Weekly Update #32, 19 May 2023
Dates for Your Diary
Upcoming events can be found on the website under School Life → Calendar and are outlined here for easy reference. If you have questions or require further assistance please email [email protected]
| Date | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 May | 8.15-9.15am | Parent Meeting - Reception to Year 1 Transition | Primary Hall |
| 25 May | 8.15-9.15am | UPrep for Parents by Parents- Studying in the Netherlands | Dance & Drama Studio |
| 26 May | 2.00-3.00pm | Primary Student Council Meeting | Conference Room |
| 27 May | 9.00am-12.00pm | Saturday Thai Culture Club | |
| 30 May | 8.15-9.15am | Mandarin Speaking Parents Meeting | Primary Hall |
| 6 June | 8.15-9.15am | Parent Meeting: Y1 Language Options for Next Year | Primary Hall |
| 7 June | 8.30-9.30am | ‘Our world’ - Stay and Play (Foundation) | Foundation Building |
| 8 June | 8.30-10.00am | Parent Committee Meeting | Conference Room |
| 9 June | Years 11-13 Post Exam Activity Day | ||
| 10 June | 2.00-4.00pm | Dance Recital | Sports Hall |
| 12 June | CAPA Dress Up Day |
| Announcements & Upcoming Events |
‘Rolling in the Deep’ - Dance Recital on 10.06.23
Immerse yourself in the captivating tale of the Titanic’s historic maiden voyage. From the moment it embarks from Southampton to its fateful encounter with an iceberg, and ultimately succumbing to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, this extraordinary journey comes alive. Each class embodies a unique character, weaving together a tapestry of narratives that breathe new life into the past. We extend a warm invitation to all, young and old, to partake in the enchantment of music and dance at our highly anticipated annual Dance Recital on 10 June from 2.00-4.00pm. Stay tuned for exciting updates and discover how you can secure your ticket to witness this mesmerizing spectacle firsthand!
Appreciation for HeadStart Teaching Staff
To celebrate their remarkable efforts, we are organising a Staff Appreciation Party on the evening of the 17th of June. We would like to extend an invitation to all parents to contribute prizes for the staff party. These prizes can range from gift certificates, spa vouchers, hotel stays, or any other items you feel would show our teachers how valued they are. Your generosity will not only brighten their day but also reinforce the strong bond between our school and our parent community.
If you would like to contribute a prize, please kindly inform us of the item by the end of May. You can simply email the Events team by writing to [email protected] or come and visit us in the front office! We would be grateful for any contribution, big or small, as every gesture counts. Many thanks in advance for your kindness. We look forward to hearing from you!
Volunteers Requested by the Phuket Governor
| Meetings and Presentations |
Russian Speaking Parents Meeting
We are pleased to provide you with an overview of our recent Term 3 Russian Language Parents Meeting, held on Tuesday, May 16th. The event centered around the theme of “Moving and Living in a New Country” and featured an engaging panel discussion.
We were fortunate to have three esteemed guest speakers who graciously accepted our invitation. Ms. Volodina, the mother of Kamila and Karina in Primary school, shared her valuable insights. Ms. Zakharova, the mother of Polina in Reception and Diana in Year 10, also contributed her experiences and wisdom. Additionally, we had the pleasure of welcoming Petr Drobotenko, a Year 10 student who recently joined our school, as our student guest speaker.
During the discussion, our panel explored several key questions. They discussed how children adapt to a new country, strategies for adjusting to new languages and cultures, available resources that proved helpful to families, and advice for parents who have recently relocated. Our student guest speaker also provided unique perspectives on making friends with children from different cultures, the lessons learned, and advice for fellow students facing similar transitions.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our esteemed guest speakers and all the parents who attended the event and generously shared their personal experiences with our Russian-speaking community. Your valuable contributions made this gathering truly meaningful.
Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate our next panel discussion and welcome your suggestions for future topics of interest. Please feel free to share any subjects you would like to see addressed in the upcoming sessions. Thank you for your continued support. -The Languages Department
| University Offers |
Congratulations to Yingyang Rong (Anna), who is planning on studying Biomedical Sciences and has received offers from 5 UK universities; University of Westminster, University of Worcester, Abertay University, Birkbeck, and University of West London. Anna has been at HeadStart since 2017 and has contributed widely to the community, supporting younger students in Mathematics, as well as being a keen volunteer for beach cleans and community projects.
Congratulations to Denis Solodkov who is planning on studying Liberal Arts & Sciences and has received offers from Manchester, Bristol, Sheffield, Nottingham, Amsterdam University College, UTrecht, Radboud and Twente. Denis has been enrolled at HeadStart since 2012. Denis has been an active member of the HeadStart community over the years, participating in beach cleans, volunteering at Soi Dog Foundation, and is a long standing student council member.
Congratulations to Isabelle Miller, who is planning to study Psychology and has received offers from UK universities; City University, UWE Bristol, Goldsmiths, Kingston University and Royal Holloway. Isabelle has been at HeadStart since 2021 and has been an active member of her community, as well as being an amazing artist and budding Psychologist.
