to reflect on his/her actions.

The victim will meet with counselor and develop strategies to avoid or minimize bullying.

Consequences will be decided on a case by case basis. The following are possible consequences: mediation between two parties, detention, suspension and request to leave the school.

After the incident/incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure that repeated bullying does not take place.

Prevention and Education

make all students, faculty and parents aware of policy by providing workshops to all members of the community

discussion and activities in life skills/ homeroom periods (including building self-esteem)

anti-bullying campaign run by students or student councils

students take leadership or peer counseling workshops

cross curricular activities e.g. novels, songs, movies related to the theme of bullying

assess effectiveness of policy


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Drug Education Policy & Drug-related Disciplinary Procedures The New International School of Thailand’s Drug Education Policy is consistent with the School’s mission statement, philosophy, and curriculum objectives. NIST:

Is committed to the health and safety of its students and will take action to safeguard their well being.

Is strongly opposed to the illegal use and abuse of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, medicated drugs, and of solvents/inhalants, etc. by students, and the illegal supply and purchase of these substances.

Acknowledges the importance of pastoral care in the welfare of students and will seek to persuade students in need of support to come forward.

Believes that shared responsibility and communication with parents is essential to the success of the Drug Education Policy and will keep them informed at all times.

Organization The Headmaster will take overall responsibility for the policy and for communication with the Executive Board. The Secondary School Principal and the pastoral team are responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the policy. The pastoral team consists of the Upper School Coordinator, the Middle Years Welfare Coordinator and the Secondary School Counselors. In accordance with the Ministry of Education Policy of Drug Protection, the Secondary School will have a School Committee consisting of a parent, a local government agency, a member of a professional association and a member of either the armed forces or the police that will be coordinated by the school to assess the school’s effectiveness in protecting students from drug problems. Every effort will be taken to maintain confidentiality. Secondary School Counselors The Secondary School Counselors have an important role to play, and in conjunction with the Life Skills/PE department will be actively involved in facilitating the delivery of the curriculum. The school recognizes that counseling is of paramount importance to a student at risk and the counselors will provide support to students who have been involved in substance abuse. This will often lead to providing advice and support for parents. The counselors will also provide information to teachers and parents in the form of workshops, in-service, and information evenings to raise awareness. The counselors will also liaise with outside agencies to support the drug education programme and will regularly communicate with other schools in Bangkok to work towards a mutual approach to drug education within the international school community.


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Education Programme – The purpose of the school-wide drug education programme is:

The prevention of the illegal use and abuse of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, medicated drugs, and of solvents/inhalants, etc. by students, and the illegal supply of these substances

To enable students to make healthy informed choices

To provide accurate information about substances

To increase understanding of the implications and possible consequences of substance abuse

To widen understanding of related health and social issues

To enable students to identify appropriate sources of personal support The school recognises that students face many temptations living in Bangkok and that it is often difficult to resist such temptations. While we believe in helping students and their families to cope with this, the flow charts on pages 5 and 6 outline the disciplinary procedures the school will implement in the event of suspicion or proof of substance abuse by a student. Toxicology Screening To assist us in supporting students to make healthy decisions, the school reserves the right to randomly test the toxicology of any student. Random testing is defined as the ability to randomly test any student in the secondary school at any time. Either urine analysis and/or hair follicle testing will be used for random testing. The school reserves the right to test any student. In the event of a positive test, the parents will be obligated to reimburse the costs of the test. The school will use its best efforts to ensure that the conduct of the test and the results of the test will remain confidential.

Urine Analysis: detects specific drugs or their metabolites. Metabolites are residues that remain in the system for a time after the effects of a substance have worn off. A positive test result does not necessarily mean that the student was under the influence of substances at the time of the test, rather it detects the use of a particular substance within the previous 72 hours. Urine analysis tests are done at Bumrungrad Hospital and a counselor accompanies the student to the hospital. Hair Follicle Test (Appendix 1): provides a testing window of up to 90 days and allows for a more complete substance abuse history. The results of the hair follicle tests have finer cutoff points and any results that surpass those cutoffs are further screened by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry techniques. Alternative testing of fingernails is available for students if hair follicle testing is unacceptable. Counseling Procedures The school believes that shared responsibility and communication with parents is essential and that the road to addiction can be blocked by timely intervention and appropriate treatment. As part of the support offered, the school, together with the parents, will develop a treatment plan for the student. This might include a referral to a


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substance abuse counselor who may perform a drug assessment and determine whether the student needs treatment or further specialized help. For some students a few words from the school counselor and/or parents/guardians coupled with the prospect of future monitoring and testing may be enough to put an end to the substance abuse.


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Disciplinary Procedures

Disciplinary Procedures (on school campus, transport services, school-sponsored events)

This flow-chart outlines the action the school will take in the event of an incident of substance abuse on campus, school transport or school-sponsored events.

Suspicion

Investigation and Evidence*

No Yes

Monitor

Further suspicion

Parents contacted

Individual Abuse and/or Possession

Clear Participation

Parents contacted, test and counsel

Contract including counseling and/or monitoring

Reinstate/Counsel/ Monitor. In some circumstances,

re-test, recommend withdrawal

Suspension

Re- offend? Reconvene Admin team,

counselors, student, and/or parents to consider present circumstances and how to

proceed.

*Evidence may include an unusual change in academic performance, excessive absenteeism, pattern absenteeism, physical changes, mood changes, physical evidence, direct observation of speech, behavior, conduct or appearance. Evidence may also come as a result of a random toxicology screening.


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In the Community

Suspicion

Evidence from Hair Follicle Test Yes No

*Parents contacted regular testing

* See procedures on previous (on school campus) flow chart.

This flow-chart outlines the action the school will take upon suspicion of substance abuse in the community.

Substance Abuse

Supply or Distribution Caught

Request withdrawal

Strong suspicion based on investigation

No Proof Proof

Monitor and surveillance

Request withdrawal on the recommendation of the Head

Arrest

Parents inform school

Contract, monitor, regular testing, counsel, request withdrawal

Conviction No conviction


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Appendix 1 Hair Collection Procedure Checklist

Send the relevant parents a consent letter and a copy of the procedures.

Ensure that the parents have signed the consent letter.

Issue the student with an ID number.

The School Nurse will conduct the test following the procedures below. Complete the white area of the Test Request Form (TRF), which includes the Collector’s Certification, Student ID number, source of sample, and if not already pre-printed, Test Use.

Remove the foil and the integrity seal from the Sample Acquisition Card (SAC). Fold the foil in half lengthwise and sign and date the integrity seal.

Fill out the remainder of the information on the SAC, except the student’s initials.

Peel off the bar code label on the TRF and place on the SAC.

Check with the student to see if he/she has a hair transplant, hair weave or hairpiece. If yes, have him/her show you where their hair begins so you are sure you collect hair that is not part of the transplant, weave or hairpiece.

Grasp a small lock of hair, equal to 1 inch wide by one strand deep when held flat across your finger. Cut the sample as close to the scalp as possible.

Place the hair sample into the foil with the root ends extending 1 inch beyond the slanted end of the foil. Press the sides of the foil together trapping the sample tightly inside.

Place the sample inside the SAC with the root ends to the left.

Seal the SAC by placing the integrity seal over the designated spot.

Have the student initial the SAC in the space provided.

Have the student sign the Donor Certification section.

Place the SAC and the first copy of the TRF into the collection pouch. Remove the blue strip from the top of the pouch revealing an adhesive strip. Fold this adhesive strip over to meet the other side of the pouch and press firmly to seal.

Have the student initial and date the top of the pouch.

Give page 2 of the TRF to the student and file pages 3 and 4 with the signed consent letter.

Send by overnight courier to: Psychemedics Corporation, 5832 Uplander Way, Culver City, CA 90230.

This procedure will take approximately 10 minutes. Results are normally available within ten days.


