Panaga School Newsletter Issue 42, September-October 2013

Page 2: • Welcome back • Technology Club - off to a

frenetic start, yet again!

Page 3: • Sharing the love of books

with our community • Is it a bird? Is it an ele-

phant? No, it’s Boris the Bear!

Pages 4 and 5: • Welcome! Our new teach-

ers for 2013/2014

Page 6: • P6’s Entry Point now and

for way beyond: being Fit for Life

• P4 parents join their chil-dren in some good (not so) old health and fitness!

Page 7: • IPC Personal Goals - in ac-

tion - in the Nursery

Page 8: • Panaga School Choir show-

case community spirit and success with Sekolah Ren-dah Panaga

Page 9: • DP7/8 & IP8 aren’t just

brain-friendly learners, they’re friendly teachers

Page 10: • IP8’s great travel writing

Also in this issue:

Quote for the month:

“A well-stocked mind is safe from boredom.”

- Arthur C. Clarke

Newsletter designed and edited by Damian Brady

Featuring this month:

Message from the Principal

Panaga School Brunei Darussalam Jalan Utara, Seria, KB3534, Brunei

Phone: +673 3372139 Fax: +673 3373028

Web: www.panagaschool.com

More on page 2

Welcome back!

Welcome to the first colour newsletter of this academic year. If Arthur C. Clarke’s saying, “A well-stocked mind is safe from boredom,” rings true; the many events and activities already underway this half term have kept our wits about us all, with interest! I would like to thank you for your positive comments so far this year. Several of you have remarked on how happy your children have been in school this half term. These sentiments have also been echoed in the parent-teacher consulta-tions this week. They are very important in planning the future learning steps of your children; and as I indicated at the start of the year, research clearly shows that involvement in your child’s education will help them develop at school. The current school expansion continues to progress well. We all eagerly await the completion of Phase One, the new Men-daram building, which will be finished early next half term. Thank you to every-one for your patience and the adjust-ments you have had to make in terms of parking and the collection of your chil-dren. It is truly appreciated. We are hopeful and excited that the whole ex-pansion should be completed by early in the second term. This will then result in the move of some classes into their new rooms. We will inform you further of this transition when plans are finalised. Earlier this half term, we had the privi-lege of meeting members of Sekolah Rendah DMS Dian Sukang. The school are recipients of books donated with funds raised from our ‘Busking for Books’

programme. Sekolah Rendah DMS Dian Sukang is located in rural Brunei. They have only 13 students enrolled. The school is located 2-3 hours from Kuala Belait, depending on road conditions, and they have limited access to reading materials. Our support here will make a difference to the lives of these children. The positive action and efforts of many members of our community have made this such a rewarding experience. Many thanks to all of the students, teachers and parents who contributed to this pro-gramme; in particular, Miss Anna, Miss Christina, Miss Teresa, Mr Tim Walsh and Mr Meino. We are hoping to visit the school again sometime in the future to see how the books are utilised as part of their school reading programme. (See photos on page 3.) Last, but by no means least, a warm wel-come to all of our new members of the Panaga School community. We sincerely hope life is beginning to settle for you and you are enjoying some comfort and peace in your surrounds. Among our new community members are our 17 new teachers. You can learn a little more about them on pages 4 and 5. Can you believe it is already half term holiday time? Something Arthur C. Clarke would also attest to - time flies when you are having fun - must also be true. Have a happy and safe two weeks break and we look forward to seeing you again from Monday, 21st of October. Best wishes and sincere thanks, Tim Robinson

Panaga School Newsletter Welcome back to the new school year - 2013/2014

There were smiles all round and hardly a tear in sight (from the stu-dents anyway) as Panaga’s new academic year began on Monday, 3rd of September, 2013. After a well-deserved break, all chil-dren settled into their new classes ea-gerly and easily; including last year’s P3s who began this year in the “big school” (Teraja).

Plus, we welcomed many new families and teachers to the school community. (Please see page 4 and 5.) It was fantastic to witness so many smiles on the children’s faces as many have long awaited being reacquainted with their friends, making new ones and continuing their studies. There are many wonderful events oc-

curring this year - an exciting schedule of school residentials, concerts, theme days, Challenge Days, ASAs and sports competitions – to name a few. Keep posted to the school website and each Thursday’s Parent Informa-tion Letters for details. But for now, welcome back! It’s going to be another great school year!

