Weekly Update #7, 4 October 2024

Announcements

Roadworks to Commence on Saturday 5th October for 2 weeks

As mentioned in a previous update, work to fix the drainage system and road surface on the access road will commence in front of HEI school on Saturday 5th October and last two weeks. As a result, one lane (the near or left lane) will be closed; however, vehicles can still use 2 lanes as normal - one to enter and one to exit. The work will be complete by Sunday 20th October in time for the return to school for all students on Tuesday 22nd October. We ask that all drivers exercise due caution and patience when entering and exiting the access road in the morning and at the end of the school day. Thanks for your cooperation.

Upcoming Events

Wai Kru (Teacher Appreciation) Ceremony

We are delighted to extend an invitation to all students and parents to join our Wai Kru (Teacher Appreciation) Ceremonies at our Cherngtalay campus. This ceremony holds deep cultural significance and takes place in schools throughout Thailand at the start of each academic year. It is a special occasion where students express their respect and appreciation for their teachers by presenting them with flowers.

Students are encouraged to bring flowers to express their appreciation for their teachers.

Dates and times for our Foundation and Primary & Secondary Wai Kru Ceremonies can be found in the poster.

The Friday Market is Coming!

We are excited to announce that we are already fully booked for our latest Friday Market, taking place next Friday 11th October from 2:40pm in the Atrium. With some great new vendors offering unique products joining our regular favourites, this promises to be a wonderful way to end our first half-term of the school year. See you there!

October Half-term Basketball Camp @ Chaofah City campus

Join our October Half-term Basketball Camp from Monday 14th to Wednesday 16th October (3 days) at HeadStart International School Chaofah City campus.

This is the perfect opportunity for players to play fun basketball and develop new skills in a positive environment.

Camp starts at 09:00am (drop off after 08:30am) and finishes at 2:00pm with lunch provided! Open to students in Year 4 to Year 9. 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! To sign up please contact Head Coach Mike [email protected]

Sign up today. Limited spaces available!

Russian Language Day

Dear Parents,

We invite you to celebrate the Day of the Russian Language, which will take place on Saturday, 26 October, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at our HeadStart Chaofah City campus.

Please fill out the following registration form where you will find details about the upcoming celebration by 8th October.

We would like to remind you that an adult family member must accompany your child during the event, who will be responsible for their safety at that time.

This year, the format of the shared meal at the end of the event will change. There will be no free treats for children and adults. Instead, we plan to hold a gastronomic fair where you can buy or sell food. This is a great opportunity for participants to promote their products.

We encourage you to be an active participant in the event so that, together with the HeadStart team, we can make the Day of the Russian Language a fun and unforgettable occasion!

Sincerely,
The Russian-speaking team of HeadStart School

Уважаемые родители!

Приглашаем Вас на празднование Дня русского языка, которое состоится в субботу, 26 октября, с 9:00 до 12:00 в кампусе HeadStart Chaofah City.

Пожалуйста, до 8 октября заполните форму регистрации, в которой Вы также найдете детали о предстоящем празднике.

Обращаем Ваше внимание на то, что во время мероприятия с ребенком должен находиться взрослый член семьи, который несет ответственность за его безопасность в это время.

В этом году формат совместной трапезы в конце мероприятия изменится. Бесплатные угощения для детей и взрослых не предусмотрены. Вместо этого планируется гастрономическая ярмарка, на которой Вы можете продать или купить угощения. Это отличный способ для участников прорекламировать свою продукцию.

Просим Вас быть активным участником мероприятия, чтобы вместе с коллективом школы HeadStart сделать День русского языка веселым и незабываемым событием!

Parent Meetings & Presentations

Introduction to Year 1 Parent Meeting on 03.10.24

Thank you to our Year 1 parents who joined us for our Introduction to Year 1 parent presentation. In the meeting, we explored the Year 1 curriculum and what learning in different subjects looks like in our classrooms. We also shared information about how the school communicates with parents, assessment and reporting, and how parents can help to support their children as they begin their journey through the Primary School. Mr Lawler and Mr Whitham - Head of Foundation & Primary and Deputy Head of Primary

Please find a copy of the presentation below 👇

Introduction to Year 1 Parent Meeting 3 October 2024

No Parent Meeting Next Week

As our Wai Kru Ceremony for Primary and Secondary students is taking place on Thursday 10th October, there will be no parent meeting next week. The next parent meeting will take place on Thursday 24th October and be a workshop for parents of Foundation age children on the topic of Helping Your Child with Behaviour.

Learning Support Specialists from across Phuket come together

Last week, we were delighted to host the annual SEN Island-Wide Meetup bringing together Learning Support Teams from international schools across Phuket. The event focused on exchanging best practices and interventions, addressing the growing needs of students and discussing collaboration with external professionals. Attendees also explored alternative provisions to IGCSE for students with diverse learning needs. Representatives from BISP, UWC, KIS, and BCIS joined us for this insightful and productive session. Ms Barrado - Learning Support Coordinator

Meet the Team

At HeadStart Cherngtalay Campus, the Languages Department is led by Ben Salmon and driven by a passionate team of expert language teachers. The team includes Wei Wang (Languages Coordinator), Tian Banchao, Wen Xing, and Lu Daoqian for Mandarin; Natalia Kuzina and Angelina Skibinskaia for Russian; and Claire Billiau and Madame Lemieux for French. They bring their expertise to classrooms ranging from Year 1 to Year 9. Known for their interactive and personalised approach, the Cherngtalay Campus teachers help students navigate their language journeys, whether they are just starting out or preparing for future exam classes. Their collective goal is to create confident, multilingual learners who are ready to thrive in a globalised world.

