Recently, we held the final set of Graduation Ceremonies for the Class of 2021, an event filled with powerful farewell speeches, photographs, and emotions. There was a virtual welcome for Year 6 to the High School through a fantastic orienteering challenge. Finally, a big thank you, good luck, and goodbye to some of our staff and students leaving as they take on new challenges. 

Graduation 2021

On Tuesday last week, we held the second day of Graduation Ceremonies for the class of 2021.

We offered all of our Year 13 students, and their families, a choice of two different Graduation formats and two different dates, with students graduating either in small groups, with two guests, or in larger groups of students.

Those Graduation Ceremonies with a larger group of students included a speech, on behalf of the students in the Class of 2021, from one of our four Valedictorians, with this week’s Graduation Ceremonies including speeches from Bjorn and David, shown above.

Bjorn gave a very personal reflection on his journey through the IB Diploma Programme, ending by saying:

“Nothing is more important than your healthy personal relationships. Nothing. Not your goals, not money. Here is the reason: Relationships are where you get to influence, impact and change peoples lives. Your life cannot be meaningful without them.”

David’s speech was also very personal, reflecting on his fifteen years at St Andrews, and offering these words of advice to his fellow graduates:

“Stop comparing yourself to other people. As plain and clichéd as it may be, we live in an age where comparing our accomplishments has become so normalized. Remember that success is relative. Your version of success does not need to match other people’s version of success. You are all unique and capable individuals. Remind yourself and the people around you that each of us has different stories to tell and various dreams to pursue. Now is the time when we get the chance to define our version of success and happiness.”

You can watch sections from Bjorn and David’s speeches, and from Plat and Niya’s speeches from three weeks ago, in Thursday’s Awards Assemblies.

Welcome Year 7

On Friday afternoon, we virtually welcomed Year 6 to the High School, with welcomes from me, Mr Paul and Ms Georgia, time with their Year 7 Tutors and a Virtual Orienteering Challenge, in which they answered questions about the High School.

We look forward to welcoming all of our new Year 7 students, from both the Primary School and other schools around Bangkok and elsewhere, to the High School in August, and will plan a further opportunity for Year 7 students to visit the High School before the beginning of next term.

Thank you, Goodbye and Good Luck
We are all disappointed that we will not be able to have classes back on site to end the school year together, as we did last year.

I would like to thank all of the students and teachers for all of their hard work throughout the year, both in school and throughout the period of VSE, and also thank all the teachers for all the extra work that they have done preparing both School Assessed Grades for our Year 11 students’ (I)GCSEs and for the IB Diploma Programme non-exam route for our Year 13 students.

I would also like to thank you all, our parents, for all of your support throughout the year.

We are especially disappointed that we will not be able to say goodbye in person to those students and teachers who are leaving St Andrews at the end of this term. All High School classes will end the school year on Thursday afternoon with a virtual Awards Assembly, followed by time with their Tutor Group. Heads of Year will share the details of the Awards Assembly videos later this week, with all Awards Assemblies also available to watch again later.

I would like to wish all those students, and their families, who are leaving the school this week all the best for the future, and say a special thank you to those teachers and LSAs who will be leaving us.

While our teacher turnover is always low compared to most international schools, every year some teachers do leave the High School, for a variety of reasons, and this is especially true in a year like this. Thank you very much for everything that you have done, and good luck for the future, to Ms Abigail, Ms Ali, Ms Alia, Ms Anne, Ms Beverley, Ms Brenda, Mr Chris, Mr Dean, Mr Dex, Mr Hiren, Mr Johnny, Mr Lee, Mr Matt, Mr Mick, Ms Neha, Ms Simran, Dr Siona and Ms Steffi.

Please see Mr Paul’s Heads Lines for more about Ms Anna, Ms Brenda, Mr Mick and Dr Siona, who are all leaving St Andrews after more than 10 years, and Ms Shelley, who is stepping down from her role as Head of Faculty for the Creative and Performing Arts.

I hope that you all have a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday. I am already looking forward to the start of the new school year in August.