By Damian Brady

Technology Club - off to a frenetic start, yet again! On Thursday 19 September, Technology ASA got off to a frenetic start yet again with a full complement of budding civil and me-chanical engi-neers, car de-

signers and airplane manufacturers. These techie enthusiasts appeared to derive terrific enjoyment in the process of assembling all manner of interesting looking things! Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines - NASA is hir-ing. By Mr Dermot

Panaga School Newsletter Sharing the love of books with our community (from Page One)

Feathers the Hornbill, Panaga School’s very own mascot, has been jetsetting across the globe, spreading goodwill and typical Bruneian peace to chil-dren, helping them learn more about how we live here.

Feathers is next off to the Sakha-lin International School in Russia and according to the School Mas-cot Exchange website, “He has been packing for weeks and is a bit worried about the cold. He has just spent a year in Gabon having a marvellous time and will be very sad to leave, but is looking for-ward to his next big adventure!” The Shell Mascot Exchange pro-ject involves schools from Gabon, Russia, Oman and Brunei. This is the second year of an annual pro-ject which aims to promote ICT skills and International Minded-ness between Shell Schools. Panaga School ICT Specialist and inspirational founder of the pro-ject, Mr Neil Lynch, is excited at how the mascot exchange is reaching even more children across the world. "I'm really glad to see that the Mascot project has expanded to

four schools now in the Shell group. It is really interesting to see slices of life from the different corners of the globe." For more information on the Shell Schools Mascot Exchange pro-ject, stay tuned to their website: shellmascot.weebly.com. Welcome Boris! I hope you can teach us many things about Rus-sia and keep as cool as you can in tropical Brunei!

By Damian Brady

Is it a bird? Is it an elephant? No, it’s Boris the Bear!

Panaga School Newsletter

Nathan Edwards PE Specialist

Jodie Jeanes-

Waterson Nursery Teacher

Laura Berzins

IP8L Class Teacher

Rachel Clark

IP3R Class Teacher

Nationality: British Arrived from: Before moving to Brunei two years ago, I lived in The Nether-lands. Am here with: My husband, Dan, and two girls, Eleanor and Lydia. Interests: Running, swimming, travel-ling, making things and lots of reading! Hopes for this year: To have lots of (educational) fun with P8!

Nationality: British Arrived from: I have lived in Brunei for two years now; before that I lived in Russia, Nigeria, Syria and the UK. Am here with: My husband, Jeroen, and my two boys, Henry and Alexander. Interests: Reading, films, travelling and socialising. Hopes for this year: Lots of learning and fun in P3 with the best bunch of children I know!

Amanda Holmes

Deputy Head Teacher of Mendaram

Christine Simpson Rampayoh

Music Specialist

Rosie Sohail

IP5RS Class Teacher

Katy Docherty

SEN Specialist

Nationality: Australian Arrived from: Australia Am here with: My husband and two daughters. Interests: Design, Reading and Travelling. Hopes for this year: To have a lovely year with my Nursery class.

Nationality: British Arrived from: York, England Am here with: My husband, Chris. Interests: Playing the piano, clarinet, saxophone, drama and running. Hopes for this year: To compose and perform music and sing songs with the children.

Welcome! Our new teachers for

2013/2014

Nationality: British Arrived from: Cambridge, England Am here with: My two children, Jack and Lola. Interests: Reading, films, travelling, socialising and swimming. Hopes for this year: Meeting and help-ing lots of fabulous students.

Nationality: British/Australian Arrived from: Director of an Early Learning Centre and Teacher Training facility in Du-bai, United Arab Emirates. Am here with: My lovely cat, Sophie. Interests: Keeping fit and healthy as an active member of the community. Hopes for this year: As Deputy Head of Mendaram, I hope to support and guide the team as we move into the wonderful new learning area.

Arrived from: Dhahran British Grammar School in Saudi Arabia. We spent seven very happy and energetic years in Saudi Arabia, exploring the old souks, ruins and deserts of the Middle East, diving in the Red Sea, to name but a few! Am here with: My husband, Muz, who also teaches at the school and my three scrumptious girls; Aaliyah (P6), Rox-anna (P2) and Sophia (P1). Interests: I love nature and an outdoors lifestyle. I am also very keen to revive my interest in scuba diving and explore the ocean life in and around South East Asia. Hopes for this year: To continue to uphold my motto of, ‘Play Hard and Work Hard' and most importantly to make the year 2013/14 a special and memorable one for the children that I teach.

Tania Mehlhopt IP4T Class

Teacher

Nationality: New Zealander Arrived from: 4 years in Abu Dhabi Am here with: My husband, Nathan Edwards, who is teaching PE and our two children, Chloe and Sam. Interests: Keen interests in netball, touch rugby, golf, books and anything related to foreign lan-guages. Hopes for this year: I hope to provide a stimulating, fun and challenging learning environment for my class. On a personal note, I aim to meet new people and to explore this wonderful area with my family.

