Monthly Newsletter - August 2025
- AISB News
- Sep 18
- 15 min read
Updated: Sep 22
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Our Director's Update
Dear Parents and Friends,
Once again, welcome to AISB for 2025-2026!
Our first month of the new school year has concluded and I would like to thank each and every member of the AISB Staff for making our students - new and returning - feel welcome. We certainly hope the students have enjoyed being back at school. It has been wonderful to see our students back on campus, in class and enjoying their lessons with their teachers and classmates. It has also been heartening to see our returning students welcoming their new classmates so warmly.
We also welcomed many new staff to our four campuses, and the Executive Leadership Team and I enjoyed getting to know them a little better through our induction programme, and through our staff days prior to the students return. I would particularly like to welcome Mr Mark Pearce to the AISB leadership Team as Deputy Head of Primary & Head of Teaching and Learning. Mr Mark’s leadership and extensive experience both internationally and in Australia, will be a great asset to AISB.
As you are probably aware, we opened a new Foundation Class at 313 Soi 31 – which we have named Amaroo (Aboriginal for “Beautiful Place”). Extensive renovations of this campus were completed over the Summer break and it is now looking wonderful and equal in standard to the facilities elsewhere at AISB. We continue to make improvements on all our campuses, with shade sails planned as a major upgrade for play areas at the Amaroo site in the coming weeks.
It was great to see so many parents at the various meet the teacher sessions held over the past few weeks in Early Years, Primary and Secondary Schools, as well as meeting all the Dads who joined us for our Donuts for Dads gatherings on each campus, celebrating Father’s Day (Australia). The parent committee will also continue the tradition of Flat White Fridays – sometimes on campus, and sometimes outside – and we look forward to meeting you all at such events.
The year ahead will prove to be another busy one, with many events planned to support a rich school life for our students, allowing for opportunities to create “unforgettable experiences”. We will be re-releasing the Parent Portal in the next week or two, and believe this will provide a much improved interface for parent communication. The Parent Portal is a part of our iSAMS Student Management System, and we hope parents will take advantage of this new functionality. More information will be released in the next week or so by our iSAMS team lead by Ms Lovely, and access will also be available via the AISB website.
One very important milestone for AISB as a school, is the upcoming Council of International Schools Team Accreditation Visit which will take place between the 20th September and 26th September. A team of seven CIS representatives, trained in accreditation by CIS, will meet with staff, students, administration, board and parent representatives throughout the week, as they assess our school against a comprehensive list of standards. Two months ago, we submitted a comprehensive self-study report compiled by our staff over the past 18 months, which assessed
AISB against these standards and supported by hundreds of documents provided in evidence. The team will have carefully studied this report and will be looking to triangulate what was submitted, against what they hear in the scheduled meetings as well as what they see on the ground as they visit all classes. The team members are all volunteers and experienced educators, actively engaged in other CIS member schools. We are certainly appreciative of the time they are giving to this visit and look forward to welcoming them to AISB from Sunday 21st September.
Finally, and to end on a positive note, I would like to congratulate all our IGCSE, AS and A-level students of School Year 2024-25 who achieved some excellent results in the recently released Cambridge Exam results. What is particularly heartening, is the strong performance by students who have been at AISB for two or more years; their results in general, were particularly strong.
Congratulations to all students who achieved their target grades. We will be releasing a more detailed statement on Cambridge results in the coming weeks – stay tuned.
Wishing you a successful school year ahead.
Yours in education,
Henri Bemelmans
Director
Early Years Update
Written by Sheridan Musto, Head of Early Years and Soi 20 Campus
The first few weeks of school have been a joyful and positive start, with children settling beautifully into their new classrooms and routines.
A special welcome to all our new families and staff! It’s been wonderful to see relationships forming, a strong sense of belonging emerging, and classrooms filled with happy, engaged learners. Our new teachers and support staff have made an incredible start, bringing fresh ideas and energy while ensuring a smooth transition for the children.
