Weekly Update #38, 26 June 2026

A Message from our Headmaster

This has been another year of continued growth and excellence with our two campuses leading the way for education in Phuket. The community that continues to develop, welcoming new members from near and far, has been outstanding. The ‘HeadStart Family’ goes from strength to strength while maintaining the atmosphere and culture that have been the hallmark of our school for many years.

At Chaofah City campus, our English, Humanities and Business faculties have moved to our new, purpose-built Skypitch classrooms, allowing us to improve the quality of facilities and provision in our Maths and Science departments. In Cherngtalay, we have seen yet more expansion with the addition of a third class from Reception to Year 6, ensuring the continued growth of our Secondary school for years to come. Together, our burgeoning school community has enjoyed a plethora of events in a packed school calendar, with International Day and the 24 Hours to Make a Difference event standing out as a testament to the diverse cultures of our school and their generosity of spirit in contributing to the wider Phuket community.

Throughout the year, our sporting academies have excelled, with our footballers competing at the highest level in events both at home and away, including Bangkok and Koh Samui. In swimming, our Aqua Panthers Invitational proved highly successful, hosted again at the 50m Olympic pool at our Cherngtalay campus, and our swimmers brought home medals and personal bests while competing in Phuket and Bangkok. Our basketball academy continues to grow, with teams competing against opposition from across the island and our U13 Girls team winning HeadStart’s first-ever PISAC Basketball Championship trophy.

Our Performing Arts students continued to wow us with incredible performances in Little Shop of Horrors, Moana and our inaugural CAPA production at Cherngtalay—Alice: The Musical. Meanwhile, our Dance Academy students competed at both the ATOD and CSTD International Dance Competitions in Bangkok, and finished the year with a spectacular dance extravaganza. This year, the hard work, creativity, and dedication of the talented young artists from our Creative Arts programs across both campuses was celebrated in special exhibitions at the Phuket Cultural Centre and our Cherngtalay campus at the end of the school year.

At the time of writing, our Y11-13 students are diligently preparing for their IGCSE and A Level examinations, while our BTEC students are putting the finishing touches to their coursework. This year we enjoyed success in the Cambridge and Pearson Learner Awards, including a Top in the World award for IGCSE Foreign Language Mandarin and Top in Thailand for A Level Psychology. We also witnessed the continued growth and success of our increasingly popular World Scholar’s Cup program, with teams heading to The Tournament of Champions at Yale University (USA) and to the Global Round in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and one team securing an unprecedented 1st place overall in the Scholar’s Bowl. Truly exceptional achievements!

I look forward to continuing to work with you all moving forward, in what will continue to be an exciting time for many years to come as we continue expansion on both campuses. As we embark on a well-deserved summer break, let’s reflect on our achievements and return refreshed in August, ready to continue our journey of growth and success together.

Celebrating 5, 10 and 15 Years of Service at HeadStart

Together we proudly celebrate HeadStart’s Long Service Award honouring our dedicated employees within the Support Staff department who have served the school for 5, 10 and 15 years. This post is a tribute to the commitment, passion, and loyalty that have shaped HeadStart into the vibrant community it is today. Each milestone represents countless moments of hard work, collaboration, and care for our students, families, and colleagues. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our awardees for being the pillars of HeadStart’s success. Your service has left a lasting impact, inspiring all of us to strive for excellence and to continue building a school that feels like home.

Instrumental Lessons Registration

We are pleased to announce that registration for Private Instrumental Lessons for Term 1 of the 2026–2027 Academic Year is now open for students.

Please complete the relevant campus form below to indicate your preferences for the year ahead. We will endeavour to accommodate your requests and arrange a suitable lesson day and time. Once schedules have been finalised, we will contact you directly via email with your child’s lesson details.

• Deadline: If you would like your child to participate, please complete the registration form by 31st July 2026. Registrations submitted after this date will still be accepted; however, we cannot guarantee lesson availability or preferred scheduling.