Panaga School Newsletter

Nathan Edwards PE Specialist

Nationality: British Arrived from: Abu Dhabi Am here with: Tania Mehlhopt (P4 teacher) Interests: Rugby, golf, tennis, kayaking, etc Hopes for this year: To see some crocs whilst out on my kayak!

Nationality: British Arrived from: UK Am here with: My wife, Gemma and son, Jarrett. Interests: Swim, Bike, Run and the occasional walk around a golf course. Hopes for this year: To get back close to a 'race-weight', spend some quality time with my family, to learn some more about this side of the world and help promote learning at Panaga School!

Nationality: Dutch Arrived from: Gabon Am here with: Husband, Jim, and sons, Max (8) and Connor (6). Interests: Reading, volleyball, scuba diving and walking. Hopes for this year: A fun-filled, learn-ing focused year with my delightful class.

Marijke Hansford IP3M Class

Teacher

Nationality: British Arrived from: Abu Dhabi Am here with: Tania Mehlhopt (P4) Interests: Rugby, golf, tennis, kay-aking etc. Hopes for this year: To see some crocs whilst out on my kayak!

Zoë Casson Nursery Teacher

Emma Fulton

IP3E Class Teacher

Martin Jarvis

IP2M Class Teacher

Bianca Priday

EAL Specialist

Nationality: British Arrived from: Devon, UK Am here with: Me! Interests: Travelling, sport, finding new ex-periences. Hopes for this year: To explore as much of Asia as possible, learn some Malay, compete in some sporting events and develop profes-sionally in Panaga School!

Grace Tiffin

IP7G Class Teacher

Nationality: British Arrived from: Scotland Am here with: My husband, Iain Interests: Travel, shopping, reading and eating great food! Hopes for this year: •To visit as much of Brunei and Borneo as possible and embrace the culture! • To have a great and prosperous year with my P3 class!

Nationality: British Arrived from: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Am here with: Me! Interests: Travelling, socialising and generally keeping fit. Hopes for this year: To travel around South East Asia and to develop professionally.

Nationality: British Arrived from: England Am here with: My twins, Lili and Finn, in P5 and my husband, Damian, who is also studying. Interests: Swimming, gym, biking, reading and cooking. Hopes for this year: Settle into Panaga School, make some new friends and under-take some more travelling. I'd love to learn some Malay too!!

Nationality : Welsh Arrived from: Cardiff, Wales Am here with: My husband, Dan, and 2 chil-dren, Ella (IP4T) and Osian (Nursery). Interests: Scuba diving, trekking and swim-ming. Hopes for this year: Really looking forward to working in such a culturally-diverse school. Hopefully this year I will explore more of S.E. Asia, meet new people and learn some Malay along the way!

Matthew Hunt

IP5M Class Teacher

Nathan Edwards

PE Specialist

Muz Sohail

IP7M Class Teacher

Nationality: British Arrived from: Saudi Arabia Am here with: Rosie (my wife), Aaliyah, Rox-anna and Sophia, my daughters. Interests: I enjoy quizzes, playing football, cricket, tennis and films; amongst a lot of other things. Hopes for this year: To develop a healthy work-life balance by making great new friends at the school and around Panaga.

Panaga School Newsletter P6’s Entry Point now and for way beyond: being Fit for Life

For our P6 IPC ‘Fit for Life’ Entry Point, we enjoyed taking part in a cir-cuits class. Stations included Knee Lifts, Jumping Jacks, Crunches, Box Steps, Line Jumps and Skipping. What a workout! We recorded how many of each activity we could do in only one minute. It was tough going, especially by the time we were at the last station. The next day, we also realised how many different muscles we needed to use in such a routine as many of us were a bit sore coming to school. We felt good though! The afternoon proved that being fit cer-tainly is something we need to be for life!

By P6 teachers

Sweaty, wet and fun are the words to describe P4’s IPC event held on Friday 20th September. For our new IPC Unit ‘Health and Fit-ness’, P4 organised a sports morning for parents. Exciting games like tug-of-war over a paddling pool, water balloon obstacle course, slalom sack races and hur-dles were designed to show how be-ing healthy and fit can be fun. P4 thoroughly enjoyed managing the event and seeing so many parents join in with the fun.

By Miss Joanne

P4 parents join their children in some good (not so) old health and fitness!

