Weekly Update #13, 22 November 2024

Announcements

The Book Fair is Coming!

We welcome all families to come and visit our Book Fair in collaboration with Book53. A range of books for all ages will be on display in the Atrium from Monday 25th to Wednesday 27th November. Please be reminded that children are not to select books without their parents’ permission; while they are welcome to browse the selections, children should not ask for books to be put aside for later. We appreciate your cooperation in helping to make available high-quality reading resources for all our students and continuing to inspire a love of reading and learning!

Upcoming Events

HeadStart Panthers Football Academy Teams at Soccer 7s

Good luck to our Panthers Academy Football Teams who are taking part in this weekend’s BISP Soccer 7’s. Games take place across 2 days – Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd November – at the British International School, Phuket. We welcome parents and students to come along and show your support! Coach Frost – Head Football Coach

Aqua Panthers Invitational Swim Meet 2024

Get Ready for HeadStart’s Largest Sporting Event of the Year! We’re excited to announce the 3rd Annual Aqua Panthers Invitational (API) is just around the corner! This year, we’re diving into history as we host over 300 swimmers from across Asia in our brand-new 50-metre pool at our Cherngtalay campus!

📅 Date: 30 November 30 – 1 December, 2024

🕗 Time: 8am-6pm (finishes 4pm on Sunday)

📍 Location: Cherngtalay Campus

This will be HeadStart’s biggest swim meet yet and the largest sporting event we’ve ever hosted! Witness high-energy races, team spirit, and an electric atmosphere as swimmers from around the region compete in this premier event. Let’s show our support and cheer on the Aqua Panthers as they take the stage at this milestone event! Coach Brown – Head Swim Coach

Meetings & Presentations

Russian-speaking Parents Meeting on 21.11.24

Thank you to all the parents who joined us for this morning’s Russian-speaking parents’ meeting. The session was dedicated to addressing the questions you submitted over the past few weeks, covering a range of topics including Primary and Secondary education, ECAs, and other aspects of school life. This was a very productive meeting, and the follow-up questions asked by parents reflected a genuine engagement and interest in ensuring the best possible experience for their children.

We are attaching the presentation from this morning’s meeting for your reference.

As a next step, we are excited to announce that the next Russian-speaking event will be Russian Language Day, taking place at our Cherngtalay campus on March 29th. We look forward to celebrating this special day with you and your families. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any further questions or suggestions.

Благодарим всех участников сегодняшнего собрания для русскоязычных родителей. В ходе встречи родители получили ответы на вопросы о начальной и средней школе,о внеклассных занятиях (ECA) и других аспектах школьной жизни. Мы рады сотрудничеству с вами, уважаемые родители, по вопросам обучения и поддержки детей в школе.
К этому письму приложена презентация, которую вы можете использовать, чтобы ознакомиться с ключевой информацией.

Следующим важным событием станет День русского языка, который пройдет в Северном кампусе (Чернгталай) 29 марта. Мы с нетерпением ждем возможности отметить этот особенный день вместе с вами.

Пожалуйста, не стесняйтесь обращаться к нам по вопросам и предложениям.

С уважением, Русскоязычная команда школы HeadStart

Russian speaking Parent Meeting on 21 Nov

Parent Meeting: Raising Future Innovators and Essential Cybersecurity & IT Skills

We welcome all parents with an interest in preparing their child for a future in technology to a presentation given by our partners from KIBERone. This will also give you an opportunity to learn how KIBERone’s programs help develop students’ IT skills and find out more about the different programs on offer through our ECAs. Please join us on Wednesday 27th November from 8:30-9:30am in the Secondary ILC.

Mandarin-speaking Parent Meeting

We warmly invite you to a meeting specifically for Mandarin-speaking parents. This gathering will be held in the Secondary ILC at our Cherngtalay Campus on 28 November from 8:30 to 9:30am.

We value your insights and contributions to our school community. Your input on various school-related topics will be greatly appreciated.

