Weekly Update #11, 7 November 2025

The CAPA Senior Show is Here! Little Shop of Horrors Tickets: BUY NOW!

The moment you’ve been waiting for is here! Tickets are NOW ON SALE for the CAPA Senior show of Little Shop of Horrors! Witness the iconic Broadway musical brought to life by our CAPA HeadStars, HeadStart Dance Company A, Production Band, and Chorus. Experience the tale of desperation, consumerism, and unexpected consequences—all set to a fantastic, catchy soundtrack!

Join us for this witty Broadway smash-hit, a perfect blend of dark comedy and satire.

• Dates: Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th November 2025

• Time: 6:00 PM

• Location: Chaofah City Campus, HeadStart International School Phuket

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW! Purchase your tickets to secure your spot for this critically acclaimed musical:

• Book tickets for Little Shop of Horrors (Cast B) Wednesday 26th November 2025

• Book tickets for Little Shop of Horrors (Cast A) Thursday 27th November 2025

If you encounter any issues during the booking process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]

Changes to our English Language Communications

Please note that for our English language parent communications we will be moving away from using the LINE App. Over the next month, we will be transferring over to a dedicated WhatsApp Channel. We will use this channel for notifications and reminders of upcoming events as well as important news. We will continue to post updates to our English language LINE App during this time (closing on 30 November). This transfer is already underway – scan the relevant QR code below or visit our display boards at school.

The reasons for this change are:

📢 Messaging Power

• All media types are supported: text, photos, videos, voice notes, polls, links, documents.

🔔 Notifications & Visibility

• Parents can turn on alerts if they want instant notifications, but by default updates don’t overwhelm.

📂 Organization & History

• Messages stay in a chronological, permanent feed, easy for parents to revisit.

• Parents can scroll back through the full channel history to catch anything they missed.

🌍 Ease of Use

• Parents simply click “Follow” and they’re in.

• Parents can share the channel link/QR easily, so adding new members/followers is easy.

Christmas Fair at Chaofah City Campus

With the festive season fast approaching, it is time to start preparing for our Christmas Fair. This wonderful community event will take place on Thursday 11th December from 13:30-16:00. The CAPA department have already got our Primary classes rehearsing for their festive performances, and our events team are busy making plans for our Christmas Fair stalls. If you are interested in offering a Christmas-themed activity or have Festive Season products to sell, please contact Khun Boss at [email protected] to reserve a tent. We look forward to hearing from you.

Anti-Bullying Week & Odd Socks Day 2025

Next week, we will be recognising Anti-Bullying Week 2025, with the important theme of ‘Power for Good’. This theme reminds us all — children and adults alike — how our voices and actions can make a positive difference in standing up against unkind behaviour and helping others feel safe and valued.

Monday 10th November is Odd Socks Day, a fun way to celebrate our differences and remind everyone that being unique is something to be proud of! All children are encouraged to wear odd socks to school to show that everyone is special in their own way.

Throughout the week, Primary students will take part in activities in their homeroom classes exploring kindness, empathy, and respect. They will learn practical ways to use their “power for good” by supporting others and speaking up when they see something that isn’t right. There will also be whole school activities designed to unite us in our shared commitment to creating a positive, respectful school community.

This is such an important topic to discuss with children, helping them understand that even small acts of kindness and courage can make a big difference.

Dress for Sunshine! Casual Clothes Day

On Thursday 13th November, we invite all students to ‘Dress for Sunshine’ as part of our Phuket Sunshine Village Term 1 Fundraiser. In return for a minimum donation of 50 baht, students are welcome to come to school wearing vibrant colours and sunshiney clothes to brighten the day and demonstrate their generosity of spirit to raise money for the children at PSV. While Hawaiian shirts and colourful shorts and skirts are encouraged, students should do not wear inappropriate beachwear – no bikinis please! We look forward to seeing everyone dressed to impress and bring the sunshine to HeadStart!

Aqua Panthers Invitational (API) 2025 – Volunteers Needed!

Over the weekend of Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November, our Cherngtalay campus will host its second ever major swimming event – the Aqua Panthers Invitational (API) – which will see swimmers of different ages from across Phuket, Thailand and beyond, compete. This unique event would not be possible without the support of our Swim Academy Team, our support staff, and you, our amazing student and parent community. We are therefore looking for volunteers to assist with a range of competition tasks, including timing and supporting swimmers. If you are interested in getting involved or what to find out more, please contact our Head Swim Coach, Zak Brown: [email protected]

Parent meeting: End of Term 1 Assessments, Revision, Reports, and Grades

Thank you to the many Primary parents who attended our session about the End of Term 1 assessments and subsequent report cards. The presentation provided a clear overview of the assessment process, covering the format of the upcoming exams and explaining how student progress will be formally reported. The session clarified how we combine continuous assessment with summative results to provide parents with a comprehensive picture of development.

