Weekly Update #6, 26 September 2025

Parent Use of the School Gym

This is a polite reminder to parents that if a PE class is taking place in the gym between 14:30 – 15:30 they are not to enter the gym until this is completed. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Mini Camps Are Coming to HeadStart Chaofah City Campus!

We’re excited to announce a series of action-packed Mini Camps running from 13–15 October, 09:00 – 14:00 daily. Students can choose from a range of exciting options – Coding, Chess, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Table Tennis, and Gymnastics – each designed to build skills, confidence, and have plenty of fun!

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out. Click below to register your interest and secure your spot. Bookings are open for HeadStart & Outside Students so bring a friend! Our Camps Team will follow up via [email protected] with payment details.

Come Join Us! Community Beach Clean @ Rawai Beach

We look forward to seeing HeadStart families this Sunday 28 September at Rawai Beach (meet 9:30am @ We Cafe Rawai). Bring with you water, suncream, a hat and reusable gloves if you want to wear them. We will provide collection bags and of course House Points for every participant.

So come join us for a fun and rewarding community event where we give back to our local community.

Thai University Fair

We are excited to invite you to the Thai University Fair on Friday 3rd October 2025 at our Chaofah City campus. This annual event is a unique opportunity for both parents and students to meet with representatives from leading Thai universities.

At the fair, you’ll have the chance to ask questions about course options, admission requirements, and explore various academic pathways, gaining valuable insights into your child’s future university journey.

Please register here.

Event Details:

📅 Date: 3rd October 2025

⏰ Time: 08:30 – 11:00

📍 Venue: School Sports Hall

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Friday Market is Coming!

We are excited to announce that we are already fully booked for our latest Friday Market and cordially invite everyone to attend. If you want delicious home-baked treats, a range of freshly made drinks, scented candles or hand-crafted toys, as well as fun interactive activities for your young ones, then join us in the Atrium from 2:40pm on Friday 3rd October. We look forward to seeing you there!

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

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

感谢您的配合与支持！

诚挚问候 HeadStart 国际学校中文团队

Save the Date! Yearbook Photoshoot Coming Soon

Our annual photoshoot for the whole school yearbook is coming soon. This is your child’s chance to capture the smiles and laughter they share with their classmates and to preserve memories of friendships, achievements, and experiences at our Chaofah City campus. Our professional photoshoot will take place from Monday 6th October to Thursday 9th October. The day on which your child’s class’s photoshoot will take place will be shared by the Homeroom teacher.

Thai University Applications & Admission Requirements parent meeting on 23.09.25

Thank you very much to our Thai parents for showing your interest and for attending the presentation regarding the Thai University admission and admission with our Thai management team this week. We hope you found the presentation informative and useful for you to plan for your child’s future studies.

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

Thai University Application Parent Meeting

UPrep Talk: Choosing Subjects and Careers on 24.09.25

This week, parents joined us in the Secondary Hall for our third UPrep Talk: Choosing Subjects and Careers. The session, led by the University Preparation (UPrep) team, focused on how families can best support students as they make important subject decisions and begin considering future career pathways, especially as they choose their options in Years 9 and 11 (look out for future events coming soon!).

Parents explored how subject choices can shape future university and career opportunities, how to balance strengths, interests, and long-term goals, and the practical tools and resources available to guide decision-making. The talk also highlighted common pitfalls to avoid and offered strategies for ensuring students make confident, well-informed choices. The event concluded with a Q&A session, allowing parents to raise specific questions and share their perspectives. Feedback from attendees was very positive, with many noting how valuable it was to gain clear guidance during this key stage of their child’s educational journey.

We would like to thank all the parents who attended and look forward to welcoming you to our next UPrep Talk. If you were unable to attend the meeting or would like to review the content, please find a copy of the presentation below 👇

UPrep Talk 3 2025 26 Choosing Subjects and Careers

Introduction to the IGCSE Curriculum Parent Meeting on Tuesday 30th September

We invite parents of Secondary students, especially Years 7 to 9, to join us for our latest parent meeting when our Secondary Academic team will talk you through the IGCSE curriculum and options for your child. We look forward to seeing you there! Tuesday 30th September 2025 from 8:30-9:30am in the Secondary Hall (on the 4th floor).

Exploring Thai Heritage and Wellness

On Saturday, 20th September, students from both our school campuses enjoyed three fun and creative activities that connected culture, nature, and wellness:

🥥 Early Years and Reception explored the world of “Coconut: Nature’s All-Purpose Wonder.” Children discovered how every part of the coconut can be used in food, crafts, and daily life. To finish, they floated their very own boats made from coconut husks.

