Weekly Update #15, 6 December 2024

Announcements

Parent Fitness Update for Term 2

Dear parents, thank you all for the hard work you have put into your fitness journey with our coaches over the past few months. Everyone has made wonderful progress and we are excited to continue to help you develop over the rest of the academic year! Our coaching team is committed to giving you the best experience we can, so starting in January there will be a change to our Parent Fitness Program. Please see the poster below for new session allocations.

We are looking forward to seeing many familiar faces in the new year and hopefully some new ones too! If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to Coach Jordi [email protected]

Outstanding Learner Awards

As we learned last week, our Outstanding Learner Award winners for 2024 travelled up to Bangkok to join the Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards Ceremony. Accompanied by Dr. Parimon Phaisamran (School Licensee), Mr Lukats (Secondary Principal) and Mr Davidson (Head of Upper Secondary School), as well as proud family members, our award winners displayed their true qualities as they joined exceptional students from across the region to celebrate their achievements.

This week, we hear from Berta and Krit to find out how HeadStart inspires them to excellence:

Berta Awarded TOP IN ASIA for GCSE Art & Design, Credits Her Teachers for Providing Invaluable Guidance

Reflecting on her successful journey, Berta explained that much of her drive comes from within. “It’s more like a pressure I put onto myself,” she shared, emphasising that she didn’t feel external pressure from her parents to excel. “My parents have never forced me to get good grades. It’s just something I thought might be possible, so why not?”

Berta credits her teachers for providing invaluable guidance, particularly in art, where understanding the deeper meaning of her work was a key focus. “What I think most people miss is the deeper meaning behind your work,” she explained. “Many of my classmates did something because it was pretty or nice, but I focused on the meaning behind it.” This thoughtful approach was something her teachers encouraged, helping her focus on the aspects that examiners look for when grading coursework.

Her commitment to her craft extends beyond the classroom. “I do a lot of hours at home, outside of school,” she revealed, describing how she dedicated weekends and after-school hours to painting and conceptualising her projects. “A lot of people leave groundwork to the last minute, but I think it’s important to do a little bit every day to make it consistent,” she added, emphasising the importance of steady progress.

Though her academic load is demanding—she studies Chemistry, Biology, Maths, and Art—Berta knows the importance of balance. “At the weekends, I try to relax and do sport to disconnect from all the work I’ve put in,” she said, recognising the need for downtime to reduce stress.

Looking toward the future, Berta is uncertain about her exact path but is considering combining her passions. “I’m studying these academic subjects, but Art gives me an artistic outlook,” she explained. She is contemplating a dual honours degree, possibly in Biology and Art, and hopes to study in Europe, seeking a change after spending most of her life in Asia. Whatever path she chooses, Berta’s drive and dedication are sure to carry her far.

Upcoming Events

Foundation Christmas Stay & Play Events

We invite Foundation children and their parents to join our festive Christmas celebrations starting with our Foundation Christmas Stay & Play events. We encourage everyone to dress festively for the occasion and (keep it a secret!) not forget to pay a visit to Santa Claus! Taking place in our Foundation classrooms and the ILC as follows:

• Tuesday 10th December from 8:30-10:00am - Reception Christmas Stay & Play

• Wednesday 11th December from 8:30-10:00am - Early Years Christmas Stay & Play

• Thursday 12th December from 8:30-10:00am - Preschool Christmas Stay & Play

Christmas Fair

Welcoming all students and parents to our Christmas Fair taking place on the covered football pitch at HeadStart Chaofah City campus on Thursday 12th December from 1:30-3:30pm. There will be performances from all Primary classes starting at 1:30pm after which our Secondary students will join in with some musical numbers, games and activities organised for the younger children. We welcome everyone to join the event! Dress in festive colours and enjoy the music, performances, food and drink along with the rest of our community.

Meetings & Presentations

Mock Exams IGCSE and Onward Plans Parent Meeting on 03.12.24

On Tuesday 3rd December, Mr. Davidson delivered a presentation to Year 11 parents regarding the upcoming mock examinations and what occurs post mocks. The presentation covered the logistics of the mock examinations, the approach staff use to ensure students are able to use the mock examinations as a springboard to improve, invoicing for the mocks, and how the mock results will be used to shape the dialogue around students’ options for study in Year 12 and 13.

If you were unable to attend and are interested in learning more about the Year 11 mock examinations please do not hesitate to email Mr. Davidson ([email protected]) with your questions. A copy of the presentation is included here:

Mock Exams IGCSE and Onward Plans Parent Meeting 3rd December

UPrep Talk #8: Applying to the USA/Canada on Wednesday 11th December

We’re excited to invite you to the eighth session of our UPrep for Parents series, happening at 8:30am on Wednesday 11th December in the Secondary Hall (4th floor, Chaofah City Campus).

