Weekly Update #24, 06 March 2026

Alumni Reunion

Graduating from HeadStart is just the beginning of a lifelong connection. We are thrilled to invite our former students back to the Chaofah City campus on 9th December for our upcoming Alumni Reunion. It is time to reconnect with your favourite teachers, catch up with old classmates, and enjoy the legendary HeadStart lunch you have been missing.

Beyond the reunion, we are actively building a vibrant global community designed to support you through university, careers, and beyond. Scan the QR code below to join our official Alumni social media channels. Connecting with us online is the best way to stay updated on professional networking events, mentorship opportunities, and our new newsletter.

Join Us: Facebook Alumni Page | Instagram Alumni Page

Set Sail for Motunui: Tickets for Moana Now Open to All!

The heartbeat of Motunui is getting louder on the Chaofah Campus! Our CAPA Junior performers have been working tirelessly, and after months of rehearsals, the production is looking—and sounding—absolutely magical. There are now less than three weeks until we take to the stage.
As of today, Friday 6th March, the wait is over! While our cast families have already begun securing their spots, tickets are now officially available to our school community. Whether you have a student in the show or just want to witness an evening of incredible talent and courage, we warmly invite you to join us.

• Performance Dates: Wednesday 25th March & Thursday 26th March
• Time: 5:00 PM
• Doors open: 4:40 PM
• Location: Chaofah City Campus
• How to Book: Moana Ticket Booking Form

Secure your seats today to ensure you don’t miss this story of discovery and heart.

HeadStart Yearbook Sponsorship Opportunities

Dear HeadStart Community,

The 2025 – 2026 HeadStart Yearbook is now in production and will be distributed in the last week of the school year. This full colour A4 publication captures class photos, homeroom messages, school events, competitions, and student achievements. Over 1,000 copies will be printed and shared with HeadStart families in Phuket.

We are inviting community members to promote their businesses in the Yearbook:

• Half page 7,000 THB: Size 8 x 5.5 inches

• Full page 12,000 THB: Size 8 x 11 inches

• Inside front or back cover 18,000 THB. Limited to 3 positions: Size 8 x 11 inches

If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Swim Galas

We are excited to invite parents to our upcoming Swim Galas. Join us poolside to cheer on our younger learners as they showcase their swimming skills and school spirit in a series of friendly competitions. This is a wonderful opportunity to support the children and celebrate the progress they have made in the water this year.

Year 8 Science Fair

We are delighted to invite parents to our Year 8 Science Fair, taking place on Friday 13th March from 2:20–3:00 PM in the Sports Hall.

Over the past term, our Year 8 students have been working hard on their scientific investigations, designing experiments, analysing results, and preparing posters to present their findings. The Science Fair will be an opportunity for them to showcase their projects and share their work with the school community.

Parents are warmly invited to come along, explore the displays, and talk with students about their projects. There will also be an opportunity for visitors to vote for the “Community Choice” award for the best project.

We hope you can join us to celebrate the creativity, curiosity, and hard work of our Year 8 scientists.

7th HeadStart Chess Tournament

Fight for cash prizes totaling 4000 THB, medals and a bunch of other attractive awards for all participants! All HeadStart students are welcome and all players are going to be awarded!

🗓️ Date: Saturday, 14th March

🕘 Time: Attendance check 11:15AM

📍 Location: Canteen, Chaofah City Campus

To register and reserve your place, act fast! Double entry fee if you register on the day of tournament! Contact coach Dawid.

Come Join our Term 2 Thai Culture Club

We are delighted to invite our students to join our Term 2 Thai Culture Club on Saturday, 21 March 2026, from 09:00 to 12:00 at our Cherngtalay campus. This special morning celebrates Thai culture through engaging and hands-on experiences.

If your child is interested in joining, please contact their Thai teacher for further information and registration. We look forward to welcoming our students to this wonderful cultural event.

Find Your Feet Careers Fair Inspires Future Pathways

Our Secondary Hall was alive with purposeful conversation on Monday as we welcomed an outstanding group of professionals to our annual Find Your Feet Careers Fair for Years 11 and 12. This event is a central part of our UPrep programme, designed to bridge the gap between academic study and real-world application, helping students make informed decisions about their university applications and future degrees.

The marketplace format encouraged highly productive discussions. Students engaged directly with experts spanning medicine, engineering, corporate finance, aviation, and hospitality. They asked targeted questions about higher education requirements, industry-specific qualifications, and the academic prerequisites needed to thrive in competitive global sectors, empowering them to make strategic choices regarding their A-Level and BTEC pathways.

