Year 6 students step back in time for ‘Evacuation Day’ and Year 4 students put their coding skills to the test by programming Dash robots. Finally, find out how we celebrated World Soil Day!
The Christmas season hit STA hard last week and continues this week. Wherever you go in school, there are students dressed up in Christmas costumes on their way to perform in virtual Christmas concerts, that will be shortly uploaded online for all the community to enjoy at home. The students have worked so hard to deliver such fantastic songs in their music lessons. Most of these lessons have been as Google Meets, so to reach the high standard of performance they have managed is a true testament to our music department. Led by Ms Marie, the music department and ICT crew have all worked tirelessly to create such wonderful films. Of course, we should not forget the incredible effort of all our students across the school from Foundation Stage 1 to Year 6. Parents, you are all in for a Christmas treat when you get to see these fantastic videos!!
Year 6 students had the opportunity to step back in time last week by enjoying their ‘Evacuation Day’. Each child dressed up in clothes worn in 1940s Britain and imagined what it would have been like to have been a child living in London during World War 2 and having to be evacuated to the countryside, leaving family behind in the city. This is one of the best ways to experience history as it helps it come alive to the students by feeding their imaginations. The students also made code-breaking machines similar to those used in World War 2, used to crack codes of the enemy.
Another essential lesson this history exercise can teach our students is that people can come through difficult experiences and grow stronger as a result. The word resilience has been used a lot this year, but it truly is something we have experienced time and time again here at STA as the students, teachers, and parents have faced all the challenges that have been thrown at them this year and worked so hard to find a positive outcome.
Recently, Year 4 students put their coding skills to the test by programming Dash robots to follow a given course.
Ms Kiyomi, our Primary Japanese teacher, has been promoting World Soil Day here at Primary.
World Soil Day 2021 and its campaign "Halt soil salinization, boost soil productivity" aims to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the growing challenges in soil management, fighting soil salinization, increasing soil awareness and encouraging societies to improve soil health. The Late King of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was one of the founders of this important project.
Khun Joy, Head of Thai in Primary school, collaborated with the Year 4 Japanese students to understand what World Soil Day was and also to design a Soil Pot. Students then wrote messages on cards that were made by Khun Pee, a DT teacher in High School. The cards were created from recycled DT materials. Seeds were then planted in the soil pots. At Breaktime, the students gathered to show the rest of the Primary school what they had been doing and to raise awareness for the very good cause.
Thanks to Ms Kiyomi and all the students and staff involved!
Antigen Test Kits
Our twice-weekly ATK tests have played a big part in ensuring we are made aware of any potential COVID cases in our community as early as possible, so we are able to take precautionary measures while awaiting confirmation from PCR tests.
We have provided all families with ATK tests since students returned to school, and provided all students with another seven ATK tests - enough for the rest of this term and the first day of Term 2 - recently. Last week we shared details of a Group Purchase scheme that allows our families to purchase the same ATK tests that we use at a reduced price, with sets of 10 HIP Biotech Nasal Swab Antigen Test Kits on sale for only 550 Baht. This is enough tests to last through to the February half-term. If you would like to purchase these Antigen Test Kits, which would be delivered to your son/daughter on the first day of next Term, please place your order via Moodle.
NAE Parents Satisfaction Survey
As Mr Paul mentioned above, we ask that all parents complete the NAE Parents Satisfaction Survey. It will take no more than 10 minutes and is in a range of languages as well as English. The more families who complete it, the better the feedback and the more we can further improve the school to meet your families requirements better.
Farewell to some Staff and Students
On Friday, we will be saying farewell to some students and staff leaving us at the end of this term. Ms Marian, a Year 5 teacher, will be returning to the UK and we wish her all the very best in her next adventure along with all the students that are also leaving us at this time of year.
Everyone here at STA wishes our whole community a safe and restful break from school life next week. We also thank everyone in the community for their outstanding support during this most challenging of terms.
Mr Steve
Deputy Head of Primary
With the goal of providing meaningful help to the flood victims in the northern regions of Thailand, our entire community at St Andrews Bangkok came together to raise funds and donations for the affected families. In the span of a few short weeks, added to donations of food and clothing, we managed to raise an astounding total of 386,676.50 THB in donation funds. To all students, teachers, parents, and staff who participated in our efforts and contributed to this cause—thank you!
Last Friday, the STA Primary campus was transformed into a celebration of all things maths! The day was packed with engaging, hands-on activities across all year groups, making maths truly come alive for our students.