Navigating the application process for universities in the USA and Canada can feel overwhelming — but we’re here to help! This session will provide valuable insights and practical advice to guide you and your child through the journey with confidence.

What to Expect:

• Key steps in the application process

• Expert tips to strengthen applications

• A Q&A session to address your concerns

This is a fantastic opportunity to ask questions and gain clarity, and we’d be delighted to have you join us. To help you plan, we’ve also included a summary of upcoming talks in the series—don’t miss the chance to attend topics that interest you! The UPrep team

Next Parent Meeting in Term 2

As we will be holding Christmas-themed events throughout the school next week, our Term 1 series of parent meetings is now complete. We welcome parents to join us again on Tuesday mornings in Term 2. Our first meeting of the new term is aimed at Thai-speaking parents of Early Years children as we share with you information about Thai Homework at this stage. Please join us at 8:30am on Tuesday 14th January in the Primary Hall.

Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraiser

Celebrating the Generosity of our School Community

Congratulations HeadStart Chaofah City children and their families! Our Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraising drive for Term 1 has now ended and we are so proud to announce that, as a school community, we have raised the unbelievable total of 364,830 Thai Baht! With the aim of raising 5,000 Thai Baht per PSV child, this means HeadStart Chaofah City campus has sponsored an incredible 72 children at Phuket Sunshine Village. Special mention goes to all our Primary and Secondary homerooms who raised donations through a variety of sponsored activities, to families who generously sponsored a child, including the Trivisi’s and the Siciliano’s, and to Mrs Howells, Mr Dagnall, and Kru Sandwich for raising money through sales of our CAPA HeadStars ‘Evita’ posters designed by our very own Kru Sanwich!

Combined with the astonishing sum of 304,996 raised at our Cherngtalay campus, this means the HeadStart community as a whole has raised a truly extraordinary 669,826 Thai Baht for the children of Phuket Sunshine Village! Such a contribution can make a huge difference to the lives of PSV children and serves to strengthen our ties with the local community and develop ways in which we can educate our own students to share the good fortune that we enjoy. This Saturday, 7th December, representatives from our Primary Student Leadership will join with their friends from Cherngtalay to pay a visit to Phuket Sunshine Village to run a fun sports day for the children there and to hand over the final cheque. This will be a special time to celebrate the incredible generosity of our school community and see how it contributes to improving the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.

Year 5 Run for Fun for PSV!

Year 5’s Fun Run was the exciting finale to a four-week project. The children learned about the work of the Phuket Sunshine Village Foundation, crafted wacky hats, designed bold outfits from borrowed clothes and planned imaginative ways to move around the track, from hopping to rolling to dribbling a football! Between our three Year 5 classes, we raised over 19,000 baht! Huge congratulations on your achievement, Year 5! The Year 5 Teaching Team

Meet the Team

The kitchen staff at HeadStart International School, Phuket plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of students and staff by preparing nutritious and balanced meals and snacks each and every day. They are responsible for catering to a wide range of dietary needs, including vegetarian/vegan requirements and cultural preferences, to ensure all students and staff are well-fed. The team maintains a clean and safe kitchen environment, adhering to strict hygiene standards. Their work also extends beyond meal preparation, as they create a welcoming atmosphere that promotes positive eating habits among our school community.

Next week, we encourage all students and staff to share with our kitchen team some traditional festive cheer as they once again allow their creativity to shine by bringing us a special Christmas menu! Through their dedication, our kitchen staff contributes significantly to the overall HeadStart experience, supporting both the academic and physical development of our students and inspiring a love of delicious food too!

PE & Sports News

Aqua Panthers Invitational 2024: A Spectacular Weekend of Swimming Excellence

Over the weekend of 30th November and 1st December, the HeadStart Cherngtalay campus came alive with the buzz of the Aqua Panthers Invitational 2024 (API2024). With an incredible turnout of 310 swimmers from 11 teams, the event delivered an unforgettable experience for athletes, spectators, and online viewers alike. The atmosphere was electric, fueled by fast swimming, vibrant music, and smiling faces. Athletes showcased their skills and competitive spirit, captivating those in attendance and our livestream audience worldwide. It was a weekend where passion met performance, and the swimmers didn’t disappoint.

This year marked a milestone for API2024 as we welcomed our first international teams: the Killer Whales Elite from the Philippines and St. Johnsbury Academy from South Korea. Their presence added an exciting new dimension to the competition and set a precedent for future meets.

