End$of$Term$1$Newsletter - The British Educational Children`s

End$of$Term$1$Newsletter$
Bye bye 2013 HEEELLLLLOOOO 2014!!!
What an excellent year, The BECC seems to be growing every week and I
love seeing all the new faces and happy kids. It felt great to see all the
effort everyone made for Halloween - what an attractive bunch!!!!!
In this newsletter we will feature the winning Christmas card designs, a
piece from Teacher Nancy, Parents and Business, Education News and
'Things to Do' Christmas day and New Year's Eve by me :0)
Please except my apologies if any prices are incorrect for the Christmas
Meals or New Year Eve parties - different places gave different prices so
please contact the venue directly to confirm details.
I hope you enjoy this newsletter and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if
you would like to write the next newsletter or if you think of something you
would like to see included.
Parents & Business
This%term%Jannie%Buch%0%Willy's%
mum%from%Class%1,%speaks%about%
opening%RD%FURNITURE%
What does your business do?
RD Furniture produces and sells modern &
classic style furniture to house projects, shops,
condos, and hotels but also sell to
individuals. We are selling through our online
shop and our showroom in Kao Takiab (just
opposite the Cicada Market). Products as Sofas,
lounge chairs, coffee tables, dining chairs, office
furniture and lamps.
Why did you originally start KD Furniture?
I've been in the furniture business in Europe
since 2008, selling the same range of furniture
via an UK based web-shop. I produce all
furniture in our Chinese factory since the
beginning. Based on my past experience and
contacts in general, it has been easier for me to
start up in Thailand. I think Hua Hin and Thailand
in general needs some style, you can get nice
furniture here, but they are all the same "heavy"
Thai style.. And of course, because I think it is
fun.
What do you like the most about having a
business here in Hua Hin?
I really like Hua Hin. Couldn't think of anywhere
else in the world to stay and work, right now. But
who knows maybe somewhere new in a few
years. I love Kao Takiab – small cute beach
town. I just love driving down the small streets to
my office in the mornings.
What has been your worst day?
Accounting… Wooow, it is complicated here
compared to other countries. OMG! Haven't had
a really really bad day yet.. But I'm sure it will
come. haha
What has been your most interesting day or
client?
Starting up from scratch is always interesting
and a big challenge - but also fun. Me and my
two partners (Marck and Steve from www.2ndhome.com) are working SO hard to close
different deals right now, but at the same time,
we are having SO much fun together.
What are your biggest challenges, especially
with having children at school?
Me and my husband Jesper are both selfemployed and it is therefore always a challenge
to combine child, work, sport and fun.. But I
think we manage okay.
If anything, what would you have done
differently?
Not really anything. Everybody makes mistakes
and you can only learn from them.
What would be your biggest piece of advice to
another parent looking to start a business in Hua
Hin?
Make sure that you have some partners or
contacts who can help you out with your work
permit/visa, accounting and all the formal stuff
related to this or it will kill you. And believe
strongly in your concept to make it a success.
Educa
tion
In%our%"Education%Section"%Mr%Olly%
brings%us%up0to0date%on%the%
UK%National%Curriculum%
Curriculum%Updates%
One of the most important areas when Governments, researchers and other bodies are
considering updating, improving or developing a curriculum is a levelled approach to
introducing that latest pedagogical thoughts from leading teachers and researchers
around the world. The approach we have seen in England has been interesting – it has
not been out with the old and in with the new, it is out with the old and in with nothing!
As it stands there is currently no formal curriculum that schools in England have to
follow but at the beginning of the next academic year, that is set to change. The review
process has been long and hopefully the benefits will be seen for years to come. Apart
from a few changes to the timetable you may not notice much change at home but here
are the changes that will be taking place.
Literacy will be called English - this will have a stronger emphasis on grammar,
punctuation, spelling and vocabulary development. Handwriting is being introduced to
the curriculum as before it was not formally assessed and there will be a greater
emphasis on debating skills.
Numeracy will be called Maths - five year olds will now be expected to learn to count
up to 100 rather than 20 as it now stands and number bonds to 20 rather than 10.
Simple fractions ¼ and ½ will be taught in KS1 (before 7 years old) and by the end of
primary school, children should be able to convert decimal fractions into simple
fractions (e.g. 0.375 = 3/8). Currently children are expected to know all of the tables up to
10x table by the age of 11, this is to change to children of 9 years to know all of the
tables up to the 12x table. Mental arithmetic will be encouraged by not introducing
calculators until near the end of KS2.
Science - with a stronger focus on scientific knowledge, language and evolution will be
taught as a topic for the first time.
