Weekly Update #8, 10 October 2025

Celebrating Our Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award Winners!

HeadStart International School Phuket continues to set the standard for academic excellence, with outstanding achievements in IGCSE, AS and A Level results. Our school’s focus on a rigorous, supportive learning environment helps students excel in these globally recognized qualifications.

The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards celebrate top international students in Cambridge exams. In 2025, HeadStart students achieved exceptional results, with two standing out: Melissa Sommerladt ranked Top in the World for IGCSE Foreign Language Mandarin Chinese; andErica Ilstam was recognized as Top in Thailand for A Level Psychology. We are incredibly proud not only of these accomplishments, but of the hard work and dedication that both students put in to achieve these remarkable results.

In the 2024-25 AS and A Level exams, 42% of HeadStart students achieved A* or A grades. Notable achievers included Sixuan (Alice) Li and Zoe Fuchs, who received High Achievement Awards in AS Level Psychology and A Level Literature in English respectively. In the 2025 IGCSE exam series, 42% of our Year 11 cohort achieved A* or A grades, while Emma Delsol (Year 10) was recognised with a High Achievement Award for Foreign Language French.

These successes reflect the effectiveness of HeadStart’s comprehensive curriculum, emphasising critical thinking, creativity, and global citizenship. With a strong academic team and personalised approach, the school prepares students for both exams and lifelong success, making our school a leading institution in the region and helping to fulfil our goal of inspiring a love of learning.

Unleash Your Creativity: Design Our New Teacher Awards!

Calling all young artists and designers! This is your chance to make a lasting mark on our school. We’re launching a competition for students to design the official certificate for our new Teacher Awards, creating a special way to celebrate the educators who inspire us every day. It’s the perfect creative project for the upcoming half-term break!

• Your Mission: Design the new official certificate for the HeadStart Teacher Awards.

• Who Can Enter: The competition is open to all students, with winners chosen from both Primary and Secondary.

• What to do: Create a design that is celebratory, inspiring, and captures the HeadStart spirit.

• Rewards: Every entry earns one point for your House, and the winning designs will become the official school award certificate for teacher.

• Deadline:All entries must be submitted byFriday, 7th November.

• How to Submit: Please submit your design to our House Coordinators [email protected] (for Primary students) or [email protected] (for Secondary students) or scan the relevant QR code in the poster.

A Fun Morning for a Great Cause: Join the Child-Watch Run for Children!

Every step you take makes a difference. For over two decades, the Child-Watch Phuket Foundation has been a vital safe haven for abused and at-risk children in our community. On Sunday, 9th November, join us for a morning of purpose and solidarity as we run to protect the most vulnerable among us.

Your participation helps fund critical projects that give these children a chance for a safe and healthy future. Let’s come together to show them our support.

Event Details:

• What: Child-Watch Phuket 22nd Run For Children, featuring 10.5km and 3.5km distance races.

• When:Sunday, 9th November 2025. Registration opens at 4:30AM, with the first run starting at 5:40AM.

• Why: To raise crucial funds and awareness for Child-Watch Phuket, helping to provide a safe future for children in need.

Sign up today using the QR code below to join one of the two distance runs. And once registered, let us know and we will give you a FREE Team HeadStart t-shirt for each entrant. We look forward to seeing many members of our school community at this local charitable event.

Spark a New Passion this Half-Term!

The half-term break is a fantastic time for discovery! Our special interest camps, starting next week at the Chaofah City Campus, are designed to challenge young minds and bodies in new ways. It’s a chance for your child to dive deep into a new hobby, unlock hidden talents, and develop valuable skills like critical thinking, discipline, and creativity.

Explore these unique opportunities:

• MMA Camp: Learn discipline, focus, and self-confidence through the principles of martial arts.

• Chess Camp: Develop strategic thinking, foresight, and problem-solving skills over the board.

• Table Tennis Camp: Sharpen reflexes, agility, and precision with fast-paced drills and friendly competition.

• Gymnastics Camp: Build strength, flexibility, and coordination in a fun and structured setting.

• Coding Camp: A deep dive into the world of programming, perfect for future innovators and creators.

Give your child the gift of a new skill or a newfound passion. These popular camps have limited availability, so check the posters and register here [email protected] to book their place.

