Si Ri Panya News | 2026–27 Issue 11
13 November 2026
Is It Wrong to Want to Win?
Ask a group of children what they want when they run onto a sports pitch, and I suspect very few will say, “To develop my resilience and teamwork skills.”
Most will say, quite simply, “To win.”
And why shouldn't they?
As adults, we can be so keen to reassure children that winning doesn't matter that we sometimes overlook something important. Wanting to win can be a very positive thing. It gives purpose to practising, encourages commitment and creates the excitement that makes competition so enjoyable.
But there is an interesting paradox at the heart of sport.
The very people we are trying to beat are also the people who make the game possible. Without an opponent, there is no contest, no challenge and no opportunity to discover how good we might become.
I think there is something rather valuable in that.
We can be fiercely competitive and deeply respectful at the same time. We can want to win without wishing others to fail. We can admire someone's skill even when they are playing against us.
And perhaps this is where adults have an important part to play. Rather than teaching children that winning doesn't matter, we can help them understand that how we compete matters just as much as the result.
I want our pupils to experience the satisfaction of working hard towards a goal, the excitement of competition and the pride of a well-earned victory. But I also want them to recognise the contribution of the person standing on the opposite side of the pitch.
After all, winning is wonderful. Learning to win well is something quite different.
Have a lovely weekend.
Year 7 Learn Essential First Aid Skills
Knowing what to do in an emergency is an important life skill, and one that could make a real difference when it matters most.
This week, Year 7 explored the basic principles of First Aid, starting with one of the most important steps: knowing when and how to call for help.
Pupils also learnt about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and had the opportunity to practise chest compressions using our classroom CPR training mannequin.
Learning these skills helps pupils understand how to respond in an emergency, while building their confidence and awareness of how they might help others.
We hope they never need to put these skills into practice, but knowing what to do could one day help save a life!
Year 9 Discovering Their Strengths
Understanding our own strengths, interests and preferences is an important life skill, especially when thinking about future pathways.
Year 9 took part in a variety of activities designed to help them discover what they enjoy, what comes naturally to them and what they find more challenging.
From making dog toys and juggling balls to solving puzzles, pupils explored a range of practical and creative tasks. They also visited Primary classes to teach younger pupils a new game, rewrote a story in modern language and researched the person featured in their puzzle before presenting their findings.
Next lesson, pupils will reflect on their experiences and discuss what they discovered about themselves. It should make for some interesting conversations!
This is also excellent preparation for next week's Careers Fair, where pupils will meet people from a range of professions, discover how they found their career paths and have the opportunity to ask questions about working life.
Who knows? They may discover a strength or interest that helps shape their future!
🌼 Reminder: Year 1 Admissions – September 2027
Year 1 admissions are now open for children who will be five years old by 31 August 2027.
Current Si Ri Panya families: Register now for our November sibling-priority pre-assessments. Sibling priority applies to November only.
New families: Expressions of interest are welcome, with school tours available now and group pre-assessments taking place in January 2027.
📧 To register your interest or book a tour, contact admissions@siripanya.com.
Key Dates at a Glance
Secondary Careers Fair - 18-Nov
Primary End of Term Performance 8-Dec
Bugsy Malone - Secondary Drama Performance 29 & 30 April
View all important school dates and events for 2026–27 on our homepage.
Scholastic Book Club – Orders Close 20 November
Don’t forget that our latest Scholastic Book Club is now online at https://world-schools.scholastic.co.uk/si-ri-panya/digital-book-club. There are hundreds of fantastic children’s books to choose from, and every $1 you spend on this month’s Book Club will earn 20¢ for our school in Scholastic Rewards.
Please place your order online by November 20th, 2026.
🌟 Weekly Reminders
🚗 Drop-off & Pick-up
Drop-off: from 8:30 a.m.
Primary pick-up: 2:50 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. for ASA
Secondary pick-up: 4:00 p.m.
Please be punctual.
🤒 Absence
Please inform your child’s class teacher (Primary) or form tutor (Secondary) if they are absent or unwell.
👕 Uniform
Please ensure your child wears the correct uniform each day.Primary Order Form | Secondary Order Form
🍎 Healthy Routines
Please send healthy snacks only, check regularly for head lice, and keep long hair tied back.
📖 Library Books
Please return any school library books to the Primary or Secondary library.
🎂 Birthdays
Primary birthdays (Years 1–6) are celebrated on Fridays at 2:00 p.m. during Enrichment Time. Secondary birthdays (Years 7–11) are celebrated during tutor time.
♻️ Bottle Caps
We continue to collect bottle caps for our Precious Plastic Project. Collection point: outside the Primary gate.Find out more about the Precious Plastic Project
🌬️ No Idling
Please switch off engines while waiting outside school.
📘 Family Handbook
For full school guidance, routines and expectations, please refer to our Primary and Secondary Family Handbooks.
Si Ri Panya News — Previous Issues
Explore earlier issues of Si Ri Panya News via our school blog archive.
