On Friday, November 15th, the Wells community gathered at Wells On Nut Campus for International Day 2024: Peace & Progress! International Day is a day for the entire school to come together and celebrate the diversity of our student, teacher, and staff population, as well as recognize, appreciate and learn about other cultures around the world. This event nicely aligns with our ESLR of Global Citizenship and the IB concept of ‘international mindedness’. In an increasingly diverse world, our goal is to continue to remain open-minded to worldwide diversity and differences, and to practice acceptance and respect as an international attitude.

Peace & Progress

With this year’s theme being ‘Peace & Progress’, the celebration was focused on encouraging and reflecting on our roles in fostering a more peaceful world while actively participating and contributing to the sustainable development of our communities. It calls for global cooperation to establish systems that promote not just economic growth but also social equity and environmental sustainability.����

We invite everyone in our community to act as agents of change while working collaboratively to build a brighter future rooted in our diverse culture, cultivating harmonious relationships and encouraging collective efforts towards a more just and prosperous world for all.����

The event opened up with our annual flag parade, with various representatives from our school community proudly marching with their respective flags and cultural wear. This was a beautiful display of the appreciation of diversity embedded in our school community. There were a range of interactive booths hosted by our Parent-Teacher association, middle school classes, and high school clubs, which featured various displays of different cultures and a range of international food connected to the event theme.

Our Visual & Performing Arts Department also hosted a spectacular line-up of performances, which included student, teacher and parent performances. Our Grade 1 students performed a Mexican hat dance, our Korean and Desi clubs represented their cultures through dance, and our breakdance group left the audience awestruck. There were Indian dances, as well as beautiful vocals from our middle and high school show choir groups, and more! The audience was engaged throughout and there was great positive energy of support for the performers, as everyone clapped and cheered along.

Service Component

Some of the proceeds raised from our homerooms and student-led clubs were donated to , a national organization undertaking humanitarian activities aligned with the International Red Cross. This organization embodies its core values and mission in serving the public, focusing on grievance relief, quality of life promotion, disease treatment and suffering eradication.��

International Day 2024 turned out to be a huge success! It was a big day of collaboration, community, and celebration among all of our staff, students, and parents, in which smiles, laughter and fun demonstrated the peace and progress within our community. A huge amount of appreciation and gratitude goes to our Visual & Performing Arts Department and Events committee for their hard work and preparations, as well as all of the students, parents, teachers, and staff who contributed to the exciting celebration!

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As per tradition, the class completed their final march around the school in unison with Sir Edward Elgar’s ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ No. 1.��

After a welcome address from Chairman Dr. Chang Yao-Lang and a heartfelt message from Head of School, Dr. Ray de la Peña, the High School Principal, Mr. William Jones, also shared some important life lessons and gratitude for those who have contributed to the success of this class.

This year, we had a special keynote speaker, Ms. Prima Pupornchai, a Wells alumni from the Class of 2015. She gave some wise advice to the class based on what she has learned from her experience at Wells and beyond. Following this speech, the Class Valedictorian, Rachel Bobin Kim, delivered a unique and inspiring message to her classmates.��

The audience also watched several special videos with congratulatory messages to the graduands from parents, teachers, peers and younger students.

Senior awards were also presented to some of the top graduates:

Chairwoman’s Award for the Top Female Graduate(s):

Li Han Sun, Rachel Bobin Kim & Sana Shibuichi��

Head of School’s Award for the Top Male Graduate:

Natkirakorn (Nate) Boonchaipanichwatana

Chairman’s Seahawk Spirit Award

Kittipoom (Japan)��

The High School Choir, including some of the Senior members, gave a beautiful performance of ‘It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye’.��

The celebration ended with the conferring of thirty-nine diplomas and traditional mortar toss signifying the end of their most memorable years at the school. They now join our growing community of Wells alumni ready to make a positive impact in the world around them.

On behalf of the entire �鶹��ýl community,
Congratulations to the Graduated Class of 2024!
We wish you the best in all of your future endeavors!
And remember… Once a Seahawk, always a Seahawk!

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Promoting Open-Mindedness and Diverse Perspectives

The TOK Exhibition is an excellent practice for fostering open-mindedness, as students explore a single prompt from various perspectives. As an official IB assessment, the exhibition not only challenges students academically but also encourages them to enjoy the process by making personal links in the world around them. They appreciate their own cultures and personal histories while exploring the values and traditions of others.

Thought-Provoking Prompts Explored by DP Candidates

Some of the intriguing prompts explored included:

• Why do we seek knowledge?
• Is bias inevitable in the production of knowledge?
• What is the relationship between knowledge and culture?
• Can new knowledge change established values or beliefs?
• How can we distinguish between knowledge, belief and opinion?
• What is the relationship between Personal experience and knowledge?

