Si Ri Panya News | 2026–27 Issue 6
2 October 2026
Fostering a Sense of Belonging This Term
Five weeks into the new school year, routines are established, friendships are taking shape and pupils are beginning to find their place within their classes and the wider school community.
That sense of belonging is about much more than feeling comfortable. It grows as children discover what they enjoy, recognise their strengths, learn when to ask for help and begin to understand how they learn best.
As the term progresses, pupils are building on what they already know, responding to feedback and gradually taking greater responsibility for their own learning. For our older students especially, independence, organisation and understanding how to manage their own progress become increasingly important.
The journey naturally looks different in Primary and Secondary. A Year 1 pupil finding the confidence to read a new word and a Year 10 student taking responsibility for an IGCSE course may be at very different stages, but both need to feel that school is somewhere they are known, supported and able to grow.
Ultimately, we want our pupils to enjoy learning, to feel motivated by what they are discovering and to know that they belong.
Because when children feel that they matter and that they have a place within their community, they are much more able to flourish.
From Fallen Leaves to Feathered Friends
This week, among other things such as English and Maths, Science, History and Geography — and our Cambridge Baseline tests — Year 2 have been making birds out of fallen leaves.
This creative task combines art and child-initiated learning, helping our younger pupils identify bird anatomy and think more closely about the unique features of these colourful, songful little creatures.
Students also loved foraging for their own materials and enjoyed the tactile experience of working with crisp, crunchy fallen leaves.
A Taste Adventure in Year 1
This week, our lively Year 1s — the youngest pupils at Si Ri Panya — explored the five basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami.
Judging by the facial expressions below, much fun was had as pupils encountered some strongly contrasting flavours!
From tangy sour lemon to sweet marshmallow, the activity gave children a memorable way to think about taste and how our senses help us experience food.
Next time you are eating together, see how many of the five tastes your child can identify.
Learning Through Play and Inquiry
Elsewhere this week, Year 1 took their learning outside to create a water track as part of Child-Centred Learning.
This approach gives pupils more space to explore ideas, ask questions and test out their own thinking, with teachers guiding and facilitating rather than leading every step.
The activity also gave pupils a chance to put their teamwork and collaboration skills into practice as they planned, built, tested and adjusted their water track together.
Bottle Cap Challenge!
We are excited to launch a special Bottle Cap Challenge as part of our school’s Precious Plastic programme! Over the next two weeks, we are challenging students to collect as many plastic bottle caps as possible and bring them into their class.
Every bottle cap counts, and students can bring caps from home, friends, family and the wider community. The caps will be collected and weighed, with the class that collects the greatest weight of plastic winning a special prize before we break up for half term!
The competition will run until October 15th, so there is plenty of time to start collecting. So, start saving those bottle caps, spread the word and let’s see which class can make the biggest contribution to our Precious Plastic programme!
Big Readers, Little Readers
This week, Year 5 and Year 1 came together for another Reading Buddies session.
Our older pupils took on the role of reading partners, helping their younger buddies with phonics, listening to them read and sharing favourite stories of their own.
What makes these sessions special is that both year groups gain something from them. Younger pupils build confidence with reading, while older pupils practise patience, encouragement and responsibility.
And somewhere in the middle, friendships grow around books.
Year 7 Fitness Testing
In Secondary PE, students are learning about the importance of warm ups before exercise and about the importance of keeping their bodies fit and healthy.
As well as keeping fit, they've learnt how to read their pulse, and completed various fitness tests which tests stamina, cardio health and serve to promote lifelong positive and healthy relationships, positively impacting their wellbeing.
The Stone Age in History - Making Fire!
Year 7 had a go at creating friction fire by rubbing sticks together as part of our unit studying the change from the paleolithic age to the neolithic age, known as the Stone Age.
We certainly created heat, but we soon understood that without any tinder to actually catch alight, our efforts would be useless.
Budding Drummers!
We recently acquired our new acoustic drum set, and this week, some of the students have had the chance to get behind the kit and make some noise!
We are incredibly excited by the prospect of our bright young musicians getting the chance to take to the Si Ri Panya stage to demonstrate their drum skills!
⏰ A quick reminder: morning drop-off begins at 8:30am.
Please do not drop children at school before 8:30am. School begins at 9:00am.
Back by Popular Demand: Chess and Jewellery Clubs
Two much-loved clubs are returning — with one exciting addition for our younger pupils.
Junior Chess Club ♟️
Our Thursday chess group has become so popular that we are opening a new Monday group for younger players in Years 1–4, led by Teacher Simon.
Starting Monday 5 October, children will be able to learn the game, build confidence and develop their skills. As they progress, they will have the opportunity to move up into our established Thursday chess group.
Jewellery Club ✨
Also returning is Little Fon’s very popular Jewellery Club for pupils in Years 2–6.
From Thursday 29 October, children will once again be designing and making their own jewellery — choosing colours, beads and charms and turning their ideas into something they can actually wear and take home.
Full details and sign-up information can be found on our After-School Activities page.
Key Dates at a Glance
Halloween Costume Celebration 30-Oct
View all important school dates and events for 2026–27 on our homepage.
🌟 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.
