Weekly Update #31, 08 May 2026

Withdrawal Notice for End of Academic Year

As we begin the final 8 weeks of Term 3, we kindly remind families planning to withdraw their child at the end of this academic year to please complete the Student Withdrawal Form and submit a printed copy to our admin team, or email it to [email protected] by Wednesday 20 May. This will allow us to process Endowment Fee refunds and offer places to students on our waiting lists.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a great final term together.

Introducing Our Next Head of Foundation & Primary Kris Davis

Preparing for the upcoming academic year, we recently welcomed Kris Davis to the Chaofah City Campus for a two-day familiarisation visit.

Joining us in August 2026 as the new Head of Foundation & Primary, Kris spent his time observing classrooms in action, meeting with teaching staff, and building relationships with the leadership team. To introduce himself to our wider community, Kris has shared the following message:

HeadStart Art Exhibition 2026 – A Celebration of Creative Mastery

Students from our IGCSE and A Level Art & Design courses are set to unveil a stunning collection of work at the upcoming HeadStart Art Exhibition 2026. This prestigious event, held at the Phuket Cultural Center in partnership with Phuket Rajabhat University, marks the culmination of a rigorous two-year programme of study for our student artists.

The grand opening on Friday 22 May from 4:30pm to 7:00pm will feature intimate live music performed by our performing arts students and the opportunity to celebrate our students’ achievements in excellent company. The exhibition will remain open from 22 to 27 May, showcasing the extraordinary creative journeys and technical mastery of our Secondary and Sixth Form cohorts. We invite the whole community to join us in celebrating the exceptional talent and creative resilience of our students as they mark the end of this significant academic stage.

Event Details:📅Date: Friday 22 May (Grand Opening)

🕓 Time: 16:30 to 19:00

🗓️ Exhibition Dates: 22 to 27 May

📍 Location: Phuket Cultural Centre (Phuket Rajabhat University)

Thai Culture Club Term 3

Join us on Saturday 23rd May at our Cherngtalay campus for a fun-filled cultural experience where students will explore Thai traditions through exciting, hands-on activities. This session is designed to deepen their understanding of Thai culture while engaging in interactive and enjoyable learning experiences.

Location: HeadStart Cherngtalay CampusTime: 09:00 – 12:00

If you are interested, please contact your child’s Thai teacher to sign up. We look forward to an enriching cultural experience together!

Digital Well Being and Online Safety at the Russian Speaking Parents Meeting

Navigating the complexities of our children’s online lives requires both practical tools and open communication. Thank you to the Russian-speaking parents who joined us to explore these strategies during our ‘Digital Compass’ workshop on 5 May. Together, we examined the unique dual-digital world our students navigate, which balances global platforms like YouTube and Roblox with regional networks such as VK and Telegram.

During the session, parents acquired actionable strategies grounded in the ‘4 Cs’ of online safety: Content, Contact, Conduct, and Commerce. By reviewing technical safety nets like Google Family Link and Bark, discussing the impact of screen time on sleep and mental health, and learning how to structure a Family Tech Agreement, families left equipped to set healthy limits, manage online risks, and guide their children towards positive digital habits.

Russian version Digital Well being Parent Workshop 2026

India Smuthkochorn – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 4

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of India Smuthkochorn, who has secured an impressive range of university offers across the UK, Thailand and the United States. India’s offers include: Durham University, the University of Sussex, the University of Bristol and the University of Warwick to study Law. In addition, she holds offers from Chulalongkorn University for an LLB and from Bennington College in the United States for History.

During her time at HeadStart, India has demonstrated a strong academic profile and a clear passion for the humanities. Her EPQ explored the influence of a director’s vision in Studio Ghibli films, reflecting both critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. She has also achieved multiple Student of the Month awards across a range of subjects and earned a Gold award in the National Scientific Thinking Challenge.

India has made an outstanding contribution beyond the classroom. A committed musician, she has completed ABRSM Piano Grades 1 to 8, performed in school productions and bands and participated in numerous school events. Her wider involvement includes Model United Nations, the Sunny Side Up English Camp and tutoring younger students. Her leadership has been equally notable, serving as both Eco Prefect and Service Prefect, organising initiatives such as beach clean-ups, eco projects and charity events alongside her involvement with INTERACT. She has also gained valuable professional insight through work experience at a publishing firm and at Bangkok Global Law.

A responsible, resilient and driven student, India has clear ambitions to pursue a career in corporate or business law. We congratulate India on her achievements and wish her every success as she progresses to the next stage of her academic journey.

Samuel Pineda Keiser – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 11

We are pleased to celebrate the achievements of Samuel Pineda Keiser, who has secured an offer to study Business Administration in Global Hospitality Management at AIHM in Bangkok.

During his time at HeadStart, Sam has demonstrated a well-rounded profile, combining academic commitment with a broad range of extracurricular experiences. He has been recognised as Student of the Month and has shown strong engagement beyond the classroom through participation in Model United Nations and the Sunny Side Up programme, as well as attending a French language camp in France. His dedication to learning is further reflected in his advanced progress in mathematics through Kumon.

