Weekly Update #8, 11 October 2024

Announcements

Cue music and drum rolls in the background. “We will, we will Lock You!”

Dear Parents,

It takes a village to raise a child and as our village and school community grows, so does the number of vehicles in our car parks. We fully understand that navigating parking during drop-off and pick-up times can be chaotic and frustrating at times.

We want to thank the majority of parents who patiently do their best to drive slowly and park considerately on a daily basis. Our Security Staff will continue to do their best to make our parking lots safe and as functional as possible.

To the few drivers who seem to have difficulties driving slowly and safely, we ask that you please be considerate of others. Slow down and be careful!

To the few drivers who decide to park in no-parking areas, block drop-off lanes and block other cars and vehicles, we ask that you please be considerate. Everyone’s time is important not just yours! Please also note that we have purchased multiple car locking devices for each of our campuses. Starting after the mid-term break, as stated in the title of this announcement, our Security Team will now be strict with locking the wheels off all vehicles that are parked inconsiderately and/or in no parking zones and will fine the driver 1,000 Baht to have their car unlocked. Be considerate or be warned! We will, we will LOCK YOU!!

Upcoming Events

October Half-term Sports Camps

Looking for something to keep your children fit and entertained over the half-term break? Why not sign them up for one of our sports camps? Taking place from Monday 14th to Wednesday 16th October at our Chaofah City campus. Follow the instructions in the respective posters below to sign up:

The fastest growing sport in the world has a camp coming to you soon. 5 days of active learning and pushing you to your limits. We are inviting athletes as young as 9-16 years old. Perfect time to build your quickness, awareness and leadership. ARE YOU READY? ⚡️

📆 October 14th – October 18th

⏰2:30 PM – 5:00 PM daily

⚡️5,000 (Early Bird) / 6,000 (after October 14)

🏈 Day Rates are available

👉 Contact Coach Mzuri on +660824658781 Via LINE, WhatsApp, and/or Telegram

Wai Kru (Teacher Appreciation) Ceremonies

We are delighted to extend an invitation to all students and parents to join our Wai Kru (Teacher Appreciation) Ceremonies at our Chaofah City campus. This ceremony holds deep cultural significance and takes place in schools throughout Thailand at the start of each academic year. It is a special occasion where students express their respect and appreciation for their teachers by presenting them with flowers.

Students are encouraged to bring flowers to express their appreciation for their teachers.

Dates and times for our Foundation, Primary and Secondary Wai Kru Ceremonies can be found in the poster below.

Russian Language Day

Dear Parents,

We would like to remind you that on October 26, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the Day of the Russian Language will be held at our Chaofah City Campus. We invite everyone interested to participate actively. Please note that on this day, each child must be accompanied by at least one adult family member. To participate, it is necessary to fill out the registration form for the event. Please note that all spots for the Talent Show are reserved, but you can join as spectators. We look forward to seeing you at the Day of the Russian Language!

Sincerely, The Russian-speaking Team at HeadStart School

Уважаемые родители!

Напоминаем, что 26 октября с 9:00 до 12:00 будет проводиться День русского языка в Сити-кампусе (Чаофа). Приглашаем всех желающих к активному участию. Обратите внимание, что в этот день ребенка должен сопровождать как минимум один взрослый член семьи. Для участия необходимо заполнить форму регистрации на мероприятие. Обратите внимание, что все места для участия в Шоу талантов зарезервированы, но вы можете присоединиться в качестве зрителей. Будем рады видеть вас на Дне русского языка!

С уважением, Русскоязычная команда школы HeadStart

Halloween is Coming!

Keep your eyes peeled (not literally!) for information about our Foundation & Primary Halloween events taking place after the half-term break…

Secondary Halloween Party

Child-Watch Phuket 21st Run For Children – Come Join Us!

On Sunday 10th November, we look forward to members of the HeadStart Community, from management and teachers, to students and their parents, joining us for the 21st edition of the Child-Watch Phuket Run For Children. This wonderful local community fun run is sure to give everyone involved the spur to get fit and all in a good cause! With two courses – a 10km run and a shorter 3.5km version – both passing by our Chaofah City campus, our school will be the backdrop to this family fitness event.