Settling In and Building Belonging
In these early weeks, we focus on helping children feel safe, secure, and connected. Teachers have been nurturing friendships, supporting children to learn routines, and creating classroom communities where everyone feels they belong. Happy children who feel connected and confident is always our top priority.
Kindness Week
During Kindness Week, our Early Years children explored how even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. We collected clothing donations for the Bangkok Community Help Foundation, with our Year 1 students proudly handing these over to Mr Greg from the foundation.
We also had a colourful dress-up day, where children wore their favourite colours to school as we celebrated “colouring the world with kindness.”
Meet the Teacher Week
We also held Meet the Teacher week, where families had the chance to visit classrooms, see where their children learn and play, learn about the curriculum, and meet their child’s teacher. It was a wonderful way to strengthen our home–school connection and start the year in partnership with you.
Looking Ahead – Campus Goals for the Year This year, we are working on some exciting goals across our early years campus:
Sustainability Initiatives: Becoming more mindful of waste and paper usage, and working towards practical sustainability habits within classrooms and across our schools.
Sun Safety: Continuing to strengthen our Sun Safe program, ensuring all children and staff wear hats outdoors and develop positive sun-safe habits
Community Wellbeing: Embedding mindfulness and wellbeing practices into daily routines, helping children develop the tools for focus, emotional regulation, and resilience.
Thai Language and Culture: This year we have also introduced Thai language and culture learning into our Nursery and PreK1 classrooms. Children are enjoying learning through singing, dancing, storytelling, and simple activities that help them connect with the local culture and language.
Start-of-School Reminders Establishing consistent routines helps children feel secure and ready to learn. A few reminders as we settle into the term:
Arriving on Time: For Foundation and Year 1 students, arriving before the start of class ensures they don’t miss valuable morning routines and key learning time.
Early Years Settling: For our youngest learners, arriving on time allows children space to settle calmly into the day, connect with their teachers, and start their day with confidence.
Healthy Routines: Plenty of sleep, nutritious meals, and time for unstructured play all support your child’s success at school.
We are excited for all that lies ahead this year and grateful for your ongoing partnership. Thank you for trusting us with your children!
We are looking forward to a year of growth, learning, and happy memories together.
Primary Update
Written by Hannah Carew, Head of Primary
Welcome Back to AISB
We would like to warmly welcome all our returning families back to AISB and extend a very special welcome to the new families joining our school community this year. It has been a busy and positive start to the term on our Primary Campus at Soi 31, and we are especially excited to celebrate the opening of our new 313 Campus with its very first Foundation class. We can’t wait to see this new campus grow, flourish, and become an important part of AISB.
It was also wonderful to meet so many families during Meet the Teacher Week, and we hope you enjoyed the opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher and learn more about their learning for the year ahead.
During the month of August, our students have been revisiting the AISB values together with the Bounce Back themes of core and social values. These strong foundations guide how we learn, play, and make decisions as a community. In the final week of August, students took part in a range of activities to demonstrate kindness and put our values into action. A highlight was the whole-school kindness chain, thoughtfully organised by Ms. Sara, our School Counsellor, along with our first Bounce Back assemblies for the year, wonderful opportunities for us to come together and celebrate what makes our school community so special.
School Values
At AISB, we place great importance on our core values of Respect, Integrity, Wellbeing, Global Outlook, Personal Best, and Community. These values guide everything we do and help shape our students into confident, caring, and capable individuals.
AISB believes that students will develop as individuals who think critically and creatively, make decisions for themselves and act responsibly. They will consider the needs of others, develop a global outlook and care for the environment. They will learn to serve their communities in positive ways, always striving to do their best in the educational opportunities offered to them.
Secondary Update
Written by Michael Bryce, Head of Secondary
Welcome back to everyone to the new year of school. We look forward to another successful year. The high school has grown approximately 33% from last year.
It has been a relatively smooth start to the year. Parents should have received their child’s homeroom teacher welcome, as well as mine. All parents should also have received the Biography of staff as well as the Study skills book and Year Assessment book. Please advise if you have not received all of the above.
