REGENTS’ NEWSLETTER

EDITION 4 TERM 3 2014/2015

PRIMARY

As the school year begins to draw to a close many children (and teachers) are dreaming of aeroplanes, visiting families, relaxation and fun! So what happens to the progress made during the academic year? Yes, there can indeed be a summer dip but that thirst for knowledge can continue to be quenched while having fun!

There are so many creative ideas to learning opportunities; that are so much fun many children see them as playing. Try playing old favourites like ‘I Spy…’ with younger children, great to continue with Phonics and pass time on a long journey! Continue counting, addition and subtraction skills when shopping and allowing children to handle money. This can be extended in to giving them a budget to work within for older children!

Turn an expedition into a project idea: visiting a theme park? Design your own theme park at home with junk modelling ( to scale for older children,) come up with tickets, staff uniforms, menus for the

cafeterias, budgets to work within… the possibilities are endless.

Now handing over to you, our amazing children… What type of summer learning fun would you design and create for your class mates? Can you think of ideas to continue

practising Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Science in an unusual but exciting way?

Email me your ideas and we’ll share some of them on our Facebook link!

‘Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.’

Henry Ford

Karyn Walton

ABRSM MUSIC EXAMS

A MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA!

FLIP FLOP CHALLENGE - PART 3

KARYN WALTON, ASSISTANT HEAD OF PRIMARY,

EY AND KS1

SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER (NEARLY…)

THIS WEEK IN THE PRIMARY NEWSLETTER

“

DIARY DATESMONDAY JUNE 15TH - FRIDAY JUNE 19TH PARENT-TEACHER CONSULTATIONS

THURSDAY JUNE 18TH YEAR 3 EGYPTIAN DAY AND SLEEPOVER

MONDAY JUNE 22ND - WEDNESDAY 24TH PRIZE GIVING ASSEMBLIES

WEDNESDAY JUNE 24TH YEAR 6 LEAVERS’ ASSEMBLY, 1.30PM GLOBE THEATRE

THURSDAY JUNE 25TH TRANSITION MORNING

THURSDAY JUNE 25TH REGENTS RACE

FRIDAY JUNE 26TH FINAL DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. CLASS PARTIES. SCHOOL FINISHES AT 12.30

ROMAN DAY IN YEAR 4

BY PETER WILLAMS, PRIMARY COMPUTING COORDINATOR

There have been several recent and exciting developments within the Primary Computing Department. We have acquired a site licence for all children to use at school or at home, the website is called, Purple Mash.

“Purple Mash is an award-winning website for Early Years and Primary School Children. It enables children to explore and enhance their knowledge in a fun and creative way”.

The website contains dozens of powerful open-ended tools and educational games that lets your children play and work in a safe educational way. It contains hundreds of themed publishing projects. It has something for every

subject, topic and event.

These fun and engaging projects help turn even the most reluctant writers into budding authors. Each project provides a range of stimuli including videos, writing prompts, sentence starters, word banks, success criteria, themed photographs and clip-art.

The website address is: www.purplemash.co.uk/sch/regents

All children will know the logon and password. We hope they enjoy using this wonderful site over the summer holidays.

NEW AND EXCITING ICT DEVELOPMENTS IN PRIMARY Another exciting development has been the computing department has been very lucky in acquiring an 85 cm Interactive TV to use and evaluate for most of this last term. (Please see the two pictures included, showing children working with the TV).

All the children very much enjoyed using this large interactive screen, however some of our smaller students had difficulty reaching the very top of the screen!

In this last term many students have been practising their typing skills on a program called “2Type”.

“This program is a highly engaging and customisable typing program that familiarises children with the

keyboard. Children can choose their own letters, words, text and speeds, or enjoy using a series of pre-set activities: Instruction Keys, Falling Letters,Teaching Keys, Falling Words, 2Pop, Typing Practice and Dictation.”

It has been used for 10 minutes at the start of each lesson, with all children increasing their score over the weeks.

