Head’s Lines: STA makes a Splash

Head’s Lines: STA makes a Splash Term 2 draws to a close with our traditional Songkran alms offerings, assemblies and water play. We look back at another fantastic Book Week and parents are reminded that the Raffle Draw, postponed from Fun Day, takes place this Friday.

Term 2 draws to a close with our traditional Songkran alms offerings, assemblies and water play. We look back at another fantastic Book Week and parents are reminded that the Raffle Draw, postponed from Fun Day, takes place this Friday.

What another great week with so much going on in school.

Primary Book  Week

Congratulations to everyone in the Primary School who really raised the bar with a fantastic Book Week with so to enjoy each day. There were many highlights throughout the week but, as always, I did enjoy the Book Character Parade on Friday.

Lots of prizes were on offer for the hard work that the children put into the many different reading, writing and art activities that took place throughout Book Week.

Special thanks go to our author, Karin Littlewood. She really enjoyed the special atmosphere and the wonderful enthusiasm of all the different age groups she worked with throughout the week and the children really enjoyed seeing how her illustrations brought her stories to life.

High School

Last Thursday there were some fantastic individual performances from our Year 12 Theatre Arts students in the auditorium at High School. They had each studied a different style of performer and used the work they had studied as a stimulus for the work they interpreted. There were some extremely thought-provoking interpretations and the audience was asked to shared their experiences during each piece to help the actors understand how their work had affected them. It was a very enjoyable experience.

Also on Thursday, before the Year 7 Parents’ Evening, Year 7 students performed three pieces of music in the Atrium that they had been working on this year. Since virtually everyone in Year 7 plays one of a wide range of musical instruments, it was an impressive sight and an excellent performance for such a large orchestra.

Songkran Festival

Songkran Festival is one of the fun Thai national holidays. It is known as the water festival and marks the beginning of the Thai New Year. It is celebrated between 13 and 16 April during the hottest season when schools in Thailand are closed. Just as the traditional Thai New Year is recognised and celebrated throughout the country, St Andrews will have its celebration on Friday 5th April just before we break for the end of term holiday.

We ask that all children come to school wearing a Songkran shirt on this day. These brightly coloured, flowery shirts are currently available in all supermarkets and local markets. We would also encourage staff and parents to wear flowery, colourful shirts which can be bought from local markets nearby the school. For example, you may find many inexpensive Songkran shirts at Tesco Lotus and other supermarkets.

The day will start by offering alms to monks. Students not taking part in the almsgiving may remain with their year group. This will be followed by a Songkran assembly.  In the afternoon, the students may take part in some water play on the field. Please note that water guns are not allowed for water play. Instead, we will provide a small cup for the students to use. All the students should bring a towel to dry off with a complete set of clothes to change into on Friday for the water play.

Songkran Schedule for Primary School

Before school all Foundation Stage and Y1-Y3 students should leave their offerings on the marked table.  Please label all bags clearly. Y4-Y6 students should take their offerings to their classrooms.

Please find the schedule of Songkran celebration below.

The day will be organised slightly differently to previous years so please read the following schedule carefully if you plan to join us for the ceremony.