• Availability: Places are limited and will be allocated based on availability.

• Scheduling: Please note that lessons cannot be scheduled until student timetables are confirmed in August for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.

• New Policy Note: From January 2026, students will no longer be taken from Thai Foreign Language lessons for instrumental classes during the school day.

If you have already submitted this form, there is no need to complete it again; your registration has been received. Please use the space provided in the form to include any specific requests regarding teachers or timings to help us make the best arrangements for your child.

Registration Form

Summer Camp 2026 – Exclusive Offer for HeadStart Families

Looking for a fun way to keep your children active and engaged this summer? Whether you need a few weeks between family holidays or a full summer programme, HeadStart Summer Camp 2026 offers a wide range of activities, specialist classes, and weekly trips. Hosted at our Chaofah City Campus, the camp runs for six weeks with flexible booking options to suit your summer plans.

• Weeks 1–2 (Ages 3–11): A smaller camp with activities led by the HeadStart team.
• Weeks 3–6 (Ages 3–14): A larger camp with an expanded programme of activities and classes delivered by both HeadStart staff and specialist providers.
  Children aged 3 who attended school during the 2025–2026 academic year are welcome to join.

HeadStart pupils receive an exclusive 25% discount on Summer Camp 2026 fees. Explore the full programme and book your place here. We look forward to welcoming your child this summer.

Summer Football Camps @ HeadStart Chaofah City Campus

Our Summer Football Camp offers an incredible opportunity for players to tap into their football potential, enhance their skills, and enjoy a fun-filled experience at HeadStart International School, all within a vibrant and energetic environment! The Football Camp starts at 09:00 (drop off after 08:30) and finishes at 14:00 with lunch provided! Players will be split into the appropriate groups, depending on their age and abilities. Expect high-quality coaching from UEFA qualified coaches, lots of fun and medals to be won! To sign up, please contact [email protected]

Week 1:10th - 14th August (5 Days). Age 6 to 13 years oldWeek 2: 17th - 19th August (3 Days). Age 6 to 13 years old.

Summer Swim Camps @ HeadStart Chaofah City Campus

Our Summer Swim Camps offer a fantastic opportunity for swimmers to keep up their training routine, develop their strokes, increase their stamina and enjoy a fun-filled experience at HeadStart International School, all within a vibrant and energetic environment! The Swim Camp starts at 09:00 (drop off after 08:30) and finishes at 12:00! Swimmers will be split into appropriate groups, depending on their age and abilities. Expect high-quality training and lots of fun! For details, check out the posters below. To sign up, scan the QR code in the poster or contact [email protected] with any inquiries.

Summer Swimming Lessons

From 17-19th August, we will also be offering swimming lessons for beginner swimmers - 3 days of 30 or 45 minute sessions (depending on age) with our expert beginner swim coaches. See times in the poster and scan the code in the poster or contact [email protected] for further information.

Summer Basketball Camps

Our Summer Basketball Camps offer an incredible opportunity for players to tap into their b’ball potential, enhance their skills, and enjoy a fun-filled experience at HeadStart International School, all within a vibrant and energetic environment! The Camp starts at 09:00 (drop off only after 08:30) and finishes at 14:00 with lunch provided! Suitable for girls and boys in Year 3 to Year 12. Players will be split into the appropriate groups, depending on their age and abilities. Expect high-quality coaching, lots of fun and medals to be won! See the details in the poster below. To sign up, please contact [email protected].

Jai Singh - Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 9

We are proud to celebrate Jai Ayden Singh, who has applied to AIHM and Bangkok University to pursue Hospitality and Business Management. Since joining HeadStart in 2022, Jai has fueled his passion for the industry through his BTEC studies in Business and Travel & Tourism, complemented by hands-on professional experience at the Wyndham Grand Hotel Kalim.

Beyond academics, Jai has demonstrated strong leadership and organizational skills by managing a BTEC business project and assisting with his family’s hotel operations. Known for being friendly, adaptable, and professional, we congratulate Jai on his well-rounded achievements and wish him great success in his future endeavors.