So another academic year draws to a close. It has been an exciting year within the ICT department and next year will bring even more new ideas, development and learning opportunities for our eager pupils.

We are delighted to announce that the Associated Board

of the Royal Schools of Music Exams have gone incredibly

well for all of our students.

35 Violin and Piano students taught by Mr Tony, Ms Fern,

Khun Thanatcha and Khun Poh prepared pieces, scales,

exercises and aural tests in order to sit the prestigious

exams.

ABRSM is the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music.

They are a charity committed to supporting and inspiring

people to progress with music. They support high-quality

music-making and learning around the world. It is

designed for all ages of students, from absolute beginners

to the most advanced musicians. Together with their

partners, the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College

of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music and the

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, ABRSM sets standards in

world music education.

Students are working hard to make progress with their

music and they need some way of recognising their success

and gaining reassurance that they are on the right road.

BY LUCY LEWIS, HEAD OF PRIMARY MUSIC

ABRSM MUSIC EXAMS

This is exactly what ABRSM music exams offer:

* MOTIVATION AND INSPIRATION, WORKING FROM A CAREFULLY STRUCTURED SYLLABUS

TOWARDS A DEFINITE GOAL

* A MEASURE OF PERSONAL PROGRESS AND ATTAINMENT AGAINST INTERNATIONALLY

RECOGNISED BENCHMARKS

* AN OBJECTIVE GUIDE TO IMPROVE THEIR MUSICAL SKILLS

* ASSESSMENT BY A RESPECTED AND INDEPENDENT MUSICIAN WHO HAS BEEN HIGHLY

TRAINED AND IS CONSTANTLY MONITORED

* PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES AND A REAL SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT

ABRSM has been giving structure and support and setting

standards for over a hundred years. During that time

much has been tried, tested and consolidated. They use

that wealth of experience for the benefit and guidance of

the many hundreds of thousands who regularly take the

grades, knowing that they are part of the most respected

and valued system of music exams in the world.

It has been a really positive experience for all of our

Regents’ candidates, all of the Prep Test Students received

glowing reports and certificates, and we await with baited

breath the results of the higher grade exams which will

come in the next 6 weeks.

All 35 of the students did themselves proud. Every one of

them went in calmly and well prepared, and left smiling

and full of enthusiasm.

The examiner, Nancy Litten, commended the manners,

attitude and and musicality of all the pupils, and it was

lovely that she took time mention that it was very clear

there were really excellent Piano and Violin Teachers here

at Regents by the standards of the pupils she saw.

“WE ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO BUILD SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING INCREMENTALLY TO HELP THEM UNLOCK THEIR MUSICAL POTENTIAL, WHATEVER THEIR BACKGROUND AND WHATEVER PART THEY WISH MUSIC TO PLAY IN THEIR LIVES.

WE WANT EVERYONE TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP MUSICAL SKILLS AND FULFIL THEIR POTENTIAL WITH MUSIC. WE BELIEVE THAT ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY, PROGRESSIVE MUSIC LEARNING IS THE RIGHT OF EVERYONE.”

ABRSM MISSION STATEMENT 2015

Congratulations :)

BY JULIET PERRIN, HEAD OF PRE NURSERY AND NURSERY. NURSERY S CLASS TEACHER

There is an extra buzz in Early Years and has been for a couple of weeks now. This buzz has been filtering down the stairs from the Reception classes so last week I ventured upstairs to find out what was going on. For the past couple of weeks the Reception children have been visiting the Year 1 Teachers and talking about some of the things they will be learning next year in Year 1. I now understood why this buzz was in our building. It’s that time of year when the children are ready to move to their next year group and they are so excited! The children have been excited and enthusiastic about these visits but some have also said

they feel a little nervous about the move. These are normal emotions and to be expected when there is a change on the horizon and especially for our youngest students in the school. A good way to support your child during this time is to talk to them about how they are feeling about the move and what they did in the Year 1 classes when they visited. If they are worried or nervous about something try to find out what it is so that you can reassure them. This week the Pre Nursery and Nursery children will be starting their transition visits so I expect the buzz to get a little louder as the excitement continues to grow.

