Weekly Update #9, 1 November 2019
| Dates for Your Diary |
Upcoming events can be found on the website under School Life → Calendar and are also outlined here for easy reference.
For daily updates and news follow the HeadStart Facebook Page and You Tube channel.
| Date | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 November | TBA | PISAC Football | Refer to email |
| 2-3 November | All day | DofE Bronze Training (Group 2) | Ao Yon |
| 9:00-5:00pm | CAPA Academy weekend rehearsal | Music Department | |
| 4-6 November | All day | Science Faculty Week | In school |
| 5 November | 8:30am | Thai Parent Meeting: Assessment, Reports & Grades | Secondary Hall |
| 6 November | 3:20-5:30pm | Girls Under 15/Over 15 Basketball | BISP |
| 7 November | 8:15am | UPrep Drop In session | Coffee shop |
| 8:30am | Positive Parenting Talk 3 & 4 | Primary Hall | |
| 8 November | 8:00am | BTEC trip | Thanyapura |
| 8-10 November | All day | SwimFest Meet (Swim Academy) | ISB in BKK |
| 9-10 November | All day | DofE Bronze Practice (Group 1) | |
| 11 November | In class | Loy Grathong activities in Thai class | |
| 10:45am | Remembrance Day Assembly | Sports Hall | |
| 11-12 November | All day | Assumption University UExperience visit | |
| 12 November | 8:30am | Parent Meeting: Supporting your child in Reception | Secondary Hall |
| TBA | PISCA Football tournament | TBA | |
| 13 November | 3:20-5:30pm | Boys U15/O15 Basketball | BISP |
| 14 November | 8:15am | UPrep Talk: Difference Between University Systems | Primary Hall |
| 15 November | 3:00-6:00pm | PISAC Football Tournament U9/U11 Boys & Girls | UWCT |
| 16-17 November | All day | DofE Silver Practice (Group 1) | Ao Yon beach |
| Halloween 2019 |
We had a fantastic parade of costumes and a fun selection of Halloween activities on 31 October. Foundation teachers organised games, a treasure hunt for snacks, a bouncy castle and activities geared towards their age while the Primary children modeled their outfits on the Halloween Fashion Walk followed by crafts and games organised by teachers. Our admin team did a ‘spooktacular’ job of scaring everyone who dared ask for their help and the Trachuk family undoubtedly won ‘Best Family Halloween Costume 2019!’
The Secondary students were treated to a Halloween Disco. It was a great party thanks to our Head Boy and Head Girl, their deputies and all of the Sixth Form students and management who worked so hard to organise the event. A special thank you to Anna Mali Hull who did a great job of photographing the evening event, to AVL lighting company and DJ Michael Stray who played every single song that the students requested. Full photo albums of all age groups can be found on the HeadStart Facebook Page.
“For this year’s Halloween event we decided we wanted to have a Halloween disco and with this came lots of organising, therefore with our Prefect team we split into 3 groups; Marketing, Entertainment and Decoration. This required teamwork and dedication and I am thrilled to say that is exactly what the Prefects brought and the feedback that we have gotten from our classmates has proven that all the hard work was worth it. A big thank you to anyone involved in making the Halloween Disco happen. Happy Halloween!” Julianna Mester, Head Girl
“The BTEC Business students did an incredible job at the Halloween Disco with their first Business Enterprise. They were the perfect team setting up and selling food and drinks to the Halloween party goers. They had been working hard during the weeks previously with the start up of their business. They carried out market research, met with the chef to discuss product development and worked out the financial aspect by costing the food and drinks. They displayed excellent customer service skills selling to customers all night and even sold the last of the brownies the following day at school. Well done BTEC Business. All of your hard work paid off!” Ms Yardenna Jones
| Sponsor a Child |
We are delighted to announce that after only one week of launching the appeal, we are at the half way mark and now have a total of 25 foster children sponsored! On behalf of the Phuket Sunshine Village and Life Home Project Foundation we would like to thank each donor for their kind generosity. Thank you for being a part of something so special that has helped bring our community together and instil the joy of giving to our children.
We have 25 more foster children to sponsor so, if you haven’t yet, please give generously either as a family, by yourself or as a company. If you have any questions or would like further information, please email Miki Edouard by writing to [email protected]
| MOvember-Raising Awareness of Men’s Health |
David Pollicutt
My name is David and I joined HeadStart International School in 2018. I am from the UK and grew up in the large port city of Bristol. I studied English Literature at the University of East Anglia, and trained to teach at The Institute of Education in The University of London. I taught in East London for four years, before moving to teach for eight years as Head of English in Viet Nam and China. I am a firm believer in developing students to be natural enquirers, following the Sir Ken Robinson model of best preparing students to use transferable skills for the shifting landscapes of their futures. I seek to encourage an epistemological approach in my lessons, urging students to evaluate the efficacy of the information they consume and the validity of interpretations. I am passionate about literature and will often be chortling at David Lodge’s tragicomedy or swooning at Ian Mcewan’s literary sleight of hand. Outside of the classroom I am a keen student of Philosophy, Politics and Film. I am a particular fan of the intellect and charisma exuded by Jordan Peterson, Sam Harris and the late and much missed Christopher Hitchens. I have a terminal case of devotion to Tottenham Hostpsur Football Club; it teaches me patience and humility.
