Chaofah City
Chaofah City
Weekly Update #9, 25 October 2024
Announcements
Stay Connected with the HeadStart Community
As our school and its amazing programmes continue to grow, it is really important that we keep you, the HeadStart community, informed about what is happening. If you are reading this, you already know about our regular Weekly Updates – a place to get important announcements, find out what’s coming up and what’s been going on in and around school. Many of you will also likely follow us on Facebook – Facebook Chaofah City Campus and Facebook Cherngtalay Campus – where we frequently post about upcoming events and reflect on the many successes of our students.
Now we bring to you the official HeadStart Instagram accounts, a great platform for sharing visual content, allowing us to showcase to you and the rest of the world the incredible array of activities and events taking place across both our campuses! To follow us, just scan the QR codes below 👇.
Recovering Lost & Found Items
Our Lost & Found cupboard, located outside the School Nurse’s room, is getting rather full! We would be grateful if parents could pay it a visit with their children once in a while to ensure anything that was once lost is once again found. We would politely remind all parents and students that, before the end of term, we will empty the Lost & Found cupboard and donate the items to charity.
Calling All Vendors for our next Friday Market
If you are interested in sharing your unique products with our school community, why not book a stall at our next Friday Market. With an Eco Special theme, focused on healthy, locally-sourced food, sustainably produced products and reused or recycled materials, this promises to be another wonderful community event taking place on Friday 8th November 2024. Contact Khun Boss in the Events office or email [email protected]. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Upcoming Events
Russian Language Day
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. We look forward to seeing you at the Day of the Russian Language!
Sincerely, The Russian-speaking Team at HeadStart School
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. Будем рады видеть вас на Дне русского языка!
С уважением, Русскоязычная команда школы HeadStart
Foundation Halloween Stay & Play
𝔾𝕖𝕥 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕪…ℍ𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕤 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕠 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝔽𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝔻𝕖𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥! 🎃 On Thursday 31st October, we will celebrate all things Halloween in Preschool, Early Years and Reception with our Halloween Stay & Play! 🦇 We invite parents to join with their children for a 𝕊ℙ𝕆𝕆𝕂𝕋𝔸ℂ𝕌𝕃𝔸ℝ morning of interactive, creative and fun activities. Parents and children alike, make sure to dress up to join in the fun! 👻
Primary Halloween Activity Day
Halloween is coming! 🎃 Keep your eyes peeled (not literally!) for a whole range of 𝕊ℙ𝕆𝕆𝕂𝕋𝔸ℂ𝕌𝕃𝔸ℝ Primary Halloween activities taking place throughout the day on Thursday 31st October! Don’t forget to dress up for the occasion – be there or be 𝕊ℂ𝔸ℝ𝔼𝔻!
Secondary Halloween Party
On 31st October, we will be hosting our annual Secondary Halloween Disco. 🎃 This is an exciting event that is organised by our student leadership and includes games, snacks and prizes for the best contest. 👩🦰 Students in Year 7-13 from both campuses are invited to attend. Students in BTEC Business have prepared special drinks 🥤and snacks 🍧for the evening, so please allow your child to bring some money to enjoy what is on offer.
📍 Chaofah City Campus, Sports Hall
⏰ 6.00-8.00pm
📅 Thursday 31st October
✏️ Sign up form has been emailed to parents.
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
On Tuesday 22nd October, Mr. Thomas (University Guidance counsellor) and Mr. Davidson (Head of Upper Secondary School) delivered a presentation titled ‘Introduction to the Sixth Form A Levels & the BTEC Curriculum’.
The presentation discussed life for students in Years 12 and 13. Included in this was an introduction to the staff whose focus is supporting students in these year groups, the purpose of the sixth form, the different pathways available in terms of academics, the extra-curricular activities available, and how the school helps support students in preparing for and applying to University.
A copy of the presentation is available below. If you were unable to attend and are interested in learning more, please do not hesitate to email Mr. Davidson [email protected] with your questions.
2024 Sixth Form Introduction to Parents
Parent Meeting: Phonics Workshop for Parents on Tuesday 29th October
Inviting all our Year 1 and 2 parents to a workshop/information session, led by Mr Moore, to help you to better understand our approach to teaching phonics. This workshop will last for about one hour and will take place on Tuesday 29th October 2024 in the Secondary Hall. We will be starting at 8.15am.
At this workshop you will have an opportunity to understand how phonics is used to develop your child’s reading skills, and look at ways that you can support your child’s reading skills outside of school. We look forward to seeing you there.
