Chaofah City
Chaofah City
Weekly Update #14, 29 November 2024
Announcements
Access Road Update
We sincerely appreciate the patience of our school community as we attempt to alleviate traffic congestion both entering and exiting our school site. Please be informed that, using orange traffic cones for the time-being, we have created two exit lanes to facilitate smooth traffic flow when joining the main road:
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the left-hand lane should be used for turning left only
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the right-hand lane should be used for turning right only with support from the traffic police
Using the left-hand lane only to turn left onto the main road, should help to alleviate some of the congestion at the end of the school day.
HeadStart Aqua Panthers Academy Swimmers at Aqua Panthers Invitational (API)
Good luck to all our Aqua Panthers Academy Swimmers who are taking part in this weekend’s API event. A whole host of swimming races take place across 2 days – Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December – at our Cherngtalay Campus. We welcome parents and students to come along and show your support! First race is at 8am with proceedings set to go on throughout the day. Coach Brown – Head Swim Coach
Can’t make it to this weekend’s API event?
Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered with livestreams on both our Facebook and YouTube channels in association with our partners at Z-Coaching Foundation.
All ECAs and Academies Finish on Wednesday 4th December
This is a polite reminder that the last day for all ECAs and Academy team training this term is Wednesday 4th December. From Friday 6th December until the end of term, all students will finish classes at 3:20pm (3pm on Friday).
Please also look out for communications from our ECA Team starting from Monday 2nd December regarding ECA lists for Terms 2 and 3 as well as EAL and Booster requirements and enrollment in VAP programs.
The booking process for Term 2 and 3 ECAs will then begin on Friday 3rd January, starting with Foundation students on both campuses. Look out for email communications from our ECA team informing you of booking dates and times for all sections of the school.
Thursday 5th December – School Closed for Father’s Day
Please be reminded that on Thursday 5th December school will be closed for Father’s Day celebrations. We will open again as usual on Friday 6th December.
Outstanding Learner Awards
On Tuesday 26th November, 4 of HeadStart’s 6 Outstanding Learner Award winners for 2024 travelled up to Bangkok to join the Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards Ceremony. Accompanied by Dr. Parimon Phaisamran (School Licensee), Mr Lukats (Secondary Principal) and Mr Davidson (Head of Upper Secondary School), as well as proud family members, our award winners displayed their true qualities as they joined exceptional students from across the region to celebrate their achievements.
Ahead of the trip, we spoke with each of them to find out how HeadStart inspires them to excellence. This week, we hear from Conor and Daniel:
Conor Bowens Focuses on Passion for Learning and Giving Back
“I have intellectual goals and philanthropic goals,” Conor said, explaining that his passion for natural sciences fuels his dream of studying Physics at a prestigious university. “I’m really fascinated by the subject, and I hope that will lead me to study Physics at a top university. That’s the dream right now.”
Conor’s intellectual pursuits are driven not just by a desire for academic success but by a deep curiosity about the world. “I enjoy studying for the subjects I’m doing—Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Maths at A Level—and I’m looking at doing Further Maths independently,” he added, reflecting on how his academic journey has evolved. He noted that in his earlier years, he spent a lot of time studying inefficiently, but now that he is focused on subjects he excels at, his approach has become more efficient and fulfilling.
Beyond his academic ambitions, Conor is committed to making a positive impact on society. “Throughout my life, I hope to alleviate suffering and make the world a better place,” he said. He also expressed a strong desire to address educational disparities, noting his involvement in a project aimed at promoting education, which he plans to expand over the next two years.
Reflecting on his educational journey, Conor credits his parents for instilling in him a strong sense of responsibility and self-motivation. “They’ve given me a safe family and a great community, and I need to take these opportunities as a way of saying thank you to them,” he said.
Conor also shared how his experience at HeadStart has shaped his approach to learning and his belief in self-driven excellence. “At HeadStart, we study the subject for the subject, with passionate teachers, and I thrived a lot more,” he said, recalling his transition from Singapore’s test-focused education system. He explained that, unlike in Singapore, where academic success was measured by grades and prestige, HeadStart emphasises a love of learning. “When it comes to being top in Thailand, you’re not shooting for an A* to get to the 90% threshold. You’re really going for perfection,” he added, “and you’re the only person who can drive yourself to that.”