TRANSITION IN EARLY YEARS

BY ANTONIO LEMBO, PRIMARY EAL TEACHER

Our Extended Learning Programme (ELP), in which students participate in after the school day, has come to an end for another school year. There were many and varied activities this year that clearly reflected the ELP motto; “Challenge yourself to become creative, be active, and take part in service”. This motto certainly rang true for the students who chose the mural painting activity on Mondays after school. Like little goblins in the night, they would set to task and each Tuesday morning, children arriving at school would be greeted with new and

interesting paintings - nobody quite knowing what weird and wonderful designs they would see next. Students spent weeks in preparation, working collaboratively with secondary students, finding designs and discovering ways to paint their designs directly onto the school walls. Most importantly, students learnt that with team work, a little effort and a bit of creativity, they could learn from each and help beautify and give life to a shared area.

EXTENDED LEARNING PROGRAMME HELPS BEAUTIFY SCHOOL

BY ELIZABETH EATON, YEAR 3 CLASS TEACHER

Hapi, the Egyptian god of the Nile, was surely smiling on Regents on 29th May 2015, as the whole of Year 3 delivered ‘Glint of Gold’, a specially-written play that showcased how much they have enjoyed learning about the Ancient Egyptians this term

Hapi was the subject of a song which the children composed themselves – a take on the Pharell Williams classic, ‘Happy’.

The play really showed Year 3 at their best. 3S wrote a prequel to the play, a lovely expression of their story-telling and play writing skills. 3P demonstrated creativity in their performance of ‘The Slave Song’, which explained how workers built the pyramids. 3R showed their problem solving skills, as they built ‘sistrums’ – ancient-style instruments made from wooden frames and bottles tops. 3I’s musical accompaniment to the scene involving the weighing of the heart showed how well they understood the tone and the mood of the moment.

A special ‘thank you’ must, as ever, go to our hard-working teaching assistants who made such fantastic props for the performance, including a tomb that opened to reveal wall paintings inside. The event would also not have been anywhere near as successful without the help of a willing and dedicated group of Year 3 parents, who supported the creation of stage props and provided colourful costumes for the children.

Completing a production on this scale could not have been achieved without the help of the fantastic Primary music department and in particular, Maria Gaskell, for her hard work and dedication to the students. Therefore, the teachers and children in Year 3 would like to say a huge thank you to all of these people; your efforts have been greatly appreciated.

Of course the final thank you must go to the Year 3 children themselves. We are so proud of every one of the children – you challenged yourselves and were absolutely marvelous.

GLINT OF GOLD

‘ I ENJOYED SAYING ’77 LETTERS, NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL AN ALPHABET! ’

SAM

‘I ENJOYED MAKING AND PLAYING MY OWN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ’

OLIVIA

‘I LOVED THE SONGS’ - HYE MIN

‘IT WAS FUN AND I GOT TO BE ON STAGE’ RAM

‘I LOVED THE SHOW - I EVEN LOVED ALL THE REHEARSALS!’ DIEGO

BY CAROLINE DRAPER, PRIMARY EAL TEACHER

“JADE’S 5K FLIP FLOP CHALLENGE SPONSORSHIP MONEY BUYS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS”

On May 29th, Jade from 2P eagerly drove up to Mae Sot in a car full of musical instruments, to finally present what she had bought with the sponsorship money raised from the 5k flipflop race she ran in Chiang Mai on March 7th. It was a truly humbling, magical time for her to be part of the first experiences that the children of the Mae Sot school had with their new musical instruments. First, the children were astonished that they could make sound: from shaking, from patting, from blowing, from strumming; then, the children were interested to make some musical sound. They discovered that it wasn’t easy! They kept on and on and on trying. On May 31st, after the church service in the school canteen at which Jade spoke about her love of music to the school children, she tried to teach easy nursery songs using maracas and recorders for some of the tunes. Hickory Dickory Dock was a big hit. Marching up and down to the Grand Old Duke of York helped create a sense of 4-beat timing on the maracas. Mary had a Little Lamb was the easiest song for the recorders.

