Weekly Update #32, 9 May 2025

A Polite Reminder – Car Park Safety

This is a polite reminder to all members of our community who drive a vehicle – car or motorbike – to and from school. We kindly request that all motorists exercise caution whenever on the school premises, especially where pedestrians are crossing roads or moving through the school’s car parks. Please respect and follow the directions of our Security staff whose responsibility it is to keep parents, students and staff safe. We appreciate your support and understanding. The HeadStart Team

Playground Safety and Supervision – A Notice for Parents

We pride ourselves on being a community-minded establishment and welcome our families to enjoy our Primary playground space after school. Our playground is a fantastic space for our children to play and socialise.

We would like to politely remind all parents that they must supervise their children when they are using the Primary playground after school. Parents must remain close enough to their children to ensure that they are using the playground equipment safely and not posing a danger to themselves or to others.

Please help to prevent accidents and upsets by following these guidelines:

• Monitoring your child’s play – make sure you can see your child, and your child can see you

• Ensuring your child is using the playground equipment correctly

• Reminding your child of safe and respectful behaviour; encourage kindness and taking turns

We sincerely appreciate your cooperation in helping to keep our playground a happy and safe space for all our children. The HeadStart Team

Good Luck to Our Academy Teams

Wishing all our HeadStart Panthers Academy football teams and Aqua Panthers Swimmers the very best of luck as they head to the Bangkok Patana Football Tournament and PISAC Swimming Championships respectively this weekend. Work hard, play hard, swim hard and give it your best with a smile on your face! If you’re up in Bangkok or have a chance to visit the Thanyapura Sports Complex over the weekend, please head over to cheer them on. Go Panthers and Aqua Panthers!

Sports Awards Ceremony 2025

On Tuesday 10th June from 16:30 – 18:30 at our Chaofah City campus, our HeadStart Academy students – football, swimming and basketball – will come together to celebrate the incredible array of sporting successes of our teams and individuals across both our school campuses this academic year. Parents of all Academy students will receive an email and booking instructions for this event next week.

Secondary Developments & Progression Post Year 9 Meeting

Inviting all parents of children in Year 6 to Year 9 to attend a meeting on Wednesday 14th May at 8.30am in the Secondary ILC. In this meeting we will share with you the developments that will be put in place for our programmes at our Cherngtalay campus for the next academic year, the progression and support for children moving both from Year 6 to Year 7 in August, and also from Year 9 at Cherngtalay to Year 10 at our Chaofah City campus. This will also include what the educational pathways may look like and the developments for our Year 10-13 programmes at the Chaofah City campus as well.

There will be the chance for a Q&A session at the end of the meeting to address any questions or concerns you may have. We hope to see as many parents as possible on Wednesday so we can take a positive look forward at the exciting developments that we have in store for Secondary and your children’s future pathways through Year 7 to 9 and beyond.

Reception to Year 1 Transition & Language Options Parent Meeting

Welcoming all parents of Reception class children to join us for a very important meeting in which we will talk you through the transition from Reception class to Year 1. This will also be a great opportunity to ask questions and find out about the language options for your child as they move into Primary school We look forward to seeing in the Foundation & Primary ILC on Thursday 15th May from 8:30-9:30.

Elizaveta Lebedeva – Enrolled at HeadStart Since Year 7

We are thrilled to celebrate Elizaveta Lebedeva as she takes her next bold step towards a creative future. Liz has accepted an offer to study a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Visual Communication at HMKW – Media University of Applied Sciences, Berlin. A natural leader, Liz served as the General Secretary for Model United Nations (MUN), where she showcased exceptional organisational skills, leadership, and diplomacy. Her artistic talent, combined with her strong sense of responsibility and vision, sets her apart, and we look forward to seeing the incredible impact she will make in the world of design and beyond.

Christien Goyette – Enrolled at HeadStart Since Year 12

We’re proud to celebrate Christien’s amazing success! Receiving offers to study a BSc in International Hospitality Business from top universities around the world! His impressive list of offers includes Modul University Vienna, Glion Switzerland, James Madison University (Virginia), Colorado State University (Pueblo Campus), University of Greenwich, University of Reading, Nottingham Trent University, Oxford Brookes, and University of Brighton. After careful consideration, Christien has accepted his offer from Glion Institute of Higher Education, one of the world’s leading institutions for hospitality and business — a perfect match for his ambition, global perspective, and passion for excellence. The future is yours, Christien!

Susanna (12 White Chaofah City campus) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Reception

Since joining HeadStart in Reception class, Susanna has filled each and every year with a whole range of extra-curricular activities. Whether it is joining sports teams and academies, performing in productions or dance shows, or fulfilling her interests in a whole range of creative endeavours, Susanna has done it all! This year, she is a Deputy Senior Prefect responsible for the Service Committee and next year, her graduating year, she will be the President on the Interact Committee! What does Susanna love about HeadStart?