Teachers at HeadStart, particularly in the sciences, have played a crucial role in nurturing Conor’s intellectual curiosity. “Miss Bekker has enthusiasm—she’s bubbly, loud, and excited to teach Maths. That passion is contagious,” he said, highlighting how a teacher’s energy can enhance the learning experience. He also praised HeadStart’s focus on going beyond the curriculum, with teachers offering additional resources and opportunities to deepen students’ understanding. “Mrs. Marsh always adds footnotes or links to research, and Dr. Marsh gave us access to thousands of articles,” he explained, noting that this encourages students to pursue knowledge for its own sake, not just for grades.
With a strong support system from both peers and teachers, Conor believes HeadStart has given him the foundation needed to reach his ambitious goals. “You need a good team to fall back on,” he concluded, “and that is HeadStart.”
Daniel Achieves Perfect Maths Score, Credits Family and Teachers for Success
“Over two higher-level maths papers, you didn’t get a single question wrong; you got 100% in IGCSE maths,” his teacher proudly noted. Daniel explained that his parents played a key role in his academic journey. “I’d like to thank my parents for encouraging me to achieve this result,” he said. “They didn’t put a lot of pressure on me but encouraged me to always do my best and work to my maximum capacity.”
While his family emphasised effort over perfection, his passion for learning was also nurtured by his teachers at HeadStart. “In maths class, there isn’t really a lot of pressure, so we aren’t pushed to get that level,” he said, explaining how the supportive, low-pressure environment allowed him to thrive. He contrasted this with his previous experience at a public school in Beijing, where he struggled with motivation. “I found classes boring, and I didn’t have the passion for studying,” he admitted. “But now, at HeadStart, with teachers who are generous and motivating, I’ve found my passion for maths.”
Daniel, who is also studying Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science at A Level, emphasised the importance of a dynamic learning environment. “It’s about the learning environment,” he said, noting that HeadStart’s emphasis on super-curricular activities—such as the British Mathematical Olympiad and a hands-on Physics project building a trebuchet—adds a fun, competitive edge to his studies.
For Daniel, the combination of family support, passionate teachers, and a stimulating academic environment has been key to his success. “I get motivated by doing it right and proving to myself I can achieve great things; and the reason I have that passion is because of the teachers,” he concluded.
Upcoming Events
First Ever HeadStart Cherngtalay Parent Committee Coffee Morning
The HeadStart Cherngtalay Parent Committee cordially invites all parents to join their first ever Parent Coffee Morning on Wednesday 4th December from 9:00am onwards upstairs at Bartels, at Blue Tree Village just across the road from HeadStart International School Cherngtalay Campus. This event provides the perfect opportunity to meet new friends and have the chance to meet some of our more experienced HeadStart parents who can answer any questions that you may have about our school and its wider community.
☎️ Contact Bartels on 062-0627051
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/SY6tPdFsPSnGFqin7
👉 Check out their Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/bartels.thailand
📧 Or contact the HeadStart Cherngtalay Parent Committee directly on [email protected]
Meetings & Presentations
Mandarin-speaking Parents Meeting on 28.11.24
The Term 1 Mandarin-speaking Parent Meeting was successfully held at Cherngtalay Campus. During the session, we gave a detailed introduction to the Mandarin First Language Program, answered parents’ questions, and facilitated meaningful discussions. The presentation slides are now available for parents to access below. We extend our gratitude for your support and participation and look forward to working together to support your child’s growth. The HeadStart Mandarin Team
近日，第一学期期末中文家长会在Cherngtalay校区圆满举行。会上，学校详细介绍了中文第一语言项目，并解答了家长的疑问，与家长进行了深入交流。
会议PPT已上传，家长可通过链接查看。我们感谢家长的支持与参与，期待与家长携手，共同助力学生成长。HeadStart中文团队
Mandarin speaking Parent Meeting on 28 Nov
KIBERone Presentation on 27.11.24
Thank you to the parents who attended our special meeting to introduce you to the programs on offer through our partners at KIBERone. Please find a copy of the presentation below:
Next Parent Meeting in Term 2
As we are closed for Father’s Day on Thursday 5th December, and the following Thursday, 12th December is the last day of school for students, our Term 1 series of parent meetings is now complete. We welcome parents to join us again on Thursday mornings in Term 2. Our first meeting of the new term is aimed at parents of Secondary students as we introduce you to our Term 2 Residential trips. Please join us at 8:30am on Thursday 16th January in the Secondary ILC.
Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraiser
Sincere thanks to our entire school community who just keep on giving! Thanks to your amazing generosity, donations have continued to pour in and we have now raised funds to sponsor an incredible 41 children at Phuket Sunshine Village! Special mention to the students of Year 5 for completing their sponsored obstacle course and to the Lalvani family for their generous donation.
Dr Marsh Goes Punk Rock for PSV!