🎨 Year 1–3 students enjoyed “The Charm of Phuket’s Local Cuisine.” Students learned about the rich flavors and stories behind traditional Phuket dishes and painted Batik Art Fabric as a beautiful souvenir.

💆🏻‍♀ Year 4–6 students discovered “The Benefits of Herbs: Herbal Compress for Health.” Students made their own herbal compresses for relaxation and wellness, and also experienced professional massage therapy. Special thanks to Maymay (8 Yellow Chaofah City) and Maya’s (6 Blue Chaofah City) mum for providing the complimentary massage session.

These activities gave our students meaningful hands-on experiences while celebrating cultural heritage and the wisdom of nature. See you next term! The HeadStart Thai Team

📸 A full album of photos can be found here: Thai Culture Club Term 1

HeadStart University Fair 2025: A Gateway to Global Opportunities

On Monday 22nd September 2025, HeadStart International School proudly hosted its annual University Fair at the Chaofah City campus. The event brought together representatives from top universities around the world, drawing students and families into an evening of exploration, inspiration, and practical guidance for future pathways and higher education opportunities. Students engaged in meaningful conversations with representatives from prestigious UK universities including the University of St Andrews, Durham University, and the University of York, who offered valuable insights into UK study options, while international opportunities were showcased by representatives from Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Switzerland, learning more about courses, entry requirements, and pathways to study abroad. The fair was buzzing with questions as students explored possibilities across the globe.

In addition to the fair itself, guests benefited from a series of interactive workshops, giving families the chance to dive deeper into areas of special interest. These included an Art Portfolio session, where aspiring creatives received expert guidance on preparing portfolios for competitive programmes, and a workshop by the University of Cambridge, offering valuable insights into the application process for one of the world’s top universities. There was also the opportunity to learn more about hospitality courses and appreciate some cheese! The atmosphere was both purposeful and welcoming, enhanced by the thoughtful hospitality provided to our visiting representatives. We hope that parents appreciated the opportunity to gather reliable information in one place, and that students left feeling inspired and better prepared to make informed choices about their futures.

The combination of world-class institutions, practical advice, and engaging discussions created a real sense of excitement about the possibilities ahead. We extend our thanks to the UPrep team, staff, student helpers, and all who contributed to making the evening such a success. The University Fair continues to be a cornerstone event in our school calendar, supporting students as they take confident steps toward their next chapter. Many thanks for all your support. The UPrep Team

HeadStart Panthers U13 Boys Finish 3rd at Samui International 7s

The HeadStart Panthers U13 Boys secured an impressive 3rd place at the Koh Samui International 7s Football tournament, where they faced off against academies from Thailand, Australia, and Pakistan. After an intense three days filled with ten group stage matches, the team earned their spot in the 3rd vs 4th place playoff final against PSG Samui A. Their hard work and togetherness led to a decisive 4-1 win, clinching the 3rd place that their effort and resilience so richly deserved.

Special congratulations to our goalkeeper, Thomas, for his impressive achievement in winning the U13 Boys Golden Glove trophy. We would also like to say a huge thank you to all the parents who came out to support our team. Coach Frost – Head Football Coach

HeadStart Girls Football: Creating a Culture of Resilience, Collaboration and Respect

The U11 Girls VAP team recently played against the U11 Girls Academy team, with volunteers from the older age groups supporting the event, helping to create a positive and encouraging environment across the girls’ football community. The older girls acted as excellent role models, setting a great example for the younger players to follow. All the girls worked incredibly hard, showing real determination and teamwork throughout the fixture.

The activity also reflected several of the Learner Attributes, particularly:

• Resilient – players demonstrated perseverance, continuing to work hard against the opposition

• Collaborative – teamwork and support for one another both on and off the pitch.

• Respectful – the girls displayed great sportsmanship towards their teammates, coaches, and opponents

Great work, U11 Girls footballers. What a positive start to the football season! Coach Madi – Football Coach

Chaofah City and Cherngtalay Panthers Teams Face Off

Over the weekend, both the U9 and U11 Boys were in action with some inter-school rivalry: the U9 Boys hosted their counterparts from our Cherngtalay campus on their home ground, while the U11 Boys headed up to Cherngtalay to take on the U11 Boys there! Credit to our U9 Boys who showed a range of skills and teamwork against tough opposition. Meanwhile, the U11 Boys match was end to end and competitive with our boys demonstrating good ability to create opportunities from all over the pitch.