To register for the Child-Watch Phuket 21st Run For Children, scan the QR in the poster below. Once registered, you are welcome to join the official HeadStart LINE group to stay tuned for updates and training events. Or for more information, you can contact our Fitness Coach, Jordi, who will be leading the Team HeadStart contingent as we look to get fit and have fun now that the cool season is approaching!

Meetings & Presentations

Parent Meeting: Introduction to Sixth Form, A Levels and BTEC

Come join us! We welcome parents of students from Year 10 to Year 13 to join us for our latest parent meeting when we will talk you through life as a Sixth Form student, and the range of A Level and BTEC programs on offer. We look forward to seeing you there! Tuesday 22nd October 2024 from 8:30-9:30am in the Secondary Hall (fourth floor).

Next UPrep Drop-In Session on 23.10.24 Postponed

Due to the Secondary Wai Kru Ceremony taking place at HeadStart Chaofah City Campus on Wednesday 23rd October, there will be no UPrep Drop-In Session in the first week back after the half-term break. However, you are welcome to make an appointment with either of our guidance counsellors or me, Emily Graham [email protected] , if you have any questions or need any support.

You are also warmly invited to find out more about the university application process and how to support your child in our fifth UPrep Parent Workshop this term. The title of the talk is ‘Applying to Thai Universities’. This will take place in the Secondary Hall at Chaofah City Campus on Wednesday 30th October at 8:30am and will be led by Kru Nee and Kru Toom, our Deputy School Director. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in supporting applications to Thai universities. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the application process; we hope you are able to attend and find out more. Mrs Graham – Assistant Head of Upper Secondary

A Special Visit from Author, Emma Cary

To the staff, students and parent community at HeadStart,

I would like to say a big thank you for the warm welcome I received this week during my visits to both campuses. It was an absolute pleasure to see both the schools and meet so many creatively clever and curious learners. I enjoyed sharing my stories with years 1-6 and was impressed by the level of curiosity and confidence shared by so many students.

I am so happy to have been able to share my books and that they are now available for the students to borrow from the libraries. Please reach out to me online if anyone would like the chance to purchase copies.

I wish you all a wonderful and safe half term break and hope that I will get the opportunity to return to HeadStart again.

Sincerely, Emma Cary

Sunny Side Up English Curiosity Camp

On 28th and 29th September, we hosted the second iteration of the Sunny Side Up English Curiosity camp with over 400 public school children and 80 volunteers, representing over 16 schools and charities from around Phuket. In this two day camp, over 144 lessons were delivered ranging from activities such as fashion-shows, an egg parachute experiment and water-based fun, all delivered with a particular focus on English and critical thinking. We believe that this project is more than just a tutoring program – our mission is to leave students across the island with the confidence to question, explore and think critically. In today’s fast-moving, tech-driven world, success doesn’t come from just knowing the answers; it comes from asking the right question. On behalf of the Sunny Side Up team, I would like to sincerely thank Khun Sand, Kru Nee, Thai teachers, Thai staff and all the attending staff for helping make this event a reality as well as HeadStart, AIHM and all our sponsors for believing in us. For all the volunteers, thank you for all your hard work in preparing for the lessons, and the students, we hope you had fun! Krittat – Head Boy the English Camp Committee

Mandarin Language Day

HeadStart International School Chaofah City campus held a vibrant Mandarin Language Day event last Saturday, 5th October, themed around the Double Ninth Festival and Chinese characters. The activities included making everlasting flower hand fans, creating artwork with grains, engaging in a parent-child game of using chopsticks to recognise characters, and sharing traditional Chinese cuisine. Parents and students tapped into their creativity to produce colorful fans, experiencing the blend of traditional culture and art; during the grain artwork session, everyone used mung beans, wheat, corn, and more to create paintings, celebrating the beauty of the harvest. Additionally, the chopstick game not only helped children learn characters through play but also enhanced parent-child interaction and fun. We thank all parents and students for their enthusiastic participation and look forward to our next gathering to experience more wonderful cultural activities together! Wishing everyone a happy Double Ninth Festival, good health, and family happiness! The Mandarin Language Team