Increasing TOK Visibility and Encouraging Exploration

The primary goal of the exhibition was to increase visibility of TOK in the school community, as well as encourage students to explore diverse perspectives in pursuit of answers to selected questions. As teachers and students from lower high school attended the event, they were exposed to the primary goal of international mindedness that the IB seeks to foster in schools. There were some interesting discussions and insightful explorations into the questions between the hosts and participants. IB DP candidates were able to reflect and learn from this experience.

Celebrating Student Achievements

We commend the students for their efforts in completing the TOK exhibition in their first year of the IB Diploma Programme, and celebrate their first completed IA of many! This milestone showcases their ability to apply TOK concepts to real-world contexts, demonstrating significant academic and personal growth.

About the IB DP Theory of Knowledge Exhibition

The TOK exhibition is the course’s internal assessment (IA) and its purpose is for students to demonstrate how TOK manifests itself in the world around them. This is achieved through creating an exhibition of three objects which have a real-world context, and demonstrating how these objects connect to one of the IA prompts provided by the IB. Throughout the year, students have been working towards this final event, completing related assessments, such as show & tell, mini exhibition posters and a mock exhibition.

Join Us!

Experience the depth of knowledge and cultural exploration at the Wells 4th Theory of Knowledge Exhibition—where learning goes beyond the classroom, fostering global-mindedness and intellectual curiosity. Select exhibitions will be on display around the school during the final weeks of school if you are curious to learn more!

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On Wednesday, April 3rd, students were buzzing with excitement around campus, actively engaged in various activities and workshops. Workshops included planting, composting, cookie decorating, Japanese calligraphy with Japanese club, keychain making with BDFY club, Korean language learning with Korean club and tote bag painting with Wells helping PAWS. Students had fun engaging in workshops, interacting with their younger peers, as well as teaching their teachers!

On Thursday, April 4th, we had the honor of some special guest speakers joining us during to share their knowledge and insights on various topics and inspire visitors to make conscious choices that help make positive differences in their communities. Our speakers included our alumni Sami Soni (Class of 2017) speaking about her non-profit organization, Thailand Animal Shelter, helping educate primary students about reducing waste, Mr. Chris Oestereich from taking students on a journey about systems thinking and Mr. Dean Madeira from , who enlightened us about the sustainability in cleft lip and palate surgeries.��

We also hosted a Movie Night under the stars, inviting our students and their families to an outdoor movie showing, with proceeds going to , a shelter for stray animals our Wells K9 club has been working with for many years.����

On the last day, we celebrated with a Songkran-style farmer’s market booth fair, where a variety of our clubs, local community organizations, primary classes, parents and teachers hosted booths. This included our community partners, , , , , as well as many of our clubs: Greenhawks, ASL, Thai Club, Japanese Club, PAWS, etc.

Through our Farmer’s Market event, we raised funds for CHSAThai and other local causes that work towards sustainability in our community. Our visitors were able to contribute to these causes by purchasing products from the various booths or making direct donations. We believe that supporting these organizations is crucial in promoting sustainability and service learning as part of our school culture.

The 3-day Farmer’s Market event was a big success in promoting sustainability in our community. We would like to thank all of the passionate educators and students for their enthusiasm and collaboration in creating a memorable, fun and educational experience to bring us into the Songkran break.�� We look forward to hosting similar events in the future and continuing to promote sustainability and service in our community.

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Students from every grade level took center stage during the festivities, enchanting attendees with mesmerizing performances that highlighted the arts, culture, and traditions of Southern Thailand. The Rum Glong Yaow Parade and Roeng Songkran were among the highlights, offering glimpses into the beliefs and customs of the Southern Thai people, who consider Songkran a time for auspicious rituals to usher in good luck for the coming year.

A particularly captivating part of the celebration was the Nang Talung, a shadow puppet show rich in symbolism and cultural importance, reflecting the essence of Southern Thai heritage. Attendees also enjoyed traditional Thai folk dances pulsating with lively music and accompanied by unique instruments such as bagpipes, immersing them further in the festive atmosphere.

Amidst the joyous performances, the Wells community paid homage to the sacred traditions associated with Songkran, including the revered Rod Num Dum Hua ceremony. This solemn ritual involved pouring water and seeking blessings from a Buddha statue, symbolizing reverence and gratitude among Buddhists. Students and faculty alike participated in the symbolic act of pouring water over the heads of teachers, offering prayers for prosperity, success, and happiness in the Thai New Year.