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NIPTA – NIST Parent–Teacher Association About Us NIPTA’s objective is to promote goodwill and cooperation between home and school environments to ensure our children have the best possible experience at NIST. NIPTA aims to support the school’s efforts in providing information and support services which positively affect the education and welfare of children. We also provide a forum for parents to give feedback to the school on various issues. NIPTA also organizes various activities and events during the school year ranging from social activities, cultural events, educational evenings and fund raising. Membership Parents and teachers automatically become members as their fees are paid by the school annually. Executive Committee NIPTA has an Executive Committee (referred to as EXCOM) of a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 22 members who are parents and teachers. The Committee has representation from both the Elementary and Secondary Schools as well as being representative of the many nationalities at NIST. Committees NIPTA has several committees that focus on specific areas of interest that contribute directly to the operations and/or improvements of the school.

Community Activities and Volunteers Committee: The committee offers, supports and sometimes coordinates NIST community-related social activities such as, but not limited to, various international community festivals, seasonal holiday events, Bangkok tours, garage sales and the annual NIPTA Quiz Night. They work closely to provide further services needed by class parents.

Finance Committee The committee oversees NIPTA accounts and budget allocation for the work of all Committees in collaboration with the Executive Officers. It also reviews and processes all requests made for NIPTA funding of items and activities.


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Health and Safety Committee The Committee monitors the operation of the Cafeteria ensuring the quality and quantity of healthy snacks, meals and beverages; hygiene; safe handling; and fair pricing. It also works on issues relating to all transportation requirements and safety.

Public Relations and Communication Committee The Committee coordinates articles on behalf of NIPTA and its committees for inclusion in the NIST News, coordinates publicity/articles/posters and all PR preparations for special events and activities.

Scholastic Support Link Committee [email protected] The Committee facilitates questions and concerns from parents regarding teaching and learning matters to the appropriate school representatives so that these matters can be addressed adequately. It also aims to support the school’s efforts to develop a better understanding of the PYP-MYP-Diploma Programmes at NIST.

Secondary Class/House Parent Programme The programme aims to provide support to enhance school community spirit and the learning environment, as well as becoming an integral part of home communications. Class/House Parent Coordinator(s) coordinate with all the class/house parents and the secondary school administrators and staff. Class Parents would organize a series of coffee morning for parents of different year levels to meet and discuss. Feedback from these discussions is given to the secondary administrators at the monthly meeting.

Sports and ECA The Committee acts as a channel of communication between parents and the PE and Activities Staff. It aims to promote NIST sports and after school activities and to encourage support for school teams.

Joining NIPTA NIPTA’s work requires participation on a voluntary basis. You are invited to join any of the Committees and be involved with your child’s/children’s education. You will find more information about the events on the screens at school, in the NIST News and also on the NIST website in the ‘Community’ section. For further information, please email us at [email protected]



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A-Z OF GENERAL INFORMATION Absences If you plan for your child to be absent, you should inform the Secondary Office well in advance of the absence. If your child has an unplanned absence please contact Khun Pare in the Secondary Office or the homeroom teacher on the day of absence. You may telephone the office on (02) 651-2065 ext. 116 or fax on 02 253-3801. E-mail contact may be made through [email protected]. Parents are expected to provide a note explaining any absence. This note should be given to the homeroom teacher on the day of return to school. It is important that students maintain a minimum of 80% satisfactory attendance and punctuality per semester. If they fail to do so they may be asked to repeat the school year. Every possible support will be given to students who are ill or absent for long periods of time. Absence due to extended vacations or early departures at holiday times is strongly discouraged. Academic Behavioral Concerns (ABCs) An Academic Behavioral Concern is a form of communication between a teacher and parents. There are a number of reasons why teachers will issue an ABC. These include:

When there is a concern because students have produced work in class that is below expected standards or not produced work at all

When there is a concern because the student’s behavior and conduct do not meet the teacher’s expectations

When there is a concern that a student has achieved well below expectations on an assignment or assessment

When a student is late to school on more than six occasions in a trimester.

The ABC is designed to alert the homeroom teacher and appropriate coordinator to the situation, as well as informing parents when there is a concern about a student’s progress or achievement. It is designed as a communication tool and not as a punishment. Academic Supplies Students are supplied with materials and supplies needed for the programme of study, including writing books needed for each subject area. At the end of each year students complete a book return form and if class texts are lost or damaged the school will require payment in order to purchase a replacement. Most class texts are issued through the secondary bookroom and are returned at the end of the year. It is essential that students return the exact text which they borrowed and therefore sharing or exchanging books is discouraged.



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Acronyms you might find useful: (in alphabetical order) AA: Academic Assistant AddEng: Additional English Programme AE: Additional English AGM: Annual General Meeting AOI: Areas of Interaction (Approaches to Learning, Human Ingenuity,

Environments, Community and Service, Health and Social Education) ATE: Approaches to Earning (Work Experience Week) ATL: Approaches to Learning BBSA: Bangkok Baseball & Softball Association BISAC: Bangkok International Schools Conference BJBL: Bangkok Junior Basketball League BPS: Bangkok Patana School CAB: Creative Arts Building CAS: Creativity, Action and Service CIS: Council of International Schools CIS: Concordian International School DT: Design Technology ECA: Extra Curricular Activities ECIS: European Council of International Schools EE: Extended Essay ELE: Elementary E/S: Elementary School ESL: English as a Second Language EY: Early Years EXCOM: Executive Committee FIE: Foundation for International Education GCSE: General Certificate of Secondary Education GDC: Graphic Display Calculator GED: General Education Diploma HIS: Harrow International School HKIS: Hong Kong International School HPE: Health & Physical Education HR: Home Room H.R.: Human Resources IASAS: Interscholastic Association of South East Asian Schools IB: International Baccalaureate IBDP: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme IBMYP: International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme IBPYP: International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme IBO: International Baccalaureate Organization ICS: International Community School IELTS: International English Language Testing System ISA: International School’s Assessment


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ISB: International School of Bangkok ISE: In-Service Education ISY: International School of Yangon (Burma) IT: Information Technology IYA: International Youth Award or International Award for Young People JV: Junior Varsity KIS: Kesinee International School LS: Learning Support MADD: Music-Arts-Drama-Dance MKIS: Montkiara International School (Malaysia) MoM: Minutes of Meeting MPH: Multi Purpose Hall MUN: Model United Nations MYP: Middle Years Programme NEASC: New England Association of Schools and Colleges NEST: NIST Elementary School Team NIPTA: NIST Parent-Teacher Association NMSQT: National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test PATT: Plant a Tree Today PD: Professional Development PE: Physical Education PEC: Physical Education Centre PP: Personal Project PSAT: Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test PTC: Parent-Teacher Conference RIS: Ruamrudee International School SAT: Standardized Achievement Test SEASAC: South East Asia Schools Activities Conference SEC: Secondary SHB: Shrewsbury International School SLC: Student Led Conferences SMTO: Operational Management Team SMTA: Academic Senior Management Team SRC: Staff Representative Committee SSC: Staff Social Committee SSL: Scholastic Support Link STJ: Saint Johns TBA: To be announced TCIS: Thai-Chinese International School TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language TOK: Theory of Knowledge UN: United Nations UWC: United World College VP: Vice Principal WE: Work Experience


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WoWS: Week on the Wild Side WL: World Languages Admission and Withdrawals Students are admitted to NIST on the basis of criteria which include space available in the appropriate year level, admissions tests and previous school records. The Secondary Principal liaises with the Deputy Head and Admissions Officer to determine the year level, based on the admissions test and age at August 31, but also taking into consideration previous school experience and developmental level. As far as is possible, classes are balanced according to gender, nationality and culture. Parents wishing to withdraw a student should notify the Admissions Officer (ext. 102, 103), and complete the appropriate Student Withdrawal Form. You will then be invited to complete a copy of the Exit and Transition Survey. After-School Activities A very wide variety of after-school activities are offered to students starting at 2:30 pm. Normal days for activities are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, however school sports teams have training and fixtures throughout the week. Three activity sessions are scheduled during the school year and prior to each session details are posted on the school website for students to make their choices and parents should be able to register their children for activities through the school website. Any parent who would like to help or who has specific queries should contact the Activities Coordinator, Mr. Paul Hodgkinson (ext 601). Appointments with Secondary School Faculty If you wish to meet with the homeroom teacher, a subject teacher, or a member of the secondary administration, you are encouraged to make an appointment ahead of time. This can be done by writing to your child’s homeroom teacher in the student organizer, sending an e-mail directly to the teacher, or phoning the secondary office (ext 116). Assessment We believe that assessment plays a very important role in the development of student learning. Our aim is to provide a balance between formative assessment (for improvement) and summative assessment (indicates what has been achieved at a particular point). We try to be transparent throughout our assessment procedures and include students in their own assessment as much as possible. It is the expectation at all year levels that subject specific assessment criteria will be shared with students. It is also intended that individual requirements for homework are understood by students. Where relevant this can include specific assessment rubrics attached. Assessment philosophies and departmental criteria for assessment can be found by going to the NIST portal http://portal2.nist.ac.th in the Curriculum Section.



