St Andrew's Senior School
Weekly Newsletter - 8th November 2023
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ADMISSIONS TOURS
Please see below the Upcoming Admissions Tours. Click images for the booking link:
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From the Headmaster's desk |
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Dear Parents,
I write this weekly communication from a lecture room at Yale University in New Haven, where 7 of our students are competing in the World Scholars Tournament of Champions. We have teams in both Junior and Senior divisions, along with over a thousand other students from around the world. The experience of competing with and against students from different backgrounds and cultures has proven to be a learning, humbling and growth experience for our students. Indeed, as a judge of the Senior Debates yesterday, it was remarkable to see the standard to which the scholars were able to reach. However, it has not all been work, with the opportunity to visit New York landmarks, experience legendary American portion sizes and of course snap up some pre-Christmas shopping bargains, all part of the week.
Online subject teacher consultations started last week with Y11 and will continue for further year groups this term (Y9 and 10). The time remains 5 minutes and staff have been given clear instructions about how to make the best use of this time, focusing on what is currently going well, what needs to be worked on, and an overall judgement on progress/attitude, before handing over to you for specific questions. Crucially, there should be no surprises in these meetings. If you feel you would like further discussions, that cannot wait until the informal consultations at VISO, please feel free to contact the relevant teacher or your child’s tutor.
On Saturday, we hosted schools taking part in our Orchestral weekend, and this weekend we are hosting the U19 KAISSO netball tournament and participating in the final of the KAISSO U15 cricket tournament. My enormous thanks go to Mr. Luvai for his work in facilitating the Orchestral weekend and to Mr. Smith for his endless work in ensuring the logistics for sporting fixtures are robust. Finally, a public congratulation to all the students involved in these endeavors and all the activities that happen both inside and outside the classroom; we are all very proud of their successes.
With my continued prayers and best wishes from America,
Mr Ben Pennington
Headmaster
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Connecting with teachers
Parents of Year 9 students will have received a communication this week instructing them how to book online consultations with subject teachers on Tuesday 14th. Please note that in Year 9 (more than any other year group) certain teachers have limited capacity, with a number teaching all 87 students. Therefore, if you are not able to book a consultation with a teacher that you would like to speak to, please do take the opportunity to connect with them at our upcoming VISO weekend, even if this is in between races at Sports Day; if you are unable to join us for the weekend, you are welcome to request an emailed update from the teacher.
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Parents of Year 11 and 13 students will also be receiving communications enabling them to book a meeting with their child’s tutor on the Saturday of the VISO weekend. To make a booking, please click here.
Mr Jonathan Williams
Deputy Head Academic
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From the Co-curricular Desk |
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The Orchestral Weekend was a great success despite the heavy rains currently pounding St Andrew’s. For a taste of the recitals we enjoyed on Saturday evening, click on any of the icons below.
The Rhino Cup debate team performed brilliantly in the semi-final against Brookhouse Karen but unfortunately did not qualify for the final. In sports we were disappointed to have trained hard and travelled all the way to West Nairobi School for the KAISSO Swimming Championships only for it to be cancelled. We hope for better competition in the future.
It is still possible to sign up for Fencing or Tae Kwon Do via the Parent Portal under Electronic Forms.
Mr Nicholas Martyn
Director, Co-curricular
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Orchestral Weekend - Highlights |
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Our delegation at the World Scholars Tournament of Champions in Yale University, USA, has run smoothly and is drawing to a close this week. |
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World Scholars Tournament of Champions |
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Events coming up over the next couple of weeks |
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8th & 10th Nov
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10th Nov
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11th Nov
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14th Nov
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17th Nov
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18th Nov
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- IGCSE Maths exam for set 1 only
- Faith Factor Night of Prayer
- KAISSO U19G Netball @Turi. KAISSO U19B Football @Hillcrest. MUN mock debate @Nairobi
- Y9 Online subject consultations
- Y12 Scholarship assessments
- KAISSO U15 Boys Football @BKS. KAISSO U19 Girls Basketball @Peponi. KAISSO U15G Netball @BGR. VISO including Y11 & 13 tutor consultations
- VISO including interhouse athletics
- Book Fair Charity Dress Up Day
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As we forge through the last lap of term, we received an encouragement from Romans 8:26 “In the same way, the Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express.” Being reminded that the Holy Spirit is indeed our helper.
We officially started the Y12 service sessions where our students went out to our community, interacted with them and helped in various activities like cooking, cleaning and teaching.
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Year 12 Students doing Community Work |
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On Wednesday at Soul Chapel, we were honored to have the 1st Headmaster of Senior School Papa John Eames speak the word of the Lord to us as he focused on Matthew 13:31-32. He likened the School to an Avocado seed that when planted, bears much fruit. He encouraged us not to despise small beginnings even in our lives; that from there with planning, prayer and action comes growth, change and above all fruits! He reckoned having started the Senior School with only 14 students, and now the fruits are evident that the Lord has indeed walked with us.
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Papa John Eames at the Wednesday Soul Chapel
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Later in the evening at the Bible Study, we started a new series on Everything, Everywhere a series to help students recognize stress in their lives and to encourage them to let God carry the weight of it for them going forward.
On Friday, at the outdoor Chapel, Mr. Bryan Mburu spoke on the Character of God and reminded us that God looks and honors the humble, for humility attracts more grace in our lives.
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Mr. Mburu at the Outdoor Chapel |
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At the Faith Factor, Mr. Victor Imbuye spoke on The Ordinary Man and revealed to us that God uses ordinary men and makes them extra-ordinary; He qualifies the unqualified.
He admonished us to remain in Christ and have the word of the Lord grafted in our hearts:
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- By believing in our heart that Jesus loves us
- By confessing with our mouth that Jesus is Lord
- By being the ordinary person that is willing to say Yes and allowing God work through us and make us extra-ordinary.
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Mr. Calver Mwando on Sunday challenged us as he shared on The Brand. He exalted us to reflect on what we are known for. He further asked us, can people be able to identify who we are? We need to know our identity and let others know what we are known for.
May every blessing of the Lord be with us all!
Selah!
Rev. Patricia Okiring
Senior School Chaplain
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Mr. Mwando at Sunday Chapel |
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This week I thought it would be helpful to show some of the work that the students from the committees have done to promote their distinct groups. The focus for most of the teams is to promote what they do, who they are and post minutes of what they are doing each week on these boards.
I hope you enjoy seeing some of the creations when you visit us at VISO.
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Based on celebrities, this board is an example of the creativity in this group, they are very keen to express to the whole school that struggles with mental health is something we all may face at some point, and it is ok to tell someone about your own struggles. Each student has mentioned a quote or comment below their photo on this theme.
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Here the prefects have produced a board based on their music taste. This year's prefects have wanted to show the school that they are keen to be approachable and want to connect with all years.
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This year we have developed the theme of Thirty days of Turi to focus on the concept of the ‘upstander’ the idea that we stand up for what is right and do not let others hurt or be unkind. On the Upstander theme, the committee used the film UP as a way of visually displaying their ideas.
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The Student Council board |
The student council has focused on the Netflix theme but in doing so has given ideas to the members of the community as to areas that they can offer support.
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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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