A full album of photos can be found here: Term 1 Mandarin Language Day

HeadStart Chaofah City campus国际学校上周六举办了精彩纷呈的中文语言日活动，这次活动内容以重阳节和汉字为主题，包括永生花团扇制作、五谷杂粮作画、筷子夹豆认字的亲子活动以及中华美食分享。家长和学生们通过发挥创意制作五彩斑斓的团扇，体验了传统文化与艺术的结合；在五谷杂粮作画中，大家用绿豆、小麦、玉米等作画，感受丰收的美好。此外，筷子夹豆认字的活动，不仅让孩子们在游戏中学习汉字，还增进了亲子间的互动和乐趣。感谢所有家长和学生的热情参与，期待我们下次再聚，共同体验更多精彩的中文文化活动！祝大家重阳节快乐，身体健康，阖家幸福！
您可在此相册中查看活动图片：Term 1 Mandarin Language Day

Thai University Fair

On Friday 4th October, we hosted an event featuring representatives from 10 top universities, offering students valuable guidance and insights into their future academic journeys. This initiative is part of our ongoing effort to help students pursue their dreams and make informed decisions about higher education. We look forward to continuing these efforts and working closely with both students and universities to ensure their success. Thank you for attending, and we hope this session has helped extend your future study opportunities or enhanced your study plans. Pornkamon Roongsiri (Kru Toom) – Deputy School Director

House News

Last Friday, Secondary students participated in a fun-filled house carousel, where each year group participated in different activities. Year 7 had to make a last-minute switch to board games due to the rain, meaning they couldn’t take part in their planned relay races, but that didn’t stop them from having a blast! Year 8 enjoyed a competitive game of Danish Longball, while Year 9 engaged in an intense Capture the Flag match. Year 10 had a photo scavenger hunt, and Sixth Formers got their competitive spirits going with a thrilling game of Gladiator Ball. After an afternoon full of excitement, energy, and friendly competition, the scores were tallied, and here are the final placings:

• 1st place – Blue Tigers
• 2nd place – Green Dragons
• 3rd place – Red Phoenixes
• 4th place – Yellow Cheetahs

Well done to the Blue Tigers for maintaining their ever-present lead and keeping the competition fierce! A big shout out to everyone who took part and helped their house earn points! We’re looking forward to more fun after the half-term break! Ms Bekker – House Coordinator

As we approach the halfway stage of Term 1, we are excited to share the HeadStart Chaofah City Current House Positions! The Blue Tigers are still setting the pace, with the Yellow Cheetahs now their closest rivals; however, the Green Dragons and the Red Phoenixes are still in with a shout for the Term 1 House Prize!

PE & Sports News

Chaofah City and Cherngtalay Campuses Face Off!

Last Friday, HeadStart Chaofah City and Cherngtalay campuses came together for an epic showdown between both Panthers U12 squads at the Chaofah City Sports Hall. Both teams recognized much improvement from the start of the school year and, of course, the coaches are happy with the trajectory. Seeking a flawless record this season in the U12 category, the Panthers U12 Select team is eager to take on the island’s best in the coming terms. Go Panthers!

O15 Panthers Best BISP!

The O15 Panthers took on our rivals from BISP and came away with an impressive victory. Besting the Sea Eagles 33-22, the coaches and fans got to witness our very new academy team demonstrate poise and composure against a seasoned and competitive basketball program. Such a win can only happen when a team communicates constructively, plays unselfishly and competes resiliently. We look forward to the upcoming home game against KIS and hope you can come out and support us as our “6th man” on the court. Coach Grant – Basketball Coach

Football News

This past Saturday, our U15 Boys Football Academy team managed to earn 2nd place in the Kajonkiet Cup. The boys competed very well over the course of the afternoon, displaying good composure both in possession and without the ball. Special mention for the fact we had 5 different goal scorers throughout the 6 games. Coach Dave – Football CoachThis week, the HeadStart Chaofah City Panthers U9 Boys travelled up to our Cherngtalay campus to compete in a round robin match against the Cherngtalay Panthers U9 Boys and U13 Girls. The fixture was a fantastic opportunity for all of the players involved to gain valuable experience playing in matches in a competitive environment. Well done to all involved.Coach Paul – Football Coach

Languages Department

Capitalising Letters from the Russian Alphabet

In Russian language lessons, we continue to develop the skills of writing capital letters of the Russian alphabet. The children compare printed and capital letters, and come up with words that start with these letters. The students are enthusiastically trying to write cursive letters on their own. Each capital letter represents a new step on the path to literacy. With each lesson, students are becoming more confident in their knowledge.