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Back to School Night This information evening at the start of the school year provides parents with the opportunity to come to learn more about the way the secondary school functions. This evening usually occurs at the end of August. Bangkok International Schools Activities Conference (BISAC) BISAC sports allow the opportunity for school teams to play against other international schools in Bangkok on a regular basis. At the end of each season there is usually a tournament. The age groups for BISAC are: E/S usually Years 5 and 6, M/S usually Years 7-9, JV usually Years 10-11, and Varsity usually Years 12-13. Students who are sports players may participate in a level above their year group.

DATE BISAC EVENT

First Session Activities August - November

U17 Volleyball Boys & Girls, U17 Soccer Boys & Girls U13 Basketball Boys & Girls, U15 Basketball Boys & Girls Varsity Volleyball Boys & Girls Varsity Soccer Boys & Girls

Second Session Activities November - February

U19 Touch Rugby , U17 Touch Rugby Varsity Tennis Boys & Girls, Varsity Basketball, U17 Basketball Boys & Girls, U15 Soccer Boys & Girls, U13 Soccer Boys & Girls Swimming Championship 10 & Under / 11 & Over

Third Session Activities February - April

U19 Softball Boys & Girls, U17 Softball Boys & Girls U19 Badminton Boys & Girls, U17 Badminton Boys & Girls U15 Volleyball Boys & Girls, U13 Volleyball Boys & Girls U15 Tennis Boys & Girls U13 Softball Boys & Girls Gymnastics Boys & Girls

Books Each department issues text books to students as part of their course. Students in Years 10-12 who have been issued with tablets have many of their books digitalized and installed on their tablets. Text books are generally issued and returned to the Secondary book room at the start and end of the year. Students are expected to take care of the books issued to them. Students will be charged for books they lose, damage or give to other students and do not return. If a book is returned by another student and the original owner has already been charged, the Accounts Department will refund this charge. Busing

(a) After-School Activity Buses: On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday many students remain at school to participate in activities. Buses will wait for students in designated parking areas. Monitors have a list of students


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authorized to remain late for activities which is checked prior to departure to ensure that no students are left at the school. Buses depart at 3.45 pm or earlier if all students have boarded. There are also late activities Montri vans / buses which depart at 4.45pm. Additional shuttle buses to Robinson’s leave at 3.45 pm, 4.15 pm and at 4.45 pm.

(b) Montri bus service: Student transport is run by the Montri Bus Company. Detailed information about this service is provided in the Montri Handbook for Parents and Teachers that is given to all Montri clients. For details contact the Montri Office at tel: 02 517 9203-5, 02 906-0160-5, or fax: 02 517-9207. It is important to remember that it is the students responsibility to be on time for bus departures, to wear a seat belt, behave in an appropriate and respectful manner and to follow all the other guidelines provided in the Montri Handbook that are aimed at ensuring a smooth and safe service. Students who are late and miss their bus are expected to report to the Secondary Office. The Secretary will telephone parents who will be responsible for coming to collect their children.

(c) Bus link with BTS: Each morning and afternoon NIST provides a school bus that links the school with the Asoke BTS station. The bus collects students from outside Robinson’s department store at 6:40, 6:50 and 7:05 and returns them at 2:35 pm, 3:45pm, 4:15pm, and 4:45pm each day.

Calculators for Mathematics

MYP Years 8-9: Students are expected to have a scientific calculator; a simple model with square root, sin, cos, tan, etc, is fine. A fraction button may also be useful. These are available from all large stores for around 450 baht. Texas Instruments, Casio and Sharp are good brands. Students in these years may use a Graphic Display Calculator (GDC), but this is not at all required. MYP Years 10-11 and IB Diploma 12-13: We require students to have a Graphic Display Calculator (GDC) in the final MYP years and in the Diploma programme because:

They help students learn difficult mathematical concepts Many parts of the curriculum are now written with GDCs in mind Students will be better prepared for the Diploma IB Diploma courses require GDCs

We strongly recommend the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus as these are the machine used by the teachers at NIST. (It is likely that you will only be able to find TI-84 Plus and TI-84 Plus Silver models available.) Do not buy a TI-89 as these calculators are banned by the IB as too powerful! Calendar A copy of the school calendar may be viewed on the school website/portal. Updates of the monthly events calendar appears in NIST News.


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Cafeteria The cafeteria allows for eating on two levels – an open-air downstairs area, and an air-conditioned upstairs facility. Students may purchase food and drinks using pre-paid coupons that can be purchased in the canteen, either singly or in books. The canteen is open before school, at break, during lunchtimes and after school. Students may also bring their own food from home. All food should be consumed in the canteen or using the picnic tables provided around the school. The cafeteria menu and price list is available from the canteen office and admissions office. Parents should contact Khun Warunee, the Contract Manager, at tel. 02-253-3837 with any questions or concerns regarding the food service. Parents should note that it is school policy not to sell fizzy drinks in school. We are striving to make our food as healthy as possible as we know that good nutrition provides a strong basis for learning. Car Passes It is necessary, for security reasons, for parents to obtain a car pass for any of their cars entering NIST. Car passes, for up to three cars, are obtained by completing documentation available from Reception. Obtaining a car pass will help you when dropping off and picking up students. Community and Service and CAS The essential aim of this element of the NIST programme is that students understand that acting for the betterment of others is a basic human responsibility and do not see Community and Service activities as simply something to ‘pass’. The IB MYP and Diploma Programmes have similar beliefs about Service and Action but use slightly different terminology. In the IB Diploma the term CAS is used. CAS stands for Creativity, Action and Service and is a central part of the IB Diploma programme. Students in the IB Diploma programme must achieve 50 hours participation in each of Creativity, Action and Service during Years 12 and 13 if they are to qualify for their Diploma and NIST Graduation Diploma. For Diploma students these activities are recorded in the CAS data base and a record of student activities is accessible from home. In the MYP this is represented by the Area of Interaction known as Community and Service. For MYP students activities are undertaken through the curriculum and as part of the NIST GPS Challenge (page 10). The activities and are recorded in the students portfolios and the Community and Service element is evaluated by teachers, students and parents at the end of the year using criteria developed by the IB Organization. Students in Years 7-10 are expected to have undertaken a satisfactory element of service in every year of the programme. This will happen both within and outside the curriculum. The quality of the service is emphasized but students are also evaluated in the commitment shown when performing service. Students in Year 11 must have undertaken a satisfactory Community and Service programme to meet the requirements of the IBO and receive their MYP Certificate.


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Change of Address It is essential that the Secondary Office has a current telephone number, email address and address for each child. If your details change please ensure you inform the school. Please include both your mobile number and e-mail address in this information. Class Size We aim to ensure that class sizes are no greater than 25 students, but this may, in special circumstances, be extended up to 27. Communication with School We value the excellent parent/school relationship that we have developed. The following suggestions will help maintain that excellence: If you wish to discuss a specific issue, please make an appointment If you have a concern, please discuss it with the teacher/ administrator most

directly involved. If problems remain unresolved, they should be referred to the relevant Secondary Coordinator or the Principal. Our experience is that most problems can be effectively addressed by seeing the appropriate member of staff at the start of the process

Who to contact?

