Chaofah City
Chaofah City
Weekly Update #17, 20 December 2024
Announcements
Dear HeadStart Community,
We wish you all the merriest of Holidays! Our heart is once again filled with thanks for the never-ending support from our families, teachers and support staff who have contributed in no small way to our HeadStart students’ outstanding successes this term. As we wrap up the calendar year, we are full of gratitude for being part of this truly unique school community. May your holidays be filled with laughter, love, and merriment. Here’s to more enjoyment and success in the coming year.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Mr Drew and Family
Outstanding Learner Awards
To wrap up our Outstanding Learner Awards 2024 review, this week we hear from Kirill to find out how HeadStart inspired him to excellence:
Kirill Recognized as Top A-Level Mathematics Student in Thailand at Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards
Kirill, a standout student from the HeadStart Class of 2024, was recognized as Top in Thailand for A Level Mathematics at the prestigious Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards 2024. His exceptional academic achievement highlights not only his mathematical prowess but also his dedication to personal growth and community impact.
“My goal is to become a civil engineer who can contribute to designing sustainable and efficient infrastructure that positively impacts communities,” Kirill explained. “What drives me is a genuine passion for problem-solving and a commitment to continuous improvement.”
The recognition comes as no surprise to those who have witnessed his journey. Kirill credits his success to a conducive teaching atmosphere at HeadStart. “The classes were amazing because they were so engaging and supportive. The teachers didn’t just teach — they made sure we understood both the topic and why the subject mattered,” he shared.
He singled out key moments in his education, particularly in mathematics. “Ms. Bekker would go over a topic over and over again until everyone in the class understood it. That made it so much easier to understand and made the class more interesting,” Kirill noted. He also praised his chemistry teacher, Mrs. Marsh, for breaking down complex topics, and his physics mentor, Mr. Davidson, for his helpful exam explanations.
Beyond academics, Kirill also benefited from the extra-curricular opportunities offered at HeadStart. “Academic competitions challenged me to apply what I had learned, while being part of the swimming academy taught me discipline and resilience,” he said. His role as a Senior Prefect and participation in community service helped him develop leadership skills and a sense of purpose.
With a bright future ahead, Kirill’s achievements reflect his commitment to both personal and academic growth. We wish him all the best as he embarks on his university career in the Netherlands.
Christmas Fair 2024
What a fantastically festive way to finish the first term of this school year! It was truly heart-warming to see so many families - mums and dads, grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, and of course children - come together in a spirit of celebration at our wonderful Christmas Fair.
First of all, our Christmas crowd was treated to fun festive performances by each of our Primary year groups, accompanied with live instrumentals from Ms Porte and Mr Graham, our Primary Music Teacher and Head of Performing Arts respectively. We were also treated to enchanting dance performances by our HeadStart Dance Academy groups, before being taken on a festive musical journey by a whole array of student bands from Primary and Secondary. It was wonderful to see so many students perform with such gusto and confidence, entertaining allcomers to this special end of term event.
Special thanks to the many vendors who supported our Christmas Fair with festive gift offerings, home-made treats and delicious drinks; to our local partners for providing interactive activities to our young fair-goers; to our Senior Prefects and BTEC Business students who organised a series of festive-themed games and provided thirst-quenching beverages; and finally, to the man himself, Santa Claus, for travelling all the way to Phuket and braving the warm weather, to have photos taken with our visitors, young and old!
Thanks to all our community members for contributing to the success of this event. This was a fantastic way to finish Term 1, and we can’t wait to see what next year’s Christmas Fair brings.
📸 A full set of photographs of the Christmas Fair can be found here: Christmas Fair 2024
Meetings & Presentations
UPrep Talk 9 - Applying to Australia & New Zealand on Wednesday 8th January
We’re excited to invite you to the eighth session of our UPrep for Parents series, happening at 8:30am on Wednesday 8th January in the Secondary Hall (4th floor, Chaofah City Campus).
Navigating the application process for universities in the Australia and New Zealand 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:
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Key steps in the application process
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Expert tips to strengthen applications
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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. The UPrep team
Year 9 GCSE Options Parent Meeting and Options Fair
On Wednesday 8th January, we will be holding the Year 9 Options Fair. From 3.30pm until 5.30pm, stalls will be set up in the Sport’s Hall to present all of the GCSE and IGCSE subjects on offer at HeadStart. During this time, students and parents will be encouraged to visit the stalls and discuss the subjects they are interested in with the relevant subject teachers. This will then help to guide the students’ subject choices for Years 10 and 11.
Before the Options Fair, there will be a presentation for any interested parents in the Primary Hall from 2:20pm until 3.30pm. The presentation will explain the options available for students to study at GCSE/IGCSE and include discussion of compulsory subjects, optional subjects, and how a student’s choices may affect their options for Sixth Form and beyond. After the presentation, parents will be taken down to the Sport’s Hall to meet their children and then attend the Options Fair.
Promotions From Around the Island
Important Dates
Noticeboard
Parent Fitness
Running Club (meet on track)
HeadStart provides complimentary use of the Fitness Gym for parents every weekday morning from 07:30-09:30 and in the afternoon from 14:30-18:00.
Classes run from 8:00-9:00am. To join, sign the list at the gym entrance or speak to a trainer. Available strictly for HeadStart parents only.