The Cambridge results are ‘in’ and being analysed. The IGCSE results we, in many cases, well above predicted grades. Three students achieved all A or A* from 8 or 9 subjects. Well done to Year 10.
Mental Math World Cup 2025- Thanaphon Jencharoenkul (9); Adrita Labonno Banik Lopa; Deena Alam & Surkhab Singh Bajwa (9) – all Grand Master Rank. They have reached the finals to be held soon.
All High School students have now joined UNIFROG, a program designed to assist students to choose a university and career. In the younger years they build a profile about their learning and career aspirations to assist in later years. Parents can access this application through their children.
AISB Secondary School Presents Its First Ever Play!
AISB is thrilled to announce our very first Secondary School Play - Roald Dahl’s The Witches!
This deliciously dark and funny tale brings to life the story of a brave young boy and his grandmother who must face the terrifying Grand High Witch and her army of witches. Staging is set for February 2026, and it promises to be a highlight of the school year.
Auditions were held on Friday 29 August (1.30–2.50pm) and cast announcements made on Tuesday 2 September (7.00am). All students from Year 7 to 12 were invited to audition and become part of this exciting production.
To audition, students completed the online audition form with parent permission, and prepared one of the audition pieces provided in the audition pack. We are looking for confidence, creativity, and enthusiasm—whether on stage as a lead, ensemble member, or supporting role.
A reminder that the audition pack was uploaded to Google Classroom.
This was a wonderful opportunity for students to build confidence, develop teamwork, and showcase their talents on stage. We look forward to seeing many of our secondary students get involved in this milestone production for AISB!
Many thanks,
Ms Jane
HS Drama Teacher
After School Activities (ASA)
The bell may signal the end of classes, but it also marks the start of something exciting — our after-school activities are back! This year’s programme is packed with more choices than ever before.
From sports and music to academic clubs, creative arts, leadership opportunities, and community service, there’s truly something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in building robots, performing on stage, debating, or simply spending time with like-minded friends, now’s the perfect chance to get involved.
After-school activities aren’t just about fun (though there’s plenty of that) — they’re also a wonderful way to explore new interests, gain confidence, and build connections with others who share your passions.
Squad Tryouts in full swing!
Squad tryouts — from football to school choir — offer students a chance to grow in more ways than one. Beyond showing skill or talent, participants learn discipline, collaboration, and confidence. Whether moving on the field, singing on stage, or pushing through a tough routine, students discover the value of hard work, mutual support, and commitment.
These experiences help students build important life skills like responsibility, communication, and time management — qualities that serve them both inside and outside of school.
Big congratulations to everyone trying out — your courage and effort are what make our school community stronger!
Building Global Citizen at AISB
As the new school year begins, AISB reaffirms its commitment to nurturing students who are not only successful learners but also responsible global citizens. At the heart of this vision is Oxfam’s Education for Global Citizenship framework, which inspires our teaching and learning. This approach is transformative - helping students develop the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes needed to engage critically and actively with the opportunities and challenges of an interconnected world.
Global Citizenship at AISB is about more than just understanding global issues - it is about empowering students to think, act, and lead with empathy, respect, and responsibility. Through exploring themes such as sustainability, diversity, human rights, peace and conflict, and global interdependence, students are encouraged to make meaningful connections between their local experiences and the wider world. They also learn that they can be active agents of change, shaping a more just and sustainable future.
Our staff are equally engaged in this journey. This year, teachers are participating in professional learning committees focused on embedding global citizenship into the curriculum. By engaging with current educational research and best practice, staff are ensuring that AISB continues to provide high-quality, forward-thinking learning experiences.
Students, too, are taking a lead. The Student Council, along with dedicated Global Citizenship student groups, will be working across the year to strengthen our school’s profile in this area. From awareness campaigns and collaborative projects to service-learning initiatives, students will be given authentic opportunities to put their values into action, developing leadership skills while making a difference within and beyond our school community.
