Weekly Update #28, 28 March 2025

Celebrating International Day 2025

HeadStart Shoe Bag and String Bag – Available Now!

Is your child’s school bag always overflowing with books, footwear and sports clothes? Why not invest in a HeadStart branded shoe bag or string bag? Perfect for keeping your child’s school bag clutter free and shoes and PE kit in one easy-to-find place. Please visit our school shop to stock up on your child’s school supplies.

Songkran 2025

Join us for a joyous Songkran celebration! Come together for a vibrant celebration of Thai culture at our Annual Songkran Festival on Thursday 3rd April, 2025!

Let’s embrace this beautiful tradition as a community, create unforgettable memories, and enjoy the festivities. Don’t forget to wear your flowery shirts, mark your calendars, and get ready for an amazing time!

Find more details in the poster below:

Songkran Market

To bring to an end another busy and highly successful school term at our Chaofah City campus, we will hold a special Songkran Market. This is your opportunity to try some traditional Thai food and drinks, as well as pick up locally crafted products. See you in the Atrium from 15:00 on Thursday 3rd April.

Songkran Sports Camps

Basketball Camp

During the Songkran break, our Basketball Academy is offering 3 days of high-quality training designed to keep your child fit, healthy, and improving their b’ball skills. Starts at 09:00 am (drop off after 08:30 am) and finishes at 2:00 pm with lunch provided! Open to students from Year 4 to Year 9. Players will be split into appropriate groups, depending on their age and abilities. Expect high-quality coaching, lots of fun and medals 🏅 to be won!

To sign up, please contact Coach Mike [email protected]

Chess Tournament – April Edition

Calling all HeadStart chess enthusiasts to our 8th tournament of the year! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a passionate beginner, this is your chance to showcase your skills on the board! Join us for an exciting day filled with strategic moves and intense battles.

• Date: Saturday, 5th April

• Time: Attendance Check at 11:15; Finish approximately 16:00

• Location: Canteen, Chaofah City Campus

• Entry Fee: Early Bird 250 Thai baht (double if you pay on the day!)

To register and secure your spot, contact teacher Dawid: WhatsApp – +66810486441; Telegram – @vit1977; LINE – vit-1977

Don’t miss out on the chance to test your tactical prowess and compete for prizes and plenty of other awards including Top 3 players, Best Female and Best Under 8 years old! And FREE PIZZA! Mark your calendars and see you next Saturday!

World Book Day 2025

Get ready to turn the page on your usual school day because World Book Day is coming on Wednesday 23rd April, and it’s bound to be a novel experience! Step into the shoes of your favourite literary figure—be it a Poe-etic writer, a Wilde character, or even something from a fantasy series like Lord of the Rings – truly out of the Mordordinary!

It’s Literary Dress Up!

Whether you fancy yourself a Gatsby in a sharp suit, a Hunger Games tribute, or a walking, crawling, talking Gregor Samsa, the more creative, the better! This tale as old as time tradition of rewarding the best costumes in Secondary continues, with Mr. Pollicutt plotting to hand out prizes for the most novel outfits.

So don’t be a Moby Dull—join the fun, shelf your excuses, and let’s make this a story for the ages!

How to Support Your Child Applying to Top Universities meeting for Thai Parents on 25.03.25

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for joining our recent session. It was a valuable opportunity to gain insights from our special guest speakers, who shared their first-hand experiences in successfully guiding their children through the university application process:

• Khun Ae (Kanokporn Ilstam) – mother of Erika (Year 13) – who shared Erika’s journey in preparing for International Law at Chulalongkorn University and Law at Durham University, UK. She highlighted the school’s support, including leadership programs, volunteer projects, and the UPrep team’s role in helping her child achieve her goals through UPrep sessions, drop-ins, and mock interviews.

• Khun Kai (Nattaporn Sienghen) – mother of Pear (Y13) – who provided key insights into preparing for Dentistry at KMITL, emphasizing the importance of work experience, extracurricular activities for portfolio and student profile, and parental involvement. She also highlighted how the UPrep team guided her child through each step of the university application process.

