Weekly Update #5, 21 September, 2018
Dates for Your Diary
Upcoming events can be found on the calendar on the website School Life → Calendar but we have outlined upcoming events here for easy reference. For daily updates and news follow the HeadStart Facebook Page
| Date | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 September | 9:00am | Saturday Thai Culture Club | In School |
| 24 September | 9:00am | BIS University Fair for 6th Form | BIS |
| 24-28 September | All week | Global Goals week | In class |
| 25 September | 8:15am | Thai Parents Meeting | Secondary Hall |
| 26 September | All day | Languages Day | In school |
| 29-30 September | All day | DoE Silver Sailing Training Group 2 | Panwa Beach |
| 2 October | 8:15am | Thai Parents Meeting | Secondary Hall |
| 5-6 October | All day | Thanyapura Super Sprint | Thanyapura |
| 6-7 October | All day | DofE Silver Sailing Training Group 1 | Panwa Beach |
Languages Day 2018
This year we will celebrate Languages Day on 26 September, 2018. Languages Day is a time of celebrating our diversity in culture and the many languages that are spoken within the HeadStart community. Did you know that HeadStart has representatives from over 44 nationalities?
We would like to invite parents to contribute small tasting snacks from your country in the atrium between 7:30-8:00am. Please write to Mr Opaliski at [email protected] if you would like more information.
The Languages departments has prepared many engaging activities for the students to be involved in. Here is a glimpse of some of the activities planned:
- Popular songs playing in various languages in atrium
- Matching board game where students match phrases in different languages
- Embarrassing translation wall (students attempt to fix the translations that went wrong)
- Lunch menu posted in Thai/French/Chinese/Russian/English
- Additional games/language quizzes that earn House points for winners
- Have students create posters during language lessons
Pictured here are students making posters for Languages Day next week.
Thai Parents Meeting Invitation
I would like to cordially invite the ‘Thai as a Second Language’ parents to a meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to give information with details of the curriculum, expectations and also answer any questions you may have. The meeting will take place on 25 September, 2018 starting at 8:15am and is scheduled to finish at 9:15am. It will be held in the Secondary Hall (the 4th floor) and will be presented in Thai.
Parent Committee Invitation
Parent participation is at the core of the school and is included in our mission statement and abiding values. Parent involvement makes a significant statement about the importance of education, reinforces the values of our school, and benefits all of the members of our community. The membership of the Parent Committee at HeadStart reflects each area of the school and aims to include parents to represent the nationalities and languages of the families in our community. To be a member of the committee, all that you need is a sense of commitment and a capacity to contribute to the benefit of the school community. For a detailed look at the role and responsibilities of the HeadStart Parent Committee, to contact them or to read the notes from the meetings please click HERE
If you are interested in joining the Parent Committee, please email your application to [email protected]
Accessing P.E. Equipment
The Sports Hall is for student use only until 6.00pm. Parents may use the facilities from 6.00-7.30pm. Equipment in this store is only to be used with permission from a HeadStart Teacher or Coach Equipment in this store is for student use during lessons only.
Let’s Go Green! HeadStart Cloth Bags Available to Year 1-6 Families Soon!
On the 24 September, 2018 the Central Group, Thailand’s largest retailer and owner of the Central Department Store, Robinson Department Store, Tops Supermarket and Family Mart Thailand to mention a few, have pledged to discontinue giving away free plastic bags to it’s customers in Phuket. This is great news for the island and for the environment and what a great chance to use your reusable HeadStart cloth bag when going shopping!
Look out for the display in the atrium regarding our new eco-initiative: making eco-bricks!
Richard Lukats
Mr Richard Lukats is the Athletics Director at Headstart International School. Richard has over twenty years’ experience of working in schools both internationally and in the United Kingdom. He has been a senior school administrator (Athletics Director, Principal/Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher/Principal and Assistant Headteacher) for the past 18 years internationally and in the UK. He is a UK qualified teacher (Post Graduate of Education, PGCE) and holds the UK qualification to be a Headteacher (National Professional Qualification for Headship, NPQH). At Headstart International School, Richard is responsible for leading the overall strategic direction, operational effectiveness and administration of the school’s sports and activities programme, alongside managing the PE Department. He is passionate, about the role sport and physical activity plays in the development of young people and he is looking to further developing the already excellent programme that is on offer at Headstart. He is always looking at ways of working with all members of the Headstart Community to further enhance the opportunities for participation in physical activities for everyone.