The celebration underscored the school’s dedication to fostering cultural appreciation and understanding among its diverse student body. By embracing the customs and heritage of Southern Thailand, the event not only enriched the school community but also honored the timeless traditions that continue to unify Thai people across generations. As Songkran remains a cherished symbol of renewal and unity, the vibrant festivities exemplified the enduring spirit of Thai culture and the joyful embrace of new beginnings.

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Teachers, students and staff shared in the celebration of learning and accomplishments of our Senior Class, beginning with an introduction from our emcees, Franny and Rachel, and two special performances, one singing performance by Sam and Milan, followed by an energetic dance number from our Korean Club.

The Showcase featured an exhibition of student presentations, highlighting their favorite CAS experiences and memories. Guests were encouraged to chat with the members of the Senior class about the learning and lessons they gained outside of the classroom throughout high school. Our high school service clubs also hosted booths to sell goods and raise money for their respective causes.

Finally, some of our Middle School dance teams performed, and this was followed by our annual tradition of having the Breakdance club as the showcase finale.��

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! May you continue your lifelong learning journey, developing your strengths and areas of growth, and continuing to make positive contributions to the people and communities around you.��

More About the CAS Programme at Wells

As a core component for the IB Diploma Programme and Wells graduation requirement, Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) encourages high school students to be involved in activities as individuals and as part of a team that take place in local, national and international contexts.

Creativity, activity, and service enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development as well as their social and civic development, through experiential and service learning and a personal journey of self-discovery that recognizes each student’s individual strengths, talents, and purpose.

The component’s three strands, often interwoven with extracurricular activities, are characterized as follows:

• Creativity – Exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance
• Activity – Physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle
• Service ��– Collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need

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On Monday, March 18th, 2024, we departed from Wells early in the morning for our second annual visit to Toyota Ban Pho Plant. This trip was designed for Grade 12 students who are studying operations management in their 2nd year of Business Management (BM) studies, and aimed to give insight into one of the top car-making companies in the world production line.

During this time, BM senior students have been learning about the various aspects of lean manufacturing, inspired by Toyota.�� This trip exposed students to the complexities of operating a business in an era of groundbreaking innovations and changes in human resource management in a globalized environment; students were able to make connections between what they study and the real world.

Student Reflections

The following excerpts from students’ reflections post trip, as well as the photos, show how important these trips are for students in experiencing the real-world application of the theories and concepts discussed in class:

“Overall, this trip was quite beneficial as I got to make many connections with the things that we have learned in BM class. Not only that, but it was quite fun to see the idea of lean manufacturing and quality control methods in real life after hearing about them. The most important thing that I learned was that as the world is developing more and more things are going to be automated, even the simpler things like moving one part from one area to another or flipping the frame of the car upside down.”

-Franny

“I also saw how sustainability was implemented into the factory work. Toyota has grass fields around their factory to improve the environment and they also reuse the water that was used to check the car windows. We all were also able to identify defects which was really cool as it connects to what we are learning in class.”

-Arjan

“This trip indeed helped my learning. As I watched the production line, I was reminded of various concepts about lean production we learned in class. When I saw some colorful posters to inform workers about Toyota’s mission, or when I saw the wall of hall of fame, I was reminded of a lot about what I researched for my university entrance exam interview, about what companies like Toyota do to motivate Thai workers. From now on, whenever I learn about operation management in business management, I feel like I will right away think of the scenery I saw in the factory today, which would also be helpful for my learning in the university as well.”

-Risa

“I would say that observing the factory and being able to discuss and explain things with and to my friends while we were walking through it helped enhance my own understanding of what was going on and the BM connections.”��

-Sameer

“I felt that this field trip was a good experience because we got to learn about Toyota’s operations while connecting it with the BM tools and theories that we have been learning for the past two years. The most memorable experience during the field trip was seeing the long conveyor belt/tunnel of cars being tested on. This was the most memorable experience to me because seeing the large amount of cars being worked on looked cool.”

-Jayden

“It was interesting to see that I was able to spot some similarities between the video we watched in class about Kaizen and during the tour. For example, the tools needed for production were placed in specific areas or kept in specific compartments which makes it easier for the employees to navigate the tools and minimizes the time wasted on finding the tools…This experience has made me realize that the concepts that we have learnt in class are important and correlate to the real world.”

-Ati

“As the tour guide continued to talk about their methods of production, I had these moments where I knew exactly what they were talking about which helped me to brush up on a few terms. This trip also allowed me to see an actual real life business operate like it does daily and I think that I was also a little thankful as working such long shifts must be very tiring for the workers, as well as working during the hot summers must be even worse”.

