Together here at Wells Thonglo we stand not only to recognize our fathers- I would like to encourage all of us to appreciate our families. Many of us have been blessed with extended families like grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins who love us dearly and have filled our lives with so much happiness and love that has helped us shape our lives with positivity and passion for being lifelong learners!

Thank you to our teachers too for being positive role models for us too!

The post Wells Thong Lo | Father’s Day 2019 first appeared on ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ | American International School - Wells.

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A global economy barely pulling itself from nose dive. Religious and cultural conflicts spreading from nation to nation. Poverty rates hovering near record highs. To an average teenage student, these issues—and many more—have unfortunately become a part of daily life. Continually experiencing a world in flux, they may all too easily become apathetic, unaware of the stark lives others lead. Seeking to infuse a greater passion within its students, Wells has gradually incorporated more and more community service programs into its curriculum. The school’s ESLRs—which ask students to reflect, critique and evaluate issues, and communicate across cultures—thus increasingly ground their education in real life subjects.

The basis for this learning is typically first delivered in the classroom, particularly at the high school level. Dr. Del Dime’s Issues in Society course, aimed at upper level students interested in pursuing advocacy and service, fulfills that purpose. Earlier this year, the class welcomed guest speaker Cecilia Jimenez. Originally from the Philippines, Ms. Jimenez now delivers capacity-building training around Asia and works as a consultant, facilitating the growth of numerous government projects. This work has frequently allied her with international NGOs such as Amnesty International, the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH), and the Association for the Prevention of Torture. She has furthermore contributed to several peer-reviewed publications and training manuals on the UN Human Rights system, human rights and migration, smuggling of human beings, prevention of torture, women in armed conflict situations, and engagement of non-state actors.

Discussing human rights worldwide in line with the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR)—the basis for the Issues in Society course—Ms. Jimenez asked the students their views of the different articles written in the UNDHR and which they thought were the most important. While numerous answers were offered, she stressed that Article 1 of the UNDHR serves as the foundation of all subsequent articles:

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.“

According to Ms. Jimenez, the first two articles refer to equality and non-discrimination, while the others fall under economic, social and cultural rights, or civil and political rights. Interdependent and indivisible, equality and non-discrimination are essential in guiding nations toward the adoption of human rights. With that concept in mind, she fielded queries related to free speech, suicide, abuse and current issues such as the prosecution of Julian Assange. Armed with new knowledge and fervor, the Wells students prepared themselves to employ their new knowledge outside the school walls.

In addition to inviting guests such as Ms. Jimenez, Wells has taken strides toward contributing to the welfare of the surrounding community. Over the past year, it has conducted projects in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, the Bangkok ServICE Conference, the Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin and others. By relating classroom content and skills directly to such projects, students have gained a much greater appreciation for the need for a service mentality. To see some of the efforts of Wells students, visit our Facebook albums:

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Forgoing their weekend as few teenagers would, a group of Wells students instead recently chose to attend the Bangkok ServICE Conference from March 2nd to 4th, held at New International School of Thailand (NIST). Intended to unite students who want to make a difference in their communities, the interschool conference addresses issues such as poverty, global warming, human trafficking, living with disabilities and human rights. In interacting with their peers from other prestigious international schools in Thailand–including ISB, Bangkok Patana, Regent’s Pattaya, Regent’s Bangkok, KIS, Harrow, ICS, TCIS and Shrewsbury–the Wells participants discovered ways in which they could make a positive impact both in Thailand and beyond its borders.

Beginning with ice breakers that relieved some of the initial tension, the conference jumped head-on into its serious themes, as inspiring guest speakers from the United Nations, Wildlife Friends of Thailand and more presented information about their causes and offered the participants advice regarding activism. Students from the participating schools even showcased their own community service clubs and booths to inspire others to take actions in their school communities, holding true to the ultimate goal of the conference: to interact and connect, and to inspire one another.

Over the course of the three days event, from morning to evening, the Wells students took part in group activities, discussions and ending with a flash mob led by ISB students in Terminal 21 to raise awareness of dolphins. Throughout the process they learned various methods through which they could discover more information about current issues, critically analyze those issues in order to determine the best courses of action, and to rally others to support the causes. Already they have had the opportunity to put this into practice as the Kony 2012 movement has spread rapidly through the Internet. Intended to raise awareness of Joseph Kony, the rogue militant leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army in Africa and a wanted criminal, the cause has been both praised and criticized from various sides. The Wells activists, drawing on their new knowledge, have engaged in both online and in-school discussion of the issue, seeking to define their stances and take positive actions in the movement–actions that rely on critical engagement of the many issues involved.

Thanks to the Wells staff who went above and beyond the call of duty in guiding the students (Ms. Cindy, Mr. Henry, Mr. Peng and Ms. Nicki), and congratulations to all of the participants in the Bangkok ServICE conference: Akhil (Grade 9), Asen (Grade 7), Chariya (Grade 11), Daryl (Grade 11), Gautham (Grade 11), Peter (Grade 8), Mary (Grade 11), Junior (Grade 11) and Cathy (Grade 11). We hope that all Wells students will continue to find ways in which they can change the world for the better. More information about the Bangkok ServICE Conference can be found on the official , and additional pictures of the events can be seen on our .

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Every lunch hour, a hurricane of happy children sweeps through the Counseling Room at Wells Thong Lor.

For twenty-five ecstatic minutes, students can play, make new friends, draw, listen to music, read a book, or talk to the school counselor, Ms Shimona.

This is a video of what a typical day in the Counseling Room looks like.

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Look out for the exciting NEW EPISODE coming up this Monday!!

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It’s nice to start the day off with a few long, calming breaths together.

Every morning at Wells 51, we get to stand together as a united school body, and learn fun facts and ideas.

Take today for example…
After singing the National Anthem, kids got to learn a new Word of the Day – “Balance”.

The post Morning Assemblies are Fun and Interesting! first appeared on ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ | American International School - Wells.

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