Weekly Update #33, 22 May 2026

Join Us for the Upcoming Book Fair in the Atrium

From epic adventures to fascinating facts, exploring a wide variety of books is a brilliant way for students to build their vocabulary and discover new ideas. We invite all families to join the literary treasure hunt at our upcoming Book Fair in the Atrium from 25 to 27 May. Organised in collaboration with Book53, the event features a vibrant selection of high-quality titles tailored for all age groups. While students are highly encouraged to browse the displays and explore new genres, please note that children must have parental permission to make final selections and should not ask vendors to set books aside. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us build strong home libraries across our HeadStart community.

Foundation Our World Stay & Play

Partner with your child to explore a year’s worth of EYFS progress at our final, ‘Our World’ themed Foundation Stay & Play. Join us on Thursday 28 May from 8:30am to 9:30am in the ILC at our Chaofah City Campus for this end-of-year event. This concluding session invites parents to engage with their children in environment-inspired activities designed to showcase the progress made across the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. It is also one last chance to wish our Reception students well as they journey to Year 1.

Amping Up for 29 May: The Battle of the Bands Returns

Prepare for a showcase of exceptional musical capability and student collaboration as the Secondary Battle of the Bands returns to HeadStart. Following the high standards set in previous years, our student musicians are currently fine-tuning their sets to deliver an afternoon of outstanding live performances. From rising talents in the younger years to our seasoned Sixth Form performers, this event highlights the immense creativity of our students and the ongoing support of the CAPA department. Join us in the Sports Hall from 13:30 on Friday 29 May to cheer our outstanding performers as they take the stage and compete for the title of best overall band.

Team Up to Clean Up – Final Community Beach Clean of the Year

Roll up your sleeves and join the HeadStart community to protect our beautiful island home at our next beach clean! This will be not only the final beach clean of the year but also Mr Gratton’s, Mr Dempsey’s and Petr’s last beach clean with HeadStart! We want a huge turnout to get those points and to make this last one a huge effort. We will gather at Rawai Beach (meet at We Cafe) on Sunday 31 May from 9:30am for a morning of outdoor connection and environmental action.

As usual bring – anti bac, water, sunscreen, hat, gloves if required. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to make a direct, positive impact on our local coastlines while spending time together outside. Remember to wear your House shirt to show your team colours and earn House points for your community efforts. We will also be launching a new initiative alongside this month’s beach clean. So don’t miss out!

Reception Graduation Ceremony 2026

We are thrilled to invite all of our Reception students and parents to a special celebration honoring all that our wonderful children have learned in Foundation! Join us as we celebrate their achievements and their exciting journey ahead in Primary school.

📅 Date: Tuesday 9 June 2026

🕒 Time: 08:45 – 09:45

📍 Location: Foundation Indoor Learning Centre

Let’s come together to applaud our little ones and their amazing progress. We look forward to sharing this joyful moment with you!

Year 13 ‘Class of 2026’ Graduation Ceremony

We are excited to celebrate our Year 13 graduates as they complete their educational journey with us and prepare for the world ahead. We look forward to sharing this momentous occasion with our graduating students, their parents, families, and friends.

📅 Date: Thursday 11 June 2025

🕒 Time: 13:00 – 14:45

📍 Location: Sports Hall, HeadStart International School, Chaofah Campus

Sports Awards Ceremony 2026

On Tuesday 16th June from 16:00 – 18:00, our HeadStart Chaofah City Academy students – football, swimming and basketball – will come together to celebrate the fantastic array of sporting successes of our teams and individuals this academic year. This will be followed by a FREE Community BBQ out on the Astro. Parents of all Academy students will receive an email and booking instructions for this event. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Digital Well-being Mandarin-speaking Parent Workshop Overview

Thank you to all the parents who attended our Digital Well-being Workshop on 19 May. Navigating the modern digital landscape requires awareness, and this session provided essential guidance on supporting students across domestic and international online platforms. We discussed assessing online risks, specifically focusing on content, contact, conduct, and commerce, before examining hidden dangers such as cyberbullying and generative AI. To help manage these challenges at home, parents were equipped with a practical toolkit featuring strategies for establishing clear family technology agreements.

