Weekly Update #12, 17 November 2023
| Meetings |
UPrep Talk on Applications & Standardised Testing on 15.11.23
This talk is for families supporting students in Years 10 to 13 as they navigate the path to university, we look into the intricate web of university admissions tests. From the standardised rigor of exams like the SAT, a cornerstone for US admissions, to language proficiency assessments such as IELTS and TOEFL essential for non-native English speakers, these evaluations hold immense significance globally. Specialised subject tests like UKCAT and LNAT, tailored for specific fields like medicine and law, demand targeted preparation. Grasping the intricacies of these assessments is important in guiding students toward successful university applications, enabling them to shine amidst the competitive realm of higher education. If you weren’t able to make it to the presentation, visit our UPrep webpage to find out more.
| Upcoming Events |
Santa to Visit Foundation - Book Fair on 20-22.11.23
We are thrilled to announce that Santa Claus will be joining us at our Christmas Stay and Play event to make this holiday season extra special for our little ones! To add to the festive spirit, we’re inviting each parent to send in a wrapped book for their child. Santa will have the joy of personally giving these books during our event. Additionally, we have an upcoming Book Fair from the 20th to the 22nd of November in the atrium. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore a wide selection of books for your child and perhaps find that perfect gift for Santa to deliver. Let’s make this holiday season magical and filled with the joy of reading!
Loy Krathong Activities on 27.11.23
Foundation parents are invited to join a Loy Krathong assembly in the indoor learning center at 8:30-8:50 on Monday 27 November followed by making krathongs in class. We encourage parents to grace the occasion wearing traditional Thai attire if you wish. Let’s come together for a memorable celebration! Primary & Secondary students will be making krathongs in their Thai classes throughout the day.
CAPA Showing of The Wizard of Oz on 29 & 30.11.23
“When a tornado rips through her home, Dorothy finds herself in a magical land facing challenges, making friends and having adventures. Join us somewhere over the rainbow as Dorothy and Toto make friends, battle witches and dodge flying monkeys. This is a story of fun, friendship and family but above all, an understanding that there is no place like home.” Presented by the Creative and Performing Arts students in the Sports Hall on the 29 and 30th of November from 6:00-8:00pm. Tickets will go on sale soon! Stay tuned.
Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraiser Update
A BIG thank you to all of the students, teachers and parents in Early Years Years Blue, Year 1 Yellow, Year 4 White and Year 10 Yellow for sponsoring a child at PSV. We also want to thank the Jantharo family, Kalinov family, Kumar family, Strydom family, Gratton family, Veerarat family, Anisa Van Der Laan, the Lam family, Grant family and Mektawornsawat family, Mountain and Jay Lee for your kind generosity. We now have 34 children sponsored!
The Primary Student council children were able to put their math skills into good use as they helped to tally up the amount of money raised for the Phuket Sunshine Village from our annual Casual Clothes Day. Well done to all of Primary who collectively have raised a whopping 67,080 Baht! A big shout out to Foundation students, teachers and parents who have also donated a total of 12,800 Baht towards PSV. What an amazing kind and caring community we have!