With the flipflop challenge sponsorship money, Jade bought for the Mae Sot school five guitars and five ukuleles, an amplifier, two wireless microphones, two large speakers, a set of big drums and a set of smaller bongo drums, a traditional Thai glockenspiel, ten recorders and a variety of maracas, fifteen pairs in total. The Sunday School teacher will keep a record of the musical instruments in a book: the children will sign their name when they borrow an instrument to practise. Jade would like to join the Mae Sot school children in saying a huge, smiling thank you to all of the sponsors. Suddenly, lives have changed significantly. The opportunity to learn an instrument and to become good at it is now there. A special thank you goes to Tania in 2P for the amazing 24,350THB that she and her family raised for the flipflop challenge. The teachers and students at the school were also very grateful for the kind gifts of children’s clothing and toys from our Year 4 students, Nathan and Jana; and also for the kind donation of footballs and rugby balls from the PE department. Excited smiles were on all faces at all times: thank you so much to all who sponsored Jade because it is you who made this possible!

MUSIC MAKES SMILES!

BY JON CREW, YEAR 4 TEACHER

On the 5th June, 89 members of year 4 set their sights on a special sponsored walk to raise money for a beautification project for the Baan Jing Jai Orphanage’s new home near our school.

The inspiration for this came from out our term two project: Rainforests, where the children researched the flora and fauna of the world’s rainforests and re-created them in a wonderful chaotic mini-ecosystem on the year 4 corridor.

However, just as the passing members of the school community were getting used to clambering around

lianas, bending before the malevolent stares of silverback gorillas or simply passing the crouching red eyed tree frogs; overnight it was destroyed.

The children came in to find complete devastation, with only a few pictures of burning tree stumps and the muddy tracks of heavy machinery remaining stapled to the bare and abandoned notice boards.

Understandably upset we planned what to do; replant and rebuild… And Operation Reforestation was launched. Building on our experiences in the forests around Chanthaburi on the earlier year 4 trip we would challenge ourselves further, we would clamber 10 KM through the jungle, up steep and rocky tracks, though heat drenched air, through clouds of buzzing insects and past strange invisible creatures that go ‘veep’– we would overcome them all, and at the same time earn some sponsorship money from the endeavour. With this money we would buy trees and bushes and beautify a new home for Pattaya’s orphans.

YEAR 4 IN THE JUNGLEIt was at this stage that the adults started expressing quizzical frowns; curious eyebrows and downright disbelieving mouths. Fortunately the Year 4 children simply responded with steely looks of determination and stalwart, proud, out-thrust chins of fortitude. They knew it was a challenge, but they also knew they had the right stuff to take it on: determination and courage.

Take it on they did – not only did they complete the course around Khao Mai Kaew - they did it with great heart, continually finding delight in what they were doing, encouraging each other and struggling on without complaint. Each and every one of the children completed

the tough three and a half hour trek. They knew they had deserved the medal they received at the end, but moreover, they knew that they had stretched themselves and succeeded.

Operation Reforestation will continue with the children going to the Baan Jing Jai Orphanage and planting the trees they earned; physically changing the world they live in for the better.

“LIFE ISN’T ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF. LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF.”

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

INTO THE WOODS

BY DOUGAL FLETCHER, YEAR 4 TEACHER

IN PRAISE OF PLAY - ROMAN DAY – 29TH MAYThe children all came to school dressed flamboyantly as Roman citizens, and systematically were taken through different activities to inform and entertain about the ancient past.

They took up their shields and swords and went through army drills, with Centurion Dougal Fletcher barking commands in Latin and expecting (and sometimes even getting) total obedience.

