Weekly Update #38, 20 June 2025

Long Term Service Recognition

On behalf of the entire HeadStart International School community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our long-serving staff members for their unwavering dedication and years of outstanding service – for those completing 5, 10 and 15 years service. Your commitment, professionalism, and tireless efforts have played a pivotal role in shaping the school’s nurturing and high-achieving environment. Through your guidance, leadership, and care, generations of HeadStart students have grown not only academically, but also as confident, compassionate individuals ready to make a positive impact in the world.

Your contributions have been instrumental in the continued growth and success of HeadStart. Whether in the classroom, in leadership roles, or behind the scenes, your presence has provided a steady foundation upon which the school has flourished. Your loyalty and passion have helped cultivate a culture of excellence and unity, and we are deeply thankful for the difference you continue to make in the lives of our students, families, and colleagues.

HeadStart Celebrates the Class of 2025 with Joy, Elegance, and Global Achievements

On Thursday, 12th June 2025, HeadStart International School proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025 with a beautiful ceremony at school as well as a stylish dinner at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Phuket Town. This joyful event brought together students, families, and teaching staff to mark the culmination of the students’ school journey and the exciting beginning of the next chapter in their lives.

The evening was graciously hosted by Headmaster, Mr Adam Drew, who welcomed guests and paid tribute to the character, spirit, and accomplishments of this year’s graduating class. The formal programme opened with personal and touching speeches by the Year 13 homeroom teachers, who shared memories and celebrated the development and resilience of their students.

Guests enjoyed a superb dinner in the elegant setting of the hotel ballroom, where the atmosphere was filled with laughter, heartfelt toasts, and quiet moments of reflection. A highlight of the evening was the farewell speech by Mr Richard Lukats, outgoing Secondary Principal, who marked his final graduation with an emotional and inspiring address.
Musical performances by members of the graduating class added vibrancy to the event, showcasing the talent and camaraderie of the cohort. One of the most moving moments came with the presentation of a sincere video tribute produced by Thai parents, capturing cherished memories and expressing deep appreciation for the school community.
The dinner followed the formal graduation ceremony, held earlier that day on campus, where students were celebrated by peers, teachers, and younger students. A particular highlight was the traditional guard of honour formed by Key Stage 4 students, complete with flower petal confetti and cheers – a HeadStart tradition symbolising respect, pride, and community.

This year’s graduates leave with more than just academic success – they carry memories, friendships, and values that will shape their futures. And their futures are certainly bright.

Outstanding University Offers

The 48 students of the Class of 2025 have collectively received over 152 university course offers, with this number growing daily as the final applications are submitted – a remarkable testament to their hard work, dedication, and ambition. Offers have been received from prestigious institutions across the globe, including:

• Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
• University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
• University of Twente, Netherlands
• 5 out of 8 Ivy League Universities in the USA
• Stanford University, USA
• Yale University, USA
• University of Florida, USA
• University of Bristol, UK
• University of Manchester, UK
• University of York, UK
• ESSEC Business School, Singapore

In addition, around six students have chosen to pursue gap years to gain real-world experience in areas such as hospitality, real estate, and language immersion – reflecting the school’s emphasis on independent thinking and holistic development.

This graduating class leaves behind a proud legacy of academic excellence, internationalism, and integrity. They now join a growing global alumni network of HeadStart graduates making an impact in a wide range of fields and countries.

To the Class of 2025 – we offer our heartfelt congratulations. You have inspired us with your determination, enriched our community with your talents, and we are immensely proud of all you have achieved. Wherever life takes you next, remember: you will always be a part of the HeadStart family.

Celebrating a HeadStart Milestone – HeadStart Interact Club

We are delighted to announce the official establishment of the HeadStart Interact Club, proudly sponsored by the Rotary Club of Phuket Max. This marks an historic achievement as HeadStart becomes the first international school in Southern Thailand to launch an Interact Club! The aim of the event was to formally induct our student members and ignite their journey into youth leadership and community service. We are proud to share that 40 students participated in the inauguration and are now officially HeadStart Interactors.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Mr. Vitit Aikwanich, Charter President of the Rotary Club of Phuket Max, for his generous support and sponsorship that made this meaningful initiative a reality. We are also deeply grateful to the members of Promthep Phuket Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Phuket South, Rawai Beach Phuket Rotary Club, and Mueang Rae Phuket Rotary Club for joining us and witnessing this special moment.

