WELCOME NEW FAMILIES New Families Booklet | Monday 8 January
INTRODUCTION
James Murphy O’Connor | Head Master The Harrow values, traditions and ethos permeate every aspect of Harrow Bangkok, and we very much hope that your children will grow up in to those young men and women of great values and character, and that they will go from our school to make a huge difference to their own community and indeed the world. Michael Reddish | Principal Deputy Head Thank you for choosing Harrow Bangkok, we are delighted to welcome you into this very special family. I look forward to seeing our new Harrovians take advantage of the amazing opportunities here, living our values of Courage, Honour, Humility and Fellowship and growing into outstanding young people. I wish you all every success! Paul Johnson | Head of Upper School Welcome to Harrow Bangkok, where academic excellence, charitable endeavour and a nurturing community come together to empower our students through their educational journey.
Paul Beach | Head of Lower School I am delighted to welcome you to the Harrow family. Our community is unique and incredibly special. Over the coming years your child will flourish in our care – they will take much from being a young Harrovian and I know they will have much to give too.
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A WARM WELCOME TO THE HARROW FAMILY This leaflet contains practical information on what is on offer today, including • The event schedule • Guidelines for exploring the Services Providers Fair • Arrangements for the first day of school • Links to additional helpful resources. You will also be given the academic year planner 23/24 and campus map. Our goal is to make the transition to Harrow as smooth as possible, ensuring that both you and your child(ren) are prepared for the exciting first days of this new educational journey. We understand that a lot of information is being presented to you, and it’s completely natural if you’re feeling overwhelmed. However, please rest assured that our teams are here to support you and your children as you step into the Harrow community. Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have – we are here to help.
THE HARROW TEAM.
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SCHEDULE MONDAY 8 JANUARY Main Locations: Recital Hall and Room A205 Our coffee shop (located at the Kopse) is open today from 7 am to 3pm. 8am
Registration
8.30am
Warm Welcome by our Head Master, Mr James Murphy O’Connor, Deputy Head Master, Dr Michael Reddish and our key leadership team of Mr Paul Beach, Head of Lower School and Ms Kathryn Gavin, Director of Studies (Upper School).
9am
Guided Tours of our School
9.45am
Refreshments and mingle with other new families, meet our leadership team (Recital Hall). Visit our Service Providers Fair (Room A205), which has a variety of information booths to help you and your child get ready for school.
11am
End of the morning
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SERVICES FAIR Make sure to visit the booths that align with your family’s needs, and feel free to ask any questions you may have. In addition to exploring the various booths, there are also a few tasks to do:
1. ALL STUDENTS • Your Parent ID card and car sticker can be obtained at our admissions booth. If your Parent ID card or car sticker aren’t ready yet, our sincere apologies but rest assured we will expedite their preparation. During this interim period, you can enter the campus using a visitor card. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. • If you would like to sign up for a Sport Academy/Team trial or any music related afterschool activities, kindly visit our Sports and/ or Music booths. Alternatively you can sign up for Academy/ Team trials or individual music classes via the forms located in our Schools Forms Dashboard. Access the School Forms Dashboard here with your login and password (same as your parent portal credentials).
2. UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS • Kindly visit our Upper School Administration booth where you can collect your student portal login credentials and timetable.
3. PRE PREP STUDENTS (FOR YEAR 4 ONLY)
• iPad (Year 4 only): do not forget to bring your iPad to our ICT booth so that it can be added to the school’s management system. Your device will be ready at the end of the event. In very exceptional cases if a substantial set-up is required, your child’s iPad might only be ready the first day of school. Apologies for any inconvenience. • iPad agreement (Year 4 and 5): please drop off your signed iPad agreement at the Lower School Admin table or ICT booth. Alternatively, pick up a printed copy of the agreement at the Lower School Admin table.
4. BOARDING STUDENTS • You are welcome to submit your Device Policy agreement, Offsite permission form, or Medication form at our Boarding booth.
