Panaga School Magazine, Issue 59, June 2017

PANAGA SCHOOL MAGAZINE ISSUE 59, JUNE 2017

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

Panaga School Magazine Issue 59 June 2017 Panaga School HRF/4 Brunei Shell Petroleum Sdn Bhd Jalan Utara Seria, KB 3534 Negara Brunei Darussalam (+673) 3375728/3372138 (Teraja) (+673) 3372694 (Rampayoh & Mendaram) Principal: Tim Robinson tim.robinson@shell.com Head Teacher, Teraja: Andy Ryan andrewryan@panagaschool.com Head Teacher, Rampayoh & Mendaram: Cindy Bin Tahal cindybintahal@panagaschool.com Senior Admin: Jalinah Bte Ali jalinah.ali@shell.com Admin Support, Rampayoh & Mendaram: Zurimah Bte Jumat z.jumat@shell.com Admin Support, Teraja: Hasmah Bte Hj Salleh: hasmah.salleh@shell.com Panaga School Magazine Editor: Damian Brady damianbrady@panagaschool.com

June 2017

Contents 3. Farewell Message from the Head Teacher of Teraja, Andy Ryan 4. Thank you Captain Steve Bell, our outgoing PTA Chair 5. Backpack Appeal - supplying remote schools with lots of love for learning 6. The PTA Science Fair wows again 7. Wawasan Brunei 2035 8. and 9. Belait Beach Clean 10. and 11. BSP and students from across Brunei continue their commitment to road safety awareness 12. Pre-Nursery contributes to Safety Day 13. Thank you PTA for our new bike track!

14. Nursery NTC Gnomes and Giants 15. There’s never a frown when you wear a crown in Nursery NTC 16. Talk for Writing in P1 17. P1 trips; fun and learning outside the classroom 18. P1 spend their money wisely at Seria Market 19. P1’s Pirate Day 20. P5’s Active Planet 21. P6 are international traders 22. P8 deliver the weather in French 23. Tennis ASA

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

Farewell Message from Andy Ryan, Head Teacher of Teraja Time can seem to stand still here in Brunei with the never changing seasons and the peaceful lifestyle that we all enjoy. Reflecting on the past seven years, both as a member of the school and the wider Bruneian community, it’s amazing to identify the progress I have had the good fortune to witness. In Belait, we have seen the addition of 2 multiplex cinemas, a bowling alley and the (not so new) Supasave. Bandar has seen the addition of a host of eateries and at the end of a bike ride in Labi or Bandar I can now enjoy a decent cup of coffee. The journey to Bandar itself has been shortened with the opening of the new road and the new facilities at the border with Malaysia have shortened the journey there.

Whilst the school has reduced in numbers more recently, it remains larger than when I first arrived and the investment in the school’s buildings have put us in a position to expand vertically even as numbers have dropped. I am only sad to miss the completion of the extensive work being conducted on Teraja over the coming months to support the exciting prospect of our Middle Years department.

All these additions and changes have brought a great deal of progress but it has happened without losing what are unique strengths of Panaga School.

One of the things I am proud to have introduced to the school is our Personal Goals logo ‘Feathers’. What began with a sketch of a hornbill sitting on a tree outside my house in F9 has become a symbol of the high regard in which we hold the values that children and staff at the school model on a daily basis. Next year, children in the Middle Years department will be displaying a new Personal Goals logo on their uniform tshirts which I have developed with the current P8 class. These images identify a legacy I leave behind only because of the time invested in our pupils and the behaviour modelled by all our staff and parents.

Over seven years, many friends and colleagues have come and gone already and as I leave, it is my turn to take many of those friendships with me. To everyone at the school; our parent body, the children, my colleagues across BSP and particularly to the teachers of Panaga School, I extend a heartfelt thanks for a wonderful seven years in Brunei.

