Weekly Update #12, 15 November 2024

Announcements

IELTS Preparation Session

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular high-stakes English language proficiency test for study, work, and migration with more than three million tests taken in the past year. IELTS results are recognised by more than 11,000 organisations, including educational institutions, employers, professional associations, and governments, in more than 140 countries around the world. They are a requirement for all international students with English as an additional language if they are applying to a programme taught in English. This includes Thai students applying to English-taught programmes in Thailand.

In collaboration with IDP (a global leader in international education services for more than 50 years and a co-owner of IELTS testing delivery in Thailand) we will be offering a free workshop titled ‘Get to Know IELTS tests’ on Friday 29th November. This will be from 2:20pm - 3pm in the Secondary Hall at Chaofah City Campus.

Students and parents will be able to understand more about the test format, benefits of taking the IELTS test, and tips and tricks for the test. If you would like to attend, please confirm by completing this IELTS Information GoogleForm by Friday 22nd November. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspect of university applications, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the UPrep team.

เรียน ท่านผู้ปกครอง

ขอเชิญผู้ปกครองเข้าร่วมเวิร์กชอป เรื่อง การสอบ IELTS ซึ่งเป็นการสอบวัดความรู้มาตรฐานทางภาษาอังกฤษที่ใช้สำหรับการสมัครเรียนเข้าศึกษาต่อในระดับมหาวิทยาลัยและการสมัครงานในอนาคต จัดขึ้นในวันศุกร์ที่ 29 พฤศจิกายน 2567 เวลา 14.20-15.00 น. ณ ห้องประชุม Secondary Hall ชั้น 4 ณ โรงเรียนนานาชาติเฮดสตาร์ท สาขาเจ้าฟ้าซิตี้ โดยมีวิทยากรจาก IDP ผู้ถือลิขสิทธิ์การจัดสอบ IELTS ในประเทศไทยอย่างเป็นทางการมาให้ความรู้แก่ผู้ปกครองและนักเรียน ผู้ปกครองจะได้รับความรู้และข้อมูลสำคัญเกี่ยวกับข้อสอบ IELTS แบบไม่มีค่าใช้จ่าย และได้รู้จักรูปแบบการสอบ IELTS ข้อดีของการสอบ และเคล็ดลับในการเตรียมตัวสอบเพื่อพิชิตคะแนนสูง จากผู้เชี่ยวชาญโดยตรง

หากผู้ปกรองสนใจเข้าร่วมเวิร์กชอป สามารถลงทะเบียนได้ที่แบบฟอร์มนี้ IELTS Information GoogleForm ภายในวันศุกร์ที่ 22 พฤศจิกายน 2567

ทั้งนี้ หากผู้ปกครองมีข้อสงสัยหรือต้องการพูดคุยเกี่ยวกับการสมัครเข้าเรียนต่อในมหาวิทยาลัย สามารถติดต่อทีมงาน UPrep ได้โดยตรง

Christmas Fair at Chaofah City Campus

With the festive season fast approaching, it is time to start preparing for our Christmas Fair. This wonderful community event will take place on Thursday 12th December from 1:30-3:30pm. If you are interested in offering a Christmas-themed activity or have Festive Season products to sell, please complete the following GoogleForm https://forms.gle/bdsK1LmEdaoSpKyw7 or contact Khun Boss at [email protected] for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.

Upcoming Events

CAPA HeadStars present “Evita”

HeadStart International School proudly presents Evita, the powerful and iconic musical that brings to life the remarkable story of Eva Perón. Set in mid-20th century Argentina, Evita follows Eva’s journey from humble beginnings to the heights of political influence as the beloved yet controversial First Lady. Her dedication to advocating for the poor and championing women’s rights left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and intrigue. Narrated by Che Guevara, the famed revolutionary, Evita explores themes of ambition, love, and power through unforgettable music, inspired performances, and captivating choreography.