Issue Year Group Contact Person

School work (general) 7-13 Homeroom teacher Ms. Wissman & Ms. Bergqvist (7-11) Ms. Stanton (12-13)

School work (specific subject)

7-13 Subject teacher Subject Coordinator Ms. Bergqvist (7-11) or Ms. Stanton (12-13)

Course selection or changes

7-11 12-13

Ms. Bergqvist (7-11) Ms. Stanton (12-13)

Lost property /theft 7-11 12-13

Ms. Wissman (7-11) Ms. Stanton (12-13)

Long term absence 7-11 12-13

Ms. Wissman & homeroom teacher Ms. Stanton & homeroom teacher

Absence 7-13 Khun Pare Secondary office Tel. ext. 116

Transcripts 7-11 12-13

Ms. Bergqvist (7-11) Ms. Stanton (12-13)

School reports 7-11 12-13

Ms. Bergqvist and Ms. Wissman Ms. Stanton

Family matters/personal 7-13 Ms. Paumgarten or Mr. Fishman

Afternoon activities/Sports teams

7-13 Mr. Paul Hodgkinson

University/ Careers advice 11-13 Mr. Clark

English as a Second Language (ESL)

7-11 Mr. Alan Kennedy


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All teachers can be contacted by email. Staff email addresses can be obtained by using the person’s first initial and their surname and adding @nist.ac.th, eg. Adrian Watts becomes [email protected] Counseling The Secondary department has three counselors allocated to help with student welfare and guidance. Counselors work in coordination with senior secondary administrators. The counseling team is as follows: Years 12 and 13 Counseling Team

Ms. Helen Stanton - Vice Principal for Upper Secondary and IB Diploma. Ms. Stanton is responsible for overseeing student welfare, discipline and academic programming. She is supported by:

Ms. Lina Paumgarten - Guidance Counselor for Years 11-13

Mr. Bevin Clark – College and Careers Advisor. Mr. Clark’s office is located behind the building 2, Room 2-103 telephone ext: 205.

Years 7-11 Counseling Team

Ms. Cynthia Wissman - Vice Principal for Middle Years Student Welfare who is in charge of student welfare including discipline

Ms. Pia Bergqvist –Vice Principal for the Middle Years Curriculum (MYP). They are supported by:

Ms. Lina Paumgarten - Guidance Counselor for Year 11

Mr. Benjamen Fishman - Guidance Counselor for Years 8-10

Ms. Ashley Sleeth – Resource Counselor for Secondary School

The counseling team works together closely to try to ensure that the problems associated with adolescence are reduced. The counselors hold regular advisory evenings throughout the year and write articles that appear in the school newsletter and magazine. Counselors are available to help families with their problems and are willing to meet with parents to discuss problems that arise at home. NIST counselors also work in close collaboration with counseling departments in other international schools in Bangkok. If there are problems that our counselors do not feel comfortable dealing with, in the context of NIST, they may refer to other counseling specialists in Bangkok. Curriculum All NIST secondary curricula is available on the NIST portal at http://portal2.nist.ac.th This is updated at the end of each year and provides a general outline of the subject content that students will be studying at NIST from Year 7-13.


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Discipline Please refer to Page 18 an explanation for the Secondary School discipline procedures. Drinks Water fountains are located on each floor of the main buildings, in the canteen, and outside the gyms. Students are encouraged to drink plenty of water in this climate, particularly if they have been doing a lot of physical exercise. NIST encourages students to have a healthy lifestyle and consequently have stopped the sale of carbonated drinks in the canteen.

Early Departures

a) during the school day If for any reason a student needs to depart early during the school day, a letter of explanation is required. This letter should be shown to the homeroom teacher, the subject teachers whose classes will be missed and then to either the Upper Secondary Coordinator (Years 12 & 13) or the Middle Years Student Welfare Coordinator (Years 7-11). Students will then be given a “pink slip” that they must give to the guard on exiting the school.

b) at the end of a semester:

It is not usual school procedure to allow students to leave school early at the end of a semester or to return late after a vacation. If, due to unavoidable circumstances, parents need to take their children out of school before the end of a semester or return late after a vacation they must make a request in writing to the Secondary School Principal. If the school does not receive a request, teachers cannot be expected to provide work or catch up materials. Emergency Evacuation There is a text messaging service so that in the unlikely circumstance that the school should have to be evacuated or closed in an emergency we can contact all our parents directly and easily. Hence it is important that the school has your latest mobile number. End of School Day Parents are urged to make appropriate arrangements to collect their sons/daughters promptly at the end of the school day. Supervision by members of staff ends at 15:00 for those students not involved in supervised school activities. Entering the school NIST has developed a security system with two entry channels. As a parent of the school, you have a parent identity pass that allows you to pass through the right side channel of the security gate. You may apply for up to three parent passes at reception. You will be expected to exchange your pass for a visitor’s pass and continue on your way into school. On leaving the school you return the visitors pass and take your ID card. Maids, nannies and drivers can only enter the school at certain times:


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- from 07h30 till 08h45 - from 12h20 till 13h00 - from 14h20 till 18h30 Any other visitors to the school can enter through the left hand channel and are required to surrender a current ID, sign the visitor’s book on entry and exit, and have an appointment. English as a Second Language (ESL) Programme The principal goal of the ESL programme is for students to acquire sufficient competence in English to succeed in their studies at levels comparable to those of their non-ESL peers. The programme therefore provides essential support to students from non English-speaking backgrounds. The secondary school does not admit students who are tested at a level of beginner. Non-native speakers of English who are not fluent in the language will follow the ESL programme at a level determined upon admission and adjusted as necessary according to ESL promotion and exit criteria. Participation in the ESL programme is compulsory for those students who the school deems to need the programme, and entails the payment of fees additional to normal tuition fees. Students continue in the programme until they satisfy the department’s exit criteria. Examinations It is important to prepare students with the necessary skills for revision and to expose students increasingly to a formal examination environment as part of their learning process. Students are introduced to formal tests and exams in a planned progression of activities, depending on their age. Older students are taught about behaviour in an examination room, examination techniques and long -term revision strategies through subjects. Year 12 also have an exam week in December to provide them with an IB examination experience near the start of their two year programme. Extended Essay The extended essay is a mandatory part of the IB Diploma. It is a 4,000 word independent research essay. The students are introduced to this in February of Year 12 and are expected to use the long vacation between Year 12 and 13 to collect all the data for this essay and complete a draft copy for the start of Year 13. The extended essay is due to be completed by the end of first semester of Year 13. Exit Passes Exit passes are issued to students in Year 12 and 13 shortly after the start of the school year. Parents will receive information about this system and any student needs to have a signed permission form from their parents to leave school during stipulated free periods. Exit passes will be removed from students not maintaining a good school report, satisfactory punctuality and/or discipline. Field Trips Learning “beyond the classroom” is an integral part of the school curriculum and all students are involved in field trips. All Year 7-11 students are expected to participate in


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the “Week on the Wild Side” field trips that take place in early December. Throughout the school year there are also a number of other field trips that support curriculum work and student development. If your son/ daughter is going on a field trip that involves leaving school, you will be expected to sign a permission slip attached to the bottom of an information letter or an overnight stay form. The majority of the field trips offered each year require no additional payments. Fire and Emergency Procedures Evacuation procedures are posted in each classroom. We have regular drills to familiarize the students, teachers and support staff with the emergency procedures. Parents in the building when the evacuation alarm siren sounds are asked to observe the same rules as the students and evacuate the academic campus immediately, calmly and silently. They must report to the security guard at the assembly point. Never attempt to find your child, as this could seriously hinder the teachers in evacuating them. An administrator at the assembly point will signal an ‘all clear’ when it is safe to return. Guests of Students Before a student may bring a guest to school, prior approval must be sought from the Principal or appropriate Coordinator. Permission will be granted only under special circumstances. If it is granted, the guest is expected to attend all classes with the NIST student. Graduation Year 13 students graduate from NIST with a High School Graduation Diploma which signifies that they have successfully completed all the requirements of their secondary school education. Graduation usually takes place each year in the last week of May once the students have completed their IB examinations. The NIST Graduation Diploma is an internal award that is recognized in North America, Thailand and some other countries the criteria are included on pages 21 of this handbook. It is independent of the IB Diploma. Group Four (Diploma) Field Trip Year 12 students undertake this scientific field trip in Year 12 as a mandatory part of their IB Diploma programme. This field trip usually takes place in trimester two of Year 12. Health of Students (a) Accidents: Whenever a student has an accident or injury, the teacher in charge or on duty will complete an accident form, provided by the nurse. The parents and the appropriate Principal will be notified. In severe cases, or when the student needs to go to the hospital for further investigation and treatment, the accident report form will be copied to both the parents and Principal. If parents wish to claim for school insurance they should inform the nurse. Students are entitled to claim only for accidents, not for


