Weekly Update #21, 06 February 2026

International Day 2026

We are delighted to extend a warm invitation to all our families to join us for our International Day celebrations. This event promises to be a vibrant and culturally enriching experience, showcasing the diversity that makes our school community so special.

📆 Date: Friday 6th March 2025

⏰ Time: 14:30-16:30

📍 Venue: Chaofah City Campus

Our International Day event will feature a colourful array of cultural performances, international cuisine, interactive exhibits, and a warm atmosphere of unity. It’s an excellent opportunity for us to come together, celebrate our global community, and foster a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of cultures represented at HeadStart.

We encourage families to collaborate with one another to run booths representing their shared country or region. This may include preparing performances and organising booths that serve food, as well as displays during the half term break.

We would be honoured by your presence as we celebrate diversity, promote cultural exchange, and strengthen the bonds that make HeadStart International School a truly international learning environment.

Registration & Tent Booking

To register and book a tent to represent the culture of your country, please complete this registration form: International Day 2026 Registration Form Chaofah Campus

Please note the following conditions:

• This event is dedicated to showcasing your culture and traditions. We encourage participants to share their unique heritage and offer visitors a chance to learn about your country.

• Any products or items distributed at the event should be offered free of charge to ensure the spirit of generosity and cultural exchange.

Tent Information:

• There are 19 tents available in total for booking.

• Tents are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

• The Events team reserves the right to change the order of tent bookings if necessary.

Additionally, this event is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with your fellow community members and strengthen connections. To facilitate this, we request:

• Each country has one representative to register and book the tent.

• Permission is given to share your email with other members of your community to help you coordinate effectively.

• If there are duplicate registrations from the same country, our Events team will inform you of other representatives’ email addresses to streamline communication and teamwork.

Performance Registration

This is a unique opportunity to showcase your traditional dance or any cultural performance from your country.

We request a maximum of 2 performances per country to ensure diversity and balance in the schedule. Performances should be group-based, emphasizing unity and collaboration within your community.

👉 Registration is now open! For any questions, please write to: [email protected]

Our Events team will assist in connecting members of the same community to work together on tents and performances.

Calling All Academy Athletes - 24 Hours to Make a Difference @ Chaofah City Campus

It’s that time again when we rally all of our Academy Athletes, Coaches, and Parents together in order to raise much-needed funds for our chosen charity in the ‘24 Hours to make a Difference’ event. Following this week’s launch assemblies, we are delighted to share information about our chosen charitable foundation for this year - Life Home Project Foundation. Find out all about the invaluable work they do and how the funds raised by our Academy athletes will help support this foundation based in the Koh Sirey area of Phuket. We look forward to working with our sporting academies and wider community to raise funds and awareness for this important foundation.

Community Beach Clean @ Kata Beach

We look forward to seeing you at our next beach clean event held at Kata beach, on Sunday 8th February (meet 9:30am @ Super Surf). Bring with you water, suncream, a hat and reusable gloves if you want to wear them. We will provide collection bags and of course House Points for every participant.

Come join us for a fun and rewarding community event where we give back to our local community.

Sports Days 2026

We welcome parents to join us for our Sports Days next week - an opportunity to watch your child take part in fun fitness events with their friends. We kindly ask that parents use the entrance to our Secondary school to access this event making sure to present their Parent Pass upon entry. Parents or visitors without a valid pass will be able to exchange a form of ID (e.g. driving license, passport) for a Visitors Pass. Doors will open 15 minutes before the start of each Sports Day event. We look forward to welcoming you to these events.

6th HeadStart Chess Tournament

Fight for cash prizes totaling 4000 THB, medals and a bunch of other attractive awards for all participants! All HeadStart students are welcome and all players are going to be awarded!

🗓️ Date: Saturday, 14th February

🕘 Time: Attendance check 11:15AM

📍 Location: Canteen, Chaofah City Campus

To register and reserve your place, act fast! Double entry fee if you register on the day of tournament! Contact coach Dawid.

Spark a New Passion this Half-Term!

The half-term break is a fantastic time for discovery! Our special interest camps, taking place over the February half-term break, are designed to challenge young minds and bodies in new ways. It’s a chance for your child to dive deep into a new hobby, unlock hidden talents, and develop valuable skills like critical thinking, discipline, and creativity.

Explore these unique opportunities:

At our Chaofah City campus:

• Tech Skills Camp: Learn the basics of programming through fun, hands-on projects and games, perfect for sparking creativity and problem-solving skills.

