Weekly Update #4, 12 September 2025

Thai Culture Club @ Chaofah City Campus

Let’s kick off our first term with some fun cultural activities. Inviting all students and parents from Early Years to Year 6 to join our unique program where we learn more about Thai Culture on Saturday 20th September from 9.00am to 12.00pm at our Chaofah City campus.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please feel free to contact your child’s Thai teacher at school.

HeadStart University Fair 2025

Get ready for an incredible evening of exploration and opportunity at the University Fair hosted by HeadStart International School Chaofah City campus:

📅 Date: Monday 22nd September

🕗 Time: 17:30 to 20:00

📍 Location: Sports Hall, Chaofah City Campus

Immerse yourself in a global showcase of top universities and connect with representatives to explore diverse academic programs. Enjoy interactive workshops on creating standout art portfolios, and gain insights into fields like law, hospitality, and business with sessions from UK universities including Cambridge, St. Andrews, and York, and AIHM in Bangkok. Discover study pathways in Australia, Asia, Canada, and the UK. Whether you’re exploring options or making decisions, this event is for you.

To sign up, confirm attendance and book a workshop, please scan the QR code in the poster below 👇. You are also welcome to pop by on the day to speak to any of the reps at the Fair.

First Foundation Stay & Play of the Year

Stay & Play sessions at HeadStart hold significant importance within the Foundation department. These sessions promote parental involvement, allowing parents to actively engage with their child’s development, foster social skills, understand play based learning and build trust with the school community. Stay & Play also supports the gradual independence of children, helps develop important early learning skills, and boosts confidence, ensuring a positive start to their educational journey.

We invite our Foundation parents to join us for our first Stay & Play of the year. This session is for parents to spend time with their children in their classrooms all planned around the theme ‘all about me’. Sessions will start at 8.30am and be held in your child’s classroom and the Indoor learning Centre. See the poster for more details.

Mandarin Language Day: Term 1

We are excited to invite you to a vibrant Mandarin Language Day event on Saturday, October 4th, from 09:00 to 12:00 at HeadStart Chaofah City Campus!

Event Highlights:

• Classical Chinese Dance Workshop

• Traditional Kite Making

• Bamboo Weaving Fan Craft for Mid-Autumn Festival

• Fragrant Sachet Making for Mid-Autumn Festival

Please click the link to fill out the registration form: https://forms.gle/bG2TA5kGFSFhsGbm9

Thank you for your cooperation and support! The Mandarin Team

我们将于2025年10月4日(星期六)上午9:00 – 12:00在HeadStart Chaofah City校区为您举办丰富多彩的中文语言日活动。

活动亮点：

• 中国古典舞体验

• 非遗纸鸢制作

• 中秋节竹编扇子制作

中秋节香囊制作
请点击链接填写报名表: https://forms.gle/bG2TA5kGFSFhsGbm9
感谢您的配合与支持！

诚挚问候 HeadStart 国际学校中文团队

HeadStart Curriculum for Thai Parents Meeting on 09.09.25

On Tuesday 9th September, our Thai Management Team led by Kru Nee hosted a meeting for our Thai parents provided valuable information about “HeadStart Curriculum” the HeadStart educational journey, which spans from Foundation to Primary, Secondary, IGCSE, A Levels and BTEC, offering parents a comprehensive understanding of the educational pathway their children are embarking upon. Both existing and new Thai parents also had the opportunity to introduce themselves and shared their experience about HeadStar with an engaging icebreaker activity designed to foster connections among Thai parents.

We reviewed subject options in Secondary school, shared tips on how parents can support their child to be a happy and engaged learner, and introduced our U-Prep program to assure parents that our experienced team will closely support their child’s university pathway.

If you were unable to attend the meeting or would like to review the content, please find a copy of the presentation below 👇

We look forward to many more productive interactions in the future. Kru Nee – School Director

HSC Parent Meeting 04 HeadStart Curriculum for Thai Parents 2025 26

Fast For Word Parent Presentation on 09.09.25

A big thank you to all the parents who joined us at the Chaofah campus on Tuesday for our Fast ForWord parent presentation! The session explored the science behind the programme, demonstrated how it works, and showed how it adapts to each child’s level to provide personalised practice. Parents also learned about the key benefits for students, from improved reading fluency and comprehension to stronger memory, focus, and confidence.