| PE & Sports |
Football News
A huge well done to all of the Football Academy boys who competed in the PISAC football competition on Saturday. The HeadStart Panthers took the U9 boys, U11 boys and the U13 boys to BISP for the one day football tournament. The tournament saw many exciting games and each team gave it everything on the pitch. The boys had to deal with the strong sun heat and then moments later, big rain showers. The atmosphere around the games was fantastic and the HeadStart supporters were great in encouraging the teams with their “HEADSTART” chants. The U13s finished 2nd on the day having lost only one game. The U9 boys narrowly missed out on finishing higher and they finished 3rd. Due to the head to head rule the U11s dropped to 4th but were unfortunate having won 3 and loosing 2. A great experience for all the players parents and coaches! -Coach Frost
Another valuable game experience for the HeadStart Girls Football Academy as they produced a dominant performance in possession of the ball. The Girls were frustrated in front of goal with some heroic goalkeeping and numerous shots rebounding back after hitting the posts and crossbar. KIS were resilient and this created a great game between the two teams. Next up will be the Soccer 7’s tournament which the Girls are extremely excited to start! Well Done girls! -Coach Frost
Aqua Panthers Invitational
The 2nd annual Aqua Panthers Invitational was a thrilling event that took place over the weekend of November 11/12. It was a gathering of 12 teams and 231 talented athletes on the HeadStart City Campus. Throughout the weekend, we witnessed incredible swims, witnessed records being shattered, and had an abundance of fun. Let’s give a round of applause to our outstanding Aqua Panthers who earned high point awards, including:
- Yasmin for 1st place in the 9-10 girls
- Fima for 2nd place in the 9-10 boys
- Tanyong for 3rd place in the 11-12 girls
- Kirill K. for 3rd place in the 15 & Over boys
Finally the Aqua Panthers as a whole secured an impressive 2nd place finish with a total of 2,039 points! This event was truly exceptional, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants. We also want to express our immense appreciation to the staff, parent and student volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to ensure the smooth running of this event. Without their invaluable contributions, this event wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you all for making this event a resounding success! Next up we have the Mini Aqua Panthers Invitational on December 2nd. See you poolside! -Coach Brown
High quality photos can be found here: Aqua panthers Invitational November 2023
| Foundation |
The Early Years Yellow Assembly may be over, but the glow lingers on! The children brought the sunshine indoors with their adorable performances and bright smiles. Check out the snapshots capturing the adorable moment.
| Primary |
Year 6 Yellow were learning about plant reproduction in class including self-pollination and cross-pollination. Following this, we went to the rooftop garden and had an exciting hunt for the different insects that can be found there with lots of discussion about which insects assist in the process of pollination. We were lucky enough to also discover lots of new fruit-bearing plants in the garden such as guavas, pineapples, mangoes, kumquats and different varieties of apples. The plants are in the early stages of development so we cannot wait to see the fruit grow and try some for ourselves! -Mr Matthew Stanbra
| Secondary |
Anti-bullying Fair
Last Friday, the secondary student council organised and ran our annual anti-bullying fair. The event was a reminder that our school is a special place where students lead with kindness and work collaboratively for a stronger community. It was a fantastic opportunity to bring our students together in a positive celebration of the student experience. The student council, led by Deputy Head Girl, Alisa Boltovskaia and Deputy Head Boy, Krittat Phaisamran, spent weeks organising and planning the various activity stalls available for the event. From musical chairs to bingo, our students had the last period of the day to move around from stall to stall to enjoy the activities and win some prizes. It was a pleasure to be immersed in the joyful and positive atmosphere of the event and we hope to enjoy similar student-led activities in the year ahead.
Diwali
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, signifies the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil in Hindu, Jain, and Sikh traditions. Rangoli, colourful floor art, is a cherished Diwali tradition, representing creativity and inviting positive energies. The vibrant patterns foster a festive ambiance and are believed to welcome prosperity. Henna, or mehndi, is another integral part of Diwali celebrations. Applying henna designs on hands and feet is considered auspicious and signifies joy and beauty. It’s not just a form of adornment; henna carries cultural and symbolic importance, enhancing the festive spirit during Diwali and marking a sense of celebration, tradition, and renewal. This week, students from all year groups and different backgrounds came together to create this beautiful rangoli to celebrate Diwali. The mandala is also a symbol of the universe in its ideal form, and its creation signifies the transformation of a universe of suffering into one of joy.
What’s so powerful about having Diwali at headstart is the fact that all students, from year 7 to year 13 worked collaboratively to create a Mandala pattern with coloured rice. The number of students that have contributed towards symbolises the unification of Diwali, that no matter the differences between someone, Diwali brings in everyone to create something colourful and beautiful. Thank you so much to Kuhn Yamini for the Centre and Poy in Year 13 for the design of the drawing. Also credits to the Student leader and the lunch bunch prefects who have contributed to and supported this celebration and work. The finished Mandela can be seen at the Atrium. We hope you enjoyed the artwork in the atrium this week. -Fleur Sauter, Student in Year 13
Remembrance Day Performance at Land & House
Last week CAPA HeadStars were invited to perform at the inaugural Phuket Remembrance Service at Land and House Chalong. Our CAPA Sr choir performed a fitting piece; ‘In My Life’ by the Beatles, performed beautifully, and Stefan performed ‘The Last Stand’ on the trumpet to bring in the two minutes silence. Stefan did a sensational job as The Last Stand is a challenging piece and was performed in a high pressure environment! We are very proud of all our CAPA students as this is an important and sombre affair and our students represented HeadStart and CAPA incredibly. This event was led by Mr Graham and supported by Mr Costello who also performed ‘Reveille’ on the trumpet.