Top Teams

After fierce competition, the top three teams were:

• 🥇 HeadStart Aqua Panthers
• 🥈 British International School Phuket (BISP)
• 🥉 Killer Whales Elite

Individual Stars

The swimmers gave it their all, and the top earners in each age group left their mark:

• 9/10 Years old: Girls - Yasmine H. (HeadStart Aqua Panthers) = 90 points; Boys - Franco L. (Killer Whales Elite, Philippines) = 93 points
• 11/12 Years old: Girls - Ain S. (St. Johnsbury, South Korea) = 96 points; Boys - Pavel K. (HeadStart Aqua Panthers) = 87 points
• 13/14 Years: Girls - Isabella E. (UWC, Thailand) = 93 points; Boys - Namor R. (Samui Sharks, Thailand) = 96 points
• 15 & Over: Girls - Isabella L. (UWC, Thailand) = 87 points; Boys - Peter D. (Killer Whales Elite, Philippines) = 96 points

First Ever Livestream

The weekend also represented a technological milestone for our Swim Academy as we were able to livestream the entire event on both Facebook Live and our YouTube channel! This meant parents and relatives who couldn’t make it to the event were able to watch and cheer from across the globe! The coverage was phenomenal, and would not have been possible without the incredible support and professionalism of our friends and partners at the Z-Coaching Foundation, in particular Christof Frohs and his dedicated team of camera operators and technicians!

A Huge Thanks

The huge success of the API2024 event would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment and support of the many volunteers - parents, teachers and support staff - who gave up their weekend to ensure all swimmers made it to their races on time, were well fed and watered, and were able to enjoy the competition while the nitty gritty of running such a large scale event took place behind the scenes. Sincere thanks to all who provided a helping hand over the two days!

Looking Ahead

The Aqua Panthers Invitational 2024 was a resounding success, a celebration of talent, camaraderie, and the spirit of competition. We are immensely proud of all the athletes and teams who participated and made this event unforgettable. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of API2024. We can’t wait to welcome you back for API2025, where the bar will undoubtedly be raised even higher! Let’s keep making waves together! 🌊

📸 Full album of photos across the two days of competition: API 2024

HeadStart Championship Cup Winners - HeadStart Chaofah City Panthers

The much anticipated U9 Boys HeadStart Championships kicked off on Saturday and the 8 team tournament invited several International schools and Thai academies to compete for the HeadStart Championship Cup!

Joining the tournament were KIS, UWC, BISP, Ao Po School, KT Academy, Republic Academy, as well as our HeadStart Panthers Chaofah and Cherngtalay squads. The games were closely contested and truly engaging to watch. We couldn’t be prouder of our teams and the determination and spirit they displayed throughout the event.

Our HeadStart Cherngtalay team showed remarkable improvement with each match, narrowly missing out with draws against BISP and KIS in the group stages. The HeadStart Chaofah team started well, claiming top spot in their group with impressive teamwork and resilience. They maintained their momentum through the knockout rounds and triumphed in the cup final, securing a 1-0 victory against a tough Republic Academy team. A massive well done to all the teams involved and an even bigger thank you for all the support from the parents and coaches. Coach Frost - Head Football Coach

Chaofah VAP Team Heads Up to Cherngtalay

This week, the VAP U13 Choafah Boys team travelled to our Cherngtalay campus to play a friendly fixture against the HeadStart Panthers U13 and U11 Boys teams. This match was a great way for teams from both campuses to conclude a football packed Term 1. The match was competitive and exciting. All of the players gave it their all throughout the fixture and showed how much they’ve progressed over the term.

A huge well done to all of the players involved. We wish you all a great Christmas break and we are looking forward to more and more matches and tournaments in term two. Coach Paul - Football Coach

Thai Department

Learning the Science and Traditions of the Butterfly Pea Flower in Year 7 Thai

In our recent Ancjan Manao (Butterfly Pea Flower and Lime) activity, Year 7 Thai language students had the opportunity to explore the science behind the butterfly pea flower, learning about pH levels and the interaction between acids and alkalis. They were introduced to the real flower and observed how the blue extract changes colour when lime juice, an acid, is added, turning it purple. This activity not only introduced them to traditional Thai ingredients but also highlighted the practical uses of the butterfly pea flower in cooking and herbal remedies. Students demonstrated creativity and teamwork, reflecting our Learner Attributes, as they engaged in this hands-on experience. Kru Tiya - Thai Teacher

Languages Department

Learning Mandarin Characters Through Interactive Activities

In Mandarin foreign language classes, students explore Mandarin characters through interactive games, practice vocabulary using Snakes and Ladders, and craft 3D Chinese fan art independently. These activities blend play with learning, creating an enjoyable and immersive experience. The games are designed to integrate visual, tactile, and kinesthetic memory, boosting language acquisition while fostering teamwork and active participation among the children. Ms Hengkun Fang - Mandarin Foreign Language Teacher

Foundation

Reception Blue Dazzle with the “Sun, Moon and Stars” Song

What a great performance from Reception Blue, last Friday! The children dazzled us with their delightful rendition of the space-themed song Sun, Moon, and Stars. Their happy faces lit up the stage as they sang, danced, and kept perfect rhythm throughout the performance. It was a joy to watch them confidently say the words at the right moments and match them with their corresponding dance moves. Well done, Reception Blue – you shone like stars!