UPrep Meeting: Applying to Thai Universities
Welcoming all interested parents to join our upcoming UPrep (University Preparation) Talk on the topic of Applying to Thai Universities on Wednesday 30 October 2024 at 8:30 a.m. in the Secondary Hall on the 4th floor. These presentations provide invaluable insight into planning your child’s university pathways and successful enrolment into top universities around the world. If you have questions, or would like more information on HeadStart’s UPrep Programme, click on the following link which includes an overview of this year’s UPrep Talk programme: https://headstartphuket.com/chaofah-city/chaofah-city-sixth-form/uprep-programme
Whole Staff INSET Day at Cherngtalay Campus
On Monday 21st October, HeadStart held our annual October INSET (Training Day) for all teaching staff and nannies. This meant over 240 staff had the chance to get together to collaborate on improving their teaching strategies, developing our curriculum and ensuring that the opportunities for our children remain world-class. The training day proved to be a resounding success, with our educators having the chance to have some excellent development opportunities ready to utilise these moving forward with our students.
In addition, on this day and during the mid-term break, a further 40 staff attended training sessions by our friends at First Aid Training Phuket in first aid/Emergency First Response (EFR). The school now has exactly 100 fully trained first aiders on site across both campuses.
Wai Kru (Teacher Appreciation) Ceremonies
Our Foundation, Primary & Secondary Wai Kru events were a delightful celebration that united students, parents, and teachers in a warm atmosphere of gratitude and love.
A sincere thank you goes out to our Thai Department for organising such a memorable event. Also, to all parents — thanks for your unwavering support. Your efforts in bringing in flowers and participating in the event contributed to the warmth and success of this special occasion. This event was a wonderful opportunity to honour our teachers’ commitment and dedication, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved.
Stay tuned for a full album of each of our special ceremonies which will be shared next week via the Weekly Update and Facebook!
Foundation Wai Kru Ceremony
On Friday, 25th October 2024, the Foundation Wai Kru event was a heartwarming celebration that brought together our children, parents, and teachers in a wonderful display of love and gratitude. Pun, Isaac, Lalin, Austin, Malina, Phupha, Felicia, and Gant performed excellently as student representatives, presenting the Flower Trays to Senior Management and the Thai Teachers. Phoenix and Nara from the Reception class displayed incredible courage as they addressed the audience, delivering heartfelt speeches in both English and Thai. Following them, our dedicated Preschool teacher, Miss Iona, expressed her passion for teaching and her commitment to nurturing young minds.
The highlight of the ceremony was the Reception students’ delightful performance of “Thank You, Teachers, Thank You,” which beautifully conveyed their deep affection and appreciation for their teachers through dance and song.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parents for their unwavering support. Your contributions, from bringing flowers to actively participating in the event, added warmth and joy to this special occasion. Together, we honored the commitment of our teachers and created cherished memories for our Foundation community.
Primary Wai Kru Ceremony
Primary Wai Kru Ceremony was held on Thursday, 24th October which was a very special day not only for teachers and students but also for parents. The MCs for this event were Head Boy, Simon, and Head Girl, Karina, from Year 6. This event was full of joyful moments as follows:
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Wai Kru Song “Pajera” was sung by Prim Year 11 student
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Student Pledge was led by Phoenix Year 5 student
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Special Thai Instruments performed by special guests, Kru Loy from Phuket Wittayalai School, Moji secondary student from Plookpanya School and our own student Anya Year 9
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Student representatives presented the flower trays to the teachers and senior management
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Military Service Students also accompanied students representatives during presenting flower trays
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The winners of writing competition for Thai and English “My favorite teacher at Headstart” were given certificated in this event
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In the most beautiful moment, Primary students presented their appreciation to the teachers by giving them flowers and thank you cards, some were accompanied with their parents
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CAPA Junior performed a song called “For good” from Wicked the musical
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The student speech representatives this year were Nida (Year 5), Lidia and James (Year 6)
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Miss Parkin gave an inspiring speech on behalf of the teachers
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And wrapping up with a closing speech from Miss Hark, Head of Foundation and Primary
We would like to thank all the parents for your support and participation in this special event. This made our teachers feel full of love and appreciation. Thank you 🙏
Secondary Wai Kru Ceremony
On Wednesday, 23rd October 2024, our Thai Department hosted the first memorable event of this academic year, the Wai Kru ceremony. This tradition, where students express gratitude to their teachers, is believed to bring both luck and wisdom as the year begins.
Pan Pan from Year 12 led the Wai Kru song, followed by Theo from Year 13 with the students’ pledge. Student representatives then presented flower trays to school management and teachers. This year, we were also joined by a traditional Thai music band, adding a beautiful touch to the occasion.
Heartfelt speeches from Mason (Y10), Cassie (Y8), and Conor (Y12) were followed by an inspiring message from Ms. Marsh. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the parents for their participation and support, making this event even more meaningful and memorable.
A full album of photos can be found here: Secondary Wai Kru Ceremony 2024
Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraiser
Our PSV donation drive has begun in earnest and, thanks to the amazing generosity of our school community, we already have 6 children sponsored since its launch at the beginning of the week. A heartfelt thank you to the Krasaekerdchok, Van Zyl, Van Kerkwijk, Efanova, Fang and Kittiworrakarnchai families for their generous donations and helping us to reach a fantastic 38,000 baht in the first week of our fundraiser!
