Friday 5th December – School Closed for Father’s Day

Please be reminded that on Friday 5th December school will be closed for Father’s Day celebrations. We will open again as usual on Monday 8th December.

Together for the South: Supporting Hat Yai Flood Victims

We are truly overwhelmed by the amount of items donated by our community this week for the flood relief efforts in southern Thailand. Our parents, students, and staff have come together to donate and help pack the relief items, showing genuine kindness and compassion for those affected.

Yesterday, we transferred our first batch of donated items to the Kusoltham Phuket Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides free emergency assistance, rescue services, and charitable support to communities in Phuket and surrounding areas. They will deliver the donations to those in need. Please note that the donation appeal will be closing at the end of this week. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your generosity. We sincerely hope that the situation in the south of Thailand improves soon.

Foundation Christmas Stay & Play 2025

We invite Foundation children and their parents to join our festive Christmas celebrations starting with our Foundation Christmas Stay & Play events. We encourage everyone to dress festively for the occasion and (keep it a secret!) not to forget to pay a visit to Santa Claus! Taking place in our Foundation classrooms and the ILC as follows:

• Tuesday 9th December from 8:30-10:00am – Reception Christmas Stay & Play

• Wednesday 10th December from 8:30-10:00am – Early Years Christmas Stay & Play

• Thursday 11th December from 8:30-10:00am – Preschool Christmas Stay & Play

Christmas Fair 2025

Welcoming all students and parents to our Christmas Fair taking place on the covered AstroPitch at HeadStart Chaofah City campus on Thursday 11th December from 13:30-16:00. There will be performances from all Primary classes starting at 13:30 interspersed with acts from our CAPA department and Secondary students as well as games and activities organised for younger children. We welcome everyone to join the event! Dress in festive colours and enjoy the music, performances, food and drink along with the rest of our community.

Please be informed that all adults visiting the Fair are required to show identification. Parents of HeadStart children should wear their Parent ID card and lanyard. If you do not have this, you will be asked to sign and collect a Visitor’s Pass. All other adults attending the event will need to obtain a Visitor’s Pass as well.

Mock Exams IGCSE and Onward Plans

On the 2nd of December, Mr Davidson, Head of Upper Secondary, delivered a presentation that explained the structure of IGCSEs, why we run mock examinations for IGCSEs, what we do with the data gathered from the mock examinations, and what life is like in the Sixth form for a student at HeadStart International School. The slideshow from the presentation was then shared via the Portal. The slideshow itself has information regarding the dates of the mocks, the cost for entering for IGCSE examinations and the entry requirements to study a subject at A-level in Y12 and 13. There are also slides highlighting the differences between A-levels and Level 3 BTEC qualifications. I hope this slideshow acts as a useful reference point and that the parents who attended are now confident in what is occurring in the next steps of their child’s education.

UPrep Talk 8 – Applying to the USA & Canada at Secondary Hall

We invite parents and students interested in higher education in North America to join us for our next UPrep Talk. This session will cover the specific requirements and application processes for universities in the USA and Canada. We will outline key deadlines and the support available to ensure a smooth application journey.

Krit Phaisamran – Class of 2025

Enrolled at HeadStart:Preschool – Year 13Results:A-Levels (1 x A*, 2 x A), IGCSEs (10 A*)Offers: Politics, Philosophy & Economics at Stanford University, Columbia, Yale, Dartmouth, Penn, and Princeton

“Receiving offers from five Ivy League universities and Stanford was a remarkable milestone, but it wasn’t a one-man show. I had the support of the entire school, giving me the confidence to fulfill my dreams. The UPrep team was invaluable, offering personalized feedback throughout the application process, while the teachers—true educators—constantly encouraged me to go beyond the syllabus to achieve my potential.

That supportive environment is what I will miss most. HeadStart is a close-knit community where everyone knows each other, from teachers to support staff. It’s that special atmosphere that I looked for in a university; in fact, Stanford’s collaborative culture reminds me a lot of HeadStart. While I’m excited to start this new chapter, nothing replaces the bond of a community I’ve been part of since Preschool.”

Celebrating the Generosity of our School Community

Congratulations HeadStart Chaofah City children and their families! Our Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraising drive for Term 1 has now ended and we are so proud to announce that, as a school community, we have raised the unbelievable total of 390,268 Thai Baht! With the aim of raising 5,000 Thai Baht per PSV child, this means HeadStart Chaofah City campus has sponsored an incredible 78 children at Phuket Sunshine Village. Special mention goes to all our Primary homerooms who raised donations through a variety of sponsored activities, our Secondary students who raised funds through the Kindness Fair and to families who generously sponsored a child! Also, following their highly successful CAPA Senior performance of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, we would like to offer sincere thanks to our CAPA team and in particular Kru Sandwich for the sales of her uniquely designed poster which raised over 9,000 baht.