Congratulations to Jacen Antognoli, who is planning on studying Business Innovation and has received offers from Inholland University of Applied Sciences and Fontys University of Applied Sciences. Jacen has been at HeadStart since 2016 and has been an active member of the community; volunteering in beach cleans, at Sunshine Village and helping out at HeadStart Summer School as a Teaching Assistant.
| PE & Sports |
The Football Academy players are off to Bangkok for the 𝐅𝐎𝐁𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝟕’𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐊𝐊 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥! Good luck to our HeadStart Panthers! More news next week.
| Foundation |
Reception Visit Siriroj Hospital
Reception children had such a wonderful time on their field trip to Bangkok Siriroj Hospital this week! Children had the opportunity to explore and learn about dentistry and EMT services. They enjoyed using dentistry tools, a children’s book about oral health, various medical equipment, and how ambulances are operated. We learnt so much and cannot wait to return and learn more! -Ms Natalie Walker, Deputy Head of Foundation
| Primary |
Learning to Tell the Time in Thai Class
Children in the Year 4 Thai class practiced their numbers and telling time using a clock in pairs. They had a lot of fun sharing what they had learned with their classmates. -Kru Gen
| Secondary |
Dean Wells
My name is Dean Wells and I am from the UK. I grew up in Poole, Dorset but moved to Bristol to study a degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering and then stayed there for 18 years. As a Production Engineer I worked on top engineering projects such as the Typhoon Eurofighter, underwater and flying Unmanned Automated Vehicles and setting up a company for Mitsubishi before eventually going back to university and studying for my PGCE to become a qualified Design and Technology teacher. I moved to Penang, Malaysia in 2013 to work at a new international school where my role was to design and overlook the building of the Design and Technology educational spaces as well as to set up and teach an exciting curriculum for Key Stage 3, Cambridge IGCSE to Key Stage 4 and Product Design A Level to Key Stage 5. I am now really looking forward to my new role at Headstart International school and to continue helping with the progression, positive energy and academic successes of the Creative Arts and DT subjects. I am committed to helping young people achieve their best and striving to ensure they have a happy and successful life. In the past I have also had some varied jobs that possibly reflect my personality and interests, I have taught corporate groups how to sail tall ships, had my own weekly radio show and been a sound engineer for London Westend shows such as Cats and Mary Poppins.
Design and Technology
Design and Technology students in Year 7 and Year 9 at Headstart have been exploring the world of sustainable design and manufacturing. As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, it has never been more crucial to develop sustainable products that minimize waste and reduce our impact on the planet. The Year 7s were tasked with creating designs that would promote sustainability. They were then able to bring their designs to life by using a sublimation process to print them onto cloth tote bags. This process involves the use of heat and pressure to transfer the design onto the material, resulting in a high-quality, long-lasting product. By using cloth tote bags instead of single-use plastic bags, the Year 7s are helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our oceans and landfills.
In Year 9, students explored sustainable manufacturing techniques by using scrap pieces of plywood to create pot holders using a laser cutter. By repurposing materials that would otherwise go to waste, the students were able to create functional and attractive products while reducing their environmental impact. Laser cutting is a precision manufacturing technique that uses a high-powered laser to cut and engrave materials with incredible accuracy.
At the school’s Eco Club, students have been working on sustainable design projects during their lunch breaks. One project involved creating new sheets for key ring fobs using recycled HDPE and PP plastic. HDPE and PP plastics are commonly used in packaging and can be recycled to create new products. By repurposing these materials, the students are helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our environment.
The school’s commitment to sustainable design and manufacturing extends beyond the classroom. By engaging students in hands-on projects and providing them with access to state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, the school is preparing them for a future in which sustainability is increasingly important.
As the world continues to face environmental challenges, it is crucial that we prioritize sustainable design and manufacturing. By educating the next generation of designers and manufacturers on the importance of sustainability, we can work towards a more sustainable future. The projects undertaken by Year 7 and Year 9 students at headstart are an excellent example of how we can all do our part to reduce waste, minimize our impact on the environment, and create products that are both functional and beautiful.
| Promotions from Around the Island |
International book sale!
The ‘BIG BAD WOLF’ will be visiting Phuket from 25 May to the 4 June 2023 at Central Floresta Mini Convention Hall, 2nd floor from 10.00am to 10.00 pm. There will be a big discount of 50%-95% discounts on all children’s books. Visit their Facebook page to find out more!
If it can go wrong, it will go wrong!
Looking for a night that will leave you in stitches? Get ready for an evening of COMEDY, MURDER AND MADNESS. Junkyard Theatre is premiering an original comedy murder mystery presented by the Junkyard and Theatrix team. LIVE AND LET THAI is an original comedy written by the brilliant Aileen Zara Powell. A murder mystery filled with bungling antics from the cast and crew of 007 as they attempt to pull off the perfect sequel. Live and Let Thai blends Thai and Western culture in a masterful, yet hilariously bungled production.
📅 When: June Friday 2nd / Saturday 3rd / Sunday 4th ⏰ Time: 7 pm – 9pm 📍 Where: Junkyard Theatre Phuket
Tickets for this extraordinary event are available online. Snag yours at just 1200B for adults and 800B for students. Trust us, you won’t regret it – this is a show you simply can’t afford to miss. BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE! Help us support this amazing production as we grow the Phuket independent creative community.
