Weekly Update #38, 29 June 2018
Wishing the HeadStart Community Happy Holidays!
From the Board, Mr and Mrs Edouard, Mrs Phaisamran, Ms Van Der Laan
An action packed and very productive school year is drawing to a close and before we depart for the summer holidays, we want to take a moment to both reflect on the progress our school has made as well as look forward to where we are headed in the coming year.
We want to thank each of our dedicated, talented and energetic teachers and staff who have worked tirelessly this year to inspire and motivate our students to learn and develop. Educating children is a monumental and often tiring job and we want you, our teachers, to know that the daily efforts you make to prepare and deliver effective engaging lessons, provide academic support to individual students and advise and mentor students as they grow and develop into young adults are recognized and appreciated. We are proud of the work you do and we are glad that you have chosen to be a part of the HeadStart Team. We wouldn’t be the school we are today without you.
This Yearbook showcases the active learning environment and vibrant community that our school has become. We hope you will enjoy the pictures of happy, confident students engaged and inspired to learn. Each year, our students improve and better the results of the classes that have come before them and this year they have continued with the tradition.
The development and expansion of the school has progressed well and the new facilities will be ready to open for the start of the coming academic year. The new classrooms and facilities have enabled us to expand the number of programmes and subjects we offer our students. The added room and resources will also enable us to improve the quality of teaching and learning particularly in subjects such as Art, Music, Science, Drama and Dance. The new facilities will also provide more adequate private study space for our Sixth Form students and will also allow us to accept new students and families to join our school community.
The new facilities to look forward to include: 3 new dance rooms fitted out with wooden floors and mirrors, a dedicated Drama studio, 3 music classrooms, 3 music/instrument practice rooms, 3 large art classrooms, a larger Examinations / Performance Hall, a dedicated Sixth Form study room, additional Maths, English and Language rooms, larger Science labs and a much larger prep room, additional parking, solar paneling for electricity and covered parking, a new staff room and expanded dining facilities to accommodate up to 100 more students.
We would like to thank each family who has been part of our journey, and welcome the ones who have joined us more recently. Your continued support and participation in your child’s education through the many programmes and activities throughout the year leaves a lasting effect in their lives and on our community.
Congratulations to Year 13 Graduates
Congratulations to the students who have completed Year 13 at HeadStart International School. We wish them all the best as they continue on their educational path in the various universities that they will be moving to. A full album of graduation pictures can be found on the HeadStart Facebook page.
2018-2019 After School Programmes
The after school programmes for the 2018-2019 academic school year will be released via the website two weeks before the academic year begins. All relevant information regarding sign ups and enrolment will be emailed to students and parents beforehand.
Gym Use During Holidays
The fitness gym is open for parents during the summer holidays between 7:30-9:30am and in the afternoon from 3:00-6:00pm. Please note that the gym will be closed between 20 July and 5 of August due to staff holidays. Just a reminder that the gym is for parents to use and not open to the general public.
Prom Theme 2019
The Parent Committee has requested that the school organise the Secondary Prom theme well in advance so that families have time to shop for outfits while on holiday in the summer. Based on Homeroom votes, Secondary is excited to announce the Prom Theme for June 2019 is: Hollywood Glamour! More news will follow closer to the time.
Football/Swimming Summer Camps 2018
Football and Swim Academies have swim camps available for one week prior to the start of school. Each camp will start August 13 and finish Aug 16th.
Aquatics and football camps costs 3,500 Baht and will run from 9:00am-12:00pm (aquatics) and 1:00-4:00pm (football). Each session will include technical development and other sport related skills.
Swim Lessons are for students who need to develop water confidence and stamina to be on par with their class. These will run for 30 minute sessions.
Please click the below forms and sign up! Space is limited!
Football Camp Signup: https://goo.gl/forms/1PnUwsRHKz6h2FTG2
Aquatics Camp Signup: https://goo.gl/forms/PHJR7AK3mFDpFVTp2
Swim Lesson Signup: https://goo.gl/forms/KPzkoPG0nczQqXQH2
Year 11-13 Camping Trip News
As part of the post-16 programme, approximately 40 students from years 11 - 13 attended a trip to Adventure Mountain between the 21st and 22nd June 2018. The trip was part celebration as the end of this year’s exam series has come to an end. However, it also gave the opportunity for the students to foster good vertical working relationships and exchange ideas, experiences and advice on academics and problem solving. Empathy can be a convincing teacher. The activities the students where engaged in included; ice breakers to develop new working relationships among our students’ Year groups, team building challenges creating opportunities for teamwork and leadership, zip lining and a lot of fun.
And a BIG thank you to the teachers that accompanied the students on the overnight camp; Mr Osborne, Mr P Brown, Ms Leamon, Ms Jean and Kru Gen and also to Mr Barker who assisted greatly with the preparations.
Foundation News
By Ms Fiona Scott, Deputy Head of Foundation
We round off another wonderful year in Foundation with celebrations, thank yous and goodbyes.
Awards
This week saw a number of awards being presented from our Subject Teachers and Homeroom Teachers. Well done to all the children who have worked so incredibly hard this year.
Reception Graduation
A big thank you to all the parents who joined us this week to celebrate our Reception children moving on up to Primary. We are so proud of all the hard work, effort and progress made this year and would like to wish them all the very best in next stage of their learning journey.
Happy Holidays
Finally, I would just like to wish all of the Foundation Team, our HeadStart families and the Housekeeping Team a super summer break. It has been a fantastic year which could not have happened without the support and dedication from you all. Wishing you all a fantastic summer and I look forward to welcoming you all back in August.
Goodbyes
There was not a dry eye in sight in our leavers assembly, as we said ‘Goodbye’ to some very special ladies this week. The children presented cards to Ms Myriam, Ms Fiona, Kru Tae, Nanny Uthai and Nanny Kat and we wish them all the very best in their future adventures.
At the end of term, we do different activities which the children really enjoy and remember well into the future. By Ms Fiona Whittaker
Saturday Thai Culture Club
Early Years - Year 1 students had a lot of fun participating in the Saturday Thai Culture Club. The students learned about the benefits of coconuts by engaging in activities that highlight the use of coconuts in every day life such as making traditional Thai toys out of coconut leaves and playing a game called “Dern Kala” which means ‘coconut shell shoes. By Kru Dia
As part of the Saturday Thai Culture Club, Years 2-6 had the chance to take part in community service. Along with their teachers, they made a Thai dessert called Kanom Ko and then visited the children in the department of Pediatrics at Vachira Hospital in Phuket town. The children helped to spread cheer and give out the delicious treats they prepared. By Kru Dia
Singapore Neo Garden Swimming Competition
Nazar Zakharov and Peter Guglielmi and represented themselves very well over the weekend at the Neo Garden 14th. National Swimming Competition in Singapore
Nazar Zakharov had personal best swims in: 100 Meter Free 59.88 and the 400 Meter Free 4:43.05
Peter hit best times in his: 200 Meter Free 2:09.23, 50 Meter Fly 29.87, 400 Meter Free 4:38.34
Both Nazar and Peter performed very well against other very talented swimmers. We look forward to hearing about more international competitions in the future!