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

Thank you Captain Steve Bell, PTA Chair from 2014-2017

Captain Steve Bell entered his first PTA meeting in 2014 to see what the PTA was all about. Three years later, Captain Steve has just finished his third year as PTA Chair, leaving behind the legacy of leading a small band of volunteers who have successfully created worthy community events, whilst contributing to the financial operation of Panaga School.

Captain Steve’s investment in the community and his generous nature sees him step down from his role of PTA Chair (in line with constitutional requirements), but maintain involvement in the committee. A great feat particularly given that Captain Steve’s own children no longer attend Panaga School. For him though, the opportunity to remain involved in the PTA is a chance to keep giving to our younger members of the Panaga community.

By Cindy Bin Tahal, Head Teacher of Rampayoh and Mendaram

2016-2017 Panaga School PTA contributions: 2 sound systems (for Teraja and Rampayoh), a freezer, a washing machine, 100 stackable plastic chairs and 6 tables, raised hills, 2 shade sails, timber climbing frame, Science Fair sponsorship, an extended Nursery tricycle path, Teraja rock climbing wall, installation of 10 palm trees to promote shaded play areas, Rampayoh tyre hill, sand replenishment for sandpits, soil for gardening projects, couches and decorations for Rampayoh library and more than $1,500 spent on consumable resources; with more funds to carry into 2017-2018 targeting Teraja playground development.

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

Backpack Appeal - supplying remote schools with lots of love for learning

The Panaga School Community, through the leadership of the P1 teaching team and Panaga School’s local Bruneian teacher, Miss Sur, coordinated donations of 99 backpacks filled with school supplies. These backpacks were donated to students attending 5 remote schools, who have limited resources, in the interior of Brunei.

Staff and students from Panaga School and BSP employees were invited to the Labi Cluster of Schools for a backpack presentation event. This event included a hornbill presentation by Anna Coyajee - van Rietschoten, performances from the Labi Cluster students and collaborative activities between Panaga School and the Labi Cluster students.

RTB television were in attendance to capture this community project of enabling education through collaboration.

One student was quoted as saying, “I’m so happy I could cry!”, when presented with his backpack.

Above right: Students and teachers from one of the five Labi Cluster of Schools who received backpacks, filled with school supplies.

By Cindy Bin Tahal

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

On Saturday 15th April, the PTA hosted its second Science Fair. Over 60 volunteers wowed children and adults alike with their fantastic interactive experiments. The all-ages event saw more than 300 children and their parents visit 8 topic areas, 20 exhibits, 2 special attractions and a sensory area.

This year, 90 children and 30 teachers from local Bruneian schools also attended. They came from Seria, Kuala Belait, Panaga, Labi and Bandar Seri Begawan. An enormous thank you to everyone who made the day possible.

Comments from the event included: “A real opportunity for our staff to learn more and take home great ideas.” - Local school Head Teacher “There was just so much, we couldn’t see it all.” - Local school teacher “This is just so cool!!!” - Local school child

By Rachel Marsden, Community Leader for Learning; Photos courtesy of Alessandro Loi

Learning about Brunei’s Stingless Bees

Lemon Circuits

Cakes anyone?

Mighty Molecules—What will they do next?!

Children’s Sensory Area

Fascinating Germs - HML

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

Panaga School hosted its third annual Professional Development Mini-Conference for local teachers on Friday 21st April. This year, even more teachers attended; almost 100 teachers from 10 schools representing government, private, special educational needs, primary and secondary education.

The sessions followed the Ministry of Education’s focus areas of Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Higher Order Thinking Skills. Feedback from all participants was overwhelmingly positive and many teachers reflected on their own teaching and learning, with a focus on how they would apply the day’s experiences to their own learning environments. After the conference, presenters continued their collaboration with local schools by conducting follow up sessions for attendees’ colleagues at their own schools.

By Rachel Marsden, Community Leader for Learning

Teachers are challenged with Mathematics questions which hone in on students’ problem solving skills.

Teachers experience a range of simple objects and materials to develop fine motor skills in their students.

