Weekly Update #24, 06 March 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 13th March 2026

⏰ Time: 14:30-16:30

📍 Venue: Cherngtalay 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 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.

Political Standpoints

This is a polite reminder that International Day is not a forum for pushing political agendas. The event is designed for everyone to come together in a show of kindness and respect, and to demonstrate a sense of community.

Arrangements for Students on International Day

All parents are politely reminded to wear their Parent ID on this day. Parents presenting a valid Parent ID will be able to enter the school site from 13:50 via the Main Entrance (Atrium), Secondary Entrance, and two underground car park turnstiles. Parents without a valid ID and visitors should enter via the Main Entrance (Atrium) or Secondary Entrance only where they can exchange a valid form of identification (passport, driving license etc.) for a Visitor Pass with our Security teams.

Foundation

• The Foundation day will end at 14:00 from which point parents can collect their child from their homeroom to go to the astro for International Day.

• Any Foundation children who have not been collected by 14:20 will be in our Foundation late pick up provision.

Primary

• The Primary day will end at 14:00 from which point parents can collect their child from their homeroom to go to the astro for International Day.

• Any Primary children who have not been collected by 14:20 and children travelling on the school bus will be taken to late pick up in the Lunch Hall.

Secondary

• The Secondary day will end at 14:25 in line with the end of Period 5.

• Secondary students will be able to go to the astro at this time for International Day or leave the school site from 14:30

School Bus

• Please note that our school buses will be leaving only one time - 15:10 - on Friday 13th March.

Students involved in International Day performances

• Parents involved in set up of International Day (costumes, performance practice etc.) may request that they collect their child from lessons but this must be arranged in advance and communicated with the child’s homeroom teacher via email.

• Parents of Foundation & Primary students should email their child’s homeroom teacher and Khun Ploy [email protected] to request that they collect their child from lessons.

• Parents of Secondary students email Khun Kluay [email protected] to request that they collect their child from lessons.

Set Sail for Motunui: Tickets Now Open to All!

The heartbeat of Motunui is getting louder on the Chaofah Campus! Our CAPA Junior performers have been working tirelessly, and after months of rehearsals, the production is looking—and sounding—absolutely magical. There are now less than three weeks until we take to the stage.
As of today, Friday 6th March, the wait is over! While our cast families have already begun securing their spots, tickets are now officially available to our school community. Whether you have a student in the show or just want to witness an evening of incredible talent and courage, we warmly invite you to join us.

• Performance Dates: Wednesday 25th March & Thursday 26th March
• Time: 5:00 PM
• Doors open: 4:40 PM
• Location: Chaofah City Campus
• How to Book: Moana Ticket Booking Form

Secure your seats today to ensure you don’t miss this story of discovery and heart.

HeadStart Yearbook Sponsorship Opportunities

Dear HeadStart Community,

The 2025 - 2026 HeadStart Yearbook is now in production and will be distributed in the last week of the school year. This full colour A4 publication captures class photos, homeroom messages, school events, competitions, and student achievements. Over 1,000 copies will be printed and shared with HeadStart families in Phuket.

We are inviting community members to promote their businesses in the Yearbook:

• Half page 7,000 THB: Size 8 x 5.5 inches

• Full page 12,000 THB: Size 8 x 11 inches

• Inside front or back cover 18,000 THB. Limited to 3 positions: Size 8 x 11 inches

If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Toddler Playgroup

Welcoming all families to step into vibrant indoor learning center for a special morning at our free Toddler Playgroup! Our highly qualified team will guide you and your little ones through a range of engaging activities – from sensory and messy play stations to hands-on crafts where children can make their own creations. Toddlers will explore color and texture with paint, playdough, and water play, helping develop their motor skills and curiosity. This fun-filled session is perfect for families to connect and find out what it’s like to be a part of our HeadStart community.

Our Toddler Playgroup runs at our Cherngtalay campus on Wednesdays from 9:00-10:00am and is for young ones aged 1-4 years old. To express your interest in having your toddler join, fill out the registration form by scanning the QR code in the poster below. We look forward to hearing from you.

