Weekly Update #2, 29 August 2025

Celebrating Academic Success at HeadStart

We are proud to announce that HeadStart’s 2025 AS/A Level, BTEC and IGCSE results are, once again, incredibly impressive across the board. Before we share the headline figures, we would like to congratulate students, teachers and the wider school community for contributing to another academically successful year.

For the full A Level, our Year 13 (and two Year 12!) students obtained an incredible 47% A* or A with 92% graded A* to C and a 100% pass rate. At AS level, 36% of all entries obtained an A* or A, while 81% were graded A* to C and again 100% of our Year 12 students passed. These compare particularly favourably with UK averages, where overall 28.3% of A Level grades were A* or A (2025 data), and are truly incredible results which will be difficult to surpass for our new Year 12 and 13 students.

Once again this year, our BTEC students have really shone following last year’s amazing success. Our Year 12 BTEC students saw 35% of their entries awarded a Distinction Star or Distinction (equivalent to A* and A respectively at AS level). Meanwhile, our Year 13s took it to the next level with an amazing 60% of grades awarded a Distinction Star or Distinction, and 100% of Year 13 BTEC entries passing their course (Merit or above)

With 42% of our 2025 IGCSE students receiving A* or A grades, 92% of students receiving A* to C grades and an overall pass rate of 100%, we couldn’t be prouder of last year’s Year 11 cohort..

Congratulations to all our students for their successes.

An Update on Traffic Flow and Parking

Dear parents, We sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation as we attempt to resolve issues around parking and traffic flow at our Cherngtalay campus, particularly in the morning. As you know, this week we have introduced a one-way system to try to alleviate some of these issues. We are grateful to the parents who have reached out to give us feedback based on their experiences on the morning school run this week. As a result of this feedback, we will take the following action:

• The existing one-way system used this week will continue for 1 more week (until Friday 5th September);

• Starting on Monday 8th September, we will reverse the flow of the one-way system. This will be clearly communicated to all stakeholders via all our channels next Friday, 5th September;

• As with the existing one-way system, we will trial the new configuration for two weeks;

• Upon completion of this trial, we will assess the results, take onboard further feedback and make a final decision on the most effective system which will remain in place for the remainder of Term 1.

Regarding parking, we created an additional 50 parking spaces this year, but this has clearly not kept pace with the growth of our school. We are in the process of working with our architect and construction teams to update the Master Plan for the campus and to look for long-term solutions to both the parking and the flow of traffic (first steps outlined above). Please find here a summary of the points we are working on:

• Short Term: We will build an additional parking area (50 cars) to the east of the new kitchen block and main atrium. This should be completed by the end of September.

• Medium Term: We will extend the road from the main drop-off area in order to access the new staff parking area and the land designated for Phases 3 and 4. We will build additional covered parking for 200 cars and 100 motorcycles with covered walkways leading back to the main security entrance to allow students, parents, and staff to access the school. This additional parking space will link with the road behind the kitchen so that drivers can loop around rather than going back through the drop-off area. Detailed plans for this will be announced by the end of October and, weather permitting, we will have the parking and walkways ready for use by Term 2.

• Long Term: Look for a way to purchase land with direct access to Srisoonthorn Road to facilitate another entrance/exit at the eastern end of the campus. This would allow drivers coming from the Thalang direction to enter and exit the school without needing to go through the Bangjo traffic intersection, and would reduce the number of cars trying to exit the road at the same time as vehicles from Kajonkiet School.

Parent & Student Safety – Motorcycle Helmets

This is a polite reminder to all parents who drive a motorbike to school that it is in the best interests of yours and your children’s safety and wellbeing that you wear a motorcycle helmet at all times. Not only is this a legal requirement in Thailand, but it also sets a positive example for all children who see drivers and passengers demonstrating this attention to health and safety. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.The HeadStart Management Team

A Message for Parents about Adult Supervision in the Playground After School

Dear Primary Parents, We would like to take a moment to remind everyone about the importance of safety on the Primary playground after school. During this time, children are under the supervision and care of their parents. We are very fortunate to have such a lovely space for the children to enjoy, and we want to make sure it continues to be a safe and happy place for all.

Recently, we have noticed some children playing on the playground after school without shoes. While we understand the temptation for children to run around barefoot, it does increase the risk of slips, trips, and injuries. To help us keep everyone safe, please ensure that your child is wearing proper covered shoes while playing on the equipment or running on the grass.

Thank you very much for your support in helping us keep the playground a safe space for all of our students. Glenn Lawler – Head of Foundation & Primary

Parent ID Cards

This is a polite reminder to all parents to please ensure that your school ID card is worn at all times while on the school site. Wearing and displaying your ID card is essential to help the school maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone in our school community.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support with this important matter.

FOBISIA Member School Newsletter

As a new member of the FOBISIA family, we are proud to share the latest FOBISIA Member School Newsletter which showcases FOBISIA and highlights the wonderful opportunities available to its Member Schools including HeadStart students. You can download a copy of the Newsletter in .pdf format which contains hyperlinks to various events below 👇

FOBISIA September 2025 School Newsletter

Meet the Team: New Deputy Head of Primary (Pastoral) – Stacey Turner-King

We are delighted to introduce Ms Stacey Turner-King as the new Deputy Head of Primary (Pastoral) of HeadStart International School, Cherngtalay campus.