The Apprentice Program, Y12
Excitement is building at HeadStart as the Apprentice program takes centre stage, providing Y12 students with a unique opportunity to refine their application and interview skills for internships. With senior staff such as Dr Sillett and Ms. Bedi representing companies, students submit their CVs and cover letters, leading to interviews where these seasoned staff members will decide internship recipients. Over the next few weeks until the end of term, students will undergo this transformative experience, gaining valuable insights into real-world job dynamics. Not only does this initiative provide practical exposure, but it also sets the stage for coveted internship placements and the recognition of outstanding performance through the award of prizes. Secondary Head Mr Lukats commended the program, highlighting its role in preparing students for professional success. As HeadStart continues its commitment to holistic education, the Apprentice program stands as a testament to the school’s dedication to shaping well-rounded, world ready individuals. -Neil Roscoe and the University Counselling Team [email protected]
BTEC Tourism and Travel
Year 10 Travel and Tourism students have been studying sustainability within the travel and tourism industry, and how tourists impact Phuket both positively and negatively. This week, we visited the Sustainable Maikhao Foundation, where the foundation Founder, Michelle Mouille and staff led a presentation on the work of the foundation and impacts tourists may have on the beaches across Phuket, when then headed out for a beach clean up, organized our weigh-in and discussed possible solutions for a better Phuket!
ESL Update
The Year 10 ESL students have been covering various aspects of shopping and the consumer society, from Fast Fashion through to ethical trade. Encouraging real world application to language development can help solidify language learner’s knowledge and enhance their vocabulary. Please take a moment to review the posters and consider the students’ perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of globalization. -Ms Lauren Davidson
| Eco School Update |
Robert Gratton
I am an experienced educationalist with over two decades working as a teacher, school leader, teacher trainer and researcher with the UCL Institute of Education. A History graduate, with PGCE in Secondary Education, a Masters in Guiding Effective Learning, and with a decade spent investigating the nature of Collaboration, I have been fortunate to work across numerous innovative and forward thinking projects within education internationally. This has included leading Curriculum development within Sweden, establishing new schools such as the UCL Academy and co-founding a centre for education in the outdoors focusing on wellbeing, creativity and sustainability in Wales. I am an advocate for the human centred approach to individual, societal and global sustainable practice. My passion for the Humanities is derived from a belief that we can utilise an education through the Humanities subjects to empower learners to become critical, compassionate and collaborative global citizens. To become life-long, life-wide learners and to become better prepared for an unknown future. To HeadStart I bring this commitment, this drive and this ambition to use the Humanities to transform the lives of each and every learner. My second year here at HeadStart will see a reinvigoration of the Humanities and a renewed drive to ensuring every learner activates their capacity to become a fully active and internationally aware learner.
“Sometimes, you have to step outside of the person you've been and remember the person you were meant to be. The person you want to be. The person you are.” - H.G. Wells
Welcome to the second of our bi-monthly HeadStart Eco School updates. This edition we look at Beach Cleans, COP28, Committees and the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival.
Please join us at our first Beach Clean of the year on Sunday the 3rd of December at Nai Harn beach. We start with Nai Harn as we recognise this is one of the least ‘cleaned’ beaches, especially the southern end near the lake estuary. We will be awarding House Points to all attendees (students and parents) and will be applying a new approach to Beach Clean. From now on we will work in teams to collect and sort beach items as we clean. We will be focusing on three different types of beach item 1: refuse (items we can not do anything with) 2: recycle (plastic items we can clean and recycle in school) and 3: repurpose (items we can use in upcoming art projects). We look forward to you joining us on the 3rd at 9:30am (early to beat the heat) on Nai Harn beach.
COP28 (28th Conference of the Parties) begins on the 28th of November and runs until the 12th of December. This is the annual meeting of world leaders; political, religious and environmental. This year’s event aims to concretely advance global efforts outlined in the Paris Agreement and has a theme of food systems resilience. Communities, including schools, around the world have an opportunity to contribute to the COP28 event or undertake activities inspired by the event. Our Upper Secondary Eco Committee will run several Friday Lunch activities around the themes of COP28 in particular how we could make HeadStart and Phuket more food resilient.