• Chess Camp: Master strategy, tactics, and critical thinking while playing and competing in friendly matches.

• Robotics Camp: Design, build, and program custom machines while mastering the fundamentals of engineering and code.

• Hobby Crafts Camp: Explore a world of DIY creativity through hands-on projects involving pottery, textiles, and model making.

• Tennis Camp: Elevate your game on the court by refining your serve, footwork, and match strategy through expert-led drills.

These popular camps have limited availability, so register using the QR code in the posters or by clicking this link.

At our Cherngtalay campus:

• KGA Gymnastics Camp: Build strength, balance, and coordination through fun gymnastics skills and activities, guided by experienced coaches.

Register using the QR code in the poster or by clicking this link.

Give your child the gift of a new skill or a newfound passion. To find out more, contact [email protected].

Half-Term Sports Camps

Over the February half-term holiday, our three sports academies are offering 3 days of training to help keep your child fit and healthy, continuing to improve their skills and develop friendships through their chosen sport. All camps will take place from Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th February at our Chaofah City campus. There is also the option of swimming lessons for children in Preschool to Year 4. Contact our Head Coaches or scan the QR code in the poster below.

Upcoming Parent Workshops and Information Sessions

We invite parents to join us for a series of informative sessions throughout February held in the Primary Hall. These workshops are designed to provide practical support and guidance on key aspects of your child’s development and future planning. Topics include supporting university applications for Thai-speaking parents, a maths workshop for Primary parents, and an introduction to Sixth Form for our parents of our current Year 11 cohort. Please check the specific dates and topics in the graphic below to ensure you do not miss these valuable opportunities to engage with the school’s academic and pastoral programmes.

UPrep Drop In Session

This is your opportunity to seek informal support and get direct answers to any questions regarding the university preparation process. Whether you need guidance on specific regional requirements or general advice on supporting your child’s transition to higher education, our team will be on hand for one-on-one conversations. We invite you to stop by, share your concerns, and gain the clarity needed to navigate the road ahead with confidence.

Samuel Gluck - Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 5

We are delighted to share that Samuel (Sami) Gluck has received multiple offers to study Computer Science in the UK, reflecting his strong academic focus and commitment to the subject. Sami has been offered places at the University of Brighton, Keele University, University of Portsmouth, University of Surrey, and the University of Wolverhampton, all for Computer Science-related degrees beginning in September 2026.

Throughout his time at HeadStart International School Phuket, Sami has developed a clear interest in Computer Science and Mathematics, coupled with his completion of both the Bronze and Silver levels of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He has demonstrated analytical thinking and coding ability alongside a strong work ethic and independence in his approach to learning.

Beyond the classroom, Sami balances his studies with regular sporting activity, including weekly football, gym training and participation in the Badminton ECA. He has also shown commitment to service through teaching and volunteering with Sunny Side Up.

Congratulations to Sami on securing this excellent range of offers. We wish him every success as he prepares to take the next step towards a future career in computing.

Salina Phillips (Cooper) - Enrolled at HeadStart since Preschool

We are delighted to share that Salina Phillips (Cooper), who has been part of the HeadStart International School Phuket community since joining in Preschool in 2011, has received an offer to study a BA in Creative Media Design at Stamford International University in Thailand.

Throughout her time at HeadStart, Salina has demonstrated consistent creativity, commitment and academic focus. Her achievements include the 2025 Secondary Award for BTEC Information Technology, multiple Student of the Month awards across Humanities, Creative Arts, and Computing and Commerce, and completion of the Bronze level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Beyond the classroom, Salina has pursued her creative interests through extended art sessions and independent arts and crafts, alongside active participation in sport, including football, tennis and rock climbing. She has taken on leadership roles as a House Captain for the Yellow Team and as a football team captain, and gained valuable experience through placements with LiZenn and within the HeadStart Art Department.

Congratulations to Salina on this excellent achievement. We wish her every success as she embarks on the next stage of her creative journey.

Focus on Collaboration

One of our 9 Learner Attributes encourages our students to be collaborative - to understand that learning is a social, active and interdependent process where knowledge is shared and refined through dialogue, negotiation and collective effort. It is defined by the ability to work together. At HeadStart, this is embodied not just in our students, but as instructors, colleagues and a community, actively seeking to construct knowledge, solve problems and achieve shared goals. We see it in the classroom, in our sports teams, at community events and throughout our school campus. A community working together for the betterment of us all.

