Chaofah City
Chaofah City
Weekly Update #20, 24 January 2025
Upcoming Events
Lunar New Year Stay & Play
We invite parents of our Foundation stage children to join us for a special Lunar New Year Stay & Play. Celebrate the Year of the Snake together with your little one on Thursday 30th January 2025, from 8:30 to 09:30am in our Foundation classrooms and Indoor Learning Centre.
Join Us for ‘Talking Heads’ – A Year 12 Public Speaking Showcase!
Prepare to be inspired as some of our talented Year 12 students take the stage to share their perspectives, passions, and ideas in this dynamic public speaking event.
📅 When: Thursday, 30th January
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Where: Secondary Hall (4th floor) at HSC
Come and support our speakers as they showcase their confidence, creativity, and communication skills in front of an audience. Topics include the power of social media, lessons from a motorbike crash, failure, living with ADHD, and the philosophy of knowledge. Whether you’re a fan of thought-provoking topics or heartfelt stories, there’s something for everyone!
This is an evening not to be missed — mark your calendar now!
Lunar New Year Market
Come join us! On Friday 31st January, we will celebrate the Lunar New Year with a special themed market. So please join us in the Atrium from 2:40pm for delicious homemade treats, themed gifts and student performances. We look forward to seeing you there!
Half-Term Sports Camps
Over the February half-term holiday, our three sports academies are offering 3 days of training to help keep your child fit and healthy, continuing to improve their skills and develop friendships through their chosen sport. Our Football and Basketball camps will take place from Monday 17th to Wednesday 19th February at our Chaofah City campus, while our Swim Academy will offer training at our 50m Olympic poolat our Cherngtalay campus over the same days.
Meetings & Presentations
Secondary Pastoral Care Parent Meeting
Inviting all Secondary parents to a meeting to discuss our pastoral care system and how it supports our Secondary students with their social and emotional well-being. Join us on Tuesday 28th January at 8:30am in the Primary Hall (second floor).
A Special Free Parent Event - Let’s Co-Play! at Cherngtalay Campus
Inviting all parents from across Phuket to attend a unique parent event hosted by Greg Bottrill, renowned childhood advocate and best-selling author of ‘Can I Go & Play Now?’. This will be an engaging and insightful presentation for parents in which he will explore the power of play in building stronger connections with your child, offering tips and advice.
📆 Date: Tuesday 11th February 2025
⏰ Time: 12:45-13:45
📍 Venue: HeadStart International School, Phuket (Cherngtalay Campus)
The event is open to all parents, particularly those of Foundation and Year 1 & 2 parents. Registration is required. To register for you and up to 4 other adults, scan the QR code in the poster below or complete the GoogleForm: Let’s Co-Play Parent Event Registration
HeadStart Alumni
Nick Gold - Class of 2022
Since graduating from Headstart in 2022, my journey has been filled with enriching experiences and unique opportunities. Though my plans initially involved attending Utrecht University in the Netherlands, accommodation challenges led me to enroll at Lancaster University in the UK, where I now study History and International Relations. University life has brought discipline to my routine as I am constantly learning and have something to work toward. This is not to say it is without fun though, as there is always an event or party to go to. Beyond academics, I’ve pursued my passion for adventure and the outdoors by becoming a PADI-certified divemaster and working on a diving boat in Phuket. During my summers, I had the opportunity to work at Under the Big Sky Fest in Whitefish, Montana, and even embarked on a motorcycle trip from Glacier National Park to Banff National Park, discovering the rugged beauty of North America’s wilderness. Traveling extensively has been another highlight—I’ve now visited 40 countries and regularly meet with friends across Europe. In January of 2024, I got to go skiing in France for the first time, which was a refreshing experience as I had previously only skied in America. Overall, these experiences have taught me that even when life takes unexpected turns, things always have a way of working out for the better.
Looking ahead, my goal for the year is to immerse myself further in academic and cultural opportunities at Lancaster while continuing to grow personally and professionally. I want to engage in more extracurricular activities and events that will prepare me for a future career in diplomacy, gaining practical experience and building connections with like-minded individuals. I aim to deepen my understanding of international relations while exploring new destinations that broaden my perspective. Balancing these aspirations with academic success and personal fulfillment will be my focus for the coming year. So, to the current Headstart students reading this, I urge you to participate in as many activities and programs as you can, as experience is a trait that never loses its value!
PE & Sports News
U15 Boys (Im)Press to Score
Our U15 boys played against Kajonkiet Suksa this past Saturday. With both teams having big squads, plenty of players had the opportunity to play. Our boys displayed plenty of good play, both in how they built their attacks and pressed the ball to win it back, which led to 3 of the goals being scored.
A special mention goes to Elisey who came down from Cherngtalay campus and integrated well with the Choafah City team. Coach Dave - Football Coach
ECA News
What an incredible showdown of strategic brilliance at the January edition of our ongoing series of Chess Tournaments held at our Chaofah City campus! Relive the magic and see who emerged as the Chess Master of January 2025:
🏆 Champion - Georgiy - Year 5 City Campus
🥈 Runner-up - Luka - Year 11 City Campus
🥉 Third Place - Ratmir - Year 5 City Campus
Huge thanks to 50 Fly Trampoline Club Phuket and other sponsors for constant support and helping to make yet another tournament exceptional. Next tournament will be held on 15th February! See you there!