We truly appreciate the time and dedication of our guest speakers and look forward to more enriching sessions in the future!

Dylan Lee – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 12

We are excited to announce that Dylan Lee has received offers to study Business and Management BA at several prestigious universities. His hard work and entrepreneurial mindset, demonstrated through his contribution to management of the food stalls at the school Friday market and supporting the school by governing the vending machine, have prepared him well for this next step. Congratulations, Dylan! We are proud of your achievements and look forward to seeing where your journey takes you.

Sixuan Li – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 8

We are delighted to announce that Sixuan (Alice) Li, who has been with HeadStart since 2019, has received multiple university offers to study Psychology and Criminology. As a former prefect, she has shown leadership and dedication to her fellow students and to her studies, which will undoubtedly contribute to her success in university. Congratulations, Alice! Wishing you the best in your future studies.

Eva (5 Blue Chaofah City campus) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 3

Since joining in Year 3, Eva has made a lasting impression on everyone she has met at HeadStart with her never-ending energy and enthusiasm for life! This year she has made the jump to be part of the U11 Girls Football Academy team and she is incredibly proud of this achievement, in particular being a member of the winning team at the BIS 7s in Term 1! This weekend, she is away in Bangkok taking part in the Harrow International Football tournament. Why does Eva love HeadStart?

Foundation Fun with Traditional Thai Games

Our Foundation students and their parents from both campuses enjoyed an exciting cultural activity as we hosted the Saturday Thai Culture Club for the first time at our Cherngtalay campus. Everyone experienced the traditional Thai children’s games, bringing generations together through play. Children explored beloved games passed down through generations, including:

• Hide and Run (มอญซ่อนผ้า)

• Ball Throwing Game (ลูกโยน)

• Catch the Last Person (รีรีข้าวสาร)

Parents and children learned, laughed, and created wonderful memories while connecting together. Thank you Kru Lookpla, Kru Poy, and Kru Tee for organising this event and for making this experience so much fun!

Learning about the Wonders of Thai Rice

Our Year 1 – 3 students from both campuses had a fun morning participating in the Saturday Thai Culture Club under the theme “Amazing Thai Rice.” Students learned about the value and benefits of various types of Thai rice, as well as the origins of rice and foods made from rice. The children also had a great time playing the traditional Thai game “Ri Ri Khao San” and creating rice grain art using rice in different colours.

A big thank you to Kru Cherry, Kru Kan, Kru Amy and Kru Saimai for their enthusiasm in organising this wonderful Saturday event!

Celebrating the Rich Culture of Northern Thailand

Our Year 4 – 6 students from both campuses had a great morning exploring and immersing themselves in the rich culture of Northern Thailand! They enjoyed discovering the geography of the region, learning the local northern dialect, savouring authentic northern snacks, and crafting their very own ตุง (Tung) – the traditional northern flag – which they decorated beautifully.

A big thank you to Kru Way, Kru Fon and Kru Song for creating and preparing these activities for our students.

‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’

On Friday 21st March, 40 of our amazing U9 and U11 girls and boys came together from both campuses to compete in the PISAC Track & Field event hosted at our Chaofah City campus.

It was an amazing afternoon and our aspiring athletes ran, threw and hopped their way to a heart-wrenching 4th place finish. Wishing our Secondary athletes great success next week when they head over to Thanyapura for more track & field action! Mr Carter – Director of Sport

PISAC Secondary Track & Field Championships

We are excited to be taking our HeadStart Secondary Track & Field team to compete against 5 schools from across the island of Phuket at the PISAC Secondary Track & Field Championships which are being held this year at Thanyapura Sports & Health Resort.

Please see the details below:

• Date: Tuesday, 1st April

• Time: 15.00-19.30

• Venue: Thanyapura Sports & Health Resort

Selected athletes and their parents have already been contacted. Parents are very welcome to come and watch all the action unfold. Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you then. Mr Carter – Director of Sport

Panthers U15 Girls Take on BISP

The HeadStart Panthers U15 Girls travelled to BISP last week for a friendly fixture. Well done to the girls who played some excellent football creating some excellent goalscoring opportunities against a strong team. They were well organised and hard to break down defensively and showed just how much they are progressing with each and every game. Well done, Girls! – Coach Paul Rothwell

HeadStart Panthers Over-15 Teams Earn 3rd Place Medals!

