Weekly Update #4, 15 September 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 September | 9.30am - 4.30pm | Volleyball Friendly | UWCT |
| 19 September | 8.15-9.15am | Year 1 Parents Meeting | Secondary Hall |
| 20 September | 8.15-9.15am | UPrep Drop In session | Nakita’s Coffee Corner |
| 23 September | 9.00am - 12.00pm | Saturday Thai Culture Club | To be announced |
| 25 September | 5.00-8.00pm | HeadStart University Fair | Sports Hall |
| 26 September | 8.15-9.15am | Parent Meeting: Introduction to the IGCSE Curriculum | Secondary Hall |
| 8.30-9.30am | Early Years Stay & Play | Foundation building | |
| 27 September | 8.15-9.15am | UPrep Talk 3 - Choosing Subjects & Careers | Secondary Hall |
| 8.30-9.30am | Preschool Stay & Play | Foundation building | |
| 28 September | 8.30-9.30am | Reception Stay & Play | Foundation building |
| 12.30pm | Battle of the Bands | Atrium | |
| 30 Sept-1 October | DofE Silver Training | Ao Yon |
| Parent Meetings & Presentations |
Thai Parents Meeting on 12.09.23
On Tuesday the 12th September, Kru Nee (School Director) and Kru Toom (Deputy School Director) gave a presentation to Thai parents on the HeadStart curriculum starting with the EYFS curriculum in Foundation, the Primary and Secondary curriculum as well as covering information on subject options in IGCSE, BTEC and A Level. We hope that this talk provided everyone with a deeper understanding of the programmes offered at HeadStart and that it provides parents with the tools to support their child choosing their higher education pathways in the future.
Year 1 Parents Meeting on 19.09.23
I would like to invite all Year 1 parents to attend an information meeting on Tuesday 19th September 2023. At the meeting I will be explaining about Teaching and Learning in Year 1. The meeting will start at 8.15am and should end by 9.30am. The meeting will take place in the Secondary Hall located on the fourth floor. I look forward to welcoming you to this meeting. -Mr Sam Khan, Head of Foundation and Primary
Drop In UPrep Session
Parents are invited to join a UPrep drop in session this coming Thursday, 20 September at 8.15am in the school coffee shop. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our University Prep Programme, write to Mr Neil Roscoe at [email protected] or visit our webpage
| PE & Sports |
October Football Camp from 16-18 October
The perfect opportunity for Year 2-8 players to play fun football and learn new skills in a positive environment at HeadStart International School. Camp starts at 09:00 am (drop off after 08:30 am) and finishes at 14:00pm with lunch provided. Players will be split into the appropriate groups, depending on their age and abilities. Expect high-quality coaching, lots of fun and medals to be won! To sign up please contact [email protected]
Parent classes continue to be popular and the fitness suite and studio are buzzing every morning. Come and join us at 07.30-09.30 and 14.00-18.90 for Fitness suite access and at 08.00-09.00 Monday-Friday for parent fitness classes!
Football News
- On Tuesday our HeadStart Panthers U/O15 Girls travelled to KIS for their first game of the 2023/24 season. It was a physically challenging game for both teams with it being their first game back after the summer break. It was great to see the new faces in action, playing for the first time for the Academy team and also to have our girls from last year back on the pitch. The girls worked extremely hard and showed togetherness and teamwork to get the victory. Well Done Girls! -Coach Frost
- A really good performance from our U15 Boys this week against Kajonkietsuksa School. The boys worked hard to make sure our focus in training these past few weeks were visible in the game. -Coach Dave
| Foundation |
Stay & Play sessions at Headstart International School hold significant importance within the Foundation department. These sessions promote parental involvement, allowing parents to actively engage with their child’s development, foster social skills, understand play based learning and build trust with the school community. Stay & Play also supports the gradual independence of children, helps develop important early learning skills, and boosts confidence, ensuring a positive start to their educational journey. Please join us for our first Stay & Play of the year. This session is for parents to spend time with their children in their classrooms all planned around the theme ‘all about me’. Each session will start at 8.30 and be held in their classroom and the Indoor learning centre. -Ms Natalie Walker, Deputy Head of Foundation
| Primary |
Deputy Head Boy and Girl
It was great to see so many Year 5 children apply and put themselves forward for the positions of deputy head boy and girl. During the interview lunch with Mr Khan, the children displayed a wonderful amount of passion and a genuine love of the school. They shared sustainability and fundraising ideas, and each one put a very strong case forward for their application. They should all be really proud of themselves, they did fantastic! -Mr Clarke
Science VAP
This week in the primary science VAP, the students were invited by Dr Marsh into the secondary science labs for some really exciting and mature science. The children practiced dissecting plants and then studied the petals and stems under microscopes! -Mr Clarke
| Secondary |
Student Leadership
Alisa Boltovskaia, Deputy Head Girl: My name is Alisa and I’m going to be the Deputy Head Girl for this academic year. I have been in HeadStart International School since year 9, and the years I spent here have shaped me into the person I am today, which I’m very grateful for. As an individual I’m creative, dedicated and always optimistic, and I’m ready to put all of my positive qualities to contribute back to the improvement of the school. What I look forward to most is working collaboratively with all of you. Together, we can make our school an even more vibrant, fun, and supportive place for learning and personal growth. Let’s embark on this journey together, making the most of our time at HeadStart International School.
