WELCOME TO YEAR 1
Dear Families,
On behalf of the Year 1 team at BISP, I am thrilled to welcome you and your child to our exciting year group! We know that starting Year 1 is a big step for both children and parents, and we are here to make the transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Your child has blossomed in Early Years, and we are eager to build upon their love of learning in a fun and stimulating environment. Year 1 offers a fantastic opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge across a wide range of subjects, from Reading, Writing and Maths to Science, History and Geography.
The Year 1 teachers have worked hard to plan exciting new topics that capture the children’s interests. Pirates, Fairytales and Time Travellers are just a few to name.
We understand that you may have questions about what to expect in Year 1. To help you and your child prepare, we have included some key information in this booklet.
We are incredibly excited to have you and your child join our Year 1 community. We look forward to getting to know you both better and embarking on a fantastic learning journey together.
Warm regards, The Year 1 Team
MEET THE YEAR 1 TEACHERS
Nora Bailey
Year 1 Teacher
Tom Richards
Year 1 Teacher
MEET THE YEAR 1 TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Miss Yanisa Chalapradith Teaching Assistant
Miss Kampu Nika Teaching Assistant
Miss Kesinee Wanna Teaching Assistant
PRIMARY LIBRARY
The Library is at the very heart of our school, and all classes will have a library session each week with Mrs Honey. Children will be inspired to develop a love for reading as they are exposed to an exciting range of texts.
Katie Honey Primary Teacher Librarian
INNOVATION
Children are naturally drawn to the "magic" of technology, where they can experience the thrill of instant results with just a touch of a button. The exciting and innovative use of technology led by our specialist innovation teacher, Mr Lucas gives the children an exciting opportunity to explore a wider use of technology both in their classrooms and when they visit the new Innovation Hub here at school. The children love the opportunity to use new applications, programme robotics and create their own technological projects. Skill development, collaboration, creativity, and digital literacy are just a few of the many benefits these innovation afternoons offer the children.
Ben Lucas Innovation Teacher
THE SCHOOL DAY
In Year 1, we enjoy welcoming all the children into school every day. They can drop their belongings off in their locker from 7.30 am and may stay in the classroom if it is raining. School starts at 7.50am. We make a prompt start to learning at 7.50am so please do make sure your child arrives at school in good time.
If you arrive at school late, please take your child to sign in on arrival at the Primary Office after 8.05am.
● Learning starts from 7.50am to 10.10am.
● Morning Break at 10.10am - 10.40am. (Snack in your year group, in class, during playtime.
● Lessons resume at 10.40am until Lunch.
● Lunch Break 12.10am to 1.05pm. All children eat a buffet style lunch in the refectory until 12.35pm then go out to play until 1.05pm.
● Lessons resume at 1.05pm until end of the school day at 2.35pm.
Absence from School
Parents are asked to email primary@bisphuket.ac.th before 7.30am if your child will be absent. All absences will be listed as unauthorised until notification is received.
Daily requirements - hats, book bags, water bottles
All children need to bring a hat and water bottle to school everyday. Book bags are brought into school on Mondays, for children to have their books changed.
AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Each term, there are a wide range of after school activities that the children can sign up for. These range from sports, arts and crafts, computer science and many more. Some activities run by outside providers have a fee, whereas activities run by class teachers are free.
After school activities begin from 2.45pm until 3.30pm. Teacher led activities are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with other paid activities running through the week.
In Year 1, children will be taken to the Teacher Led activities unless they are already in the Pod. Parents are asked to take their children to paid activities run by outside providers. There is no supervision on the Primary Playground after 2.30pm so please ensure that your child is actively supervised if they want to play in the playground at that time. If you are late collecting your child after school, they will be taken to the Primary Office. Please come there to collect them.
P.E. KITS
On days when your child has P.E. or Swimming, they should wear the P.E. uniform and sports shoes. On non-P.E. days, they should wear the school uniform with white socks and black shoes. A school uniform jumper can be used inside the classroom if your child gets cold easily. We ask that your child brings a spare set of school clothes which can stay in their bag in case of accidents. Please make sure you write your child’s name on all school clothes.
COMMUNICATION
We want to work in partnership with you so that together we can support your child throughout the coming year, and communication is key to that. Our main way of sharing information with you will be via Seesaw. Your class teacher will help you get signed up to the app. Seesaw allows us to send messages individually, or to all parents but it also gives you a window into your child’s school day as they share elements of their learning through Seesaw as well. We encourage you to comment on your child’s work and interact with the teacher's posts. You can also use Seesaw to contact your child’s teacher.
TECHNOLOGY DEVICES
Every child will be issued an ipad for use during the school day. This covers all computing requirements for Year 1. No children should be bringing phones, computers or smart watches into school. If these are seen, they will be confiscated and parents will be asked to come in to collect them.
BIRTHDAYS
We love to celebrate birthdays in Year 1. Please give the class teacher at least a few days’ notice and ask for a suitable time slot to bring in a treat for the children. Please ensure all food is nut free. If you are bringing cake, please provide plates, forks/spoons, a cutting knife and candles. For ease, we recommend cupcakes or doughnuts. Please,noindividualgiftbags.
HOMEWORK
In Year 1, the children have reading and Maths homework. For Maths, the children will have a Maths Practice Journal in order to consolidate what they have been learning in class. We ask that the children read for 10 minutes a day, Monday - Friday. Saturday and Sunday can be used to read for pleasure and enjoyment.
Oxford Owl
Oxford Owl will be essential in supporting your child's reading journey. Children should read their assigned book each week and complete the quiz. Your child will receive one physical book and one assigned book. The physical book in their book bag is meant for daily reading and is tailored to their independent reading level. The assigned book on Oxford Owl will be at their challenge level, making it slightly more difficult. Both are equally important.
NUMBOTS
We use NumBots to support the children’s understanding of number bonds and to help their addition and subtraction skills. The children will be shown how to log in at school and then will bring home a username label containing their unique login details, stuck into their Reading Diary. We ask that the children practise for 20 minutes minimum across the week.
EDUCATIONAL TRIPS
Our Term 2 topic, Amazing Animals, begins with an exciting visit to Aquaria at Central Mall. This immersive experience allows children to get up close with a fascinating variety of mammals, fish, and reptiles, sparking their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
I.T. SUPPORT and COUNSELLOR
These services are available for your use. You will find the IT Department and Counsellor Office on the ground floor of the Main Teaching Building (MTB). For further curriculum information, please contact your child’s teacher or visit the Primary section of the school website: https://www.bisphuket.ac.th/inspire-learning/primary/
CALENDAR
KEY TERM DATES
● Term 1: 18th August - 12th December 2025
● Mid Term Break: 14th - 18th October 2025
● INSET Day (School Closed) 20th October 2025
● Term 2: 5th January - 4th April 2026
● Mid Term Break: 16th - 20th February 2026
● INSET Day (School Closed) 23rd February 2026
● Term 3: 20th April - 19th June 2026
USEFUL LINKS
Parent Handbook Linked HERE
This handbook contains all the information you need about your child’s school experience.
Year 1 & 2 Curriculum Booklet Linked HERE
The Curriculum Booklet contains an overview of the BISP Year 1 and 2 curriculum.
Code of Conduct for Parents Linked HERE
We ask all community members to behave with Respect, Compassion and Integrity. Full details can be found in this code of conduct.
Parent Portal Login Page
Linked HERE
The parent portal can be accessed through the school website. It contains information only available to parents. You will need your account and password details to login.
Schools Buddy Linked HERE
SchoolsBuddy is where you need to book your child’s after school activities each term. You will need to use your child’s account to select activities. User account and passwords are required.