Parent Meeting – End of Term 1 Assessments and Reporting

UPrep Talk 6 Highlights Academic Pathways and Standardised Testing

Parents are invited to an essential UPrep Talk focused on Navigating University Applications & Standardised Testing on Wednesday 12th November at 8:30a.m. in the Secondary Hall. This session will provide a clear, practical guide to global university admissions, covering key timelines and demystifying tests like the SAT, ACT, IELTS, and UCAT. We will explain how these results are used and detail HeadStart’s comprehensive support framework for test preparation, registration, and strategic application planning. This talk is designed to ensure you are well-equipped to meet the rigorous academic standards of your desired universities. We look forward to seeing you there.

Russian Speaking Parent Meeting

We warmly invite our Russian-speaking parents to a dedicated meeting on Tuesday, 11th November 2025. This meeting is an important opportunity for us to connect, share updates, and hear your valuable perspectives.

The meeting will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 am in the Primary Hall at our Chaofah City Campus. We look forward to welcoming you and continuing to build our strong community partnership.

Our Community Spirit Shines: PSV Appeal Week 3

The incredible generosity of our HeadStart community continues to shine as we end the third week of our Phuket Sunshine Village (PSV) appeal. This week, we extend a heartfelt thank you to Poppy and her family as well as the Van Zyl family for their generous donations.

This support is vital and directly helps provide essential items, from school lunches to educational books, for the 100+ children at PSV. We continue to welcome donations at our Admin Office. Meanwhile, our Primary classes are busy with their sponsored activities (see below), and our Secondary students are finalising preparations for the Kindness Fair on Friday 14th November.

Charity Book Sale for Phuket Sunshine Village

The Library is pleased to announce our annual Charity Book Sale in support of Phuket Sunshine Village. The event will take place from Wednesday 12th – Friday 14th November in the Atrium.

We warmly invite our community to support this meaningful project. All proceeds will go directly to Phuket Sunshine Village, helping to provide opportunities and resources for children in need. We hope to see many of you there and thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity!

Year 4’s Fundraising Zombie Run on Halloween!

On Friday 31st October, Year 4 were in for a fright when their teachers suddenly turned into hungry zombies! The children had to sprint for safety, completing as many laps of the astropitch as they could while trying to be the last house standing. Congratulations to the XXXX house, who survived the longest after four thrilling waves of running. Friends and family kindly sponsored the children to take part in the zombie run, raising funds for Phuket Sunshine Village. We were amazed by the determination, teamwork and bravery the children showed as they dashed away from their teachers in the afternoon heat. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the Year 4 children—your kindness and generosity mean so much. The Year 4 Team

📸 An album of photos can be found here: Year 4 Zombie Run for PSV

Year 6 Dig Deep (metaphorically speaking) to Raise Funds for PSV

On Monday 3rd November, Year 6 stepped straight into the story of Holes, embracing the tough spirit of Camp Green Lake. From burpees to sit-ups and the relentless bleep test, each task pushed students further and strengthened their determination. When the final round of the bleep test pushed them to their limits, the class rallied together, cheering one another on to dig deep and keep going. It was a brilliant display of resilience and courage, all while supporting a meaningful cause.

In the days ahead, Year 6 will be collecting the donations earned through their Camp Green Lake challenge, with every contribution supporting Phuket Sunshine Village.
We extend our sincere thanks to all who have sponsored and encouraged our learners. Your generosity is already making a meaningful difference within our local community. We look forward to updating you on our fundraising achievements soon. The Year 6 Team

📸 An album of photos can be found here: Year 6 Dig Deep for PSV

Maintenance & Gardener Teams

Our Maintenance and Gardener teams play a vital role in keeping both our campuses safe, welcoming, and environmentally friendly. Their daily work ensures that all facilities, learning areas, pathways, and play areas are well-maintained and free from hazards. Our gardeners carefully tend to the school’s trees and gardens, creating a lush and natural environment that promotes learning and well-being. By using sustainable practices such as efficient watering systems and eco-friendly landscaping, they help preserve the school’s commitment to being green. Together, their dedication ensures that both our HeadStart campuses remain safe and secure and at the same time in harmony with nature.

