Saint John’s International
Secondary School
The Saint
Dates for your diary:
Term 2 Issue 12
Friday 1st April 2011
18th April — First Day of Term 3 (Fees Due)
27th April — Coffee Morning
2nd May — Labour day (School Closed)
6th May — Alumni Football Match
9th May — Exam Leave Begins
11th May — Coffee Morning
We have come to the end of our second term this year. Our thanks to all the students and staff for their involvement in
school throughout this term and in helping to make us what we are. No doubt many of us will be heading away for holidays
and some of us will be in Bangkok, wherever you are, have an enjoyable and safe Songkran break. Remember that school
starts again on Monday 18th March. Happy Songkran.
Ian Gross, Head of Secondary
Time to Tee Off
Mr. Merrifield
wallop...straight into the water. Mr Merrifield, feeling more confident
after seeing Simon’s drive, stepped up. However, as sure as night follows
day, he too fell victim to the dreaded water. Not a good start.
Finally the day had arrived on the Bangkok golfing calendar for the SJIS
staff and parents to go head to head at Pinehurst Golf and Country Club –
winner takes all. A year had passed since Mr Merrifield’s last game (not
quite as long as Mr Sam’s last game – over 2 years ago) and there was a
feeling of apprehension. The 3rd staff member was Mr Lowder who made
everyone aware of his regular rounds of golf and how SJIS staff should be
able to dust off their opponents. “Hello Welcome, you need a caddy?”
were the words that greeted everybody upon exiting the taxi. Obliging
caddies were allocated, golf clubs were selected and then the SJIS staff
came face to face with their opponents: Simon Khoo and Yai, parents of
students at SJIS.
The game improved from here for MOST players, however, it could not
have gone worse for Mr Sams (who usually plays off a single digit handicap). Battling direction and control, Mr Sams hacked around the golf
course producing the worse round of his life (losing 9 balls in the water
along the way). On the flipside to this, there was no taming Simon Khoo
who produced some scintillating golf to record his best ever score and
was the winner of the day. Yai demonstrated the way to play a calm,
relaxing and efficient round of golf and finished second. Unfortunately it
was the SJIS staff that came in last, but this was not before many laughs
were had, new Thai words and phrases were learnt and a very enjoyable
day was had by all. The driving range beckons SJIS staff as they look forward to seeking revenge on parents of SJIS in an upcoming tournament.
To be continued...
Thank You and Goodbye
On behalf of all the students and staff we wish
Mr. Jon Callaghan all the best when he returns to
the UK later this week. In the short time that he
has been with us you can visibly see the difference in attitudes towards sports. Unfortunately
Mr. Callaghan has had to leave for personal family reasons and he will be missed by the staff and
students and it is befitting that as he leaves us he
is also awarded with the coveted title of Teacher
of the Term. I am sure that he will keep in touch
Hole one, and Mr Sams tees up and belts it right down the middle of the and let us know how he is doing and maybe will
fairway a good couple of hundred yards (2 and a half years between come out for a visit some time in the future.
games...I don’t think so!), as does Mr Lowder. Yai made a glorious drive
straight down the middle of the fairway and Simon Khoo teed up and
Student Creativity
Mr. Sharpe
Creativity comes in many shapes and forms. The fertile imaginations of two of our very own community - two talented and
promising young authors Steven Clibborn-Dyer and Pawichaya Warinpramote, in Year 11
here at SJIS - testify to this. Their respective short stories, written initially as a GCSE coursework assignment, are marvels of emotional scope and psychological depth, drawing characters in brushstrokes of genuine empathy and literary skill.
Out of over one thousand contestants in the Webster Creative Writing Competition, both
Steven and Pawichaya have made it through to Finals Day. An incredible achievement,
considering that only the best 2% have been selected by a rigorous panel of judges.
1
Saint John’s International School:
An holistic British style school preparing students of all nationalities to become life-long learners and effective communicators in a global community.