我们诚挚邀请您参加为华语家长特别举办的家长会。Cherngtalay（北区）校区的会议时间为11月28日上午8:30至9:30。

我们非常重视您对学校的意见和建议。您的反馈对我们了解有关学校的各方面问题非常重要。

祝好，语言部 HeadStart 国际学校

Loy Krathong

On Friday 15th November, HeadStart Cherngtalay celebrated our second Loy Krathong Day, embracing this beloved Thai tradition with joy and pride.

Celebrating a Beautiful Thai Tradition in Foundation

The festivities began in the Foundation department with a captivating Thai dance, followed by a heartfelt Flag-Raising Ceremony led by Conner and Vanessa from Reception. Early Years students charmed everyone with their “Little Chickens” performance, while Reception Blue and Yellow showcased their Thai language skills, singing and dancing to “I Am a Cloud” and “The Elephant.”

A special highlight was Pailin from Year 6, who played the Loy Krathong song on the Thai dulcimer (Khim), filling the hall with festive cheer. Thank you, Pailin, for your wonderful performance!

Students and parents later crafted and floated Krathongs in the Foundation Playground, creating beautiful memories and celebrating the spirit of unity. The Foundation Teaching Team

📸 A full album of photos available here: Foundation Loy Krathong 2024

Crafting Krathongs in Primary & Secondary

In both Primary and Secondary, students enjoyed meaningful moments creating Krathongs during Thai classes. In Primary, parents were warmly invited to join their children in this special activity, sharing quality time together while fostering creativity, cultural pride, and a deeper appreciation for Thai traditions.

📸 A full album of photos available here: Primary Loy Krathong 2024

Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraiser

Last Thursday, our whole school community came together in a sense of unity and vibrant colour to ‘Dress For Sunshine’. Through the generosity of our students and their parents, we raised a total of 13,648 Baht towards our Phuket Sunshine Village Foundation Fundraiser. With donations still coming in from classes and families, we are well on our way to reaching the 200,000 Baht mark! Special thanks to Year 1 Yellow and the Lam family for their generous contributions!

Saturday Thai Culture Club

Foundation Children Focus on Thai Etiquette

This term, the Foundation Thai Culture Club has been focusing on Thai etiquette routines, giving students the opportunity to experience three key stations. Thai teachers demonstrated how to perform the wai while an adult is standing, how to walk past adults respectfully, and how to properly receive an item from an adult and return the wai appropriately.

At the beginning of the activity, we practiced our Thai morning routine by raising the flag and singing the Thai national anthem together. Students were highly engaged in the activities, even though they found some aspects challenging. They worked diligently on mastering the three routines, and their hard work paid off beautifully. The students took great pride in their efforts, and the results were truly impressive. Parents were delighted, with many smiles and a shared sense of pride in their children and their cultural identity. Kru Toom – Deputy School Director (Chaofah City Campus)

📸 A full album of photos available here: Saturday Thai Culture Club: Early Years & Reception

Years 1 to 3 Learn the Benefits of Thai Herbs

Last Saturday, Year 1 to Year 3 students had the opportunity to participate in the Thai Culture Club activity, which focused on the theme “Thai Herbs.” The children learned about the value of everyday herbs such as garden vegetables, lime, chili, and garlic. This knowledge not only helped them understand the benefits of Thai herbs but also connected them to Thai culture and traditional ways of life. The activity was filled with fun and memorable experiences. The students tasted Thai desserts made with herbs and enjoyed refreshing butterfly pea juice. They also explored the school’s vegetable garden, discovering various kinds of garden herbs. Additionally, they had the chance to plant basil themselves. Thank you to all the parents for their continued support and to the students for bringing joy and enthusiasm to this event. Kru Cherry – Thai Teacher

📸 A full album of photos available here: Saturday Thai Culture Club: Years 1 to 3

Year 4 to 6 Students Explore Southern Thai Cuisine

Year 4–6 students had an exciting opportunity to explore the flavours of Southern Thai cuisine during the Saturday Thai Culture Club. They learned about two iconic dishes—Hokkien noodles, a fusion of Phuket’s local culinary traditions and Chinese influences, and Kanom Ko, a traditional Thai dessert made of sticky rice flour dumplings filled with palm sugar and topped with shredded coconut.

