Weekly Update #34, 29 May 2026

Give Blood, Save Lives at the HeadStart Community Blood Drive!

Join the Thai Red Cross at our Chaofah City Campus and make a critical difference for patients in need across Thailand. Every donation counts.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, 19th June 2026

• Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

• Location: Chaofah City Campus

• Current Need: All blood types (especially Rh-negative)

Community Beach Clean and Mangrove Nursery Project

Taking hands-on action to protect our local environment, the HeadStart Eco School team is organising our final Community Beach Clean of the academic year, while also laying the groundwork to launch our new campus Mangrove Nursery.

Community Beach Clean

Join us for our final beach clean on Sunday 31 May at Rawai (meeting near We Cafe) from 9:30am to 10:30am. This event is particularly special as it will be the last HeadStart beach clean for Mr Gratton, Mr Dempsey, and Petr (Year 13). We are hoping for a huge turnout to maximise our impact and give them a fantastic send-off. As always, please bring antibacterial gel, water, a hat, sunscreen, and gloves if required.

Mangrove Nursery Project

We are gearing up to establish our own Mangrove Nursery on campus, an initiative that will give students practical opportunities to learn about coastal ecosystems while directly growing the plants needed to restore Phuket’s natural environment. To help us set up the space correctly, our team recently visited the Mangrove Resource Development Station 23 to meet with the warden, Khun Niran. We are now working closely with the development station and our gardening team to source materials and create an ideal environment for the seedlings to thrive.

‘Once Upon a Dance’ Showcase

Step into a world of magic, music, and imagination at our “Once Upon a Dance” recital. Join us as our talented dancers bring beloved Disney-inspired stories to life through enchanting choreography, colorful costumes, and unforgettable performances. From classic fairy tales to modern favorites, this show promises fun, laughter, and a touch of pixie dust for the whole family. Don’t miss this magical celebration of dance!

• Time: 14:00
• Date: 13 June 2026
• Location: Sports Hall, Chaofah Campus
• Price: 300/350 THB
• Book Now: Secure your seats and book your tickets here!

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony 2026

We cordially invite our Year 6 Students and their families to our Year 6 Graduation Ceremony. This is a wonderful chance to celebrate our Year 6 students as they transition from Primary to Secondary school. Join us in celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of our students. We look forward to sharing this memorable occasion with all of you.

Primary End of Year Awards Ceremony 2026

We are delighted to invite students from Year 2 to Year 6 and parents of our award winners (email confirmation sent to all parents of award winners) to our Primary End of Year Awards Ceremony. This special event is to honor the achievements of our Primary students. Join us in celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of our students. We look forward to sharing this memorable occasion with all of you.

Senior Prom 2026

With the exam season over, students in Years 10 to 13 are invited to let down their hair and celebrate the end to a fantastic academic year at the HeadStart Senior Prom 2026. Hosted at the Ramada PlazaonFriday 19th June from 19:00 to 21:00, this special evening is themedMasquerade. It is an excellent opportunity for students to celebrate their hard work and experience a fun, formal evening with their peers including one last chance to wish a fond farewell to our Year 13 Graduating class.

Year 6 to Year 7 Transition Meeting

Preparing for the jump to Secondary school is a significant milestone for our Year 6 students. To ensure a smooth and supported transition, we invite parents of all Year 6 students to an essential orientation meeting on Tuesday 2 June from 8:30am to 9:30am in the Primary Hall. This session will provide key insights into the Secondary curriculum, daily routines, and the growing independence expected of our students as they enter Year 7. Join us to discover how we prepare our learners for this exciting next step in their academic journey.

Mali Bell – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 8

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of Mali Bell, who has received multiple university offers in the United Kingdom and is currently exploring further opportunities in Australia as she prepares for the next stage of her academic journey. Mali has received conditional offers from University of Portsmouth, Bournemouth University, University of Chichester, and St Mary’s University, Twickenham for Sport and Exercise Science-related degrees, while also applying to Australian universities including Edith Cowan University and Curtin University in Perth.