We extend our sincere thanks to the incredible professionals who gave their time and expertise, many of whom are parents within our own school community. A special thank you to Torben Busk Jensen, Perry Tait, Richard Haus, Selina Yao, Andrew Kirk, Rex Rabacal, Stephen Gorton, Colin Gallagher, Jakkarin Ratsameetham, Maleeya Kirkham, Amy Drew, Dr Bundit Wannasuphaphol, Jordi Colomé, Nadia Poilane Parry-Jones, Robert de Graaff, Sam Fauma, Stephen Walker, and Dickens Cheng. Whether sharing insights on innovative engineering or the realities of clinical practice, your support makes a genuine difference to our students’ academic progression. The UPrep Team

UPrep Talk 12 – Fees, funding and finances

A sincere thank you to all the parents who attended our recent workshop on Fees, Funding and Finances for the 2025-26 academic year. The session provided a comprehensive overview of the financial landscape for higher education, covering essential topics such as tuition structures, living costs and navigating available funding options. We explored practical strategies for financial planning, ensuring families are fully aware of the various support systems, scholarships and loan resources accessible to them. Equipping parents with this critical information is a key part of our commitment to supporting your child’s transition to university. If you were unable to attend you can download the presentation below.

UPrep Talk 12 – Fees, funding and finances

Foundation Phonics and Early Reading Workshop

Thank you to all parents who attended our recent Phonics Parent Workshop. Your engagement with the Little Wandle phonics scheme is vital, as understanding the structured phases of phonics progression from Preschool through to Primary builds the essential foundation for early reading success. It was excellent to see parents actively participating in the specific phonetic tasks that children complete in class, reinforcing the crucial link between classroom instruction and home support.

To continue supporting your child’s academic development, we highly recommend utilising the free resources on the Little Wandle Parents page. This includes materials on auditory discrimination and videos demonstrating correct sound pronunciation. Alongside these resources, regularly reading together, discussing narrative structure, and predicting outcomes remain some of the most effective ways to consolidate early reading skills and ensure ongoing academic progress.

Little Wandle Resources

Phonics & Early Years Reading Workshop

Spanish University Applications workshop

This week, we were delighted to welcome representatives from Navarra University to give a talk on studying in Spain. It was both informative and inspirational, giving students a clear and practical overview of the opportunities available.The session explored course programmes at Navarra University, across a range of disciplines, entry requirements, and application processes, as well as important information on visas, scholarships, accommodation options, and summer school programmes. Students left with a much better understanding of what it takes to study in Spain and feeling motivated to consider it as an exciting future pathway.

Upcoming Tuesday Parent Meetings

We warmly invite parents to join our upcoming Tuesday morning meetings at the Chaofah campus. Over the next few weeks, we will be hosting informative sessions in the Primary Hall between 08:30 and 09:30, covering a range of important topics to support your child’s journey. Join us to learn about the practical pathways offered through the BTEC curriculum, discover effective strategies for managing online safety at home for Primary students, and attend a dedicated Thai-language workshop focused on navigating teenagers and mental health. We look forward to welcoming you to these sessions to share valuable insights and connect with our school community.

Finding the Balance: Screen Time and Student Wellbeing

With children spending increasing amounts of time on phones, tablets, and computers, managing digital wellbeing is a shared priority for our community. Finding a healthy balance with technology is essential for a child’s overall development, directly impacting their sleep quality, emotional regulation, and physical health. By nurturing healthier digital habits, we can help our students thrive both online and offline, ensuring they use technology as a positive tool rather than a constant distraction.

Creating this balance often starts with a few practical approaches at home. We recommend establishing clear screen-time limits and designating device-free zones, such as during family meals. Encouraging open dialogue is equally important; simply asking your child what they enjoyed online today can build trust and awareness without feeling intrusive. Furthermore, children frequently mirror adult behaviour, so modelling balanced device use and prioritising face-to-face interactions can powerfully reinforce these positive habits.

We understand that navigating the digital world with your children can be challenging, but you do not have to do it alone. To provide ongoing support, we are launching a new weekly feature that will offer practical tips and resources to help both parents and students navigate the digital world safely. If you have any immediate concerns about your child’s screen time or would like further guidance on promoting digital literacy, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Cusworth ([email protected]) at any time. We are always here to support you and your family.

Ryan Cox – Enrolled at HeadStart since Early Years

We are delighted to share that Ryan Cox has received an offer to study Business at North Metropolitan TAFE in Australia.