Congratulations to Krittat Phaisamran, our Charter President, who shared his inspiring vision to empower young volunteers and make a meaningful impact within the Phuket community. The Interact Club now provides our students with a valuable platform to lead, serve, and grow, while working together to bring about positive change both locally and globally.

Secondary Awards Ceremony 2025

We are delighted to invite students from Year 7 to Year 13 and parents of our award winners (email confirmation sent to all parents of award winners) to our Secondary End of Year Awards Ceremony. This special event is to honor the achievements of our Secondary students.

📅 Date: Monday 23 June 2025

🕒 Time: 14:00 – 15:20

📍 Location: Sports Hall

Join us in celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of our students. We look forward to sharing this memorable occasion with all of you.

Year 7 Civilization Showcase

Join Year 7 from 3:30 on Tuesday 24th June as they share their Martian Civilization Artifacts. This is the culmination of their work across this Humanities Unit and their Year 7 course.

📍 Where: Floor 4 History and Geography rooms

🗓️ Date: Tuesday 24th June

🕒 Time: 15:30-16:00

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who: Year 7 students, parents and guardians

Parent Committee Meeting on 27.05.25

On Tuesday 27th May, the HeadStart Chaofah City Parent Committee held its third and final meeting of the school year with representatives from the School board and Leadership, including Jazon Edouard, CEO. We are grateful for the contributions and time given by parents representing different sections of our school community. Meeting Notes from this meeting can be found on our Parent Committee webpage, in the ‘Record Keeping’ section: https://headstartphuket.com/school-life/parent-committee

Nina Diouron – Enrolled at HeadStart Since Year 3

A HeadStart student since Year 3, Nina has grown into a confident and creative leader. As a House Captain, active member of the CAPA programme, and volunteer teacher at Kids Camp, Nina has shown a strong commitment to teamwork and community. Passionate about storytelling and the arts, she plans to pursue Media Communication Arts in Bangkok. We wish her the best of luck as she prepares for this exciting next chapter!

Ryan McKellar – Enrolled at HeadStart Since Preschool

A HeadStart student since preschool, Ryan has made waves both in and out of the pool, having trained and competed as a swimmer for eight years. His dedication, perseverance, and quiet determined intellect have now earned him a place at university in Canada, where he will be pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering. We are incredibly proud of Ryan’s achievements and wish him continued success as he dives into the world of Engineering!

Kai Yi Bayer – Enrolled at HeadStart Since Year 13

A recent but very valued member of the HeadStart community, Kai Yi has shown commitment both in and out of the classroom, notably through his involvement in the Football Academy, where he demonstrated discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Kai Yi is in the process of applying to top universities in Germany and China, with applications to:
University of Mannheim, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Free University of Berlin, University of Cologne, and Peking University. He plans to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration or Bachelor of Management, reflecting his growing interest in International Business and Economics. We look forward to hearing exciting news about his next steps soon!

Zoe Fuchs – Enrolled at HeadStart Since Year 3

Zoe will be pursuing a degree in Psychology at Leiden or Groningen University in the Netherlands or the University of Western Australia.

Erika (7 Blue Chaofah City campus) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 2

Erika packs a lot into her busy schedule each week. Besides her timetabled lessons, she is a valuable member of both our Basketball Academy and Dance Academy HDC-A Group. She has represented the school at competitions in both, including being an integral part of the HeadStart Dance Company Group A Contemporary Group Senior that finished in first place at the Australian Teachers of Dance (ATOD) International Dance Competition in Bangkok earlier this year. So why does Erika love HeadStart?

