Weekly Update #28, 03 April 2026

Yearbook Photo Packages

We are delighted to announce that this year, all HeadStart parents have the opportunity to purchase their child’s Yearbook photos, as well as pre-order their family’s free copy of the 2025-2026 Yearbook (and purchase additional copies if required).

There are two photo package options:

• Package 1 (600 THB) containing your child’s individual and class photos displayed in the HeadStart Photo Folder; and

• Package 2 (1,050 THB) containing your child’s individual and class photos displayed in the HeadStart Photo Folder, plus additional class photos, a set of passport photos, and a flash drive containing digital copies of all your child’s Yearbook photoshoot images.

For our Year 6 and Year 13 graduating classes, we are also offering a:

• Graduation Special Package (200 THB), which includes your child’s individual graduation photo and class graduation image (when ordered alongside Package 2, these digital files will also be added to the flash drive).

This option is not available to parents of Reception children via this ordering system; however, our Reception children’s graduation photos will be shared via the Tapestry portal as usual in Term 3.

We invite you to create an account at the online HeadStart Shop: https://shop.headstartphuket.com/, from where you can place photo package orders for all your children.

Please note that the deadline to place your order is Friday, 1 May. Please find below instructions on how to create an account, add your children’s details, and place your order in English, Thai, Russian, and Mandarin.

Once we have received your order, your copy of the Yearbook and photos will be available for collection from 15:30 on Monday, 22 June. Please be informed that photo packages will only be handed to the legal parent or guardian of a child on presentation of a valid HeadStart Parent ID card or other acceptable form of identification (e.g., driving licence, passport).

We look forward to receiving your order and sharing these special keepsakes of your child’s time at HeadStart.

World Book Day

On Thursday 23 April, World Book Day returns to HeadStart, and we’re inviting our whole school community to become part of the story!

Students from Foundation, Primary, and Secondary are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite literary characters or famous writers: whether you’re a classic hero, a magical adventurer, or a legendary author. Our teachers will also be dusting off their novels and putting on their literary hats by joining in the costume fun.

So don’t judge this event by its cover: start planning your outfit now! Use your break times wisely to make sure you’re booked and ready to impress on the day. We can’t wait to see everyone bring their favourite stories to life!

Save the Date: HeadStart Junior Prom 2026

Students in Years 7 to 9 are invited to celebrate a fantastic academic year at the HeadStart Junior Prom 2026. Hosted at the Ramada Plazaon the24th of April from 18:00 to 20:00, this special evening offers an aurora-inspired setting for our students. This event provides an excellent opportunity for students to celebrate their hard work and experience a fun, formal evening with their peers. Please save the date and look out for further announcements regarding registration and dress code guidelines.

Ines Jasserand - Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 9

We are delighted to celebrate the success of Ines Jasserand, who has received an excellent range of university offers across the UK and France in Business and Business Management. Her offers include IÉSEG School of Management, SKEMA Business School, NEOMA Business School, the University of Brighton, the University of Leicester, the University of Portsmouth, Bath Spa University and Leeds Beckett University.

During her time at HeadStart, Ines has shown determination in her studies and was recognised as Student of the Month for her academic improvement. Alongside her studies, she has gained valuable work experience at Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort and Niran Equestrian Centre, helping her develop strong communication and customer service skills.

We congratulate Ines on her achievements and wish her every success as she prepares for the next stage of her education.

Dylan Rainfroy - Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 6

We are pleased to celebrate the achievements of Dylan Rainfroy, who has secured offers to study International Business at leading European institutions. Dylan has received offers from IÉSEG School of Management for the Bachelor in International Business and from SKEMA Business School for the Global BBA.

During his time at HeadStart, Dylan has demonstrated strong commitment both academically and beyond the classroom. He has been recognised with multiple Student of the Month awards in French and English, as well as being named Student of the Year for Sport. He has also been an active member of the swimming academy, earning both bronze and silver awards, and has contributed to the school community through English tutoring.

Dylan is a resilient and hardworking student with clear ambitions in business management and marketing, and we are confident he will thrive as he takes the next step in his academic journey.

We congratulate Dylan on his achievements and wish him every success in his future studies.