During his time at HeadStart, Ryan has demonstrated determination and steady academic progress. His achievements also include completing both the Bronze and Silver levels of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Ryan has shown exceptional commitment to sport, training competitively in swimming for five years and representing at national level in Bangkok, as well as qualifying for international competition at the Singapore Nationals in freestyle and breaststroke events. Alongside his sporting achievements, he has gained valuable practical experience through work placement at the Pullman Hotel in Food and Beverage and by running his own vending machine business for a year, demonstrating initiative and entrepreneurial spirit.

Congratulations to Ryan on this excellent achievement. We wish him every success as he embarks on the next stage of his studies in business.

Anastasiia Orlovskaia (Nastia) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 9

We are delighted to share that Nastia has received an offer to study a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Tourism and Hospitality Management at Bangkok University.

During her time at HeadStart, Nastia has demonstrated commitment, resilience and creativity across her academic journey. Her achievements include completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award expedition, receiving the Secondary Award for Most Improved English (EAL) in the 2021–2022 academic year, and winning the IGCSE Subject Prize for Design and Technology in 2023–2024. She has also been recognised with multiple Student of the Month awards.

Alongside her studies, Nastia has developed a strong background in dance and sport, having trained in dance and artistic gymnastics in Russia and participated in volleyball. She continues to maintain an active lifestyle and gained relevant insight into the hospitality and tourism sector through her work experience at Boat Lagoon.

Congratulations to Nastia on this excellent achievement. We wish her every success as she begins the next stage of her studies in tourism and hospitality management.

What is Your Resilience Story?

At HeadStart, Resilience is more than just a Learner Attribute; it is a structured approach to overcoming challenges. Watch the video below to see Secondary teacher Mr. Gossland highlighting how this exact mindset of trading blind effort for a guided daily action plan acts as a roadmap to success. However, we know this strategic approach isn’t just taught in our classrooms and sports academies; it is actively lived by our parent community across Chaofah and Cherngtalay. Whether you have built a business from the ground up, returned to a sport after a major setback, or mastered a new craft against the odds, your real-world journeys are what truly inspire our students. We want to learn from your experiences. Please email a quick snapshot of a challenge you’ve overcome to [email protected] so we can feature your story in an upcoming weekly update!

Aqua Panthers Race Against the Clock to Rack Up Meters and Donations!

It all began at 8pm on Friday night as over 100 Aqua Panthers swimmers came together for the 12-hour swim relay as part of the 24 Hours to Make a Difference event. They didn’t just show up for a casual swim. They pushed. They raced against the clock. They racked up as many laps as possible in 30-minute relay bursts, pushing each other further with every exchange. The result? Over 127,000 metres covered. Fantastic effort! Special shoutout to Coach Sammy’s super quad of Alon (13 Blue), Viktor (10 White), Sergei (9 Yellow) and Kevin (8 Blue) who pushed through the final hour, swimming an unbelievable 5,750m between them! We couldn’t be prouder of their determination, grit, and team spirit. Coach Brown & the Swim Coaches

HeadStart Panthers Accumulate Minutes on the Pitch and Money for a Great Cause!

The ball was then passed to our Panthers Football Academy, stepping in for the much-anticipated second leg of our 24-hour sporting event. The action kicked off bright and early at 8am and the excitement didn’t let up until the final whistle blew on the now-traditional final matchup between our U18 Boys and the Staff Men’s & Coaches team. This thrilling game even went beyond the scheduled 8pm finish time with a dramatic penalty shootout! The air was charged with energy, with cheers ringing out from an enthusiastic crowd of supporters eager to see the teams giving it their all. We were especially delighted to host two teams from our friends at Youth Football Home, as well as Mums and Dads teams with players representing both our school campuses. Coach Frost & the Football Coaches

A Fun-Filled Basketball Showdown in Aid of Charity!

Meanwhile, in the Sports Hall, our Panthers Basketball players set the court ablaze with fast-paced layups and thrilling three-pointers in an array of skill challenges and team matchups. Coaches and parents took on the Young Panthers in a 5v5 exhibition, while our O15 team successfully completed the 100 free-throw challenge. Our girls’ teams also showed excellent teamwork, completing 10 successful “pass and cut” actions in a single half. We were delighted to welcome our friends from Moo Academy, who joined the 24 Hours event for the first time. It was a great effort from all involved. Coach King & the Basketball Coaches

The Inaugural HeadStart Dynamic Games

The first-ever HeadStart Dynamic Games at brought together students, staff, and parents for an incredible day of friendly competition and community spirit! Hosted as part of our ‘24 Hours to Make a Difference’ fundraiser for Life Home Project Foundation, the highlight was seeing parents, staff members and their energetic friends, as well as our very own Deputy Head Boy, powering through the challenging rotations.