7th 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 March

🕘 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.

Come Join our Term 2 Thai Culture Club

We are delighted to invite our students to join our Term 2 Thai Culture Club on Saturday, 21 March 2026, from 09:00 to 12:00 at our Cherngtalay campus. This special morning celebrates Thai culture through engaging and hands-on experiences.

If your child is interested in joining, please contact their Thai teacher for further information and registration. We look forward to welcoming our students to this wonderful cultural event.

Early Reading & Phonics in Foundation

This week, we welcomed parents to our Foundation Phonics and Early Reading Workshop to explore how we teach early literacy. We provided an overview of the Little Wandle programme, explaining the clear progression of sounds, blending, and segmenting taught in Reception. Parents gained valuable insight into how we build children’s confidence using fully decodable texts matched to their specific phonics stage, ensuring that comprehension and a foundational love of reading are developed alongside technical skills.

We also introduced our Write Dance programme, demonstrating how movement and mark-making develop the gross and fine motor skills essential for fluent handwriting. It was excellent to see parents actively participating in these activities. Thank you to everyone who attended; your engagement is vital. Strong partnerships between school and home, reinforced by practising sounds and regular reading together, are key to helping our youngest learners become capable and confident readers and writers.

Early Reading and Phonics in Foundation

Upcoming Parent Meetings at Cherngtalay Campus

We invite all parents to join our upcoming series of Parent Meetings, taking place on select Thursday mornings in March. Held from 08:30 to 09:30 in the Secondary ILC, these informative sessions are designed to equip you with the knowledge to support your child’s educational journey. Our March programme provides valuable guidance on phonics in our Foundation stage and a comprehensive overview of our Secondary pastoral and student support systems. Please join us to connect with our staff and discover practical ways to aid your child’s learning and personal wellbeing both at home and at school.

Finding the Balance: Screen Time and Student Wellbeing

With children spending increasing amounts of time on phones, tablets, and computers, managing digital wellbeing is a shared priority for our community. Finding a healthy balance with technology is essential for a child’s overall development, directly impacting their sleep quality, emotional regulation, and physical health. By nurturing healthier digital habits, we can help our students thrive both online and offline, ensuring they use technology as a positive tool rather than a constant distraction.

Creating this balance often starts with a few practical approaches at home. We recommend establishing clear screen-time limits and designating device-free zones, such as during family meals. Encouraging open dialogue is equally important; simply asking your child what they enjoyed online today can build trust and awareness without feeling intrusive. Furthermore, children frequently mirror adult behaviour, so modelling balanced device use and prioritising face-to-face interactions can powerfully reinforce these positive habits.

We understand that navigating the digital world with your children can be challenging, but you do not have to do it alone. To provide ongoing support, we are launching a new weekly feature that will offer practical tips and resources to help both parents and students navigate the digital world safely. If you have any immediate concerns about your child’s screen time or would like further guidance on promoting digital literacy, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Turner-King ([email protected]) at any time. We are always here to support you and your family.

Ryan Cox - Enrolled at HeadStart since Early Years

We are delighted to share that Ryan Cox has received an offer to study Business at North Metropolitan TAFE in Australia.

During his time at HeadStart, Ryan has demonstrated determination and steady academic progress. His achievements also include completing both the Bronze and Silver levels of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Ryan has shown exceptional commitment to sport, training competitively in swimming for five years and representing at national level in Bangkok, as well as qualifying for international competition at the Singapore Nationals in freestyle and breaststroke events. Alongside his sporting achievements, he has gained valuable practical experience through work placement at the Pullman Hotel in Food and Beverage and by running his own vending machine business for a year, demonstrating initiative and entrepreneurial spirit.

Congratulations to Ryan on this excellent achievement. We wish him every success as he embarks on the next stage of his studies in business.

