I do hope everyone had a lovely holiday and a Happy NewYear.
Term 2 has certainly started off with a 'bang' with lots of 'entry points' taking place across the school, including a lost dinosaur! As ever, this edition provides a snapshot of the learning that is taking place throughout the school. Please enjoy finding out about this, including our first remarkable entry submitted to the FOBISIA short story competition centred around intercultural awareness.
ASAs have started and our Year 6 children are currently on their residential in Kota Kinabalu, having a wonderful time - more details will be shared in our next edition.
Thank you to the parents that attended our information meeting on our literacy/English curriculum; if you were not able to attend, please find the slides here. We have a PTA Coffee Morning next Tuesday 21st January at 8:00 am in the Rampayoh Learning Room. Please do come along as we will be discussing how we carry on the great work of the Parents and Teacher Association. Can I ask parents to RSVP to Mis Yin at: meeyinkoo@panagaschool.net
Please find our guidance on communication here, following the feedback we have received. We are currently reviewing an App that may help us streamline communications even further, and are looking to present next year's School Calendar with demarcated sections, providing you with more relevant information.
Chinese New Year is approaching and we will celebrate this with the help of our fabulous Chinese community next Friday. A reminder that school will be closed on Monday 27th January until Wednesday 29th January; we will reopen onThursday 30th January.
Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing weekend.
Best Wishes, Brian, SLTand all of our staff.
UPCOMINGEVENTS
SchoolAcademic Calendar 2024-2025
SchoolAcademic Calendar 2025-2025
Parent Events Calendar
Red House Auditions (Ter/Mel) Parent Information Meeting IPC Blue House Auditions (Ter/Mel)
ReceptionTrip to Anduki/Panaga Health Safer Internet Day
Year 2Auditions Shining Lights duringYGS
Gentle reminders:
In November nurse Sheena joined our student health and support team. Sheena is an experienced school nurse recently working in Scotland, and this is her second time living in Brunei. We are really fortunate to have such an experienced and knowledgeable school nurse join us atPanagaSchool.
● If your child is unwell please keep them at home until they are fever free for 24 hours with no medication (panadol) and they feel well enough to return to school.
● A reminder that vomiting and diarrhoea is a return to school 48 hours after the last episode.
Any questions please contact nurse@panagaschool.net or pop in to see us at either Rampayoh or Teraja.
ANT News
The Sensory Rooms
Sensory circuits are one of the ways we support children's development. These circuits consist of activities that help children regulate themselves, ensuring they are calm, alert, and ready to engage in learning and social activities. By providing a structured routine of physical and sensory activities, sensory circuits help children improve focus, coordination, and emotional well-being.
We have sensory rooms on both Teraja and Rampayoh. They are equipped with various tools to promote sensory integration. Children can interact with tactile toys, soft mats, calming lights, and other equipment, all designed to help them process sensory input like touch, movement, and sound.
In addition to the sensory room, our outdoor equipment—including balance beams and climbing frames support the development of fine and gross motor skills. These activities encourage physical coordination, strength, and body awareness, which are essential for tasks such as writing, running, and everyday movement. On Teraja, the sensory room is open during during lunchtime for all students to use as a quiet place to play and socialise with their friends.
EntryPoint-DinosaursDetectives
The Mendaram children heard about a Time Travelling Dinosaur loose in Panaga. Using their senses they embarked on an adventure to see whattheycouldfind.Totheirsurprise, they found EGGS and decided to create a nice safe place for them to hatch!
Last week Year 2 showed resilience and cooperation during a quest to retrieve their stolen class teddies!
ENTRYPOINT
In the Entry Point activity, the children designed and built a prototype for a ride or game that they thought would be exciting and attract people to a fairground.
Chinese Culture Club
The Chinese Culture Club offers students the chance to DIY projects related to Chinese New Year and learn basic Chinese greetings, helping them engage with the culture and traditions of theholiday.
Calligraphy Lesson in Mandarin Class forYear 7 and 8
The student had fun trying out calligraphy in class, experimenting with basic brush strokes and focusing on character balance, structure, and alignment. Through hands-on practice, they enjoyed learning the art form and gained a deeper appreciation for its cultural significance.
The lesson not only enhanced their skills but also sparked a greater interest in exploring the rich history and tradition of Mandarin calligraphy
Panaga School Chess Competition
80 children from theTeraja and Melilas sections of the school have entered this year’s Panaga School chess competition. The participants have been using a range of thinking skills at lunchtime in their attempt to be successful in the tournament. The competition is organised along similar lines to previous years. The winner of each year group competition will win a trophy. The six year group winners will then play against each other in the champions’round in order to determine the whole school champion. The final of the chess competition will be played in front of an audience in theTeraja Hall in two weeks’ time; the audience will be able to follow the finalists’moves on the big screen. I hope to be able to announce the school chess champion in the next edition of the school newsletter. If your child would like to improve their understanding of chess, players of all ability levels are welcome to join the school’s ChessASAonThursday afternoons. In addition, if you would like to attend the ChessASAand battle your wits against some of our talented chess players, you’d be most welcome. You can contact me at the following email address if you would like to pay our ChessASAa visit - matthewfagg@panagaschool.net
Whether you are inspired by natural landscapes, urban environments, abstract compositions or even the rhythm created by the interplay of light and shadow, this theme encourages you to explore the endless possibilities.Your photographs can be in color or black and white, capturing vibrant hues or stark contrasts to tell a compelling visual story. Experiment with brightness and darkness to create striking visuals- delicate shadows on a face, sharp urban silhouettes, or the flowing transition of light across a landscape. Each image should demonstrate creativity, technical skill, and a thoughtful interpretation of the theme. Let your lens uncover the magic, rhythm, and beauty of Light and Shadow.
Congratulations to them for their victories over Adelar Shalapinin and Luciana Lombardi - both of whomnodoubtgaveittheirall!
With 63 students registered and a sea of Melilas spectators, the event was an electrifying atmosphere. It’s always thrilling to watch the competitiongrow,andwithmoretocomeattheend ofTerm2,we’resurethestakeswillbeevenhigher!
Looking forward to seeing more intense matches and perhaps some new champions emerging. Well doneagaintoalltheplayersfortheirhardworkand toeveryonewhosupportedtheevent!
