Chaofah City
Chaofah City
Weekly Update #13, 22 November 2024
Announcements
The Book Fair is Coming!
We welcome all families to come and visit our Book Fair in collaboration with Book53. A range of books for all ages will be on display in the Atrium from Monday 25th to Wednesday 27th November. Please be reminded that children are not to select books without their parents’ permission; while they are welcome to browse the selections, children should not ask for books to be put aside for later. We appreciate your cooperation in helping to make available high-quality reading resources for all our students and continuing to inspire a love of reading!
Upcoming Events
HeadStart Panthers Football Academy Teams at Soccer 7s
Good luck to our Panthers Academy Football Teams who are taking part in this weekend’s BISP Soccer 7’s. Games take place across 2 days – Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd November – at the British International School, Phuket. We welcome parents and students to come along and show your support! Coach Frost – Head Football Coach
Aqua Panthers Invitational Swim Meet
Get Ready for HeadStart’s Largest Sporting Event of the Year! We’re excited to announce the 3rd Annual Aqua Panthers Invitational (API) is just around the corner! This year, we’re diving into history as we host over 300 swimmers from across Asia in our brand-new 50-metre pool at our Cherngtalay campus!
📅 Date: 30 November 30 – 1 December, 2024
🕗 Time: 8am-6pm (finishes 4pm on Sunday)
📍 Location: Cherngtalay Campus
This will be HeadStart’s biggest swim meet yet and the largest sporting event we’ve ever hosted! Witness high-energy races, team spirit, and an electric atmosphere as swimmers from around the region compete in this premier event. Let’s show our support and cheer on the Aqua Panthers as they take the stage at this milestone event! Coach Brown – Head Swim Coach
Meetings & Presentations
Positive Parenting Workshop for Thai Parents on 19.11.24
On Tuesday, 19 November, we hosted a parent meeting focused on fostering collaboration between families and the school to support student learning and well-being. The session provided valuable insights into techniques for enhancing children’s self-esteem and confidence while also exploring the impact of various parenting styles on their overall happiness.
We extend our gratitude to all parents who participated and contributed to this important discussion. Your engagement is essential to ensuring our students achieve their personal goals in a positive and supportive environment. Kru Toom – Deputy School Director
Please find a copy of the presentation below 👇
Positive Parenting Workshop for Thai Parents
Mandarin-speaking Parent Meeting
We warmly invite you to a meeting specifically for Mandarin-speaking parents. This gathering will be held in the Secondary Hall at our Chaofah City Campus on 26 November from 8:30 to 9:30am.
We value your insights and contributions to our school community. Your input on various school-related topics will be greatly appreciated.
我们诚挚邀请您参加为华语家长特别举办的家长会。Chaofah（市区）校区的会议时间为11月26日上午8:30至9:30。
我们非常重视您对学校的意见和建议。您的反馈对我们了解有关学校的各方面问题非常重要。
祝好，语言部 HeadStart 国际学校
UPrep for Parents Talk – Applying to the UK and Europe
We’re delighted to invite you to our upcoming UPrep for Parents talk, taking place at 08:30am on Wednesday, 27th November in the Secondary Hall, 4th Floor, Chaofah City Campus.
This will be the seventh session in the series, focusing on ‘Applying to the UK and Europe’. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain insights into the application process and ask any questions you might have. Our aim is to make the journey feel more manageable and reassuring for both you and your child.
To help you plan ahead, we’ve included below a summary of the full series of talks and their dates. You’re welcome to join any that interest you in the future, or let us know if there is anything else you would like our support with. We look forward to seeing you there. The UPrep Team
Loy Krathong
Celebrating a Beautiful Thai Tradition in Foundation
Thank you to all who joined us for our Foundation Loy Krathong celebration! The atmosphere was truly wonderful, filled with joy and excitement as we came together to celebrate this special Thai tradition. This year, we were fortunate to witness incredible performances from our children, who showed their creativity and respect for this cultural celebration. The beautiful Loy Krathong creations — delicate floating lanterns made of banana leaves, flowers, and candles — added a magical touch to the event.