Teraja Lead teacher, Rachel Storer, discusses Higher Order Thinking Skills and how to promote these in learning.

Teachers play interactive reading-related games which they can share with their students.

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

Belait Beach Clean

On Saturday 20th May, several Panaga School children, staff and parents, together with teachers and students from across the country, spent the morning collecting rubbish along our district’s beautiful beaches.

The event was organised in association with The Beach Bunch, an NGO with the mission of protecting Brunei's beaches from pollution.

It was such a successful event, that over 1800kg of rubbish was removed from the shorelines near E1, Jubilee Park and the Billionth Barrel Monument.

On behalf of everyone at Panaga School, to all who were involved, we would just like to say a massive thank you for your support and care for the local environment!

By the P3 team and Damian Brady Photos by Neil Lynch

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

Belait Beach Clean

Thank you to all other schools involved...

Sekolah Rendah Ahmad Tajuddin, Kuala Belait 23 students, 5 teachers Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam, Bandar Seri Begawan 17 students, 4 teachers Sekolah Menengah Perdana Wazir, Kuala Belait 10 students, 1 teacher Sekolah Rendah Kuala Belait 21 students, 2 teachers Sekolah Menengah Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, Lumut 16 students, 2 teachers Sekolah Rendah Lumut 10 students, 2 teachers

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

BSP and students from across Brunei continue their commitment to road safety awareness

On Thursday 25th May 2017, children from across the nation were awarded for their graphic design skills and road safety awareness at the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre in Seria.

The competition, in its second year, was a continuation of BSP’s Safety Day 2017.

The winners were Muhammad Daiyan Nurafif bin Aminorazmi from Sekolah Rendah Dato Mohd Yassin in the 4-8 years category and Charles Jozef Lopecillo Kumalao from St Angela's School in the 9-13 years category.

The children were presented with gift vouchers of $150 in each of the two categories. 3 Runners Up in each category also received $50 gift vouchers. All prizes were funded by BSP, as a part of their newly-announced three year commitment to the competition.

The Road Safety Graphic Design Competition was organised by Panaga School’s Digital Education Specialist Teachers, Neil Lynch and Damian Brady.

Congratulations to teachers, parents and guardians for educating these talented children that Shell's 12 Life Saving Rules are indeed the next step in our Goal Zero journey.

Important road safety messages are constantly heard from the ‘mouths of babes’ in classrooms and across playgrounds, in car parks and on bikeways; so it was great to see such an eyecatching visual awareness too in all of the 400 plus entries received.

Thank you to BSP staff, Qayyum A Senusi, Abidin Mohd-Zen and Haziq Lim, for their assistance and support with this project.

The Road Safety Graphic Design winners were chosen by a panel of judges from the CEA and HSE Departments of BSP. The winners were presented with their prizes by BSP Commercial Director, Faridah Talib, and Panaga School Principal, Tim Robinson.

By Damian Brady

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

LEFT: Age 4-8 RU: Nur Eq' matul Adawiyah binti Abdullah Zulhilmi from Sekolah Rendah Dato Mohd Yassin

LEFT: Age 4-8 RU: Megan Hulsbergen Panaga School

ABOVE: Age 4-8 Winner: Muhammad Daiyan Nurafif bin Aminorazmi from Sekolah Rendah Dato Mohd Yassin

ABOVE: Age 9-13 Winner: Charles Jozef Lopecillo Kumalao - St Angela's School

ABOVE: Both Age 9-13 RU- Alyanna and Freyalise Sebastian Hipolito – St John’s School

ABOVE: Age 4-8 RU: Ty Kyfiuk Panaga School

ABOVE/LEFT: Age 9-13 RU: Isla McFarlane – Panaga School

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

Pre-Nursery contributes to Safety Day BSP held their annual Safety Day on 10th May 2017. In Pre-Nursery, we joined in with a focus on crossing the road correctly.

The children learned to stop at the ‘Stop’ sign when riding their bikes and trikes.

