Si Ri Panya News Highlights (issue 30)

Nicola Bunchuay
2 hours ago
6 min read

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 gives us the agility, warmth, and close-knit relationships that define our community. You can be small and still set the highest standards. This Gold award is a reflection of that determination.

The Wellbeing Award for Schools is based on extensive research and a whole-school framework designed to support positive mental health. Over the past eighteen months, our staff team has engaged thoughtfully and proactively with this process — reflecting on our strengths, documenting what we already do well, and identifying opportunities to enhance our practice even further. The award panel recognised the strong systems already in place, the clarity of our vision, and the depth of commitment shown across the school.

Our particular focus has been staff wellbeing. We know that when teachers feel supported, valued, and able to thrive, that sense of wellbeing flows directly into the classroom. It shapes happier learning environments, deeper relationships with students, and a greater sense of stability across the school. It also strengthens staff retention, which benefits families through continuity and consistency for your children.

But perhaps most importantly, wellbeing is not “complete” because we have earned a Gold award. This accreditation marks a milestone, not a finish line. We will continue to reflect, refine, and raise standards across all areas of school life. Wellbeing — for students, staff, and families — will remain one of the pillars that guides our decisions and our development.

Thank you to our remarkable staff team for their dedication, and to our families for always supporting our ethos. This achievement truly belongs to our whole community.

Ready, Steady ... Draw!

This week our older students did a fun Speed Drawing Challenge!

The students had one minute to sketch random objects from a spinning wheel - first as blind drawings, then shared partner drawings (two students holding one pen), followed by mouth-drawing and finally toe-drawing. A playful way to loosen up, build confidence, and practise observation through experimentation.

Careers Fair Inspires Year 8 and 9 Students

On Wednesday 26th November, we held our inaugural Careers Fair for Year 8 and 9 students — a wonderful opportunity for our young people to hear directly from professionals living and working on Koh Phangan. With Year 9 preparing to make their subject option choices, this event helped them explore how different qualifications and pathways can lead to meaningful and fulfilling careers.

Our guests represented a wide range of fields, each sharing honest and inspiring insights about their journeys, the choices they made, and the lessons they learnt along the way.

Andrea and Pan, co-owners of Zen Padel, spoke about careers in sport and the possibilities of building a business around something you truly love.

Shane, a Development Manager with experience across Africa and beyond, described his work supporting some of the world’s poorest communities, including projects such as building wells. He encouraged students to stay adaptable and keep updating their skills, sharing how he recently undertook a new business qualification. Alongside his humanitarian work, he has written books, produced music albums, and created films — a reminder that careers can take many shapes.

Lucky, a bamboo architect, captivated students with images of the eco-friendly structures he designs and builds on Koh Phangan, across Thailand, and internationally. He shared how much he values hands-on creative work and the joy of not spending all day at a computer.

Matteo explained that he initially trained in law to please his family, but after realising it wasn’t the right path for him, he explored a wide variety of roles — including the UN — before finding a way to fund and pursue his true passions. He now works on sustainable environmental projects on the island. He also became a firm favourite among students when they discovered he had once met Kim Kardashian — though he emphasised that fame and celebrity do not necessarily lead to happiness.

Fatima spoke about her advocacy work supporting young girls forced into marriage, as well as her unexpected journey into fashion journalism. She explained that although it wasn’t her dream job, it became an important stepping stone on the path toward achieving her goals.

After the presentations, students spent time speaking with each guest individually, asking thoughtful questions and exploring different routes into future careers. All our speakers commented on how polite, engaged, and curious our students were.

We extend our warmest thanks to all our guests for giving their time so generously. Their stories were inspiring, relatable, and engaging — and they offered our students a valuable glimpse into the many possibilities that lie ahead.

🎄 Christmas Learning Event – Only 12 Days to Go!

Our End of Term Christmas Learning Event is nearly here, and we’re looking forward to welcoming families on Wednesday, 10th December for music, creativity and festive fun.

This is just a gentle reminder — full event details were shared in Issue 27, and families can revisit everything there, including timings for each year group.

The music tracks for each class’s performance were also published in Issue 21. If your child would like to practise at home before the big day, you’ll find all the songs in that issue.

We can’t wait to celebrate the children’s learning together and enjoy this special tradition as a school community.

Marine and Scuba Club - Underwater Adventures!

Marine and Scuba Club is a new addition to our Secondary enrichment programme, and it is proving to be a popular choice! After several weeks learning about the science and skills needed for scuba diving, and the natural world under the waves, we finally got into the water to put it all into practice .

Safety is always the first priority in scuba, and we insist on high staff to student ratios, detailed briefings and plenty of practice of basic skills to make sure that everyone feels safe and comfortable. A very close second of course is having fun, and judging by the smiles at the end of our sessions, there has been plenty of that! The students all made fantastic progress, and we are hoping to take the next steps into the ocean in the new year. Watch out reefs, there are going to be some new fish in town!

Many thanks to both Phangan Beach Resort and the Mung Chai Hill complex for allowing us to use their pools for these sessions, and to Chaloklum Divers who provided staff - the ever-patient Mishi - and some of the equipment. All of these generous acts have allowed us to take these children on a fascinating journey into a new world which we hope will stay with them through life.

Key Dates at a Glance

Looking Ahead: Key events and special days for the school year are published on our homepage.

Parent Discussion Circle - every Friday
See Newsletter Issue 21 for full details
Links to our end of term event songs to practice at home
See Newsletter Issue 21 for full details
Get Caught Reading competition
See Newsletter Issue 22 for full details
Year 1 September 2026 admissions
See Newsletter Issue 26 for full details
End of Term Christmas Learning Event
See Newsletter Issue 27 for full details

Ongoing Weekly Reminders

Library Reminder: Please check at home for any lost books and return them to the Primary or Secondary library so everyone can enjoy them!

Bottle Cap Collection: We're collecting bottle caps for our Precious Plastic Project! Please bring your bottle caps to the collection point located inside the Primary school gate on the left. Secondary students can bring theirs to the Design and Technology Lab. Find out more about this exciting long-term project here: Precious Plastic Phangan Facebook.

Drop Off and Pick Up: Drop-off is at 8:30 am (not earlier). Pick-up times are 2:50 pm for Primary (or 4:00 pm if attending an ASA) and 4:00 pm for Secondary. Please be punctual, as some Primary children have been waiting up to 30 minutes after 2:50 pm, which can be distressing for them.

No Idling Zone: Help make the area outside our school a NO IDLING ZONE which means switching car engines off while you wait for your child. We appreciate your action for the environment and health of all.

Absence and Illness: Notify your child's class teacher (Primary) or form teacher (Secondary) directly to inform them of absence and sickness.

Head Lice Check: Continue to check your child's hair for head lice regularly and treat accordingly. Boys and girls with long hair need to tie it up.

Uniform Orders: Ensure your child wears the correct uniform each day. Uniform orders can be placed online: 🔗 Secondary Order Form 🔗 Primary Order Form

Healthy snacks: Healthy snacks only. No sweets, crisps/chips or cakes at break times. Birthdays are the exception and dealt with per class policy.