Languages Department
Learning French through laughter in Year 1
Year 1 had a blast playing the balloon game while practicing animal names and actions like “I am a fish, I swim” , “I am a bird, I fly”!
And then they moved on to playing Bingo and Three-in-a-Row while learning about pets. Fun games make learning paws-itively exciting!”
Year 2 French Students Connecting ideas in style!
Year 2 practiced speaking and writing in French with cards on the board, creating sentences like: ‘On Wednesday, it is cold, I put on my yellow coat.’ A colorful way to learn about days, weather, clothes, and colors!
Yummy fun with Food Bingo and 5-in-a-Row in Year 4 French!
Year 4 students practiced their food vocabulary while competing to complete their Bingo and 5-in-a-Row cards…
…before immersing themselves in a fun and practical learning experience, practicing how to buy food at the restaurant and the market. They used kilos, grams, and euros to bring their French skills to life! Mr Pierre - French Teacher
Primary
Igniting Curiosity: Year 5 and 6 Students Step into the Secondary Science Lab
This term, Mr. Guarino, a passionate and experienced member of the Secondary Science team, is sparking a love of science among our Year 5 and 6 Very Able Pupils (VAP). Over a series of engaging and hands-on sessions in the Secondary Science Lab, he is preparing these young learners for the exciting journey that science holds as they transition to secondary school.
The program kicked off with a foundational milestone: learning to use the iconic Bunsen burner. Students mastered the safety protocols, understood the principles behind flame control, and demonstrated their ability to handle the equipment with confidence and care. To celebrate their achievement, each student was awarded their official “Bunsen Burner Licence,” marking their initiation into the world of experimental science.
Building on this achievement, the students will explore fascinating scientific concepts over the coming weeks. These include water purification and pH testing, areas that closely link to their Humanities curriculum by highlighting global issues such as clean water access and environmental sustainability. The group will also delve into the vibrant world of heavy metal flame tests, where they will witness firsthand how different elements create colorful displays—a blend of chemistry and art! To make their learning even more tangible, the students will construct their own water filters, applying scientific principles to create practical solutions.
As the sessions continue, the students’ enthusiasm and curiosity are palpable, proving that science is not just a subject—it’s an adventure. From the Science Team
Secondary
Secondary Students Demonstrate Open-mindedness for Connection and Growth
On Friday 17th January, Secondary students received recognition for the Learner Profile attribute of Open Mindedness. These students were nominated by their teachers for exemplifying the attribute this month. Open-mindedness is about being willing to listen to new ideas, consider different perspectives, and even change your mind when needed.
Why is this Important?
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For personal growth: When we’re open-minded, we learn and grow, discovering ideas or skills we never thought we’d enjoy.
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For relationships: Open-mindedness helps us connect with others, even if they think or believe differently.
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For the world: Many of history’s greatest achievements happened because people dared to think differently or were open to new ideas.
Year 7 Tackle the Andaman Sea and Island Paradise of Koh Lanta
This week, our Year 7 students from both Chaofah City and Cherngtalay campuses ventured across Phang Nga Bay to the stunning island of Koh Lanta.
Day One
Year 7 tackled the Andaman Sea with confidence, grace, and style, sporting their bright orange life-vests! They showed great courage, and everyone safely reached the pier. After the journey, we enjoyed a much-needed, delicious lunch and discussed (again) the rules and safety information while on the trip. Students from both campuses quickly bonded as we teamed up to create group flags and chants. Once we checked in and freshened up, we had a fantastic time playing team games, followed by some free time to relax in the pool and on the beach. After dinner, we attended a briefing about the following day’s activities and important safety information. The evening wrapped up with a few more games before settling in for a well-deserved rest, ensuring we were ready and energised for our 7am start on Wednesday.
Day Two
Our intrepid explorers embarked on an incredible adventure, exploring beautiful islands, greeting vibrant marine life, and giving back to the environment by planting trees. We also channelled our inner Smurfs, ensuring we stayed protected from the midday sun with a generous lathering of zinc. Along the way, new friendships began to blossom as the students bonded over their shared experiences. To top it off, they enjoyed a hands-on experience learning fascinating facts about the rubber industry in Koh Lanta. It was an unforgettable day of discovery, nature, and connection that promised a good night’s sleep for children and teachers alike!
📸 Please find a full album of photos here: Year 7 Residential to Koh Lanta 2025
Year 8 Explore the Natural Wonders of Khao Sok
This week, our Year 8 students from both Chaofah City and Cherngtalay campuses headed north of the island to the world famous natural wonders of Khao Sok National Park in Phang Nga province.