The event was filled with teamwork, smiles, and a brilliant sense of camaraderie that makes our community so special. Congratulations to our winning teams:

🥇 1st Place: Luck of the Thai-rish

🥈 2nd Place – JCBT

🥉 3rd Place – Athletic Squad of Serious Strength

A huge thank you to everyone who pushed their limits! Also a special shoutout to Dynamic Club Phuket, home of CrossFit, for their support! We are already looking forward to the next one! Coach Jordi – Fitness Coach

A Community United Through BBQ and Fun!

This spectacular annual event culminated with a fantastic community BBQ and refreshment stand run by our BTEC Business students, set against the backdrop of fun games hosted by our Secondary Student Council. Thanks to every member of our community who supported this event. It was wonderful to feel the warmth and friendship as we came together to raise much-needed funds for our worthwhile chosen foundation. Go Panthers!

Celebrating Basketball Success at the PISAC 3-on-3s!

Congratulations to our basketball teams for their fantastic performances at the recent PISAC 3-on-3 tournament. Competing against schools from across the island, our students demonstrated excellent teamwork and skill on the court. We are very proud to report multiple top-tier finishes for HeadStart!

Taking 1st place in their respective categories were the O15 team (Jake, Justin, Floyd, and Iron), the U15 Boys (Mason, Bob, Iron, and Justin), and the U13 Girls Cherngtalay team (Mary, Alina, and Eva). Additionally, our U15 Girls mixed-campus team (Mary, Alina, Melissa, and Porsche) secured a well-deserved 2nd place finish. Well done to all the players involved for their hard work and fantastic results!

AquaPanthers @ the BISP Sea Eagles Invite

Good luck to our AquaPanthers squad taking part in the BISP Sea Eagles Invite this weekend. Remember that hard work, friendship and enjoyment are the keys to creating great memories! We look forward to seeing many of our loyal supporters poolside throughout the event. Go AquaPanthers!

The French Whisper Challenge

In the Language Department, French students have been tackling complex vocabulary for their IGCSE choices and career plans through ‘The Education Whisper Challenge’. This activity aimed to improve pronunciation and spelling by turning a familiar game into a focused academic exercise. The importance of precise articulation became clear when a whispered sentence about choosing Biology (“Pour l’IGCSE, j’hesite entre la biologie et le francais”) passed down the line and amusingly emerged as a choice for Physical Education (“l’EPS”). Instead of just moving on, the class carefully analysed the phonetic shifts to identify exactly where the meaning changed. This immediate feedback loop helped students refine their listening skills, allowing them to flawlessly pass along complex sentences by the final round and proving that analysing mistakes leads to direct academic progress.

Mastering the Art of Mixed Martial Arts

Our comprehensive Mixed Martial Arts program offers a dynamic introduction to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, and striking techniques. Students develop essential athletic attributes like balance and coordination while learning safe, controlled grappling and self-defense skills under the guidance of champion instructors. This program is designed to build unwavering confidence and resilience, empowering students through a variety of martial arts disciplines.

Beyond the Books: Where Curiosity Meets Creativity

In our second round of Home Learning Projects, students went beyond set tasks to showcase their learning. Through optional projects linked to classroom topics, they demonstrated not only their knowledge but also their creativity and curiosity. Many projects became collaborative family efforts, with students sharing ideas, solving problems together, and presenting their learning in imaginative ways.

The result is a wonderful display of hard work and creative flair, showing how learning can extend meaningfully beyond the classroom.

The World Scholar’s Cup

The World Scholar’s Cup English VAPP has exploded in size, scale and scope.

We now have over 40 scholars every Monday and Tuesday, across two different venues.

It has been wonderful to bear witness to the increasingly intellectually rigorous approach of the 2026 scholars.

After cutting their teeth on the Team Debate part of the competition last half term, this half term they have been exploring what John Keats might have called the true and the beautiful through the medium of Socratic Seminars.

On Monday, the scholars worked collaboratively to probe and explore notions such as: ‘How do we know something has truly ended?’ ‘ Does knowing how close you are to the end of something change how you experience it? ‘ and even considering their own liminal stage of adolescence with ‘Are there advantages to being “in-between” ?’