We warmly welcome you to come and join us for an unforgettable performance of Evita by our very own CAPA HeadStars. Tickets are now on sale for this event which takes place in the Sports Hall at Chaofah City campus from 6:00-8:00pm:

• Book tickets for Evita Wednesday 27th November 2024

• Book tickets for Evita Thursday 28th November 2024

If you encounter any issues during the booking process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]

HeadStart Chaofah City Parent Committee Coffee Morning

The HeadStart Chaofah City Parent Committee cordially invites all parents to join the latest Parent Coffee Morning of this school year on Friday 22nd November from 9:00am onwards at WOODxGOODCafe, just around the corner from HeadStart International School Chaofah City Campus. This event provides the perfect opportunity to meet new friends and have the chance to meet some of our veteran HeadStart parents who can answer any questions that you may have about our school and its wider community.

☎️ Contact Wood x Good Cafe on 098-2656424

📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/qYBvq6YcLszdxPqB7

👉 Check out their Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/woodxgoodcafe?mibextid=LQQJ4d

📧 Or contact the HeadStart Parent Committee directly on [email protected]

AquaPanthers Invitational 2024 @ Cherngtalay Campus

Over the weekend of Saturday 30th November - Sunday 1st December, our Cherngtalay campus will host its first ever swimming event - the AquaPanthers Invitational (API) - which will see swimmers of different ages from across Phuket and beyond compete. This unique event would not be possible without the support of our Swim Academy Team, our support staff, and you, our amazing student and parent community. We are therefore looking for volunteers to assist with a range of competition tasks, including timing and supporting swimmers. If you are interested in getting involved or what to find out more, please contact our Head Swim Coach, Zak Brown: [email protected]

Spanish Activity Morning

¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?)We are excited to invite all Spanish-speaking families to a vibrant activity morningon Saturday, 7th December, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at HeadStart Chaofah City campus! Please contact María del Mar Rubio Sánchez [email protected] directly to register for this event.

Meetings & Presentations

Russian-speaking Parents Meeting on 12.11.24

On 12 November, a meeting was held at the school for Russian-speaking parents. The participants received answers to their questions about the educational process, subjects being studied, upcoming events, and more. We thank the parents for their active participation during the meeting and for their feedback. We look forward to collaborating with you on matters related to education and supporting the children at school.

12 ноября в школе прошло собрание для русскоязычных родителей. Участники встречи получили ответы на интересующие их вопросы об учебном процессе, изучаемых предметах, о предстоящих событиях и т.д. Спасибо за активное участие родителям в ходе встречи и за обратную связь. Мы рады сотрудничеству с вами по вопросам обучения и поддержки детей в школе.

The Russian-speaking team at HeadStart School

Russian speaking Parents Meeting 12 Nov

Parent Meeting: Positive Parenting Workshop for Thai Parents

Come join us! ประชุมผู้ปกครองไทย บรรยายเป็นภาษาไทย

We welcome Thai-speaking parents to join us for our latest parent meeting when we will talk parents through positive parenting strategies and offer hints and tips on how to ensure your child can learn positive behaviours for school and home. We look forward to seeing you there! Tuesday 19th November 2024 from 8:30-9:30am in the Primary Hall (second floor).

Parent Meeting: Raising Future Innovators and Essential Cybersecurity & IT Skills

We welcome all parents with an interest in preparing their child for a future in technology to a presentation given by our partners from KIBERone. This will also give you an opportunity to learn how KIBERone’s programs help develop students’ IT skills and find out more about the different programs on offer through our ECAs. Please join us on Wednesday 4th December from 8:15-9:15am in the Secondary Hall.

Child-Watch Phuket 21st Run for Children

The Child-Watch Phuket 21st Run for Children, held on Sunday, 10th November 2024, at the Prince of Songkla University, was a charity event aimed at raising funds and awareness for child welfare programs in Phuket. Participants of all ages and abilities came together to run various distances, from fun runs to more competitive races, promoting health and community spirit. The event also included family-friendly activities, including a Team HeadStart stall with games, prizes and a photo booth, creating a festive atmosphere for both runners and spectators.

Sincere thanks to all the families, teachers and staff from both campuses for their support of this event, whether running for fun, for competition or simply lending a helping hand! This was a truly memorable community event which showcased the best of HeadStart. Thanks to the Holmes, Haus, Nitchman, Grant, Parkin and Gray families for completing the 3.5km family challenge, alongside Ms Uhure (Assitant Head of Lower Secondary), Khun Aon (Primary Secretary), Kru Toom (Deputy School Director), Khun Print (Head of Security), Miss Deb and Miss Ayce (Primary Deputy Teachers), Khun Mai (School Librarian) and Khun Krit (Design & Technology Technician). Special mention to Mason (Year 10) for winning the U16 3.5km Boys Race, and Oksana (Russian Admin) and Khun Nan (Sixth Form Secretary), for finishing second and fifth respectively in the 10km Ladies Race.

