Manta Weekly

 QUICKLINKS 

Community Announcements  | Whole School & Events  |  Primary School  |  Secondary School
Sports, Activities & Camps  |  Community  |  School Information

 CALENDAR SUMMARY 

Click here to view the full school calendar!

Date	Event	Date	Event
January	Mindfulness Theme: Perseverance	3 - 7 February	Grade 11 Skills Week
20 January	Grade 10: Parents Transition Workshop	3 - 7 February	Primary Arts Week
21 January	Grade 10: Personal Project Preparation Day	3 - 14 February	Grade 12 Mock Exams
22 January	Counsellor’s Coffee Morning: Primary	11 - 14 February	MYP Manta Days
24 January	Conflict Transformation Day	15 - 22 February	Student-Initiated Trips
28 January	Early Years Wheels Day	15 - 23 February	February Mid-term Break
2 - 11 February	MYP Camps	28 February	Intercultural Day 2025

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 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS 

 Safety Reminders 

During pick-up and drop-off times, traffic in front of the school is significant. To ensure the safety of our students:

• Please ensure your child is ready to exit the car promptly when you reach the drop-off point.
• Children should not exit the vehicle from the right-hand side for safety reasons.
• If you need to assist your child, please park in the designated areas on either side of the school, observing the 5-minute parking limit.

We remind all drivers to be vigilant, as students may be running, walking, or cycling along the roads. Please drive slowly and carefully, and turn off your engine while parked in the school car park to promote a healthier environment for everyone.

If arriving on campus by motorcycle or any other wheeled vehicle, please wear a helmet at all times. Setting a good example for our children while prioritising safety is essential.

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 Governance Vacancies 

We are seeking dedicated and talented individuals to join our Finance, Outreach & Advancement, Governance and Nominations, Staff Wellbeing, Student Wellbeing and Compliance and Risk Committees.

If you’re passionate about supporting UWC Thailand and believe that you or someone you know would be an excellent advocate for the UWC mission, we’re eager to hear from you!

Please contact govcom@uwcthailand.ac.th for more information. Nominations close on Friday, 24 January 2025.
All received applications are being processed, and responses will be provided by the end of February.

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 Intercultural Day 2025 
Friday, 28 February
Now that we have settled into the second semester, we want to draw your attention to our upcoming major event, Intercultural Day, on Friday, 28 February 2025 and a few important messages to take note of! 

What is Intercultural Day?
Intercultural Day is a celebration of our community's cultural and national identities, promoting understanding through dialogue, performances, food, and more. Cultural Groups are invited to decorate stalls, share traditional foods, perform, and wear cultural attire. The Parade of Nations is a highlight, showcasing national colours with pride. Leading up to the event, all age groups will engage in discussions and activities to deepen their understanding of one another’s cultures.

How can you connect with others from your nation or culture?
The Intercultural Day organising team will set up WhatsApp groups for every nation represented in our community. Once these groups are created, you will receive an email with links to all WhatsApp Cultural Groups. This will allow you to join your group and start preparing for Intercultural Day.

Each group can use the chat to self-organise, connect, and get to know each other if they wish. Groups can decide how they want to coordinate and what details they’d like to share among members. If you’d like to join more than one group, feel free to do so!

If you prefer not to be included in these groups, you are not required to join. However, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with others and represent your culture.

Ways to be involved with Intercultural Day

• decorate your stall in a way that celebrates your culture
• put on a performance that showcases your culture
• share traditional foods, and explore the tastes from around the globe
• wear national costumes or clothes that identify with your culture
• proudly display your flag

Volunteer Opportunities
Intercultural Day is one of our largest events each year. As such, we welcome the assistance of our community with tasks such as helping with campus decorations, assisting with the Parade of Nations, behind-the-scenes tasks, stall coordination, and student performances. If you can lend a hand, please email eventsassistant@uwcthailand.ac.th.

In the weeks before Intercultural Day, there will be opportunities for dialogue in all age group classes to help them learn more about themselves and each other's cultures. Reach out to your child's homeroom teacher for more information closer to the time.

Keep an eye out for more information and ways to be involved in the coming weeks!  Let’s make Intercultural Day 2025 a celebration to remember! 