Early Years’ First Trip to Vanich Farm!

This week, our Early Years children attended their very first trip to Vanich Farm, and what a wonderful adventure it was! For some children, this marked their first time outside of school without their parents—a big milestone for our little learners. We are unbelievably proud of each and every one of them. Their fantastic listening skills and ability to follow instructions throughout the trip were remarkable! It was wonderful to see their kindness and care as they fed the farm animals, including a precious 4-day-old calf.

The learning experiences were endless, from observing the animals up close to exploring the natural surroundings. The children demonstrated confidence and curiosity, making us beam with pride. They truly are fantastic role models for HeadStart! Here’s to more adventures and memories like this one. Well done, Early Years! The Early Years Teaching Team

Primary

Year 4 Become Marine Biologists for a Day

Last week, Year 4 had the privilege to spend time at the Hyatt Regency Phuket Marine Biology Center. Here, we spent time with Marat, the marine biologist, who taught us about the life cycle of jellyfish and we even got to look at some tiny polyps under the microscope! We also went on a mini-mission to clean the beachfront area. It is sad to think that every day this area gets cleaned, yet every day more rubbish washes up! This trip certainly made us think how we can do better for our planet. The Year 4 Teaching Team

Secondary

Duke of Edinburgh Silver Awards Students Go on an Adventurous Journey

The Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award Qualifying Adventurous Journey was a unique experience indeed. We got to learn new survival skills, including swatting away spiders and mosquitos! The main objective was to embark on multiple sailing trips to Phuket and back to Koh Lon. The wind was extremely strong on the first day which was extremely exciting to sail in although it caused some boats to capsize as well. One of the most challenging parts of the trip was definitely when the wind died down on the final 2 days of the trip resulting in our sailboats getting stuck. The part I enjoyed the most during the trip was when we got to cook our own food. I don’t usually get the chance to cook so I was quite an amateur at the activity. Either way, I’ve learnt new skills which made it totally worthwhile. Baimon - Year 12 student

Success Outside School

• Congratulations to Jia (Year 4) who won 2 Gold medals (for U9 Freehand routine and Body skills), 3 Silver medals (for U9 Hoop routine, Hoop skills & Group Freehand) and
  1 Bronze medal (for U9 Ball routine) at the 3rd Wanjun Rhythmic Gymnastics Club & SSRU Competition in Bangkok.

• Congratulations to Alena (Year 8) for her two silver medals in the Lyrical Solo and Contemporary Solo categories at the TDO Thailand International Dance Competition 2024 held in Bangkok.

• Congratulations to the Zvarich brothers, who all competed in the recent Kart Championship of Thailand 2024: 🥇 Max (Year 4) finished in 1st place in the Rookie category; 🥇 Marat (Year 6) finished 1st in the Mini Rok category; and 🥈 Mark (Year 9) finished in 2nd place in the Junior Open category.

• Well done to Alexander (Year 1) who received a Gold medal in the 5-6 years old First Kids Football Festival in Phuket, organised by Phuket Dolphins Football Academy.

• Well done to Gawin (Year 1) for taking part in the 5-6 years old fighting category at the recent Robinson Lifestyle Chalong Phuket Taekwondo Championship 2024.

Community Links

Scholars of Sustenance Foundation Thailand is pleased to submit the Monthly Food Surplus Donation Report for November 2024. The data below reflects the significant contribution made by the HeadStart community that directly impacts on the lives of people in Phuket and on our local environment. We thank you for your contributions. Should you need any further information regarding this report, please do not hesitate to contact us by visiting our webpage: Scholars of Sustenance

Scholars of Sustenance report Nov 2024

Promotions From Around the Island

Theatrix Presents “A Christmas Carol: The Panto”

This December, experience the holiday season with a pantomime twist! A Christmas Carol: The Panto brings Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge to life—with a magical, family-friendly dose of humour and holiday cheer—at the Junkyard Theatre in Phuket. Show Details:

• Dates: December 6, 8 (fully booked), 12, 13, and 15
• Time: All shows start at 18:30
• Venue: Junkyard Theatre, Phuket
• Tickets: Adults & Kids THB 750

Book Here: Junkyard Theatre shows

The 4th Annual Flag Football Holiday Bowl

We are 2 weeks away from our 4th Annual Holiday Bowl taking place on 14th December, 2024 at HeadStart International School, Chaofah City campus. We are playing for a cause to help serve underprivileged youth while raising awareness about (the fastest growing Olympic sport) Flag Football. This year our HeadStart Flag Football team will showcase their skills against other teams representing China and Thailand. Come show some support to our Panthers. For more information, please contact Coach Mzuri (M) on tel:+660824658781.