IMPACT 15 by Concordian International School

Issue 15 of IMPACT, the Winter Issue dated January 2015, marks the start of the second semester at Concordian International School in Bangkok. In her editor's note, Nicki Deidrick welcomes students back from winter break and introduces a new recurring feature, Student Spotlight, which interviews students such as Ming, Ken, Peam, Paopao, Almond and Ethan about their hobbies and holiday plans. The edition opens with school news including the 2nd Annual Festival of Love on the soccer field to support the Cardiac Children Foundation, the PTA New Parents Welcome Breakfast, and a Baan Na Kru Thani family farm outing for K2 to Grade 5 families.

Academic and co-curricular achievements feature heavily. The CIS Chinese Spelling Bee drew 42 MYP students to a final at the Grand Theater. At the Pan Asia International School mathematics competition (about 450 students from 35 schools across 12 nations), Concordian's 5th, 6th and 8th grade teams placed first, and 8th grader Jaokha earned the top overall score. Other highlights include the Intramural Chess Tournament with 25 players, the KPIS Inter-School Spelling Bee, the Junior Achievement Company of the Year Eco-Friendly Product Award, and strong showings from the Dragons' volleyball and basketball teams.

Trips and expeditions anchor the issue, covering the Grade 6 through 10 Week Without Walls journeys to Sukhothai, Black Mountain, Wang Klai Kang Wan School and Luang Prabang, plus the Grade 11 School Build in Om Koi, Chiang Mai. A related G11 charity concert raised 123,900 baht, and the K2 Walkathon raised 359,017 baht for the Pattaya Orphanage. Community service included a Mae Sot Operation Smile trip.

The Flash Back section recounts Halloween 2015, Loy Krathong, the Wai Kru ceremony, the King's 88th birthday, the Thanksgiving Dinner and a Le Petit Prince performance. Author Loung Ung visited, and the issue closes with DP, MYP, PY and EY program updates.