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May 8th - Building on Strong Foundations As we approach half term, it is a good moment to pause and reflect on the work taking place across Si Ri Panya. For more than a decade, our school has been part of the Koh Phangan community. We are proud of the strong foundations that have been built over time: committed teachers, caring relationships, clear values, international standards, and a school culture where children are known, supported and encouraged to grow. Strong schools

May 8th - Learning That Comes to Life This week’s newsletter gives a lovely snapshot of what makes Si Ri Panya such a special school on Koh Phangan: a close-knit community, practical learning, and a strong team of staff supporting children from Primary through to Secondary. From Primary Science Day, where students made rain clouds, lemon volcanoes, string telephones and static electricity ghosts, to Year 8’s hands-on Industrial Revolution activity, our students have been lear

May 1st - Building Momentum in Term 3 This week has been hot once again, making us grateful for the shade in the school grounds and reminding us to stay hydrated and take care of ourselves. Across the school, students have settled quickly back into routines, interacting positively and contributing to a calm, purposeful atmosphere. In the coming weeks, learning will extend beyond the classroom, with selected year groups taking part in visits to places of worship and off-site w

April 24th - Talent, History and Community As we begin Term 3, we take a moment to reflect on two standout events from the end of last term — our Talent Show and Time Travellers event. Both were powerful examples of our school community coming together to celebrate learning, creativity, and student confidence. We are pleased to share a selection of photos and short films from each event below. Talent Show 2026 From performances on stage to the energy in the audience, the Tale

April 2nd - Closing a Remarkable Term As we reach the end of a full and purposeful term, we take a moment to reflect on just how much has been achieved across the school. This has been a term defined not simply by activity, but by growth — in confidence, in character, and in the quality of learning taking place each day. From the classroom to the outdoors, from performances to practical experiences, our students have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and maturity. Wh

March 27th - Community in Action This week, our focus has been on community. Across the school, this has been clearly reflected in the preparation for our upcoming Time Travellers Event and, most notably, in the success of our second School Talent Show . The Talent Show was a genuine whole-school event. Students from Primary and Secondary performed to an audience of peers and parents, showcasing a remarkable range of talents including dance, gymnastics, unicycling and live p

March 20th - A School Culture Taking Root There is a strong sense, across Si Ri Panya at the moment, that our school culture is continuing to deepen and take shape in meaningful ways. This week, we have seen creativity, collaboration, kindness and confidence expressed across the campus — in classrooms, in the gardens, in performances, in quiet moments of reflection, and in the everyday interactions that help define who we are as a school community. Whether pupils are dancing

Mar 13, 2026 - Confidence, Creativity and Student Voice There is a real sense of excitement building across the school as we prepare for two special end-of-term events: our Talent Show and the Primary Time Travellers Event. Alongside these highlights, this week’s newsletter celebrates student leadership, future-focused learning, and the many ways our pupils continue to grow in confidence and responsibility. 🎭 Talent Show – Wednesday 25 March Excitement is building at Si Ri P

Mar 6, 2026 - From Beach Fossils to Books: A Week of Discovery Learning this week has taken place both inside and beyond the classroom, with pupils exploring history, literature and sustainability through a range of hands-on experiences. As we move further into March, the school calendar becomes particularly lively, with additional events, rehearsals, assessments and performances taking place across the campus. It is always rewarding at this point in the term to see students

Feb 27, 2026 - Term 2: Routines, Standards and Learning Everyone returned to school on Monday tired, but refreshed after a well-earned rest. It is only when we step away from routine that we fully appreciate how important it is — both at school and at home. Half term offers more than rest; it offers reset. It gives parents, teachers and leadership the opportunity to re-establish daily expectations and ensure that students return focused and ready to learn. Preparing for the w

Feb 13, 2026 - From Sports Day to Scuba Diving Yesterday’s Primary Sports Day captured what makes Si Ri Panya special: a school where children are encouraged to take part, challenge themselves, and support one another — with real pride in their House Teams and a strong sense of belonging. Across the morning, pupils rotated through short, active stations focused on key track-and-field skills — running, jumping, balancing, throwing and agility. The emphasis was on participation

Feb 6, 2026 - Learning with Purpose This week’s highlights reflect what sets Si Ri Panya apart: learning that is intentional, values-led and deeply connected to real life — past, present and future. Across Primary and Secondary, pupils stepped beyond textbooks to apply skills in meaningful contexts, from outdoor learning experiences and collaborative projects to thoughtful engagement with local knowledge and alumni journeys. We saw our school values in action — particularly B