-�ܲ���������

“This was probably one of the most insightful field trips ever. It was super cool to see Toyota and how they operate. I never would have thought it takes like 90 seconds for some processes and that Toyota Thailand exports back to Japan despite Toyota being a Japanese company…Witnessing the efficiency and precision of Toyota’s operations firsthand was eye-opening, and it showed the importance of continuous improvement and lean principles in maximizing productivity.”

-Shivam

“Walking through the factory, I was amazed by the size and efficiency of the operation. Watching the workers and machines working together so seamlessly was very impressive. Despite learning a lot during the trip, it also left me with many questions. I found myself wondering about topics like supply chain management and the role of technology in the manufacturing process. I realized there’s still so much more to learn about how companies like Toyota operate.”

-Riyan

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We received a warm welcome from our Chonburi Municipal office members and their staff, who were willing to explain the uniqueness of these mangrove forests and the importance of using their gallery hall. Then, our students inspected and learned about local woven products as part of the Thai OTOP project. Our students had the luxury of having three guides support us throughout our field trip. Grade 6 students also received instructions for the field trip, an observation worksheet, and location maps. Soon, we were joined by our Chonburi campus students, who took part in this activity with guidance from their teachers.

Students enjoyed walking along the long bridge ramps, admiring nature’s beauty, and seeing mudskippers, crabs, birds, and streams of water flowing back to the sea to join the Gulf of Thailand. Our students also gathered plenty of information on scientific facts about the flora and fauna of our Chonburi mangrove forest, a real gem among several other conservation forests in Thailand.��

Overall, it was a great learning experience out in the field and a chance to apply academic knowledge to the real world. We look forward to continued learning explorations and collaborations between both campuses!

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Photo credit: WIS Photography Club

On February 23rd, 2024, Thai Club paid a visit to the Santisuk Day Care Center. This nursery school, operating in Chalongkrung, currently has up to 200 students attending. The visit was a heartwarming and enriching experience, as we were able to plan activities with the children and contribute essential supplies to support the school, including milk, snacks, and various kitchen essentials. The appreciation from the teachers and students there were palpable and filled the atmosphere with joy.��

The day at Santisuk began with an opening ceremony followed by four engaging activities planned by the Thai Club. There were 66 students present that morning, ranging from Kindergarten 1-3, and they were divided by class into 3 groups in circles. The activities were as follows: bag painting which allowed the children to unleash their creativity onto plain canvas bags, jigsaw puzzles that encouraged problem-solving and technical skills among the children, and lastly, the color scratching and origami activities entertained motor skills and interactive learning environments.

The children exhibited genuine curiosity and enthusiasm during these activities and showcased their creations at the end of our time together. It was a reminder of how small gestures can greatly influence younger learners. Following the activities, the teachers offered us a quick tour of the school which provided valuable insights into the daily routines, learning spaces, and the dedication of the teachers and staff.��

Our visit to Santisuk Day Care Center was a meaningful one that highlighted the importance of collective contribution by a community coming together, and inspired commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others. This experience emphasized compassion and unity to demonsratte that by working together, we can create a brighter future for all.

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On the 20th of January, a group of Wells students under the Red Cross CAS Project went to the Saphan Sung District Office for their annual Children’s Day event. The children at the Saphan Sung Youth Center showcased multiple beautiful performances for all to see. During their time there, the students hosted and organized stalls, along with activities for the children to engage in and win prizes. The students hosted a total of four booths: ping pong fiesta, ball throwing, lucky draw egg, and a honey-lemon and yuzu tea stall. As these games bring joy and pleasure to the children from receiving presents, they also promote motor and spatial skills which are critical to a child’s development.��

The celebration of Children’s Day is very important as it serves to celebrate and recognize the unique qualities, innocence, and potential in all children. This day not only highlights the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for children but also emphasizes the well-being of the younger generation. It provides an opportunity to promote awareness of ensuring the health, education, and overall development of children worldwide. We take a step into the community to support local children’s wellness by bringing in fun activities and rewards for them. Unused toys and rewards were also donated from various sources and houses to bring joy to local children. Snacks and stationeries were bought from the funding that the members collectively helped raised during Well’s Winter Show event by selling cookies, s’mores, and more.��

Other than spreading happiness on Children’s Day, our students were also able to gain a valuable experience. They learned about working collaboratively as there were four booths and one drink stand to manage with over 300 children registered, not including parents. They also learned to be compassionate and sympathetic since we were working with children who came from multiple family backgrounds and ranges in personality. They also learned about resource management, whether it would be financial, people, or objects which required detailed planning and vision. This made them appreciate the unity and the ability we have to bring positive change to the community together.��

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