Weekly Update #37, 19 June 2026

Chaofah City Parent Committee Term 3 Meeting

On Thursday, 28th May 2026, the HeadStart Chaofah City Parent Committee held its Term 3 meeting with the school’s management team. We are grateful to our parent members for their contributions and for working with us for the continued improvement of our school and its wider community. Outcomes from the meeting can be found here: HeadStart Chaofah City Campus Parent Committee Meeting Notes. For more information about the HeadStart Parent Committee, including its role and involvement in working with our school leadership, please visit our website: HeadStart Parent Committee..

Yearbook and Photo Package Release Date and Time

We invite families to come and collect their free copy of the 2025-2026 Yearbook from Monday, 22 June starting at 15:20 in the Atrium. Families who ordered photo packages for their children will also be able to collect these along with any additional copies of the Yearbook they ordered. Please be informed that you must present valid parent ID (i.e. HeadStart Parent ID, passport) to collect your children’s photos. Photo packages will only be given to registered parents of the child.

A Friendly Reminder About Lost Belongings

Replacing lost items can be frustrating, so we encourage all parents and students to regularly check our designated lost property areas for any missing belongings. Valuable items, such as watches, electronic devices, and keys, are securely held at the Administration Office. Meanwhile, general everyday items, including water bottles, P.E. kits, and school uniforms, are safely kept in a locker at the First Aid Room. If you are missing an item, please visit the relevant office and provide a specific description so our team can help reunite you with your lost property. To keep our storage manageable and support those in need, any general items left unclaimed are donated to local charities at the end of each month.

Pawndemonium: 3rd Junior Rapid Chess Tournament

Students are invited to test their strategic skills one last time this academic year at the Pawndemonium Junior Rapid Chess Tournament. Join us on 20 June for the final rapid chess competition of the season. It is a fantastic opportunity for young players to challenge themselves, compete against their peers, and celebrate their progress on the board. Please refer to the attached poster for all tournament details and registration information.

Secondary Awards Ceremony 2026

We are delighted to invite students from Year 7 to Year 13 and parents of our award winners (email confirmation sent to all parents of award winners) to our Secondary End of Year Awards Ceremony. This special event is to honor the achievements of our Secondary students.

HeadStart Celebrates the Class of 2026 with Fun, Family and a Sense of Community

On Thursday, 11th June 2026, HeadStart International School proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 with a beautiful ceremony at school followed by a stylish dinner at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Phuket Town. This fun-filled event brought together students, families, and teaching staff to mark the culmination of the students’ school journey and the exciting beginning of the next chapter in their lives.

The day began with the formal graduation ceremony where students were celebrated by peers, teachers, and younger students. Memorable speeches by our outgoing Head Girl, Seungha, and Head Boy, Conor, reflected on both their individual journeys and that of the cohort as a whole. Following further contributions from our 6th Form team as well as the unforgettable student-made video celebrating this extraordinary group of students, they took to the stage one last time to perform ‘History’, backed by the Year 13 band, aptly names The Graduates.

A final highlight was the traditional guard of honour formed by students from Year 9 upwards, complete with flower petal confetti and cheers – a HeadStart tradition symbolising respect, pride, and community. This year’s graduates leave with more than just academic success – they carry memories, friendships, and values that will shape their futures. And their futures are certainly bright.

An Evening to Remember at the Year 13 Graduation Dinner

Following the wonderful Year 13 Graduation Ceremony, an evening dinner reception in honour of the Class of 2026 was graciously hosted by Headmaster, Mr Adam Drew, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Phuket Town. He welcomed guests and paid tribute to the character, spirit, and accomplishments of this year’s graduating class. The formal programme opened with personal and touching speeches by the Year 13 homeroom teachers, who shared memories and celebrated the development and resilience of their students.