Digital Well being Parent Workshop 2026 Mandarin Version

Thai Parent Meeting: Introduction to Military Service for Year 10

Empowering our students with clear pathways for their future is a key priority, and completing the Military Service Programme offers an excellent opportunity to secure exemption from compulsory National Service. Thank you to all the parents who attended our informational meeting to discuss the benefits, requirements, and logistics of this three-year commitment. The session provided crucial details on the registration process, the physical fitness test scheduled for 14 June at Phuket Rajabhat University, and the intensive 16-day training camp taking place in Nakhon Si Thammarat this August. We invite you to review the attached presentation for a complete overview of the programme. If you have any immediate questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Military Service Programme 2026

Parent Meeting: Reception to Year 1 Transition & Language Options

As our Reception children reach an important milestone in their early education, we invite parents to the Year 1 Transition & Language Options Meeting on Tuesday 26 May at 8:30am in the Primary Hall. This session will outline the upcoming shift from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) into Key Stage 1, detailing how our teaching team supports growing independence alongside core literacy and numeracy development. We will discuss the specific language pathways available and provide practical strategies for parents to encourage reading and writing habits at home, ensuring a secure and confident start to the next academic year.

UPrep Drop In Session at Nakita’s Cafe

With end-of-year exams fast approaching, ensuring your child is on the right university pathway is more important than ever. We warmly invite parents to join our UPrep Drop-In session on 27 May from 8:30am to 9:15am in Nakita’s Cafe on the first floor. This informal setting provides the perfect opportunity to sit down with our University Counsellors and gain invaluable insight into planning your child’s future. Whether you have specific questions about interpreting upcoming exam results, navigating global application timelines, or securing successful enrolment into top universities worldwide, our team is ready to provide expert, tailored advice.

Chutikarn Doowa (Nanki) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 4

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of Chutikarn Doowa (Nanki), who has secured offers from leading liberal arts and sciences programmes in the Netherlands, including the University of Amsterdam and Utrecht University.

During her time at HeadStart, Nanki has demonstrated a strong academic interest in interdisciplinary study, culminating in her Extended Project Qualification titled “To what extent are traditional education systems responding to a world in flux?” This work reflects her curiosity about global challenges and her desire to explore how education can evolve to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world. Her intellectual engagement extends beyond the classroom, having been shortlisted for CERN’s Beamline for Schools particle physics competition, highlighting both her analytical thinking and academic ambition.

Beyond academics, Nanki has made a significant contribution to school life and the wider community. She has been involved in a football academy for six years, demonstrating commitment, resilience and teamwork, and has taken on a key role as stage manager for all creative performances since Year 9. She has also contributed to the development of the Key Stage 3 Humanities curriculum, showing initiative and a genuine interest in education. Her commitment to service is evident through leading beach clean initiatives in Phuket and her role as a director for the 24-hour Run Against Human Trafficking.

A dedicated and compassionate leader, Nanki serves as Senior Prefect of Welfare, supporting the wellbeing of her peers and contributing positively to the school community. She is an articulate, reflective and socially aware individual with a strong sense of purpose. With aspirations to pursue a career in educational research or curriculum design, she is exceptionally well suited to the interdisciplinary and globally focused programmes she has been offered.

We congratulate Nanki on her outstanding achievements and wish her every success as she begins the next stage of her academic journey.

Petr Drobotenko – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 10

We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Petr, who has secured impressive offers to study Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science in Spain. Petr has received offers from IE University for the Bachelor in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, which he has accepted, as well as from University of Navarra for a Degree in Artificial Intelligence Engineering.