Anastasiia Orlovskaia (Nastia) - Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 9

We are delighted to share that Nastia has received an offer to study a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Tourism and Hospitality Management at Bangkok University.

During her time at HeadStart, Nastia has demonstrated commitment, resilience and creativity across her academic journey. Her achievements include completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award expedition, receiving the Secondary Award for Most Improved English (EAL) in the 2021–2022 academic year, and winning the IGCSE Subject Prize for Design and Technology in 2023–2024. She has also been recognised with multiple Student of the Month awards.

Alongside her studies, Nastia has developed a strong background in dance and sport, having trained in dance and artistic gymnastics in Russia and participated in volleyball. She continues to maintain an active lifestyle and gained relevant insight into the hospitality and tourism sector through her work experience at Boat Lagoon.

Congratulations to Nastia on this excellent achievement. We wish her every success as she begins the next stage of her studies in tourism and hospitality management.

What is Your Resilience Story?

At HeadStart, Resilience is more than just a Learner Attribute; it is a structured approach to overcoming challenges. Watch the video below to see Secondary teacher Mr. Gossland highlighting how this exact mindset of trading blind effort for a guided daily action plan acts as a roadmap to success. However, we know this strategic approach isn’t just taught in our classrooms and sports academies; it is actively lived by our parent community across Chaofah and Cherngtalay. Whether you have built a business from the ground up, returned to a sport after a major setback, or mastered a new craft against the odds, your real-world journeys are what truly inspire our students. We want to learn from your experiences. Please email a quick snapshot of a challenge you’ve overcome to [email protected] so we can feature your story in an upcoming weekly update!

Aqua Panthers Race Against the Clock to Rack Up Meters and Donations!

It all began at 8pm on Friday night as over 100 Aqua Panthers swimmers came together for the 12-hour swim relay as part of the 24 Hours to Make a Difference event. They didn’t just show up for a casual swim. They pushed. They raced against the clock. They racked up as many laps as possible in 30-minute relay bursts, pushing each other further with every exchange. The result? Over 127,000 metres covered. Fantastic effort! Special shoutout to Coach Sammy’s super quad of Alon (13 Blue), Viktor (10 White), Sergei (9 Yellow) and Kevin (8 Blue) who pushed through the final hour, swimming an unbelievable 5,750m between them! We couldn’t be prouder of their determination, grit, and team spirit. Coach Brown & the Swim Coaches

HeadStart Panthers Accumulate Minutes on the Pitch and Money for a Great Cause!

The ball was then passed to our Panthers Football Academy, stepping in for the much-anticipated second leg of our 24-hour sporting event. The action kicked off bright and early at 8am and the excitement didn’t let up until the final whistle blew on the now-traditional final matchup between our U18 Boys and the Staff Men’s & Coaches team. This thrilling game even went beyond the scheduled 8pm finish time with a dramatic penalty shootout! The air was charged with energy, with cheers ringing out from an enthusiastic crowd of supporters eager to see the teams giving it their all. We were especially delighted to host two teams from our friends at Youth Football Home, as well as Mums and Dads teams with players representing both our school campuses. Coach Frost & the Football Coaches

A Fun-Filled Basketball Showdown in Aid of Charity!

Meanwhile, in the Sports Hall, our Panthers Basketball players set the court ablaze with fast-paced layups and thrilling three-pointers in an array of skill challenges and team matchups. Coaches and parents took on the Young Panthers in a 5v5 exhibition, while our O15 team successfully completed the 100 free-throw challenge. Our girls’ teams also showed excellent teamwork, completing 10 successful “pass and cut” actions in a single half. We were delighted to welcome our friends from Moo Academy, who joined the 24 Hours event for the first time. It was a great effort from all involved. Coach King & the Basketball Coaches

The Inaugural HeadStart Dynamic Games

The first-ever HeadStart Dynamic Games at brought together students, staff, and parents for an incredible day of friendly competition and community spirit! Hosted as part of our ‘24 Hours to Make a Difference’ fundraiser for Life Home Project Foundation, the highlight was seeing parents, staff members and their energetic friends, as well as our very own Deputy Head Boy, powering through the challenging rotations.