Meet the Team
At HeadStart, our Admin team, including front office and academic secretarial staff, play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of our school. They are responsible for managing daily administrative tasks, such as coordinating schedules, maintaining student records, organising important paperwork for our international community and facilitating communication between teachers, parents, and students. Their attention to detail and organizational skills help create a welcoming environment, allowing our educators to focus on delivering high-quality instruction. In addition, our Admin team supports HeadStart’s strategic initiatives, assisting in event planning and community engagement, which fosters a strong sense of belonging and collaboration within our amazing school community. Through their dedication and professionalism, our Admin team contribute significantly to the overall success and efficiency of HeadStart International School, Phuket.
We would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to our Admin team for their hard work, dedication and continued support of the entire HeadStart community!
PE & Sports News
Welcoming Our Visitors from Hougang Secondary School, Singapore
On Monday 28th October between 3.30-6.00pm, HeadStart Chaofah City campus will play host to Hougang Secondary School from Singapore. This will include some football and basketball friendly matches as well as an impressive martial arts display from our visitors on the bottom astro-pitch at 3.50pm. All are welcome to come and watch!
PISAC Cross Country @ BISP 🏃🏻♀️ 🏃
It’s time to get excited for the PISAC Cross Country Event taking place at British International School, Phuket next week. Secondary (Year 7-13) – Tuesday, 29th October 16.00 start Primary (Year 3-6) – Wednesday, 30th October 16.00 start Parents are welcome to come and watch. Go Panthers!
HeadStart Football Camp Scores Big with 40 Young Athletes
The HeadStart October Football Camp welcomed 40 young athletes, who were grouped by age and skill for coaching by HeadStart Academy staff. The camp showcased impressive skills and teamwork, particularly during the World Cup Wednesday event. All participants left with smiles and HeadStart Panthers medals. Excitement builds for the next, even larger camp! Coach Frost – Head Football Coach
Aqua Panthers Development Camp Success!
This past week, our Aqua Panthers swimmers had an incredible experience at the Development Camp! With a focus on mastering all four strokes—butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle—along with starts and turns, each swimmer made tremendous progress. Coaches and swimmers alike were thrilled to see the dedication and improvement in technique, endurance, and race readiness.
We couldn’t be prouder of their hard work and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the Aqua Panthers! Coach Zak – Head Swim Coach
October Basketball Jam!
Our 3-day Half-term Basketball camp was a fun-filled event where ballers enthusiastically participated in engaging basketball activities. Each day, they enjoyed a variety of fun drills designed to improve their basketball skills, from shooting and dribbling to teamwork and defense. In addition to the on-court action, the kids had the opportunity to watch the movie, “Space Jam”, featuring Michael Jordan and the Loony Toons, which added to the excitement and learning. At the end of the camp, all participants were awarded medals for their effort and participation. The event was a huge success, with everyone leaving with smiles, new skills, and great memories. Coach Mike – Head Basketball Coach
Languages Department
This week, in our Year 6 Chinese as a First Language class, we learned the story of ‘Waiting by the Tree for Rabbits’ and wrote our own endings for this idiom. The students showcased their rich imagination, creating many wonderful continuations, each reflecting their unique thoughts. Every story was filled with creativity and surprises.
本周在六年级中文作为第一语言的课堂上，我们学习了‘守株待兔’的故事，并为这个成语续写了结局。同学们发挥了丰富的想象力，创作出了许多精彩的后续情节，展示了各自独特的思维，每一个故事都充满了创意和惊喜。Ms. Yue Yao – Mandarin Teacher
ECA News
Latest Chess Tournament Results
What an incredible showdown of strategic brilliance at our recent school Chess Tournament! Relive the magic and see who emerged as the Chess master of October 2024. It was a day filled with jaw-dropping moves and unforgettable moments. From daring openings to epic endgames, our young chess prodigies showcased their skills to the max! A huge shoutout to all the participants, parent supporters, and chess enthusiasts who made this event a roaring success!
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Champion – Tigran – Year 8 Cherngtalay Campus
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Runner-up – Luka – Year 11 Chaofah City Campus
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Third Place – Bogdan – Year 5 Chaofah City Campus
Huge thanks to 50 Fly Trampoline Club, The Playyard Restaurants and other sponsors for constant support and helping to make yet another tournament exceptional. Next tournament will be held on Saturday 9th November. See you there!
Secondary
Giving First Language English a Second Try!
We have been delighted at the attitude, resilience and commitment shown by Year 12 students re-sitting their IGCSE First Language English examinations. They have shown their determination to improve their June results by re-writing each and every piece of their respective coursework portfolios. Under the watchful and supportive guidance of Mr. Thomas, every single one of the students has significantly improved their portfolios and we hope that their final results in January will reflect this.
Alex, Oleg, Vasilina, Jai, Oskar and Ryan – you have certainly earned our respect! Well done to you all. Mr. Pollicutt – Head of English and EAL
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