Guests enjoyed a superb dinner in the elegant setting of the hotel ballroom, where the atmosphere was filled with laughter, heartfelt toasts, and quiet moments of reflection. One of the most enthralling moments came with the presentation of the wonderfully creative student-made video celebrating the incredible bond that this cohort of 52 students has formed. A highlight of the evening were the farewell speeches given by our outgoing Head Girl, Seungha, and Head Boy, Conor. An impromptu karaoke performance of “Don’t Stop Believing” by members of the graduating class added vibrancy and brought to a close the day’s celebrations, showcasing the talent and camaraderie of the cohort.

To the Class of 2026 – we offer our heartfelt congratulations. You have inspired us with your determination, enriched our community with your talents, and we are immensely proud of all you have achieved. Wherever life takes you next, remember: you will always be a part of the HeadStart family.

Shira Nagar – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 10

Congratulations to Shira Nagar, who has successfully secured an offer to study Psychology at Lingnan University in Hong Kong, with further decisions pending from other prestigious institutions! Enrolled since Year 10, Shira has proven her academic versatility by earning multiple Student of the Month awards in Mathematics, Business, and Psychology. She has actively cultivated her passion for the performing arts through voice and guitar lessons, school choir, CAPA performances, and LAMDA. A dedicated leader, Shira served on the Student Council for three consecutive years and supported her community through beach clean-ups, the 24 Hour Race, and the Sunny Side Up English language programme.

Minghao Li (Leo) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 7

We also proudly commend Minghao Li (Leo), who is taking his impressive extracurricular portfolio to the next level by applying to study Business and Commerce at Monash University Malaysia, alongside exploring programmes in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, and Economics at Universiti Malaya! Joining HeadStart in Year 7, Leo pairs his academic focus with independent involvement in stock trading and financial markets. He has built an impressive portfolio, completing his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver expeditions while participating in swimming, chess, diving, golf, tennis, badminton, drumming, and fishing. He has consistently demonstrated responsibility as a school prefect, summer camp leader, and volunteer for local beach clean-ups.

Bogdan Polekhin – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 4

Congratulations to Bogdan Polekhin, who is pursuing Computer Science and related technology programmes with applications submitted to City University of Hong Kong, Tiangong University, Yangtze University, and Jiangzhu University! Enrolled since Year 4, Bogdan excels in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science, with a strong focus on coding, cybersecurity, and machine learning. He applies his technical skills practically through web design projects for Sunny Side Up and Token for Moken, alongside accounting and real estate internships. Beyond technology, Bogdan has studied Chinese, played Dungeons & Dragons, served five years on the Student Council, and regularly contributed to CAPA productions, famously playing the psychopathic dentist in Little Shop of Horrors.

Julie Imura – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 10

We also proudly commend Julie Imura, who is applying to Sophia University to study Liberal Arts, bringing together her interests in politics, philosophy, economics, and global culture! A valued HeadStart student since 2022, Julie’s academic curiosity earned her the Humanities Student of the Month award in 2024. She maintains an incredibly diverse extracurricular portfolio, participating in gymnastics, swimming, football, Japanese taiko drumming, and CAPA productions, including a lead role in Little Shop of Horrors. Demonstrating remarkable leadership and initiative, Julie co-founded the “Tides for Tomorrow” beach clean initiative, serves as a Prefect and House Captain, and actively contributes to a YouTube project inspiring Japanese students to study abroad.

Nanki: Community Service Champion

“I believe it’s very important for everyone to try and make positive change locally. This year I was a director in organizing the 24 hour run against Human Trafficking, attended by over a hundred students on the island. As well as this, a cause very personal to me is advocating for the rights of the indigenous Moken people. Back in 2024, a close friend and I began to raise funds using various initiatives such as the student run Moken Market. Since then, HeadStart has worked directly with the North Andaman Network when our own academy 24 hours to make a difference event helped raise funds to fix problems caused by overtourism, which I was lucky enough to witness first hand on a trip to the Surin islands. Recently, with my family, I have also begun a food and medicine distribution program for hundreds to Burmese construction workers at a local camp.