 WHOLE SCHOOL & EVENTS 

 TEDxYouth@UWCThailand 
Sunday, 2 March
We are thrilled to announce that UWC Thailand will be hosting a TEDxYouth event this year on 2 March! This initiative will provide a platform under the theme 'Together We Change', for our students, teachers, and community to share ideas and inspire one another in the true UWC spirit.

To ensure the success of this event, we are asking for your support. Any contribution, no matter the size, will help us cover essential costs and create a truly memorable experience for our community.

If you are a business owner or know someone who might be interested, we also have sponsorship opportunities available. Sponsoring TEDxYouth@UWCThailand is a wonderful way to support a meaningful cause while gaining exposure to a high-end, engaged audience. Please email 26.mehdi.c@uwcthailand.ac.th to inquire about contributing to this meaningful event!

We deeply appreciate your generosity and look forward to working together to make this event a success. Thank you for being such an integral part of our community!

For more information, please contact Medhi (26.mehdi.c@uwcthailand.ac.th).

 Join the UWC Thailand Community Directory! 
Discover and share the amazing talents, services, and businesses that make our school community unique. This directory serves as a hub for fostering connections, inspiring collaboration, and showcasing the incredible contributions of our members.

Don't miss out! Share your business or service today. Click here or scan the QR code below to get started!

 Calling All Creative Minds in Our Community! 

We’re excited to invite our community—students, parents, staff, and alumni—to contribute creative designs for our UWC Thailand tote bags. This is your chance to showcase your artistic talents and help brand these bags with designs that reflect the spirit of our school!

Artwork Guidelines
To ensure that the designs represent UWC Thailand and are suitable for printing, please follow these guidelines:

• Theme: Designs should embody UWC Thailand’s values, diversity, and community spirit.
• Colours: Submissions can be full colour (CMYK), 1 colour or any combination in between.
• Size: Artwork should fit within a 30 x 30 cm size.
• Content: Avoid copyrighted material or offensive imagery. Designs should align with UWC’s inclusive and respectful ethos.
• Submission Format: Digital artwork should be in high-resolution PNG or JPEG format. Hand-drawn designs must be scanned or photographed clearly.

How to Submit
Please send your designs to communications@uwcthailand.ac.th by Friday, 31 January 2025. Include your name, age (if under 18), and a short description of your design inspiration.

Bring our community’s creativity to life and make these tote bags something to cherish! We can’t wait to see your designs!

 "In 80 Books Around the World" Reading Challenge! 
Until Friday, 28 February 2025
Carry on your literary journey or join us for the first time in the "80 Books Around the World" Reading Challenge - it’s not too late to start! 

How to Participate:

• Grab your Reading Passport and Log from the library.
• Track every book you finish.
• Collect a stamp for each completed adventure!

We will celebrate our top readers and their literary journeys on Intercultural Day, 28 February 2025. Who will travel the farthest through the pages of these amazing stories? Continue reading and find out.

For more information or any questions, please contact Kru Rebekka. Happy reading! 🌟

 PRIMARY SCHOOL  

 Counsellors Coffee Morning: Primary  
Wednesday, 22 January, from 8:00 am - 9:00 am in the Boarding House Lounge
Join us in the Boarding House Lounge from 8:00 am - 9:00 am for the next workshop in our series, focusing on key developmental milestones for children aged 6 to 9. This session will cover physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth, with strategies to foster independence and resilience.

Co-hosted by Kru Erica, Learning Support and Special Needs teacher, and Kru Merryn, Occupational Therapist, this workshop offers insights and practical tips to support your child at home and school.

For more information, please contact Kru Paco

 Parent Coffee Morning  
Monday, 27 January
In addition to this month’s Counsellor Coffee Morning, we are excited to offer two valuable workshops for Primary School parents:

Guiding Young Children in the Digital World 
Monday, 27 January, from 8:00 am – 9:00 am in room 2111, Lower Primary
This session is designed for parents of children from Mini Mantas through grade 2. We will explore practical strategies to help young children develop healthy digital habits. The workshop will cover essential topics, including setting up parental controls, identifying apps suitable for young learners, creating a family technology agreement, and fostering open conversations about digital behavior.