“I’m delighted to be joining HeadStart Cherngtalay as Deputy Head of Primary and look forward to getting to know our amazing students, families, and staff. Originally from the UK, I’ve always loved nature, so living and working in beautiful Phuket is a real privilege. HeadStart is a family experience for me too—my partner, Scott, is Head of PE at the Chaofah City campus. We already feel warmly welcomed and excited for the year ahead.

With 16 years in education, including seven in the Middle East, I hold a BA (Hons) in Education Studies, a PGCE, a Master’s in Education, and the National Qualification for Senior Leadership. I’m passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where children thrive as independent, open-minded learners. I look forward to collaborating with the HeadStart team to support every child, strengthen our community, and keep student wellbeing and Learner Attributes at the heart of all we do.”

Wishing both Stacey and Scott a great year ahead.

Meet the Team: New Deputy Head of Secondary (Pastoral) – Tomoko Matsushita

It is with great pleasure that we introduce Ms Tomoko Matsushita as the new Deputy Head of Secondary (Pastoral) of HeadStart International School, Cherngtalay campus. Along with her two sons, we look forward to making Tomoko feel like one of the family from day one. Here is Tomoko and her family’s story:

“I am delighted to join HeadStart Cherngtalay as Deputy Head of Secondary (Pastoral). My passion, values, and expertise are firmly rooted in pastoral care, health and wellbeing, and I am committed to fostering an environment where every student feels supported, valued, and empowered to thrive. I look forward to the year ahead, building on the school’s pastoral care, fostering a culture of wellbeing, and building meaningful connections with students, families, and colleagues across the community.

After beginning my teaching career in London as a Physical Education teacher, I gained international experience in Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. Recently completing my Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) qualification has further deepened my expertise in supporting diverse learners. I particularly enjoy guiding students through the pivotal secondary years, helping them develop into confident and resilient young adults across Key Stages 3–5.

Beyond school, I enjoy exploring new cultures with my husband and two sons, Callen and Lochlan. They are also excited to be joining the HeadStart community, especially with its wide range of sports and ECAs. We are thrilled to call Phuket home and look forward to being part of this vibrant community.”

Wishing Tomoko and her family a wonderful first year at HeadStart.

Homework in Primary parent meeting on 28.08.25

Thanks to the many parents who joined us for our latest parent meeting of the school year looking at homework in Primary. It was wonderful to see such a large turnout to find out how parents can support their children to make the link between school and home. We began by outlining the types of homework that children will receive in KS1 and KS2, showing how we aim to provide balance in our approach to homework so that it is not exclusively digital. Parents were then introduced to our online learning platforms: Bug Club (reading), Spelling Shed (spelling), Diagnostic Questions (maths) and Times Tables Rock Stars (maths). They were shown how these resources help children consolidate classroom learning, strengthen core skills, and share their learning journey with their family at home.

Together, these approaches encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and develop self-motivation. They also reflect our Learner Attributes: being Resilientwhen tackling challenges,Curiouswhen exploring new topics, andReflective when reviewing their progress.

We trust you found the presentation informative and will be able to help your child make the most of our programmes at home starting next week.

If you were unable to attend the meeting, please find a copy of the presentation below 👇

HSN Parent Meeting 02 Primary Homework

UPrep Talk #1 – Pathways After School on Wednesday 3rd September

We are delighted to announce that, this academic year, we will hold two University Preparation (UPrep) Talks at our Cherngtalay campus, giving our parent community the opportunity to find out all about future pathways for their child after completing Year 13. We therefore cordially invite you to our first UPrep Talk of the year on Wednesday 3rd September at 8:30am in the Secondary Indoor Learning Centre (ILC). This session will introduce the wide range of support we offer students and families as they begin thinking about life after school.

Programme:

• Welcome and overview of the UPrep programme

• How we support students in exploring pathways after school

• How parents can be involved in the process

• Upcoming events and opportunities

We hope you can join us for this informative and friendly session as we begin our UPrep Talk series. The second session will take place on Wednesday 17th September.

To find out more about the series of talks about our UPrep Programme that continue throughout the year at our Chaofah City campus, please download the schedule below 👇

2025 26 UPrep Talk Programme at Chaofah City campus

Parent Meeting: Introduction to Foundation and the EYFS Curriculum on Thursday 4th September

We invite all Foundation parents to join us for our latest parent meeting when our Foundation team will introduce to our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum. It will also be a great opportunity to meet other parents and members of our community. Our Thai, Russian and Mandarin speaking admin teams will be on hand to provide translation services. We look forward to seeing you there! Thursday 4th September 2025 from 8:30-9:30am in the Secondary Indoor Learning Centre (SILC).