Sam has also developed valuable leadership and interpersonal skills, having served as a Student Council member. His work experience in villa management has provided practical insight into operations and customer service, supporting his interest in the hospitality sector. Organised, socially confident and an effective communicator, Samuel brings strong debate and interpersonal skills, particularly through his involvement in MUN.

We congratulate Sam on his achievement and wish him every success as he begins his journey in global hospitality management.

Alex Clarke – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 4

We are delighted to announce that Alex Clarke, enrolled at HeadStart since Year 4, has accepted an unconditional offer to study a BSc in International Culinary Arts at HTMi Switzerland. Driven by a long-standing passion for hospitality and a clear aspiration to open his own restaurant, Alex is well prepared to begin this exciting journey at a world-renowned institution for hospitality and tourism education.

Throughout his time at HeadStart, Alex has demonstrated exceptional creativity, teamwork and dedication. He has completed his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, progressed to the Silver expedition, and supported the school’s Ready Steady Cook programme. Beyond the classroom, Alex has gained valuable customer service experience working in a Thai restaurant and completed comprehensive work experience across multiple departments at Pullman Phuket Panwa. These practical experiences, alongside his valuable contributions as a House Captain and Student Counsellor Representative, have equipped him with the essential skills necessary for his future career.

We congratulate Alex on this outstanding achievement and wish him every success.

Yejin Lee – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 2

We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of Yejin Lee, enrolled at HeadStart since Year 2, who has secured multiple offers to study Nursing in the United Kingdom. Her offers include UWE Bristol, University of Surrey, Kingston University, Northumbria University, and the University of Plymouth, and she will also apply to universities in Korea. A resilient, dedicated and compassionate student, Yejin has clear ambitions to pursue a career in paediatric nursing.

During her time at HeadStart, Yejin has demonstrated exceptional commitment to her academic and extracurricular pursuits. A highly accomplished swimmer, she has represented Thailand at the national level on two occasions, holds nine school swimming records, and has been recognised multiple times as Most Valuable Swimmer. This dedication is matched by her academic achievements, including a Bronze award in the National Scientific Thinking Challenge and Student of the Month recognition in Chinese. Beyond her studies, Yejin has made a strong contribution to the community through volunteering with the Sunny Side Up programme, teaching English to younger students, and coaching swimming on a weekly basis. These experiences, alongside her earlier roles as a Student Council member and House Captain, have helped her develop the excellent teamwork, communication and leadership skills necessary for her future.

We congratulate Yejin on her achievements and wish her every success as she progresses to the next stage of her journey.

Toy Scalping and Digital Scams

The growing trend of online scalping exposes young consumers to artificial scarcity, inflated prices, and sophisticated digital scams. Driven by automated bots buying up high-demand items like gaming consoles, limited-edition trainers, and exclusive merchandise, scalping creates intense financial pressure and exploits student fandoms. When rushing to secure rare items, young people may inadvertently access unverified websites designed to harvest personal data, leaving them vulnerable to fraud, malware, and counterfeit goods.

Equipping students to navigate these high-pressure online marketplaces requires ongoing dialogue about digital literacy and consumer ethics. We encourage parents to use discussions around scalping as an opportunity to talk about online fairness and the reality behind opportunistic profiteering. By teaching patience over impulse buying, setting clear spending boundaries on digital wallets, and guiding children to verify seller credentials, families can significantly reduce the likelihood of falling victim to scams.

We understand that managing these fast-moving online trends can be challenging. To provide further support, we have attached a comprehensive guide from National Online Safety detailing what parents need to know about toy scalping, fakes, and scams. If you have any immediate concerns regarding your child’s digital wellbeing or online purchasing habits, please reach out to Ms. Cusworth [email protected] at any time. We are always here to support you and your family.

Go Panthers!

Testing their skills against teams from across the region, eight teams made their way to the capital to represent the HeadStart Football Academy at the Bangkok Patana International 7s. This marked our largest tournament appearance to date, with players from both our Chaofah City and Cherngtalay campuses navigating the sweltering heat and a demanding match schedule to secure impressive results across multiple divisions.

The tournament yielded strong results across the board. The U13 Boys secured victory as the Winners of the Plate, matching the success of the U11 Boys who were crowned Winners of the Shield. The U13 Girls also achieved a strong 3rd place finish in the highly competitive Cup division. Adding to the academy’s collective achievements, the U13 Boys from our Cherngtalay Campus advanced to the Bowl Semi-Finals, alongside the U15 Boys who reached the Shield Semi-Finals. Furthermore, the U15 Girls, U11 Girls, and U9 Boys demonstrated steady teamwork to secure 4th place finishes in their respective Plate and Shield divisions.