Raising Responsible Digital Citizens 
Monday, 27 January, from 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm in room 1111, Early Years Centre
This session is designed for parents of children in grades 3 through 5. We will explore practical strategies to help older children develop responsible digital habits. Topics will include effective screen time management, setting up parental controls, addressing inappropriate online behavior, ensuring privacy and safety, and creating a family technology agreement. You will also receive conversation starters to help engage your child in discussions about their digital habits.

For more information, please contact Kru Paco

 Early Years Wheels Day  
Tuesday, 28 January
Students are encouraged to bring their bikes, trikes, scooters, balance bikes, skateboards, or rollerblades for a fun-filled day focused on developing gross motor skills. For everyone’s safety, please ensure your child has the necessary safety gear, including a helmet and protective pads for knees and elbows.

Let’s roll into a day of active learning and excitement!
For more information, please contact Kru Jen.

 SECONDARY SCHOOL 
 

 MYP Camps in February 

Grade 6 Annual 6-day Camp: 3 - 8 February
Students participate in a variety of activities, including hiking, river study and jungle survival skills at Khao Sok National Park.
View the Grade 6 Camp Information Pack.

Grade 7 Annual 7-day Camp: 3 - 9 February
Students participate in a variety of activities, including kayaking, Thai Batik painting with the majority of the focus being primarily on dinghy sailing at Kho Lon Island, Phuket.
View the Grade 7 Camp Information Pack.

Grade 8 Annual 8-day Camp: 3 – 10 February
Students participate in a variety of activities, including kayaking, climbing and cycling whilst developing their environmental understanding at Spirit Mountain, Krabi
View the Grade 8 Camp Information Pack.

Grade 9 Annual 9-day Camp: 3 - 11 February
Students embark on an exciting kayaking adventure, exploring the shores of Phuket.
View the Grade 9 Camp Information Pack.

Grade 10 Annual 10-day Camp: 2 - 11 February
Students sail keelboats around the shores of Phuket and Phang Nga Bay.
View the Grade 10 Camp Information Pack.

For more information, please contact Kru Rob.

 Grade 10: Parents Transition Workshop 
Monday, 20 January from 9:45 am - 10:45 am, in the Boarding House Lounge
We invite parents of grade 10 to join us in the Boarding House Lounge for this informative parent workshop on the transition from the Middle Years Programme to the Diploma Programme. Gain valuable insights and support for your child's academic journey into the IB Diploma Programme.

For more information, please contact Kru Katie.

 Grade 10: Personal Project Preparation Day 
Tuesday, 21 January
The Personal Project is a key milestone of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). This student-led initiative allows learners to explore their passions and interests while showcasing their skills in planning, development, and execution during their final year of the MYP.

Personal Project Preparation Day - Tuesday, 21 January
This prep day provides students with valuable time to focus on advancing their projects and meeting with their supervisors for guidance. They will have the opportunity to work independently while also accessing targeted breakout sessions to address specific areas where they may need additional support. This is an exciting opportunity for students to take the first steps toward a meaningful and personalised learning experience.

Personal Project Exhibition - Wednesday, 19 - Thursday, 20 March
Grade 10 students will present their self-directed Personal Projects. The exhibition is the culmination of the project, providing students a platform to showcase their work, share their ideas and receive feedback.

For more information, please contact Kru Chantal.

 Conflict Transformation Day 
Friday, 24 January from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
A day focused on promoting peace, understanding, and positive change within our community. Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s programme will once again bring our school community together for a series of engaging workshops and impactful storytelling sessions.

Let’s continue to collaborate, learn, and grow as we work towards a more connected and compassionate world.

Parents interested in joining or getting involved are encouraged to contact Kru Amanda for more details.

 Future Pathways Mini-Series 

Future Pathways Advisor, Kru Rebecca, is excited to launch the Future Pathways Mini-Series. Each month, she will host an online session featuring a guest professional, offering students and parents from grades 9–12 the opportunity to explore unique careers and the journeys that shaped them. Don’t miss this engaging and insightful series!

📅 Session 1
 Exploring the Cosmos with Erica Keller 
Wednesday, 29 January, 8:00 pm
Erica Keller, a distinguished professional from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), is part of the team working with ALMA. Her role involves calibrating and imaging telescope data while collaborating with scientists worldwide to address fundamental questions about the universe. Erica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Astronomy and a Master’s in Data Science. Additionally, she is a proud graduate of Mount Holyoke College, one of the Davis partner institutions.
Register here to receive the session link and reminder from Kru Rebecca. Don’t miss out!