At AISB, Global Citizenship is not an addition to our curriculum—it is central to our mission of preparing young people to thrive in a fast-changing, interdependent world. Together, staff and students are building a culture where knowledge, compassion, and action go hand in hand.
Mr. Mark Pearce
Deputy Head of Primary & Head of Teaching and Learning
High School Global Perspectives.
In today’s world, where online information can be unreliable and artificial intelligence is reshaping how knowledge is shared, students need to be more critical than ever. In Global Perspectives, students are doing exactly that. They are learning to question what they read, to investigate issues using reliable sources, and to build their understanding on facts rather than opinions. They practise breaking down complex ideas and evaluating what people say, always watching for bias, propaganda, or fake news.
Global Perspectives goes further than research alone. Students work together to explore different perspectives from around the world, challenge assumptions, and communicate their findings with clarity—whether through structured reports, persuasive arguments, or collaborative presentations. Just as importantly, they reflect on their own learning, considering how their views change as they encounter new evidence and perspectives. In doing so, they are not only becoming stronger researchers but also more thoughtful, self-aware, and engaged global citizens.
Mr Dayne
Teaching and Learning Update
The first few weeks of the new academic year have provided an important foundation for teaching and learning across our vibrant AISB learning environments. Students have returned with energy and enthusiasm, settling quickly into the rigor and routines of learning that support both academic growth and personal development. Establishing consistent expectations in classrooms, playgrounds, sporting areas, and shared learning spaces has ensured that students are engaging positively with one another, their teachers, and the learning process.
Staff have worked diligently to build strong relationships with their new classes, fostering inclusive and supportive environments where students feel both challenged and encouraged. A focus on high-quality learning experiences has been evident in every year level, with teachers modelling high expectations and students responding with commitment, curiosity, and resilience. Across subject areas, there has been a deliberate emphasis on fostering independence, collaboration, and reflective learning habits that will continue to strengthen over the term.
To ensure every student is met at their point of need, teachers have been reviewing prior learning outcomes and analysing assessment data collected at the end of last year and the beginning of this year. This benchmarking process provides valuable insight into each child’s strengths and areas requiring further consolidation, enabling teachers to design targeted programs and differentiated instruction. By aligning curriculum planning with current evidence of student achievement, staff are well positioned to monitor progress and ensure that learning remains both accessible and appropriately challenging.
Alongside this focus on student learning, staff have also begun their own cycle of professional learning for the year. This includes engaging with the latest educational research and best practice to ensure that teaching remains responsive, innovative, and effective. Professional learning communities and targeted development sessions provide opportunities for staff to collaborate, reflect, and refine their practice—further strengthening the quality of learning across all AISB campuses.
Families have been welcomed into classrooms to Meet the Teacher events. These meetings provide opportunities for our community to further understand the Australian curriculum and the learning that will be occurring through the term. They are also an important way to build relationships and connect with our community.
The opening weeks of our new year together have highlighted a collective commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. A firm foundation of partnership between students and staff has been created, and with clear routines, purposeful assessment, ongoing professional learning, and a culture of care, our school community is well placed to enjoy a successful year of growth and personal achievement for every learner.
I am thrilled to be joining the AISB community and look forward to working in partnership with you all.
Mr. Mark Pearce
Deputy Head of Primary & Head of Teaching and Learning
Enrichment
The Enrichment Programme is off to a purposeful start. In Year 5, a small group of confident mathematicians have begun a STEAM project inspired by the book Mechanica, applying their mathematics skills in a creative context that promotes higher-order thinking. Across other year levels, enrichment support has focused on open-ended challenge tasks within their maths classes to deepen understanding and extend learning.
Looking ahead, students in Years 2–6 are encouraged to join the upcoming Southeast Asian Mathematical Olympiad (SEAMO), providing a chance to take on new challenges and grow as problem-solvers. It’s shaping up to be a year of growth, creativity, and exciting opportunities for our young learners.