Enrolled at HeadStart since August 2020, Mali has made an exceptional contribution to school life through sport, leadership and service. Her achievements include Overall Sports Performer of the Year, the BTEC Sport Award, the IGCSE French Award and completion of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, with her recent EPQ predicted Grade A. Beyond academics, Mali has been heavily involved in dance, swimming, badminton and CAPA productions including Aida, Chicago and The Wizard of Oz, alongside participating in charity and environmental initiatives such as the 24-hour run for human trafficking awareness and beach clean projects.

Mali has also demonstrated outstanding leadership through roles including Student Council member, Deputy Senior Prefect and Senior Prefect within the House Committee, as well as co-organising the ‘Tides for Tomorrow’ beach clean initiative. Her work experience as a dance teacher and coach at both Phuket International Dance Academy and HeadStart International School reflects her maturity, discipline, reliability and strong ability to mentor younger students.

A resilient and highly motivated student, Mali plans to take a part gap year to gain further independence and experience in Australia before pursuing a future in sport and exercise science through an international dual-degree pathway. We congratulate Mali on her achievements so far and wish her every success in her future studies and career aspirations.

Pawit Hanpipat (Palm) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 3

We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of Pawit Hanpipat (Palm), who has been part of our school community since April 2015 and has accepted an offer to study Computer Science at Temple University, Japan.

Throughout his time at HeadStart, Palm has developed a clear interest in Computer Science, IT, and Business, alongside a growing passion for game development. His curiosity and determination are reflected in his independent pursuits, including building model kits, engaging in creative digital projects, and challenging himself physically through experiences such as hiking to Annapurna Base Camp. Palm has also contributed to the wider community through beach clean initiatives and participation in extracurricular activities such as volleyball and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition.

Palm is a thoughtful and resilient student who approaches challenges with a calm and methodical mindset. He has shown increasing independence in his learning, particularly in exploring areas of technology beyond the classroom, and demonstrates a genuine willingness to develop both his technical and personal skills. His ability to balance academic interests with wider pursuits highlights his maturity and strong sense of personal responsibility.

We congratulate Palm on this exciting achievement and wish him every success as he begins his next chapter at Temple University Japan.

Lapassapon Heras-Gomez (Li) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 7

We are proud to announce that Lapassapon Heras-Gomez (Li) has secured a full golf scholarship to study Business Administration at the University of Nevada, Reno, USA.

During his time at HeadStart, Li has demonstrated a strong academic focus in Mathematics, Business and Economics. He has consistently shown a thoughtful and analytical approach to his learning, with a particular interest in how business theory applies to real-world contexts. His commitment and engagement have been recognised through multiple Student of the Month awards, reflecting both his academic effort and his positive contribution to lessons.

Beyond the classroom, Li has excelled as an international-level golfer, competing across the UAE, Japan, Australia, the United States and Southeast Asia. His dedication to the sport has led to a career-best ranking within the top 300 amateur golfers worldwide, highlighting his discipline, resilience and ability to perform under pressure. He has also gained valuable industry insight through an internship with Indo Construction Phuket, where he developed an understanding of market research, financial forecasting and business strategy.

An outgoing and confident individual, Li brings energy and enthusiasm to all that he does. Balancing the demands of high-level sport with his academic studies, he has shown strong time management, determination and maturity. With ambitions to continue developing his golfing career alongside his business studies, he is exceptionally well placed to take advantage of the opportunities ahead.

We congratulate Li on this outstanding achievement and wish him every success as he begins the next stage of his journey.

Suyeon Lee (Susanna)- Enrolled at HeadStart since Reception

We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of Suyeon Lee (Susanna), who is currently applying to a range of prestigious universities in South Korea as she prepares for the next stage of her academic journey. Susanna has submitted applications to leading institutions including Yonsei University, Hanyang University (Seoul Campus), Korea University, Chung-Ang University and Sungkyunkwan University. As South Korean applications operate on a later admissions cycle, she is currently awaiting decisions from these universities.