“Pawndemonium” Chess Tournament

Our inter-school “Pawndemonium” Chess Tournament was held on Saturday 14th June. 68 participants from 10 schools: HeadStart, UWC, BIS, KIS, BCIS, ISP, Kajonkiet, Russvet, Prosper Place, Darasamuth; and 3 clubs: Southside Knights, Pawn Island and Ali’s BBQ Chess Club. The youngest players were 6 years old and the oldest 18 years old. They were competing together in one big tournament.

The players were competing for 90,000+ Thai baht worth of awards sponsored by parents, by Playyard Restaurant and their Skate Park.50 Fly Trampoline Club also gave away free training with professional acrobat coaches to all the players! Yay!

In the general classification of a very strong chess tournament, our HeadStart student Georgiy Zhenchenko (U12) got an outstanding 1st place and Gold medal.

When divided into categories our students scored great overall positions:

Under 16:🥇 Daniel (9 Yellow Chaofah City campus)Under 14:

🥈 Alex (8 Yellow Chaofah City campus)

🥉 Poppy (8 White Chaofah City campus)

Under 12:🥇 Georgiy (5 White Chaofah City campus)Under 10:

🥇 Nikolai (4 Blue Chaofah City campus)

🥈 Tigger (4 White Chaofah City campus)

Under 8:🥉 Rafael (1 Yellow Cherngtalay campus)Girls:

🥈 Poppy (8 White Chaofah City campus)

Thai Culture Club – Foundation: The Wonders of Bananas

Our Foundation students explored the many uses of the banana plant in Thai culture through fun, hands-on activities. They learned about the different parts of the banana tree, including the leaves, trunk, flower, fruit, and stalk, and how each part can be used in daily life. They tasted traditional Thai snacks like banana candy, กล้วยฉาบ (crispy fried bananas), and other banana-based treats, discovering the unique flavors of Thai cuisine.

Students also played with traditional toys made from banana stalks, including ม้าก้านกล้วย (banana stalk horses) and handmade toy guns, sparking creativity and connecting with Thai childhood traditions. It was a joyful Saturday filled with learning, laughter, and cultural discovery through the wonders of bananas!

Thai Culture Club – Year 1–3: Coconut Wisdom in Thai Living!

Our curious Year 1–3 students had a blast diving into the fascinating world of coconuts during this Saturday’s Thai Culture Club! They discovered how coconuts are deeply woven into Thai life—exploring the full life cycle of the coconut plant and learning about the benefits of each part. The children were especially captivated by the traditional กระต่ายขูดมะพร้าว (coconut grater) and thoroughly enjoyed a hands-on creative activity—painting and decorating their very own coconut-shell soap dish to take home. It was a joyful blend of culture, creativity, and coconut-filled fun!

Thai Culture Club – Year 4-6: Woven Crafts of Isaan

Our Year 4-6 students from both campuses were introduced to the traditional “Woven Crafts of Isaan” (จักสานบ้านเฮา). They discovered the ancient art of Northeastern craftsmanship while creating stunning and colorful bamboo fans. These handmade fans are delicate and require tremendous focus and patience. Students had to weave one piece at a time, carefully taking their time – any rush to perfection would result in mistakes.

Watching our students work has been incredible – their intense concentration and dedication truly paid off! Each carefully woven piece showcases not just newly mastered skills, but genuine pride in Thai cultural heritage. The gorgeous handmade fans they created are proof that when passion meets tradition, magic happens! ✨

La Chandeleur (France’s Pancake Day) in Year 8 & 9 French Language Class

To conclude their unit on food and cooking in French, Year 8 and 9 students learned about La Chandeleur (France’s Pancake Day) and its cultural importance. After exploring French vocabulary and recipes, they enjoyed making traditional crêpes in class. This hands-on activity was a delicious way to connect language learning with French culture. Bon appétit! Madame Domitille – French Teacher

Tiny Tots Shine on Stage

We are so incredibly proud of our Preschool children for their fantastic Tiny Tots dance performance! Performing confidently in front of the entire Foundation stage was a huge achievement, and they did so with such joy and enthusiasm. Even more impressively, they sat beautifully and respectfully for the entire assembly afterwards, showing just how far they’ve come. These moments truly show that our Preschoolers are ready and excited for the next step in their journey into Early Years. Well done, Tiny Tots! The Foundation Team

Year 6 Graduation 2025

On Wednesday 18th June, we had the pleasure of celebrating our incredible Year 6 students as they marked the end of their Primary journey at HeadStart. The graduation ceremony was a joyful and heartfelt event, filled with proud moments, thoughtful reflections, and well-deserved recognition of each student’s growth and achievements over the years.