Ms. Rebecca Hannan
Enrichment Coordinator
EAL
The EAL program at AISB has had a strong start to the year, with students quickly settling into routines and engaging with targeted language support across grade levels. Our focus has been on building confidence in both academic and social English, ensuring students can access the curriculum successfully.
Early highlights include collaborative work with homeroom teachers to align support strategies and the noticeable enthusiasm students are showing in their learning. We look forward to continued growth and progress as the year unfolds.
Mr. Timothy Dickens
Head of EAL
The Future of STEAM at AISB
Mr. Gareth Openshaw, Head of STEAM and Assistant Head of Primary
The start of a new school year brings exciting developments for the STEAM department at AISB. Building on last year’s efforts to increase collaboration within our Innovation Centre subjects, we are expanding our cross-curricular approach to all of Primary School.
Last year, we piloted a cross-curricular unit where Year 4 students began a video game design project in Media Arts by pitching a game concept, then brought their ideas to life in their Digital Technologies class. This interdisciplinary approach was highly engaging for our students and gave greater purpose to their work.
To make this seamless integration possible, we have combined Media Arts and Design Technologies into one year-long subject. This change allows students to more fluidly connect design thinking with media production and product building, and enables stronger links between Visual Art, Design, and Digital Technologies.
To support this new vision for the STEAM department, we are thrilled to welcome a new teacher, Mr. Matt Gilley. With his extensive experience and passion for this field, Mr. Gilley is a valuable addition who will help us fully develop our new curriculum and approach to STEAM at AISB.
Celebrating Success
A big congratulations to Daniel from Year 11. He represented Japan in the 9th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship in Zhuhai, China, competing in the U16 category. Out of three formats, he achieved an impressive 5th place in the Rapid tournament. Well done Daniel!
Congratulations to Lucas from Year 7 – Grampians for taking part in the National Science & Technology Fair at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. He hosted a storytelling session at the Bosch Experience Zone, where he shared how Bosch is inspiring his dreams to one day be part of the motorsport world. Well done, Lucas!
Year 9 student Bailey spent two unforgettable weeks on work experience with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra — witnessing first-hand the artistry, teamwork, and dedication that bring world-class performances to life.
From assisting behind the scenes with MCO’s talented administrative team, to attending breathtaking rehearsals and the magical Pastorale concert at Melbourne Recital Centre, Bailey immersed himself in every part of the process.
Read more here: https://www.australianisb.ac.th/.../work-experience-diary...
Congratulations to PK from Y6 Wagtails for his outstanding achievements in ice hockey!
His dedication, teamwork, and unwavering commitment have earned him and his team well-deserved success in two major tournaments.
World Junior Ice Hockey Nagoya Cup 2025 (Japan, 11–13 July):
PK helped his team achieve 1st Runner-Up (U11), showcasing focus, skill, and teamwork on an international stage.
Thailand Youth Ice Hockey Championship 2025 (9–12 August):
Back home, PK contributed to his team earning 2nd Runner-Up (U12), demonstrating perseverance, leadership, and sportsmanship.
We are so proud of you, PK—well done on these fantastic achievements!
Student Wellbeing
Thank you sincerely for participating in Kindness Week and supporting this meaningful activity with your children. As a counsellor new to the school, I have greatly enjoyed visiting classrooms and getting to know your children better, witnessing their kindness and growth firsthand. I also appreciate the opportunity to meet many of you for the first time during Meet the Teacher week. I look forward to working together as we build a caring, inclusive, and supportive school community where every child can thrive.
The values highlighted in the poster are part of the Bounce Back social-emotional curriculum we teach at AISB, and this month’s theme has focused on encouraging these important qualities. In the poster, you will find a summary of these core values and practical ideas for supporting them at home.
Ms Sara Avedikian
Counselor
That's all for this month!
We hope you enjoyed this month's newsletter. If you have any feedback or news you'd like to share for our next newsletter, please send us an email at enquiries@australianisb.ac.th.