We were shown how to stop, look listen when crossing a road. Plus, we learned how to cross at a Zebra Crossing safely.

We also learned a song about crossing the road, ‘Stop! Look and don’t forget to listen’, with great actions.

We made traffic lights from different coloured paper and play dough.

By the Pre-Nursery team

June 2017

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

Thank you PTA for our new bike track!

The Nursery children arrived back after the half term holidays to a lovely surprise. We have a newly extended bike track in the Nursery playground!

The children were so excited to get on their bikes and start racing.

Ready…steady…go!

….and Noah is in the lead!

We now have some road humps and winding bends to manoeuvre and our new track takes a long route around the Nursery garden.

There are lots to see and it is great for the children to enjoy the new view.

Oh no, a traffic jam!

We have even positioned an ice cream stall halfway around in case the children get a little hot!

The bike track plays an important role in our Nursery environment.

We learn to take turns and sometimes we have to wait our turn for a bike. We always have lots of jobs to be done.

We love our new bike track!

There are race lists to be recorded, scoreboards, flag holders, mechanics and timekeepers.

It is a very busy place that gives all of the children the opportunity to use so many different skills outside of the physical challenge of riding a bicycle.

There are lots of different jobs to do!

And the winner is….

An enormous THANK YOU to the PTA for committing the funds to enable the bike track to be built.

Thank you to all our parents and families who have supported the PTA this year.

The Nursery children love the new bike track.

By Jenny Winder

Max's ice cream shop

Time is up! Who is next?

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

In April, the Nursery NTC children received visitors in the shape of gnomes and giants.

The whole classroom, as well as outside, was covered in some tiny and some huge footprints. We learnt about ‘Kabouter Bim’ and how he became friends with a friendly giant.

We looked at things in the classroom that could be suitable for a gnome or a giant. The children painted their feet so that they could compare theirs with the gnomes’ and the giants’ footprint. We made gnome hats and pretended to be gnomes (see picture above).

We also made little gnomes (see picture below) and gnome forests in shoeboxes, which included of course the different animals of the forest as well as a gnome’s house - a toadstool with its typical red and white dotted roof.

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

Birthday girl Like the King of Holland who always wears a crown when he has something important to say, we also wear a crown in Nursery NTC for such occasions; as we have important things to say too. The children wear the crown when they want to present something to the class. In this case, the children told the rest of the class about their amazing adventures during the May holiday. In addition, if it is your birthday, not only do you get to wear the crown, you also get to sit on the royal throne.

This term, we have started to look at fruit, a topic which for some reason, all the children thoroughly enjoyed. We learnt how to describe different types of fruit as well as sing a crazy fruit song. We are very fortunate to live in Brunei because we can to try a variety of local fruits. We tried different types of fruit and we had to give our opinions as to whether we liked them or not. We are in the process of making very cool fruit mobiles.

It has been a wonderful year in Nursery NTC; full of learning, fun and laughter. The children worked very hard and were always ready to learn. They were happy to stay after school for extra Dutch lessons and I will miss teaching them. I wish them all the best for P1.

By Miss Steph

Nursery NTC class of 2016—2017

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

Talk for Writing in P1 P1 have enjoyed and participated in a variety of Talk for Writing WOWs this year.

An enormous carrot grew in our sandpit and it took all of the teachers together to pull it out.

Goldilocks came to visit; she made a mess and ate the porridge.

A large box containing a star was delivered to the P1 children.

The children found five magic beans and planted them to grow a beanstalk for the giant.

The children explored sand, water and ice during a fun morning and recounted their experiences.

By Miss Donna P1D

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

P1 trips; fun and learning outside the classroom

Sand and water: We went to the beach to build sculptures and play with wet and dry sand. We drew in the sand and searched for crabs. What a great morning!

Sand and water: To discover more about the use of water, we visited the Bomba to learn about their jobs and what equipment they use.

We would all love to be firefighters one day!