Together with Naresh from BrainFit, we discussed how parents can help at home by providing the right conditions. Parents also had the chance to see a demo of the programme and received brochures to take home. For those unable to attend, you can explore how Fast ForWord supports your child’s learning journey in the brochure below 👇

FFW Reading Brochure

UPrep Talk #2: Your Child’s 5-Year Plan on 10.09.25

Our second UPrep Talk of the year, Your Child’s 5 Year Plan, took place on Wednesday 10th September at our Chaofah City campus and was very well attended by parents from across the Secondary School. The session focused on encouraging families to think ahead and consider the key milestones students will encounter over the next five years. We discussed the importance of a growth mindset in helping young people embrace challenges and develop resilience, and parents were introduced to ways they can support their children in setting goals and exploring future pathways.

We also looked at the role of subject and option choices in shaping long-term opportunities, highlighting how these decisions connect to both A Levels, BTECs and future university applications. It was a positive and engaging morning, and we are grateful to all the parents who joined us. We look forward to continuing these conversations in our upcoming UPrep Talks. Ms Graham – Deputy Head Upper Secondary

If you were unable to attend the meeting or would like to review the content, please find copies of the presentation in English and Thai below 👇

UPrep Talk 2 2025 26 Your Child s 5 Year Plan
UPrep Talk2 2025 26 Your Child s 5 Year Plan TH

Introduction to Year 1 Parent Meeting on Tuesday 16th September

We invite parents of Year 1 children to join us for our latest parent meeting when our Primary team will talk you through life as a Year 1 student and highlight some of the differences with a child’s experiences in Foundation. It will also be a great opportunity to meet other parents and members of our community. Our Thai, Russian and Mandarin speaking admin teams will be on hand to provide translation services. We look forward to seeing you there! Tuesday 16th September 2025 from 8:30-9:30am in the Secondary Hall (on the 4th floor).

Latest UPrep Drop-in Session on Wednesday 17th September

We warmly welcome all interested parents to join our upcoming University Preparation (UPrep) Drop-In session on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, from 8:30am in Nakita’s Café (first floor). Come and meet our University Counsellors for informal conversations, personalised advice, and valuable insights to help plan your child’s pathway to leading universities around the world. Don’t miss this opportunity!

The UPrep Team

The path to higher education is not one-size-fits-all; it’s a personal journey of discovery. At HeadStart, our University Preparation (UPrep) programme is founded on this belief. We move beyond generic advice to provide truly bespoke guidance that honours each student’s individual strengths, passions, and career ambitions. Embarking on the university application process is also a major milestone for the entire family. Our UPrep programme is designed as a collaborative partnership, bringing students, parents, and our expert counsellors together to ensure a smooth and successful journey.

Our dedicated team works closely with students and their parents to craft a pathway that is uniquely theirs. Through one-on-one counselling, skills workshops, and continuous support, we empower our students to become principled and inquisitive architects of their own futures. From exploring “best fit” universities to polishing application essays that reflect their authentic voice, we ensure every student feels seen, supported, and confident as they take their next significant step.

Our UPrep team is ready to help any students and parents who would like more information on the programme. Contact the following members of staff for more information:

• Ms Emily Graham, Deputy Head of Upper Secondary School at [email protected]

• Mr Neil Roscoe, University Counsellor at [email protected]

• Mr Simon Thomas, University Counsellor at [email protected]

• Khun Pornkamon Roongsiri (Kru Toom), Deputy School Director at [email protected]

• Khun Waree Srisomlieng (Khun Nan), Sixth Form Secretary at [email protected]

Panthers U13 Boys Warm Up for Samui International 7s with Win

Last Saturday was a great day for our Chaofah City Panthers U13 Boys as they took on Southside United at home and came away with a fantastic win! The boys showed some brilliant football, with their smooth combination play really catching the eye. What stood out the most was their sharp finishing in the final third, turning chances into goals with confidence and style.