The HeadStart Panthers Over-15 Boys and Girls teams showed heart and determination in their recent tournament. The boys were just one point away from the finals, falling to rivals BISP in a hard-fought game, while the girls narrowly lost out on playing in the finals by just a few baskets.

Despite facing older, more developed teams, both squads proved they can compete with anyone on the island, earning well-deserved 3rd place medals. A special congratulations to Mason Holmes, who received the Sportsmanship Award, recognizing him as a standout competitor in the tournament. Thank you to the players for their effort and to the parents for their support! Coach Grant – Basketball Coach

Thai Guest Speaker – Year 2 Meet a Pharmacist

We would like to thank Khun Phanida Poommalee, mother of Phu in Year 2, for taking the time to share her knowledge about the pharmacist profession with our children. The children explored different types of medicine and how to use medicine safely.

It was a fantastic learning experience — both engaging and educational! Thank you once again for inspiring our young learners. Kru Cherry & Kru Lookpla – Thai Teachers

Thai Guest Speaker – Year 3 Sample Traditional ‘Kanom Krok’

A big thank you to a group of Year 3 parents for sharing their knowledge about ‘Kanom Krok’, the famous little Thai coconut pancakes, one of the most popular street foods in Thailand.

• Mrs. Natpapa Sereereuangrong (Puth’s mother)

• Ms. Thanakritta Cholnawanthorn (Gain’s mother)

• Mrs. Kanokrat Worajittakul (Peak’s mother)

• Miss Suwanna Wajeesaksit (Darin’s mother)

• Mrs. Nantabhorn Kraitat (Aya’s mother)

• Mr. Nuttapol Weeraanantawat (Pace’s father)

Our experts demonstrated the ingredients and preparation of ‘Kanom Krok’, showing students how to make. Afterwards, the students had the opportunity to practice making their own and enjoy the tasty treats. The atmosphere was filled with fun, laughter, and a wonderful cultural learning experience through Thai cuisine. Kru Cherry & Kru Poy – Thai First Language Teachers

The Importance of Maintaining a Child’s First Language at Home

While our students spend much of their day learning in English, it is essential that they continue to develop their first language at home. Research shows that a strong foundation in a child’s first language supports overall cognitive development and helps students become even more proficient in additional languages.

❌ The risk of losing the first language

Over the years, we’ve seen families realise too late that they hadn’t done enough to support their child’s first language, only to regret it as their child grew older. Some children have struggled to connect with relatives, maintain cultural identity, or even express themselves fully in their home language.

✅ How parents can help

• Speak the first language daily – even if your child responds in English, continue using your home language consistently.

• Read books and tell stories – this helps develop vocabulary and cultural understanding.

• Encourage writing and creative expression – journals, letters to relatives, or even social media in the home language can be great practice.

• Watch films or listen to music together – exposure to the language in a natural way strengthens comprehension.

Bilingualism is a gift, and with the right support, students can thrive in multiple languages without losing their first one. Let’s work together to ensure that children grow up confident in both their school language and their home language!

Adventures in Water Play for our Preschool Pirates!

Ahoy, mateys! Our Preschool adventurers set sail on a thrilling voyage into the world of pirates and water play, inspired by their curriculum book, ‘The Treasure of Pirate Frank’. During messy play, the children found themselves surrounded by sharks, boats, and endless fun! They took turns sailing in their very own pirate ship, role-playing as fearless buccaneers while making sure to steer clear of the hungry sharks lurking below. Through imaginative play, teamwork, and hands-on exploration, the Preschool team created a wonderful world of learning, bringing stories to life and making every moment an exciting learning adventure! The Preschool Team

Primary Classes Take on the World on Times Tables Rockstars!