Combined with the amazing sum of 253,454 Thai baht raised at our Cherngtalay campus, this means the HeadStart community as a whole has raised a truly extraordinary 643,722 Thai Baht for the children of Phuket Sunshine Village! Such a contribution can make a huge difference to the lives of PSV children and serves to strengthen our ties with the local community and develop ways in which we can educate our own students to share the good fortune that we enjoy.

On Saturday, 10th January, representatives from our Primary Student Leadership will join with their friends from Cherngtalay to pay a visit to Phuket Sunshine Village to run a fun sports day for the children there and to hand over the final cheque. This will be a special time to celebrate the incredible generosity of our school community and see how it contributes to improving the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.

Pharaohs of Fundraising: Year 3 Supports Sunshine Village

Last week, Year 3 completed their Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraiser! Earlier in the term the students showed their creativity by designing a class Ancient Egyptian themed obstacle course. Last Friday afternoon on the Astro Pitch, each class took turns to guide another class along their obstacle course while the other class watched and cheered them on from the sand dunes! Emma from Year 3 White said, ‘It was so much fun! My favourite part was walking on the balance beam to cross the River Nile. I was a bit scared but I was courageous and resilient and felt proud of myself for completing it.’ Together, the whole year group demonstrated excellent collaboration whilst showing respect and kindness by raising money for a good cause at the same time! Well done Year 3!

Spotlight on Kindness: Helping Hat Yai

We are proud to highlight Paul (5 Blue), Baipor (3 Blue), and our Reception Yellow students – Patrick, Annabelle, and Anda – for their kindness this week. Supported by their families, they gave up their time to pack donations for the Hat Yai flood relief. Thank you for showing such compassion and helping those in need.

Our Dedicated Kitchen Staff

Behind every nutritious meal served at HeadStart is our hardworking kitchen team. These dedicated staff members arrive early each day to prepare fresh, healthy food that fuels our students for their learning and play. Everyone is looking forward to our special Christmas Lunch next week as we get ready for the festive season. We are incredibly grateful for the care, hygiene standards, and warm smiles they bring to the cafeteria service every single day, ensuring our community is always well-fed and happy.

World Scholars Cup Triumph

This week, we had the privilege of welcoming our World Scholars team back to school after they recently competed at prestigious Yale University. After six months of hard work starting in Bangkok, they competed against over 5,000 teams globally before their journey culminated at The Tournament of Champions.

And champions they certainly were! Our Scholars placed second in Thailand and were the top team for Phuket. The junior team brought home six medals and the seniors five, spanning individual writing, collaborative writing, and debate. Two students even represented their home countries as flag bearers. Beyond academics, the team enjoyed three days in New York, seeing the sights and Wicked on Broadway—making ‘Defying Gravity’ the unofficial anthem of our trip.

While the awards are impressive, what makes these students stand out is their dedication to their studies. During 21 hours of flying, they learned lines for the CAPA show, wrote English coursework, and prepared for assessments. Their commitment is awe-inspiring, and Mr. Pollicutt and I could not be more proud. We are thrilled that their achievements have inspired so many of you to join World Scholars next year. – Ms. Delaney

The U9 HeadStart Championships

Last Saturday, the much anticipated Under 9 HeadStart Championships at our Chaofah City campus kicked off, showcasing the talent of our teams from both our school campuses alongside eight other competing teams, including international schools and football academies.

The tournament was a resounding success, characterized by a vibrant and positive atmosphere that energized both players and spectators alike. We are thrilled that both HeadStart teams advanced to the Plate semi-finals, with the final standings revealing Kajonkiet Suksa as Cup Winners, BISP in second place, Srisunthon Academy taking the Plate title, and HeadStart Chaofah City finishing as Plate runners-up.

A big thank you goes out to all the parents and coaches who contributed to making this event enjoyable for everyone involved. Coach Frost – Head Football Coach

📸 A full gallery of pictures can be downloaded here: U9 Championship Gallery

Aqua Panthers Take Gold at Electric API 2025

Over the weekend, we hosted our fourth annual Aqua Panthers Invitational (API 2025), welcoming 230 athletes from across Phuket, South Korea, and Hong Kong. The pool was on fire all weekend with fast swimming, great attitudes, and an electric atmosphere. We saw numerous HeadStart records broken and many personal bests, demonstrating the immense progress of our athletes. A special mention goes to our top point earners: Charlie S (93 points), Masha R (90 points), and Fima K (87 points).