HeadStart Eco School is growing fast in its size and scope. Our 4 committees, Foundation & Key Stage 1, Primary, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary have been working hard over the last few weeks. Our newly appointed Eco Committee Teacher Ambassador Ms Sophie Hamlett has been working to recruit students into our Foundation & Key Stage 1 Committee alongside designing a range of eco inspired activities for our younger students to engage with on a Wednesday lunchtime. Students across Primary have been active in putting their names forward as student ambassadors representing their homeroom. Once our Primary Eco Committee has been formed we will meet to determine the focus of their campaign activities for the year ahead. Our Lower Secondary Eco Committee met on the 14th of November and shared the plan for the year ahead. After collecting the opinions of all Homerooms the committee has decided to focus upon two strands Paper (reduction and recycling) and Vehicle Emissions (reduction).The next step for the committee is to determine how they will create campaigns to achieve their goals.
Our Upper Secondary Eco Committee, led by the student leadership team, has been busy planning the upcoming Beach Clean, our December Plastics Drive and hosting Friday lunchtime activities starting with COP28. To support the above we are reaching out to the community to find like minded groups, individuals and organisations who are eager to work with our students and with us to further a more sustainable Phuket.
Did You Know: HeadStart has regularly facilitated beach cleans around the island. This academic year our first Eco School Beach Clean will take place on the 3rd of December at Nai Harn Beach. We are keen to enhance our approach to our Beach Cleans and want to increase parent and student involvement. As such please take 2 minutes to complete the following questionnaire. Your answers will help us target the beaches that matter the most to our community. Fill out the questionnaire here!
Something To Think About: Loy Krathong is a fundamental part of Thai and our shared culture here on Phuket. Yet the activities can result in negative environmental effects - particularly increased plastic within our local coastal waters due to the materials used in the offerings. Traditionally the offerings for Loy Krathong are floating vessels made of banana tree trunks or bread adorned with a candle, incense, and banana leaves. Many ‘fast offerings’ are now produced with metal (staples) or plastic components including polystyrene. When choosing to buy, or even better make, your offering ask yourself; What is this offering made from? What will it leave behind in our waters? Will this have a positive rather than negative impact on our shared coastal waters? For more information see the linked video below.
Interesting Links: Environmentally friendly Loy Krathong advice and Phuket Beach Clean Community and COP28
Request: We would love to hear from our community to find like minded groups, individuals and organisations who are eager to work with our students and with us to further a more sustainable Phuket. If you are interested in exploring how we can benefit each other then feel free to email Rob Gratton at [email protected]
| Student Success Out of School |
- Mason McLean in 6Y participated in the Krabi U10 Football Championship, and has won a prize as best Goalkeeper.
- Leo in Y6 has won a trophy for finishing within the top 5 riders of the 65cc Motocross Class.
- Well done to Milo and Luka Fogarty for completing the 5 kilometer Thanyapura Trail Run on Sunday 12th November 2023.
| Promotions from Around the Island |
As part of International Ballet Week, the Art of Events presents The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Offering 10% discount on all tickets for HeadStart families. Book your tickets here!
“On the 23rd and 24th of December, the renowned Siam Niramit Phuket will open its doors to these monumental ballets. Renowned for its architectural grandeur and cultural significance, Siam Niramit Phuket offers the perfect setting for an evening of elegance and storytelling through dance. Swan Lake and The Nutcracker in Phuket marks a new chapter in the island’s artistic journey, inviting audiences to partake in a ballet experience filled with grace, beauty, and the indomitable spirit of the Russian ballet tradition.”
Junkyard Theatrix in cooperation with The Good Shepherd Phuket Town is all set to perform its fourth annual Christmas charity pantomime, this time, Snow White: The Pantomime! You won’t want to miss this, wild and rollicking fun for the whole family! Are you coming? ‘Oh, yes, you are!’ 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲. 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝗥 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟬𝟴𝟵-𝟴𝟳𝟰𝟮𝟵𝟰𝟮. 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭 & 𝟮 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟳:𝟬𝟬 - 𝟵:𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗺.