The BSL Bangkok International Youth Football Festival - U16 Girls

We are so proud of our selected U16 Girls teams who competed in the BSL Bangkok tournament last weekend. The girls worked incredibly hard on the pitch and their amazing togetherness really stood out - both during games and away from them.

As the only International school at the tournament, the 11 selected girls impressively competed in every match against academy teams from countries such as Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. After the round robin of every team playing each other, our Headstart Girls finished 5th in the group, narrowly missing out on moving into the top competition by only 1 point. Unfortunately the team did not progress further in the knockout stages which included a 3v3 game, a penalty shootout and back to back matches.

With players from Years 9,10,11 and 12, it’s amazing to see them support each other, have fun and make unforgettable memories together as one team. We will use this valuable experience for the next tournament coming up in March when 6 of our Academy teams will be travelling to Bangkok to compete in the Harrow Bangkok International football tournament! Great work Girls!! Coach Frost - Head Football Coach

Rising High with Cheerleading

Our Cheerleading program combines energy, precision, and teamwork to develop well-rounded performers. Students focus on essential chants, movement techniques, and jumps, while engaging in intensive gymnastics training to build a powerful physical core. These foundational skills are key to mastering impressive tumbling tricks and the coordination required to safely lift and support teammates in high-flying stunts.

Thailand Biennale: Bringing Art to Life in Phuket

The launch of the Thailand Biennale, Phuket in November 2025 marked the start of an international contemporary art exhibition across multiple locations around the island. Running until April 2026, it offers access to a wide range of inspiring artworks from around the world and provides a thought-provoking cultural experience for all ages.

Visiting as a family can be a great way to spark creativity, discussion and curiosity beyond the classroom. Many of the artworks are accessible and age-appropriate for primary-aged children, while older students benefit from seeing how artists explore ideas, themes and materials in contemporary practice.

Over the coming months, HeadStart students will be visiting selected exhibitions in Phuket Old Town to support their contextual research for their Art and Design examination unit.

A Taste of Thailand: Year 5 Explore Traditional Culinary Techniques

During Thai Foreign Language Lesson, Year 5 students had a fantastic time learning to make authentic Som-tum (Spicy Papaya Salad). Students discovered the traditional ingredients and techniques used to create this beloved Thai dish, from pounding the ingredients in a mortar and pestle to balancing the perfect combination of spicy, sour, salty, and sweet flavors.The joy on their faces said it all . They had so much fun!

A big thank you to Kru Wendy for leading this activity and for putting her heart and time into preparing this delicious cultural experience!

Lunar New Year Stay & Play

Our Lunar New Year Stay & Play was a truly magnificent celebration, bringing together families and our parent community in a joyful, festive atmosphere. It was wonderful to see the children’s excitement as they proudly shared their classrooms with their parents, their learning environment, friendships, and growing confidence.

This special event was made even more memorable thanks to the incredible creativity and dedication of our teachers, deputies, and nannies, who worked so thoughtfully to create such engaging and meaningful activities. Every detail came together beautifully, creating a wonderful celebration of culture and community. A very special highlight was the homemade dragon, lovingly created by our fantastic Preschool team, which made a surprise appearance and brought so much joy and excitement to our Lunar New Year Stay & Play.

A huge thank you to all our parents and carers for joining us and for your continued support and involvement. Together, we created a truly memorable and meaningful experience for the children, and we are so grateful to share these special moments with you. The Foundation Team

📸 A full album of photos can be found here: Lunar New Year Stay & Play 2026

Year 5 Map Skills in Action

King Rama Park became an outdoor classroom for our curious Year 5 geographers as they set off to explore physical and human features in the real world. Using compasses to navigate their route, the children moved confidently through the park, stopping to identify human features such as bridges, playgrounds, streetlights, public restrooms, exercise equipment and water rescue equipment around the lake. They were equally engaged in spotting physical features, observing tall trees, large leafy plants providing natural shelter from the sun, buttress roots, climbing plants and the park’s lake. Pupils carefully recorded their findings, placing each feature onto their map. The trip encouraged thoughtful discussion about how people use and adapt natural spaces, bringing geography to life beyond the classroom and inspiring pupils to see their local environment in a whole new way.

Congratulations to Our British Physics Olympiad Participants

We are delighted to congratulate all students who took part in the British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) this year. The BPhO is a prestigious national competition that challenges students with demanding, university-style physics problems requiring deep conceptual understanding, creativity, and strong mathematical reasoning.

Taking part in the Olympiad is an impressive achievement in itself. The questions go well beyond the standard curriculum and test not only subject knowledge, but also perseverance, advanced problem-solving skills, and the ability to think like a physicist. Participation demonstrates academic ambition and a genuine passion for physics, and is highly regarded by universities worldwide.