PE & Sports News

HeadStart Cherngtalay Panthers Host UWC

This week the HeadStart Cherngtalay Panthers U11 and U14 Boys hosted UWC U13 Boys for a friendly round robin tournament. It was fantastic to see how the boys in both Panthers teams are developing their positional awareness and confidence playing out from the back so early in the season. Well done boys!

We are looking forward to heading to KIS this weekend for the U13 Boys KIS cup where will be joining forces with the Choafah City campus Panthers teams to take two teams. Good luck on the weekend, boys! Coach Paul Rothwell

Languages Department

Year 1 Mandarin Foreign Language Students Learn to Colour by Listening!

In our Year 1 Mandarin Foreign language class, students have been learning about colours. They have been enjoying a fun word review activity by matching colours with objects of the same colour. To reinforce their understanding, they also did a “colour by listening” exercise, which helped further solidify their grasp of colour vocabulary in Mandarin. Ms Lu - Mandarin teacher

Foundation

Let There Be Light(boxes)! in the Early Years Classroom

The light dome is an exciting new tool we have used this week in Early Years. This piece of equipment allows children to explore mark-making in a unique way. Using chalk pens, they can draw directly onto the dome’s surface, and their marks are not only illuminated but also projected onto the surrounding room and ceiling. This captivating effect sparks curiosity, encouraging children to experiment with shapes, lines, and patterns in new, creative ways.

In addition to drawing, children can place translucent blocks or gel letters onto the dome, projecting colorful shapes and letters onto the walls. This allows them to explore color mixing, shadow play, and letter recognition in a hands-on, engaging manner. By manipulating the objects and observing the light’s effects, children develop their understanding of color and spatial awareness.

The light dome also supports learning about cause and effect. As children move objects or draw on the dome, they can see how their actions change the projected images, helping them grasp how their choices influence the world around them. This fosters problem-solving skills and encourages deeper cognitive engagement through play.

Just one more amazing experience the children have had this week! The Early Years Teaching Team

Water Way to Enjoy the Pool in Preschool!

Our Preschool children have been making the most of our new play pool. With our experienced coaches, homeroom teachers and nannies always on hand (and in the water!) to give our youngest learners water confidence, swimming lessons are a new highlight of the Preschool week!

Primary

Getting Creative with Bronze Age Pottery in Year 3

Year 3 had an exciting time creating their own Bronze Age pottery! Using a combination of creativity and resilience, the children shaped and decorated their pots, just like ancient civilisations did thousands of years ago. As they worked, they discussed how artefacts like pottery give us valuable insights into the history and culture of the past. The children were amazed by how these objects can tell us about daily life, trade, and traditions of ancient civilizations. It was a fantastic hands-on experience that brought history to life! Ms Davies and Mr Cotterell - Year 3 Teachers

Getting Messy and Hands-on with the Digestive System in Year 4

The Year 4s had an exciting time exploring the digestive system in Science this week! Through a fun (and messy!), hands-on activity, they got to experience the digestion process and see how all the organs work together, discussing the function of each. As they worked collaboratively, it was wonderful to see their curiosity come to life as they made connections and explored the incredible journey our food takes! Well done Year 4! Mrs Cotterell & Mr Frenna - Year 4 Teachers

Using Inquisitive Minds in Year 5 Science

Year 5 identified the components needed to create a simple circuit. They then worked collaboratively to construct their circuit, ensuring they included a cell, wires, a bulb and a switch. Next, they will use their knowledge of circuits to test and group every day materials based on whether they are electrical conductors or electrical insulators. Mrs Williams and Mr Eldon - Year 5 Teachers

Secondary

Secondary Art Lessons Go Outside in the Garden

Conducting Secondary school art lessons outdoors in the school garden offers students a unique opportunity to connect with nature, inspiring their creativity and enhancing their observational skills. The natural environment serves as a vibrant canvas, allowing students to experiment with different materials and techniques influenced by the changing light and colours around them. Outdoor art lessons also promote collaboration and teamwork, as students can engage in group projects while appreciating the shared experience of being outside. Additionally, working outdoors helps reduce stress and increases overall well-being, fostering a positive mindset conducive to learning. Ultimately, art lessons in our school garden encourage students to see art as an integral part of their surroundings, deepening their appreciation for both artistic expression and the world around them.

ECA News

2nd Student Chess Tournament @ Chaofah City Campus

Fight for cash prizes totaling 4000 THB, medals and a bunch of other attractive awards for all participants! All HeadStart students are welcome and all players are going to be awarded!

🗓️ Date: Saturday, 12th October

🕘 Time: Attendance check 11:15am

📍 Location: Canteen, Chaofah City Campus

To register and reserve your place, act fast! Double entry fee if register on the day of tournament! Contact Coach Dawid.

HeadStart Eco School

October is the Vegetarian Festival

This Phuket-based and original festival promotes healthy and balanced living through a reduction of meat and other stimulants within one’s diet. The festival offers opportunities all over Phuket to engage in a meat-free lifestyle. Not only is such an approach cleansing for the body but also beneficial to our local and wider community. Reducing our meat intake, especially beef and pork, reduces the negative carbon footprint we have as individuals. So, engage with the principles of the festival and do your bit to reduce the carbon associated with meat consumption.