Saint John’s International
Secondary School
The Saint
Dates for your diary:
Term 2 Issue 12
Friday 1st April 2011
18th April — First Day of Term 3 (Fees Due)
27th April — Coffee Morning
2nd May — Labour day (School Closed)
6th May — Alumni Football Match
9th May — Exam Leave Begins
11th May — Coffee Morning
The Finals Day on Monday 4th April consists of VIP treatment in the morning, and then a timed "write-off" against the other finalists in the afternoon.
We wish Pawichaya and Steven all the very best for the Finals, and also congratulate them very proudly and sincerely for what they have already
achieved.
Seven by Pawichaya, Year 11
The sky shone brightly as the sun began to sink down into the horizon. Its orange ray scattered across the chilly air, colouring both the blue
sky and dark earth into an orange hue. The amber, dry maple leaves swayed softly as the cool autumn breeze blew. The clearing was still and quiet;
only the sound of black birds chirping sweetly could be heard in the empty afternoon air.
After a long exhausting day of bucking grain-bags, George pumped warm water into his old, rusty cup. He dumped his hand into the water
and splashed it on to his hot, sweaty face. He picked up the Jackson fork and created a pile of dry hay, he sat down heavily on it. George could still
hear the sound of men working extra hours faraway in the fields. Even though the hay was rough and wiry against his back, with the sun was boring
into his face, he felt comfortable. It felt as if nothing has changed, he thought, except…
‘George,’ the Boss called. ‘George! Where the hell are you?’ he demanded, his thudding footsteps echoing towards the haystack.
George swore under his breath, his peace was disturbed once again by this excuse of a human. His brow wrinkled in disgust before he muttered ‘Yes?’ and sauntered over to where the Boss was standing.
‘George, deliver this to Murray and Ready’s for me will ya?’ he ordered while he handed George a white envelope. ‘There ain’t nobody
around here.’
George nodded, his eyes focused on the light shining through the barn’s door. ‘Milton, are you even listenin’ to me?’ the Boss snapped.
George nodded again, his face impassive as he snatched the envelope from the Boss’s hand and walked out of the barn.
***
George turned to the bush on the side of the dusty road quickly as he heard the sound of the crispy leaves on the floor. A white flash leapt
past him into the Brush. George's eye followed the flash as it hopped into the Brush. A rabbit. Memories of the distant past began to swell up but he
quickly brushed them away from his mind. In order to avoid his thoughts drifting, he glanced down at the food box in his hand and realised that he
had not brought any dinner with him in his haste.
‘Maybe some snack along the way is not such a bad idea,’ George murmured softly to himself as he wiped thick sweat from his face. He
sighed and crept up towards the shady Brush where the rabbit stood. It was chewing on one of the nuts, which were scattered on the hard ground,
oblivious of the menace approaching from behind. George slowly edged forward, his fingers flexing in anticipation.
Suddenly the rabbit stopped and stared at him, its eyes boring into his. He froze, once again momentarily stunned by overwhelming feelings, but he shook them off as the rabbit sprinted away from sight. George instantly darted after the rabbit, missing barely by a hair’s breadth. All of
a sudden he burst into a clearing, stuttering to a halt. The place seemed oddly familiar but somehow he couldn’t seem to match where. His eyes
roamed the clearing and tried to find a point of recognition but came up blank. The vines and creepers crawling on the trees, this distinct brush at the
front, the scent of the past that hit him was overwhelmingly pungent and delicate at the same time. George shook his head, attempted to clear his
mind. A tiny wind blew constantly, causing waves on the green pool’s once motionless surface. George stared blankly at the deep green pool…
‘Guys like us got no fambly. They make a little stake an’ then they blow it in. They ain’t got nobody in the worl’ that gives a hoot in hell
about ‘em…’ Old memories started to flash into George’s mind - memories that George had always blocked out now poured like a rushing torrent,
replaying itself like old movies in a broken record. He sank to the ground.
‘But not us,’
‘Because…’
‘Because I got you an’ …’
‘An’ I got you. We got each other, that’s what, that gives a hoot in hell about us,’
‘We gonna get a little place, we’ll have a cow. An’ we’ll have maybe a pig an’ chickens…an’ down the flat we’ll have a…little piece alfalfa…’
‘For the rabbits,’
‘Yes, Lennie, for the rabbits,’
‘And I get to tend the rabbits.’