Since joining HeadStart in November 2022, Petr has demonstrated a strong academic passion for AI and its impact on society. His Extended Project Qualification explored “What is the effect of AI implementation in education?”, complemented by his thought-provoking TEDxYouth talk on the future of AI in education systems. His academic curiosity is matched by recognition through Student of the Month awards and a History award.

Beyond the classroom, Petr has built an exceptional profile. As Senior Eco Prefect and MUN General Secretary, he has shown strong leadership and communication skills, while contributing to sustainability initiatives such as beach clean-ups and mangrove planting. His interests extend to chess, strategic games, and the arts, reflecting a well-rounded and analytical mindset. Petr has also demonstrated initiative through creating an AI chatbot for Auroflora and completing internships in both the marine and hospitality sectors.

A confident and articulate individual with clear ambition, Petr aspires to implement AI solutions within education systems in his home country. We congratulate Petr on these excellent offers and wish him every success as he begins his journey at IE University.

Yanakorn Thanangpol (Focus) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 8

We are pleased to celebrate the achievements of Yanakorn Thanangpol (Focus), who has secured offers to study Business and Commerce in Australia having received offers from the University of Western Australia and Curtin University.

During his time at HeadStart, Focus has demonstrated a strong academic discipline in Mathematics, Economics, and Business, alongside a growing interest in entrepreneurship and how businesses adapt to changing markets. He has developed strong analytical and critical thinking skills through both his studies and independent learning.

Beyond the classroom, Focus has gained valuable real-world experience through part-time work at Townhouse Cafe, where he developed an understanding of business operations, finance, and customer service. This experience has strengthened his communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, as well as his ability to manage time effectively alongside his studies.

A hardworking, reliable and adaptable student, Focus shows strong organisational skills and a clear sense of responsibility. With ambitions to build and manage his own business in the future, he is well positioned to make the most of the opportunities ahead. We congratulate Focus on his achievements and wish him every success as he progresses to the next stage of his academic journey.

Johanna Holmqvist – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 10

We are delighted to celebrate Johanna Holmqvist as she graduates from HeadStart having been enrolled since 22 August 2022. Over the past several years, Johanna has distinguished herself as a creative, compassionate, and highly engaged member of the school community, consistently demonstrating maturity, leadership, and enthusiasm across a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities.

Johanna’s passion for creativity and communication has been reflected through her involvement in activities including TEDx, CAPA productions, Eco Club initiatives, beach cleaning projects, and volunteering to teach English at Sunny Side Up Village. Alongside her academic studies, she has pursued interests in climbing, scuba diving, Jiu Jitsu competitions, and the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge, whilst also gaining valuable professional experience through garage sales, apprentice programmes, and work experience within a real estate company. Her commitment and positive contribution to school life were further recognised through receiving the Student of the Month award in Humanities.

Following graduation, Johanna will be taking a gap year, during which she plans to work in Bangkok and travel throughout Sweden before aspiring to study Fine Art in either Sweden or Austria. We congratulate Johanna on all she has achieved during her time at HeadStart and wish her every success as she begins this exciting new chapter.

Inspiring Lifelong Readers at Home

A genuine love of reading is one of the strongest predictors of a student’s long-term success, yet recent data indicates a steady decline in reading for pleasure among young people. To counter this trend, the latest parent guide outlines practical strategies to inspire young readers at home, building habits that directly strengthen their academic progress. Whether your child is developing core literacy in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) or developing the critical analysis skills required for their IGCSE examinations, making reading a shared activity builds a strong foundation for learning.

The guide highlights several accessible approaches to try at home. Instead of sticking only to traditional novels, try introducing magazines, comics, or non-fiction articles. This shows children that reading takes many different forms and helps them discover their personal interests. Talking about the story also builds vital comprehension skills. You might ask what they think a character will do next, or even read the same book together so you can share your thoughts. Simple habits, such as finding audiobooks for the school run or setting aside time to read as a family, quickly improve a student’s focus and vocabulary. Crucially, letting them see you read regularly sends a strong message that reading is a normal and valued part of everyday life.