Thanks to the incredible effort of our swimmers, the Aqua Panthers secured 1st Place overall, followed by BISP in 2nd and BCIS in 3rd. We must extend a huge thank you to our amazing volunteers and officials; this event could not have happened without your time and professionalism. We are incredibly proud of the Aqua Panthers family and see this event becoming a premier meet in Thailand in the coming years.

🥇 1st Place: Aqua Panthers
🥈 2nd Place: BISP
🥉 3rd Place: BCIS

Coach Brown – Head Swim Coach

📸 A full gallery of pictures can be downloaded here: API 2025

Mini CAPA Brings the Jungle to Life!

The curtain closed on the term with a spectacular flourish as our Mini CAPA students treated us to a performance of ‘The Great Animal Parade’. It was wonderful to see the enthusiastic support from parents, who packed the hall to enjoy the show. Ms Victoria expertly devised a colourful and lively script around the children’s animal characters, weaving their voices and movements into a vibrant jungle story. Thank you and congratulations to our incredibly talented young performers, Ms Victoria and Mr Francis for a truly joyous and unforgettable show! What exciting adventures will the CAPA department plan next term? We can’t wait to find out!

Maximise Learning: New Growth Mindset ECAs for Terms 2 & 3

We are delighted to announce two new Extra-Curricular Activities for Terms 2 and 3, offered by our partners at Maximise Learning. For students in Years 4-6, the “Mind Craft” programme uses cognitive challenges and mindfulness practices to help children focus better, learn faster, and feel calmer. Sessions run on Wednesdays at 16:30-17:20.

For our Year 7-9 students, the “I Am an Influencer” workshop helps students discover their voice and make an impact through growth mindset strategies. These sessions take place Wednesdays at 15:30-16:20. Registration is open now on the Parent Portal.

Learning about Traditional Thai Desserts in Thai Foreign Languages Lessons

Our Year 2 Thai Foreign language students enjoyed a lesson about traditional Thai desserts. Students learned the names of various Thai desserts and explored their key ingredients. The highlight of the lesson came when students had the wonderful opportunity to taste authentic Thai desserts “Takoh” (Thai pudding with coconut topping) and “Khanom Chan” (steamed pandan layer cake). This hands-on tasting experience allowed students to discover the unique flavors and textures that make Thai desserts so special, bringing their learning to life through all their senses.

Idiom Building in Mandarin First Language Lessons

In our Year 5 Mandarin First Language class, learning number idioms truly came to life! After recognizing the idioms and understanding their meanings and usage, the classroom quickly turned into a lively scene of teamwork and laughter. Students first worked together on an “idiom-building” challenge, which tested their communication and collaboration. Then they jumped into a fun round of charades, using expressive actions and gestures to bring each idiom to life. Even more impressively, students created their own scenarios and designed group posters that not only explained each idiom but also explored the cultural ideas behind them. One student shared, “I didn’t know the numbers in idioms have special meanings!” From comprehension to cultural understanding, from individual expression to group cooperation, our students showed strong teamwork, confidence, and creativity.

在五年级的中文第一语言课堂上，数字成语的学习“活”了起来！在识记成语、理解含义与用法后，课堂瞬间变成一个充满笑声与默契的合作现场：小组成员先齐心协力完成“成语拼字”挑战，这考验着团队间的沟通与分工；随后，他们又投入到紧张有趣的“你演我猜”中，用夸张动作、丰富表情让成语跃然眼前。更令人印象深刻的是，学生们还自由创设情境，设计小组海报，不仅呈现成语的意义，更尝试解释背后的文化智慧。一位学生在分享时说道：“原来成语里的数字不是随便用的，它们都有特别的寓意。”从知识掌握到文化理解，从个人表达到团队协作，学生们充分展现了团结合作、勇于表达、富有创造力的风采。 Ms Zhong – Mandarin Teacher

Sun, Sand, and Sketches: Year 1 Beach Adventure

Our Year 1 adventurers headed to our beautiful local beach for a morning of discovery and creativity. The children explored the shoreline, searching for physical and human features and sketching what they found. After our investigations, we rolled up our sleeves for some fantastic beach art, a brilliant opportunity for teamwork, collaboration, and plenty of sandy fun! The Year 1 Team

The Duke of Edinburgh International Award – Year 12 Sailing and Camping Trip

The Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award is the middle level of the internationally recognised programme that encourages young people to build independence, resilience, leadership and practical outdoor skills. To complete it, students commit to months of physical activity, skill development, service, and an adventurous journey where they must navigate, camp, cook, and work as a team with increasing independence.