46

illness. The following documents are needed to support any claim: student accident report; all receipts; the medical certificate; and a signed claim form. All papers must be original and should be submitted to the school’s personnel office. The process will take approximately one month and each claim is compensated within a six month period. (b) Illness: If your child shows any signs of illness you should keep them at home, both for individual recovery and the protection of other children and staff at school. Our policy is that a student who is well enough to come to school is well enough to attend all lessons and outside break time activities. The Nurses’ Office is open from 7.00 am to 3.30 pm. The two school nurses deal with minor injuries, and if necessary you will be informed of the circumstances and advised of any treatment or recommendation. When, in the opinion of the nurse, a student needs to return home or be taken to hospital, parents will be informed by the nurse and asked to make the necessary arrangements. If students need to take prescribed medicine while in school, parents must provide the medicine together with written details as follows: student’s name and class; reason for medication; name of medicine; dosage; routine; time; and parent’s signature. All medication must be kept in the Nurses’ Office. Students bringing medication to school should take it there immediately upon arrival. First aid kits are kept in each classroom as well as in the Secondary and P.E. Offices, for use in the case of minor accidents only. Kits are checked regularly and replenished as necessary. (c) Infectious Diseases: If a student is diagnosed as having an infectious disease, he or she should stay at home until free from the disease. The Nurse or Principal will make an announcement in the newsletter if there is any reason to be concerned about the disease spreading. Before returning to school the student should produce a medical certificate to clarify their condition. Hiring School Facilities If parents would like to hire the school’s sports facilities they can do so by telephoning Khun Sue at 02651 2065 ext 356. Homework See page 17. Important Events A school-wide “NIST News” sheet is sent home weekly, in addition to up-to-date information on the NIST website www.nist.ac.th, all with the aim of keeping parents informed about developments, events and activities. There is also a full colour, quarterly magazine highlighting school events and a monthly secondary newsletter. There are also letters and notices sent home as needed; emails sent regularly and an SMS system for emergencies.

http://www.nist.ac.th/


47

Throughout the year parents are invited to attend informal coffee mornings at which short presentations are made on topics of interest and time is made available for questions and conversation. Instrumental Music Programme We are proud of the musical talent within our community. Students may develop their abilities individually as part of the instrumental programme. Tuition is offered in a range of musical instruments with specialist teachers from outside the school. For more information, please contact the coordinator of the programme, Mr. Joshua Davis. The instrumental programme is offered in addition to regular music lessons. Students can also participate in musical activities such as a variety of different types of school band, choirs etc., through the extra-curricular activity programme. International Youth Award The International Youth Award is undertaken by students in Years 10-13. It is one of the opportunities that we provide for students to challenge them beyond the classroom by developing skills important for leadership, community service and self reliance. IYA consists of learning experiences related to an adventurous journey, community service and development of personal skills. Our expectation is that all students will achieve at least the Bronze level and we hope that some will continue to the Silver and eventually the Gold. This programme is managed by Mr. Graham Wardle. Lateness Being late is regarded as ‘unsatisfactory’ attendance. The first school bell rings at 7:25am indicating that students should make their way to homeroom. Any student arriving at homeroom after the 7:30am bell will be regarded as late. Students arriving late to school should sign in at the security desk. Any student arriving after 8:30am is required to sign in at the Secondary office. Learning Support or Special Educational Needs Students who are experiencing specific learning difficulties may be referred to the Learning Support Teachers or the Learning Support Academic Assistants for maths and science. Referrals for learning support may be made by teachers, the counselors or administrators. We also accept parent referrals. Permission is sought from parents before a student is placed in the Learning Support programme if this involves withdrawal from class or if extensive support is being provided in class. The Learning Support teachers work closely with classroom teachers providing consultation, support, and implementation of individualized learning strategies for particular students. Library The NIST Library serves Early Years to Year 13 in one facility. Its primary purpose is to support NIST's curriculum. The teacher-librarian meets regularly with homeroom and subject teachers to plan for the integration of research skills and literature appreciation


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into the curriculum. Various events are organized by the library throughout the year to promote literature to all NIST students. The library has over 40,000 books, videos, CD-ROMs, and magazines. Students can refer to their diary for the accessible use policy regarding all computers in the school. Parents are welcome in the library and may borrow up to five books at a time once they have obtained a lending number from the circulation desk. Please feel free to speak to any of the teacher-librarians if you have any concerns about the library or if you need assistance with finding books or other resources. The library is open from 7.00 am – 4.30 pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 7.00 am – 3.30 pm on Friday. The library is also open for a limited time during vacations. Vacation library opening dates and times are published in the NIST News. To ensure that the library remains a suitable learning environment for all our library users, all library users are requested to: Respect the right of others to read and work quietly Behave in a manner which does not disturb classes that are using the Library Turn mobile phones off, or put on silent mode and take all calls outside the

library Leave bags outside the Library on the shelves provided Leave all food and drink outside the library.

Library photocopying Copies and printing cost 2 baht per one black and white A4 page, and 10 baht for one colour page (cash only). Lockers At the start of each year, all Secondary students are issued with a locker. Students are strongly advised to use this locker to store their books and any valuables during the school day. It is the responsibility of the student to provide a lock for their locker. This lock should be strong enough to deter other students from trying to open their locker. Students may use either combination or key locks on their lockers. If a student loses their key or forgets their combination the school will cut the lock off the locker but will not be responsible for replacing the lock. Lost Property Please label your child’s clothes and school equipment. Do not send your child to school with valuable or breakable items. The school cannot be responsible for the security of any personal property that students bring onto the campus or take on field trips or school journeys. The school’s insurance does not cover property lost or stolen at school. We discourage students from bringing any items of value to school as they are not needed during the regular day. If a student does lose any item, please check the lost and found box in the Property Office located on the first floor, CAB Building. Items will be cleared at the end of each semester and given to local charities. If items cannot be found the student should contact the relevant Vice-Principal - Ms Wissman for Years 7-11 and Ms. Stanton for Years 12-13.


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Lunch Vouchers To purchase food in the cafeteria students must buy food vouchers from the cashier in the canteen. There are cashiers on both floors of the cafeteria. Parents can buy booklets of vouchers which they can divide for their children each day. Parents should be advised that students sometimes exchange their vouchers for cash with other students. Motorbike taxis There are motor bike taxis outside school that take students to and from Sukhumvit for 10 baht a journey. Please be aware that although we have not had an accident involving these taxis in recent history, over 17,000 deaths occur annually in Bangkok due to motor cycle accidents. The school advises that if students are regular users of these taxis they wear a helmet. The school cannot take responsibility for students’ safety if they use motor cycle taxis to travel to and from school. NIST NEWS NIST News is the school’s weekly flyer, published each Friday, containing information about school events and student activities. This is distributed to the youngest sibling to bring home each week. All parents are strongly urged to read NIST news so that they stay up to date with school events. NIST News can also be read on the school website at www.nist.ac.th. Non-Uniform Days During the school year there are several times when students are not required to wear school uniform. Some of these days have colour themes and others may be related to national dress or cultural events. On non-uniform days students are still expected to dress respectfully and take into account the wide range of cultures represented in the school. Some non-uniform days are used as fund raising events and usually students are asked to donate 20 baht. On all these days students can still wear their school uniforms if they prefer. Parking There is only very limited parking at NIST and for security purposes parents are not encouraged to park at the school. There are a very limited number of spaces for short-term parking. For school events the parking facility is expanded and may include the inner area around the school oval. The front parking area of the school is generally utilized for dropping off students in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon. Personal Projects Personal projects are undertaken as part of the Middle Years Programme. All Year 11 students are expected to complete a Personal Project which is an individual piece of research into a topic of particular interest to the student. Students are introduced to the Personal Project in Semester 2 of Year 10 and expected to work on it during the long vacation and complete it in late November. After completing the product part of