Wai Kru (Teacher Appreciation) Ceremony

We warmly invite our students and parents to join us for the annual Wai Kru Ceremony, a cherished Thai tradition centered on showing profound respect and gratitude to teachers.

This culturally significant event is a heartfelt opportunity for our students to formally thank their teachers for their guidance, dedication, and inspiration. During the ceremony, students will present a floral tribute as a symbol of their appreciation.

Students are invited to participate by bringing flowers or a small floral arrangement to present on the day. We hope you can join us to share in this memorable cultural tradition with your children.

The schedule for our Chaofah City campus is as follows:

• Secondary: Wednesday, 22nd October – 08:15 – 09:15

• Primary: Thursday, 23rd October – 08:15 – 09:15

• Foundation: Friday, 24th October – 08:30 – 09:15

Celebrating a Historic Milestone: The 200th Phuket Vegetarian Festival

The power of faith and tradition will be on full display as our island celebrates a truly historic event: the 200th anniversary of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival (Jia Chai), taking place from Tuesday, 21st October to Wednesday, 29th October 2025.

This is a special time in Phuket, deeply rooted in local culture, that celebrates the belief that spiritual cleansing and abstinence from meat bring good health and peace of mind. Throughout the nine days, the island comes alive with vibrant street processions, sacred rituals at the beautiful Chinese shrines, and an incredible variety of delicious vegetarian food. It is a world-renowned cultural celebration known for its powerful displays of devotion and strong community spirit.

How HeadStart will participate:

• To honour this important local tradition and join with our community, we invite all students and staff to dress in white on Wednesday, 29th October.

• Additionally, our school canteen will be offering a special selection of delicious vegetarian meal options at lunchtime on this day for everyone to enjoy.

We look forward to respectfully celebrating this unique and significant part of Phuket’s rich cultural heritage with our entire school community.

กิจกรรมเพลย์กรุ๊ปสำหรับเด็กเล็กที่โรงเรียนนานาชาติเฮดสตาร์ทสาขาเชิงทะเล

ขอเชิญผู้ปกครองที่มีบุตรหลานอายุระหว่าง 1-4 ขวบ เข้าร่วม กิจกรรม Playgroup ฟรี เพื่อเตรียมความพร้อมก่อนเข้าเรียนระดับอนุบาลและกระตุ้นพัฒนาการ ผ่านการเล่นเชิงสร้างสรรค์ ร้องเพลง เต้นรำ ศิลปะ ปั้นดินน้ำมัน เล่านิทาน เสริมพัฒนาการด้านกล้ามเนื้อและการเคลื่อนไหวของเด็กเล็ก รวมทั้งได้พบปะเพื่อนใหม่ในบรรยากาศที่เป็นกันเอง สอนโดยครูชาวต่างชาติผู้เชี่ยวชาญ ณ โรงเรียนนานาชาติเฮดสตาร์ท สาขาเชิงทะเล มาร่วมเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของกิจกรรม Playgroup กันค่ะ

Connect and Play at Our Free Toddler Playgroup @ HeadStart Cherngtalay Campus

Parents with children aged 1-4 years are invited to join our free Toddler Playgroup to prepare their little one for Preschool and stimulate their development through creative play, singing, dancing, art, modeling with clay, telling stories, enhancing the development of young children’s muscles and movements. You’ll also get to meet new friends in a friendly atmosphere, taught by expert teachers at HeadStart International School, Cherngtalay Campus. Come join us for our Toddler Playgroup!

Spooktacular Stay & Play!

Get your best costumes ready for a morning of excitement at our Foundation Halloween Stay & Play! Your little monsters will explore playful sensory stations, create their own spooky crafts, and enjoy festive games in our decorated classrooms. Parents are invited to join in and see all the fun!

The magic happens on Thursday, 30th October, from 8:30 – 9:30 AM in the Foundation Classrooms & ILC. Open to all Preschool, Early Years, and Reception families. It’s going to be a morning full of smiles!

A Day of Spooky Fun in Primary!

The Halloween excitement continues in Primary! On Thursday, 30th October, our Primary students are invited to celebrate by coming to school in their favourite friendly costumes. The day will be filled with fun games, creative themed activities, and plenty of treats as our school transforms for the occasion. It promises to be a day of ghoulishly good fun and memorable moments for all our students.

The Halloween Disco is Back!