Finally, HeadStart’s involvement in this event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our very own Community Fitness Manager, Coach Jordi, and our Marcom Team!

All proceeds from the run support Child-Watch Phuket’s initiatives to protect and assist vulnerable children across the region. With its emphasis on both fitness and philanthropy, the event is a highlight in Phuket’s annual calendar, bringing our community together to make a positive impact in the lives of local children.

📸 Click the link for a full album of photos of the Child-Watch Phuket 21st Run for Children event

Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraiser

Sincere thanks to our entire school community who just keep on giving! Thanks to your amazing generosity, over the last week, we have nearly reached the 100,000 baht mark, meaning we have raised funds to sponsor 20 children at Phuket Sunshine Village. Special mention to the Lapunov and Veeravat families, along with the students and families of Year 4 and Year 6 (see update below).

Charity Book Sale Success!

We are thrilled to announce that our recent charity book sale was a resounding success, raising an incredible THB 27,000! These funds will be sponsored to five kids at the Phuket Sunshine Village Foundation, supporting their ongoing efforts to make a difference in the lives of those in need. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our supporters and the wonderful HeadStart community for your generous contributions. This event was more than just a fundraiser—it provided a valuable opportunity for our students to learn the importance of kindness, community service, and making a positive impact. Together, we’ve not only raised funds for a great cause but also helped foster a spirit of giving and service among our students. Thank you once again for your support! Khun Mai - School Librarian

Running for their Lives - Year 4 Escape Zombies for Charity!

On Friday 1st November, the Year 4 children were shocked to find that their teachers had been infected and turned into hungry zombies! The children had to run for their lives, completing as many laps as possible whilst also competing to be the last house standing! Congratulations to the Yellow house who had the most children remaining after four separate waves of running. The children were sponsored by friends and family to enter the zombie run and raise money for Phuket Sunshine Village. We were so impressed with the dedication, collaboration and grit shown by the children as they ran away from their teachers in the afternoon sun. In the days that followed, the children collected their sponsorship money and we are delighted to announce that, collectively, the three classes raised an incredible 42,527 baht. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored the Year 4 children. Your generosity is hugely appreciated. The Year 4 Teaching Team

Camp Green Lake - Year 6 Showcase Strength and Stamina for Charity!

Inspired by our class text, Holes by Louis Sachar, Year 6 came together to raise funds for Phuket Sunshine Village through a Camp Green Lake event. Students showcased their strength and stamina by completing various physical challenges, including sit-ups, lunges, push-ups, and a bleep test. Their tremendous efforts were impressive, and we are thrilled to announce that they raised a total of approximately 40,480 baht! We are immensely proud of all our students and deeply grateful for their contribution to Phuket Sunshine Village. The Year 6 Teaching Team

Meet the Team

The Security and Drivers team at HeadStart International School Phuket plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of students, staff, and visitors. They are responsible for maintaining a secure environment on campus, monitoring entrances, and providing a visible presence to deter any potential security issues. The team also assists with traffic management, ensuring the safe arrival and departure of students by coordinating the school’s transport system efficiently. With a strong focus on punctuality and professionalism, the drivers ensure that students are safely transported to and from school, as well as off-site events, while security personnel are always ready to respond quickly to any emergencies. Their combined efforts contribute to creating a safe, smooth, and supportive environment for the entire school community. As such, they are invaluable members of our school community and we appreciate their hard work, attention to detail and friendly demeanor!

PE & Sports News

AquaPanthers Swimfest in Bangkok!

We had an incredible weekend at the ISB Swimfest! Our swimmers achieved numerous personal bests, and for many, it was their first time traveling with the team — a big milestone! The meet was a huge success, and our swimmers returned with a newfound sense of independence and knowledge.

Special congratulations to:

• Rita, who placed 2nd in the 50m Breaststroke!

• Monica, who took 1st in the 50m Fly and 2nd in the 100m IM!