Enrolled at HeadStart International School since September 2012, Susanna has made a significant contribution to school life through both leadership and service. She has held numerous positions including Student Council member, Prefect, Senior Prefect, Interact Treasurer and Interact President, alongside leading media and teaching teams within Sunny Side Up, where she helped teach English to local Thai children. Her extracurricular involvement has also included Swimming Academy, Football Academy, CAPA Performing Arts, choir, tennis and SSI-certified diving.

A highly organised, enthusiastic and collaborative student, Susanna is recognised for her leadership, confidence and strong teamwork skills. Her achievements include multiple Student of the Month awards, participation in the Biology Olympiad and completion of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. We congratulate Susanna on all she has achieved so far and wish her every success with her university applications and future ambitions.

Football Academy Secures Three Strong Wins in Weekend Fixtures

Showcasing high-level teamwork and tactical awareness, the HeadStart Chaofah Football Academy hosted five highly competitive fixtures, displaying immense skill and determination across multiple age groups. The players demonstrated excellent resilience on the pitch, making it a highly rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Final scores:

• U9 Boys 4 – 1 Srisunthon Academy

• U11 Boys 4 – 3 Srisunthon Academy

• U13 Boys 2 – 0 Srisunthon Academy

• U13-15 Girls 1 – 4 Phuket Youth Home U13-U15 Girls

• U15 Boys 4 – 4 Phuket Youth Home U13 Boys

A big thank you goes out to all the players for their hard work and to the parents who came out to cheer on the teams. Let’s go Panthers! Coach Frost – Head Football Coach

Students Build Collaborative Skills at VAPP Football Festival

During the VAPP Girls’ Football Festival, players from both the Cherngtalay and Chaofah City campuses united on the pitch to build new friendships and collaborative skills. Led by our Head Football Coach, Coach Frost, and Coach Madison, the afternoon provided an inclusive and supportive environment for newer players to engage in the sport. Teams were intentionally mixed to give the girls the opportunity to communicate and play alongside different teammates. The players progressed from 5v5 matches to full-pitch 7v7 games, demonstrating excellent teamwork within a lively festival atmosphere.

All of the players performed brilliantly and showed clear progression in their confidence on the pitch. Special mentions go to Alisa, Sofia B, and Aida, who each received medals for their individual performances and excellent attitudes. Thank you to the girls who took part and to the coaching team who organised the event. We look forward to hosting more cross-campus fixtures in the future to help our players continue to learn, develop, and refine their football skills together. Coach Paul – Football Coach

Chess Tournament

Spanning a remarkable 62 years between our youngest and oldest competitors, the May chess tournament proved that strategic thinking knows no age limit. Inviting participants from 5 to 67 years old, the event brought parents and teachers alongside students to demonstrate concentration, strategic thinking, and resilience over the chessboard.

The Under-8 category once again attracted strong participation, with 13 young players taking part. At the same time, 13 parents and teachers joined the event, showing that chess is not only a game for children, but also a wonderful way for families, educators, and students to connect through friendly competition. Throughout the tournament, the playing hall was filled with excitement, thoughtful battles, and plenty of unforgettable moments at the boards.

Building on this momentum, our final chess event of the academic year will take place in June, concluding the season with an inter-school tournament.

Final standings for the May tournament:

• Overall Top 3: Tigran (8.0, 9 Blue Cherngtalay), Georgiy (7.5, 6 Blue Chaofah City), and Benjamin (7.0, Maths teacher).

• Best Girls: Poppy (6.0, 9 White Chaofah City), Eliana (4.5, 4 Yellow Cherngtalay), and Xuanxuan (3.5, 2 Yellow Chaofah City).

• Best U-8 players: Beatle (5.5, 2 White Chaofah City), Raphael (5.0, 2 Blue Cherngtalay), and Alexander (4.0, 2 Blue Chaofah City).

Special recognition goes to our Best Parents: Ivan (6.5), Evgenii (6.0), and Beer (6.0), as well as our Best Mums: Tang (3.5), Chloe (3.0), and Anastasia (3.0).