Making Merit Together

As part of our final week of term celebrations, we came together for the traditional offering of food to the monks and a water blessing in the atrium. These meaningful Thai customs provided a quiet moment for our community to make merit and welcome the new season with respect.

Thank you to all the students, parents, and staff who generously contributed dry food. A special thank you goes to our Thai Military Training students for their invaluable assistance in helping the monks receive the offerings. It is a privilege to see our school families participating in these local customs and starting the Thai New Year by showing our respect for these important traditions.

Celebrating Thailand’s Rich Cultural Heritage

To conclude Term 2, Primary and Secondary students alongside teachers gathered for a respectful Songkran Assembly. Dressed in vibrant floral shirts, our community came together to appreciate a series of purposeful performances celebrating Thai traditions across the nation’s diverse regions. The event showcased collaborative efforts from across the school, featuring our Teaching Staff performing the lively Isan spirit dance, Year 2 students demonstrating discipline through a Muay Thai showcase alongside Year 12 student Eli, and a graceful Northern Lanna Umbrella Dance. The assembly also featured a Year 3 Rice Harvest Dance, highlighting Thailand’s agricultural heritage, and concluded with an energetic Isan Rocket Festival performance by Year 8 and 9 students.

The assembly offered our students and staff a profound opportunity to demonstrate respect and gratitude, perfectly capturing the spirit of Songkran as a united community before the start of the Thai New Year.

Fun in Foundation

Our youngest learners were the first to dive into the festivities with a high-energy water play session. There were plenty of smiles as children and teachers cooled down together to celebrate the occasion.

Armed with buckets and sponges, the Foundation students got fully involved in the fun. It was a fantastic afternoon of friendly water fights, providing an exciting way for our early years students to engage with the festive atmosphere on campus.

Splashes Across the School

Transforming the football pitch into a vibrant celebration of Thai culture, Primary and Secondary students marked the conclusion of Term 2 with our traditional Songkran water play.

Students across all year groups collaborated with their teachers to celebrate the festival, engaging in high-energy water play accompanied by festive music. This event provided a refreshing conclusion to a rigorous term of learning, allowing the school community to come together before the holiday break.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Thai Department for their exceptional organisation of the Songkran festivities across the school. We also thank the logistics team and our teaching staff for their participation in making this a significant event for our students. We wish our entire community a restful holiday and a very happy Songkran!

Authentic Flavours and Festive Spirit at Songkran

Vibrant Thai culture, authentic flavours, and a strong sense of community came together beautifully at our Songkran market. Following the traditional celebrations and water play on the Football Pitch, families explored a diverse array of local products, refreshing drinks, and carefully prepared dishes.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all the vendors, particularly our dedicated parent community, for their time and effort in crafting such wonderful treats for everyone to enjoy. This gathering provided a perfect opportunity to mark the Thai New Year and celebrate our shared school spirit.

Songkran Gallery

From Monday 6 April, you will be able to download a full gallery of our Songkran celebrations here: Songkran 2026

A Sensational Voyage: CAPA Junior’s Moana Wows Audiences

CAPA Junior’s production of Moana led the way last week with incredible vocals, dancing, and acting. This performance was a true voyage of discovery for our whole school community. Emotions ran high, but the sheer talent on display from our students was even higher. We are immensely proud of all our CAPA cast, HDC B dancers, the whole of Year 4, and our ever-reliable senior students working backstage for their hard work and dedication. You were an absolute pleasure to work with and delivered a truly sensational show!

A production of this scale requires immense vision and teamwork. We extend our deepest thanks to the entire CAPA team, notably Mr Graham (Director), Coach Claire (Assistant Director and Head Choreographer), Miss Tunstall (Assistant Director and Acting Coach), Khun Por (Set and Props Head Designer), and Khun Tina (Event Coordinator). Their combined efforts translated brilliantly onto the stage.

You can download a full gallery of the show here: CAPA Junior - Moana Show

HeadStart Sports Academies Truly Make a Difference

Following the success of the ‘24 Hours to Make a Difference’ event, we were proud to welcome representatives from Life Home Project to our Chaofah City Campus to present them with a cheque for 355,700 THB. This significant contribution was raised by our sporting academies and is a true reflection of the incredible dedication and generosity of our HeadStart community.