Trirattanaporn Pittapan (Pan) - Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 5

We are delighted to celebrate Trirattanaporn Pittapan (Pan), a highly valued and creative member of the HeadStart community since 2018. Following graduation, Pan will take a gap year to gain industry experience, build her live performance portfolio, and explore opportunities in Esports before pursuing higher education. Throughout her time here, she has been a standout talent in the performing arts, taking on major roles in CAPA productions like The Wizard of Oz, Little Shop of Horrors, and Evita, while frequently performing at school festivals and community charity events.

Pan’s creativity consistently shone through her academic studies, where she produced outstanding work in BTEC Performing Arts, including an exceptional Bossa Nova interpretation of Hotel California. Known for her originality, fresh perspective, and eagerness to embrace new challenges, she leaves a distinctive and memorable mark on our performing arts community. We congratulate Pan on her incredible achievements and wish her every success as she embarks on this exciting next chapter.

Celebrating Our Champions: Sports Awards and Community BBQ

A spectacular showcase of athletic excellence, teamwork, and unwavering sportsmanship took centre stage on 16 June as we celebrated the remarkable achievements of our student-athletes! The energy in the room was electric as students, coaches, and families gathered to look back on a remarkable season of growth, teamwork, and hard-fought victories.

This year, our athletes truly raised the bar. We shone a special spotlight on the outstanding achievements across our three core sports academies: Basketball, Football, and Swimming. The highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the award trophies, honouring individuals who demonstrated exceptional growth this year through the “Most Improved Award”. The “Coaches Award” recognised the most valuable athletes, and the “Academy Star Award”, voted for by players and coaches, was given to students who truly represented what it means to be a Panther. Congratulations to all of our trophy winners; your hard work has truly paid off!

After the formal trophies were handed out, the celebration moved outside for our Community BBQ. It was the perfect way to wrap up the afternoon, filled with great food, plenty of laughs, and a wonderful sense of community. A huge thank you to our incredible coaches for their tireless dedication, the parents for their endless sideline support, and most importantly, our athletes for inspiring us all season long. You represent HeadStart with pride! Here is to an even bigger and better season next year. Go Panthers!

📸 Please find a full album of high quality photos of our Sports Awards Ceremony here: Sports Awards Ceremony 2026

New Football Season, New Third Panthers Kit

Prepare yourself for the 2026/27 season with our stunning new Pink Third football shirt, designed to make a striking impression both on the pitch and beyond—this is your chance to stand out. Presenting the HeadStart Football Kits for the upcoming season!

Year 1 to 3 Mini CAPA Performance of The Rainbow Fish

Bringing a classic story of friendship to the stage, Year 1 to 3 students demonstrated excellent collaboration during their Mini CAPA performance of The Rainbow Fish. By combining singing, dancing, and acting, the students actively built their stage confidence, creative expression, and teamwork. Congratulations to all the performers for their fantastic effort, and thank you to the families who came to support the production!

HeadStart Chess Grand Prix Finale

What a brilliant conclusion to our 2025/2026 chess season! Our final tournament welcomed an impressive 65 players from nine different schools across Phuket. It was fantastic to see students demonstrating excellent focus and strategic thinking, particularly our 16 Under-8 competitors who stepped up to the board with great confidence. The HeadStart team delivered strong performances, securing first-place finishes in the U8, U10, and U16 categories.

Individual tournament honours go to our amazing competitors:1st place U16 was claimed byPoppy(who also took 2nd Best Girls, 2nd U16Daniel, and 3rd U16Alex. In the U12 category,Ikkyusecured 2nd place andGeorgiytook 3rd. For our U10s,Remyachieved 1st place alongsideElianain 3rd. Finally, in the U8 division,Beatlesecured 1st place (and an incredible 12th overall!), withAlexander taking 3rd. A massive thank you to 50 Fly Trampoline Club for their continued sponsorship of these exceptional events.