One of the most effective ways to encourage reading is by allowing children the autonomy to choose their own books. The upcoming HeadStart Book Fair provides the perfect opportunity to put these strategies into action. Come along to browse the shelves together, chat about the books that catch their eye, and let them pick out their next great adventure.

Panthers U14 Girls Claim Silver at the Challenge Cup

Unwavering teamwork and physical endurance propelled the HeadStart Panthers Academy U14 Girls to a superb second-place finish at the BISP Cruzeiro Challenge Cup. Navigating a demanding two-day tournament against five teams, including Bangkok-based academies MDen and Lusitanos, required our players to dig deep. The extended match formats provided valuable playing time, allowing every player to contribute significantly to the overall goal tally. It allowed each girl to gain substantial playing time, testing their stamina and tactical resilience on the pitch.

This shared effort yielded impressive results during the group stages, where the team secured three wins, scored 15 goals, and conceded only two. Their collaborative spirit carried them into a grueling 40-minute final against MDen. Although a final-minute goal ended the match 2-1, the dedication and confidence displayed by the entire squad highlight their tremendous growth as a cohesive unit. Coach Frost – Head Football Coach

Celebrating Our Champion Readers

We are immensely proud of the remarkable dedication shown by our inquisitive students from Year 1 through Year 8! To recognise their exceptional reading habits, independent book selection, and active curiosity when exploring new literature, we awarded Certificates of Appreciation to a select group of dedicated readers. A huge congratulations to Dennis (1 Yellow), Austin (1 White), Alice (2 Blue), Oscar (3 Yellow), Orca (5 Yellow), Lisa (5 Yellow), Zoe (5 Yellow), Dasha (7 Blue), and Machii (8 Blue).

Alongside their certificates, each student received a new book prize to support their ongoing literacy development. By independently selecting challenging texts, exploring diverse genres, and discussing narratives, these readers are expanding their learning and setting a positive standard for our school community. Khun Mai – School Librarian

Reception Students Build Core Literacy Confidence for Key Stage 1

A successful transition to Key Stage 1 is built on foundational literacy confidence. To support this journey, our Reception classrooms were buzzing with excitement as Year 1 teachers recently visited to lead a focused phonics session. Students engaged directly with Key Stage 1 teaching methods as they applied their existing knowledge to recognise sounds, blend letters, and complete early reading tasks.

By introducing these new academic routines within the comfort of their current classrooms, the session allowed children to build confidence in their literacy abilities. It provided a valuable opportunity for them to experience the pace of Year 1 learning and establish early connections with their future teachers. Mrs Wakeford – Year 1 Lead Teacher & Phonics Lead

Shaking Things Up in Year 3 Geography

Investigating the science of seismic activity and structural engineering, inquisitive Year 3 students took on the challenge of designing earthquake-resistant buildings. During their geography topic, the class explored why and where earthquakes happen, the physical devastation they can cause, and the essential safety protocols to follow during a seismic event.

Moving from theory to practical application, students examined how architects in earthquake-prone countries like Japan adapt their designs to withstand natural disasters. Working collaboratively, they applied these concepts to construct their own models, testing the structural integrity of their designs against the shaking of our simulated paper ground. The Year 3 Team

Hamilton Mathematical Olympiad Success

We are celebrating the outstanding achievements of our students in this year’s Hamilton Mathematical Olympiad, one of the most prestigious mathematics competitions in the international calendar.

The Hamilton Olympiad is organised by the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) and is open to students worldwide. To reach the Olympiad, students must first perform exceptionally well in the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge, a rigorous multiple-choice paper sat by hundreds of thousands of students globally, making qualification itself a remarkable feat. The Olympiad paper then presents a series of extended, open-ended problems requiring deep mathematical reasoning and creative thinking far beyond anything encountered in the standard curriculum. It is widely regarded as one of the most demanding competitions available to students at this level.