Both had outstanding swims, and we’re incredibly proud! And an exciting surprise: our 15 & Over boys placed 3rd overall, securing a trophy that will be mailed to us soon. This achievement is a massive win for our team—well done, everyone! Coach Brown - Head Swim Coach

HeadStart Chaofah Panthers Boys Academy Teams in Action

Our U9, U11 and U13 Chaofah Panthers Boys teams competed in the PISAC tournament this past weekend. A great morning was had by all, with our teams playing against a variety of international schools from across Phuket. A special mention to our U9 team who, as well as competing in their first ever tournament as a group, were able to finish 1st place! Well done to everyone who took part. Coach Dave - Football Coach

U15 Girls Take On KIS

The HeadStart Panthers U15 Girls team travelled to KIS last week for a friendly fixture. For many of the players, it was their first competitive match against another school and was a great opportunity to put what they have learned at training into practice. The girls played some excellent football, created numerous goal scoring opportunities and were solid and organised defensively. Well done Girls! Coach Paul - Football CoachMeanwhile, our HeadStart Panthers U11 Girls played BISP on 12th November as part of the PISAC tournament. The girls put in a great performance, with some playing in their first competition-style game. Some excellent goals were scored and the girls responded really well to being asked to play in a variety of positions. Well done girls on a fantastic start to the year.Coach Dave - Football Coach

ECA News

What an incredible showdown of strategic brilliance at our recent school Chess Tournament held at our Chaofah City campus! Relive the magic and see who emerged as the Chess Master of November 2024:

🏆 Champion - Mark Kolesnikov - Year 9 Cherngtalay Campus

🥈 Runner-up - Georgiy Zhenchenko - Year 5 City Campus

🥉 Third Place - Tigran Davtian - Year 8 Cherngtalay Campus

Huge thanks to 50 Fly Trampoline Club, The PlayYard Restaurants and other sponsors for constant support and helping to make yet another tournament exceptional. Next tournament will be held on Saturday 7th December and we will invite players from other schools! See you there!

Spanish Language ECA Update

Did you know that Spanish is the second most spoken language? Have you always wanted to learn Spanish? Now is your opportunity! ¡Vamos! (Let’s go!)

At Spanish ECA classes, the students learn in a communicative way, using the language from day one because our goal is to speak! Join us for the next term!

Foundation studentslearn through a play-based approach that includes singing and dancing. This engaging method exposes children to new words, phrases, and sentence structures in a fun way. Movement helps them connect words with actions.Primary studentsexpand their vocabulary and familiarize themselves with common expressions through interactive games and movement activities. They reinforce their learning with visual aids and writing tasks. Recently, they explored the concept of noun gender in Spanish, identifying masculine and feminine nouns.Secondary studentsfollow a task-based learning approach, where they complete interconnected tasks that culminate in a final communicative work. This method fosters a gradual understanding of grammar while developing the four essential skills: reading, speaking, listening, and writing. They engage with real-life situations, such as ordering in restaurants and providing personal information, and have recently learned to use the formal “usted” in conversation.Advanced Secondary students are involved in a role-play project, assuming the roles of clients and agents. In this project, they gather important information and engage in conversations, further developing the four essential skills: reading, speaking, listening, and writing.

Languages Department

Reciting Ancient Poetry in Year 2 Mandarin First Language Class

In the Year 2 Mandarin First Language class, students recite the ancient poem “Ode to the Goose” by singing, filling the classroom with joy and poetry. Through melodious tunes, they experience the rhythm of the poem, transforming words into musical notes and immersing themselves in the world of classical poetry. This activity not only deepens their understanding of the poem but also fosters a love for traditional Chinese culture.

在中文第一语言二年级的课堂上，同学们通过唱歌的方式背诵古诗《咏鹅》，课堂洋溢着欢乐与诗意。他们用悠扬的旋律感受诗词的韵味，将文字化为音符，沉浸在古诗的世界中，不仅加深了对诗词的理解，还培养了对中国传统文化的热爱。 Ms Wenhui Zhong - Mandarin First Language Teacher

Students As Teachers in Primary French Lessons

With our unique approach, students turn into teachers! They use French as the target language to guide and practice with their peers, building confidence and fluency together. Mr Pierre - Primary French Teacher

Foundation

Elephants Never Forget - And Neither Will Our Reception Classes!