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their work, students then have to complete a statement about the processes they have gone through. A Personal Project Fair is held in March each year. Plagiarism The school and the International Baccalaureate Organization is very aware of the increased danger of plagiarism as a result of the boom in information technology and the internet. We hope that through careful attention to referencing students will avoid the possibility of plagiarizing their work. The school takes cases of plagiarism very seriously and will apply consequences when plagiarism is proved. The school and teachers use a web tool called Turnitin to scrutinize work that is being sent away for external examination. Collusion is copying another students’ work, or allowing one’s work to be copied. This is classed as malpractice by the IBO and the school, and will also lead to serious consequences. Prohibited Items The following items should not be brought onto the school campus:

Weapons of any kind, including replicas

Drug- and alcohol-related items

Fireworks, lighters, matches, cigarettes

Electronic toys

Computer games

Video cameras (unless for school work)

Inappropriate books, magazines or pictures

Water pistols

Roller blades and skateboards unless approved for activities

Jewellery, except for ear studs and sleepers, and items of religious practice. Recycling Students are expected to take pride in their environment and be role models to others in placing garbage in the correct recycling bin. Around the school there are hubs of different coloured bins for each type of waste: Red = Glass Green = Food Blue = Plastic Orange = Cans/metal Yellow= paper South East Asia Sports and Activities Conference (SEASAC) SEASAC involves the senior sports teams in the school, comprising mainly of students in Years 12 and 13. SEASAC may involve travelling to tournaments outside Thailand. The SEASAC conference contains schools from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma and Thailand. SEASAC also involves students in Arts as well as sports and is now looking to expand to include Model United Nations and other activities. Parents will be asked to host visiting students when a tournament is organized by NIST.


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DATE SEASAC EVENT

First Session Activities August - November

Soccer, Volleyball

Second Session Activities November - February

Basketball, Rugby, Tennis, Arts Festival

Third Session Activities February - April

Swimming, Gymnastics, ,Badminton, Softball, MUN

Student Dances There are regular student dances organized by the various Houses. School dances generally take place in the MPH. All school dances are chaperoned by teachers. To attend a school dance students must return a signed permission form. If parents do not receive a permission letter from the school, it means this is not a sanctioned school event. If students are to be collected by anyone other than parents, they must send a note to the organizers of the dance. Friends from outside NIST can only attend a school dance if advance permission has been granted. Parents are expected to collect their child(ren) promptly at the end of the dance from the school gate. Each year in June, a special dance, the Prom, takes place in a local hotel. Again this dance is chaperoned by teachers and all parents must sign a permission form before a student can attend. Student-Led Conferences These are scheduled to correspond with the May 1 Public Holiday. They are designed to give parents the opportunity to be told by their child about the work they have been doing throughout the year and as a culmination of the child’s achievement as a learner. It is expected that all students will give a conference to their parents. This is not a parent/teacher conference and lasts between half an hour and an hour. Student Organizers All secondary students are provided with a student organizer to help them keep a record of their homework. Parents are expected to check these organizers once a week. Student organizers can also be used to send messages to homeroom teachers. Telephones There are public telephones for use by students. The telephones are located by staircase one at the entrance to Building 1. If a student needs to use a telephone in an emergency, they may ask permission to use the phones in the Secondary Office. Mobile telephones and pagers may be brought onto the campus by students, but must remain switched off or on silent mode for most of the school day. Students may use their mobile before 7:30, between 9:10-9:30 and after 14:30. If a student wishes to use a


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mobile phone in an emergency, they must ask a member of staff or go to the Secondary Office. Mobile phones that are seen being used at times other than those stated above, will be confiscated and returned only to the parent upon collection from the Secondary Office. Text Books Text books are issued to students at the start of each year as part of the service provided by the school. Students are expected to keep these books in good condition and return them at the end of the year. If students lose or cause inappropriate damage to these books they will be billed for the book at the end of the year when they complete their student book return sheet. Trial Examinations Trial examinations are taken by the Year 13 students in February as part of their preparation for their final IB Diploma examinations in May. UNIFORM NIST is proud of its school uniform and students are expected to present themselves neatly on all occasions. Students should use their common sense in evaluating what is and what is not reasonable attire or appearance. Students will be advised by their teacher or Vice-Principal if it is felt that the uniform is not acceptable attire or appearance. There are also specific regulations with regard to appearance which students are required to observe, as set out in the “Uniform Regulations”. UNIFORM REGULATIONS

The NIST school uniform consists of the following:

Polo Shirt for Girls and Boys with NIST Logo (Year 2 – 13)

Navy long or short trousers (for boys)

Navy trousers, skirt, or culottes, all of modest length (for girls)

Blue and white plaid skirt or culottes (for girls)

Navy elasticated shorts and striped polo shirts (Year 1)

Navy elasticated shorts and colour polo shirts (Early Years)

NIST hat (for boys and girls) when appropriate

PE Kit and change of footwear (all students are required to wear a NIST sun hat for PE)

Notes:

1) Socks must be white, dark blue or black and of ankle length. 2) Footwear should be closed shoes which cover the entire foot for safety

reasons. They should be conservative and moderate in style without elevated heels. Boots are not permitted. *Early Years may wear sandals or easily removable styles of footwear.

3) No bicycle shorts, exercise shorts, or T-shirts with logos are to be worn under the uniform.


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4) PE kit should not be worn under the uniform. *Y4 and above must bring a change of uniform on PE days.

5) Only NIST caps are allowed in school and can be worn only outside the school buildings.

6) No make-up or lipstick is to be worn. 7) No non-NIST sweaters or jackets are to be worn outside the classrooms. 8) Arrival at and departure from school should be in regular school uniform except

after sporting activities. UNIFORM PURCHASE The school shop is located in the Community Relations Centre at the front of the school. School uniform items must be purchased from the School Shop. Opening hours are from 7:00 - 10:00 am and 11:00 am – 3:15 pm Monday to Friday. University, College and Careers Counseling The University, College and Careers Counselor, Mr. Bevin Clark, is there to help students make informed choices about continued education after NIST. This includes guidance on college or univesity choices and co-ordination of every aspect of the application procedure. The counselor is available for advice on all matters relating to education and work after NIST. The counselor is also responsible for conducting the PSAT test and will facilitate access to, preparation and registration for SAT, TOEFL, and IELTS tests. The Careers / Higher Education office is in Room 2-102, and you are encouraged to visit at any time. Valuables Students should not bring valuables to school. If, for a specific purpose, they do, the items should be left in their locker or the Secondary Office or kept on their person. The school cannot be responsible for valuables that are left lying around the school. Vision Screening Vision problems are the responsibility of parents; however, the school will provide vision screening for all students. Students who need additional testing receive a referral letter. Visitors During the school day all visitors are required to register with our security guards at the gate and wear a Visitor’s badge. To obtain a Visitor’s badge they will be expected to deposit some form of current ID that will be returned upon exit, and to sign in the visitor’s book.


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Website The NIST website provides parents with the opportunity to find out more about the school, its activities, curricula, assessment criterion, CAS, NIPTA and much more. To visit the NIST website go to: www.nist.ac.th. Week on the Wild Side “Week on the Wild Side” was introduced at NIST six years ago and is aimed at providing a range of experiences for students that they would normally not find in Bangkok. The students are given the opportunity to become more self reliant and independent by undertaking outdoor activities that have been chosen to be age appropriate. Details of all trips are published on November 8 following the “Week on The Wild Side” parents’ evening. World Languages

1. It is part of NIST’s philosophy to promote student achievement of bilingualism

in their language learning if they have the ability. Hence students at NIST are

encouraged to attempt challenging language programmes.

2. If the mother tongue is offered as a Language A subject option, students will usually be enrolled in that language.

3. Students holding a Thai passport must join the Thai mother tongue language class in line with Ministry of Education requirements.

4. Mainstream (non-ESL) students whose mother tongue is not offered within the World Language programme must choose from the Language B programme (French, Mandarin and Spanish) from Years 7 -11.