Parent Workshop: FastForWord (FFW) on Wednesday 10th September

We are excited to invite parents of EAL students at HeadStart Cherngtalay Campus to a special FastForWord (FFW) Workshop led by Mr. Naresh Indhewat, Director of BrainFit Thailand. Naresh is an expert in the FastForWord reading programme, which many of our EAL students use at HeadStart. This research-based programme helps children strengthen their language, reading fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary – essential skills for academic success.

📅 Date: Wednesday 10th September

🕗 Time: 08.00 – 09.20: Presentation in the Secondary Indoor Learning Centre

🕗 Time: 09.35 – 10.20: Hands-on practice in the Secondary Computing Room

📍 Venue: Secondary Building, Cherngtalay Campus

What to expect:

• An overview of the FastForWord programme

• Practical advice on how you can support your child’s progress at home

• A chance to experience the programme firsthand with expert guidance

We look forward to welcoming our Cherngtalay Campus parents of EAL students to this important workshop! The Languages Department

We are delighted to announce the results of our 2025 AS Level, BTEC and IGCSE cohorts!

August 12th (and 14th) and August 19th were exciting days in the HeadStart community; the former being results day for our Cambridge AS Level examination results and BTEC course grades (with Pearson’s AS Level Art and EPQ results following 2 days later); and the latter the day that last year’s Year 11 students found out how they performed in the 2025 IGCSE exam series. Leading up to results day is always stressful for all involved. Internal questioning from staff and students alike on whether the countless hours of studying, support and interventions have had the desired results. So, were these days of celebration or have they led to deep ruminations on what went wrong?

Once again, our results reflect fantastic achievements across the board by our 2024-25 Year 11, 12 and 13 cohorts. The posters below are just a snapshot of our high-achieving students’ grades. As always, we would like to congratulate and recognise each individual student who pushed themselves throughout the year to obtain the best grades they could. As educators we love to celebrate students who overcame hurdles to achieve their results and those that surpassed expectations.

In closing, we would like to take this opportunity to offer thanks to all of you for your contributions to these successes, whether they were large or small. Results like these can only be produced by a strong school community.

The Benefits of BTEC

Hear from 2025 HeadStart Graduate, Eva Ducasse, on her Pearson BTEC journey – how it challenged her, opened doors and provided a pathway to further study. With 3 Distinction Star grades, we couldn’t be prouder of Eva and her achievements! Wishing her all the best in her future endeavours around the globe.

Panthers Football Academy Kicks Off

With tryouts now complete, our Panthers Football Academy sessions have already kicked off this week. It’s been great to have our eager Panthers players out on the pitch. We are all looking forward to another highly successful season.

Aqua Panthers Dive into Action

With tryouts now complete, our Aqua Panthers Swim Academy students have already dived into action this week. It’s been great to see the energy, enthusiasm and camaraderie in the pool. We are all looking forward to another highly successful swim season.

Dedication and Hard Work Pay Off for Eloise

We are delighted to share the exciting news that one of our students, Eloise (7 White), has successfully passed the HSK Level 3 certification! After months of commitment and hard work under the dedicated guidance of our Secondary Mandarin teacher, Mr. Tian Banchao, Eloise has earned this well-deserved recognition.

HSK, or the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, is an international standardised test that evaluates and certifies Chinese language proficiency. Achieving Level 3 is a fantastic accomplishment—it shows that a student can communicate in Chinese on everyday topics, manage most daily conversations, and has a vocabulary of around 600 commonly used words. This level also demonstrates the ability to understand short passages and express oneself more fluently in writing and speech.

A huge congratulations to Eloise for this achievement! We are proud of the effort and progress she has made in mastering Mandarin. Special thanks also go to Mr. Tian Banchao for his expert teaching and encouragement, which have played a key role in making this success possible.

If other families would like to know more about the HSK certification or are considering it for their children, please feel free to contact our Languages Coordinator, Ms. Wei Wang, at [email protected]. We are always here to support our students on their language learning journey. Ms. Wang – Languages Coordinator

Settling into the New Term in Foundation

Our Foundation children have settled beautifully into the new term and are already embracing a wide range of experiences. From swimming lessons that build water confidence, to Thai classes where they are developing language and cultural understanding, to the excitement of exploring the playground and making new friends. It has been a joy to see them engaging so positively. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and growing independence are setting a wonderful tone for the year ahead. Well done Foundation Children! The Foundation Teaching Team

Getting Hands On in Year 4!

Year 4 have had an exciting week of hands-on activities! In humanities, we explored the different layers of the ocean and learned about the animals that live in each zone, before choosing one to design and make ourselves. In Science, we investigated the structure of teeth, using clay to make models and labelling the different parts. Well done, Year 4, for working collaboratively and being such inquisitive and creative learners! The Year 4 Teaching Team

Recognising Effort and Excellence in Secondary

Congratulations to Mariia, Uliana, and Shanjin (8 Blue) and Kaptan (Year 9) who were awarded their Gold Award for achieving 150 house points last academic year. The Secondary school also had 1 Platinum Award winner – Leo (8 Yellow), who achieved 200 house points throughout the year, a fantastic accomplishment! We look forward to seeing more students being awarded Bronze (50 house points), Silver (100 house points), Gold, Platinum and maybe even Diamond (250 house points) this year.