Loy Krathong Day at HeadStart Chaofah

On Wednesday, 5th November, HeadStart Chaofah celebrated Loy Krathong Day, embracing this beautiful Thai tradition with joy and pride. The festivities began in the Foundation Department with a flag-raising ceremony led by Jayden and Gel from Reception, followed by the Thai Royal Anthem. Early Years Thai Foreign students brought smiles to everyone’s faces with their cheerful “Loy Krathong” song performance, while Early Years Thai First students charmed the audience with an upbeat “Loy Krathong Dance.” Reception Thai Foreign students showcased their language skills by singing and dancing to “I Love My School,” and Reception Thai First students performed the lively “Ja Jong Ja” song.

The celebrations in Foundation concluded with students and parents floating the Krathongs they had crafted in the Foundation Playground, creating beautiful memories and celebrating the spirit of unity.

📸 You can download a gallery of pictures here: Foundation Loy Krathong 2025 Picture Gallery

The spirit of celebration continued as students across the school engaged in the meaningful tradition of creating Krathongs. In both Primary and Secondary, students also enjoyed meaningful moments creating Krathongs during Thai classes. In Primary, parents were invited to join their children in this special activity, sharing quality time together while fostering creativity, cultural pride, and a deeper appreciation for Thai traditions.

📸 You can download a gallery of pictures here: Loy Krathong 2025 Picture Gallery

AquaPanthers @ ISB Swimfest

Good luck to all our AquaPanthers swimmers heading up to Bangkok for the ISB Swimfest this weekend!

Green Dragons Hold the Lead in the Term 1 House Competition!

With just a few weeks left of the Term 1 House competition, the Green Dragons are currently perched in top spot in the race for the Term 1 prize! Hot on their heels, however, are the Red Phoenixes in second place. The Blue Tigers (3rd) and Yellow Cheetahs (4th) are still battling hard, proving that this competition is a marathon, not a sprint. With the standings still tight, now is the time for all students to up their game and maximise their House point scoring to reach the goal — the end of term House Prize!

Learning About Traditional Chinese Snacks

In their Chinese Culture class, students learned about bingtanghulu (冰糖葫芦), a traditional Chinese snack made by skewering fruits on bamboo sticks and coating them with sugar. Instead of making the real snack, students created their own artistic version. They chose their favourite fruits, drew and coloured them, and then attached them to bamboo sticks, designing their own ‘bingtanghulu’. Through this creative project, students not only explored traditional Chinese food culture but also practised their imagination, fine-motor skills, and artistic expression.

在本次的中国传统文化课中，孩子们认识了中国传统小吃——冰糖葫芦。虽然我们没有使用真正的水果和糖制作，但同学们用绘画艺术的方式体验了这一有趣的传统。大家挑选自己最喜欢的水果，甚至是卡通人物形象，仔细绘画、上色，并把它们贴在竹签上，创造出了独一无二的“艺术版冰糖葫芦”。
这项活动不仅让学生们了解了中国传统饮食文化，也激发了他们的想象力和创造力，同时锻炼了动手能力与绘画表现力。每一串“冰糖葫芦”都充满了童趣和特色，非常精彩！

Science Week in Primary

Led by our Primary Science Lead Teacher, Mr Whyman, the week in Primary was filled with interactive challenges as well as a glimpse at what lies ahead when students enter our Secondary science programmes. Sincere thanks to our Science Faculty and senior science students for sharing their knowledge and expertise. Science Week gave students countless opportunities to wonder, explore, test ideas, and celebrate the power of curiosity.

Why Asking Questions Matters in Science

The entire week was built around the message that science progresses through questions. Every great scientific breakthrough begins with: “I wonder why…”

Primary Lessons in Secondary Labs

Year 4–6 classes visited the secondary labs for special lessons delivered by the Secondary Science Team. They explored real equipment, conducted experiments, and experienced what science looks like beyond the primary classroom.

Year 13 Science Ambassadors Teaching Y1–3

Our Year 13 scientists visited younger classes to lead engaging, age-appropriate science lessons, showing leadership, communication skills, and subject expertise. This strengthened our whole-school science culture and gave younger students inspiring older role models.

Year 3 Get Creative at Green Grey Art Studio

This week, Year 3 enjoyed a memorable field trip to the Green Grey Art Studio in Rawai where we had the chance to paint our individual designs on beautifully crafted pottery pieces. Inspired by Kru Wut, the artist that runs the studio, the students were highly creative using a range of colours and techniques to make their own piece unique and expressive. The students should be very proud of how principled they were throughout the morning, taking care of the materials, respecting each other’s work, and helping to clean up at the end!