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OUR DIFFERENT BOOTHS ADMISSIONS • • •
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Collect your Parent ID card or car sticker at our booth Feel free to inquire about any aspects of your child’s onboarding at Harrow. We’re here to guide you in the right direction. Update your contact details if needed at this booth. Please ensure we have your most up to date email address(es) and telephone number(s). Kindly note that the signatures of both parents/guardians are required for such changes.Thank you for your cooperation. You can update your contact information, request a car sticker or Parent ID card via the School Forms Dashboard. Access the School Forms Dashboard here with your login and password (same as your parent portal credentials).
VISA INFORMATION Ask any questions you might have regarding your child’s/family’s visa.
SCHOOL BUS • •
Register for our school bus, discover our bus routes or get information on parking/ routes to school. Download the school bus registration form here.
SCHOOL SHOP • •
Discover everything about the Harrow uniform at this booth, where our shop team will provide guidance on the items to purchase for your child. Click the links below to access our Uniform Guidelines • Uniform Guidelines • Sixth Form Dress Code
ICT Visit our ICT Booth for the following assistance: • Support with accessing the Parent Portal or School Forms Dashboard • Address inquiries related to devices • For Year 4 and 5 students: • Submit your signed iPad agreement • For Year 4 students only: Hand over your device to set up the school’s management system. Please collect it back at the end of the event, unless otherwise instructed by our team. Thank you.
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LOWER SCHOOL (PRE PREP & EARLY YEARS) AND UPPER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION STAFF • • •
If you have any inquiries about the practical aspects of your child’s education and learning, our Admin staff is available to assist you. Upper School students can pick up their student portal credentials and timetables at this booth. For boarding enquiries, please go to our Boarding booth.
CATERING Learn about school meals and snacks offered at Harrow Bangkok by Epicure, our catering partner.
NURSING TEAM Meet our Nursing team and ask any questions about health or dietary requirements.
AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES 150’s of activities on offer. 80+ experienced and motivated coaches. 5 dedicated Sports Academies. Activities are geared toward the acquisition of motor skills for younger pupils with sporting and thinking activities both inside and outside of the classroom and we continue this development as pupils participate in sports teams and other activities in the Upper School. There are well over 150 different activities per season for pupils to choose from which include activities such as Lego, Orchestra, Choir, Model United Nations, Basketball, Jazz Club, Sailing, Duke of Edinburgh, Archery, Chess, Scrabble, Climbing, Robotics, Dance - to name but a few. • There are 3 seasons so students have the opportunity to try a range of different things through the year. Season 2 has started in November. Please visit our Activities Coordinators to explore what is available and to sign up. • Season 1 | 11 September to 10 November • Season 2 | 27 November to 16 February • Season 3 | 11 March to 7 June • Activities generally take place from 2.50 pm in Lower School and from 3 pm in Upper School every day.
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Activity requirements (2.50-5.00pm depending on the activity) Yeargroup Reception Years 1-2 Years 3-4 Years 6-13
Minimum Activity/Week None Required, 3 Maximum* 1 (No Maximum) 2 (No Maximum) 2 (No Maximum)**
Boarders Years 4-11 Years 12-13
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* We strongly recommend that you choose a maximum of one activity for your child’s first term to ensure a smooth transition. ** Years 11-13: activities in seasons 3 and 4 are optional due to external examinations
SPORT (AFTERSCHOOL OFFER) Harrow Bangkok provides an extensive Sports Programme in line with the school’s tradition of providing a broad, holistic education. We seek to provide ‘sport for all, whilst striving for excellence’. • After-school sports activities: We have different sports activities on offer through our after-school activities program. • 5 dedicated Sports Academies: Football, Gymnastics, Swimming, Tennis and Golf. Academies offer an entry point into respective sports, but they also ensure top athelets receive focused training. To join an academy, a trial is needed. • School Teams: students in Upper School can join a Senior Team to represent Harrow Bangkok in various competitions (a trial is needed). All students from Year 1 - Year 5 will have the chance to compete for Harrow through their Academy in friendly matches. • Sports facilities include: double sports hall (air-conditioned), shaded multipurpose outdoor courts (60m track, 2 basketball and 3 volleyball courts), highquality grass football pitches (3 senior, 2 junior and 2 floodlit), rugby pitch, fitness suite, dance studio, climbing wall, 8 lane, 25m swimming pool (salt chlorinated), six floodlit tennis courts (australian open surface), fully equipped gymnastics apparatus room and a dedicated athletics jumping and throwing area. • For a Sport Academy or Team trial (depending on the year group), kindly visit our Sport Booth or sign up via the designated forms in our School Forms dashboard. Access the School Forms Dashboard here with your login and password (same as your parent portal credentials).