A special thank you to all parents and carers who participated in the dance, embracing the spirit of the festival with such enthusiasm. We also enjoyed a stunning food feast, decorated with care and skill, offering a taste of traditional Thai cuisine alongside beautiful, vibrant decorations that brought the event to life. It was wonderful to see everyone getting involved and making the celebration even more memorable. Thank you again for celebrating with us. We are so lucky to have such a supportive community where we can all come together and share in the joy of these cultural traditions! The Foundation Teaching Team
📸 A full album of photos available here: Foundation Loy Krathong 2024
Crafting Krathongs in Primary
During Thai lessons in Primary, students enjoyed meaningful moments creating Krathongs. Parents were warmly invited to join their children in this special activity, sharing quality time together while fostering creativity, cultural pride, and a deeper appreciation for Thai traditions.
📸 A full album of photos available here: Primary Loy Krathong 2024
Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraiser
Last Thursday, our whole school community came together in a sense of unity and vibrant colour to ‘Dress For Sunshine’. Through the generosity of our students and their parents, we raised an incredible 61,713 Baht towards our Phuket Sunshine Village Foundation Fundraiser – the largest donation our Casual Clothes Day has ever achieved! With donations still coming in from classes and families, we are well on our way to reaching the 200,000 Baht mark! Special thanks to the Lapunov, Veeravat and Strydom families for the generous donations.
Year 3 Completes the Mega Obstacle Challenge for Charity!
Well done to Year 3 for taking part in our ‘Mega Obstacle Course Challenge’ for the Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraiser! Over the week, the children had fun working in groups to design their own obstacle course showing inspiring creativity. We put the obstacle courses together and, on Wednesday afternoon, set ourselves the challenge of completing them! The children directed the other classes around their activities demonstrating excellent collaboration by helping each other to succeed. Thank you to all the parents who came along to support and to everyone for their generous sponsorship; your contributions are greatly appreciated! The Year 3 Teaching Team
Saturday Thai Culture Club
Foundation Children Focus on Thai Etiquette
This term, the Foundation Thai Culture Club has been focusing on Thai etiquette routines, giving students the opportunity to experience three key stations. Thai teachers demonstrated how to perform the wai while an adult is standing, how to walk past adults respectfully, and how to properly receive an item from an adult and return the wai appropriately.
At the beginning of the activity, we practiced our Thai morning routine by raising the flag and singing the Thai national anthem together. Students were highly engaged in the activities, even though they found some aspects challenging. They worked diligently on mastering the three routines, and their hard work paid off beautifully. The students took great pride in their efforts, and the results were truly impressive. Parents were delighted, with many smiles and a shared sense of pride in their children and their cultural identity. Kru Toom – Deputy School Director (Chaofah City Campus)
📸 A full album of photos available here: Saturday Thai Culture Club: Early Years & Reception
Years 1 to 3 Learn the Benefits of Thai Herbs
Last Saturday, Year 1 to Year 3 students had the opportunity to participate in the Thai Culture Club activity, which focused on the theme “Thai Herbs.” The children learned about the value of everyday herbs such as garden vegetables, lime, chili, and garlic. This knowledge not only helped them understand the benefits of Thai herbs but also connected them to Thai culture and traditional ways of life. The activity was filled with fun and memorable experiences. The students tasted Thai desserts made with herbs and enjoyed refreshing butterfly pea juice. They also explored the school’s vegetable garden, discovering various kinds of garden herbs. Additionally, they had the chance to plant basil themselves. Thank you to all the parents for their continued support and to the students for bringing joy and enthusiasm to this event. Kru Cherry – Thai Teacher
📸 A full album of photos available here: Saturday Thai Culture Club: Years 1 to 3
Year 4 to 6 Students Explore Southern Thai Cuisine
Year 4–6 students had an exciting opportunity to explore the flavours of Southern Thai cuisine during the Saturday Thai Culture Club. They learned about two iconic dishes—Hokkien noodles, a fusion of Phuket’s local culinary traditions and Chinese influences, and Kanom Ko, a traditional Thai dessert made of sticky rice flour dumplings filled with palm sugar and topped with shredded coconut.
The session began with a fun treasure hunt to identify key ingredients. A team of Thai volunteer parents then guided the students in preparing both dishes, offering valuable cooking tips and insights. The highlight of the day was tasting their creations and immersing in the authentic tastes of Southern Thailand! Kru Dia – Deputy School Director (Cherngtalay Campus)
📸 A full album of photos available here: Saturday Thai Culture Club: Years 4 to 6
Meet the Team
The Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) department at HeadStart International School Phuket fosters students’ artistic talents through a diverse range of activities, including visual arts, drama, music, and dance. The department emphasises creative expression, encouraging students to explore their artistic abilities and develop their own unique styles. CAPA offers a broad curriculum that allows students to engage in both individual and collaborative projects, enhancing their teamwork and problem-solving skills. The department also provides performance opportunities, including school productions such as the forthcoming musical, Evita, and exhibitions to showcase student work and boost their confidence. Additionally, CAPA supports extracurricular activities, including music ensembles and drama clubs, to further cultivate students’ passion for the arts. Through these experiences, students gain a deep appreciation for the arts while honing valuable skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
As we head into show week next week, if you see one of our amazing and talented CAPA team, please offer them a friendly smile and positive encouragement – they will no doubt be exhausted from their considerable efforts, but delighted and proud of the progress made by our incredible CAPA students so far this term. In contrast to the eponymous heroine Evita’s own fears, the stars of our stage will never be forgotten!