Ray from Year 3 White said, “I showed resilience because at first the paint wasn’t showing the colour I wanted, but after I added more layers it became darker and I was really pleased with the way it turned out”. It was a fun and memorable experience and we cannot wait for their pottery to return in a few weeks time to see the finished product of all their hard work and artistry! The Year 3 Team

Secondary Science Week Ignites Student Curiosity

Framing the Unknown – The Art of Asking Questions in Science

This year’s Science Week centred on the theme “Framing the Unknown: The Art of Asking Questions in Science.” Through the connected prompts “Wonder Why, Wonder What, Wonder When,” students were encouraged to explore the power of curiosity and the importance of questioning in scientific thinking.

The week was a vibrant celebration of inquiry, creativity, and hands-on exploration, inviting students to look beyond what is known and engage with the ideas, puzzles, and mysteries that drive scientific discovery. By posing meaningful questions and investigating them through a wide range of activities and challenges, learners across the school have experienced first-hand how science advances: not through answers alone, but through the questions bold enough to be asked.

Science Week was closely aligned with our learner attributes, and students embodied them throughout the week. They were inquisitive, asking thoughtful questions, contributing to the Wonder Why Wall, and engaging fully in experiments and competitions. They showed courage, stepping outside their comfort zones to try new activities and ask bold scientific questions. Students were also resilient, demonstrating persistence through trial-and-error in engineering tasks and continuing to refine their ideas. And they were collaborative, working effectively in teams, supporting one another during practical challenges, and strengthening the connection between primary and secondary learners through shared teaching and learning experiences. The Science Faculty

📸 You can download a gallery of pictures here: Science Week 2025 Picture Gallery

World Scholars Cup: Champion Scholars Arrive in the Big Apple!

HeadStart’s champion scholars have crossed the globe to take part in the upcoming World Scholar’s Cup Tournament of Champions. This week, we hear from Ton (11 White) about their experiences so far:

“After traveling through countless time zones, we dragged ourselves into the cold land that promised excitement. Our first stop was no ordinary landscape, each element of nature seemed intentional, perfect for an ‘aesthetic photo’. I’m talking about Central Park, of course. As the morning hours faded away, we set out on a bus tour of the city and crossed the famous Brooklyn Bridge, gazing at the pulsating cityscape that shimmered in the distance—a scene too grand, every second felt unreal.

We woke up at sunrise the next morning, ready for a day packed with unforgettable activities. After a quick breakfast of classic New York bagels, we took a subway to the pier where we would board the ferry to view the Statue of Liberty. Following that, we visited the 9/11 memorial before travelling 1250 feet up in the air at One World Observatory where we took in the breathtaking skyline of New York City. Then came my favourite part of the trip so far— seeing wicked ON BROADWAY.

Our last day in New York City was bittersweet. As a big fan of dinosaurs, I had an amazing time exploring the American Museum of Natural History. Afterwards the girls enjoyed spending time shopping they had been longing for. As the clock struck five, we must say our goodbye to the bustling city that welcomed us with the dazzling symphony of lights, colours and music.

Over the next few of days at Mr. John Chadwick’s beach house, we will be spending most our time studying and preparing for the World’s Scholar Cup competition with his generous companion Mr. Matthew Gold in which we hope to bring back medals, trophies and victory to our island.”

Celebrating Our ‘Respectful’ Students of the Month

This month, we celebrated our Secondary Students of the Month for demonstrating the learner attribute of Respectful. These students have shown consistent consideration for their peers, teachers, and the school environment—both in and beyond the classroom. Congratulations to all our award winners! Your respectful approach inspires others and reminds us that a strong community is built on mutual understanding and appreciation.

HeadStart Students Shine in Global Arts and Sports Competitions

We are delighted to congratulate our students on their significant achievements in prestigious international and national competitions.

• Melissa (10 White) earned two outstanding recognitions for her painting: the title of ‘Youth Ambassador for Biodiversity Conservation’ at a United Nations exhibition, and inclusion in the ‘Salute to the Master’ Annual Outstanding Works Library.

• Serene (6 Yellow) secured 6th place in the Vocal Youth category at the 26th Osaka International Music Competition in Japan. This is a remarkable result for her very first vocal competition.

• Jayden (Reception Blue) delivered an outstanding performance at his first swimming competition in Bangkok. He achieved exceptional results, securing 1st Place in Front Crawl (Freestyle), 1st Place in Backstroke, and 2nd Place in Dive & Retrieval.