After a smooth journey to Khao Sok, we embarked on a day of fun-filled activities, visiting the enchanting caves and also learning how to safely navigate the limestone karst fringed waterways by kayak. Our intrepid explorers even managed a game of water volleyball on the lake whilst in their kayaks! In the evening, we were well fed and the students reveled in being at one with nature. It’s amazing how much fun students can make with each other when they have no WIFI! On our second day, we headed off into the bamboo stands to discover some basic survival skills: learning how to make a shelter with jingle materials and how to make a fire with flint and coconut husk.
Year 9 Head North to the Chills of Chiang Mai
Our Year 9 students made their way north to the beautiful chilly hills of Chiang Mai where they enjoyed a mix of culture and adventure! They explored the stunning Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, experienced the Tai Lue culture in Ban Luang Nua, and visited the Karen village of Huay Khao Lip. Each group also hiked to waterfalls (climbing the legendary Sticky Falls!), enjoyed bamboo rafting, learned the unique skills of making paper from elephant poo (!) and spent time at the elephant sanctuary learning about conservation of these majestic animals. It was a non-stop, exciting and unforgettable trip enjoyed by students and teachers alike!
📸 Please find a full album of photos here: Year 9 Residential to Chiang Mai 2025
HeadStart Takes on the World in Coding
At the start of December, HeadStart took part in a competition run by Codemuntum. Students had to find the solution to various online coding problems, using either block coding or by typing pure code into the browser. Student success was measured by the amount of time it took them to complete a level and the number of stars out of 3 they received for the efficiency of their algorithm.
HeadStart students competed against 132,467 students, from almost 4500 schools across the globe. In total, over 19 million lines of code were written - a truly impressive statistic! All of our students in Years 7, 8 and 9 took part and many of them completed the challenge with perfect efficiency. Overall, Thailand actually came third in the number of levels completed with efficient answers out of all 144 countries! All of the students pictured managed to complete every single level!
We will be competing in many more competitions this year, so stay tuned! Mr Armstrong - Head of Computing & Commerce
A Warm A Level English Welcome to Mr Walker
In English A Level classes, both Year 12 and 13 groups are delighted to welcome our new teacher Mr. Walker, who joins me in jointly teaching our most senior students. Mr. Walker has taught around the world for over 25 years and we’re grateful to add his expertise and wealth of experience to the faculty.
At A Level, students love to learn together and support each other, and the other purpose of these pictures is to recognise this fact in our celebration of the wonderfully talented Liz Lebedeva, who has worked with an intensity, dedication and intellect to retake her AS Level and has emerged with a shiny new, well-deserved A grade. Liz is a wonderfully sensitive and articulate student of Literature and, if nothing else, at least deserves our pity for having to tolerate me as her teacher in nearly every year of her time in Secondary. Mr. Pollicutt - Head of English & EAL
Success Outside School
⛷️ Congratulations to Lucas (1 Blue) and Canoon (5 Yellow) for each achieving the Blue King and Blue Queen Level in skiing at the Swiss Ski School of Charmey!
Promotions From Around the Island
Glitter Cancer Ball on Saturday 8th February 2025
Dear Friends. Happy New Year!
Phuket has been a place of incredible opportunities for many of us. The past years have seen businesses thriving and immense growth across many industries.
Many of us however, know friends or colleagues, both Thai and expatriates, who have faced the heart-breaking challenge of cancer. Vachira Government Hospital cares for over 600 new cancer patients annually from the region, who require radiation therapy. Sadly, as there is no Government radiation facility in Phuket, Phang Nga nor Krabi, therefore these patients must travel long distances in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, or Songkhla for treatment. While therapy costs are covered under Public Healthcare schemes, patients and their families are often burdened with overwhelming travel and accommodation expenses. Tragically, this financial strain can lead to devastating choices, including sleeping in cars between treatments or, even worse, discontinuing therapy altogether.
To alleviate this suffering, we are striving to build a dedicated radiation therapy center in Phuket. Our Thai community, have already raised over THB 180 million of the THB 290 million needed. The final hurdle however, is always the hardest - the remaining THB 110 million.
To help achieve this goal, we will organize a “Glitter Cancer Ball” on Saturday, February 8, at the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town, with the esteemed Phuket Governor and over 240 distinguished guests in attendance. We would be grateful if you would consider sponsoring a table at this event.
Our aim is also for every baht from ticket sales to go directly toward this life-changing project, made possible through the generosity of local sponsors. Whether through a monetary donation (details below), sponsorship vouchers for hotel stays, wine or experiences, your contribution would make a tangible difference. In return, we will proudly display your logo and photo on our social media platforms and throughout the event.
Together, we can make a profound impact. By reducing the burden of travel, we can improve survival rates and provide hope to countless families facing one of life’s toughest battles.
Important Dates
Noticeboard
Parent Fitness
Running Club (meet on track)
HeadStart provides complimentary use of the Fitness Gym for parents every weekday morning from 07:30-09:30 and in the afternoon from 14:30-18:00.
Classes run from 8:00-9:00am. To join, sign the list at the gym entrance or speak to a trainer. Available strictly for HeadStart parents only.