Within the school community, I’ve acted as Stage Manager, participating in all creative performances since Y9. As Senior Prefect of Welfare responsible for celebrating Black History month, my team and I created a display emphasizing the effective methods of the Black Panther Party in achieving Civil Rights. I’ve also been part of the football academy for over 5 years and consistently volunteer at swim meets, including an initiative started by Coach Sammy to teach swimming to children from Phuket Sunshine Village. We owe our community and each other our very best efforts!” Nanki – Class of 2026

Mali – Assistant Dance Coach & Mentor

“Joining HeadStart in Year 8, I auditioned for the Dance Academy and have since performed in major recitals like The Glitch and the upcoming Once Upon a Dance showcase. Driven to give back, I have dedicated my after-school hours since 2020 to assisting experienced teachers in Jazz, Hip-Hop, Ballet and gymnastics classes. Mentoring students across various age groups helped me develop essential leadership skills, reliability and an adaptable mindset.

In my final year, my dedication increased by becoming HeadStart’s first student dance coach alongside teaching private classes outside of school at PIDA Dance School. Taking full ownership of choreography and creative direction forced me out of my comfort zone, challenging my fear of public speaking.

Balancing the demands of teaching with A Level exams, BTEC coursework, my own intense training regime and overcoming major injuries, has helped me to develop immense character and resilience. Through this, I have improved my time management, professionalism and accountability. Crucially, teaching has taught me patience; I have learned to find the perfect balance between discipline, tolerance and fun to keep students engaged and inspired.

Ultimately, navigating these responsibilities while managing personal setbacks has strengthened my resilience and supportive nature. I have grown immensely proud of myself and will continue to use these skills to foster an environment of discipline and patience, ensuring that students, peers and mentors can always depend on me.” Mali – Class of 2026

Navigating Results Day Together

Results day is almost here! It is a great moment to celebrate our students’ hard work and remember that success looks different for everyone. Because they care so much about their learning, it is totally normal for the whole family to feel a mix of nerves and excitement right now. Our shared goal is simply to make sure every child feels valued and ready for whatever news is in that envelope.

The best way we can help is by keeping things calm. Have a chat with your children early on to remind them that you are proud of who they are, regardless of the grades. On the day itself, simply being a steady, listening ear works wonders. Once the initial reactions settle, take time to celebrate their resilience and kindness. Exams are just one small part of their journey, and we are right here to help them move forward feeling confident, supported, and excited for what comes next.

Once Upon a Dance

On Saturday 13th June, our stage came to life as we stepped into a magical world of storytelling through movement in our annual recital, Once Upon a Dance. We were incredibly proud to showcase 120 talented students from both campuses, each bringing energy, creativity, and dedication to the stage. From enchanting fairy tales to powerful performances, every piece reflected the hard work and passion our dancers have shown throughout the year. A heartfelt thank you to our students for their commitment, our teachers for their guidance, and our families for their continued support. It was truly an unforgettable afternoon celebrating not just dance, but imagination, growth, and community. Here’s to many more moments where stories are told… one dance at a time. – Miss Mina, Head Dance Coach

CAPA Junior: ‘Something Wicked’!

On Monday, 8th June, our CAPA Junior students completely spellbound the audience with their final showcase, “Something Wicked.” Our talented young performers pulled out all the stops as speakers, singers, and dancers, perfectly balancing the creepy and the magical.

Highlights included a terrifyingly brilliant vocal rendition of John Williams’ ‘Double Double’, a spine-chillingly expressive performance of Jack Prelutsky’s ‘The Witch’, and unique, magical plays collaboratively devised by each year group. The creativity and stage presence on display were fantastical! A massive thank you to all the families who joined us and brought such wonderful energy. Have a fantastic holiday and keep shining bright, CAPA Junior superstars, we can’t wait to create more magic again with you next year! – Mrs. Howells, Director of CAPA

Library Monitor Awards and Junior Helpers Team Farewell

The Library was delighted to present Amy (5 White) with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her outstanding enthusiasm for reading and achieving the highest patron statistics this academic year. Amy was also honoured for her long-term service as a Library Monitor, acknowledging her dedication, responsibility, and valuable contributions in supporting the library community.