The change of the month sees us bid farewell to October and hello to MOvember.
For those of you who may not be aware, Movember is a month long global charity movement in which men grow their moustaches in order to raise awareness for men’s health issues such as testicular and prostate cancer. Here at HeadStart, 16 brave (or foolhardy) male teachers in Primary and Secondary have agreed to take part in this event. Here you can see all us ‘MoBros’ clean-shaven at the month’s outset- we will surely look very different at the end!
How can you get involved?
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Through the month there will be voting boxes set up close to the dining room and you will be seeing a plethora of moustache styles from these 16 teachers- so vote for your favourite by placing your voting slip in their box! Anyone can vote: teachers, students and parents. (But not MoBros, sorry)
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Are you a dad? Fancy some hair on that top lip? Get involved in our next photo shoot in the middle of the month. Email me on [email protected]
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The Grand Shave Off! At the month’s end, some cool barbers will be coming to HeadStart to shave off our beloved facial furniture. Students will be able to participate in this charity auction and decide how and in what way moustaches get shaved. Ominous….
Throughout the month in Homerooms, teachers will be working with students in order to better understand what Movember represents and learning about important men’s health issues. Now, I’d love to stick around but I really moustache….
| Remembrance Day |
As you know, we celebrate Remembrance Day at HeadStart in order to remember those that paid the ultimate sacrifice during the world wars and other conflicts. Remembrance also honours those who serve to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life. We unite across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to remember the sacrifice of the Armed Forces community.
We invite students, staff and parents to donate towards The Royal British Legion by buying a poppy. They will have representatives at HeadStart between Thursday 7th and Monday 11th of November. The Royal British Legion is a British charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependants. Remembrance does not glorify war and its symbol, the red poppy, is a sign of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. Wearing a poppy is never compulsory but is greatly appreciated by those who it is intended to support. When and how you choose to wear a poppy is a reflection of your individual experiences and personal memories.
On November the 11th the school will be honoring those that have fallen with a two minute silence in the Sports Hall. More details to follow.
| Parent Meeting News |
Year 1-3 Phonics Parent Meeting
On Tuesday we help a Phonics and Reading session for the Year 1, 2 and 3 parents. The aim of the session was to provide information about how we teach the lifelong skill of reading here at HeadStart, and how parents can help at home. As part of the session some very brave children from Year 1 Blue helped Miss Bevins to demonstrate a typical reading lesson. Well done to Alex, Marat, Yugeon, Seraphina, Leo, Liliia and Elena. Everyone thought you were fantastic!
UPrep Talk
A big thank you to everyone who was able to attend the UPrep talk on 31 October on the topic of ‘Difference Between University Systems’. Below are the notes from the meeting in English and Thai. Our next UPrep meeting will be held on the 14th of November and will be on the topic of ‘How to apply to University’. The talk will cover information about the different components of university applications, what students need to present and how to ensure that each part of the application is the best it can be! The talk will be most interesting for families with older children who are preparing for university study, years 10-13 in particular.
| Upcoming Science Faculty Week |
Timothy Davidson
My name is Tim and I have been working at HeadStart International School since 2018. I was born and raised in the beautiful county of Cornwall; located in the southwestern tip of the UK. After sitting my A-levels at Cornwall College I was awarded a scholarship from Pilkington Optronics to study Physics at Reading University. Post University I entered research at the National Physical Laboratory researching the use of quantum dots to replace fluorescent tag molecules for medical diagnosis. However, the life of a researcher often left me in need of human interaction and I decided to opt for a career change; studying a PGCE at the Institute of Education, in London. After my PGCE I took up my first full time teaching post in West London. I remained at this school for seven and a half years during which time I took on a variety of roles including Head of Physics, running the school’s science specialism and Learning Leader; a role which saw me helping to develop the teaching practice of my peers. I then took up my first International post in Prague where I worked as both the Head of Physics and the Teaching and Learning Coordinator for four years. Post Prague I moved to Phuket where I took on the role of Head of Science at HeadStart. I then remained in this post until 2022 when I took on the role of Deputy Head of Secondary - Academics. My approach to teaching has been formed from educational research and personal experience. The key to creating lifelong learners to is to give the students ownership of their learning and ensure they are suitably challenged and engaged throughout their time in education. To do this I endeavor to create an environment that fosters deep learning and stimulates students’ curiosity. In the past this was an approach I used when teaching and which we developed in the Science faculty; a strategy that saw continued improvement in terms of student progress and attainment. In my new role I am now trying to promote this approach across the entire Secondary School. During my time at HeadStart we have seen the rise and fall of the COVID pandemic. Obviously this was a massive challenge to the learning of our students I have been impressed by the resilience and attitude they have shown; attributes that have led to continued increase in attainment across the school. I have no doubt that our current cohort is capable of continuing this improvement and I look forward to helping, and ensuring, that this prediction is proven to be true! I am excited about continuing my adventure at HeadStart International School and being given the opportunity to further aid the students in developing a love of learning.