PE & Sports News
U11 & U13 Girls in Action at BISP!
A massive well done to both the HeadStart Panthers U11 & U13 Girls who competed in separate PISAC finals matches last week against BISP. It was great to see the girls taking to the field with so much positivity and energy and this really showed in their performances.
With the upcoming Soccer 7’s tournament fast approaching, it was a great experience for all the girls to play as a team and gain confidence and build on their teamwork. Our U13 girls finished 2nd place in an extremely close match up and our U11 Girls were crowned champions with a fantastic performance from the team. Well Done Girls! Coach Frost – Head Football Coach
Thanks to Cancan Chu, Sophia’s dad, for the fantastic photos!
A Fun Football Festival for the U9 Boys
The HeadStart Panthers U9 Boys from our Choafah City and Cherngtalay campuses travelled to KIS over the weekend for a Fun Football Festival. The festival was played in a scramble format, allowing players from both campuses and KIS to join teams for some friendly and exciting matches.
All the boys enjoyed making new friends and playing in a competitive yet relaxed environment at the Football Festival. It was great to see them getting stuck into the games and having the opportunity to put their skills to the test. Well done, boys! Coach Paul – Football Coach
Panthers Face Fierce Competition in Thrilling Matches Against UWC Manta Rays
Last weekend, the HeadStart Panthers Basketball Teams took on the UWC Manta Rays in two exciting basketball matchups.
The U16 Girls game was a display of grit and determination as our young Panthers fought hard against a highly skilled UWC team. Despite trailing early, the girls rallied in the second half with sharp passing and relentless defense. Though their effort was undeniable, the more experienced Manta Rays managed to hold onto their lead, finishing with a narrow win.
The O15 Boys game was equally intense, with both teams trading baskets in a fast-paced contest. The Panthers showcased their athleticism and teamwork, keeping the score tight through all four quarters. In the final minutes, UWC’s composure and experience under pressure made the difference, and they secured the victory.
While the results didn’t go our way, both teams demonstrated incredible sportsmanship and a fighting spirit. We’re proud of our Panthers and look forward to building on these experiences for future games! Coach Grant – Basketball Coach
Primary
Stars of the Week – Kindness
This week, we celebrated the Learner Attribute of ‘Kindness’ as our focus for the Star of the Week awards in Primary. Our wonderful winners were recognised for their thoughtful actions, such as helping a friend who was feeling upset, sharing toys and resources without being asked, and using kind words to encourage others. Their caring attitudes have made our school an even happier place to learn and grow—well done to all our kind stars!
Secondary
Conor and Daniel Take on the Maths Olympiad
On Thursday, our Secondary Maths department was excited to participate in the British Mathematical Olympiad (BMO), where two of our most talented mathematicians, who recently achieved gold awards in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge, were competing. Conor and Daniel (Year 12) tackled some of the most challenging mathematical problems in the UK, testing their skills in complex reasoning, problem-solving, and creative thinking. Their participation in this prestigious competition reflects both their hard work and outstanding achievements, and we are immensely proud of their dedication. We wish them all the best as we await the results of this remarkable academic event! Mr Hickey – Head of Maths
Anti-Bullying Week
For Anti-Bullying Week, we kicked things off with Odd Socks Day on Tuesday 12th November, with students and staff wearing their most colourful and mismatched socks to celebrate individuality. Students also created colourful socks with anti-bullying messages which were then proudly displayed in the Atrium as a reminder of our commitment to inclusivity. To close out the week, our student representatives, along with their homerooms, organised an Anti-Bullying Fair. This featured interactive activities and resources to promote kindness, raise awareness, and encourage a bully-free school environment. The Secondary Pastoral Team
Exploring Chemistry Through Slime: Synthesizing Polymers in Action
This week, students brought their classroom learning to life by synthesizing polymers in the form of slime, a fun and educational activity that linked Chemistry to the real world. By combining polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with borax, they created cross-linked polymers, turning a liquid solution into a stretchy, semi-solid material. The process deepened their understanding of polymer structures, chemical reactions, and the properties of materials, reinforcing key curriculum concepts. Activities like this highlight the beauty of Chemistry—not only explaining the world around us but empowering us to create and innovate. Through hands-on experimentation, our students engaged deeply with science, sparking curiosity and a love for learning. Mrs Marsh – Head of Science
Making Interdisciplinary Links for the MUN Essay Competition
Learning discrete subjects in schools can have the unintended effect of having young people think that the skills they develop are similarly discrete. Of course, this is not true and where possible we like to make interdisciplinary links, encouraging our learners to see that skills and knowledge are transferable.