Get your best costumes ready! The most spooktacular night of the autumn term is just around the corner—the Secondary Halloween Disco! Our Sports Hall will be transformed into the ultimate party zone with awesome music, exciting games, and, of course, prizes for the most creative costumes.

It’s the one night of the year where students from Year 7 all the way to Year 13, and from both campuses, come together to hang out, dance, and make some brilliant memories. The party is planned entirely by our students for maximum fun, so you know it’s going to be good! We can’t wait to see everyone there for this epic get-together.

Don’t miss out! Join us on Thursday, 30th October, from 18:00-20:00. Please RSVP via the sign-up form recently emailed to parents.

Foundation PSED Parent Workshop: Helping Your Child with Behaviour on 07.09.25

A big thank you to all our Foundation parents who joined the Personal, Social and Emotional Development workshop on Helping Your Child with Behaviour. It was so lovely to see so many of you come along to share in the discussions and contribute your thoughts and experiences. It was a valuable morning of ideas, strategies, and open conversations. Your encouragement, support, and partnership are what make such a difference in creating a fantastic educational journey for all our children. Ms Hughes – Deputy Head of Foundation

Please find a copy of the presentation below 👇

HSC Parent Meeting 07 Foundation PSED Behaviour 2025 26

Introduction to Sixth Form, A Levels and BTEC Parent Meeting

Come join us! We welcome parents of students from Year 10 to Year 13 to join us for our latest parent meeting when we will talk you through life as a Sixth Form student, and the range of A Level and BTEC programs on offer. We look forward to seeing you there! Tuesday 22nd October 2025 from 8:30-9:30am in the Secondary Hall (fourth floor).

Meet the Heart of Our Secondary School – The Pastoral Team

What is pastoral care? It’s our promise that every student is seen, heard, and supported on their journey through Secondary school. It’s the network of care that focuses on well-being, personal growth, and resilience, ensuring every child has the foundation they need to thrive both academically and personally.

At HeadStart, this philosophy is brought to life by our dedicated Secondary Pastoral Team. Their goal is to create an environment where students feel safe, valued, and confident. We believe that happy, well-supported students are successful students, and the team works tirelessly to be that consistent, reliable support system for them and their families.

In practice, this support means their doors are always open. Whether a student needs guidance on study skills, support with friendships, or just a listening ear, our Pastoral Team is here to help.

Mandarin Language Day Term 1

Our Mandarin Language Day on 4th October was a wonderful celebration of language, culture, and community. Students and families took part in five exciting activities — riddle guessing, Chinese traditional dance, kite making, sachet making, and bamboo fan weaving.

During the riddle challenge, students showed excellent collaboration and problem-solving skills. The kite-making activity allowed participants to appreciate the beauty of Chinese intangible cultural heritage, while the bamboo fan weaving challenged students and parents to demonstrate patience as they carefully wove each strip of bamboo into unique designs. The DIY sachet activity encouraged students to make personalized choices based on the different effects of traditional herbs, connecting language learning with well-being and cultural wisdom.

A special thanks to Ms. Deng, a parent volunteer, for leading the dance workshop — a wonderful opportunity for students to experience the joy of movement. The event truly embodied our school’s Learner Attributes of creativity, communication, and intercultural understanding. It was a meaningful opportunity for Mandarin-speaking families and our wider community to connect and celebrate learning together.

📸 You can download a full gallery of pictures here: Mandarin Language Day Term 1

中文语言日于10月4日顺利举行，这是一场精彩的语言、文化与社区的庆典。学生和家长们共同参与了五项有趣的活动——猜灯谜、中国舞教学、风筝制作、香囊手作和竹编扇子。

在猜灯谜环节中，学生们展现了出色的合作与解决问题能力；风筝制作让大家感受到了中国非物质文化遗产的魅力；竹编扇子的制作过程考验了学生与家长的耐心，每一把成品都独一无二。香囊手作让学生根据不同香料的功效做出个性化选择，将语言学习与身心健康及文化智慧相结合。

特别感谢家长志愿者邓女士带领舞蹈工作坊，为学生们带来充满乐趣的舞动体验。本次活动充分展现了大家的创造力和沟通力，同时也为中文家庭和学校社区提供了一个共同交流、庆祝和学习的宝贵契机。

HeadStart 国际学校
中文团队

Stay Connected with LAMDA!

