Si Ri Panya News Highlights (issue 54)
- 10 hours ago
- 6 min read
July 3rd - Familiar Faces, New Beginnings
There is a lovely feeling in school at this time of year.
Children are beginning to look ahead. They are wondering about their next classroom, their next teacher and what it will feel like to be a little older, a little more independent, and ready for the next stage of school life.
Next week, Primary children will take part in transition sessions, spending time in their new classrooms and getting to know the teachers who will be supporting them in September. These small steps help children feel familiar, prepared and confident before the new academic year begins.
We are also very pleased to share that, across the school, we are not saying goodbye to any members of our Primary teaching team, Secondary teaching team, Thai teaching team, office team or auxiliary staff.
Every school year brings change, and change can be a good thing. It brings fresh energy, new relationships and new opportunities. This year, we are fortunate to have that sense of new beginning alongside strong continuity.
For children, familiar adults matter. Being known and understood helps them feel ready to learn, grow, try new things and take their next steps. We believe this continuity reflects the culture we are continuing to build at Si Ri Panya: a school where staff feel supported, where wellbeing matters, and where adults enjoy working together for the children in their care.
In Secondary, our team is also continuing and growing. As the school expands into Years 10 and 11, with students beginning their IGCSE examination and BTEC pathways, we are strengthening our specialist teaching team and welcoming two additional full-time members of staff.
Families can read more about our teams here:
Continuity and growth do not always arrive together. This year, they do — and that gives us a strong foundation as we prepare for the new academic year.
Year 3's Football World Cup Breakfast: Switzerland vs. Algeria!
On Friday, Year 3 enjoyed a Football Breakfast, where they watched the Switzerland vs. Algeria match while savoring delicious pastries and homemade pancakes.
Thank you to parents for bringing food in! The children have been learning all about different countries competing in the tournament, the cultures, foods and languages of each team.
By following the World Cup and learning about various countries and cultures, they developed an appreciation for being part of an international school. Much like the footballers, they come from diverse parts of the world and bring their own unique cultures to enrich our school community.
They also learned about team work, collaboration and relationships and how they work between people with very different backgrounds.
If you didn't see the match and would like to know, the score was 2-0 to Switzerland!
International Day and Year 9 Fashion Show
International Day has become a firm favourite in the Secondary calendar, and we went bigger and better this year! This event is a chance for students to share what they love about their culture, including games, history, languages, music ... and of course, food and drink!
It is always a pleasure to learn about and celebrate the many unique cultures in our school community, and this event brings so many great experiences and memories together. Where else on our island can you enjoy a truly British cup of tea (dunking optional!), learn how to write in Hebrew, taste a Kazakhstani grandmother's beloved recipe, play a game of French petanque, enjoy Ukrainian and Russian specialities, sip on delicious Thai tea and German soft drinks, dance to songs close to the hearts of citizens from five continents, and so much more - all in one venue?!
This year we had an additional treat - a fashion show by Year 9 demonstrating their creativity and expressing their unique styles through bespoke lab coats created using natural printing.
Many thanks to the students themselves who organised this event; to the parents and Primary students who popped in to join the celebration; and to the teachers to who gave advice when it was asked for - I think it's safe to say that a great time was had by all!
Secondary Enrichment - The Leftover Challenge
As a way to show how well their independent living skills have developed over the year, the last activity in the Cooking & Life Skills enrichment is the Leftover Challenge. Students go through items that are in the Food Tech room cupboards and freezer which need to be used up, and create their own meal plans using only those items plus one item that they can add to create a balanced meal. We are so proud of what they can do with ZERO intervention from the teacher - and we are reassured that once they leave us, these students won't be living on instant noodles and 7/11 hot sandwiches! Watch our young cooks in action HERE.
Join Us for Giving Back Week
As part of our end of term activities, Secondary will spend next week involved in a series of activities in school and in the local community. The activities are all ideas presented by the students themselves for ways in which we can appreciate and support our wonderful community - by Giving Back to the community that gives us so much.
