Weekly Update #16, 11 February 2022

Upcoming events can be found on the website under School Life → Calendar and are outlined here for easy reference.

School mottos always sound impressive, don’t they? But to what extent does the product really match the marketing mantra? Here at HeadStart International School, we claim to ‘Inspire a Love of Learning’. Bold words indeed, but where is the proof? Let’s take a cross-section of the school more closely to see if these words are in any way substantive…

Some schools dine out on ill-defined, abstract notions of unquantifiable values which they claim to imbue in children. However, at HeadStart, we like to start with the old-fashioned and perennial pillars of success: academic achievement. Let’s put these in some context. In 2021, the school achieved Top in Thailand and High Achievement Awards for AS Levels Mathematics, Information Technology, History and Music. Furthermore, just last month our Head Girl, Nutcha Phaisamran, accepted an offer to read Psychology and Behavioural Sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge (only 12.42% of applicants who applied were accepted). Other students being accepted at top-tier Thai institutions: Chanattha Sinsawaiphol, who will soon be gracing the Faculty of Medicine International Programme at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.; or perhaps Jinnaphop Prattranasanti who is now facing the happy quandary of having to choose between two Faculty of Economics International Programmes- one at Chulalongkorn University, the other Thammasat University.

These students will join a panoply of past pupils from the school who are studying and have graduated from top universities in the UK, the USA, Australia and Europe. External examination results at HeadStart have improved steadily every year: take English Literature IGCSE which has shot from 26% A-A in 2018, to 76% last year; or perhaps Physics AS results from last November, which garnered a remarkable 80% of the highest grade possible. Think not that we have cherry-picked figures; our 2021 IGCSE results saw 97% of all entries graded A-C; 41% of all students in last year’s A Level exams were graded at A* or A and our unique BTEC courses have built on their 100% pass rate from 2020 with another perfect score.

Substantive enough?

Of course, a Dickensian notion of an exams factory is a fairly grim one. Happily, at HeadStart, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. We focus on developing rounded young people; exposing them to the broadest range of educational experience so they might choose the path which is right for them. Fine sentiments to be sure, but again in need of evidence? Look out for incredibly professional articles from HeadStart students in the PSU magazine in March this year. In fact, check out the school’s Facebook page and I’m sure you’ll agree it’s not an exercise in hyperbole to insist that such opportunities are being seized in our school on a daily basis.

So yes, we really, really are Inspiring a Love of Learning.

Article contributed by Mr David Pollicutt, Head of English. Pictured below is Nutcha Phaisamran, offered a place to study at Cambridge and her parents Khun Sirasit and Dr Phaisamran (School Licensee).

Chanattha has been an exemplary student throughout her time studying Science at HeadStart. She clearly displays the two most important attributes in succeeding when studying scientific subjects; a keen desire to understand the workings of our reality and a tireless work ethic. We are pleased to see that her dedication has paid off and she has been accepted to study medicine at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang Stadium. -Mr Timothy Davidson, Head of Science

On 23 January, the vision that Oceans For All foundation had back in 2019 became a reality. ‘License to Clean 001’ was launched on Kamala beach and co-sponsors HeadStart International School, InterContinental Phuket Resort and Wawa Creations shared in the pleasure of being present for this auspicious event.

“𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 80% 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙣, 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙞𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙, 𝙬𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙊𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙡𝙡 ‘𝙇𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣’ 𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚”. -Ms Miki Edouard, Co-founder of HeadStart International School.

Since its launch, License to Clean 001 has been operating and up to 300 kilos of trash are collected in a single day and brought to Wongpanit - วงษ์พาณิชย์ สำนักงานใหญ่ recycle plant. Trash is then sorted into categories: aluminium, glass, plastic, bottle caps, nets/ropes, styrofoam, and finally cigarettes butts and eventually recycled.