As the academic year comes to a close, we would like to thank our Junior Helpers Team for their hard work and commitment throughout the year. Their assistance with shelving books, keeping the library organised, and supporting daily library activities has helped create a welcoming and tidy environment for everyone. We say a fond farewell to this wonderful team and sincerely appreciate all their efforts. We wish them every success in the future and look forward to welcoming a new Junior Helpers Team in the next academic year. – Khun Mai, Librarian

Pouring Over the Benefits of Thai Herbal Tea

During their Thai Foreign lessons, Year 8 explored “Herbal Drinks and Their Amazing Benefits.” Throughout the activity, students learned about different types of Thai herbal drinks, their health benefits, and the ingredients used to make them. They also had the opportunity to taste a variety of colourful herbal drinks, including chrysanthemum tea, pandan juice, and roselle juice. The activity was filled with fun, excitement, and meaningful learning experiences. Students also completed worksheets to reinforce their understanding of Thai culture and traditional herbal beverages. – Kru Wendy, Thai Department

Guest Speakers: Learning Essential Garment Care Life Skills in Year 7

Our Year 7 students participated in a highly practical “Life Skills” workshop focused on the essentials of garment care. During the interactive session, students learned how to identify different types of fabrics and gained valuable hands-on experience practising how to safely iron and neatly fold school uniforms, t-shirts, socks, and pants. The students demonstrated fantastic focus, supported one another, and thoroughly enjoyed mastering these daily habits. We extend our warmest thanks to the wonderful parents of Naomi, Owen, Liya, and Jacob for volunteering their time and sharing their everyday expertise as our guest speakers for this session! – Kru Toom, Thai Department

Guest Speakers: Year 8 Guided Through Cyber Law and Digital Safety

Shifting focus to the digital landscape, our Year 8 students took part in an eye-opening session on “Cyber Law” designed to equip them with the tools needed to navigate the online world safely and responsibly. The workshop focused on the “Do’s and Don’ts” of social media etiquette, as well as crucial precautions to look out for regarding online scams and modern cyber threats. A huge thank you to the dedicated officers from the Wichit Police Station for guiding our digital citizens through this vital topic and helping them understand how to protect themselves online. – Kru Toom, Thai Department

Year 9: Empowering Through Emergency Preparedness

Our Year 9 students focused on physical safety and crisis management during an essential “Emergency Preparedness” workshop. Students were taught critical survival and response strategies to employ when facing unexpected, high-risk situations, walking through the internationally recognised three-step safety protocol: “Run, Hide, Fight.” This training provided our students with the practical knowledge and confidence required to keep themselves and those around them safe. We extend our deepest gratitude to the professional team from the Wichit Police Station for delivering such empowering and crucial safety training to our oldest Key Stage 3 students. – Kru Toom, Thai Department

Bridging the Gap from Primary to Secondary Learning: Year 6 Transition Days

Our Year 6 pupils recently enjoyed their exciting Transition Days in Secondary, giving them a taste of what lies ahead next year. Each class spent the day experiencing life as secondary students, taking part in a range of engaging lessons and activities. They investigated scientific concepts in the specialist science laboratories, explored coding and digital technology in the computer suites, and challenged themselves with secondary-level mathematics. Pupils also had the opportunity to become designers for the day, creating and developing ideas in the Design Technology suites.

The day was filled with enthusiasm, curiosity, and confidence-building experiences, and it was wonderful to see how excited the children were about the next stage of their learning journey. We are incredibly proud of the way they embraced every challenge and look forward to seeing them continue to thrive as they move into Secondary.

A huge thank you to all of the Secondary teachers who took time out of their busy schedules to plan and deliver these fantastic sessions for our Year 6 pupils. Their enthusiasm and expertise helped make the day such a valuable and memorable experience. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Ms Uhure for organising the days and ensuring everything ran so smoothly. – Mrs. Cusworth, Deputy Head of Primary

Year 11 Excel in Work Placements

HeadStart Year 11 students participated in the school’s annual Work Experience Programme from 8 to 12 June, gaining first-hand experience of a variety of professions across Phuket. Students were placed with organisations representing sectors including architecture and interior design, marine operations, construction, education, hospitality, healthcare, law, and consular services. Placements included Studio CKP, Phuket Boat Lagoon, Gymboree, Athena Siam, the German Consulate, and many other local organisations that generously supported the programme.