The event was filled with teamwork, smiles, and a brilliant sense of camaraderie that makes our community so special. Congratulations to our winning teams:

🥇 1st Place: Luck of the Thai-rish

🥈 2nd Place - JCBT

🥉 3rd Place - Athletic Squad of Serious Strength

A huge thank you to everyone who pushed their limits! Also a special shoutout to Dynamic Club Phuket, home of CrossFit, for their support! We are already looking forward to the next one! Coach Jordi - Fitness Coach

A Community United Through BBQ and Fun!

This spectacular annual event culminated with a fantastic community BBQ and refreshment stand run by our BTEC Business students, set against the backdrop of fun games hosted by our Secondary Student Council. Thanks to every member of our community who supported this event. It was wonderful to feel the warmth and friendship as we came together to raise much-needed funds for our worthwhile chosen foundation. Go Panthers!

Celebrating Basketball Success at the PISAC 3-on-3s!

Congratulations to our basketball teams for their fantastic performances at the recent PISAC 3-on-3 tournament. Competing against schools from across the island, our students demonstrated excellent teamwork and skill on the court. We are very proud to report multiple top-tier finishes for HeadStart!

Taking 1st place in their respective categories were the O15 team (Jake, Justin, Floyd, and Iron), the U15 Boys (Mason, Bob, Iron, and Justin), and the U13 Girls Cherngtalay team (Mary, Alina, and Eva). Additionally, our U15 Girls mixed-campus team (Mary, Alina, Melissa, and Porsche) secured a well-deserved 2nd place finish. Well done to all the players involved for their hard work and fantastic results!

AquaPanthers @ the BISP Sea Eagles Invite

Good luck to our AquaPanthers squad taking part in the BISP Sea Eagles Invite this weekend. Remember that hard work, friendship and enjoyment are the keys to creating great memories! We look forward to seeing many of our loyal supporters poolside throughout the event. Go AquaPanthers!

Exploring French Vocabulary with Multimedia Learning

In the accompanying video, our Year 7 French students demonstrate their practical language skills through an excellent multimedia project. Tasked with creating a short video presentation, the students applied their current classroom vocabulary regarding locations, schedules, and subjects to describe areas such as the canteen, the ILC, and various classrooms. By speaking directly to the camera in French and subsequently editing the footage to include accurate English subtitles, the students actively reinforced their understanding of grammar and pronunciation while building their essential digital literacy skills. This project provided a fantastic opportunity for students to move beyond the textbook, resulting in clear, natural spoken French and a demonstrable mastery of their recent curriculum topics.

Imagination and Engineering Combined

Imagination takes a tangible form in our Lego Club, where students transform colourful bricks into complex engineering marvels. Each week brings a new challenge that encourages our builders to think in three dimensions and solve problems with creativity and persistence. It is a joy to see their ideas come to life as they develop foundational spatial and logic skills that will serve them long into the future.

Fast-Paced Action at Secondary House Football

Last Friday, Secondary students took part in House Football with a twist. Each House played in rotating teams of four students with two girls and two boys on each team, changing players every two minutes. This twist enabled all students to take part and meant that the games were very fast paced and exciting. Students strengthened key skills such as collaboration when choosing which players to send on to the pitch, and many students showed courage getting on to the pitch when playing football is not one of their strengths. I was very impressed with the resilience shown by students in Year 7 in Tiger and Cheetah House who kept the energy high in all of their games despite struggling in the heat on the Astro. The results will be announced in the coming weeks, after the finals have taken place.

Secondary Students Share Thai Legends with Primary

Primary and Secondary Thai students recently connected through storytelling to build literacy and cross-phase relationships. Year 9 brought “The Legend of the Phaya Naga” to life for Year 3 using handmade puppets, while Year 7 demonstrated what it means to be Creative and Collaborative by performing “The Legend of Koh Nu and Koh Maew” for Year 1. These interactive sessions made traditional legends memorable for our younger learners while providing valuable presentation experience for our older students.