‘An’ you get to tend the rabbits.’
‘An’ live in the fatta the lan’!’
‘Yes’
‘Me an’ you’
‘You…an’ me. Ever’body gonna be nice to you. Ain’t gonna be no more trouble. Nobody gonna hurt
2
Saint John’s International School:
An holistic British style school preparing students of all nationalities to become life-long learners and effective communicators in a global community.
Saint John’s International
Secondary School
The Saint
Dates for your diary:
Term 2 Issue 12
Friday 1st April 2011
18th April — First Day of Term 3 (Fees Due)
27th April — Coffee Morning
2nd May — Labour day (School Closed)
6th May — Alumni Football Match
9th May — Exam Leave Begins
11th May — Coffee Morning
nobody nor steal from ‘em...
In his mind, every memory, no matter how small and insignificant, now brought itself upon George. He could feel himself slipping away into
the dark oblivion in the corners of his mind…
‘George – you asleep?’
‘No. Whatta you want?’
‘Let’s have different colour rabbits, George.’
‘Sure we will, red and blue and green rabbits, Lennie. Millions of ‘em’
‘Furry ones, George, like I seen in the fair in Sacramento.’
‘Sure, furry ones.’
‘’Cause I can jus’ as well go away, George, an’ live in a cave.’
‘You can jus’ as well go to hell, shut up now.’
Suddenly, George felt a sharp, piercing needle cutting through his hand. Broken from the spell, he cried out in pain and surprise. He looked
down slowly as the pain flowed through his veins, a greasy green water snake slithered across the ground back into its home - the green pool, leaving
a slimy trail behind. Its evil eyes stared at George vengefully, turning its head mockingly as its wet scales reflected the sunlight; its fangs were a shiny
dagger.
However, as quickly as the pain came, it left him, replaced by a chilling numbness. The poisonous venom started to spread through
George’s body. He could feel the searing numbness reaching his forearm, stretching across his body. He managed to prop himself to lean on one of
the rocks, as the chill coiled around his limbs, rendering them paralysed and useless. His skin felt cold against the ground, sapping him of his strength.
His eyelids drooped down, his sight was blurred and faint. His head was spinning now, unable to decipher its surroundings while the venom worked
its charm. Only one sentence remained on his mind;
‘You…an’ me. Ever’body gonna be nice to you. Ain’t gonna be no more trouble. Nobody gonna hurt nobody nor steal from ‘em...’
George could see it clearly now, his life flashing past by him. Lennie and he were working in each ranch. Every time trouble brewed up, they
would leave the place and start anew. They would go together, the pair of them, never separated nor broken up for long. They would stick together
to achieve the dream of having their own ranch. He saw ten acres of land with a little windmill with a little shack on it; a chicken run; a kitchen; orchard; fruit trees and an alfalfa with the rabbits Lennie always longed for. Together, Lennie and himself.
‘I’m finally comin’ home, eh?,’ he smiled impishly, joyfully, seeing for the first time the ranch coming into life as finally the venom wrapped
itself around his beating heart.
Chapter 7 by Steven Clibborn-Dyer, Year 11
The sun was slowly rising above the green meadows. The sound of nightingales and blackbirds echoed through the valley as the ranch was awakening. A gloomy layer of mist lost its appearance above ground. The light of dawn increasingly disturbed the ranch at rest. The vast lines of volumetric
sunlight shone through the gaps on the bunkhouse walls. The sky was as orange as a war high above.
George stepped out of the bunkhouse and rested his tired arms on the wooden rails. His face was pale as death from the cool atmosphere.
He stared out onto the dry fields in the distance. A chill of cold air thrusted out from his sigh. His thoughts were deep in the remembrance of Lennie.
Silently, Candy joined in with George. “It’s been almost 2 months, George. Don’t you think we oughtta buy that piece a-land? It’s not like
Lennie will ever bother you no more about those rabbits.” George remained silent. “George?”
George replied with slight anger, “I told you, I have to work this extra month to pay for that land! Lennie is out of the picture, so I gotta
work overtime.”