Fire Drills
As an important part of school safety, HeadStart practices frequent fire drills in order to familiarise students and staff with exit procedures. If you happen to be in school when the fire bell rings, you are expected to leave what you are doing and make your way calmly to the football pitch without exception. A video of our first fire drill of the year can be found by clicking HERE
Here is a bird’s eye view of the fire drill rules and the precautions our Health and Safety team have taken to ensure everyone is evacuated in an ordely fashion were there to be a fire:
- There are 10 assigned fire marshals who are assigned to check each room and floor to make sure everyone has evacuated and to locate the fire.
- Evacuation Routes are on the inside of each classroom door.
- Assembly Point is the Covered astro turf (football pitch)
If the fire bell rings…
- All students, teachers and staff proceed quickly but silently and follow the nearest available evacuation route. No running or pushing.
- All items such as bags, must be left in the room. Nobody returns to collect any belongings – leave immediately.
- Staff should accompany the students they were teaching to the Astro Pitch.
- Even if the bell stops ringing during the evacuation, continue to make your way to the astro turf.
Refuge Points
Fire Marshals on each floor will collect any person who is incapable of making it down the stairs (incapacitated). They will then make their way to the Refuge Point by the ramps and then make the necessary decision about how to proceed.
Foundation Department News
The Foundation and housekeeping team have done an amazing job of turning our department inside out to ensure that everything within the classrooms, play centre and playground has been bleached, disinfected and baked to dry in the sun.
We are sure that the efforts being made by the school teams over the last couple of days will reassure families with young children that we will be ready to reopen on Monday, 24 September. Please ensure that all bedding has been washed in hot water before you return on Monday and please keep an eye on your emails from the class teachers regarding new supplies for next week. If your child has had either Herpangina or HFMD and seen a doctor, please ensure they stay at home for the advised length of time to allow for a full recovery to be made.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in this matter. Wishing you all a healthy weekend.
Student Leadership for 2018-2019 Academic Year
By Ms Gemma Caines, Head of Sixth Form
The last few weeks have been politically charged here at HeadStart, with elections for School Council representatives, Prefect applications and Deputy Head Girl and Boy interviews taking place. Last Friday, secondary assembly announced all our student leaders and we were delighted that more students than ever had put themselves forward for positions of leadership. This speaks of the generosity of spirit, the commitment to positive change making and, not least, a fair amount of bravery on the part of our students. Student Leadership at HeadStart is led by our Head Girl and Boy, supported by their Deputies. Here they introduce themselves and tell us a bit about what they hope to achieve during their time in office:
Natanicha Chaloemtoem, Head Girl
Hi, I’m Natasha from year 13. I am this academic year’s Head Girl. I have been in HeadStart for almost 4 years now and have experienced an incredible tight knit community that shows constant support to all its students. I am incredibly excited to spend my last year at this school developing student leadership and serving the school community.
Marco Bakobza De La Roza, Head Boy
Hey, I’m Marco from year 13. I’m this year’s Head Boy, and I feel ready and motivated to represent Headstart and help make positive changes to the school where I have been learning for nearly four years now. This year, the school has expanded and with it our new student leadership committee. We hope to help students and parents feel even happier and make everyone feel welcome in our big family, Headstart.
Vasco De Graaff, Deputy Head Boy
Hey, I’m Vasco from year 12. I have been in the school for over 6 years and I’m excited to become a part of student leadership. I believe it is important for students to develop their personalities and character during their school life. This year, we hope to get HeadStart students even more involved in community work and activities, to help us develop ourselves as individuals.
Julianna Mester, Deputy Head Girl
Hello, I’m Julianna from year 12, I’m half Australian and half French and I am HeadStart’s 2018-2019 Deputy Head Girl. I’m excited to help students step out of their comfort zone and hope to help create many great events and opportunities to reward our hardworking students and teachers.
Library news
The Library is a place where students can acquire knowledge. It’s been great to see our library full of students who love reading everyday!
Happy Mid-Autumn
With a rich tradition of celebrating family, harvest, and the full moon, the Mid-Autumn Festival is honored throughout Asia. This year, it falls on Monday, September 24 and we will celebrate in Mandarin classroom with storytelling, music, dance and your favorite moon cakes! By Ms Wei
Sports Department News
By Mr Nick Carter, Athletics Director
Please be aware that due to school closing early on Friday’s (15.00pm), ASP’s run from 15.10-16.00 and Academy sessions run from 16.00-17.30. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Coaches.
