St Andrew's Senior School
Weekly Newsletter - 6th Dec 2023
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ADMISSION TOURS - NIGERIA |
Click on the images below for the booking link. |
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Dear Parents,
75 is the number that should be ringing around the houses of Y11, 12 and 13 students over the Christmas break. With a four-week break, students sitting public examinations in the Trinity term, and thus mock examinations in the Easter term, should be doing between 75-85 hours of revision over the Christmas break. If weekends and the third week are taken off, this leaves 15 days in which between 5-6 hours of study should be conducted. This should initially be a review of files and writing of revision notes, then learning key facts, processes and methods, before practicing their application through past paper questions. As I have said many times to the students, the process is certainly not “easy”, but it is “simple”. Work hard, relax, exercise and sleep well.
By committing to a revision regime in December, candidates will begin to identify what they are struggling with because of a lack of knowledge or a lack of understanding. A lack of knowledge requires a concerted effort to commit things to memory, a lack of understanding needs further investigation and likely teacher support. Crucially, a process starting in December will allow students to get the most from the mocks and subsequent teacher feedback, next term.
The final week of this term commenced with the Christmas meals on Saturday. My enormous thanks go to Mr. Buckler and his team of (willing) student helpers who decorated that Hub and Sayer Hall so elegantly. As usual, the catering department excelled themselves (although I somehow missed out on pigs in blankets for the second year in a row!), and the students clearly had a great deal of fun at the meal, during the entertainment and especially during the dancing that rounded off the events. My thanks especially to Maggie in Y11 who stepped up at the last minute when the playlist failed, to DJ the Y9-11 event faultlessly.
So as the first term of the year draws to a close, it just remains for me to thank you for your continued support of the school, to wish you a wonderful Christmas season with your loved ones and assure you that we will be rested and re-energized in January, ready to continue working with you to ensure the best outcomes, both inside and outside the classroom, for all those involved with St Andrew’s Turi.
With my continued prayers and best wishes,
Mr Ben Pennington
Headmaster
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Understanding your child’s progress
On Friday grades for all students will be published on the Parent Portal, providing parents with an update on their child’s effort and academic progress in each subject. Some parents have requested a clarification around academic grades (including target grades, as presented at VISO 1), so we trust that the attached document (click here to access it) will help to pre-empt any queries you may have around the grades published. There are other nuances that are useful for certain cohorts to know – for example the Year 13 UCAS predicted grades are ‘aspirational but achievable’ which means that they might err on the side of being more optimistic than a prediction we would make before a student sat their examination – but hopefully the explanations provided will give a greater clarity where needed.
We would also strongly recommend talking to your child about their progress; while their view may not always align with their teacher’s judgment (!) these conversations are very helpful to have.
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This is particularly true for exam candidates, who have all been instructed to aim for 75 hours of work over the holidays as per Mr Pennington’s message. Otherwise we do wish you and all of the students a blessed Christmas break, and we look forward to seeing you in 2024!
Mr Jonathan Williams
Deputy Head Academic
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Below are some of the photos of the Christmas dinner that was enjoyed by all this year. We held the event at two venues, one in the Hub for Years 9-11 and one in the Sayer Hall for College. Both had some talented performers and the evening concluded with some dancing and fun. The best way to end a long term! |
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Main School Christmas Dinner |
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Today we saw our first TPS (Turi Pastoral Support) Hub for the year, an opportunity for all the heads of the committees to come together around food to discuss what has been achieved over the last term and what the plans are for next term. It was great to see so many students sharing the various initiatives they have been involved in. |
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Thanks to Talya and Njukia who chaired the event very well and gave all the committees time to speak and explain what they have done and what they plan to do next term.
Please do contact me if you wish to discuss any matter relating to pastoral life at St Andrew’s School on the following email address:
Mr Mark Buckler
Deputy Head, Pastoral
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St Andrew’s Day is traditionally celebrated on 30th November, but we saved our celebrations until Saturday 2nd December so as to protect learning time. The Round Square committee arranged for the Senior school to play ten less well-known international games. Everyone had a wonderful, relaxing morning and voted XXX from XXX to be the best new game.