На уроках русского языка мы продолжаем формировать навыки письма прописных букв русского алфавита. Дети сопоставляют печатные и прописные буквы, придумывают слова, начинающиеся с этих букв. Ученики увлеченно стараются самостоятельно писать прописи. Каждая прописная буква — это новый шаг на пути к грамотности. С каждым занятием второклассники становятся более уверенными в своих знаниях. Miss Kiiamova – Russian Language Coordinator

Secondary

Getting Creative Across the Curriculum in Year 7 Science & Art Lessons

7 White were given an extended challenge to complete a cross-curricular extended homework project in Science linked with Art. The task was to create a 3D model of an animal or plant cell. Students could work by themselves or in a pair and had 3 weeks to complete the task. Their models needed to show the key structures of the cell and include labels and/or descriptions about what the structures do. The students were very ambitious and rose to the challenge producing some very creative and scientific cells. They carried out research and put in a lot of effort to be creative. Well done to the following winners:

• Overall 1st place for most creative and scientific model – Allair

• 2nd place for most creative model – Arya

• 2nd place for most scientific model – Yingying

• 3rd place for most creative – Luke Nai & Ikkyu

• 3rd place for most scientific model – Zoe & Alysia

• The runner up award went to Liam & Harry .

Congratulations to 7 White for showing your academic excellence and creative spirit. Ms Nikki Uhure – Year 7 Science Teacher and Assistant Head of Lower Secondary

BTEC Sport Students Go Bouldering!

Our BTEC Sport students recently had the opportunity to visit Go Bould Climbing Gym in Chalong as part of their unit on Health, Wellbeing, and Sport. The trip provided a hands-on experience where students developed their strength, balance, and problem-solving abilities through rock climbing. They also enhanced their teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence, key elements of their BTEC Sport curriculum. The experience helped students understand the connection between physical activity and mental wellbeing, reinforcing the importance of sport in maintaining overall health. It was an engaging and educational day that brought classroom theory to life.

Getting to Grips with Gothic Tales in Year 8 English

Year 8 Woolf has produced some terrifyingly blood-curdling Gothic Tales.

To prepare yourself for the upcoming Hallowe’en, read these only if you dare. Mr. Pollicutt – Head of English & EAL

Year 8 Gothic Tales

Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award Students Get Adventurous!

On Saturday, October 5th, Mr. Guarino and Mrs. Marsh led the first of three Duke of Edinburgh Award adventurous journey expeditions to Koh Lon. Sixteen students participated in this first expedition, which focused on learning to sail a two-man dinghy. Over the weekend, the students also learned how to set up a tent, basic sailing terminology and techniques, and outdoor cooking skills.

On the first day, the students took to sailing incredibly well. Within one hour of being on the water, all the groups were maneuvering their dinghies and practicing tacking and gybing (turning the boat), with only a few occasional collisions and capsizes! Later that day, the students cooked dinner in teams, creating an interesting array of dishes, ranging from burgers to Chinese hot pot! As the night set in, the students relaxed around a campfire, making their own s’mores. On the second day, the students returned to the water, now confident enough to sail individually. They participated in a team relay race, sailing to a buoy and back, which was highly entertaining to watch from the shore.

By the end of the weekend, the students were commended for their efforts by the sailing instructors. There was a real buzz of excitement for the next two journeys ahead! Mr. Guarino and Mrs. Marsh – DoE Leaders

Community Links

Scholars of Sustenance Foundation Thailand are pleased to submit the Monthly Food Surplus Donation Report for September 2024. Kindly see the attachment for the data we have collected and compiled for you. Thank you for making that impact on many lives, and on the environment. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further information regarding this report.

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