Head's Lines: Loy Krathong, Studying in Australia, APEC, and Golf Awards

This week’s update starts with information about Loy Krathong and how we will celebrate this annual Thai festival at our school. I have two Year 12 students, Chiraag and Siraj to thank for this great article below…

Our Loy Krathong Festival

On Tuesday the 8th of November, St Andrews will be back celebrating our popular and exciting Loy Krathong festival in our school campuses. For those new to Thailand and St Andrews this year, Loy Krathong is an annual tradition here at St Andrews, and it’s a day where we celebrate one of Thailand’s oldest festivals. It’s a day where our school can embrace an important tradition of Thai culture, and where we can see all students, teachers, and staff dress up to do so. 

Loy Krathong is also a wonderful family celebration to give appreciation to the end of the rainy season. The celebration involves making krathongs with our families out of banana tree trunks and leaves, and decorating them with flowers, candles, and joss sticks. These are set sail on a river in the light of the full moon in hope that the family’s prayers and wishes for the future will be realised.

If you want to read more about the traditions of Loy Krathong, here’s a previous newsletter written by our Thai Department in our previous celebration of this water festival: “Loy Krathong: Water is Life”.

History of Loy Krathong

The history of Loy Krathong is based on a legend that travels all the way back to the 14th century within the Sukhothai Kingdom. Loy Krathong originated from an old Brahmin festival that paid respects to the water spirits. The festival was adapted in Thailand to also show respect to Buddha. The word 'krathong' refers to a small vessel or basket and 'loy' means to float.

Loy Krathong at Primary School

In our Primary School, we celebrate Loy Krathong with much excitement. Everyone in the community is encouraged to wear traditional Thai costumes on the day to help enjoy the spirit of the special occasion. On the day, there will be various activities for our students to enjoy! 

• There will be two assemblies in the Sports Hall, the first round takes place at 8:15 - 8:45 a.m. for Years 1 - 3 and the second round will be at 9:15 - 9:45 a.m. for Years 4 - 6. You can watch a livestream of the event via your Moodle account at http://stalive.standrews.ac.th/

• As Loy Krathong is part of Thai cultural celebration, the students will also have the opportunity to view a special performance of a Thai folktale about Phra Mae Khong-Kha who is the Goddess of water, Phaya Yasmin, the great Naga, and his longtime rival, Garuda, performed by a group of Primary students as well as students who have joined a Thai ECA dance club. The Loy Krathong song will be directed by Ms. Marie from the Music Department.

• As for krathong making, after break time Year 1 - 2 students will create their krathongs with support from our Year 6 students. The students of Years 3 - 6 will make their own krathongs in their classes with support from Thai teachers and other language teachers. Students are informed that they should bring their own cloth or recycled bags to keep their own handmade krathongs. This is done so we can help reduce the amount of waste and educate our students on global warming.

We hope you will have the time to enjoy the lovely Loy Krathong atmosphere with all children in the Primary School making their very own krathongs to take home and float that evening under the full moon with their families.

Loy Krathong at High School

In High School, we celebrate Loy Krathong through various activities to spread and strengthen understanding of our traditions. This year our seniors have collaborated with the Thai Department to organise some fun activities to do. Here is a good look of what the day will look like:

• During registration, students will watch a 5 minute presentation about the celebration of Loy Krathong; a video will be included which will explain what the festival is all about in more detail. 

• At break time, there will be a number of performances scheduled, including music from Thai bands. There will also be a Loy Krathong dance, which teachers and students are encouraged to join, helping to display a joyful STA community!

• From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on the day, there will be chances for students to make their own krathongs! This will be done for charity and all money raised will be given to an elephant foundation. You can find further information about this organisation and its journey to save the elephants here at this link 

 REMINDER: students should take their krathong home and not leave it at school!

Finally and most importantly we will be keeping our annual tradition here at St.Andrews and will be holding our annual competition for the best Loy Krathong outfit!

• Each form tutor will be selecting the student dressed with the best outfit in their class, which will be later voted on to decide the best dressed, with the WINNER receiving HOUSE POINTS! Everyone is encouraged to dress up and participate!

Careers and Higher Education Workshop: Studying in Australia

This Thursday 10th November there will be Careers and Higher Education Workshop: Studying in Australia. This presentation will be delivered by a representative from the Australian Embassy, as well as admissions officers from the University of Melbourne, the University of Adelaide and Macquarie University. It will take place in the Jo Adamson Theatre starting at 8:00 am until 9:30 am. This Workshop will include the following:

• An introduction to studying in Australia, including an overview of the education system, options available to STA students, visa requirements and working rights upon graduation; 

• An introduction to popular courses in Australia such as Business/Commerce, Medicine, Engineering and Psychology;

• A review of the application process and general entry requirements; 

• Guidance and tips on how you can help your child to prepare to submit applications to Australian universities.

If you are considering sending your son or daughter to study at universities in Australia, then it would be worth attending this workshop. Please complete this Google Form before Tuesday, 8th November. This event will also be livestreamed (stalive.standrews.ac.th) for those that cannot attend, and the recording will be shared shortly after the workshop for any who sign up. 

APEC Meeting 16th-18th November

As outlined in an email that was sent to the school community, our school is planning to stay open through the APEC conference scheduled from the 16th-18th of November. However, there will be no ECAs during this period and the parents are asked to pick up their children and take them home as soon as possible on each of these days so the school can be clear of everyone by 3.00pm. This will allow everyone to avoid congestion and delays resulting from conference events and road closures. 

Thank you for your support and understanding over this period as this important APEC conference is taking place in Bangkok.

Golf Awards

On Sunday 30th October, members of the Flames Golf Team entered the St Andrews Rayong Invitational at Green Valley in Rayong. All students played well and posted good scores. We even had TWO students finish on the podium at the Green Valley Rayon Competition:

• Peak placed second in the U11s Girls with a score of 94.

• Leely placed third in the U15s Girls with a score of 77. 

This was a fantastic achievement by both of our players, and everyone who attended this competition enjoyed it thoroughly. We look forward to the next tournament on Sunday 13th November hosted by ASB at their Green Valley campus.

For parents with enquiries, please contact support@standrews.ac.th. You can also call the Primary School directly at +66 2 381-2387-8 or the High School at +66 2 056-9555.