As we approach the final three weeks ofTerm 1, the breadth and depth of events, activities and learning is so great that it is difficult to encapsulate it in this edition.
I would like to highlight the fabulous Music Challenge Day which involved making instruments, bucket drumming, exploring different musical genres, open mic singing, composing music, a junk band, music Blooket quizzes, chinese songs and also a vast array of solo, duets and band performances. It was a wonderful day, celebrating our international mindedness and our personal qualities to full effect! Parents in Year 5-8 will have also received letters regarding the opportunity for your child to learn the flute, clarinet and saxophone from Term 2. Our hope is to expand our musical provision so that we can eventually have our very own school band(s).
Thank you to those parents that completed the communications survey that was sent a couple of weeks ago. 82% responded that our communications were very/fairly clear and accessible; 90% that our communications are very/fairly timely; 87% were supportive of our communications whilst on trips; and 98% agreed that we have a very/fairly 'open door' policy. Although we appreciate this positive feedback, we also appreciate your feedback with ideas about how we can communicate even better, which included a collation and overview of key events and deadlines, with section and subscribable calendars. Email, WhatsApp and the BiWeekly were the preferred platforms of communication, again with some really useful ideas for improvement in these areas. Following further feedback from staff, I will produce a set of communication guidelines, which will clearly outline the platforms we will use and for what purpose, with clarity on timelines and expectations. Please find in this BiWeekly, and on our website, the term dates for the 2025/6 academic year.
We are now beginning to organise the FOBISIA events we would like to run this year. which were communicated with parents last week ; please do look out for individual emails from event leaders. This will include a very recent opportunity for our Year 7 and 8 children to participate in the Under 13 Games near Bangkok.
Have a lovely weekend.
Best Wishes,
Brian, SLTand all of our staff.
UPCOMINGEVENTS
SchoolAcademic Calendar 2024-2025
SchoolAcademic Calendar 2025-2025
Parent Events Calendar
The EarlyYears children got together everyday to learn a different Nursery Rhyme. We finished the week with a performance in the hall for Years one and two. Well done to all of the children for showing confidence and adaptability and being great communication hornbills.
The Great Year 2 Sewing Bee
This half term Year 2 have been busy learning about jobs. We have now become fashion designers as we design and create workwear for a teddy.
First we examined the materials to see which would be best for our chosen professions. After that, we designed any features the waistcoat may need, such as pockets or reflective strips.
We each drew around our teddy to create a template for the waistcoats. Lots of resilience was needed as we tried to learn different stitching techniques. Stayed tuned for the end product!
Year 3 Persuasive Writing Exit Point
Year 3 have been busy perfecting the art of persuasion. Parents, be warned!
The children have been learning how to persuade effectively by using language features, such as imperative verbs, boastful language and repetition.
Mr. Brian received lots of persuasive letters from Year 3, trying to convince him to let them go to Panaga Club for breakfast as a celebration of all their hard work. They were successful, and thoroughly enjoyed their time at the club on Thursday!
“We
are depleted from all our hard work, and we need a rest at Panaga Club”
“Going to the club can be a reward for all our hard work.”
“99% of scientists believe that a breakfast buffet makes children very strong”
“We were brave enough to do our assembly, and we surprised our parents and amazed the children. We need to go to the Club.”
“How would you feel if you worked so hard and didn’t get a chance to celebrate your hard work?”
“I am fed up having breakfast with my mum, dad and brother every day. I want to eat breakfast with my friends.
ANT (Additional Needs Team) ANT News
Hello Families,
My name is Nicola Crompton and I’m the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) here at Panaga, having joined in August. I’m joined in the team by Miss Pippa and Miss Katya, as well as our fantastic ANT Learning Support Assistants.
As the SENDCo, I liaise closely with class and subject teachers, as well as our pastoral team to ensure that students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those learning English are supported effectively within school. My role includes overseeing the identification and assessment of students with additional needs, coordinating appropriate interventions, and ensuring that students needs are met through tailored support strategies.
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s needs or questions about our provision, please feel free to get in touch with me. You can contact me directly via email at nicolacrompton@panagaschool.net.
Music Challenge Day
On Tuesday 12th November the Whole School took part in Music Challenge Day.
We took part in some great activities, bucket drumming, instrument making and moving to different Musical genres.
We worked in House Colour teams in Rampayoh. We earned house points for our team when demonstrating the Personal Qualities.
Mendaram
Rampayoh
Music Challenge Day
Rampayoh
We had fun with a Musical Blooket quiz, composed our own music on the computer, open mic singing and made a fantastic junk band, so much creativity!
Teraja
All the classes in Teraja and Melilas played a music Blooket
Congratulations to RampayohYellow House who earned the most house points thisYear!
Music Challenge Day
Our talentedYear 5 and 6 students delivered a wonderful teaching and performance about a chinese songs.
Our talentedYear 7 and 8 students shared their collective experiences, teaching each other and showcasing their talents in assembly.
As part of our rainforest geography unit, theYear 8 children conducted an inquiry into the shopping habits of members of our community. After asking 60 Panaga residents a range of shopping-related questions, the children analysed and presented the data they had collected. Here are some of the children’s findings.
