St Andrew's Senior School
Weekly Newsletter - 24th January 2024
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VISO 3 HANDBOOK
27th - 28th January 2024
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Please click on the image below to read the VISO 3 Programme: |
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On Friday night of last week, I did think that we had maybe missed the email about the need to build an ark! The rain was torrential, causing flooding in some of the boarding houses and almost washing away those visiting students situated at the campsite. Fortunately, staff, notably Mrs Jean-Louis, flew into action and not only rehoused the campsite, but ensured that boarders had dry lodgings to prepare properly for the hockey 8’s competition on Saturday. Mercifully, the sun has shone since, ensuring St Andrew’s currently looks magnificent in preparation for VISO 3 this weekend.
There are two key events this weekend, the options fair on Saturday morning, which is compulsory for all Y9 and Y11 students, and the Senior School Play, which is in the BP Hall on Saturday afternoon. However, I would also like to draw your attention to the Parents’ Baraza on Saturday morning, which this VISO includes additional representation from the Senior School Prefect team. Staff will be leaving them to it, so if you want an unfiltered response to questions, please feel free to come along. Finally, we have the VISO chapel service on Sunday, which will then be followed by informal consultations with staff.
On Monday, I will be heading to the UK for staff recruitment and the Alumni event in York on the evening of Friday 2 February. If you know of anyone who would be interested in attending, there are still some places available, please direct them to the school website to book -https://bookings.standrewsturi.com/events/homecoming-reunion-payment/
Finally, Y11 students will be receiving their mock results later this week. If you are parent of a Y11, please remember that this is a process. Performing outstandingly in mocks will bring its own kind of pressure, as will underperformance. The key is to ensure lessons are learnt from the experience and applied in the coming months in preparation for the real thing in Trinity term. However, mock results should help direct thoughts about subject choice at A-level and discussions held on Saturday and Sunday with staff.
Wherever you are coming from for the VISO, I wish you safe travel and pray the rain of last Friday is not repeated – if it is, remember your wet weather gear!
With my continued prayers and best wishes,
Mr Ben Pennington
Headmaster
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A focus on the future
At this time of year many of our students (and parents) have half an eye on next steps. During the upcoming VISO weekend Year 9 and Year 11 students will be attending, along with any parents able to join, the launch of the GCSE and A Level Options processes. Over the coming weeks many of our Year 13 students will receive offers from universities and begin making decisions about what they would like to do and where they would like to go on leaving Turi. This focus on the future can be a productive, motivating perspective – although some can find it a distraction, even serving to undermine the very learning which will determine their grades.
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As ever, good balance and helpful communications are critical when considering the future; we look forward to connecting with many of you during this weekend, but if you cannot join us please do not hesitate in contacting us for any further information that might be helpful.
Mr Jonathan Williams
Deputy Head Academic
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Last week, we had the honor of receiving an invitation from the Prep School to join a meal with their Anti-Bullying committee. The entire Anti-Bullying team from our Senior School, along with a representative from the E-Safety group and ambassadors from each boarding house, attended this gathering with younger students.
During the event, our Senior School representatives shared insights into school activities, providing a glimpse of what awaits the older students as they progress to Senior School. Among assorted topics discussed were:
- The focal points of the anti-bullying program for the current year, emphasizing the role of being an "Upstander" rather than a bystander.
- Introduction of new QR codes on all rooms, including the addition of codes on the backs of toilets for reporting purposes.
- Comprehensive support networks, encompassing peer mentors, peer counselors, ambassadors, the Anti-Bullying committee, reporting procedures, disclosure processes, staff inset training, E-Safety, Anti-Bullying feedback to houses, newsletters, ABQM Gold, surveys, and working groups.
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Engaging in meaningful conversations, the Prep School students posed mature and well-thought-out questions. This interaction underscored the significance of strong connections between schools, enhancing the quality of support provided to students. It also reinforced the importance of early recognition in addressing mental health and related issues to offer optimal support. |
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We look forward to sustaining this initiative in the months ahead. I eagerly anticipate participating in the upcoming Parents' Baraza at VISO, where I will be available to address any questions pertaining to bullying or pastoral care within the School.