The funds raised will go directly towards supporting vulnerable young children and families here in Phuket, making a tangible difference in our local community. A massive thank you once again to everyone who participated, donated, cheered from the sidelines, or contributed in some way to this event. Your collective effort has proven that when our Aqua Panthers, Panthers Football, and Panthers Basketball academies come together as one, we can achieve truly extraordinary things!

AI Safety Advice for Parents

Navigating the rapidly evolving digital landscape requires equipping HeadStart students with the tools to use Artificial Intelligence responsibly and effectively. While AI platforms offer valuable educational benefits and daily assistance, they also introduce complex challenges surrounding privacy, data security, and misinformation. By demystifying how these algorithms work, parents and educators can empower young people to evaluate digital tools with confidence and discernment.

Establishing clear expectations at home is essential for building strong digital habits. Parents can actively support this by setting boundaries for homework assistance, exploring AI applications together to model safe practices, and discussing the importance of protecting personal data online. Encouraging students to question the accuracy and fairness of AI-generated content ensures they do not become over-reliant on shortcuts, preserving their independent critical thinking skills.

Shifting the focus from passive consumption to active creation allows students to harness technology purposefully. Guiding children to use age-appropriate platforms to brainstorm project ideas, create digital art, or structure their research fosters imagination and technical literacy. By staying curious and maintaining an open dialogue, parents help build the digital resilience required to navigate the modern world safely.

Science in Motion: Early Years Explore Physical Health

As part of our Thai First curriculum’s focus on healthy living and physical development, the ILC turned into an active learning environment as we welcomed two special guest speakers: Khun Am and Khun Tommy, parents of Athens, for a morning dedicated to the science of movement.

This experience was not just about getting up and dancing; our young learners explored the reasoning behind physical activity. They investigated why our hearts beat faster when we run, how our muscles grow strong, and why children need regular exercise to thrive. Khun Am and Khun Tommy brought these big questions to life in a dynamic way, blending movement with music and turning every wiggle and jump into a practical lesson about taking care of our bodies.

A sincere thank you to Khun Am and Khun Tommy for volunteering their time and energy to enrich our students’ learning!

Staying Safe on the Water: Year 5 Tackle Water Transportation Safety

Ensuring every student knows how to navigate water safely was the priority for Year 5 as they engaged in a hands-on safety workshop. During a Thai lesson, students welcomed very special guest speakers, Mr. Akalak Pichetsophon and Ms. Pattaraporn Kaviruch, the family of Orca, Oscar, and Austin.

Students investigated the world of water transportation, getting hands-on with the real essentials: how to correctly wear a life jacket, use an emergency ring buoy, and signal for help with a whistle. But the learning went even deeper than that. Students also discovered what to do if they witness someone drowning and, crucially, how to survive if they fall into the water themselves.

The practical demonstrations brought the safety protocols to life. Students were not just listening; they were trying, testing, and asking the kind of sharp, real-world questions that show genuine curiosity. “What is the first thing I should do if I fall off a boat?” one student asked.

A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Akalak and Ms. Pattaraporn for sharing their time and knowledge so generously. These are lessons our students will carry with them long after they leave the classroom on every river, ferry, and family boat trip to come.

From Tree to Treat: Reception Discovers the Magic of Coconut Milk!

Exploring the journey from tree to treat, Reception students recently discovered the magic of coconuts! During this hands-on sensory experience, a team of wonderful parent volunteers, Khun Kanathorn Ekasilp, Khun Nilaya, Khun Prapaporn, and Khun Ploykotchamon (parents of Kwongkwan, Arthur, and Naomi), joined us to share the process of turning the fruit into freshly made Thai sweets.

Our young learners engaged closely with the process and asked insightful questions, demonstrating an Open Minded approach to trying something new. Then came the highlight: tasting time! The treats proved to be every bit as good as the lesson.

A warm thank you to our guest parents for bringing such a creative, cultural, and flavourful experience into our classroom.

O13s Battle to Badminton Bronze!

A huge congratulations to Carson, Juhn, Ned, Kevin, Valentina, Milana, Suzie, and Janika for proudly representing HeadStart at the PISAC O13 Badminton Tournament.