Well done to all the students who took part in the ‘Times Tables Rock Stars Rest of the World Rocks’ competition during Maths Faculty Week. You showed incredible courage to take part and amazing resilience to keep earning those points right until the end!

Congratulations to Year 5 Blue and Year 3 Blue who received certificates for being the highest scoring classes at HeadStart. And well done to Bogdan in Year 5 Blue and Pace in Year 3 Blue who received certificates for being HeadStart’s MVPs (Most Valuable Players)!

Amazingly, HeadStart was the highest scoring school out of nearby, all-through schools! Keep working on those times tables and maybe next year we can be top of the leaderboard worldwide! Ms Bell – Maths Subject Leader

Learner of the Month – Creativity & Resilience in English

This week’s Learner of the Month assembly had a special focus on English. Our English Coordinator, Mr. Charlton, led an exciting anagram game where children put their vocabulary and spelling skills to the test, unscrambling words to reveal our learner attributes. We then celebrated our outstanding Learners of the Month—students who have demonstrated creativity, resilience, and courage in their English lessons. Whether by crafting imaginative stories, experimenting with rich vocabulary, or persevering through challenges to improve their work, these students have shown a fantastic commitment to their learning. They should be very proud of their achievements! Mrs Marx – Head of Foundation & Primary

HeadStart Delegates Leading the Way at THAIMUN Conference

Upper Secondary Students Andrian, Liz, Alex and Petr showed themselves to be true leaders of tomorrow at the THAIMUN Conference in Bangkok last weekend. Advisors Mr Roscoe and Ms Tuppen were proud to observe them leading debates, submitting resolutions and most importantly, having fun. Special mention to Alex who was recognised with an Honorable Mention for Best Chair.

Here, Pert explains all about THAIMUN:

“THAIMUN is a must-have event for MUNers of any background. For beginners, it’s a chance to absorb powerful verbal skills from veterans. For masters of persuasion and logic, it’s a stage to shine among experienced delegates. But the common reason to join THAIMUN is fun!

I, with little debating experience, got everything above! I was in a committee with MUN titans who taught me essential public speaking lessons. I pushed myself to debate, met applause and critique, and learned to respond properly. And while debating, I laughed, I was challenged—and that’s what made the conference truly exciting! I recommend everyone try it at least once! And don’t be shy—only by speaking up you develop and find real joy!

Special thanks to the THAIMUN facilitators, my chairs, and fellow delegates. All of them helped me improve and made this conference unforgettable and hilarious!” Petr – Year 12

VIMAs – It’s a LOVE/HATE thing in Year 13 English!

After two years and over 24 VIMAs, the Year 13 Literature students come to the end of their assessment, feedback and feedforward programme. The last lesson before their last VIMA saw them preparing by synthesising the complex, sometimes disparate elements of Toni Morrison’s novel ‘Beloved’ in the form of a (sometimes) silent debate.

The Year 13 Literature cohort continues to impress with the desire to improve and their paradoxical attitude to VIMAs? Maybe that’s best summed up Zoe, ‘I hate VIMAs but I want to do more!’

The last of the VIMAs!

Proximity to Songkran means proximity to exams, and this week Year 12 and 13 had their last English Literature VIMA of 2024-25. We have continued to develop our VIMA programme. Now we offer students not only model essays, but AI generated feedback on them and, to support the acquisition of conceptual and technical language, defined and contextual vocabulary for students to assimilate and apply in their future essays. Mr. Pollicutt – Head of English

VIMA 4 AHOD March 2025

Scholars of Sustenance

HeadStart International School, Phuket is proud to continue its partnership with Scholars of Sustenance – a registered non-profit environmental organization operating to tackle the food waste and food insecurity problem since 2016. They rescue good quality surplus food from schools (including HeadStart), restaurants, hotels, retailers, and food manufacturers seven days a week and distribute it to different vulnerable communities in need. Their mission is to align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and uphold their motto – Saving the Land, Serving the People, Feeding the Mind.

To find out more about how you can support Scholars of Sustenance, visit their website: https://www.scholarsofsustenance.org/sos-thailand