From Friday to Sunday, fifteen Year 12 students spent three days and two nights on Koh Lon as part of their training, guided by Ms Tuppen and Mr Armstrong. The island became their floating classroom as they learned to handle Zest dinghies, rig the boats, and practise tacking and racing. Nadia and Alicia showed a natural feel for the ropes, catching the wind with growing confidence from their first venture into the water. Evenings brought a change of pace as students became campsite chefs: one group produced buttery pasta with sausages, while another grilled nuggets, chicken wings and colourful veggie kebabs for a satisfying outdoor feast. They compared bug bites, swapped stories, and watched a glorious island sunset dissolve into the sea.

This training prepares them for January’s self-guided adventurous journey, where they will put their teamwork, navigation, and sailing skills to the test—and later present their qualifying expedition. Ms Tuppen – DoE Silver Award Expedition Leader

HeadStart Students Shine

We are delighted to congratulate our students on their significant achievements in recent arts and sports competitions.

• Emmali (9 Blue) won First Prize with Honors in the Youth (Age 11-13) Junior II Category at the USA International Music Competitions 2025 Season 4, and also secured First Prize for the Poetic Interpretation Special Prize at the UK International Music Competitions 2025 Season 4.

• Alice (3 White) achieved success in the Repertoire Ballet Solo category at the competition organised by the Association of Teachers of Dancing (ATOD).

• Yanhao (4 Blue) won 1st Place (Girls) in the Triathlon Beginner category at the Pho3nix Kids Triathlon Thailand.

• Tina (4 Blue) won 1st Place in the Tennis 10s Matchplay Tournament (U8), organised by Siamsportspro Tennis Academy Phuket.

• Nathan (4 Yellow) won the Silver Medal in the Tennis 10s Matchplay Tournament (U8), organised by Siamsportspro Tennis Academy Phuket.

OH NO IT ISN’T! Get Ready to Shout, Sing, and Cheer!

Forget the tragedy! Theatrix proudly presents Romeo and Juliet: The Panto, which takes Shakespeare’s classic star-crossed lovers and transforms their tale into a hilarious, loud, and incredibly interactive family comedy.

Expect dazzling songs, slapstick routines, terrible jokes, and plenty of opportunities to cheer for the heroes and boo the villains! This is Phuket’s must-see holiday show for all ages.

WHERE: Junkyard Theatre (Bypass Road – next to IKEA)DATES & TIMES:

• Sunday, Dec. 7th, (Matinee) – 1:00pm
• Monday 8th – 6:30pm
• Tuesday 9th – 6:30pm
• Thursday 11th – 6:30pm
• Friday 12th – 6:30pm

TICKETS: Book Now! https://www.junkyardtheatre.com/copy-of-shows (Select the date and reserve now)

All Ages: 850.00 THB

Ages 2 and under enter FREE!

Get in Early for Phuket’s biggest, funniest family night out!

Pre-order Special Christmas Goodies

Dear Parents, With the holiday season just around the corner, I’m excited to share special festive Christmas goodies for you and your family. This year, I’ve prepared a selection of homemade delicious cookies and fun DIY kids’ activity sets (Ginger Bread House, Polar Express Train, Reindeer & Sleigh) — perfect for creating joyful, hands-on moments together. If you’d like to pre order some of the items please feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help make your holiday season a little sweeter and a lot more magical! Alexandra (HeadStart mum with two boys)

The Flying Lizard, Thalang

The recently opened Flying Lizard Family Club is only 3 mins from the HeadStart Cherngtalay campus and currently has an Opening Promotion for all HeadStart families. Show that you are a HeadStart family at the entrance for free entry for all family members (usually 400THB per child). Whether it’s an after school coffee or weekend family time, Flying Lizard have you covered! https://flylizard.com/

Just Run Phuket

The “Just Run Phuket” weekly run has been a wonderful success, and it’s been brilliant to see so many of our HeadStart parents and teachers joining in the fun. Don’t miss out on the next one! It’s a free, friendly run for all levels, with various pace groups. Meet every Saturday at 7:15 AM at Open Kitchen (opposite Cassia) for a 7:30 AM start. It’s a perfect way to get active and connect with our amazing community.

Festive Events at Thanyapura