Up and Away: During this learning unit, we learnt lots about everything that flies. For our trip, we went to Anduki Airport to have a very close look at all of the helicopters.

It was very exciting!

Plants and Flowers: We took our shopping list and 5BND and did our own shopping at the wet market. Some of us even cooked for our families that night!

By Barbara Diepenmaat P1R

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

For their Plants and Flowers IPC Exit Point, the Primary One classes visited Seria Market. The children looked around the stalls, buying items including plants, fruit and vegetables. They had the opportunity to use money in a real life situation, counting out the notes they needed and sometimes receiving change.

We are very grateful to the parents who joined us for this trip, who helped make this a fun learning experience for the P1 children.

By Miss Georgina

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

Everyone in P1 had great fun during our ‘Pirate Day’ Entry Point for our ‘Treasure’ IPC learning unit.

All children looked fantastic dressed as pirates and we spent the day singing pirate songs, dancing like pirates and even speaking like pirates! Arrrr!

Be careful if you come to P1, you might be asked to walk the plank!

By Miss Jo Hodd

June 2017

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine P5 have been learning all about geographical features.

In particular, they have been learning how to measure seismic activity using DIY seismographs. From their collection of graphical data showing vibrations, they then graded the energy and impact of the activity in much the same way that the Richter Scale is used to predict real activities from our active earth.

Additionally in Technology, we looked at making improvements to machines that help rescue people after disasters.

By Matthew Hunt P5M

June 2017

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

International Traders!

As a part of the ‘Time Tunnel’ IPC unit, P6 looked at how groups of people can work together for mutual benefit.

Downing their pencils and books, our budding entrepreneurs took on the role of manufacturers and traders for the afternoon.

By showing adaptability and resilience, each group overcame obstacles and finished with strong results.

With a follow-up lesson looking at the fairness of international trading and the uneven availability of resources, our students took home valuable learning on the need for cooperation and adaptability!

‘Even though some countries only have a small amount of resources, they can be successful traders if they are wise,’ quoted one budding leader.

By the P6 team

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine

June 2017

Time for the weather‌.in French

If you are traveling to a French-speaking country in the near future and need to know how to enquire about the weather, simply ask our P8 French class. They are truly the experts to talk about the weather in past, present and future tense. Last term, we learnt how to describe the weather in French as well as discuss the activities you could do during different types of weather conditions. At the end of the unit, we presented the weather in front of the class. Children wrote weather reports about France and Brunei - using compass points as well as a variety of connectives. Then, like true weather girls and boys, we presented the weather using our own weather maps. Well done to all children for standing up in front of the class to deliver the weather in French.

By Miss Steph

Issue 59

Panaga School Magazine Did you miss the action at Roland Garros? Thinking about booking tickets for Wimbledon in July in order to see some excellent tennis? There is no need for all that expense!

Our Tennis ASA’s talent perform amazing tennis on the tennis courts.

Who needs Rafael Nadal or Jelena Ostapenko when you have new kids on the tennis court showing off their amazing abilities. Ten children joined the Tennis ASA this term. 5 of the children were total beginners and had never held a tennis racquet before. In addition, we missed numerous sessions on the tennis court due to the weather. Needless to say, they progressed very quickly and after only a few times on the tennis court were able to hold small rallies.

The more experienced players had a great time too, practising their serve and improving their skills in game situations.

They were also given the opportunity to play with the ‘green’ ball, one level up from their current level. This also meant playing matches using the whole court. It was definitely a challenge which they took on with great stride.

I would like to thank the Panaga Club for letting us use the tennis courts and Coach Domingo for making this ASA possible. He assisted me every week by providing training tips as well as setting up the tennis courts every Thursday. Thank you too to my husband, Alex, for taking all the pictures.

Last but not least, thank you to all of the players for turning up every Thursday, no matter the weather.

Well done to all players!

Tennis ASA group with Coach Domingo

By Miss Steph

June 2017