Exciting news from our CAPA department! To help you stay up-to-date with our London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) programme, we have launched a dedicated WhatsApp channel.

This will be your direct source for important updates, exam reminders, rehearsal schedules, and celebrating our students’ fantastic achievements in speech and drama. Click here to join or zap the QR code below to follow us!

Live Lounge Launch with a Bang!

What a sensational first Live Lounge event on Friday, 26th September! The Atrium was electrified as the first of many live music events unfolded before a packed, roaring crowd. The performances by Florescent, Jammie Dodgers, Flush Toilet After Use, Kimpossible, Expired, Fire Wind Earth and The Leeds United Supporters Group were not just full of energy – they were an explosion of talent and passion, with every chord, beat, and vocal hitting with maximum impact. The atmosphere was totally infectious as the whole school truly rocked. It was more than an event; it was a powerful statement that celebrates and showcases creativity and performance at HeadStart. Watch this space for the next Live Lounge, the bar has been set incredibly high!

CAPA is ramping up for this year’s shows!

It has been a super busy half term for CAPA as we prepare for our annual shows. This week, we captured some of the rehearsals for our CAPA Senior show and the auditions for the CAPA Junior show. Our students are really shining and ready to bring you the very best that HeadStart has to offer as we create new worlds and celebrate spectacular stories.

Save the Date!

CAPA Senioris proud to announce our production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ will take placeon Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th November. More information on tickets will follow shortly after the half-term break; we hope you’ll join us for a comedically epic rags to riches story with an unusual twist!CAPA Junior’s performances will take placeon Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th March 2026 and is the incredible…(you’ll have to wait for the formal announcement!).

We can’t wait to share the joy and spectacle with you! The CAPA Team

Cultivating Inclusion and Belonging in Reception Class

In Reception Yellow class, we’ve been focusing on the theme of kindness, what it means to be a good friend and how we can show care and respect to others. We began by reading the book “Kind” by Axel Scheffler, which helped spark thoughtful conversations about how small acts of kindness can make a difference. The children shared some lovely ideas and reflected on ways they can be kind to their friends both in and outside of the classroom.

As part of our activities, the children made friendship bracelets to give to a classmate. This simple gesture helped encourage thoughtfulness and connection between peers. We also spoke about what it takes to make and maintain friendships discussing things like listening, sharing, and including others. We then created a Friendship Tree. Each child added their handprint to represent that we are all part of the same class and that everyone belongs. It was a fun, hands-on way to show how we’re all connected. Miss Emma- Reception Yellow Teacher

Collaborating to Create Habitat Dioramas in Year 2

Year 2 students worked collaboratively to design and create dioramas that represented different habitats, identifying the plants and animals that live within them. Students impressed their teachers by using recycled materials to build realistic habitat features, showing how they could apply their previous knowledge of ecosystems in a creative and sustainable way. One student shared, “I liked using old boxes and bottle caps to make the ocean animals!” The children demonstrated the learner attribute of being Creative throughout, using imagination and innovation to bring their chosen habitats to life through thoughtful design and resourceful material choices. The Year 2 Team

Fueling Scientific Exploration in Year 5

The inquisitive nature of our Year 5 students was on full display as they continued their rooftop gardening project, planting sunflowers and diligently tending to their young seedlings. This hands-on experience, involving careful weeding and watering, transformed their routine into a scientific expedition. The class’s curiosity was immediate when they spotted the first true leaves on their rat-tail radishes. Student Tigger excitedly exclaimed, “It can do photosynthesis!”, effectively applying his classroom learning. Simultaneously, the discovery of tiny mystery eggs in the soil sparked collaborative research: were they from an insect or a gecko? By nurturing this deep desire to ask ‘why’ and ‘how,’ HeadStart ensures that our students are not passive recipients of knowledge, but active investigators who find joy in seeking and applying knowledge.

Flame Testing: Primary VAPP Scientists Step into the Secondary Lab

The Primary Science VAPP students had the exciting opportunity to step into the Secondary Science labs for a hands-on workshop on flame testing, led by Mr. Guarino and Mr. Whyman. By observing the vivid colours produced when different substances are heated, from the crimson red of lithium to the blue-green of copper, students discovered how scientists identify elements through their hidden signatures.