The session began with a fun treasure hunt to identify key ingredients. A team of Thai volunteer parents then guided the students in preparing both dishes, offering valuable cooking tips and insights. The highlight of the day was tasting their creations and immersing in the authentic tastes of Southern Thailand! Kru Dia – Deputy School Director (Cherngtalay Campus)

📸 A full album of photos available here: Saturday Thai Culture Club: Years 4 to 6

Meet the Team

The Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) department at HeadStart International School Phuket fosters students’ artistic talents through a diverse range of activities, including visual arts, drama, music, and dance. The department emphasises creative expression, encouraging students to explore their artistic abilities and develop their own unique styles. CAPA offers a broad curriculum that allows students to engage in both individual and collaborative projects, enhancing their teamwork and problem-solving skills. The department also provides performance opportunities, including school productions such as the forthcoming musical, Evita, and exhibitions to showcase student work and boost their confidence. Additionally, CAPA supports extracurricular activities, including music ensembles and drama clubs, to further cultivate students’ passion for the arts. Through these experiences, students gain a deep appreciation for the arts while honing valuable skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

As we head into show week next week, if you see one of our amazing and talented CAPA team, please offer them a friendly smile and positive encouragement – they will no doubt be exhausted from their considerable efforts, but delighted and proud of the progress made by our incredible CAPA students so far this term. In contrast to the eponymous heroine Evita’s own fears, the stars of our stage will never be forgotten!

House Update

The final results are in! After 12 weeks of fierce rivalry and exciting House competition throughout our Primary and Secondary schools, the final places for this term are:

• 1st Place – Red Phoenixes

• 2nd Place – Yellow Cheetahs

• 3rd Place – Blue Tigers

• 4th Place – Green Dragons

For the Term 1 House prize, on Monday 9th December the Red Phoenixes will be visiting Robinson Mall, Thalang, to watch the wonderful new movie, Moana 2! They will then enjoy a delicious lunch – with Years 1 and 2 hanging out at Pizza Company, Years 3 to 6 sizzling it up at Sizzler and Years 7 to 9 chowing down at Bonchon – and be back at school in time for their afternoon lessons. Congratulations to the Red Phoenixes on their Term1 victory! As mentioned at Monday Flag-raising – the House points are now reset and all students can start earning towards the End of Year House Prize! May the best House win…

PE & Sports News

A Fun Football Festival for the U9 Boys

The HeadStart Panthers U9 Boys from our Choafah City and Cherngtalay campuses travelled to KIS over the weekend for a Fun Football Festival. The festival was played in a scramble format, allowing players from both campuses and KIS to join teams for some friendly and exciting matches.

All the boys enjoyed making new friends and playing in a competitive yet relaxed environment at the Football Festival. It was great to see them getting stuck into the games and having the opportunity to put their skills to the test. Well done, boys! Coach Paul – Football Coach

Primary

Year 3 Out on the Farm

Year 3 had a fantastic day on our trip to Old Phuket Farm. We had the opportunity to learn about Thai history and culture and were able to draw upon our recent studies in Science, particularly about soils and rocks. The experience was a wonderful way to connect our classroom learning to the world around us, and the students thoroughly enjoyed exploring and discovering new things. It was a memorable trip that enhanced our understanding in a fun and engaging way. The Year 3 Teaching Team

Investigating the World of Animals and their Habitats in Year 4

Students in Year 4 have had a wonderful time investigating the world of animals and habitats! We’ve been learning about vertebrates and invertebrates, and the different groups within these categories. We have also been classifying animals based on their characteristics and exploring and building food chains. The Year 4’s have shown great curiosity and enthusiasm throughout their investigations and learning. Well done everyone! Mrs Cotterell – Year 4 Teacher

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