5. Students cannot change from a Language A class to Language B. A student may

change from one Language B to another Language B, but this must be with the

joint approval of the relevant language teachers, parents and MYP Curriculum

Coordinator after consulting with the appropriate World Language Coordinator.

6. Thai Language B is offered in years 10 and 11; this will allow new students, who

have not studied a foreign language previously, to be acquainted with the host country’s language and give them the opportunity to study an ‘ab initio’ language when starting the Diploma Programme.

Yearbook The NIST Yearbook is a record of the events that take place in school during an academic year. Parents do not have to pay extra for their yearbook. The yearbook is distributed to students in early June.



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General School Calendar 2008-2009

2008 SU MO TU WE TH FR SA School Year Calendar Imperatives

AUG 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5th Aug: Secondary New Student Orientation

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 6th Aug: Elementary New Student Orientation

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 7th Aug: Start of School Year Students return

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Holiday 12th Aug: Queen's Birthday

31 1 2 3 4 5 6

SEPT 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 18 &19 Sept In service workshops for teachers

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 1 2 3 4

OCT 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 7th Oct: Ele & Sec 3 Ways Conference All Day

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18-26th Oct: Mid Term

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Holiday 23th Oct: Chulalongkorn Day

26 27 28 29 30 31 1

NOV 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22nd -27th Nov CIS / NEASC / IBAP visits

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 1 2 3 4 5 6 Holiday 5th Dec: H.M. The King's Birthday

DEC 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 10th Dec: Constitution Day (normal school day)

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12th Dec: School closes 11:00 am

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 13th Dec-5th Jan: School closed

28 29 30 31 31st Dec: New Year's Eve

2009 1 2 3 1st Jan: New Year's Day

JAN 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 26th Jan: CNY

FEB 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7th - 15th Feb: Mid Term Break

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Holiday 9th Feb: Makha Bucha Day

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

MAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31 1 2 3 4

APR 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 6th Apr: Chakri Day

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10th - 17th Apr: Songkran Vacation

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 13th - 15th Apr: Songkran Day

26 27 28 29 30 1 2

MAY 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1st May: Labour Day/Student-Lead Conference

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 5th May: Coronation Day (normal school day)

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 8th May: Visakha Bucha Day

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

JUNE 31 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 11th Jun: School closes for summer vacation

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 at 11:00

21 22 23 24 25 26 27


New International School of Thailand

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4 5

Secondary New

Student Orientation

6 7 – Day A

Class commences

8 – Day B 9

10 11 – Day C 12

SCHOOL CLOSED

H.M. Queens’s BD

13 – Day D 14 – Day E 15- Day F 16

17 18 – Day G

School Photos

19 – Day H

School Photos

20 – Day I

School Photos

21 – Day J

- School Photos

- Secondary Back to

School Night

22 – Day A

School Photos

23

24 25 – Day B 26 – Day C 27 – Day D 28 – Day E

Wai Khru Day

29 – Day F 30

31

August 2008 Please be advised this is a draft calendar and dates may be deleted or added as the year progresses, please see updated calendar on http://portal.nist.ac.th



58


1 – Day G 2- Day H 3 – Day I 4 – Day J 5 – Day A

Y12 TOK Retreat

6

Y12 TOK Retreat

7 8 – Day B 9 – Day C 10 – Day D

Y13 College

Information Evening

11 – Day E 12 – Day F 13

Y13 Env. Syst. Ranong

Trip

14

Y13 Env. Syst. Ranong

15 – Day G

- Y13 Env. Syst. Ranong

- Creative Arts Week

16 – Day H



17 – Day I



18

NO SCHOOL

(Staff in Service)

-Y13 Env. Syst. Ranong

19

NO SCHOOL

(Staff in Service)

-Y13 Env. Syst. Ranong

20


21 22– Day J 23 – Day A 24 – Day B 25 – Day C 26 – Day D 27

28 29 – Day E

-Book Week

30 – Day F

-Book Week

-WOWS Parents

Evening

September 2008 Please be advised this is a draft calendar and dates may be deleted or added as the year progresses, please see updated calendar on http://portal.nist.ac.th



59


1 – Day G

-Book Week

-IYA Gold Parents

Evening

2 – Day H

-Book Week

-Mixed Up (Arts)

3 – Day I

-Book Week

4

-SAT

-Y11 IYA Silver Training

5

-Y11 IYA Silver Training

-Y13 Bio Trip - Ranong

6 – Day J

-Y13 Bio Trip - Ranong

7 – Day A

-Y13 Bio Trip – Ranong

-Three Way

Conference

8 – Day B


-MYP Awards

Ceremony

9 – Day C


10 – Day D


11

BISAC Varsity Volleyball Boys

BISAC Varsity Volleyball Girls

BISAC Varsity Soccer Boys

BISAC Varsity Soccer Girls

12 13 – Day E 14 – Day F

-Senior Production

15 – Day G

-Senior Production

16 – Day H

-Senior Production

17 – Day I 18

NIST HOLIDAY

19

NIST HOLIDAY

-ISB Friendship Varsity

Volleyball

20

NIST HOLIDAY


Volleyball

21

NIST HOLIDAY

22

NIST HOLIDAY

23

NIST HOLIDAY

(Chulalongkorn Day)

24

NIST HOLIDAY

25

NIST HOLIDAY

26

NIST HOLIDAY


Soccer

27 – Day J


Soccer

28 – Day A 29 – Day B 30 – Day C 31 – Day D

- IB Recital

October 2008 Please be advised this is a draft calendar and dates may be deleted or added as the year progresses, please see updated calendar on http://portal.nist.ac.th



60


1 - SAT

-IYA Gold Training

-U17 Volleyball Boys & Girls

-U17 Soccer Boys & Girls

-U15 Basketball Boys & Girls

-U13 Basketball Boys & Girls

2 3 – Day E 4 – Day F

-MADD Concert

5 – Day G

-MADD Concert

6 – Day H

-MADD Concert

-BKK Choir Festival

7 – Day I

-SEASAC Volleyball

Boys & Girls

-SEASAC Soccer

-BKK Choir Festival

8

-SEASAC Volleyball Boys

& Girls

-SEASAC Soccer

-BKK Choir Festival

9

-SEASAC Volleyball

Boys & Girls

-BKK Choir Festival

10 – Day J

-Psych Experiment

Week

-Loy Krathong

11 – Day A

-Psych Experiment

Week

12 – Day B

-Psych Experiment

Week

13 – Day C

-Psych Experiment

Week

14 – Day D

-Psych Experiment

Week

15

-IYA Gold Kayak Training

16

-IYA Gold Kayak

Training

17 – Day E

-1st

Trimester Report

18 – Day F

-IB Theatre Arts

-Spirit Day

19 – Day G

-IB Theatre Arts

20 – Day H 21 – Day I 22

-SHB Swim Relays

23

-SHB Swim Relays

24 – Day J

-Instrumental Recital

-Y10 IYA Training

25 – Day A


-Y10 IYA Training

-Great Wall Shoot Out

(Beijing Basketball Trip)

26 – Day B


-Y10 IYA Training



27- Day C


-Y10 IYA Training



28 – Day D




29



-Gymnastics Invitational

30



November 2008 Please be advised this is a draft calendar and dates may be deleted or added as the year progresses, please see updated calendar on http://portal.nist.ac.th



61


1 – Day E 2- Day F

-Y7-11 WOWS

Departure Details

3 – Day G

-Y12 Exam

4 – Day H

-Y12 Exam

-Ski Trip

5 NO SCHOOL

(H.M. The King’s BD)

-Ski Trip

- WOWS

6

-SAT

-Ski Trip

- WOWS

7

-Ski Trip

- WOWS

8 – Day I

-Y12 Exam

-Ski Trip

- WOWS

9 – Day J

-Y12 Exam

-Ski Trip

- WOWS

10 – Day A

-Y12 Exam

-Ski Trip

- WOWS

11 – Day B

-Y12 Exam

-Ski Trip

- WOWS

12 – Day C

-Y12 Exam

-Ski Trip

- WOWS

- WOWS Assembly

13

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

14

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

15

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

16

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

17

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

18

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

19

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

20

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

21

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

22

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

23

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

24

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

25

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

26

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

27

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

28

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

29

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

30

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

31

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

December 2008 Please be advised this is a draft calendar and dates may be deleted or added as the year progresses, please see updated calendar on http://portal.nist.ac.th