Sun, Sea, and Smiles at Angsana Laguna

Our Year 6 children recently enjoyed a fantastic residential trip to the beautiful Angsana Laguna Hotel. Over two days, they took part in an exciting rotation of activities that included beach games, water polo and swimming, creative arts and crafts, and boating on the lagoon – highlighted by a thrilling dragon boat race!

In the evening, the fun continued with a lively fashion competition where children designed and modelled their own outfits, showcasing their creativity and confidence on the catwalk. The night ended on a high with a disco full of dancing, laughter, and great memories made with friends.

It was a truly unforgettable experience for everyone involved! The Year 6 Team

📸 Please find a full album of photos here: Y6 Residential 2025

HeadStart Cherngtalay Hosts First Major Basketball Tournament

The recent HeadStart International Tournament was a resounding success, bringing together six teams to compete in an electrifying display of skill and sportsmanship. The new facilities at our Cherngtalay campus were packed with enthusiastic fans, air horns, and nonstop cheering from supporters of all schools. After intense matches, BCIS emerged as champions, claiming first place while our very own HeadStart Cherngtalay team secured a hard-fought second. BISP rounded out the podium in third. Congratulations to all the teams, players, and supporters for making this tournament unforgettable! Coach Grant – Basketball Coach

Thai Parent Guest Speaker – Using Role Play to Engage in Stories in Reception

A big thank you to Khun Patteera Raiphimai (Vanessa’s mum) for being our special guest and reading the Thai story “หัวผักกาดยักษ์” (The Turnip) to our Reception class!

Ms Patteera brought the story to life as the children engaged in a fun role-play, acting out the characters from the tale. It was a wonderful, interactive experience that helped the students connect with the story and the Thai language in a playful and memorable way. Thank you, Ms Patteera, for sharing your time and making story time so enjoyable for our little ones!

Thai Parent Guest Speaker – Learning the Art of Lotus Petal Folding in Year 5

A big thank you to Khun Nootchanat Singkul (Hojune’s mum) for being our special guest and teaching our Year 5 students how to fold lotus petals!

Ms Nootchanat showed the children how to create beautiful lotus flowers, a traditional craft that connects them with Thai culture. The students had a fantastic time learning this art, and they even made their own Thai-style bouquet of lotus flowers! Thank you, Ms Nootchanat, for sharing your time and making this experience so memorable for our students.

Growing Together: Russian Language, Culture, and Community

On 8th May, Cherngtalay Campus hosted a warm gathering that brought together Russian-speaking HeadStart families. In an open dialogue format, parents and a Year 9 student shared personal stories and reflected on the importance of preserving their native language and cultural traditions in an international environment.

Savva spoke about his experience adapting to an international school system — the challenges he faced, what helped him navigate them, and the key differences he observed between Russian and international education. Parents also shared their stories of moving to Phuket, discussed the stages of adaptation, and talked about the choices that helped them and their children adjust more easily and feel comfortable in their new environment.

We are grateful to all participants for their sincerity, thoughtful insights, and contributions to strengthening our school community. Events like this help make our school a place where everyone feels heard and valued. The Russian Language Team

Растём вместе: русский язык, культура и сообщество

8 мая в Cherngtalay Campus прошла тёплая встреча, объединившая русскоязычные семьи HeadStart. В формате открытого диалога родители и ученица 9 класса делились личными историями, обсуждали значимость сохранения родного языка и культурных традиций в международной среде.

Савва рассказал о своём опыте адаптации к обучению в международной системе: с какими вызовами ему пришлось столкнуться, что помогло преодолеть трудности, и какие ключевые различия он видит между российской и международной школой. Родители также поделились историями переезда на Пхукет, обсудили этапы адаптации и рассказали о том, какие решения помогли им и их детям быстрее влиться в новую среду и почувствовать себя комфортно.

Мы признательны всем участникам встречи за искренность, глубокие размышления и вклад в укрепление школьного сообщества. Именно благодаря таким событиям наша школа становится местом, где каждый чувствует себя услышанным и ценным.

Toddler Playgroup

This week’s playgroup was full of excitement and wonder! The children had an incredible time exploring, playing, and making memories together. The highlight of the week was a very special surprise visit from The Tiger Who Came to Tea! The friendly tiger not only joined in the fun but even read us a story, bringing smiles and giggles all around! The Toddler Playgroup Team

Reception Yellow Learn about Germs and Hygiene

In Reception Yellow, we became young scientists as we explored how germs grow on different surfaces. For our potato experiment, we sliced up a potato and rubbed each piece on a different surface around the classroom. The children made thoughtful predictions about which slice they think will grow the most germs. Now, we’re eagerly waiting to see the results over the next couple of weeks. It was a fun and hands-on way to learn about hygiene and science! Miss Rachael – Reception Teacher

Designing Patterned Animals using Haida Styles in Year 6 Art

This term, Year 6 students explored the artwork of the Haida people who are indigenous to North America. They discovered how Haida art is full of meaning, with images like eagles symbolizing power. Inspired by what they learned, students designed their own patterned animals using Haida styles. They then brought their ideas to life by carving their designs into lino and using a reductive printmaking process to create bold, striking prints.