The Reception children had an unforgettable experience visiting the Elephant Sanctuary! They spent a wonderful day feeding the elephants, observing them in their natural habitat, and even observing the elephants play and wash in the river. It was incredible to see these gentle giants enjoying their favorite foods and moving freely in such a beautiful setting. We were immensely proud of how well the children behaved on their first trip; their curiosity and care shone through. This adventure was not only educational but filled with joy—truly a memorable experience for all! The Reception Teaching Team

Primary

Year 2 Demonstrating Kindness and Respect at Soi Dog

Year 2 recently visited the Soi Dog charity, where they had an inspiring experience learning about animal care and welfare. Throughout the trip, students showed kindness by gently interacting with the dogs and expressing compassion for the animals’ stories. They also demonstrated respect by listening carefully to the charity staff, following instructions, and being mindful of the dogs’ needs. This visit helped the students within Year 2 understand the importance of kindness and respect towards animals and people alike, fostering their development as caring and responsible members of the community. *The Year 6 Teaching Team

Secondary

An Artistic Visit to Ani Academy, Koh Yao Noi

On Monday our Sixth Form Artists had the opportunity to visit Ani Academy on Koh Yao Noi for a charcoal workshop run by the Dean of the Academy, Dan Christian. Ani Academy is a non-profit organisation that provides scholarships to people to live and study at their academies, developing skills in photorealism and learning how to gain a career as successful artists.

Dan took our students back to the foundations of their technique with a series of challenging exercises designed to build greater subtlety in the artist’s hand eye co-ordination allowing the students to achieve greater levels of realism within their work. Our artists thoroughly enjoyed their day out in the professional environment of the art studio and will build on the technical skills developed within their upcoming projects. Hopefully we will continue to link up with the academy for more projects in the future.
For more information you can find their website here: https://aniartacademies.org/ani-academies-thailand/

To Phuket and Back Again in a Sail Boat!

Last week, the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award students went to Koh Lon where we learnt how to successfully sail a 2-person boat with another one of our friends. The goal of the trip was to be fully autonomous and be able to sail to the island and stay there for a night so we were given a tent which we had to set up and a small mattress to sleep on. We brought ingredients to cook our own meals for the day which was really fun because we all got to cook together. After mastering our sailing skills, we sailed all the way to Phuket and back which was really exhausting; once we got back to Koh Lon, and after having regained our energy, we all sat around the campfire where we talked and did alot of singing which was extremely enjoyable for everyone! Federico - Year 12

Year 11 Intervention in English

Year 11 students aim for success in IGCSE Literature in English and support of these students is targeted and ongoing. Students have been meeting with me in the last lesson of the week last half term and this to consolidate and expand their understanding of text and subtext in A Streetcar Named Desire. Talk about resilience! Mr. Pollicutt - Head of English & EAL

Year 10 ESL Students Learning to Write Persuasively

Year 10 ESL students have been developing their persuasive writing skills by creating articles about their experiences with the ClearFluency reading programme, which we use at HeadStart to support EAL/ESL learners. ClearFluency encourages students to practise language skills while building reading confidence. Students have learned and applied techniques such as rhetorical questions, emotive language, and personal anecdotes, to help them craft compelling pieces to inform and inspire their audience about the programme’s benefits and its role in supporting their English learning journey. We hope you enjoy their articles and join us in commending their excellent work! Mrs. Davidson - EAL/ESL Teacher

Y10 ESL Persuasive Writing

Success Outside School

🥇 Congratulations to Mason (Year 10) who finished in 1st place in the U16 3.5km Boys Fun Run at the Child-Watch Phuket 21st Run for Children

👏 Well done to Aya (Year 2) and Layla (Year 1) who both finished the 3.5km Fun Run all by themselves! Amazing running girls!

👏 Well done to the following students who all competed in and finished the incredibly challenging Spartan Race at Blue Tree on Sunday 10th November:

• Age 4-6 years old: Luke (Year 1), Egor, Ted, Leon, Zean and Bay (Year 2)

• Age 7-9 years old: Phu (Year 2), and Enran (Year 4)

• Age 10-14 years old: Eva and Bogdan (Year 5)

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