62


1

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

2

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

3

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

4

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

5

NIST VACATION

13 DEC – 5 JAN

6- Day D

-School reopens

7 – Day E 8 – Day F 9 – Day G

-IYA Gold Trek Training

-

10


-BISAC Varsity Open

Tennis Singles

11


12 – Day H 13 – Day I 14 – Day J

-

15 – Day A 16 – Day B

-Portfolio Home

17

BISAC U19 Touch Rugby BISAC U17 Touch Rugby BISAC Varsity Tennis Boys BISAC Varsity Tennis Girls BISAC Varsity Basketball Boys Cricket Invitational @BPS

18 19 – Day C 20 – Day D 21 – Day E 22 – Day F 23 – Day G

-ISB Varsity Friendship

Basketball

24

-SAT

25 26

NO SCHOOL

(Staff in Service)

27 – Day H 28 – Day I

-Y12 Group 4 Field Trip

29 – Day J

-Y12 Group 4 Field Trip

30 – Day A

-IYA Gold Kayak

Training

-U17 Basketball Girls

31

-IYA Gold Kayak Training

-U17 Basketball Boys -U15 Soccer Boys -U15 Soccer Girls -U13 Soccer Boys -U13 Soccer Girls

January 2009 Please be advised this is a draft calendar and dates may be deleted or added as the year progresses, please see updated calendar on http://portal.nist.ac.th



63


1

-IYA Gold Kayak

Training

2 – Day B 3 – Day C 4 – Day D 5 – Day E 6 – Day F

-IYA Gold Trek Kinabalu

-SEASAC Basketball

-SEASAC Basketball -SEASAC Touch Rugby -SEASAC Tennis -SEASAC Rugby

7 NIST HOLIDAY


-SEASAC Basketball

-SEASAC Basketball -SEASAC Touch Rugby -SEASAC Tennis -SEASAC Rugby

8

NIST HOLIDAY


9

NIST HOLIDAY


10

NIST HOLIDAY


11

NIST HOLIDAY


12

NIST HOLIDAY


13

NIST HOLIDAY

14

NIST HOLIDAY

15

NIST HOLIDAY

16 – Day G

-Y13 Trial Exams

17 – Day H

-Y13 Trial Exams

18 – Day I

-Y13 Trial Exams

-Secondary Musical

19 – Day J

-Y13 Trial Exams

-Secondary Musical

20 – Day A

-Secondary Musical

21

-International Day

22 23 – Day B

-Y13 Trial Exams

24 – Day C 25 – Day D 26 – Day E 27 – Day F

-SEASAC Arts Festival

@ KLASS

28

-SEASAC Arts Festival

@ KLASS

-BISAC 10 & Under

Swim Championship

- P.T.S.C. Conference

February 2009 Please be advised this is a draft calendar and dates may be deleted or added as the year progresses, please see updated calendar on http://portal.nist.ac.th



64


1

-BISAC 10 & Over Swim

Championship

2 – Day G 3 – Day H 4 – Day I

-Y12 College

Information Evening

5 – Day J

-IYA Gold Kayak

6 – Day A

-IYA Gold Kayak

-SEASAC Swimming

7

-IYA Gold Kayak

-SEASAC Swimming

8

-IYA Gold Kayak

9 – Day B

-IYA Gold Kayak

-2nd

Trimester Report

10 – Day C

-Music Concert

(Rhythmania)

-Y11 begin selecting

Options

11 – Day D

-Music Concert

(Rhythmania)

12 – Day E

-Music Concert

(Rhythmania)

13 – Day F 14

BISAC U51 Open Tennis BISAC Varsity Badminton BISAC Varsity Softball Boys BISAC Varsity Softball Girls

15 16 – Day G 17 – Day H 18 – Day I

-Personal Project Fair

19 – Day J 20 – Day A

-SEASAC Badminton

-SEASAC MUN

-SEASAC Gymnastics

21

-SEASAC Badminton

-SEASAC MUN

22 23 – Day B 24 – Day C 25 – Day D 26 – Day E 27 – Day F

-SEASAC Softball

28

-SEASAC Softball

29

-SEASAC Softball

30 – Day G 31 – Day H

March 2009 Please be advised this is a draft calendar and dates may be deleted or added as the year progresses, please see updated calendar on http://portal.nist.ac.th



65


1 – Day I

-Y12 Geo Field Trip

2 – Day J

-Y12 Geo Field Trip

-Y11 Parents Info

Evening

3 – Day A

-Y12 Geo Field Trip

4

-Y12 Geo Field Trip

5 6

SCHOOL CLOSED

(Chakri Day)

7 – Day B 8 – Day C 9 – Day D 10

SCHOOL CLOSED

(Songkran Holiday)

11

SCHOOL CLOSED

(Songkran Holiday)

12

SCHOOL CLOSED

(Songkran Holiday)

13

SCHOOL CLOSED

(Songkran Holiday)

14

SCHOOL CLOSED

(Songkran Holiday)

15

SCHOOL CLOSED

(Songkran Holiday)

16

SCHOOL CLOSED

(Songkran Holiday)

17

SCHOOL CLOSED

(Songkran Holiday)

18

SCHOOL CLOSED

(Songkran Holiday)

19

SCHOOL CLOSED

(Songkran Holiday)

20 – Day E

-IB Art Exhibition

21 – Day F

-IB Art Exhibition

22 – Day G

-IB Art Exhibition

23 – Day H

-IB Art Exhibition

24 - Day I

-IB Art Exhibition

-U13 Volleyball Boys

25

U17 Softball Boys & Girls U17 Badminton Boys & Girls U15 Volleyball Boys & Girls U13 Volleyball Girls U15 Tennis Boys & Girls U15 Softball

26

-U13 Volleyball Boys

27 – Day J 28 – Day A

-Y6 Art Exhibition

29 – Day B

-Y6 Art Exhibition

30 – Day C

-Y6 Art Exhibition

April 2009 Please be advised this is a draft calendar and dates may be deleted or added as the year progresses, please see updated calendar on http://portal.nist.ac.th



66


1

-Student Led

Conference

2

-SAT

3 4

-IB EXAM

5

-IB EXAM

6

-IB EXAM

7

-IB EXAM

8

NO SCHOOL

-IB EXAM

9

10 11

-IB EXAM

12

-IB EXAM

-Middle School

Production (Arts)

13

-IB EXAM

-Middle School

Production (Arts)

14

-IB EXAM

-Middle School

Production (Arts)

15

-IB EXAM

16

17 18

-IB EXAM

19

-IB EXAM

20

-IB EXAM

21

-IB EXAM

22

-IB EXAM

23

-Y13 Graduation

24 25

-Y10 & 11 EXAM

26

-Y10 & 11 EXAM

27

-Y10 & 11 EXAM

28

-Y12 EXAM

29

-Y12 EXAM

30

31

May 2009 Please be advised this is a draft calendar and dates may be deleted or added as the year progresses, please see updated calendar on http://portal.nist.ac.th



67


1

-Y12 EXAM

-Y10 IYA

-Y11 Work Experience

2

-Y12 EXAM

-Y10 IYA


3

-Y12 EXAM

-Y10 IYA


4

-Y12 EXAM

-Y10 IYA


-Y6 Completion

Ceremony

5

-Y12 EXAM

-Y10 IYA


-Y6-7 Transition

6

-SAT

-BISAC Gymnastics

-Senior & Junior Prom

7 8

-Fashion Show

9

-Fashion Show

10

-Fashion Show

-3rd

Trimester Report

-Year end clear up

11

-School closed 11.00

12

-CAS Trip

13

-CAS Trip

14

-CAS Trip

15

-CAS Trip

16

-CAS Trip

17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30

June 2009 Please be advised this is a draft calendar and dates may be deleted or added as the year progresses, please see updated calendar on http://portal.nist.ac.th

Handbook SEC 0910

Documents

Transcript of Handbook SEC 0910