A big thank you to all the parents who travelled to support the squads. We look forward to hearing your cheers at the next competition! Coach Frost – Head Football Coach

📸 An album of photos from the tournament can be found here: Bangkok Patana 7s 2026

Panthers Pounce and Persevere

Athletic excellence is built on a foundation of resilience and sportsmanship. These qualities were in abundance as our Panthers Basketball teams competed at this week’s PISAC Championships. The U13 Girls and U15 Boys led the charge with gutsy performances. Through exceptional teamwork and skill, the U13 Girls reached the final, delivering their most accomplished performance to be crowned U13 PISAC Champions—a historic first for the HeadStart Panthers! Meanwhile, the U15 Boys mirrored that grit and determination, falling just one point short of a podium finish.

The U11 Co-ed and U13 Boys squads demonstrated composure and spirit against tough competition. After well-executed pool matches, the U11s remained collaborative through high-intensity pressure. Similarly, the U13s secured a well—deserved victory in their 3rd place playoff. We are proud to recognise the commitment and fantastic energy shown to bring home these results! Thank you to the parents who came to support, and congratulations to all of our young Panthers! Coach King – Head Basketball Coach

AquaPanthers Compete at PISAC Championships

Wishing all our HeadStart Aqua Panthers Academy swimmers taking part in this weekend’s PISAC Swimming Championships the very best of luck! Preliminary rounds take place this afternoon (Friday 8th May) before our squad heads over to BISP for the medal races on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May from 08:00-16:00. Inviting parents and friends to come along and show your support to our swimmers! Go Aqua Panthers!

Making Waves on the Year 6 Residential

Sprinting across the sand and strategising in the pool at the Angsana Hotel, Year 6 celebrated the end of their Primary school years with a fantastic display of energy and teamwork!

Whether they were balancing on paddleboards, pedalling water cycles, or plotting their next move in a fast-paced game of water polo, students tackled every aquatic challenge head-on. Back on the beach, the competitive spirit stayed high with rounds of football, volleyball, and tug of war, demanding clear communication and plenty of mutual support. Taking a break from the physical action, students also applied their creative skills through arts and crafts, focusing on balloon modelling and bracelet making.

More than just an action-packed getaway, the trip was a brilliant celebration of the incredible friendships that make this year group so special. By overcoming obstacles side-by-side and cheering each other on, they celebrated the end of primary in style, ready for the step up to Secondary.

You can download a full gallery from the trip here: Year 6 Residential 2026

A Recipe for Success: The UPrep Ready Steady Cook Finale

University life requires more than just academic excellence; it demands the ability to whip up a healthy meal on a student budget. As part of our UPrep programme, the graduating class recently tackled the “Ready, Steady, Cook” challenge. This initiative equips students with the essential ingredients for independent living: financial literacy, nutritional awareness and culinary confidence. By challenging students to plan and prepare affordable dishes, the programme ensures that as they transition to higher education, they have the practical skills needed to manage their health and finances effectively.

As a true test of these essential life skills, the kitchen heated up for the grand finale as teams plated some truly mouth-watering creations for our judging panel: Mr. Davidson, Ms. Graham, Mr. Wakeford and Mr. Guarino. Team “Woohoo” (Sam, Yejin and Seungha) claimed a well-deserved first place, wowing the room with a golden, perfectly crisp chicken dish packed with flavour. Hot on their heels in second place was Team “The Engine” (Alex, Sean, Dylan and Li), who delivered a beautifully presented and technically impressive sea bass with mange tout. While the delicious food was the highlight of the day, the real victory is seeing our Sixth Formers leave the HeadStart kitchen equipped with the practical skills, confidence and appetite for success they need to survive independently at university. The UPrep Team

HeadStart Students Shine

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

• Elina (4 Blue) won a round golden medal at the Oceanman swimming event.

• Nathan (4 Yellow) was the winner of the Tennis 10s Matchplay Tournament (Under 10) organised by the Kahli Phuket Tennis Academy on 26th April 2026.

• Freya (1 Yellow) won the Superkids Gold Award at the ATOD International Dance Competition Thailand 2026.

External Educational Opportunities with Edgoing

Edgoing is offering a series of international educational programmes for students aged 7 to 17, taking place in Singapore and Shanghai later this year. These programmes focus on STEM, financial technology, and Mandarin language immersion, providing structured learning experiences during the school holidays. Please note that these programmes are organised independently by Edgoing and are not affiliated with or supervised by HeadStart.

The upcoming programmes include:

• Singapore STEM Innovation Camp (13-18 July 2026): A 6-day trip for ages 7-12 focusing on AI, science experiments, and campus visits to NUS and NTU.

• NTU Global FinTech Scholars Program (19-24 July 2026): A 6-day course in Singapore for ages 13-17 covering blockchain, cryptocurrency, and financial innovation. Registration closes on 31 May 2026.

• Mandarin & Culture Immersion in Shanghai (11-24 October 2026): A 14-day trip for ages 13-17 hosted at Shanghai Adcote School, featuring language study and cultural excursions.

For more details, pricing, or to register, please review the attached flyers, contact the programme coordinator KK at [email protected], or visit www.edgoing.com.