Thai Culture Club

Bringing together families from both our Chaofah City and Cherngtalay campuses, our Term 3 Thai Culture Club allowed students and parents to collaborate and explore local customs. Guided by our Thai department, the event focused on active cultural preservation and shared community learning. A big thank you to the Thai department, teachers, and parents who helped make the event so engaging and memorable!

📸 A full gallery of photos can be found here: Thai Culture Club Term 3 2026

Foundation

Foundation families gathered to enjoy the story of ‘The Hen and the Big Eggs’, exploring the life cycle of a chicken together. Parents and students shared a wonderful time bringing the tale to life through interactive, hands-on activities.

Years 1-3

In the ‘Amazing Thai Plays’ workshop, Years 1-3 students teamed up with their parents to try out traditional Thai games. Everyone had a fantastic time crafting classic ‘Cicada’ sound toys and testing out their new creations together.

Years 4-6

Years 4-6 students and their families explored culinary traditions during ‘The Scent of Pandan Leaves’. Working side-by-side, they prepared traditional, tasty Thai desserts and got hands-on crafting roses out of pandan leaves.

HeadStart Art and Design Exhibition 2026

This year’s Art and Design Exhibition officially opened on Friday, 22nd May, at Phuket Rajabhat University, celebrating the achievements of our A Level and GCSE Art & Design students. Thank you to Phuket Rajabhat University for their valuable partnership and to the Creative Arts Faculty for the planning and curation of this event.

Students showcased their work in a professional gallery setting, highlighting the creative journeys they have undertaken over the past two years. Certificates were presented to Year 13 and Year 11 students in recognition of their hard work and achievements. The evening also featured jazz and choir performances from our Performing Arts Faculty. Thank you to everyone who attended in support of our inspirational artists. Ms Greaney – Head of Art

A World of Fun in Foundation

Our tiny tourists transformed the ILC into a hub of play and discovery during our final ‘Our World’ Stay & Play! Parents and children partnered up for environment-inspired activities, celebrating a year of growth and wishing our Reception students safe travels into Year 1. Thank you to everyone who joined the expedition. Visit our photo gallery to see the adventure unfold!

Our World: Stay & Play – Photo Gallery

A Big thank you to our Junior Library Helpers!

We are proud to award certificates to our wonderful Junior Library Helpers for their hard work keeping our library neat, organized, and welcoming. It is now time to say goodbye to this amazing team and get ready to welcome our next group of volunteers. Any guesses on who our new helpers might be?

Eco School Website Launch and Parent Survey

To keep our community up to date on all our ongoing environmental projects, we have officially launched the dedicated HeadStart Eco School website. This new site provides a central place to find information and check for updates regarding our sustainability initiatives. You can visit the site here: HeadStart Eco-School Website.

Sustainable Fish on the Menu

As part of our Primary Awareness campaign, we want to hear your thoughts on the school menu and our choice of ingredients. We are currently looking into introducing more sustainable fish options and value your input. Please take our short questionnaire, which is available in multiple languages and takes less than five minutes to complete. You can access the survey here: Sustainable Fish Survey.

HeadStart Students Shine

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

• Beatle (2 White) won the Champion U8 trophy at the Imperial World Chess Championship 2026, organised by 101 Chess Academy Bangkok, and was the 2nd Runner-up at the 3rd NIST Chess Championship (U08), organised by Red Knight Chess Club Bangkok.

• Stella (1 White) achieved the Pre-category 2nd Prize with 85/100 points at the Orbetello Piano International Competition, and received the Gold 1st Prize in the piano instrument Junior section (96.6/100 points, performance level: concert performer) at the Europe Open Music Competition 6th International Edition-2026.

• Alan (10 White)awarded a Silver certificate andPaul (10 Green) earned a Merit certificate in this year’s Hamilton Mathematical Olympiad, organised by the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT), one of the most prestigious mathematics competitions in the international calendar.