The team travelled to the Chalong Badminton Club, a fantastic purpose-built venue, where they competed against strong and experienced opposition from UWC and BCIS. Throughout the day, our players showed great determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship, gaining valuable match experience across a series of competitive games. The team finished in 3rd place in the tournament, taking home the bronze medals.

A special mention goes to Carson (9 Green), who narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot in the boys singles after finishing third in a highly competitive group. He also teamed up with Juhn (12 White) in the boys’ doubles event, where the pair performed exceptionally well. Carson and Juhn battled hard through the rounds, demonstrating resilience and strong partnership play, and ultimately secured a well-deserved third place in their category.

Thank you to all players who competed and the staff from BCIS for hosting the event. Overall, it was a fantastic experience for all involved, with plenty of positive performances and great memories made. Well done to all players for representing HeadStart with pride! - Coach Paul Rothwell

Athletes Shine at Primary PISAC Track & Field Championship

High energy and fierce competition were the order of the day on Monday, 30th March, as HeadStart Chaofah City campus played host to the Primary PISAC Track & Field Championship.

Under beautiful tropical skies, the atmosphere remained electric as more than 130 student-athletes arrived ready to represent their respective schools. The event brought together the full membership of the PISAC group, featuring talent from all over our island home.

A Test of Speed and Strength

The championship featured a comprehensive programme designed to test the versatility of Phuket’s youngest sporting stars. On the track, athletes showcased their speed and endurance in the 50m, 100m, 200m, and 400m sprints. Meanwhile, the field events saw impressive displays of technique and power in the Long Jump, Javelin, Quoit, and Shot Put.

Spirit and Sportsmanship

Throughout the morning, the work rate and morale of the competitors never dipped. In a display of true sportsmanship, students were seen cheering for their rivals just as loudly as for their own teammates.

The event concluded with a sense of shared achievement, marking another successful chapter in Phuket’s inter-school sporting calendar. After a day of record-breaking efforts and fantastic teamwork, the athletes left the field having earned both their medals and a well-deserved rest.

You can download a full gallery of the event here: PISAC Primary Track & Field

Russian Language Day Brings Us Together!

On 28 March, our Cherngtalay campus hosted a vibrant and heartwarming Russian Language Day, bringing together students, parents, and teachers.

The celebration began with a talent show. Students recited poems, sang, and played musical instruments. A highlight of the performance was the TrioLight ensemble: two flutes and a piano performed music from the song “The Beautiful Afar” (“Прекрасное далеко”), leaving a strong impression on the audience. During the show, the results of the creative works competition were also announced. A total of 32 students participated, and eight outstanding works were selected as winners.

After that, participants took part in a variety of workshops. Everyone could choose an activity they enjoyed: making a traditional fabric bird, creating a doll from threads, or painting a wooden board in a traditional style. Many students were excited to try more than one workshop.

The day concluded with a shared meal. We are truly grateful to the parents for bringing so many delicious dishes, which made our table festive and welcoming.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! It’s wonderful to see how events like this bring so many people together and create such a joyful atmosphere.

📸 A full album of photos can be found here: Russian Language Day Term 2 2026

День русского языка объединяет!

28 марта в кампусе Cherngtalay прошёл яркий и тёплый День русского языка, который собрал учеников, родителей и учителей вместе.

Праздник начался с шоу талантов. Ребята читали стихи, пели и играли на музыкальных инструментах. Особое впечатление на зрителей произвело выступление трио TrioLight: две флейты и фортепиано исполнили музыку к песне «Прекрасное далёко». В рамках шоу также были подведены итоги конкурса творческих работ: в нём приняли участие 32 ученика, а жюри выбрало 8 лучших работ.

После этого участники смогли проявить себя на мастер-классах. Каждый мог выбрать занятие по душе: создать традиционную птичку из ткани, куколку из ниток или расписать деревянную дощечку в народном стиле. Многие ребята с интересом успели попробовать себя сразу в нескольких мастер-классах.

Завершился праздник совместным обедом. Мы искренне благодарны родителям за большое количество вкусных блюд, которые украсили общий стол и создали по-настоящему домашнюю атмосферу.

Спасибо всем, кто стал частью этого дня! Здорово, что такие праздники объединяют и дарят радость стольким людям.

