The Head of Primary writes…“Remember…”

Dear all,

I remember, when I first arrived at Bangkok Prep and had an initial look around. What I remember from then, and what I see today, are two totally different things. The school has moved on tremendously, in every aspect of an International School community. I remember so many great events, too many to list. However, I remember this term alone, we have already had: our new staff induction; new family orientation days; staff team building and INSET days; day trips; residentials; performances; many, many parent workshops and parent information sessions; curriculum specialist presentations; celebrations including Diwali; Halloween; Wai Kru ceremony; we elected our Student Council and Head Boy, Head Girl and their deputies; Parent Evenings; a Year 6 Transition event to T77; Key Stage 1 Sports Day and Evacuation and Lockdown drills. On top of all these events, which seem endless, all staff and families have had their visas successfully renewed! Well done, everyone!

Moving forward, and speaking of remembering, I hope you are all looking forward to Internationally Minded Week, where we will begin with our Primary Remembrance Service on Monday 11^th November followed by Loy Krathong celebrations in the first few days. During our Primary Remembrance Service, we will be having a 1 minute silence at 11:00 on both campuses. Listen out for the Last Post played over the PA system this year. Poppies are on sale in the Primary office and via the Student Council in the Undercroft. Last year, our school managed to raise more funds than any other school in Thailand! Can we do it again this year?

I am delighted to announce that Parents are invited to our Loy Krathong celebration on Wednesday 13 November in our sports hall (13:25-13:55). To attend, parents are invited to wear traditional Thai costumes as are the staff and children. This is one of our non-uniform days (provided Thai costume is worn). Throughout the week, we will of course be studying facts from around the world related to Internationally Mindedness which is our Value of the Month for November. Loy Krathong Day is one of the most popular festivals of Thailand, celebrated annually on the Full-Moon Day of the Twelfth Lunar Month. It takes place at a time when the weather is fine as the rainy season is over and there is a high water level all over the country. The word “Loy” means “to float”, and “Krathong” means lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. Loy Krathong is, therefore the floating of an illuminated leaf bowl. But nowadays some krathongs are made of coloured paper. A krathong usually contains a candle, three joss sticks, some flowers and coins. We will be having our celebration on Wednesday 13 November at 13:25 in the Sports Hall and Parents are most welcome (again, providing you are wearing a traditional Thai Costume)!

Throughout Internationally Minded Week, Year Groups will be studying their own aspects of Internationally Minded week which include Nursery’s focus on the theme of ‘birthdays’ and how different children celebrate birthdays around the world; Y1 will be studying different Indian festivals throughout the week including Diwali and Halloween festivals; and Year 4 will have a focus on Italy. The International Day Parade is on Friday morning at 08:00 followed by the Farmers Market where children will be able to sample foods from around the world. The food will be provided by parents who have volunteered to represent their own countries.

Finally, I am attending the FOBISIA Leadership Conference in China this weekend and will return on Monday with all the exciting news for leadership within our FOBISIA network of schools.

Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy every minute of it.

Kind regards

Brad Owen

Head of Primary