Early exposure to techniques like this sparks curiosity and shows how Primary skills connect directly to more advanced science in Secondary. Practical experiences such as flame testing not only build scientific knowledge but also strengthen problem-solving, analysis, and critical thinking, skills essential for future-ready learners.

As Marie Curie once said: “One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.” For our students, flame testing was not just an experiment but a step towards exploring the limitless possibilities science offers. The Science Team

HeadStart Students Shine at PhuketMUN III

A huge congratulations to our outstanding HeadStart Model United Nations (MUN) delegation on their exceptional performance at last weekend’s PhuketMUN III conference. The event brought together students from schools across Thailand to engage in high-level discussions on some of the world’s most pressing issues, serving as a premier academic arena where our students rose to the challenge. They showcased the intellectual rigor and determination that we cultivate at our school. Success in these high-stakes diplomatic simulations required far more than public speaking; it demanded comprehensive research, the drafting of precise policy documents, and the ability to think critically under pressure. We are thrilled to celebrate Maksim (12 White), whose ‘Best Position Paper’ award is a clear testament to his university-level research skills, and Andrian (12 Blue), who earned the prestigious ‘Best Delegate’ award for his exceptional ability to build consensus.

We are incredibly proud of Andrian, Maksim, and every single delegate who represented our school with such distinction. This fusion of individual scholarship, collective effort, and unified school spirit underscores the quality and dynamism of a HeadStart education. Well done to the entire team!

Beyond the individual awards, the conference provided a valuable opportunity for all delegates to strengthen their public speaking, critical thinking, and resolution-writing skills in an atmosphere of engagement and mutual respect. This incredible achievement would not have been possible without the leadership of our student Secretary Generals, Petr (13 Yellow) and Veronika (12 Yellow), and the expert guidance of our MUN Advisers, Mr Roscoe and Ms Quigg. The Model United Nations ECA continues to provide a meaningful platform for students to apply their knowledge and practise diplomacy, preparing them for future academic and leadership pursuits.

Exploring the power of words — and the weight of tough ethical questions

Building on their study of war poetry, our Year 9 students took on one of humanity’s most complex debates: Is war ever necessary? Working in teams, students researched and analysed poems that capture the human experience of conflict, from the trenches of the First World War to modern conflict. The challenge didn’t stop there. Each group turned their insights into a creative and thought-provoking podcast, blending literary analysis with ethical discussion. They wrote, hosted, and recorded their episodes, using teamwork, communication, and critical thinking to produce something original.

The results were impressive with groups first presenting their podcasts to their classmates, before two standout teams were selected by their peers to perform a live podcast in front of Ms. Manning, the Head of Lower School, and an audience of 50 Year 9 students! This project reflects what we aim for in the English Faculty: through communication, analysis, and ethical inquiry, our students demonstrated that studying literature isn’t just about understanding words on a page, but about deepening our understanding of the world and our place within it. Ms Quigg – English Teacher

Celebrating Success Beyond the Classroom

We are always incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of our students, not just within our school walls but also in the wider community. It’s fantastic to see their hard work, dedication, and passion shine in a variety of fields. A huge congratulations to our most recent achievers!

• Incredible racing from Leo Haus who secured two podium positions (3rd place in the 50cc-60cc class and 3rd place in the 65cc-85cc class) at the Chumphon Province Motocross event!

• Congratulations to Andrew (Y5B) for earning a Silver Award in Piano at the Grand International Music Festival held in Malaysia!

• Well done to Aden (Y6Y) for also winning a Silver Award in Piano at the Grand International Music Festival in Malaysia!

• A big round of applause for Whan Whan (Y4Y) for winning a Silver Award for her Jazz Solo performance at the Asia Open Dance Championship in Malaysia!

• Brilliant work from Rio (Y5Y) on being recognized with a Silver Award in the preliminaries of the Victoria International Youth Painting Competition!

• A huge congratulations to Nathan (Y4Y) for reaching the finals and placing 2nd in the Boys Doubles (8 & Under) at the Oceanic Challenger Tennis 10s Tournament!

• Fantastic results from Tina (Y4B) at the Oceanic Junior Challenger Tournament, where she placed third in singles and second in doubles!

• And a massive congratulations to Jane (Y10) for her exceptional performance on the court, winning 1st place in the U14 category at both a UTR tournament and the Siam SportsPro Match Play event!