We want our students at St Andrews Bangkok to feel prepared and ready for High School, their emotional well-being is of paramount importance to us and we put our students welfare first. Anticipation and excitement are the overarching feelings, but we want them to know that they are all in it together as a team supported by Year 7 Tutors and Heads of Year. At the beginning of the academic year, all Year 7 students are in exactly the same position.
So what do we do to make this transition easier for our students or new incoming student? Before the first day, all Year 7 students will come into school for an orientation session. The Heads of Year will send through more information about the orientation by email closer to the session. This event is an opportunity to explore their new learning environment, ask questions and start growing accustomed to the new faces and their new surroundings.
If your child is joining us later in the year, the orientation experience will be slightly different. Heads of Year and Tutors will work together to ensure your child settles in comfortably.
Lots of Similarities
There are plenty of things that your child will be familiar with and have experienced already. But there are new aspects to be prepared for, such as navigating around the High School campus and wearing the new school uniform. There are surprisingly many similarities at our High School to life at Primary School:
- Each school day begins at 7:45 am with the Form Tutor during registration time.
- Moodle is still the online student management system and parent portal.
- Akha, Lahu, Karen, and Yao will continue as School Houses.
- The annual residential trip remains one of the highlight of the school year.
- All students still have access to the Sports, Juilliard, STEAM, MIT programmes and a huge range of Extra-Curricular Activities after school.
Whats’ New in High School?
- All Year 7 students will be given a Student ID badge which allows them access through the turnstiles into and out of school. This ID card also acts as a stored-value card that is used to purchase snacks and lunch.
- Lunch – there are many new options for food, including Western, Asia, and vegetarian dishes. There’s even a Noodle bar, a salad bar, and a live cooking station to give students even more individualised selections.
- For sure, many more new daily routines and experiences are just waiting to be discovered, but we will try to preview some of these below.
Frequently Asked Questions
We often get asked the following questions about starting at High School:
What to expect on the first day of Year 7?
On your child’s first day of Year 7, they will enter through the flap gates wearing their school uniform. The Heads of Year 7 and Learning Support staff will be on hand to help direct students to their Tutor Base, where your child’s Tutor will provide them with all of the important information they need to settle in and find their way around their new school.
What should my child have in their pencil case?
• Scientific Calculator • Pens • 2B/2HB pencils • Eraser • Ruler • Protractor • Compass • Colouring pencils • Highlighter pens • Sharpener • Small glue stick • Calculator • Small safety scissors (optional)
What kind of computing device(s) will my child need at High School?
Your child will need to bring their own device(s) to High School, click here to find out more about the devices: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies and devices guidance.
What languages are available for my child to study at St Andrews Bangkok?
Learn more about the Language Options available by clicking here: Global Languages Programme – High School.
What is the school uniform at High School?
Your child will wear a different uniform from Year 7 through to Year 13, please click here for more details: School Uniform – High School
Do High School students have their own lockers?
Every Key Stage 3 (Year 7 – 9) and Key Stage 4 (Year 10-11) student will be provided with a lock and locker. In Key Stage 5 (Year 12-13), students have the choice of whether they would like to have a locker.
The Transition Team
The role of this team is to ensure that the move into High School is an easy and exciting process for both existing students and students new to St Andrews Bangkok. Meet the team below:
Heads of Year 7 – Mr Paul & Ms Grace
As the Heads of Year 7, our role is to work closely with your child and Class Tutors to make sure they are well-supported and prepared to progress through High School. We have a very supportive and welcoming team to help your family and child settle in comfortably to get the most out of being part of the STA community. We look forward to getting to know your child and family.
Head of Student Welfare And Progress – Mr Andrew
As Head of Student Welfare And Progress at our High School, my role is to ensure that students are happy, included and feel part of the STA community. I lead the pastoral team which includes the Heads of Year, Tutors and Counsellors to ensure that every student’s wellbeing is the best that it can be.
Head of Learning Support – Ms Catherine
Everyone needs a little help at some point in their academic journey, especially at such an exciting, and perhaps a little scary, time such as transitioning to High School. High School Learning Support offers a wide variety of support provisions and programmes, delivered and provided by specialist LSAs (Learning Support Assistants), Learning Support Teachers and other specialists.
We hope this information is useful for parents and students who will be making the transition from Primary to secondary school. If you are considering moving to St Andrews Bangkok, please contact us directly to arrange a tour or you can find out more HERE including a Q&A session with our senior faculty and a virtual tour of the school.