 SPORTS, ACTIVITIES & CAMPS 

 Sports Survey for Parents 
Feedback needed - open until Friday, 24 January
We value your feedback! Whether you’re satisfied with the Sports programme or have suggestions for improvement, we want to hear about your and your child's experience.

The survey will be open from Friday, 10 January to Friday, 24 January at 4:00 pm. Along with helping us improve, these results will also help shape our future offerings for the Sports programme. 

Click here for our Sports Survey and thank you to those that have already completed this survey.

For more information, please contact Kru JP.

This handbook serves as a valuable resource to help you understand our programme’s structure, communication guidelines, and the responsibilities of both students and families.  We strongly encourage you to take the time to read through the information carefully . By becoming aware of these protocols, we can ensure a positive and supportive environment where every student can thrive and make the most of their time with us. 

Sports, Activities, and Camps Handbook

For more information, please contact Kru JP.

Reminder: CCP Rotation 2 has begun! If you have a paid activity, please review this Payment, Cancellation and Refund Policy for Paid Co-Curricular Programme (CCP) Activities  to familiarise yourself with our expectations.

For more information, please contact Kru JP or Khun Mook.

TEEMS Global is back for our February break and offering an exciting chance to “Think outside the book” for the week off. Registrations are open via this link and if you would like more information, please see the informative brochure here.

• Football - Rotation 2 field spaces PRIMARY
• Football - Secondary Field Schedule 

This system provides equal opportunities for learning and growth and prepares students for competitions outside of UWC Thailand by exposing them to diverse facilities. A reminder: the Football season continues until 13 June, concluding with the end of Rotation 3.

 Calendar Summary for Sports Competitions 

 COMMUNITY 

 Phuket Academy of Performing Arts 

 

 Remaining Semester 1 Lessons 
Monday, 13 January - Saturday, 1 February

Group and private lessons will resume on Monday, 13 January and continue until Saturday, 1 February.

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 Book now for Semester 2 
Starting on Monday, 3 February

To continue your music lessons in your current time slot, you need to rebook for semester 2. Thank you to those who have already rebooked!
Students currently occupying a lesson time in semester 1 will be given first priority to retain that time in semester 2.

If you or your child will not be continuing with lessons, please inform us so we can release the time slot for other students to book.
Lessons are available from Monday to Saturday.

To secure your spot, please email admin@phuketacademyofperformingarts.com.
We look forward to another wonderful semester of music learning and growth!
 

 Parent & Guardian Thai Language & Culture Classes 
Monday & Friday mornings, from 8:00 to 8:30 am
Participate in our community's language and culture classes centered around Thailand. These classes will provide an opportunity to learn the Thai language, enhancing communication and cultural understanding. Delve into Thai traditions, build connections and shared experiences. 

Join Kru Yui in the Boarding House Lounge for an informative and inclusive journey. 
For more information, please contact Kru Yui.    

Parent Workout Sessions with Coach Brian  Tuesday & Thursday mornings from 8:10 am to 9:10 am Weekly Parent Workout Session with Coach Brian! Join us every week for an invigorating workout focusing on general fitness and Strength & Conditioning. Sessions run from 8:10 to 9:10 am at the Covered Futsal Pitch. Bring your energy and enthusiasm as we work towards a healthier lifestyle together! For more information, contact Coach Brian.  Mindfulness Classes for Parents  Wednesday mornings, from 8:20 to 9:20 am Discover the benefits of Mindfulness at our engaging class for parents. In the middle of the week we pause and breathe, center ourselves and set our intentions, in compassionate awareness. The content of the class may take various forms: concepts related to secular mindfulness, sitting meditation, mindful movements, zhineng qigong, mindfulness coaching, and will evolve with the needs of the group. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kru Julia.  Yoga for Parents  Monday & Friday mornings, from 8:10 am Our yoga sessions offer a mix of stretching, strength-building poses, and mindful breathing to improve both your physical and mental health. We cover a range of postures that help strengthen your body and promote relaxation. These sessions are held every Monday and Friday at 8:10 am on the campus lawn next to the admin building, providing a quiet space for parents to relax and recharge. Come start your day with us and find some peace in your busy schedule. For more information, please contact Kru JP.