From Traffic Tallies to Mangrove Maps

From conducting live traffic surveys to sketching the vital mangrove ecosystems at Saphan Hin, Year 3 students mastered professional fieldwork skills across Phuket Town. The pupils began their investigation at Vichitsongkram Road, where they recorded vehicle tallies to identify urban movement patterns. As Anda from Year 3 White observed, the data collected at 11:00am suggested an increase in traffic as residents travel to meet friends for lunch, proving that our young geographers are already capable of drawing sophisticated conclusions from real-world data.

The excursion balanced technical mastery with environmental awareness as the group transitioned to the Saphan Hin coastline. Students investigated the importance of mangroves for the planet’s health before applying their cartographic skills to create sketch maps of the headland, noting landmarks like the shipwreck and the canal mouth. By combining scientific observation with structured inquiry, the Year 3 students successfully consolidated their ‘Exploring Phuket’ unit through active discovery and collaborative learning.

BTEC Students and 5 Star Marine Collaborate on Real-World Projects

Experiencing the professional standards of the private boat charter industry firsthand, BTEC students recently took to the water for an island tour with 5 Star Marine.

Throughout this partnership, students have learned directly about how a successful tourism business operates, focusing on the company’s marketing strategies, customer experience, and tour logistics. By participating in a real-world island excursion, they observed the practical application of classroom theories and contributed to ongoing marketing projects. This hands-on experience provided invaluable insight into the expectations and standards of Phuket’s marine tourism sector.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Jay Leshark and the entire 5 Star Marine team for their continued support and commitment to building a meaningful relationship with our students. We are proud of the students for their professional conduct and everything they have achieved under this guidance.

Cooking Up Future Careers with Le Cordon Bleu

Securing direct insights into international higher education, Year 11 and 12 students explored future pathways in Hospitality, Business Management, and Culinary Arts during a dedicated university workshop hosted by Le Cordon Bleu. The session detailed global progression routes for Bachelor’s degrees across campuses in Bangkok, Australia, New Zealand, and Paris.

Students explored specific entry requirements, evaluated scholarship opportunities, and learned how to arrange practical taster sessions at the Bangkok campus. This direct engagement allows our senior students to make informed decisions regarding their future studies.

A big thank you to Khun Pook for delivering this comprehensive session and supporting our students’ university and career planning!

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!

• Ines (13), Steve (13), Jake (12), Zoe (12), Jose (12), Juhn (12), Anastasia (12), Maksim (12), and Nika (12) earned their Bronze DofE International Award for Life Skills and Volunteering.

• Nika (12) received a certificate for her academic achievements in English at the TED Summer program.

• Athena (3 Blue) won a Gold Award for singing at the Thailand Vocalist Awards 2026.

• Lexie (5 White) won 1st Place in Hip Hop Solo and Second Place in Jazz Solo (10-12 years) at the International Young Dancers Competition 2026.

• Nicole (2 Blue) won Gold in Bars and Vault, and Silver in Beam and Floor for Gymnastics at the Moose Games 2026 in Bangkok.

• Dominica (2 Blue) won Gold in Bars and Beam, and Silver in Floor and Vault for Gymnastics at the Moose Games 2026.

Exclusive Offer for HeadStart Families from Flying Lizard

We are delighted to share a special offer from our friends at Flying Lizard Restaurant & Family Club, located just three minutes from our HeadStart Cherngtalay campus. Offering a perfect balance for our community, the venue combines supervised play areas and a splash zone for children with a relaxing restaurant and co-working space for parents. HeadStart families can now enjoy an exclusive 10% discount on food, drinks, classes, and birthday parties. Simply use the promo code HDST when booking classes online to claim your discount, valid until 31st December 2026.

School Holiday Fun at 50FLY

Looking for an active way to spend the upcoming break? 50FLY Trampoline Club is offering special student rates during the school holidays from 7-17 April (Tuesday to Friday).

Students can take advantage of discounted group pricing:

• Large Groups (4+ kids): 450 THB per child for two hours.

• Small Groups (2 kids): 250 THB per child for one hour.

Please note that a valid student ID is required to access these rates. For those interested in regular visits, 50FLY also offers Unlimited Jump Passes starting from 3,000 THB for one month, with significant savings on long-term memberships.