Mr Mark Buckler
Deputy Head, Pastoral
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Last week was a busy one for the sports teams. St Andrew’s hosted 14 of Kenya’s top U19 hockey teams based on the 2023 National Championships.
The standard was high and the competition for the top spot very close. The boys were unlucky not to reach the final while the girls came 4th. It was a fantastic learning experience that can only make us stronger.
Mr Nicholas Martyn
Director, Co-curricular
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The tournament format made every game intense because goals had to be scored quickly |
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In other hockey fixtures, the U15 Girls beat SCIS 1 - 0, and the U15 Boys beat SCIS 7 - 0. The U15 Boys Basketball team were in good form to beat Premier 43 - 12 and Hillcrest 47 - 42.
Adventure has been preparing 2 teams for the Hog Charge cycling event taking place in Sukari Ranch, near Peponi school. The event, which raises funds for the conservation of Kenya’s water towers, involves teams of 4 students navigating their bikes between check points hidden on the expansive ranch. We wish them well. From the 3rd to 5th of February, all of the Year 10 students will have their postponed Adventure Weekend, during which they will be expected to develop their planning and problem-solving abilities as a team.
On VISO Saturday in BP Hall we have the annual Senior School production, ‘We Will Rock You’. It is a musical based on the music of Queen and is sure to entertain. Make sure of a good seat by arriving early for some snacks and to be seated before 2pm.
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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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It is wonderful seeing how God is holding our hands as we continue enjoying His goodness in this Term. Psalms 56:3 “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You” was our Devotion for the week.
In the spirit of putting a smile on the community around us, the Year 12s went out to do various activities to lift the face of schools around us.
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TLA students cleaning Moses and Mary Home
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TLA students baking for Charity
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TLA Students at Sulgwita Primary
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On Wednesday at Soul Chapel, Rev. Okiring shared on 2 Kings 5:1-15 on the topic The Folly of Despise. She exhorted us not to despise the people that God has placed around us, for they may be carrying our words of encouragement, salvation, hope, healing and miracle. She further challenged us to be like the little girl who helped Naaman in someone’s life here in Turi, at home and even in our Nation.
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Rev. Okiring at the Soul Chapel
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At Bible study session we looked at the topic Justice says good isn’t good enough – our main focus being on Matthew 25:41-46. Amongst other questions that were discussed, we also looked at the following;
- How can our response to injustice show others about God’s goodness?
- This week, what’s one step you can take to…
See where justice is needed?
Learn about injustices others are experiencing?
Name an injustice when you see it?
Mary Martha Saazi shared a powerful testimony on Friday at the Outdoor Chapel as she shared on The Assurance of God’s saving work. She urged us to continue praying with confidence for the Lord will take care of the battle and He is working out a victory on our behalf no matter our situations. She further encouraged us to stop wrestling with prayers that we think have not been answered and look to the ones that we know have been answered.
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Mary Martha Y13 speaking at the Outdoor Chapel |
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Later in the evening, we shared as a family in a time of games, worship and the word in the Faith Factor, as Mr. Calver challenged us with the words of 1 Timothy 4:12 stating that we should strive to be examples and not warning for we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. He reminded us that we matter, God has a purpose for each one of us and our contribution is very significant in the society.
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Mr. Calver sharing at Faith Factor |
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Samuel Birech – Year 13 student shared on the topic Healing of the Pool in our Sunday Chapel. Looking at the words of 2 Kings 2:19-22, he focused on three things:
- The condition of the City – What is the condition of our hearts?
- The Solution – We need the pure and true gospel of Christ
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The Results – Our lives change for Christ dwells in us
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Samuel Birech Y13 speaking at Sunday Chapel |
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We wrapped the week by looking at Jesus, who is He? In the 2nd episode of The Alpha Course. In this session we were able to discuss on the following;
- Who do people think Jesus is?
- Why do you think there are so many different opinions about Jesus?
- What do you think about the things Jesus said and taught?
- What do you think it would be like to be around Jesus?
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The Alpha Course Team during the session |
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May God bless even as you plan to be with us during the VISO weekend.
Shalom!
Rev. Patricia Okiring
Senior School Chaplain
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