This year, we are proud to recognise Alan (10 White), who has been awarded a Silver certificate, placing him among the very top performers in an internationally competitive field, and Paul (10 Green), who has earned a Merit certificate, an excellent achievement in a competition where simply qualifying is a mark of real ability. These are the best results HeadStart has achieved in this competition and a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of both students.

Congratulations to both on this well-deserved recognition!

Secondary Humanities Term Update and Student Projects

Within the Humanities department this term, students are pulling together two and three years’ worth of study to address some significant global questions.

Year 8 students are engaged in addressing the question, ‘Think Global, Act Local’: How could we use community agency to make our local communities and the world more just? Students have explored differing ideas of justice (including moral philosophy), the causes of injustice, forms of discrimination, and case studies of discrimination against indigenous peoples and the campaign for civil rights within the USA. Building on this foundation, students are now deploying a range of sophisticated skills to build their own awareness campaigns in support of discriminated groups, including immigrants within the USA, females in Afghanistan, ethnic minorities, and those who think differently. This will culminate in a showcase of understanding, research, critical thinking, and communication in a final persuasive speech.

Year 9 students are undertaking an ambitious task: How could we enact our power and agency to create a more sustainable and positively interdependent human civilisation for a world in flux? Deploying three years’ worth of knowledge and skills, they are engaging in deep systems thinking to identify and address some of their generation’s biggest challenges. So far, we have explored systemic social and socio-economic challenges, including wealth inequality, trade instability, the changing nature of employment, food instability, and demographic imbalance. Next week, we move to socio-political challenges, including political polarisation and a lack of confidence in global governance. Students have been working collaboratively to explore these issues and propose reasoned, stress-tested solutions. Some highly impressive ideas have emerged around universal income and a global food commission. All this work will culminate in a Manifesto for Change, which we will publish by the end of the academic year. Mr Gratton – Head of Humanities

To Be or Not To Be Insulted

Hark! Hath your daily vocabulary grown weary and dull? The scholars of our Secondary Faculty bring forth a lively cure.

To truly grasp the genius of the Bard, one must understand the bite (and bile!) of his words. Our students engaged in a spirited study of Elizabethan language, mastering the rhythm, vocabulary, and complex syntax found within his classic plays. By performing these historical barbs, they transformed written text into dynamic theatrical expression, proving that classical literature remains as sharp today as it was in the sixteenth century. Cast thine eyes upon the video to witness their dramatic endeavours!

Strengthening Student Support Systems

Supporting our students goes beyond the classroom, which is why HeadStart was delighted to host the Phuket International School Counsellor Meeting. Welcoming school counselling professionals from across the island, the session focused on sharing ideas and strategies to enhance student wellbeing and support systems for young people. This commitment to cross-school collaboration and professional development helps us ensure our own systems continue to provide outstanding care, guidance, and support for our students. We would like to thank all those who attended, as well as Mr. Dickens Cheng for coordinating this excellent opportunity for professional connection!

HeadStart Students Shine

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

• Varvara(9 White) won 1st Place and a Gold Medal in the Women’s Sabre U19 at the Bangkok Open 2026 Fencing Federation.

• Se-A(4 White),Harry(8 White), andChristian(8 Blue) represented the school exceptionally at the PISAC Championship! The Aqua Panthers delivered an outstanding team performance, securing a second-place finish overall. In the High Point Awards, Se-A won 3rd Place for 8 & Under Girls, Harry won 3rd Place for 11–12 Boys, and Christian placed 4th for 11–12 Boys.

Edgoing International Educational Programmes

Edgoing is offering a series of international academic and cultural immersion programmes in Singapore and Shanghai for students aged 7 to 18. Scheduled for July and October 2026, these courses are designed to develop practical skills in areas such as STEM, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Leadership, and Wealth Management.

The short-term camps feature partnerships with leading institutions, including the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU), alongside a dedicated Mandarin immersion experience in Shanghai. For full details regarding specific age brackets, dates, itineraries, and registration, please review the attached posters or contact the programme organisers directly via [email protected], or visit www.edgoing.com.