This victory has given the team a real boost as they gear up to head off to Koh Samui next week, ready to take on the Koh Samui International 7s tournament. Exciting times ahead for our talented squad!

HeadStart Music Production goes to the Macs!

Our Performing Arts Faculty is buzzing with excitement as we welcome a major upgrade to our music provision: brand-new Mac computers and the latest Logic Pro X music production software! This isn’t just a tech refresh; it’s a huge step forward for our music students, giving them access to professional industry-standard tools used by top artists and producers worldwide.

This investment shows HeadStart’s commitment to providing the best resources for our students’ creative development into the future. Whether interested in music recording, production, songwriting, film scoring, or sound design, these new tools help to bring musical visions to life.
Our Music Production ECA and BTEC Music/ Music Production students have been getting to grips with this powerful creative tool this week and we can’t wait to hear what the Key Stage 4 and 5 students will produce. Mr Graham – Head of Performing Arts

Celebrating Success in Russian Exams

Congratulations to our wonderful students! We are incredibly proud of our Russian program graduates, who continue to delight us with outstanding results in Russian language exams! This year, all GCSE entries passed with the highest score A. Similarly at A Level, all students passed with the highest grade A*.

We celebrate the achievements of:

GCSE:Vasiliza, Andrey V, Artem K, Alena F, Amalia, Diana K, Savva P, Diana ZA Level: Arianna, Vlad C

This academic year, we have already started classes with new students and have begun preparing for the next exams. We hope that this year will bring us even more intellectual discoveries and the same high scores!

Practicing Fine Motor Skills in Early Years Yellow

This week, Early Years Yellow enjoyed a range of activities designed to strengthen their fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are the small muscle movements in the hands and fingers that children need to develop before they can begin writing. Through engaging tasks such as playdough, threading, and using scissors, the children had fun while practicing hand–eye coordination, finger strength, and control. These skills are an important foundation for holding a pencil, forming letters, and writing with confidence. Miss Jasmine – Early Years Yellow Teacher

Being Inquisitive in the Growing Garden with Year 6

This week, Year 6 have taken their science learning outdoors with an exciting gardening session in the rooftop garden. As part of our topic ‘Living Things and Their Habitats’, the children have been exploring how plants grow and thrive by harvesting watercress, taking cuttings from the stems and planting them in pots to propagate. This also links to the work we have been doing in class, looking at different types of plants and classifying them in a classification key.

A highlight for everyone came at the end of the session, when the children were invited to harvest the ripe fruit and berries around the garden, which they were able to take home and share with others. These sessions give Year 6 the opportunity to show many of the HeadStart Learner Attributes, including being inquisitive as they explored new plants, asked lots of questions about the process and made links to their science learning. They also showed their ability to work collaboratively, as they supported one another with the gardening tasks and searched for ripe produce. The Year 6 Team

The Heart of Our Library: Inquisitive, Collaborative, and Kind

A huge HeadStart welcome to our new Primary Library Monitors: Cherry, Rita, Amy, Shiloh, and Anfisa! These students have truly become role models in our community, showcasing many of our school Learner Attributes. Their inquisitive nature has driven them to master the complexities of the library, and their collaborative spirit shines through as they work together to create an organized and enjoyable environment for all.

Above all, their kindness and approachable demeanor mean they are ready to help fellow students navigate the shelves and find their next great read. Their enthusiasm and positive spirit are exactly what we need to help our library continue to be a vital resource for everyone. Khun Mai – School Librarian

Starting meaningful conversations in Primary

On Thursday, 11th September we celebrated ‘R U Ok? Day’ in Primary. This was a valuable chance to encourage kindness and empathy, while helping students understand that being a good friend means noticing when others may be struggling. We focused on how to start a conversation and showed children that even small conversations can make a big difference to someone’s wellbeing. Ms Cusworth – Deputy Head of Primary (Pastoral)

R U OK? Day

This week, our Secondary students came together to mark RU OK? Day, a special day dedicated to checking in on one another and building a culture of care and support. Students participated in homeroom activities that highlighted the importance of looking beyond surface smiles and asking meaningful questions. They practised active listening, learned how to recognise signs when someone might be struggling, and explored positive ways to respond and support their peers.
RU OK? Day reminds us all that a simple conversation can make a big difference. By asking, “Are you OK?” and genuinely listening, we help break down the stigma around mental health and show compassion to those around us. It’s not just about one day – it’s about building habits of empathy, kindness, and connection every day at school and in our wider community!