Well done to all of those involved in these matches, and thank you to our parent community for your ongoing support of our team. Coach Paul – Football Coach

Don’t Forget! Follow our Sports Academy News and Parent Alerts on our WhatsApp Channels

Please note that our Sports Academy teams will be moving away from using the LINE App for communicating with parents at the end of September. We have now moved over to WhatsApp Channels – a dedicated channel for each of our three academies. We will use these channels for immediate notifications and reminders as well as media from matches, meets and competitions. Scan the relevant QR code below or visit our display boards at school to join our Sports Academy community hub.

All About Me! Building Confidence and a Sense of Self in Foundation

Our very first Foundation Stay & Play of the year, All About Me!, was such a wonderful success! It was fantastic to welcome parents into school and see the children absolutely beaming with pride as they showed their families around their new classroom environment. The excitement and joy of parents and children engaging together in the thoughtful, personal activities created by each class was truly wonderful.

Stay & Play mornings are such an important part of the Foundation stage—they give children the chance to build their confidence, independence, and sense of self, while proudly sharing their learning with those who mean the most to them. Parents shared how much they enjoyed the morning, describing it as a warm, meaningful experience that really celebrated each child.

Holding separate sessions for Preschool, Early Years, and Reception made the mornings even more special and intimate for families. What a wonderful start to our Foundation Stay and Play events, we cannot wait for the next one, and for all the special memories still to come this year! The Foundation Team

📸 A full album of photos from each year group can be found here: Foundation All About Me Stay & Play 2025

Fostering a Lifelong Interest in the Natural World: Year 6 Explore Aquaria

During Year 6’s recent field trip to Aquaria, students focused on our science unit about living things and their habitats. They participated in a scavenger hunt, looking for different organisms and noting their characteristics. As they explored the various exhibits, they gained a better understanding of aquatic ecosystems. The experience allowed them to connect what they learned in class with real-life examples, making for an informative afternoon.

Field trips like this provide valuable opportunities for students to engage with content in a hands-on, interactive environment that stimulates curiosity and deepens comprehension. Being outside the classroom also encourages collaboration, inquiry, and critical thinking in a dynamic setting. Such experiences not only reinforce academic learning but also help foster a lifelong interest in science and the natural world. Overall, it was a valuable outing that complemented our science studies in the classroom. The Year 6 Team

Primary Stars of the Week

This week, we are delighted to celebrate our Stars of the Week for showing the Learner Attribute of being Open-Minded. These children have impressed us by showing curiosity about new ideas and respect for different perspectives. They have been willing to try new activities, even when they seemed challenging at first, and have listened carefully to classmates’ opinions, showing kindness and understanding. Some demonstrated openness by learning about other cultures and traditions with enthusiasm, while others welcomed new friends into their groups. By embracing differences and valuing diversity, they remind us all how important it is to learn with open hearts and minds.

The World Scholar’s Cup: Celebrating Collaboration and Collective Achievement

For over a year, students in the English VAPP have been burning the midnight oil in two sessions a week at school, weekend meets and holiday study sessions to prepare for the challenges of The World Scholar’s Cup. The World Scholar’s Cup brings together many subjects and challenges teams to work together, because there’s nothing harder or more inspiring than knowing that someone else depends on you. And it deals with serious global issues without taking itself too seriously, and it pushes students to their limits in collaborative events such as the Team Debate, Collaborative Writing, Scholar’s Challenge and Scholar’s Bowl.

Oh, and it has alpacas…!

After having all qualified from the Regional Round in May, we now faced another D-Day: The Global Round over 7 gruelling days in Bangkok. More than 2000 junior and senior scholars competed against our plucky band of fourteen. Results? To say we were proud would be to sorely understate things. Over 50 individual gold medals and over 40 silver, as well as both individual and team trophies all contributed to a sensational outcome where all of our full teams have qualified for The Tournament of Champions at Yale University in November.

Although we could write several more paragraphs about individual successes (and there were many), to do so at length would be to diminish the achievements of the collective. We would however, draw attention to two particular moments which will live long in the memory. The first might seem inauspicious, unrelated to academia, but speaks volumes of the character and growth of our students. It was the moment when HeadStart Junior Scholars, without having to be asked, politely cleaned up and put away all their rubbish after their lunch in a busy fast food outlet, Dream World. The second was how the Senior Scholar pair of Priya and Luuktaan (Year 11) reacted to the news that they would be debating as a pair rather than a trio: news that they took with stoicism and courage – always supporting each other throughout the day.

As one of our scholars said, we left Phuket as individuals, but we returned as a team. In an attempt to give you a better sense of the intense and unique experience that is World Scholar’s Cup, watch out for a student-created video of the trip coming your way soon!

For now, please join with us in celebrating the success of the scholars as our whole school community did at Monday morning flag raising. Mr. Pollicutt – Head of English – and Ms Delaney – English Teacher