As well as fundraising activities for causes chosen by the students, we will also be taking direct action - and we would welcome your help! On Tuesday we will be working with ARRI Thailand and Trash Hero Koh Phangan to clean the beach in Ban Tai, followed by an upcycling workshop. Anyone who can join us for the beach clean would be more than welcome - let's see if we can leave Ban Tai beach as clean and beautiful as we always love to imagine it!
WHERE - meet on the beach outside Ban Sabai Bar in Ban Tai (Google Map pin HERE)
WHEN - Tuesday 7 July at 9.15 to 9.30 (depending on how slowly children walk from school!)
WHAT TO BRING - bring a hat and water in case it is hot. We will bring gloves and bags for everyone, but of you have your own do bring them too.
Give Pre-Loved Toys a New Home!
As part of Giving Back Week, we are making quality printed clothing to donate to the Burmese community on our island. We also thought that this would be a great opportunity to find a new home for the many toys that people may have at home, which have been much loved but now outgrown.
If you have any toys that are in a good condition and would be ready for a new home, please give them to your child to bring in or drop them off yourself to T. Jeanne or the office staff. It could make another child very happy!
Reminder: School Uniform & Equipment Pre-Orders — Deadline 15 July
A reminder that Term 1 school uniform and equipment pre-orders are now open.
Families who would like to order uniform or selected equipment from the School Shop should complete the relevant form by 15 July to help ensure items are ready for the start of Term 1.
Pre-order forms
Families who are unsure about sizes are welcome to visit the School Shop during term time, 08:30–16:00.
Once orders are ready, families will receive an email. Items will then be bagged and available for collection and payment from the School Shop.
Students moving into Secondary guidance: School Shop Items, Parent-Sourced Requirements & School-Supplied Resources
Leaps & Beats Holiday Camp
Full details were shared in Issue 51.
♻️ Upcycling Uniforms Donation Reminder
Full details were shared in Issue 51.
Ticket Reminder
Full details were shared in Issue 48.
Key Dates at a Glance
Looking Ahead: Key events and special days for the school year are published on our homepage.
SRP Music Academy
See Newsletter Issue 35 for full details
Primary End of Term Event
See Newsletter Issue 48 for full details
Primary Term 1 After-School Activites
See Newsletter Issue 50 for full details
Upcycling Uniforms Initiative
See Newsletter Issue 51 for full details
Weekly Reminders
🎂 Birthdays: Primary birthdays (Years 1–6) are celebrated every Friday at 2:00 p.m. during Enrichment Time. Secondary birthdays (Years 7-11) are celebrated during tutor time.
📖 Library Books: Please check at home for any school library books and return them to either the Primary or Secondary library.
♻️ Bottle Cap Collection: We’re collecting bottle caps for our Precious Plastic Project. Collection point outside the primary gate. Find out more about this exciting long-term project here: www.siripanya.com/precious-plastic-project
🐞 Head Lice Checks: Please check your child’s hair regularly and treat if needed. Children with long hair (boys and girls) should keep it tied up.
👕 Uniform Orders: Please ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform each day. Uniform orders can be placed online:🔗 Secondary Order Form 🔗 Primary Order Form
🍎 Healthy Snacks: Healthy snacks only at break times. No sweets, crisps/chips or cakes.
🚗 Drop-off & Pick-up:
• Drop-off: from 8:30 a.m. only
• Pick-up:
– Primary: 2:50 p.m. (or 4:00 p.m. for ASA)
– Secondary: 4:00 p.m.
Please be punctual, as some children have been waiting for extended periods.
🌬️ No Idling Zone: Please switch off engines while waiting outside school to support a healthier environment for all.
🤒 Absence & Illness: Please notify your child’s class teacher (Primary) or form tutor (Secondary) if they are unwell or absent.
Si Ri Panya News Highlights — Previous Issues
Explore earlier issues of Si Ri Panya News Highlights via our school blog archive.