Awards are made based on performance relative to students across the globe:

Gold Award: Awarded to the very top performers nationally, recognising exceptional insight, accuracy, and mathematical sophistication -Conor (13 Blue)
Silver Award: Awarded to high-scoring students who show excellent analytical skill and clear, well-structured reasoning -Sam (12 Yellow),Vladamir (12 White), andIlya (12 Yellow)
Bronze Award: Awarded to students who demonstrate strong problem-solving ability and a solid grasp of advanced physics concepts -Maksim (12 White)

Well done to all of our students who rose to the challenge and represented the school so impressively. Your hard work, resilience, and intellectual curiosity are a real credit to you and should be a source of great pride for our whole community.

HeadStart Students Explore Fashion and Design with NABA Italy

We were excited to welcome a representative from NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti), Italy’s leading private art and design academy, for a series of highly engaging and hands-on workshops at our Chaofah City campus. Students enthusiastically participated in sessions on ‘Made in Italy’ and ‘Fashion Design’, gaining real insight into creative thinking, industry expectations, and life as a design student. Period 6 was particularly impactful, with a practical and extremely useful workshop on building a strong creative portfolio, which students found both informative and entertaining. The workshops concluded with a lively quiz, keeping energy high to the very end, where one student won free entry to NABA’s Summer School in Milan.

NABA, with campuses in Milan, Rome and London, is internationally recognised for excellence in creative education. Ranked in the Top 100 for Art & Design by the QS World University Rankings 2025, NABA is known for its industry-focused BA and MA programmes in design, fashion, and visual arts, offering students valuable preparation for future study and creative careers.

Talking Heads – A Celebration of Year 12 Public Speaking Excellence

On Thursday, 5th February 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, our specially selected Year 12 students took to the stage for the much-anticipated Talking Heads Public Speaking Showcase. The evening was a resounding success, filled with thought-provoking ideas, powerful personal accounts, and confident, compelling performances.

Our speakers embodied key learner attributes throughout the event. They demonstrated remarkable courage as they stood before a large audience, sharing bold ideas and personal insights with clarity and conviction. Their speeches reflected an inquisitive mindset, offering thoughtful commentary on the state of the wider world in 2026, alongside inspiring reflections on how to live a fulfilled and meaningful life. Creativity was evident not only in the topics chosen, but also in the engaging and purposeful ways students crafted and delivered their messages.

The event was a true testament to the power of student voice. Each speaker showed resilience as they navigated the challenges of public speaking, maintaining composure and focus throughout and an admirable ability to persevere despite the pressures of performance. The respectful and attentive atmosphere highlighted the strong sense of collaboration and support among students, staff, and families, creating a space where every voice was valued.

Speakers approached their topics with principled conviction, standing by their beliefs while remaining open-minded to different perspectives. Many talks were underpinned by messages of empathy and self-compassion, prompting reflection and meaningful discussion among the audience and resonating with teachers and students alike.

A huge thank you to all the students who presented, the staff who supported the event, and the friends and families who attended to cheer on our speakers. Talking Heads was more than just a showcase—it was a celebration of expression, insight, and the exceptional talents of our Year 12 cohort, shining a light on the attributes that help our learners thrive in an ever-changing world.

📸 An album of photos of the event can be found here: Talking Heads 2026

HeadStart Students Shine

We are delighted to congratulate our students on their significant achievements in recent music and sports competitions, representing HeadStart with pride on both local and international stages!

• Fleur (5 White) Bronze award in the Southeast Asian Mathematical Olympiad 2025 (Paper A), organised by SEAMO.

• Jane (10 Green) 2nd place overall in the female category at the 18th Running at Vichit competition, completing the 10.3 km race in 54 minutes (Female Open).

HeadStart Eco School Term 2 Focus Water reduction: SDG6 - Clean water

As some of you are aware, HeadStart is now a recognised Eco School by the WWF, World Wide Fund for Nature (องค์การกองทุนสัตว์ป่าโลกสากล) Thailand. We want to take this opportunity to outline what we have been doing to further our community work in this area.

An Environmental Review conducted in June 2025 (a copy of the review can be found here) involving all current Year 10 students and all members of the Primary and Secondary Eco Committees concluded that HeadStart does many things well when assessed against 11 categories. Stand out areas for potential action included raising awareness around water usage, enhancing the school grounds to promote health, wellbeing and biodiversity, addressing land systems change and supporting marine sustainability. Following discussion between the Secondary Eco Committee, Primary Eco Committee, teacher representatives and Senior Leaders two projects have been chosen that help address the issues raised; Community Mangrove Planting & Sustainable Fish on the Menu. Scroll down and read on to find out more.