Toddler Playgroup

We had another wonderfully energetic morning at our Toddler Playgroup! The room was filled with smiles as our littlest students explored new textures and sensory activities. These sessions are designed to be completely hands-on, allowing children to learn, play, and make a mess in a safe environment. Thank you to all the families who joined us - we cannot wait to welcome you back for the next session of fun and discovery!

Sirens & Smiles: An Ambulance Visits Foundation

A huge thank you to the local ambulance crew who recently visited our Foundation students! The children had a fantastic time stepping inside a real ambulance to see the life-saving equipment up close. They loved meeting the drivers, learning about what they do every day, and getting to test out the very loud siren.

Year 1 Build ‘Phuket Paradise’

As part of the Geography curriculum, Year 1 students have been exploring ‘Phuket Paradise’ and ‘Marvellous Maps’. This unit focuses on developing a foundational understanding of geographical features and the practical importance of mapping. To bring their learning to life, students designed and created detailed models of significant landmarks across Phuket as a home learning project.

The final results, now on display in the Atrium, demonstrate exceptional creativity and an inquisitive approach to design. By working collaboratively to combine their individual models into one large-scale landscape, the children have created a vibrant representation of our island.

Young Geographers Conduct Field Work at Rang Hill Viewpoint

As part of their Geography unit exploring the local area, our Year 3 students recently travelled to Phuket Town to work as real-life geographers. At Rang Hill Viewpoint, they applied classroom knowledge to the landscape, working collaboratively to identify human and physical features. Using their Geographers’ Checklists, they created detailed field sketches and carefully labelled their observations. The practical learning continued at Saphan Hin with an exploration of the mangrove ecosystem. Students developed essential fieldwork skills as they sketched key physical features, deepening their understanding of how natural environments shape our coastline. It was a highly engaging day, and the students were enthusiastic about returning to the sites in the future. The Year 3 Team

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!

• Liam (5 White) reached the semi-finals at the Supersports Tennis 10s Championship 2026, hosted by BEAT DISCOVERY Bangkok.

• Kiwi (2 Blue) won 1st Place in the Tennis 10s Matchplay Tournament (Under 6) held at SiamSportsPro Tennis Academy Phuket. She demonstrated excellent effort, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

• Oleg (7 Yellow) passed his Grade 5 piano performance exam, awarded by ABRSM (Royal Academy of Music).

Local Events at ETNA and CLC

Local venues ETNA and CLC are hosting a variety of events at Boat Avenue, Cherngtalay over the coming weeks. From 6-8 March, CLC will feature evening showcases with live music and choreography, while ETNA’s schedule includes a children’s art class, gala dinners, and an exclusive wine-pairing event.

• 6-8 March: Evening showcases at CLC starting from 10:00 pm, featuring live vocals, saxophone performances, and a special celebration for International Women’s Day on 8 March.
• 8 March: ‘Little Masters’ children’s art class at ETNA at 1:00 pm, followed by an evening Gala event celebrating International Women’s Day with a red-carpet arrival and a dance performance.
• 12 March: A 5-course ‘Californian Wine & Dine’ experience at ETNA (2,800 THB) led by a Master Sommelier. ETNA will also continue its Georgian-themed menu throughout the month.

For all enquiries and bookings, please contact the organisers directly at +66 62 620 6591,+7 999 968 5471, or via Telegram@misha_waka.

Drama Workshop: Play in a Day

Students aged 6-15 will work collaboratively to develop their acting skills in this intensive afternoon theatre workshop.

22 March: ‘A Wild Adventure’ workshop with Miss Salli (1:00 pm - 5:00 pm). Children will create, rehearse, and perform a story all in one afternoon (1,000 THB per child).

For all enquiries and bookings, please contact Flying Lizard directly at +66 863 091 392, via email at[email protected], or visitwww.flylizard.com.