Demonstrating Depth of Knowledge and Academic Rigour in Year 13 Biology

This week, Year 13 students delivered impressive academic presentations extending the A Level Biology specification. Mentored by Mr. Guarino, they began their projects at the end of Year 12, formulating research questions and exploring ways to test hypotheses through independent investigation. Their work demonstrated both the depth of knowledge and academic rigour expected at university, while modelling how to communicate complex ideas with clarity and precision.

Showcasing inquisitiveness and creativity, two of our HeadStart Learner Attributes, their research will be on display during Science Week later this term, serving as inspiration for younger students as they embark on their own Science Fair projects in Term 2. In the spirit of Carl Sagan’s words, “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known,” these projects remind us that scientific discovery is not only about mastering what we already know, but also about daring to seek out what lies beyond. The Science Team

HeadStart Students Enter Prestigious Wharton Global High School Investment Competition

A talented team of HeadStart students has entered the Wharton Global High School Investment Competition, an international challenge hosted by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The competition provides high school students with the opportunity to step into the shoes of investment managers, working collaboratively to develop innovative strategies for a given client scenario. Teams must research, analyse and present financial strategies in a simulated environment, gaining valuable insights into the world of investment and economics.

Representing HeadStart this year are Vlad, Eliott, Ilya and Andrian. The group will spend several weeks working together to build a portfolio and present their approach, testing not only their financial knowledge but also teamwork, research and critical thinking skills. Mr Roscoe, their supervising teacher, commented: “The Wharton competition is a fantastic programme. It really helps students develop financial acumen, strategic thinking and teamwork. Beyond the skills gained, participation also looks excellent on university applications, demonstrating initiative and global awareness.”

Wishing the team the very best of luck as they embark on this exciting challenge.

A Demonstration of Lifelong Learning

Headstart’s Lead of Vocational Education, Miss Jones, recently attended a three day Pearson Assessor and Internal Verifier training course at AIHM in Bangkok. The Pearson BTEC IV and Assessor Programme was a practical, multi-day workshop designed around the principles of vocational education and teaching. It supports those aiming to mentor colleagues in delivering BTEC courses effectively. The training provided a comprehensive overview of BTEC standards and expectations, including;

• Understanding the content and structure of BTEC qualifications to ensure programmes are well-planned and aligned to Pearson’s framework.

• Planning successful BTEC programmes that balance vocational relevance with academic rigour.

• Grading learner evidence with accuracy and consistency, with a strong focus on interpreting and applying command verbs within assessment criteria.

• Developing assignment scenarios and briefs that are engaging, vocationally relevant, and meet Pearson’s quality expectations.

• Exploring internal and external quality assurance processes, ensuring that assessment decisions are valid, reliable, and standardised.

• Addressing Standards Verification action plans, equipping assessors and IVs with the skills to respond effectively and maintain compliance with Pearson standards.

The course reinforced the importance of collaboration between assessors and internal verifiers to maintain the integrity of assessment and provide learners with a fair and robust experience. By attending this training, Miss Jones strengthened her expertise in vocational assessment and internal verification. This ensures high quality delivery of BTEC courses across all vocational subjects, supporting both staff development and student success.

The Dome Tennis Club Promotion

The Dome Tennis Club would like to promote the JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM offered on a daily basis Monday to Friday from 16.30 to 18.30 at the Dome. It is available to everyone, regardless of tennis level: Beginners, Intermediary or Advanced players are all welcome and will be channeled to the appropriate group.

Our offers:

• A package for 10 sessions of 2 hours per session: 9.000 baht

• A single session of 2 hours: 1.000 baht each session

Please contact Khun Flooke at the Dome for further information. Tel: 0896499002. Email: [email protected]