Candy looked at George in shame. “Sure...George.” He took a foot down the steps. “I’ll be in the barn if you need me.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“I’ll be going now.”
“Listen, meet me back right here at nightfall. I’ve got something to show you.”
A tiny grin grew upon their faces.
Candy trod over the sea of dead leaves and into the barn. George watched. He exhaled deeply and the
smile was lost, he turned back and continued staring out into the horizon.
As night grew older, the crisp air surrounded the ranch and the fiery colours of the setting sun
melted into a moonlit, star filled canvas.
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Saint John’s International School:
An holistic British style school preparing students of all nationalities to become life-long learners and effective communicators in a global community.
Saint John’s International
Secondary School
The Saint
Dates for your diary:
Term 2 Issue 12
Friday 1st April 2011
18th April — First Day of Term 3 (Fees Due)
27th April — Coffee Morning
2nd May — Labour day (School Closed)
6th May — Alumni Football Match
9th May — Exam Leave Begins
11th May — Coffee Morning
The obscure lights of the house were blinking out of sequence.
"Yeah. No, you're right. I should just let it go."
A silence roamed across the land. The Boss, with Curley in his office,
They stepped into the bunkhouse. "Get you're things, Candy.
expressed the condolences of his wife to Curley.
We're going now."
The bunkhouse was chilled with silence. Slim, Whit and Carlson
Candy and George scuffled around the bunkhouse for all the
were laying down decks without a break of speech. Candy (for one who
was always on thoughts of the future) sat up on bed whilst waiting for things they need.
George's return from Soledad.
"Uh...George? Did you take the letter on my bunk?"
"No, why?"
Lights grew near from a distance. A roaring sound of a tight,
Curley came in and invaded their moment. "Say, you guys,
antique engine traveled closer. Candy peered out one of a rickety windows and saw in the dark periphery a vehicle moving moderately fast what's this? It has George’s name on it. This y’urs George?"
towards the ranch gates.
In his hand, he held the letter.
As it was entering to a stop at the gate, a flat silhouette hopped
off on the pathway. The dark man swiftly walked towards the bunkUniversity News
house. He saw Candy and then he hurriedly strode to him.
Candy saw an excited grin on George's sweaty face. "Candy!
Candy!" George whispered, "get out 'ere!"
Candy rushed through the door and there stood George.
George thrusted his hand into his coat pocket and dragged out
an envelope and handed it to Candy. "Read it!"
Candy, looking puzzled, pulled out a letter from the torn envelope. He read through the entire message and held his hand over his
mouth. "My God!"
"Shh!! Keep it down old man. We don't want to let the others
know about this land," George whispered loudly. He leaned over and
looked through a gap in the door.
"This is fantastic! When should we go?"
"Hmm...how about tomorrow we go to the Boss' office and just
tell him we're leaving; he oughtta say something about your hand but
don't you worry about that, I've got it covered."
"Yeah, sure!"
When tomorrow came, both men went out of the bunkhouse
an hour before work and into the house to confront the Boss.
"Listen Boss, me and Candy here, we've decided to move on, ya
know? I just can't take anymore of this nonsense!" The Boss looked surprised as George pounded his palms on his desk, "that Curley fella' won't
leave me alone about his tart and Lennie."
"Well then, what's Candy doin' here?"
"I don't want to be the swamper anymore. Maybe soon, I could
become a ranch hand again."
"You!? A ranch hand?" The Boss gave a cry of laughter, "yeah,
like you'd be able to accomplish fieldwork!"
George pushed open the office doors and stormed out. "Come
on!" George told Candy. He followed George out of the door as the Boss
Contact Information
Saint John’s International School
Ladprao, Bangkok 10900
Tel: +66 2513 8575
Fax: +66 2513 5273
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
was still in aching pain of the humor that moment.
The men patrolled back to the bunkhouse. “Who does he think
he is telling me what I can and can't do? And you know what, George? I
lost my right hand because of that ignorant son of his."
"Let it go, Candy. We're on our way to a new life anyway. Just
don't think of the past."
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Saint John’s International School:
An holistic British style school preparing students of all nationalities to become life-long learners and effective communicators in a global community.