Then to rest and prepare unleavened Roman bread with Miss Steph, before drenching them in honey and devouring them.

Mr. Aldis came next and strategy was the name of the game, as the children made miniature catapults and sought ways to improve them for battles with the hideous barbarians.

But it’s not just war, war, war with the Romans and when the children entered Mr. Crew’s classroom it was time for the tablets. The children made wax jotting tablets. The Romans used these to take notes and keep tallies. As they stood there, stylus in one hand and tablet in the other, they couldn’t help drawing comparisons between the ancient and the modern electronic ‘tablets’.

The sun finally set on Roman day, and we reflected on our adventures: a day devoid of formal learning objectives and W.A.L.T’s and W.I.L.F’s but filled with free play and bursting with undirected thinking…and peacock brains.

*This was actually grape juice.

“EVERYTHING WE SEE IS A PERSPECTIVE, NOT THE TRUTH.”

MARCUS AURELIUS

SCENE 1 PRIMARY CANTEEN 50 BC (BEFORE CHORAL)

ANTONIA: GOSH CASSIA, HAVE YOU TRIED THE MASHED PEACOCK BRAINS?

CASSIA: QUITE DELICIOUS BUT SAMPLE THE ROAST DORMICE, CHEF’S OUTDONE HIMSELF!

ANTONIA: MORE WINE*?

CASSIE: DELICIOUS, AND THE PORRIDGE WITH HONEY… SIMPLY MARVELLOUS, NOW GET SOME MORE… AND DO BE QUICK, THAT MR HIGGINS IS SNEAKING UP FOR HIS NINTH BOWLFUL IN AS MANY MINUTES… OH AND ANTONIA? CAN YOU BE A DARLING AND GET ME ANOTHER HELPING OF FLAMINGO TONGUES WHILE YOU’RE UP THERE, PLEASE?

This was an almost genuine conversation that could have possibly taken place during Year 4’s brilliant and mostly historically accurate Roman Day. We transformed the Primary canteen into a Roman banqueting hall, complete

with Roman-ish foods and etiquette, although thankfully no one had a wee on the floor.

BY DAVID COLLINS, PRIMARY PE CO-ORDINATOR

AWARDS, GALA’S, SPLASHING, CHEERING AND PERSEVERING ...

Sport in our Primary School continues to flourish and provide students with opportunities to develop their skills. This week has seen the focus shift to the swimming pool where all Early Years and Primary pupils have been working hard in order to attain their swimming level certificates, whilst also competing for their house in our Swimming Galas.

The swim certificates range from “Splash Award” to “Elite Sharks Award” and envelop a progressive structure, to facilitate aspiration within our young athletes. The Swim Galas this week have been fiercely competitive as each house competitor battled for success. The vocal parental support helped our swimmers sum up the extra energy reserves to push for glory.

Recognition for our Primary athletes came courtesy of our Sports Awards evening which was held in the Amari Hotel last Friday night. The occasion was a huge success and highlighted the important role sport has to play in the lives of our Regents pupils. Amongst the award recipients were members of the Primary FOBISIA squad, members of our junior swimming clubs as well as members from our Primary rugby squad. A sincere thank you must go to all of the parents who joined us on the night and helped make the occasion a special one for our aspiring young sports stars.

BY JOHNNY AND ANAMIKA, STUDENTS IN 6P

Hello! This is Johnny and Anamika (from 6P) and we are going to do a slightly different article for you this week. Instead of interviewing someone and reporting what we found out, we are going to discuss our opinions about the special themed lunches we have had in Primary this year.

To begin with, we would like to let you know that we have thoroughly enjoyed the appetizing menus. There is nothing better than mouth-watering, tasty lunch at the end of a hard morning’s work! But is this just our opinion?

It appears not!

When asked to describe their experiences of the food we were pleased to hear comments from children such as “the WWII food was amazing!” Miro 6P and “the Mexican food was delicious and yummy!” Keerthana 6R and our favourite quote “the WWII food was epic!” Suhani 4S. Wow, lots of really positive comments about the themed lunches by students! Consequently, with the inclusion of the themed lunches in Primary, the catering staffs have made the children very happy.