The positive news included the following:
● 100% of the respondents take reusable shopping bags to the supermarket.
● Around two-thirds of the participants buy locally grown vegetables.
● 87% of people who took part in the survey would be willing to pay extra for eco-friendly products. The mode average percentage parents were prepared to pay was 10% extra.
● Recycling is a common activity for 63% of respondents.
Although theYear 8 children felt the participants have good sustainable shopping habits, there were some areas of concern. These were as follows:
● Nearly half of the survey’s participants regularly buy fruit grown abroad. TheYear 8 children would encourage members of the community to be more sustainable in this regard by buying more locally grown fruit whenever possible in order to reduce their carbon footprint.
● 95% of participants eat meat. As rainforests are being cut down for cattle farming, theYear 8 children recommend eating less meat and trying other food sources for protein. Moreover, rainforests are destroyed to grow soybeans, which are used primarily to feed chickens. Eating food made from soybeans directly would have a number of benefits, such as providing a valuable source of protein, reducing the loss of energy which occurs when chickens eat soybeans and then humans eat chickens and making more food available for people around the world.
● Only a quarter of the respondents buy second-hand clothes from local charity shops. The Year 8 children suggest paying a visit to the NAAFI thrift shop, which has a wide range of quality items at low prices.
● The mean average number of the United Nation’s sustainable development goals known by the participants was four. One survey respondent knew all 17 goals. TheYear 8 children recommend learning some more of the goals by visiting this websitehttps://sdgs.un.org/goals
TheYear 8 children would like to thank everyone who took part in the survey and for their commitment to sustainable shopping practices.
Express yourself day!
On the 1st of November, we celebrated Express Yourself Day. This event was organisedbytheSchoolCouncilaspartof their fundraising initiative. This enabled children to express themselves, their creativityandevencareeraspirations.
We managed to raise a fantastic 262 BND. This money will be used to buy breaktime equipment and materials. It is great to have student voice and leadership at the heart of these events.
by Melilas School Council
Reception Year Group Singing
This week, our Reception class took to the stage for a lively singing assembly. The highlight? A very energetic rendition of BabyShark, with some moves that even BabyShark would be proud of. The crowd was also treated to a quick rendition of Choo Choo Peanut Butter. It was a colourful, joyful display of enthusiasm (and a few funky dance moves) that left everyone smiling. Our little stars are definitely ready for Broadway—almost.
Year Group Singing Scan for Video
Scan for Video
Year 2 Group Singing
The Year 2 children sang the very catchy and uplifting ‘Get Back Up Again’ from the Trolls movie.
Truth be told, they were so exhausted at the end that they did not get back up again…for a few seconds at least. Bravo Year 2! You were awesome!
#BuildToGive
For many of us it is the season for giving. Lego has a great campaign called BuildToGive. For every heart built by a child or adult, Lego will donate a box of Lego to a child in need around the world. Simply build the heart and post it on social media with #BuildToGive. In NTC, we have been busy building hearts to support this fantastic campaign.
If you have built a heart, could you send it to me please stephaniestraatman@ panagaschool.net
Cees
Moos
Pranshi
Lenny
Mila
Nolan Nia
Tarasha
Moos & Lenny
Lego hearts created by Eco-School and Mendaram students
Lego hearts created by Eco-School and Mendaram students
Lenny
Simon
Romaan
Zachary
All things Maths
Winner winner chicken dinner.
Well done to Ryan and Hoon for answering Biweekly issue 168 Maths question correctly
All things Maths
How to study for Mathematics Exams or any test? Here are some handy tips:
What works for you? Share with everyone
• Organise your study space. Make it neat and tidy
• Organise with your friends to meet up and study somewhere different like the library
• Find a quiet area to study away from any distractions such as the television
• Practise old papers
• Make flashcards/palm cards
• Use your mobile phone to record yourself reading out passages, rules, definitions of key terms etc
• Pretend due date is one week ahead of real due date
• Get rid of distractions such as your phone
• Use your phone as a reward. Study for 1 hour=Use phone for 10 minutes
• Explain your answers to others
• Take regular breaks
• Be Consistent and chip away at your assignments and revision
• When is the best time of the day for you to study?
• Go for a walk, a ride, a swim, hit of tennis to break up your study times
• Write your own revision questions
U11s BJSL Athletics @JIS
Over 30 students woke up at 5.30am to take the long and arduous journey to JIS for the U11s BJSL Athletics. Events such as sprinting, long jump, Javelin, Quoit throw, shot putt and 800m were put to the test as our boys and girls represented the school with effort and gusto. Many of our students performed superbly with lots picking up individual honours. The Panaga Coaching Team on the day were hugely proud of their considerable efforts, and many congratulations needed to be paid. The girls squad finished 2nd narrowly, and the boys finished 3rd. This resulted in the team finishing 2nd overall in what was a very competitive competition. Well done to all concerned.
U11s BJSL Athletics @JIS
We are planning a lesson together.
Soon we will be teaching a Malay lesson in Teraja.