No matter where your current fitness level is, RISE TO THE CHALLENGE, that’s the tagline for this year’s BSJV Wheels and Heels. This healthy lifestyle event is planned to take place on Wednesday, 23rd October 2013 at the Brunei Shell Recreational Club (BSRC). As in previous years, the “Wheels” category is open to all cyclists with a distance of 14 km. This year, the “Heels” category has gone up a notch with an additional category: • ELITE – 10KM competitive run • CASUAL – 6.5KM competitive run • FUN – 3.5KM fun run and walk. Participation is open to all BSP, BLNG, BSM and BST staff and business partners, including families and spouses. Top runners in the competitive categories will receive medals and prizes. So get going, register yourself, level up your fitness, and RISE TO THE CHALLENGE!

MD Wheels and Heels 2013 Organising Committee presents...

Panaga School Newsletter

Thoughtfulness

We help others and think about their feelings.

Adaptability

We sometimes have to change our ideas.

Communication

We talk and listen to others.

Cooperation

We like to work and learn together.

Enquiry

We like to find out and learn new things.

Values

We do the right thing.

Respect

We are polite to adults and kind to others.

Resilience

We keep on trying when things are tricky.

IPC Personal Goals IPC Personal Goals -- in action in action -- in the Nursery in the Nursery

The children in Nursery not only learn in each developmental area, they also develop as an individual and relation-ships begin to form that extend beyond the immediate family. Nursery is a place where children learn about what it means to be a part of a community and the roles and responsibilities that are involved in that proc-ess. Each of the IPC Personal Goals carry with them clear learning targets which remind children and teachers of how their and their peers’ learning can be enhanced by adapting them; not just in their IPC learning, but in all aspects of school life.

Here’s how our Nursery children, some of our youngest students in the school, put into practice their IPC Personal Goals:

Feathers, our school mascot, and the eight IPC Personal Goals

Panaga School Newsletter

In April 2013, the Panaga School Choir joined forces with the choir from local school, Sekolah Rendah Panaga, to embark on an amazing journey called ‘Voices Around the World’. ‘Voices Around The World’ is a not-for-profit choir project dedicated to linking the voices of young people around the world through music. In 2012, more than 300 schools from 40 countries took part in the project to make an international recording of Howard Jones's song - ‘Building Our Own Future’. The final recording, re-leased in December 2012, included over 1000 voices! After being invited to take part in the 2013 project, we were sent a song especially written once again by the amazing Howard Jones called ‘Unshakeable’. The children together with our new friends from Sekolah Rendah Panaga rehearsed every week, working ex-tremely hard in order to be ready to record our performance to send back to the UK to form part of the final in-ternational recording.

After two months, we were ready and booked a recording session at the Radio and Television Brunei studios in Kuala Belait. We were all super excited as none of us had ever been inside a recording studio before! The day of the recording after many hours of technical trials and tribula-tions, we had our recording of the song. The sopranos recorded first and then the altos. The children did so incredibly well and I was very proud of them! They found it exciting to hear the playback of their own singing too. Afterwards, I sat down with the re-cording technicians at the studio and finally had the recordings on CD, ready to send off to the UK. What a great feeling! During the summer, I finally received an email from the ‘Voices Around the World’ team to say that our re-cordings had been officially chosen to form part of the final edition! The final edition will be released this December so watch this space! Well done guys :)

By Miss Sarah

Panaga School Choir showcase community spirit and success with Sekolah Rendah Panaga

Panaga School Newsletter DP7/8 & IP8 aren’t just brain-friendly learners, they’re friendly teachers

For the Exit Point of their open-ing IPC topic, “Brainwaves”, DP7/8 and IP8 proved not just to be great learners, they are also patient, dynamic and inclusive teachers. Their task was to plan step-by-step instructions and then teach a ran-domly-chosen peer a skill they feel they are good at. They had to keep in mind that some children learn best kinaes-thetically, whilst other may be vis-ual or aural learners. Therefore, not only did they have to write clear instructions, they had to adapt them depending on the needs and preferences of their stu-dents. ‘Teachers’ also had to keep their students engaged, on-task and most importantly encourage them with the belief that they can make progress. Not surprisingly, in the space of just one morning, children could (almost suddenly) play sweet sounding notes on a violin, strum a few guitar chords, tee off a golf ball straight down the fairway, make an expertly assembled paper aero-plane and serve and volley; among many more newly acquired skills. All children concluded that both learning and teaching are fun, but tiring - especially teaching. “I had to think of different ways to stop him getting distracted. It was very tiring as he was not always listening, but we got there in the end and he did quite a good job,” one student remarked. “All in a day’s work,” teachers around the classroom thought to themselves in response.

By Damian Brady

Panaga School Newsletter In case you are staying in Brunei these holidays...

To begin their Literacy learn-ing this school year, IP8 em-barked on the task of being travel writers. Their audience - people who are interested in holidaying in Brunei. Could this be you this half term break?