In addition, lots of teachers relished the themed lunch too. Here are some of the thoughts of the teachers who took part in organising the lunches (and eating them):

“I have absolutely loved the themed lunches; it has given

the whole school an opportunity to gain a ‘taster’ of other year group themes.” Mr Way: Year 6 Teacher.

“I thought that the food was realistic and made our WWII day come alive. I also love trying food from another cultures and countries.” Ms Brown: Year 6 Teacher.

“I thought it was a brilliant idea because the children got to choose the menu in Year 3 after learning about the food in Mexico during Topic lessons. What better way to conclude your learning than to fully experience it for yourself! We should have more lunches like that.” Mrs Jo: Year 3 Teacher.

Definitely all the other teachers loved the themed food and want to try some more!

As a conclusion we would like to thank all the caterers and staff who helped make the plan for the themed lunches! This was definitely hard work that we all appreciated. We especially appreciate all the hard work that the Epicure Catering staff have to put in to these days but they always have a smile on their face.

We will not be in Primary next year but we hope that the themed lunches continue. What was your favourite lunch this year?

THOUGHTS ABOUT THEMED FOOD

Proceeds will be going to our community partner, Atidtan Orphanage

. 2ND HAND BOOKS,

& EATS & TREATS

ON SALE .

Primary Library Thursday 18th June 2015

8.30 –13.00 All Parents Welcome

Books From Baht 20 - 100

Eats & Treats From Baht 20 - 200

SUMMER SCHOOL IS BACK AT REGENTS!

ARE YOUR CHILDREN READY TO BECOME EXPLORERS, VOYAGERS AND PIONEERS?

Split into three age groups, Explorer (ages 3-5), Voyager (ages 6-8) and Pioneer (ages 9+) - your children will have the opportunity to participate in a huge range of activities designed to stimulate body and mind. From arts and crafts for the little ones to sailing and snorkelling for the older children, Regents has a jam-packed itinerary that you should take advantage of over the summer break.

Children who only have a basic understanding of English – or who are complete beginners – have the option of choosing specialist English as an Additional Language (EAL) tuition alongside the other activities, so that having fun goes hand-in-hand with learning English! Each day, students will enjoy up to three hours of expert EAL tuition in the mornings and then join their fellow students for activities in the afternoon.

For three weeks, your son or daughter will enjoy everything the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand has to offer as well as make loads of new friends and continue to learn from our professional committed team – boredom is not an option!

PLEASE CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS, PRICES AND SIGN-UP FORM

Conference - The theme is based on the importance of working together and making connections with others, as 'no-one's an island'. The conference will celebrate and explore the IDEALS incorporating environmental challenges and service opportunities. There will be learning experiences in both urban and rural settings. The Education Outdoors facilities of Scotch Oakburn College's Valley Campus in the Fingal Valley will host a significant part of the conference and will be the base for these 'rural' learning adventures. The Elphin and Penquite Campuses will be the central 'urban' learning environments for the delegation; accommodation in Launceston will be at their Boarding House.

.

YOUNG ROUND SQUARE CONFERENCE, TASMANIA

.

Pre Conference - Hosted by Scotch Oakburn staff, the tour will be 2 nights. Starting on the Friday afternoon, it will finish at Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston on Sunday evening in time to meet other delegates arriving for the conference.

Are you in Year 6, 7 or 8 next academic year? This is a fantastic opportunity for just 6 students! Obtain and return a letter and application form from Mr. Mulford or Ms. Aina. .

Young Round Square Conference Scotch Oakburn School Tasmania

Theme: 'No-One's An Island'

Dates: Thurs 1st October - Sat 10th October 2015

Delegation Size: 6 students with Mr. Nathaniel

Mulford and Ms. Aina Rakotonirina

Cost: Estimated between B76,000 per delegate

5