Mr Nicholas Martyn
Director, Co-curricular
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Round Square St Andrew’s Day celebrations
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The musical highlight of the year is probably the Christmas Carol Concert. After long hours of practise, about 20% of the school formed the Orchestra, Choir or support, in a polished performance to the remaining 80% of students and staff.
Our Clubs continue to engage and inspire students in a diverse range of pursuits, a sample of which is shown below.
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In DT Club students design and construct their own creations
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Orchestra Club practised intensely for the Carol Concert |
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Equine Club deepens theory knowledge for riding students
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Radio Club students constructed receivers
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STEM Club students practised architectural design
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And are hoping to qualify for an amateur radio licence
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In recognition of progress in co-curricular, top performing students were invited to the termly rewards dinner and some were awarded colours in the end of term assembly.
All of the co-curricular staff wish our Turi families a safe and happy Christmas. We look forward to seeing the students back again on 7th January 2024.
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Please click on the link below to access the events coming up over the next couple of weeks |
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Week 12 started with lots of activities as we prepared to get to the last week of term. The devotion for the week was from 1 Samuel 1:15 NTL “Oh no, sir!" she replied. "I haven't been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord.” A reminder to us to pour out our frustrations to God.
Being an Off Timetable Day, we decided to spend with the workforce and the kitchen staff as we appreciated them for all the sacrifice, support and dedication they put in our school by having sports with them and serving them lunch.
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Top left: Students making thank you cards for the workforce
Top middle: Students serving the workforce and kitchen staff
Top right, bottom left: Workforce and kitchen staff enjoying lunch
Bottom middle, bottom right: sports with workforce and kitchen staff
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On Wednesday at the Soul Chapel, Rev. Hackman shared on Wisdom is not for the Foolish from Matthew 7:24. He reminded us that Jesus has given us tools to build a solid foundation and to make our faith more alive. He admonished us not to be like a foolish builder who will be washed away but rather choose wisdom to build a strong faith that is fulfilling, authentic and on Jesus Christ.
Later in the evening at Bible Study, we looked at Luke 2:8-20 – The Christmas story. We discussed on why we think such news of Jesus’ birth would be first given to the shepherds, the people right at the bottom and how they must have felt. We also looked at how this news of “great joy for all people” is seen in our world today and how relevant it is.
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Year 9 prayer time at Bible Study |
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On Friday at the Outdoor Chapel, Hope Chakoreka Yr 9 spoke on Faith. Reminding us that Faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. She exalted us that faith helps us grow and that God hears our prayers even though it seems like nothing is happening. |
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She pointed to us ways in which we should exercise our faith in God:
- By reading and doing what the word of God says: God's word is where our faith comes from, we get instructions on how to be victorious in our lives and so by reading His word we exercise our Faith and confidence in Jesus.
- By Prayer: Daily prayer will invite God into our lives and this helps us establish a deeper trust. Our faith will grow stronger as we release the power of prayer in our lives.
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In the evening at our final Faith Factor of term, we had a moment of dance, worship, prayer and a word from Emmanuel Mugaine Yr 12 as he shared on The Full Armor of God from Ephesians 6: 12-17. Emmanuel encouraged us as Christians we should always wear the full armor of the Lord so that we may be able to fight any battle that comes our way.
Pastor John Thuo of Deliverance Church Elburgon in our final Sunday Chapel of term shared on Gratitude from Psalm 100:4 Message version “Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.
He prompted us that there is no greater sacrifice, no amount of gold nor silver that can satisfy the hunger of God like thanksgiving. He admonished that thanksgiving is the sacrifice that honors God.
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Top left - Emmanuel Mugaine speaking at Faith Factor
Bottom left - Prayer time at Faith Factor
Bottom right - Pastor John Thuo speaking at Sunday Chapel
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The term was wrapped up in a Candlelight Carol service as we shared on the Nine lessons, carols and prayers celebrating the birth of Jesus.
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As we break into the Christmas season, may we, like the shepherds and wise men of old, seek God with unwavering faith and find joy in His divine presence.
Happy holidays and blessed 2024!
Selah!
Rev. Patricia Okiring
Senior School Chaplain
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