We know that our Year 6 students are now more than ready to embark on the exciting path that lies ahead in Secondary. With confidence, resilience, kindness and curiosity, they are well-prepared to take on new challenges and continue to thrive. Congratulations to all of our Year 6 students—you have made us incredibly proud! The Primary Team

📸 Please find a full album of photos here: Year 6 Graduation 2025

Year 3 Art: Dragon Eyes with Oil Pastels

This week in Art, our creative Year 3 students explored the world of mythical creatures by drawing dragon eyes using oil pastels. They focused on blending vibrant colours to bring their artwork to life, experimenting with shading and texture to add depth and intensity. The results were truly striking—each dragon eye was full of character and imagination!

It was wonderful to see the children so engaged and enthusiastic, applying new techniques and expressing their creativity with confidence. Well done, Year 3! Mrs Mindaro – Primary Associate Art Teacher

Primary Magazine Club – Issue #2

Since publishing the first issue earlier this year, our Primary English VAPP pupils have built on their early success by refining how they plan, organise and produce each new issue. They have become more confident in managing deadlines, assigning roles within a group and taking greater ownership of the editing process. Many have started to experiment with more sophisticated punctuation and sentence structures to strengthen the clarity and impact of their writing. Across the term, their growing attention to detail has helped the magazine evolve into an even more polished and purposeful publication, which we hope you will enjoy.

I would like to sincerely thank all the Year 5 and 6 students who dedicated so much time and effort to the Magazine Club this year. Your commitment and hard work have been impressive and it has been a pleasure to see your growth as writers. Each of you should take great pride in your achievements. I encourage you to continue developing your skills and to keep embracing the joy of writing. Well done to you all. Mr. Charlton – Year 6 Teacher and English Literacy Lead

Please find HeadStart Headliners Issue 2 below for your reading pleasure 👇

HeadStart Headliners Issue 2

Secondary Science VAPP Students Earn Bronze CREST Awards

This year, students in Dr. Cardall’s VAPP class proudly earned their Bronze CREST Awards, a prestigious national recognition for independent STEM project work. The CREST Award, run by the British Science Association, encourages young people to think and work like scientists and engineers. At the Bronze level, students work independently to design, plan, and carry out a self-directed project. They develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, research, and communication – skills that will benefit them well beyond the classroom.

The projects completed by Dr. Cardall’s students reflected a diverse and thoughtful approach to STEM challenges:

• Valentina investigated how to make fizzy drinks with the least amount of sugar.

• Erika tested the effectiveness of various hand sanitisers.

• Jenny explored the science behind making the perfect pancake.

• Prem examined the power of rehydration and its effects.

• Poppy researched which eco-friendly fire extinguisher is most effective.

• Namo compared different types of fuel to determine which is most efficient.

• Jan studied bacterial growth in different types of water dispensers.

• Amari investigated whether fingerprints are inherited.

Throughout the process, students demonstrated curiosity, independence, and resilience. They took responsibility for every stage of their projects, from initial idea generation and planning, to conducting experiments, recording results, and presenting their conclusions. We congratulate these students on reaching this milestone and look forward to seeing how they continue to apply their passion for science and innovation in the future. The Science Faculty Team

BTEC Students Complete Successful Two Week Work Experience Across Phuket

Our BTEC students recently completed an enriching two week work experience programme, gaining real world insights and practical skills at several renowned businesses around the island. The placement opportunities were part of their vocational studies designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional environments. Students were placed at locations including the Pullman Panwa Hotel, Wyndham Hotel, Galileo Maritime Academy, and Kulik System each offering a unique perspective into different industries such as hospitality, maritime training, and Finance.

