IMPACT 23 by Concordian International School

Issue 23 of IMPACT, the Back to School Issue published in October 2018, opens the 2018-2019 academic year at Concordian International School in Bangkok. Editor Megan Ames introduces an edition that commemorates the previous semester's graduations while introducing what is new on campus. Welcome messages come from Founding Director Khun Varnnee Chearavanont Ross, School Director Aj. Vichitvong Chanarat, Head of School Mr. Laurent Goetschmann, and Director of Academics and Secondary School Principal Dr. James Leung. Mr. Laurent notes the school has grown to 930 students and 315 staff members, while a school-wide anti-bullying initiative is a stated focus for the year.

The edition records the Class of 2018, with 36 graduates whose Farewell Celebration was held on May 25th in the Grand Theater and Valedictory Ceremony on May 27th. A counseling feature notes Concordian's ninth graduating class is now alumni, with university acceptances spanning Ireland, the United States, Italy, Malaysia and Australia, including Les Roches International School of Hotel Management (2), New York University Shanghai (2), Ateneo de Manila University, Chulalongkorn University (3), Mahidol University International College (3) and Thammasat University, with scholarships offered from 10 universities as of June 2018. New leadership appointments, over 40 new faculty from 15 countries, new 2018 facilities, and new counselors Saul (Leo) Linares and Jaren Folden are introduced.

Features include a student's reflection on the Harvard Leadership Program, the Voices arts magazine, and a Dragonfly creative piece. Athletics coverage spotlights Swimming Coach Aun at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, boys varsity volleyball, the Concordian versus Ekamai showdown, the Lady Dragons, varsity girls football, and a gold medal at the Southeast Asia Ice Hockey Youth Cup. Events span the alumni Meet, Eat and Connect gathering, G5 and K3 graduations, Queen Sirikit's 86th Birthday ceremony, the Grades 11-12 IB Retreat to Pattaya, the Grade 8-9-10 bonding trips, the Shanghai Lotus internship, and the PY concert There Is Something About Music. A special feature addresses bullying and cyberbullying, and a community service report describes the MYP project Soldiers: the Fence of Our Nation, which raised over 230,000 Baht to donate pharmaceuticals to the Royal Thai Armed Forces in Thailand's three southern provinces.