The week beginning the 4th of November is a celebration of the wonders that science has bestowed upon humanity. During this time there is a plethora of activities occurring for students and the wider school community.
In secondary we have sessions during break times that include thermite reactions, dry ice experiments and a demonstration involving the reaction of luminol (informally called liquid light!).
As well as these fascinating demonstrations we have a range of activities for students to take a lead role in:
This includes the engineering challenge when teams of 3 students can spend 20 minutes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtime and then an hour after school on Thursday constructing a solar powered vehicle that will then be raced with prizes for the winning team. This will be run by Timothy Davidson, the Head of Science, and Dean Wells, Design and Technology teacher, to promote STEM in the school.
There are also two competitions open to students and staff. One is a photography competition that encourages students to take a photograph of ‘science in action’. The winner from each age group will have their photograph placed on the window of the science office and will be awarded a T-shirt with their design on. The other follows a similar theme but is a competition to create a video that explains a theory/concept in science.
Finally there will also be a house quiz occurring during homerooms, a guessing game that can be made easier via the wonders of science, special engineering based lessons in KS3 and a treasure hunt around the school that tests the students’ Latin knowledge!
Just like science itself it will be a week of wonder and enlightenment.
| Library Notice |
Well done to all of our star readers! Keep up the good work and you will see long term benefits.
For your information the Library is open to students from 7:30am to 4:30pm but parents are welcome to enter the Library between 7:30-8:00am and 3:20-4:30pm. Outside of these times the library is occupied with students or work is in session and we ask that parents kindly do not enter before or later than the times mentioned. When in doubt, ask the Librarian.
| PE Department |
34 runners competed in the BISP Cross Country event on Wednesday, 30th October. Everyone had a great time and HeadStart finished in 4th Place. Notable results come from Tete (4 blue), who came 2nd in the Boys’ Under 9 race and Megan (6 Blue), who won the Girls’ Under 11 race. Well done! Mr Nick Carter, Athletics Director
| Student News |
This week Reception went on their first field trip. We went the the Bird Park and lots of fun was had by all! We learnt the names of many different birds, got to feed the rabbits, let the birds sit on our shoulder or our heads and we watched a very fun bird show. Ms Candice Smithie
Here are some pictures of the children making a ‘Layered liquid’. We were all amazed by the way some things sank to the bottom but some floated half way. We love Science in Year 1 Blue! Ms Lucie Bevins
Scary Halloween stories in Russian that the children made up by themselves. Ms Alina Platkova
Year 5 and 6 students in ASP Art have been learning to felt, they have designed and made cute animals using the technique. Ms Jody Leow
Year 7 students in the ‘Thai Second Language’ class have been having fun making vowel cakes. Activities such as this one help the students to remember the what they have learned. Kru Yui
In First Language English, writing to describe makes up a significant proportion of the students’ coursework, as well as being a skill which is both practical in later life as well as one which nurtures children’s artistic creativity. So join me in being an aesthete in reading these short vignettes written by Year 10 and 11 First Language English students and they continue crafting and editing their pieces. Mr David Pollicutt
| House News |
Well done to the Blue Tigers who were the overall winners of the Friday activities last week. The difference in points are starting to close down and all secondary students are looking forward to competing in the activities next week to try and take 1st position.
| Around the Island |
Remember that Effortless Running feeling you had as a child? When you could run forever? Every movement just flowing naturally, like it is supposed to?
Well, you can feel that way again! You will learn how to run effortlessly with very simple and easy to follow techniques in the one-day Effortless Running workshop hosted by HeadStart parent and running coach Erik Böhm. As a bonus, you will also receive instant bio hacks to transform into a more healthy lifestyle by movement specialist Darren Scherbain.
From 8am -2pm. Location Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach. Price THB 2,000 per person, includes - Video Analysis of your current stride and your personalized top 4 drills to turn into and effortless runner again!
Sign up and secure your spot through the events section of the Phuket News. <www.thephuketnews.com/events/>