Next month, we will be taking over 30 scholars to Kuala Lumpur for the Regional Rounds, in which they are surely ‘alpacable’ of greatness! (sorry)

– Mr. Pollicutt and Ms. Delaney

Apprentice Programme 2026 Concludes with Awards Celebration

The 2026 HeadStart Apprentice Programme has now drawn to a successful close, culminating in a celebratory awards assembly recognising the outstanding achievements of our Year 12 students.

Over the course of the programme, students stepped into the world of professional recruitment, submitting carefully prepared CVs and cover letters before attending formal interviews with members of staff acting as company CEOs and hiring managers. The process mirrored real-world application procedures, requiring students to demonstrate organisation, communication skills and professionalism under pressure.

This year’s participating “companies” reflected a diverse range of industries, from global consultancy and technology firms to hospitality, social enterprise and creative ventures. Students received individual feedback on both their written applications and interview performance, ensuring that every participant gained meaningful insight into their strengths and areas for development.

We are pleased to recognise the following students, who were awarded Apprenticeships in their respective categories:

• Miroslava (Mira) Kargapoltseva – Bain and Co
• Alicia Starzykiewicz – Bain and Co
• Sam McCourt – Cisco
• Ilya Rasputin – Cisco
• Jeffrey Hagenbucher – Four Seasons
• Elijah Strahorn – Four Seasons
• Zoe Harrison – Four Seasons
• Nika Butckovskaia – ISHR
• Soojeong Kang – Smart Works
• Sirikran (Aum) Seangsalak – Smart Works
• Anica Mathur – Yipiyap
• Tanakon (Juhn) Pongsuppat – Yipiyap

Speaking about the programme, Secondary Principal, Mr Wakeford (who was also an interviewer), praised the maturity and professionalism shown by students throughout the process, noting that the Apprentice Programme provides invaluable experience of professional recruitment and that the standard of applications and interviews this year was particularly impressive.

The Apprentice Programme remains a key element of the HeadStart UPrep curriculum in Year 12, reinforcing our commitment to practical, career-focused education alongside academic study. By engaging directly with authentic recruitment processes, students leave the programme better prepared for internships, university applications and the expectations of the workplace. Congratulations to all participants and award recipients on a successful and productive programme. Mr Roscoe and Mr Thomas – University Guidance Counsellors

HeadStart Students Shine

We are delighted to congratulate our students on their significant achievements in recent music and sports competitions, representing HeadStart with pride on both local and international stages!

• Alisa (4 White) won a silver medal in the 50m breaststroke for girls 9-10 years old at the Thanyapura Sports Phuket swimming competition.

• Dorofey (3 Yellow) earned 2nd place in the butterfly and 3rd place in the backstroke at the Thanyapura Sports Phuket swimming competition.

• Elisei (6 Yellow) secured 3rd place in the freestyle at the Thanyapura Sports Phuket swimming competition.

• Sergei (9 Yellow) achieved an outstanding performance at the Thanyapura Sports Phuket swimming competition, winning gold medals in the 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, and 50m butterfly, as well as a silver medal in the 200m freestyle.

• Melissa (10 White) earned a Silver Award in the prestigious British Physics Olympiad (BPhO).

Local Events at ETNA and CLC

Local venues ETNA and CLC are hosting a variety of events at Boat Avenue, Cherngtalay over the coming weeks. From 6-8 March, CLC will feature evening showcases with live music and choreography, while ETNA’s schedule includes a children’s art class, gala dinners, and an exclusive wine-pairing event.

• 6-8 March: Evening showcases at CLC starting from 10:00 pm, featuring live vocals, saxophone performances, and a special celebration for International Women’s Day on 8 March.
• 8 March: ‘Little Masters’ children’s art class at ETNA at 1:00 pm, followed by an evening Gala event celebrating International Women’s Day with a red-carpet arrival and a dance performance.
• 12 March: A 5-course ‘Californian Wine & Dine’ experience at ETNA (2,800 THB) led by a Master Sommelier. ETNA will also continue its Georgian-themed menu throughout the month.

For all enquiries and bookings, please contact the organisers directly at +66 62 620 6591,+7 999 968 5471, or via Telegram@misha_waka.

Drama Workshop: Play in a Day

Students aged 6-15 will work collaboratively to develop their acting skills in this intensive afternoon theatre workshop.

22 March: ‘A Wild Adventure’ workshop with Miss Salli (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm). Children will create, rehearse, and perform a story all in one afternoon (1,000 THB per child).

For all enquiries and bookings, please contact Flying Lizard directly at +66 863 091 392, via email at[email protected], or visitwww.flylizard.com.