It was partly with this in mind that over twenty students from Years 8 to 10 entered the Thammasat University MUN Essay Competition. They had to use their English skills to write concisely (the word limit was set at a succinct 300 words) on the sociological topic of, ‘What do human rights mean to you, and why are they important in today’s world?’ Mr. Pollicutt – Head of English & EAL
HeadStart Eco School
Eco Committees
The Secondary Eco Committee, led by Alex (Y13), Peter (Y12) and Mr Dempsey, meets Fridays to undertake campaign planning and host activities in the Atrium. Activities tjhis term follow the theme of Climate.
The Upper Primary Eco Committee is led by Mr Stanbra while the Lower Primary Eco Committee is led by Mr Gratton with activities this term also focused on Climate Action.
Primary Update
We have been working hard decorating reused boxes and placing them into Primary classrooms to help collect and recycle old paper. We used our Tuesday lunchtime ChangeMaker session to gather together and make art using plastic wrappers, bottle tops and straws and worked together to take non-recyclable packaging to create EcoBricks. Turn out for events has been great with participation from across Primary.
Secondary Update
We have now undertaken two paper collections from our recycling boxes located around the Secondary classrooms. This initiative is fully led by students who self manage the collection for recycling process. We have also got into EcoBricks with a huge turnout of Secondary students eager to stuff those bottles with waste. We have around 30 EcoBricks made but we need more if we are to help Foundation build raised beds.
Foundation Stage
On Tuesday, Headstart Eco School Lead Rob Gratton led a session for Reception students in the Growing Garden. Activities were designed to introduce them to the Garden, plant identification and how soil is made by worms from vegetable scraps. We will follow this up with a few more sensory workshops learning from and in the garden.
Friday Market
Check us out at every Friday Market where we will showcase some top tips for being more eco conscious. At the recent Eco market, we had lots of visitors who helped us make and learn about EcoBricks.
Community Beach Clean
So far we have held 2 beach cleans with over 90 participants and have collected around 60 Kg of waste. WOW. The support from the community continues to be excellent, as does Green Dragon attendance making them our current Beach Clean House Point Winners.
Our next beach clean will be in January. BUT don’t take December off. If you are at the beach do look out for trash that you could collect and dispose of considerately.
COP29 (29th Conference of the Parties)
The conference continues with an area of focus being Climate and Air Quality. Air Quality is becoming a real issue here in Phuket but don’t fear as YOU can do your part to reduce the levels of hazardous PM2.5 in the air.
Rather than waiting for the air to get bad (usually between February and April) take action now to adopt “HeadStart Healthy Habits”. Limit your car trips, turn off your engines at pick up and drop off and when possible ‘car pool’ to reduce those emissions.
| Did You Know? | Phuket is struggling to find the space to deal with your trash. See the article linked below. What could you do? Take those non-recyclable plastic wrappers and packaging and make your own EcoBrick at home. Or store these clean plastics and send them into school at our next plastic drive (Friday 29th November). |
| Interesting Links | Issue of waste and landfill on Phuket |
| Cop29 |
Success Outside School
🥈 Congratulations to Lexie (Year 4) for winning 2nd place for her Hip Hop Solo performance at the TDO International Dance Competition 2024.
👏 Congratulations to Natcha (Year 9) for achieving the Platinum award for Singing, Art & Music at the Nocturne Classical International Youth Music Competition 2024.
Congratulations to all Year 12 and 13 students who took part in the recent United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Senior Mathematical Challenge:
🥇 Conor and Daniel
🥈 Krit and Luxin
🥉 Baikao, Cookie and Ryan
Promotions From Around the Island
Important Dates
Noticeboard