Design Technology - is given more emphasis under the new curriculum through
sophisticated use of design equipment such as electronics and robotics
ICT will be called Computing - with a greater emphasis on programming rather than
operating programs.
All of the above changes will of course continue to ensure that all children progress
quickly and meet the relevant targets. It will be up to individual schools to implement
how they reach those targets and ensure that children strive for life long learning.
to g
e
r
e
h
W
o?
My%research%into%places%to%go%for%%
Christmas%and%New%Year's%Eve.%
It can seem a little daunting having Christmas in a tropical country when you've grown up with
snow, Christmas pudding and episodes of Only Fools & Horses. It's my task this year to find a
place for the family to celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve. I've searched online, in Approach
Magazine, Hua Hin Today, asked friends and spoken directly with restaurant & hotels. There are a
lot more options to eat on Christmas Eve than Christmas Day and a mountain of options for New
Year's Eve but I've just listed the ones that were an option for us.
Finally for New Year's Eve we've opted for a cool box on the beach with a bottle of Champagne,
friends and family.
Christmas Lunch 25th December
New Year's Eve 31st December nighttime
Most of the lunches and dinners are on the 24th
but being British I celebrate on the 25th and the
2 below looked the best to me.
The Hilton - Gala Dinner - 6,500 Baht++
Dusit Thani - Crackerjack Lunch Buffet 1,500 Baht++ selected non-alcoholic beverages
or 2,100 Baht++ with free flow selected wine
and beer!
This has been a favorite in Hua Hin for many
years and this year we're going to give it a try.
It's a traditional Christmas lunch with local and
international foods served in the main
restaurant.
Tinsel & Turkey Seafood Brunch Buffet 1,700 Baht++ including selected non-alcoholic
beverages or 2,300 Baht++ with free flow
selected wine and beer!
Due to demand for the Crackerjack Lunch this
year the Dusit Thani are also opening a seafood
BBQ buffet lunch - with a little turkey too!
Hyatt - Christmas’s Brunch - McFarland House
- 1,800 Baht net, including a bottle of sparkling
wine per couple, home-made lemonade and
iced tea.
1,500 Baht with no sparkling wine
(6-12 years 750 Baht.)
Brunch with Thai and Western
dishes, Sushi, Sashimi, noodles,
turkey carving and a wide
selection of desserts.
Boasting the largest buffet in Hua Hin reaching
right down to down the beach! Along with
fireworks, live music, DJ and various
performances this could be lots of fun.
Anantara - Moulin Rouge Gala Dinner
6,500 Baht++ (4-12 years 3,250 Baht)
This looks quite spectacular but for me it's the
other side of town. They have a cocktail
reception, a buffet with fresh oysters, Sushi &
Sashimi, a carvery, international cheeses (very
important) and lots more! Entertainment
includes a cabaret show, live music, DJ and of
course fireworks!
Putahracsa- Roaring 20's,
7,300 Baht net (4-11years 3,650 Baht)
I always like Putahracsa and I'm sure new year
will be great - they have live music, dance
performances, Gala dinner buffet and
Champagne at midnight.
Le Bistro - Special Set dinner, 3,500 Baht
This is my regular "special going out" dinner
place and I am never disappointed. New year's
eve you can enjoy Caviar, home-made foie gras
and of course French cheese.
La Grappa - A la Carte Menu
Another massive favorite of mine and I'm sure
Andreas' chef specials will be as amazing as
ever.
T
a t u re
e
F
r
e
e a ch
Teacher% Nancy% from% Class% 4% tells% us% about%
where%her%passion%for%sport%comes%from.%
Nancy Williamson!
I've always lived
for music and sport - preferable both together in the form
Personal Profile
of dance which I majored in at PE School way back in the 70s! I still believe
New Zealander
dancingNationality:
is Female
the
best form of exercise - show me a ballerina with bad
Gender:
Native Language: English
posture!!
Joseph Pilates was a ballet teacher. I studied Pilates in Sydney in
E: [email protected]
T: 0891379758
2001 and have been hooked ever since.
I am a highly motivated, mature woman with many
interests and skills, which I enjoy sharing with others in a
teaching environment. As a mother of three successful adult
children in their twenties, I am a better teacher now than ever.
I come from a sporty family with three brothers who I had to compete with
to survive.