This final tournament also marked the conclusion of our 10-event Grand Prix season, which saw 92 HeadStart students compete throughout the academic year. The Grand Prix rewards not just victories, but the vital skills of consistency, commitment, and regular participation. Congratulations to our Grand Prix Season Top 10 after a fiercely competitive year: taking 1st is Georgiy(121 pts), 2ndTigran(79 pts), and 3rdBogdan(70 pts). Rounding out our exceptional top ten are 4thRatmir(57 pts), 5thIkkyu(50 pts), 6thPoppy(48 pts), 7thAlex(40 pts), 8thLuka(36 pts), 9thNikolai(27 pts), and 10thYan (22 pts). Thank you for another fantastic year of chess!

Red House Cinema Reward Trip

Congratulations to our Red House students from Years 1 to 13, who celebrated their fantastic House Competition victory with a well-earned reward trip to SFX Cinema at Central Phuket on 19 June. Building on a year of excellent teamwork and participation, the students enjoyed popcorn and drinks with their friends and teachers before settling in to watch either Toy Story 5 or Masters of the Universe, marking a perfect, fun-filled conclusion to a successful academic year!

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony

Our Year 6 Graduation Ceremony was a truly special occasion and a wonderful way to celebrate the end of our pupils’ Primary journey. Families, staff, and students came together to reflect on the many memories made over the years – from exciting trips and performances to friendships, laughter, and countless moments of learning and growth. This Year 6 cohort is a group of children with incredible individual talents, but what makes them truly special is the unique energy they share and the strong bond that has united them throughout their time together.

The ceremony was made even more meaningful by the heartfelt speeches from their class teachers, Mr McEvoy, Mr Charlton and Ms Parkin, whose words reflected the genuine care, pride, and admiration they have for their classes and the special relationships they have built. We were also treated to a beautiful musical performance by Shiloh and a wonderful whole-cohort song that perfectly captured the spirit of this remarkable year group.

To our Year 6 graduates, congratulations! We wish you every success and happiness as you begin your next chapter. You will always be a part of the Primary family, and we cannot wait to see all that you achieve in the years ahead.

📸 Please find a full album of high quality photos of our Year 6 Graduation Ceremony here: Year 6 Graduation Ceremony 2026

Primary Awards Ceremony

Our Primary Awards Ceremony was a joyful celebration of the achievements, talents, and dedication of our incredible pupils. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognise those who have gone above and beyond throughout the year.

Throughout the ceremony, a variety of teachers shared the reasons behind each award, speaking with pride about the character, determination, and kindness shown by our pupils. Their heartfelt words reminded everyone just how special our HeadStart students are and the positive impact they have on our school community. Adding to the celebration were fantastic musical performances by our School Choir and Junior CAPA, whose energy, enthusiasm, and talent brought the event to life and made the afternoon even more memorable.

Whilst it was a privilege to celebrate this year’s award recipients, we know that every one of our Primary pupils has something unique to offer. Every day, they work hard, support one another, demonstrate our Learner Attributes, and contribute positively to our school community. Success cannot be measured solely by certificates, test scores, or exam grades. It is found in resilience, kindness, curiosity, and the way our children grow as learners and as people. We are incredibly proud of every single one of them and all they have achieved this year.

📸 Please find a full album of high quality photos of our award winners here: Primary Awards Ceremony 2026

Secondary End of Year Awards Ceremony 2026

Congratulations to all of our Secondary end of year award winners!

As we reflect on another remarkable year, we are immensely proud to recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of our HeadStart Secondary students. Once again, this cohort has demonstrated exceptional talent, creativity, and dedication across all aspects of school life. Academic success has gone hand in hand with excellence in sport and the creative and performing arts, with students continuing to excel in competitions, examinations, and performances across a wide range of disciplines.