Work experience provides students with an invaluable opportunity to develop workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation, initiative, and problem-solving, while helping them make more informed decisions about future study and career pathways. Employers were overwhelmingly positive about the students’ performance. Reece was praised for his positive attitude, strong listening skills, and willingness to learn, while Studio CKP highlighted the professionalism and maturity shown by Thiago and Lia. Supervisors at Aquaria Phuket also commended students for their enthusiasm, confidence, and eagerness to experience different aspects of the business.

HeadStart would like to thank all participating employers for their time, guidance, and support. Their contribution plays an important role in helping our students connect classroom learning with the wider world and prepare for life beyond school. Mr Roscoe – University Guidance Counsellor

Outstanding Success in the National Scientific Thinking Challenge

Over 16,000 students from 255 schools competed in the National Scientific Thinking Challenge, and HeadStart scientists have proven they rank among the very best. Supported by leading UK universities including Oxford, Warwick, and Bristol, this prestigious competition assesses complex scientific reasoning and problem-solving rather than simple factual recall. Demonstrating exceptional critical thinking, curiosity, and resilience, our students secured top-tier results against a national average of just 52%. Congratulations to all of our award winners for representing HeadStart with such academic rigour.

Gold Award (Top 10% Nationally):Mars, Dylan, Floyd, Andy, OllieSilver Award (Top 25% Nationally):Amy, Jane, AJ, Point, Haram, Daniel, Lisa, Non, Anna, Icey, DarinaBronze Award (Top 40% Nationally): Dasha, Anisa, Tina, Harry, Turbo, Mark, Rei, Masha, Kevin, Amy, Joanne, Eason

Visions of a Better Future

It is with great pleasure I share with you the Capstone (final) Project of Year 9 Yellow. Across the last few weeks students have undertaken a journey which has drawn upon three years worth of study, all their Humanities skills and enabled them to enhance their Systems and Critical Thinking capacities. Their final artefact, a website, completed with no teacher input, is testament to the independent skills they have developed through our HeadStart International Humanities Curriculum. Enjoy and be inspired. You can view Year 9 Yellow’s site here: Visions of a Better Future – Mr. Gratton, Head of Humanities & Eco-School Coordinator

HeadStart Students Shine

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

• Beatle (2 White) won Champion U8 and 2nd Runner-up at the Pawn Island Chess Tournament 2026, as well as U08 Best Player at the Red Knight Chess Club Age Group Tournament!

• Bright, Fleur, Bay, and Rong Rong (Year 3), Proud, Im-aim, Tiger, and Andy (Year 4), Amy, Focus, Tigger, and Paul (Year 5), along with Bogdan, Kim, Chris, and Chloe (Year 6) represented HeadStart with excellence at the PISAC Math competition! The Year 5 team claimed Team Gold (Paul achieving Individual Gold and Tigger earning Individual Silver). The Year 6 team won Team Silver (Bogdan and Chris earning Individual Bronze, Chloe taking Individual Silver). The Year 3 team won Team Bronze (Bay earning Individual Bronze, Rong Rong taking Individual Silver). Finally, the Year 4 team performed wonderfully, with Tiger securing Individual Bronze and Andy earning Individual Silver.

• Tavian (Year 2), Jom (Year 2), Alice (Year 2), Preme (Year 3), Athena (Year 3), Alyssa (Year 4), Legend (Year 4), Puth (Year 4), Tiger (Year 4), Lisa (Year 5), Jao (Year 5), Tigger (Year 5), DeeDee (Year 9), and Tanya (Year 9) received certificates of appreciation for their outstanding performances at the Love Forward Charity Concert. Their musical talents contributed to an incredible 508,900 Baht raised to build new community facilities at The House of the Lord Church Phuket.