To start the unit, they spent the first two weeks under the tute-lage of Panaga School’s jour-nalist and teacher, Mr Damian. Over the course of the fort-night, children learned about

the different genres and pur-poses of travel writing.

They explored how travel nar-ratives help make the reader feel part of the action. They learnt how guidebooks give tips and advice on what to do and what not to miss. Plus, children saw how travel bro-chures use persuasion (and made their own convincing and appealing brochures) to entice potential holidaymakers to stay at their ‘resorts’.

They also analysed some hi-larious travel blogs, both poorly and well-written, the likes all of us have read on Tripadvisor. Finally, students engaged in a deconstruction of Mr Damian’s article on Brunei he wrote for Hong Kong Business maga-zine; before writing their own piece on the Abode of Peace.

How did they do? Miss Laura commented, “I am blown away by the wonderful writers we have in IP8! They all should be

very proud of their efforts.”

One IP8 journalist, Simin Ali, particularly caught Miss Laura’s eye. “Hers is a profes-sionally written article that cap-tures all the traits of excellent travel writing,” she furthered. “But she is not the only one. IP8 should all be delighted with their articles.”

Below is Simin’s piece. Editors at the Borneo Bulletin, please take note. Perhaps ’head hunt-ers’ do still exist on Borneo.

Take a trip down to heaven on  earth,  Brunei  Darussa‐lam, which has been a fasci‐nation  to  the most  adven‐turous hearts and minds of the  world!  Located  in  the middle of the world’s oldest rainforest  and  submerged with  exquisite  wildlife, brace  yourself  while  you enter  the  phenomenal  is‐land of Borneo! 

The minute  country  stands proud and strong at the top of Borneo with plenty of oil to  let  it  self‐nourish  and grow!   With  the  population  of 400,000 people in total, the kingdom  (ruled by His Maj‐esty,  Sultan  Hassanal Bolkiah) has a great amount of  space  to  spare!  The  Is‐lamic  country  displays  re‐markable  hospitality  at  the 

time  of  Hari  Raya,  which makes  it  the  best  time  to visit!  Brunei  is  a  tropical country;  it’s warm  and  sul‐try  throughout  the  year, with a  tremendous amount of rainfall in between!   You may ask why you would want to go to such a myste‐rious  country.  Even  the most  adventurous  people need  a  week  or  two  of peace  and  quiet,  Brunei deals  just  that  to  its  tour‐ists.  Temburong  National Park  is  just a hop,  skip and jump  away  from  Bandar Seri  Begawan,  the  park  al‐lows  you  to  explore  the world’s  oldest  rainforest face  to  face!  Watch  the river  (crocodile  free)  flow past  curving  meanders, while you trek past glowing mushrooms! Have  the doc‐tor  fishes  give  you  a  free treatment  as  you  play  and splash around  in  the minor but fantastic waterfall!     In  the heart of Kuala Belait stands OGDC,  (Oil  and  Gas Discovery  Centre)  which  is full  of  interactive  games 

that  educate  you  about  oil production  in  Brunei  Shell. The  Billionth  Barrel Monu‐ment  is a must to see. Also located  in  Kuala Belait,  the monument  represents  the one  billionth  barrel  pro‐duced!   Bruneian malls allow an as‐tonishing  preview  of  their rich  culture  and  beautiful clothes,  a  handful  of  local and  international  restau‐rant  are  available  for  all tastes!  The  Kampong  Ayer (water  village)  is  an  unfor‐gettable  experience,  stare at heart stopping crocodiles and  hilarious  proboscis monkeys,  as  you  cruise  by on a motor speed boat!  

 Staying  at  Brunei  is  no problem at all! The magnifi‐cent and very well‐known 7 

star  Empire  Hotel  provides their guests with a luxurious stay with  truckloads  of  ac‐tivities  to  do!  The  experi‐ence is fit for a king! 

Frequent flights from Singa‐pore make Brunei a conven‐ient  sub‐holiday  destina‐tion! A great Southeast Asia tour  is nothing without  the marvelous Brunei  included! Brunei  makes  an  excellent place  to  live  and  work  as well, for all those who want to  live abroad Brunei  is  the place for you! With amazing facilities  and  a  comfortable lifestyle,  no  one  leaves Brunei without a tear shed‐ding hour!  When  are  you  planning your  visit?  Come  join  the journey  of  a  life  time! We have a great deal to offer!  By Simin Ali 

RELAXATION PLUS ENTERTAINMENT EQUALS BRUNEI! 

SOUTH-EAST ASIA

THE KAMPONG AYER

THE EMPIRE HOTEL