Upcoming Events

Monday Eco Club (Secondary) Activities: Paper Collection & Recycling (income feeds into in-school wellbeing support), Plastic Collection drive (income feeds into mangrove procurement), Eco brick construction (repurposing plastic to create bricks for a raised Foundation Garden) and activities linked to Water Usage Awareness and Community Mangrove Planting.Wednesday Eco Club (Primary) Activities: Paper Collection & Recycling (income feeds into in-school wellbeing support), Eco brick construction (repurposing plastic to create bricks for a raised Foundation Garden) and activities linked to Water Usage Awareness and Sustainable Fish on the Menu.

Project 1: Community Mangrove Planting

This kicked off on Saturday 29 November when 25 members of the HeadStart community travelled to the North of the island to support the planting of Mangrove seedlings. This was the first step in creating our partnership with the local charity, Mangrove Teens, to establish a sustainable approach to mangrove regeneration.

An Environmental Review conducted in June 2025 identified that historical land-use change on Phuket has contributed to mangrove loss, reducing coastal protection, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. It was also identified that the construction and expansion of HeadStart International School has an impact on the local eco-system through changes made to Land Use. As a school community embedded within this environment, HeadStart International School recognises both its responsibility and opportunity to contribute positively to local ecological regeneration through student leadership and community action. Action taken to regenerate valuable eco systems may help address the impact the school has had on local eco systems through its operation.

Through a student-led, evidence-informed Eco-Schools project, HeadStart International School is addressing a locally identified environmental need by regenerating mangrove ecosystems on Phuket, while developing informed, ethical and globally responsible young leaders aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

At the Christmas Fair, we implemented our sponsorship campaign to raise funds to purchase, grow, plant and monitor over 500 mangroves for a designated regeneration area on Phuket’s east coast. It is our intention that by June 2026, HeadStart International School will have:

• Directly contributed to mangrove regeneration on Phuket
• Raised measurable funds supporting environmental repair
• Developed confident student leaders capable of ethical, informed action
• Strengthened community and charity partnerships
• Shifted school culture from sustainability awareness to regenerative action
• Embedded environmental responsibility into student identity and curriculum

To find out more, click this link. To get involved, email [email protected]

Project 2: Sustainable Fish on the Menu

Our Environmental Review led to a discussion around global overfishing, unsustainable aquaculture practices, and complex international supply chains which are placing significant pressure on marine ecosystems. It was also identified that food procurement within schools, including fish served on school menus, can unintentionally contribute to these pressures where sourcing is not transparently verified as sustainable. As a school community embedded within a global food system, HeadStart International School recognises both its responsibility and opportunity to make informed, ethical choices that support ocean health and responsible consumption. Action taken to review and improve seafood sourcing may help address the environmental impact associated with the school’s catering provision.

Through a student-led, evidence-informed Eco-Schools project, HeadStart International School will address a locally and globally significant environmental need by investigating the sustainability of fish served on the school menu, raising awareness within the school community, and supporting a transition toward more sustainable seafood choices. This work will develop informed, ethical and globally responsible young leaders aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

The project will begin with a student-led sustainability audit of seafood currently served within the school. Students will work with catering staff, suppliers, and recognised sustainability frameworks (e.g. Marine Stewardship Council guidance, sustainable seafood ratings) to identify species served, sourcing locations, fishing or farming methods, and environmental risks. Findings will be communicated through an education and awareness campaign designed for students, staff, and families, highlighting the importance of sustainable seafood, the impact of overfishing, and how consumer choices influence marine ecosystems.

Alongside awareness-raising, the student team will collaborate with catering providers to explore and trial alternative menu options using more sustainable fish species and certified suppliers. This will include student voice surveys, tasting sessions, menu redesign proposals, and clear communication with parents and the wider community about changes and their environmental rationale.

It is the intention that by June 2026, HeadStart International School will have:

• Conducted a full sustainability audit of fish served on the school menu
• Established clear procurement guidance aligned with recognised sustainable seafood standards
• Replaced unsustainable fish options with more sustainable alternatives where viable
• Implemented a student-led education and awareness campaign across the school community
• Shifted school culture from passive consumption toward informed, responsible food choices

To get involved, email [email protected]