This year’s ceremony was further enriched by some truly memorable performances. Special praise must go to our Guitar Group—Ryu, Jamie, Kwankao and Cindy—for their outstanding rendition of Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer, which showcased both technical skill and emotional depth. Equally captivating was the powerful performance of Going Under by Evanescence, delivered by Prim and Khun, whose confidence and stage presence left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.

What stands out most about this year group is not only their individual excellence but their collective strength. The fact that a new award needed to be introduced alongside the HeadStart Trophy is a testament to just how exceptional this cohort has been. The standard they have set is truly remarkable.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all HeadStart Secondary students for their achievements this year. Your dedication, passion, and talent continue to enrich our school community and set a benchmark for future generations. As we look ahead, we encourage you all to continue striving for excellence while embodying the values of kindness, perseverance, inclusiveness, and integrity. Secondary Leadership Team

📸 Please find a full album of high quality photos of our award winners here: Secondary Awards Ceremony 2026

Senior Prom 2026

On Friday 19th June, our first ever Senior Prom was celebrated by almost 200 Year 10 to 13 students including our Graduating Class of 2026. With the theme of “Masquarade”, Prom-goers were dressed to impress in magnificent outfits with an array of both classic and novel masks. As a new event in the school calendar and an opportunity to celebrate the end of the exam season, the event was organized and led by our newly graduated Head Girl, Seungha, Head Boy, Conor, and our Year 13 Senior Prefects—Nanki, Mali, Susanna and Petr. They did a fantastic job of first decorating the venue in classical Masquarade-themed colours and ornaments and then getting the Prom crowd going with group dances to the DJ soundtrack. Congratulations to Susanna and Sami for being crowned Prom Queen and King for 2026! Sincere thanks to all teachers and staff who supported the event, making sure this year’s inaugural Senior Prom was both a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

📸 Please find a full album of high quality photos of the event here: Senior Prom 2026

HeadStart Students Shine

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

• Amy (5 White) achieved a perfect score at the A2 level of the Cambridge CEFR English examination.

• Rio (5 Yellow) won a Gold Award at the MCE Singapore Mathematics Competition 2026.

• Paul (5 Blue)captured a Top Gold Award at the Kangaroo Math Thailand 2026 competition, achieving a full 100% score and ranking 1st in Thailand among 780 participants! Outstanding performances also earned Silver Awards forPrang (2 Blue),Beatle (2 White),Amy (5 White), andRio (5 Yellow); Bronze Awards forPrach (3 Blue)andEgor (3 Yellow); and a Merit Award forYaya (5 Blue).

• Freya (1 Yellow) earned a Gold Award for her wonderful performance at The World Ballet Trial Thailand Stage 2026.

• Jane (10 Green)secured 3rd place in the Female Under-19 10km race at the Laguna Phuket Marathon, whileNara (1 Blue)took 3rd place in the Under-7 2km event! Congratulations also go to our dedicated marathon finishers across their respective distances:Phupha (1 Yellow)(2km),Phu (3 Yellow)(3km),Remy (3 Yellow)(4km),Bay (3 Yellow)(5km),Thomas (3 Blue)(6km),Eason (3 Yellow)(7km),Egor (3 Yellow)(8km),Yanhao (4 Blue)(9km),Eva (6 Yellow)(10km), andGrace (3 Blue) (11km).

• Nicole (2 Blue)andDominica (2 Blue) delivered brilliant routines at the KGA Spring Cup gymnastics meet; Nicole took home Gold on Floor, Silvers on Beam and Vault, and Bronze on Bars, while Dominica secured Silvers on Floor and Bars, Bronzes on Beam and Vault, alongside a Special Prize for high achievements.

• 11 Primary and Secondary EAL learners successfully completed our English as an Additional Language programme, reaching a fantastic milestone!

• Congratulations to all the musicians who took part in our end of year Battle of the Bands, especially The Graduates who were votedBest Overall Band on their final performance at HeadStart! It was a rocking great way to end the school year!