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MUSIC (AFTERSCHOOL OFFER) Music holds a significant role in the holistic development and enrichment of our students within the school. It is intricately woven into the fabric of our culture and values. Beyond the regular academic curriculum, our students have the wonderful opportunity to engage in a diverse array of music activities after school. These include participation in various ensembles, orchestras, rock bands, choirs, and individual music sessions. Additionally, we offer engaging options like sing-along sessions and instrument clubs. These avenues not only foster musical talents but also cultivate teamwork, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the arts. Peri Music (Individual Music Lessons) • Over 25 instruments to choose from. • All are welcome to a free trial music lesson before registering for the full term. • There is no audition required. Reception to Year 13 can register for individual music lessons. • Music lessons will be scheduled during the academic timetable. The 30-minute music lesson will be scheduled on the same day each week but at a different time, to ensure students do not regularly miss the same academic lesson. If your child would like to join an afterschool Music activity please stop by the Music Booth who will happily explain the ways to register or audition. For individual music lessons, you can sign up via the designated form in School Forms dashboard. Access the School Forms Dashboard here with your login and password (same as your parent portal credentials).
BOARDING Discover more about life as a Harrow Boarder. • For boys and girls, 8 years (Year 4) and above • Full, weekly and flexi boarding options are available. Boarding at Harrow International School Bangkok offers students from Years 4-13 (Year 4 from academic year 2024-2025 onwards) a home-from-home experience, providing them with additional tailored academic support, as well as full access to a broad range of extracurricular activities on our state-of-the-art campus, up to seven days a week.
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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL For students in Years 1-13 | Tuesday 9 January 1. On your first day of school, please arrive a bit earlier around than usual (around 7.15 am) and go to our New Families registration booth in front of the Kopse area (coffee shop) near the clocktower. 2. After registration at the New Families booth: • Upper School: students will be grouped according to their house and collected and guided to their tutor rooms by our academic team or fellow students. • Years 1-2: parents and students can go to the Infant Yard where the form teachers will guide you to your child’s form rooms. • Years 3-5: parents and students can go to the Manta Ray area (blue shaded area in front of the Pre Prep School) where your child’s form teacher will be waiting. • Boarding students: your Boarding buddy will drop you off at the New Families booth at the table indicated with your house colour on it. Please wait there for our team to pick you up and show the way to your classroom. If your child is starting in Early Years, please follow the instructions and details provided by our Early Years team on your child’s starting time and date.
USEFUL RESOURCES Click here to find the following information: • This booklet • School Map • School Calendar • Parent Handbooks • Boarding Handbooks • Contact Lists (name and email addresses staff)
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HARROW TERMINOLOGY At Harrow we use some unique terminology. These words and phrases form a common language that unites Harrovians of every generation from all around the world. We are proud to introduce to you the following traditions:
A BLUER
is the uniform’s dark blue jacket.
A SEND UP
is the recognition of a piece of very good work or exceptional attitude.
A FORM ROOM is a Lower School classroom or an Upper School tutor room.
A BILL
is a compulsory class registration.
A SHEPHERD
is a student whose job it is to look after a new student in their first weeks.
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Educational Excellence for Life and Leadership
HARROW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BANGKOK 45 Soi Kosumruamchai 14, Kosumruamchai Road Don Mueang Subdistrict, Don Mueang District Bangkok 10210 Thailand
+66 (0)2 503 7222 harrowschool.ac.th harrowbangkok