Krittat Phaisamran, Deputy Head Boy: Hello! My name is Krit and I am currently in Year 12. I applied for Deputy Head Boy first and foremost to give back to the community: Headstart is the only school I’ve known and all my memories- the good and the, let’s just say, slightly less good- have been here. For me, the timeless leadership style of ‘leading by example’ never fails. Transparency, honesty and accountability is key to any successful community, and I hope to uphold these values with this prestigious role. I am extremely grateful and honoured to have received this opportunity and I can’t wait to play a part in strengthening this family!
Erica Ilstam, Assistant Head Student: Hi! My name is Erica Ilstam and I will be the new Assistant Head Student for this school year. This will be my 12th year here at HeadStart International School and I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity to give back to the school that has been instrumental in my personal and academic growth. HeadStart has shaped me to be inquisitive, principled, and resilient and I wouldn’t be the same person today if I hadn’t come to HeadStart. I really look forward to being a part of the Student Leadership Team and assisting in the movement to strengthen the HeadStart community.
Duke of Edinburgh International Award
We have now launched our DofE International Award this year with our year 10 and year 12 students. Students have the opportunity to take the bronze award in year 10 and the silver award in year 12. The programme is world recognised and allows students to consider what they do outside of the classroom and how this can contribute to their individual progress and development. Year 10 parents were invited in to learn more about the award and its benefits. Ms Nacey, the Year 10 coordinator and DofE Bronze award leader, outlined the framework and commitments the students have to make to the award. The Bronze and Silver awards follow the same basic framework; they must commit to one hour a week to an activity in each of the awards sections: Physical Activity, Skill and Service. Bronze award students must commit to 13 weeks and Silver to 26 weeks for each of the sections. Students also have to take part in an adventurous journey to complete the award, our Bronze students go on two trips to learn Kayaking, and our silver students go on three trips to learn sailing. The first trip for silver award students takes place later in September and so we look forward to seeing their progress soon. -Dr Matther Sillett, Deputy Head of Secondary
BTEC Speaker
Founder and CEO of 5 Star Marine Shaun Stenning and his colleague Jay visited Headstart on Wednesday. They delivered an educational talk and had some very exciting news to reveal to our BTEC Business students. Shaun and Jay generously shared their knowledge, passion, and wisdom with the BTEC students and gave an insight into running a business and being a successful Entrepreneur. The students have now built a professional relationship with Shaun and will be involved in some amazing projects with 5 Star Marine over the academic year, using the experience to help build their portfolio of coursework. The students are incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity to learn from such an accomplished entrepreneur. Shaun and Jay has not only shared their professional insights but will also provided them with valuable life lessons that will guide the students on their own journeys after sixth form. Thank you Shaun and Jay for sharing your time and expertise with us. -Ms Yardenna Jones
Dale Benham
My name is Dale. I am starting my fifth year at Headstart International School. I started working at HeadStart in 2019. I am from the United Kingdom and grew up in East Anglia in a small market town called St Ives in Cambridgeshire. I studied at the University of Glamorgan, now the University of South Wales, gaining a degree in Physical Geography. I completed my teacher training at the University of East Anglia in Norwich in 2009, earning a PGCE in Geography. I taught in Colchester, which is located in the county of Essex. I taught many children from varying backgrounds and ethnicities in a multicultural school during this time. Six years at this school were spent as a Head of Year to Years 8 to 11. I am passionate about Geography as a subject; I was inspired by my Geography teacher at school, which led me to become a teacher. I am enthusiastic and believe in providing exciting and engaging lessons to all my students. I want them to become independent thinkers, gaining knowledge by learning through their mistakes and making marginal gains in everything they do. I am dedicated to creating a safe, fun, and challenging learning environment where the students are at the center of a positive learning experience. Outside the classroom, I enjoy listening to an eclectic variety of music and watching sports (football and rugby, in particular). I look forward to another positive year for our school and, most importantly, our students, who are a pleasure to teach.
Humanities News
A new academic year and a fresh start in the school garden with the secondary students. It is great to see some returning students and new faces joining on Thursday lunchtime. I have always had a passion for growing my plants and vegetables at home; having been inspired by my family, I am pleased to pass my knowledge on to the students. Bringing the students into the garden teaches them about sustainability and where their food comes from. I love hearing, “Can I eat this.”
This week, students have been conducting an experiment in propagating Basil, Half of the students are growing their cutting in water, and the other half in soil. We will see which plants are successful in developing new roots. Students are welcome to join the Humanities team in the garden every Thursday lunchtime. For students doing the Duke of Edinburgh award, it is also a great way to add to your service hours.
| Primary |
In the ‘Around the World’ after school club, the students are currently learning about Japan and created some origami this week.
Personal Training Offer for Parents & Secondary Academy Athletes
If you are looking for personal or group training with an internationally recognized, certified trainer at HeadStart International School, reach out to the email address listed on the flyer. Please include the following in your email: your name, age, pre-existing injury/illness, current training frequency, goals, availability and sport(s) played (if you are an athlete or academy student). This information will be required so that a program can be drafted to fit your individual/group goals. With experience in America, Australia, Vietnam and Thailand as a strength & conditioning and CrossFit coach, my service is for committed individuals who are seeking to improve their general health & wellness, physique and/or sport performance. Questions, comments and/or concerns, may be addressed to me via email. -Grant Ackermann
| Promotions from Around the Island |
