2nd February 2024
Dear Samakee Community,
Next week, we are excited to invite you to join us for a festive event, Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year is a time of renewal, family, and cultural traditions, and we would love for you to be a part of the festivities. Children may wear Chinese costumes or anything red or yellow, and traditional Chinese dumplings will be for sale.
Venue: The school garden
Date: Friday 9th February
Time: 8:30 am
Movie Night 2024
Thanks to everyone involved in Movie Night and everyone who came; it was a worthwhile and enjoyable event.
After weeks of planning and many meetings organised by the PTG, Movie Night took place on Friday, 26th January, and it was a superb evening! Mums and dads, teachers, learning support and teacher assistants, office staff, volunteers, and domestic staff all came together to create an exceptional evening for the children.
The provisions organised entirely by volunteer parents were delicious and plentiful, without a doubt, contributing significantly to a hugely successful evening. The weather was pleasant, the atmosphere welcoming, and the movies were fun, resulting in many happy children laughing, chatting, playing, and relaxing while families and friends could socialise and enjoy the excellent food.
Parent Workshop with Dr. Jom
Mindful Parenthood: Thrive Together
We want to thank everyone who contributed to the success of Mindful Parenthood, and we look forward to more opportunities to come together as a community. Your presence and active participation made it a meaningful and enriching experience.
A special thank you goes to our guest speaker, Dr Jom Choomchuay, whose insightful and engaging talk left a lasting impact on everyone present, and we are grateful for the valuable knowledge shared with us.
We would also like to thank the parents and family members who attended and actively participated in the event. Your involvement is a vital part of our community, and we are thankful for the support and enthusiasm you bring to Samakee.
Teaching and Learning Highlights!
Creative Together in EYFS
In Early Years when our children create together, they can learn from each other, have conversations, and build connections. Collaboration is key to the Early Years experience!
Middle School Assembly – How to manage our worries
In today’s Middle School assembly, we talked about worries and how they can sometimes feel heavy. We showed the weight of worries by putting on a backpack and adding heavy stones to represent different worries. Most importantly we learned ways to make our worries shrink or disappear: by talking to someone we trust, doing things we love, or dancing to a favourite song. Together, we learned that by sharing, engaging, and enjoying, we can lighten the load and navigate through life’s challenges with greater ease and resilience.
Learning Together and Celebrating Differences
Each day, our classroom is a hub of friendship, where students strengthen bonds through shared experiences and projects. Their diverse personalities create a vibrant community rich in respect, joy, and mutual support.
Here, differences are celebrated, teaching everyone the value of empathy and unity. These friendships enrich our daily interactions and foster crucial life skills like cooperation and emotional intelligence.
Join us in appreciating these beautiful connections that are shaping a more empathetic and understanding future.
Upper School – Design Lab
Have you ever wondered how boats stay afloat, or how to make a game light up with the power of your own creation? In Design Lab, students aren’t just learning, they’re becoming mini-Einsteins! Year 6 students have embarked on a voyage of discovery, testing the principles of buoyancy by crafting their own mini-boats and testing their buoyancy. But the adventure doesn’t stop there! Year 7-9 students are electrifying the scene, building incredible games powered by their own electric circuits! Think flashing lights, buzzing sounds, and the thrill of bringing their innovative ideas to life.
Upper School – Speaking & Listening
Upper School students have been presenting their speeches for their Speaking & Listening assessment. We have had a varied list of different subjects, all the way from the Amazon Rainforest to Taylor Swift. Students showed that they could use persuasive writing techniques, as well as having the ability to engage an audience. Fantastic work!
Awards and Achievements
Upcoming Important Events
Humanities Day!
This school event is fast approaching and students and staff across the school will reflect on the theme – What makes us Human?
We will delve into different cultures, looking at what binds us together and what differentiates us from one another.
Nightingale House Event – Clever Classroom Door
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at “Clever Classroom Doors”, brought to you by the Nightingale team, happening on Friday 23rd February! Join us for a day of creativity, teamwork, and loads of fun as we transform our classrooms into a world of imagination and learning. Let’s make our classrooms come alive with colour and innovation! This event is not just about doors; it’s about creating a vibrant, collaborative learning space that reflects our unique personalities and ideas. Save the date, spread the word, and get ready for a day filled with flair and camaraderie!
Sports Day – EYFS & KS1
6th March 2024
All students in the First School will be taken off the timetable for the first part of the morning (8:45 – 10:00) to compete in fun games and activities, whereby they can demonstrate some of the skills learned in their PE classes.
Parent participation is encouraged!
Monica L Sudhirak
Head of School
Head of School, Monica L Sudhirak: msudhirak@standrews-samakee.com
First School Phase Leader, Tabietha Sudhirak: tsudhirak@standrews-samakee.com
Middle School Phase leader, Hannah Riddi: hannah.ridd@standrews-samakee.com
Upper School Phase Leader, Nicky Page: npage@standrews-samakee.com
“Samakee is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of all students and expects all staff and visitors to share this commitment.”