Jan 30, 2026 - Finding Our Rhythm This week, it’s clear we’re settling into our stride. As pupils (and staff) move confidently through the rhythms of school life — lessons, routines, and day-to-day expectations — there’s a calm sense of purpose across the campus. With that steady foundation in place, the deeper learning is really beginning to take root: shared habits, shared language, and a culture that feels distinctly ours — warm, values-led, and genuinely connected. Our f

Jan 23, 2026 - Learning Beyond the Classroom This week marked the start of our two-week cycle of 1:1 Parent–Teacher meetings across both Primary and Secondary. These conversations are a valuable chance to connect with your child’s teacher, hear feedback on progress and wellbeing, and look through the range of work your child has produced so far this year. If I “turn the microphone on” for a moment, this is what we are noticing across school: when we bring together what famili

Jan 16, 2026 - Exploring The World Together This time of year is always a busy one on Koh Phangan, and there is plenty happening here at Si Ri Panya too. Alongside our ongoing focus on core subjects in the classroom, we have a range of additional topics and events that help ensure a rich and engaging education for our students. We want children to learn, but also to feel happy and enjoy their time with us—and, judging by the smiles we see each day, we are off to a strong star

Jan 9, 2026 - Back Together Again Welcome back to school for Term 2! The start of this term was unseasonably celebratory thanks to a setback we experienced at the end of Term 1, when rain put a dampener on our planned Christmas Dinner. We could have soldiered on at the start of the new term, but we'd been really looking forward to this special soiree, so teachers put on their festive aprons, helped set the tables with lovely red table cloths, fancy napkins and party cups and

Dec 12, 2025 - Beyond the Spotlight There are two sides to school life: what happens at the front, the things you see when you walk around the campus or pop into lessons to talk to students about their work; and what happens behind the scenes. Our events, deadlines and assessments are visible, but the quiet, steady work that drives school life forward often isn’t. Behind the scenes is where so much of the real effort sits. It could be the determination of a student practising

Dec 5, 2025 - Festive Community Spirit There is cheer in the air this week! The festive season is upon us and, whether you celebrate Christmas or another cultural tradition from closer to home, a warm and joyful feeling is beginning to permeate the campus. We especially love this time of year because it brings our shared school values to life. Cooperation, kindness, giving to others, extending an olive branch where it’s needed, and wishing everyone well as we approach the end

Nov 28, 2025 - Small School, Big Vision We are delighted to announce that Si Ri Panya has achieved Gold in the Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS) – a respected UK accreditation developed by the National Children’s Bureau and Optimus Education . This award recognises schools that place emotional wellbeing and mental health at the heart of their practice, for both staff and students. Although we are a small school, we are an ambitious one. Being small has never limited us; it

Nov 21, 2025 - Upper Secondary Begins Some of you may not realise that the opening section of our weekly newsletter is usually written by Lisa, our Head of Primary. As Lisa has travelled back to the UK for her mother’s funeral, I’m stepping in this week to share a few reflections from the Director’s desk—reflections that have taken me on a rather nostalgic walk through the past twenty years. When I first arrived on Koh Phangan two decades ago with my Thai husband, who was bor

Nov 14, 2025 - Exploring Through Experience This week, students have been busy learning out and about across Koh Phangan. Our Year 3 students visited Nira’s Bakery factory, where they learned how to make sausage rolls and carrot cake as part of our Primary-wide Cooking and Nutrition module. As well as creating delicious food and learning about balanced diets and healthy eating habits, the children gained a valuable insight into the work and preparation that goes into producin

Nov 7, 2025 - Festive Season Starts. This week there has been a real buzz across campus as several special events, curriculum days and excursions took place. As the festive season approaches — a time of giving, receiving and coming together as family, friends, and our school community — we are delighted to be preparing for our first ever whole-school traditional Christmas dinner . Students can look forward to a festive feast with all the trimmings. Tables will be beautifully

Oct 31, 2025 — Honesty in Focus. This half term, we're focusing on the value of Honesty . 🦉✨ At Si Ri Panya, we have six core school values that shape our culture and guide our students as learners and citizens:💛 Community-Minded | 🌊 Balanced | 🦉 Honest | 🐢 Resilient | 🐘 Respectful | 🐯 Courageous Each half term, we explore one of these values in greater depth through assemblies, PSHE lessons, and everyday school life. This half term, students will be learning from Hone

Oct 17, 2025 - Traditions and Togetherness. As we prepare to pause for half term, it’s a lovely time to reflect on the many celebrations and traditions that take place around the world during the month of October. From Diwali , the Festival of Lights, to Samhain , the traditional Celtic festival originating in Ireland, this season reminds us of the rich diversity of cultures — and the many ways communities everywhere come together to celebrate light, change, and connection. D