Early Years Update (1/2019-2020)

PYP Update

What is Happening in the Early Years

To all of the Families, Parents and Friends at Concordian, Welcome Back, we missed you!!

O

n behalf of our entire Early Years team, we would like to welcome our new Pre-K students (to their first year of school), our returning K1, K2 and K3 students, and also all of our new students who have just joined us this school year.

Over the summer there has been so much work done in many of our K1 and K2 classrooms, resulting in their expansion, which will provide an even safer learning environment and more Let me begin by introducing myself! My name learning spaces for our students. is Mr. Tim Byrum and I am the Early Years Vice Principal of Student and Faculty Affairs here at Concordian. This school year will be my 18th year at the school, much of which, I have been teaching in the Early Years.

Each year it is exciting to return back for another school year and to see what exciting changes the school has made in our Early Years section. It has always been a rewarding experience to be a part of the amazing growth of Concordian.

I am thrilled to welcome you all to the 2019-2020 school year.

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Sincerely, Tim Byrum

Activities and Events

“Respect for Teachers Day”

T

he Wai Kru Ceremony is a traditional Thai tradition for students to show their respect and thank teachers at the beginning of the academic year.

The Concordian Wai Kru ceremony starts with our student representatives speaking about the meaning of Wai Kru, Wai Kru flower’s and leading us in the Pa Je Ra poem (Thai poem about the importance of teachers). Next, MC’s invite administrators and the teachers to the stage.

The Students have an opportunity to show respect and thank the teachers by giving Wai and flowers to the teacheron stage. Teachers have an opportunity to welcome their students and wish them a successful academic year.

The Wai Kru’s flowers given to the teachers on Wai Kru ceremony have meaning and symbolize in them the students promise to the teacher to be good, keep their mind sharp, and try their best in school.

By Kru Dear, Thai Teacher

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Activities and Events

Wai Kru: Student respactive

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t is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. Today we honor these individuals through a ceremony known as ‘Teacher’s Day’ (Wai Kru).

The Wai Kru ceremony is held during the beginning of the academic year. ‘Wai’ means ‘to show respect’ and ‘Kru’ means ‘teachers’. ‘Wai Kru’ can thus be defined as ‘to show respect to teachers’.

The secondary school ceremony took place on the 22nd of August in the Grand Theatre. On this day, students make tributes to their teachers, thanking them for their teachings and guidance.

Common flowers that are given to teachers on this day includes ixora symbolizing wit, eggplant flowers symbolizing respect and wiregrass symbolizing perseverance. In addition, students also made creative flower trays as to demonstrate respect to their teachers. Although this celebration only occurs once a year, it brings me overwhelming joy to see teachers appreciated for what they have done to the school. I believe that such a celebration is a great start to an academic year as it represents a warm welcome back to school, marking the beginning of a powerful bond between teachers and students.

I came away from this ceremony, realizing yet again, that the collective and individual leadership of teachers is vital to the success of education systems and of students’ life.

By Ken (G12)

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Activities and Events

W

e are so proud of our Early Years graduating class of 2019! It has been a pleasure watching all of you grow during your time in the Early Years. You have all become much more knowledgeable, better thinkers and more principled over the years.

Each of you knows what it means to be a good friend by showing how caring and open minded you truly are. All of you are real risk takers as you have taken on many challenges that you thought you may not have been ready for but you did it and you did it well!

As you move into Grade 1, take what you have learned in the Early Years and continue building on your knowledge, continue to be great thinkers and communicators!

Always reflect and look for ways in which you can better set a good example for others.

Wishing all of you the best in the Primary Years!!!!

Sincerely, Tim Byrum Early Years Vice Principal

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Activities and Events

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