We hope this newsletter finds you well! I do hope that each of you was able to spend some time sharing in learning and discovery as a family over the October Break. We are happy to be back and excited to engage in the work with the learners planned for Quarter 2. 

Welcome to the Lower Loop Latest!

Dear Lower Loop Families,

Halloween @ VERSO

Next week, Thursday, 31 October, Loops will celebrate Halloween. Learners and family are warmly invited to dress up and participate in the fun.

At 8:00am, all Lower Loop learners will assemble in the Lower Loop courtyard for a parade and a group photo.

Please take a moment to read through the guidelines below when considering a costume. For learners in Early Years, we request that you send your child to school in a costume that has a top and bottom component to it so they can use the bathroom independently. 

Costume Themes

Please choose positive, fun, and creative themes for your costumes. 

Consider favorite book characters, animals, mythical creatures, historical figures, or inanimate objects.

Weapons & Imitation Weapons:

No weapons or imitation weapons of any kind are allowed, even if they are clearly fake or part of a costume. This includes but is not limited to swords, knives, and guns.

Offensive Language & Imagery:

Costumes should not include offensive or inappropriate language, symbols, or gestures. 

This also means avoiding costumes that could be seen as mocking or making light of serious issues, controversial figures, or sensitive topics such as politics, war, and violence.

Social & Cultural Sensitivity:

Please avoid costumes that might be considered culturally or socially insensitive, inappropriate, or that could be seen as mocking or demeaning another person's race, religion, culture, or heritage.

Dressing up is entirely optional—learners are welcome to come in their usual attire if they prefer. Let’s make it a fun and festive day at VERSO!

A Playground Adventure: Sparking Ideas in C1-2

Our recent Beyond the Walls experience at Safari Gardens was all about giving our C1-2 learners a fresh perspective on what makes a great play space. 

By exploring different playgrounds, from sand pits to adventurous wooden structures, our learners got a chance to see how creativity and design can transform a simple play area into something magical.

Watching their excitement as they explored Safari Gardens, you could see the gears turning in their heads. They were full of questions, ideas, and “what ifs” about how they could make our own playground better.

It was inspiring to see them think beyond the usual slides and swings—imagining new features, adding their own twists, and even talking about how different designs made them feel. This hands-on experience gave them the spark they needed to start dreaming about our school's play area in a whole new way.

Learners returned with fresh ideas and a renewed sense of ownership over their environment, ready to contribute their creativity to make our space even more fun for everyone. Watch this space and stay tuned for more developments coming out of C 1-2’s shared learning spaces.

Snake Design Project in EY5

This year, the EY5 learners are known as the Snakes, a name that ignited their curiosity. They eagerly asked questions, sought information, and showed a strong interest in learning about these fascinating creatures, which play a vital role in Thailand's ecosystem.

To nurture this curiosity, the Learning Designers organized a trip to a snake farm, where learners discovered more about snakes and the farm's efforts in collecting cobra venom to produce antidotes.

In the weeks that followed, we continued exploring the world of snakes through non-fiction books during story time. The class also studied weather and climate, learning how the sun affects animals and discovering the differences between cold-blooded and warm-blooded creatures.

This led to our next project: designing a snake habitat with shaded and sunny areas. Learners sketched their ideal habitats, including elements they thought were important. A guest speaker—one of the learners' family members—visited the class, sharing insights about snake habitats, needs, and even genetics. Learners had the chance to observe three different snakes up close and ask questions to further their understanding.

With their designs complete, the learners moved to the Maker Space, using materials like cardboard, wood, paint, and clay to build their habitats. They self-assessed their work using checklists, made improvements, and labeled their dioramas using their phonics skills.

Next, the focus shifted to incorporating technology. Learners recorded audio explanations of their habitats, showcasing their understanding of climate, weather, and snake habitats, along with their growing vocabulary.

Finally, they designed their snakes on paper and then digitally in Tinkercad. Each student experienced the magic of 3D printing for the first time, watching as their designs transformed into tangible models. They then placed their 3D-printed snakes in their habitats, positioning them in ponds, shaded areas, or hidden spots among the plants.

C3-4 BTW - Escape Room Thailand 

To kick off Quarter 1’s  Learning Lab, C3-4 wanted to set the tone for a year of collaboration and creative problem-solving. 

So, we gathered our group of C3-4 eager learners and headed to The Escape Room Thailand for a hands-on whole cohort challenge. The goal?  Work together to crack codes, solve puzzles, and make it out before time ran out.

But this wasn’t just about escaping a room. It was about testing their ability to think on their feet, communicate clearly, and rely on one another when the pressure was on. 

From those “aha” moments when a tricky puzzle finally made sense, to the high-fives after figuring out a tough clue, it was clear that the experience was more than just fun—it was a real lesson in teamwork. 

C3-4 learners walked away with more than just a sense of accomplishment; they left with a deeper understanding of what it means to work together effectively. Here’s to a year of solving challenges together, one puzzle at a time!

Our First Whole School VERSOlympics!

The very first VERSOlympics was an incredible success, marking a milestone for our school community! From the beginning of the day, the energy was electric, with learners from all grade levels eagerly participating in a variety of events, pushing their limits, and showing tremendous competitive spirit. It was inspiring to see them embrace the challenge with determination and joy, all while embodying the true essence of sportspersonship.

The VERSO House spirit was truly alive, with learners and staff passionately cheering for their teams and creating a vibrant, supportive atmosphere. Everyone was immersed in the excitement, rallying behind their house with pride. A special congratulations goes to Wayu (Purple) House for taking home the victory in our very first whole-school competition! The margin between teams was razor-thin, and every house brought their A-game, making it a thrilling contest right until the end.

Throughout the day, the level of consistency, effort, and teamwork on display was nothing short of amazing. Learners not only supported one another but also celebrated their peers’ accomplishments with enthusiasm, cheering loudly from the sidelines. The field events were packed with fun and excitement, while the track events saw learners dominate, racing their hearts out, and showing off their incredible athletic abilities.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the parents for their invaluable support. Your presence, energy, and encouragement played a huge role in making the day extra special. We couldn't have done it without you!

Here's to many more unforgettable VERSOlympics in the future!

Lower Loop ECA Pick up - New turnstile exit times. 

Continuing on from ECA last quarter, the Lower Loop turnstile gate will re-open from 3:55 PM - 4:15 PM to facilitate controlled entry and exit during peak times. Please note that the gate will still be closed daily at 3:00 PM to ensure the safe pick up of learners not attending ECA and will reopen again later.

Please plan your arrivals and departures accordingly.

Save the Dates

28 October: ECA Q2 Begins

31 October: Halloween @ VERSO

1 November: Q1 VERSO 360° Reports shared with families

13 November:  Coffee Morning: Literacy Learning Series 2 for EY-G4 parents/guardians

15 November: VERSO Loy Krathong event

22 November: Professional Learning Day for LDs | No school for learners

27 November: Early Dismissal Day for Learners 1:30pm

2024-2025 ShowTimes for Lower Loop

Q2 | C1-2 and EY2-3 ShowTime | Learning Lab

Q3 | C3-4 ShowTime | All EY and LL | 3-Way ConVERSOs

Q4 | EY23, EY4-5, C1-2, and C3-4 ShowTime | Workshops and Learning Labs of the Early Years and Lower Loop program 

By Cushla Jones