Football Camp October 2018
HeadStart will be hosting a football camp over the mid-term break between 15-18 October, 2018 from 1:00-4:00pm on the football pitches. Each session will include technical development and other football related skills. The camp is available to students ages 6 years on up. We will accept a minimum of 14 participants. Cost per child is 4.000 Baht to be paid to the cashier in the front office. If you have further questions please contact Coach JR by writing to [email protected]
Please click on the link to sign up. Spaces are limited! Football Camp Signup
Football Friendly News
The U11 and O15 boys played friendly football matches vs Kajonkiet on Tuesday and won both games. Coach JR thanks each of you for displaying good sportsmanship and says you are are all in the ‘Most Improved’ category but urges you to take more control of the ball.
Here are the results:
Headstart (U11) 7 - 0 Kajonkiet (11)
Headstart (O15) 8 - 0 Kajonkiet (O15)
PISAC Developmental League News
The PISAC Football Development League started last Saturday, 15 September and, in spite of heavy rain, the boys and girls teams were able to play all their games. All coaches were extremely happy with the teams’ performances and everyone had lots of fun. Since it’s a development league, with no emphasis on winning and losing and final scores, I will not be announcing the results. If you wish to know how any specific team did, please kindly get in touch with the respective Coach.
Games resume again this Saturday, 22 September. A special mention and huge THANK YOU should go out to Lucy (Year 11) and Natasha (Year 13) who volunteered to help coach the Under 11 and Under 13/15 girls teams. Very well done!
PISAC Cross Country Event
Details about the PISAC X-Country event at BISP were announced during Monday’s flag raising. The event will be held at BISP on Tuesday, 2nd October and is open to Under 9’s all the way up to Over 15 students. Also, their will be a parents and staff race, so a little something for everyone. Any student who wishes to be involved should pick up a ‘Parent Permission Slip’ from the PE department and get it back to the PE teachers as soon as possible.
Golf News
Dear Golfers,
Please accept our invitation to play and compete in the Faldo Series Asian qualifier / BISP Junior Golf Open on the November 11-13, 2018. The prestigious event will be held at the award winning Laguna Golf Club, Phuket with hotel accommodation at special rates at the beach Angsana Resort, Laguna, Phuket. If you have any questions please contact, BISP Head Golf Coach Oliver Bates at [email protected] or BISP Athletic Director Jeff LaMantia at [email protected] We look forward to seeing you for great 3 days golfing and enjoyment for all levels of junior players. By Jeff and Oliver at BISP
Student News
Reception children have enjoyed our new topic ‘Transport’ and have been so enthusiastic exploring a range of practical activities using cars, trains, planes and more to develop their maths, phonics, fine motor and communication skills! By Ms Hannah Kuusik
Reception practiced road safety and learnt how to be safe when crossing the road. We put all we learnt into action, with the help of the security team, to put our skills to the test. The children enjoyed this activity and will surely teach you what they’ve learnt. Here is a video of the children learning about road safety outdoors with the assistance of our security team. Reception Learning Road Safety By Ms Candice and Ms Hannah
Here are the children in Year 1 Yellow doing an amazing job at acting out our new story Peace At Last. Also, you will see them pretending to be sleepy and thinking about dreams! By Ms Charlotte Myers
Year 3 students are learning how to read and write word with the aa vowel (สระ อา) through a fun vowel bingo game. By Kru Bo
The Year 3 Blue students are working hard to prepare an great assembly for the rest of Primary. By Ms Hannah Soriba
Year 4 students are having fun drawing and labeling clothing words in Mandarin class. By Ms Wei
In Year 4, we are looking at biographies. In order for us to write about somebody’s life, we had to first interview them. In Year 4 White, we interviewed Mrs Wang, our Mandarin teacher, to find out about her interesting life! By Ms Jen Rapkins
Year 5 have had a brilliant time in science exploring our shadows and how they can change. By Ms Charlotte Myers
A brilliant end to our Light and Shadow science topic by making a shadow puppet show in Year 5. By Ms Charlotte Moulsher
Year 9 have been working on bringing poetry to life through performance. They have been studying the poem Limbo by Edward Kamau Braithwaite. It was really enjoyable to see their performances. Well done all! By Mr Ashley Paice
The Year 10 students studied about denotation and connotation Words in Year 10 IGCSE Thai First Language class. By Kru Kan
House News
This week, to celebrate international ‘Talk Like a Pirate Day’, the primary House activity was pirate themed. All students were invited to come and tell their best pirate joke to earn points for their respective teams. Here you can see our top two joke tellers getting into character: Kyu Ah Shim and Arbel Grimberg
Around the Island
HeadStart students wishing to visit the Surf House can present their student card and will get to surf for 500/hour. Parents who would like to surf will get special price of 700/pp/hour and 10% off on Food and beverages. Contact the Surf House team for more information!