At the Pullman Panwa and Wyndham Hotels students experienced the fast paced world of hospitality, learning about front of house operations, customer service, and event coordination. These placements helped them develop key soft skills like communication, time management, and teamwork. Meanwhile at the Galileo Maritime Academy, students explored the world of marine training and operations, engaging with safety protocols and learning about the standards required for international maritime work. A student placed at Kulik System was responsible for tracking the financial inflows and outflows of the business. They were provided with a comprehensive list of items and services associated with the business and their task was to calculate every baht spent and accurately record the data in an Excel spreadsheet.

This successful round of placements highlights the value of the BTEC programme in preparing students for life beyond the classroom with hands-on experiences that build confidence, skills, and ambition. Ms Jones – BTEC Coordinator

Year 11 Adventure: Bonding in Khao Lak

Our Year 11 students kicked off the end of term with a fantastic overnight trip to Outrigger in Khao Lak, filled with fun, food, and friendship. The first day focused on teamwork, with two engaging team-building sessions designed to challenge, connect, and energise the group. After checking into the resort and enjoying some well-earned free time, students gathered for a fantastic BBQ dinner, followed by fun and games featuring giant chess, karaoke, PlayStation battles, table tennis, air hockey, pool, and even a few competitive rounds of Bananagrams.

On Thursday morning, the group enjoyed a relaxing breakfast before heading to the beach and pool for more activities in the sunshine. After packing up, they shared a final meal together before heading home. The trip was a great chance for Year 11 to reconnect outside the classroom, strengthen friendships, and celebrate the year’s achievements together. Ms Graham – Assistant Head of Upper Secondary

Year 13 Final Trip: Sun, Sea & Celebration

To mark the end of their school journey, our Year 13 students enjoyed a memorable final trip right here in beautiful Phuket. Over two beautiful days, they made the most of the island paradise they’ve called home.

The adventure began on Monday with a private boat tour from 5 Star Marine, taking them to stunning snorkelling spots at Mai Ton and Coral Island, and a relaxed beach lunch on Koh Lon. The afternoon was spent unwinding and swimming at Banana Beach before returning to the pier. That evening, the group enjoyed sunset drinks and a celebratory dinner at Soho Beach Club. Tuesday started with a buffet breakfast and spending time with friends at the hotel before a final lunch at La Taverna.

It was a wonderful way to close this chapter – full of sunshine, laughter, and shared memories. We wish our Year 13s all the best as they take their next steps beyond school! Ms Graham and the 6th Form Team

BTEC Business Students Win Prestigious Regional Business Award

A huge congratulations to our Year 13 BTEC Business students Eva, Ruby, and Tina, who have made our school incredibly proud by winning third place in a highly competitive business plan competition that drew over 40 entries from across Asia. The trio impressed judges at AIHM (Asian Institute of Hospitality and Management) with their outstanding business plan, showcasing creativity, strategic thinking, and strong entrepreneurial skills. What makes their achievement even more remarkable is that they were competing against university level students and presented their pitch online, unlike other finalists who attended in person in Bangkok.

Their efforts earned them a well deserved cash prize of 10,000 baht and the recognition of industry professionals from across the region. This is a brilliant example of the real world skills our BTEC programme helps students develop. Well done, Eva, Ruby, and Tina, your hard work, confidence, and innovation have truly paid off! Ms Jones – BTEC Coordinator

Getting a Taste of A Level English in Year 11

Philip Larkin can be a cantankerous old so-and-so at the best of times. Perhaps this poet was unconsciously selected by my own id, rendered darker by the departure last week of the latest outstanding group of literature students. However, our students at HeadStart have an uncanny way of lifting one’s spirits.

Thus it was with the Year 11 A Level Taster Day, where the erstwhile IGCSE students worked together to take on the might of the current Year 12s. A collaborative contest was afoot whereby both groups had to use their knowledge and understanding of tone, form and poetic techniques to reassemble a deconstructed version of one of Larkin’s poems.

The winners? Well, that would be telling…

Perhaps most importantly though, I am excited for what next year holds for these groups of students. I know that both Year 12 and 13 will continue in the same vein as 2024-25, with both cohorts working closely together. Mr Pollicutt – Head of English & EAL