We
grewteacher
up with
in four
the
"burbs" of Auckland on an acre of lawns and
I am a trained
PE/Science
years
teaching experience, mostly in South Auckland. I have spent
trees
wasandalways
climbing
or hanging out of. My dad built us our own
most
of my that
career asI founder
manager of NZ’s
first
women’s health clubs, Mainly Women, in Auckland NZ from 1989 until we sold in 2003. In 2004 our family
high
jump
pit,
and
as
we
didn't
have
TV
until
the
mid
60s, leisure time was spent outside riding
moved to Wanaka in the South Island to develop a lifestyle property, while continuing to teach fitness, Pilates
and music.
bikes
or hitting
tennis
balls
side
of the
After a marriage
breakup In July
2009 I left
Wanaka against
to study music the
at Massey
University
NZSM,house.
where I completed a Foundation Certificate in Jazz. Since then I have been a self-employed music teacher
while also teaching Pilates classes. In July 2012 I went to Thailand to complete a TEFL Certificate followed by
five months teaching. After a trip back to NZ for family reasons, I am now back in Thailand based in Hua Hin at
an International primary school.
I see kids today spending their weekends in shopping malls, or glued to a screen of some sort,
Educational
and
realiseQualifications
how lucky we were. My kids spent their weekends sailing yachts as we lived in
St Cuthberts College
- University
and “B” Bursary
Auckland,
the
"CityEntrance
of Sails".
In NZ sailing is not a rich man's sport like in many countries, as
Otago
University
School
Of
PE
Dunedin
Dip
PE,
Stage
Bio & Chem
we are surrounded by ocean. 1Most
kids at 9 and 10 do what we call "Waterwise" - a national
Auckland
Teachers
College,
Epsom
Dip
Secondary
Teaching
program where every kid gets to swim, sail an optimist (small yacht), and paddle a kayak.
Pilates Institute UK - Cert.the
Mat Pilates,
Sydneyis not as deliciously warm as it is in Thailand, but we don't get the
Unfortunately
water
Cromwell
Polytech,
Cert.
Hort
Level
4
jellyfish!
NZ School of Music - Cert of Jazz.
TEFL Certicate (120hrs)
Naturally
I'm keen to help kids who share my passion for sport, gymnastics, dancing and of
course
music.
But I'm even keener to help those who have not had the opportunity to learn
Work History
1979 – First teaching job at Tangaroa College as PE/Science and Health teacher
basic
coordination
be
learned given the chance with a patient and creative
1983 - 86 Teacher
of Science, PE &skills.
Health, NgaAnything
Tapuae College, can
Mangere,
Auckland
Also played music professionally in duo residency, Diamond Restaurant, Auckland
teacher.
1989 - 2003 - Founded and managed Mainly Women Health Clubs, Auckland
2004 - 07 – Self-employed music teacher, continued Pilates and Fitness classes
2008 - Relief PE teacher at Epsom Girls Grammar in Auckland.
2010 - Self-employed guitar/ukulele and pilates teacher. Also established a new corporate
exercise business – www.officeuptime.com which I sold on to partner.
2012 - July 29th - moved to Koh Samui Thailand, completed TEFL English Camp.
2012 – August - October – taught P2 EP class in Ranong, Thailand
2013 – Year 5/6 primary teacher in Hua HIn Thailand
fo
T hi n g s
References!
r us
Thailand
Ben Suchod, SAM Inter Learning Centre
[email protected]
NZ
Ann Dunphy
[email protected]
Football%
Monday%
Yoga%
Tuesday%
Running%Club%
Wednesday%%
Join the football club
for a kick around
every
week
from
5.00pm, Soi 94.
Yoga every week for
all levels. Starting
3pm, at The BECC.
Enjoy an evening
beach run or walk.
Starting 6pm from Soi
77.
Pilates%
Wednesday%%
Tae%Kwan%do%
Wednesday%%
Bike%Ride%
Monthly%%
Core building and
body
strengthen
every week at 3pm at
The BECC .
Korean martial art of
combat
and
selfdefense. Weekly, 3pm
at The BECC.
For all levels of cyclist
and a great family day
out. A new location
every month.
P ar e n
ittee
m
m
o
C
t s'
!
Here's$a$note$from$the$parents'$committee.$
To$be$kept$up8to8date$just$leave$your$email$
address$with$your$class$teacher$or$Mini$Min$
at$the$sign$in$desk.$
Hi Parents,
It’s hard to believe we are at the end of term 1 already. The Halloween cake stall was a
huge success and the new library shelves should arrive very soon. The toy and book drive
has been a little slow but hopefully once the shelves arrive we will get a better response.
The next planned social club committee event is a kids' disco at the school on a Friday
Night. Stay tuned for dates and details.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and New Year,
BECC Parent Committee.
or
K i ds C
ner
Here$ are$ the$ winners$ from$
the$ school$ Christmas$ card$
competition$8$all$cards$were$
excellent!$
Malika - Nursery
Tiara - class 2
Vita - Class 1
Maida - Class 3
Lester - Class 4