“Cleaning the trash from the ocean is important but what is even more important is to educate people about the impact that throwing waste into the ocean has on the ecosystem and the importance of recycling.” -David Martin from OFA

👉 Read more about the project and launch via The Phuket News: https://www.thephuketnews.com/licence-to-clean-launched

On Tuesday 4th February, Thai parents with children in Early Years and Reception were invited to join a presentation by our Head of Thai, Kru Dia and Thai teachers Kru Poy and Kru Cherry. The presentation included a discussion about the Thai curriculum, homework policy and school expectations for students studying Thai as a first Language. The objective of this presentation was to give parents a better understanding of how they can support their child with learning. Parents also had the opportunity to see the samples of students’ workbooks in Primary through to Secondary. -Kru Nee, School Director

Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions

This week, we continued exploring the Choose section of our cycle:

Students explored the connection between our Thoughts- Feeling- Actions and the dynamic interplay between them. It’s a well established fact that thoughts affect feelings. For example, if we think about a low assessment result we might think we aren’t smart, that might lead to feeling low. This feeling can then lead to an act of giving up. We then played with changing just one of these to see if this shift would alter the other elements of this triangle. And, it does:) So in the example here, if the thought changed to “I didn’t do as well as I expected, I wonder why”, the feeling then might be one of curiosity and this might lead to asking for help from a peer or teacher to understand what went wrong. This is a powerful message for our students and we hope empowers them to shift their own thoughts, feelings and actions. -Indu Bedi, Deputy Head secondary (Sixth Form & SEL)

Foundation Messy Play

The children of Early Years combined with Reception to have a big Lunar New Year celebration. They were able to move around the classrooms and the outside space where they had access to lots of fun messy activities. There was slime, red rice to explore, a noodle shop, cherry blossom painting, and other arts and crafts. Having access to bigger spaces and new experiences is great for the children to increase their confidence and social skills when meeting other children, it also encourages the older children to play gently and the younger to learn from older. All the teachers and children had a wonderful time. -Ms Suzi and Ms Jasmine

For weekly updates on Foundation activities and curriculum, join the Foundation Facebook group.

Foundation Sports Day

On Thursday between 09.00-10.30 am all the Foundation students participated in a fun active filled sports day. The students ran the 20m sprinting race and then completed a carousel of activities; jump the river, beanbag throw, treasurer hunt, target throw, and an obstacle course race. Really well done to all the students AND their parents, who participated in the parent’s race at the end. (Full album will be published on the Foundation Facebook group on Monday)

Final results are:

• 1st place - Red House 86 points
• 2nd place - Blue House 81 points and Green House 81 points!
• 3rd place - Yellow House 69 points

Year 1-2 Sports Day

Year 1 and Year 2 had a fantastic sports day! Lots of fun running in the sun and chasing down house points with space hoppers! In the end, with points being neck and neck to the final shuttle run. Green Dragons managed to pull ahead last second. Mr Khan was seen jumping and down with excitement and was overjoyed with the result. Good work to all the students from all houses for pulling off a great sports day. Good luck for the next one! -Mr Michael Marx

What is it Like to go on a DofE Sailing Trip?

“Last weekend the Year 12s went to Koh Lon to complete their qualifying journey for the Silver level entry in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme. On Friday morning, we took a long tail boat from Chalong to Koh Lon island, we then settled in and split into 2 groups; one of the groups went out on the toppers (single-person boats) to practice their stopping and racing skills, while the other group started planning their course for the expedition on Saturday.

Charting the course of our expeditions involved taking into consideration wind speed, wind direction, currents, latitude, longitude, and other measurements for which we were not allowed to use our phones. Later on in the day, the groups swapped activities.

Both groups completed their expedition to sail around the island of Koh Lon and despite some difficulties, we all managed to successfully finish the journey in under 4 hours. On Sunday, a group of girls were able to practice sailing on a beautiful Trimaran while the rest of the boys decided to sail with two “Argos” sailboats. This was a great way to end our DoE silver experience. Overall, we had an amazing time and gained lots of new skills as well as memories”. -Keira Brain, Deputy Head Girl

Congratulations to Anabel and Zoe Fuchs for receiving an ‘Honorable mention’ in the Modern/ tap duo/trio category at the 8th CSTD Thailand Dance Grand Prix. Well done girls and keep up the good work!

Congratulations to the HeadStart students who received 3rd place in the Classical/ National/ Contemporary troupe in the 8th CSTD Thailand Dance Grand Prix. Thank you Kru Nelvie LaForteza for training, choreographing and taking care of our students. -Ms Mina, Head Dance Coach