This week, our Head of Secondary, Dr Marsh, invited students from Years 5 to 8 to shave a “pattern” into his hair. He encouraged all students across the school to make donations to our Term 1 Fundraiser, Phuket Sunshine Village Foundation, with the idea that those who were the most generous in their homerooms would be able to perform the head shave, and choose their own pattern.
As can be seen from the photos below, they were quite “enthusiastic” in their pattern work. Dr Marsh hopes that next year the pattern may be a little more easy to interpret; can you spot the star and the flower? Nevertheless it caused many smiles, and much laughter around the campus, and most importantly helped to recognise the generosity of spirit of many of our children. The students who made notably generous donations in their classrooms were Jean (5 Blue), Sarah (5 Yellow), Intact (6 Blue), Gary Zhu (6 Yellow), four students from Year 7 (Uliana, Shanjin, Eva and Mary F) and one student from Y8 (Nailya). Thank you to all who have made generous donations to date to support those children less fortunate than ourselves at Phuket Sunshine Village. Representative students will visit PSV very soon to pass on HeadStart’s donation and to see the valuable work that PSV do.
Meet the Team
I joined HeadStart as a student in Year 6 way back in 2012 and I can still vividly remember my first day! From that moment, I knew I was in the right place. Over the years, I developed a deep appreciation for the school, and it became more than just an institution — it became a community where I made lasting friendships and valuable connections.
HeadStart has always struck a perfect balance between academics and extracurricular activities. As a school that places a strong emphasis on academic excellence, it also encourages students to explore their interests through sports, festivals, and a wide range of activities. This blend of rigorous academics and a vibrant school life made every day exciting and something to look forward to.
Although I wasn’t the top student, I quickly realised the profound impact HeadStart had on me when I entered university. The academic foundation I received, particularly in writing and critical thinking, was invaluable. I felt confident and well-prepared to tackle university-level challenges, and I attribute much of my success to the education I received at HeadStart.
Now, as the first ever HeadStart student to join the school staff – as a member of the HeadStart Marketing & Communications team – I am privileged to see the school’s growth firsthand. In my role, I coordinate a variety of school events, each one offering something new and exciting every day. This position allows me to tap into my creativity, and I feel incredibly confident working alongside such a talented and supportive team. It’s been inspiring to witness how far the school has come, and having the opportunity to work behind the scenes has only deepened my respect for the institution. I’m fortunate to be part of such a professional, dynamic, and international working environment. Every day, I continue to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.
Looking back, I can honestly say that being a student at HeadStart gave me a true “head start” in life. I’m incredibly proud to be part of this wonderful community again, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the school’s continued success.
Left to right:* Ms Anisa Van Der Laan, ECA Manager and Founding member of HeadStart, Ms Newle, Mrs Collette Edouard (Miki), Marketing & Communications Manager and Founder of HeadStart.
PE & Sports News
Soccer 7s Success!
Last weekend saw 8 of our HeadStart Panthers Football Academy teams competing at the BISP Soccer 7’s – one of the biggest International school football tournaments in Asia, welcoming teams from across the globe.
Our teams have always competed well at this annual event and our players arrived with lots of energy, motivation and the excitement of being challenged against new teams. The tournament certainly didn’t disappoint and we were again delighted with how well our teams represented the HeadStart Panthers Football Academy. Not only did we witness several teams leading the pack in their respective age groups but we also saw great resilience in the tougher games with amazing effort and teamwork.
Our U11 Girls team were the superstars at the tournament as they were crowned U11 Girls Champions of the BISP Soccer 7’s tournament after dominating over both days of competition!
Our U13 Girls also performed amazingly well, finishing in 3rd place in the top Cup competition. This was a great reflection of their hard work and togetherness as a team.
After a number of successes on Day 1, our O15 Girls and O15 Boys teams both made it the top Cup competition but were unfortunate in the quarter final stages to miss out on progression. Meanwhile, the U15 Boys went on to win the Bowl competition with a dominate performance in the final. Our younger U11 Boys teams from both campuses worked tirelessly over the two days and we are very proud of the resilience they showed.
Overall it was a fantastic tournament for the HeadStart Panthers Football Academy and we would like to say a massive well done to all the players and an even bigger thank you to all the parents who came out the support the teams and players!
Many thanks to Arthur’s dad for providing some awesome action photos!
Let’s Go, HeadStart! Coach Frost – Head Football Coach
Languages Department
“La Famille Fantastique” in Year 6 French Lessons
Our Year 6 French learners have been busy! After mastering the art of describing themselves in French, they’ve moved on to talking about their family. The fun didn’t stop there – students got creative by drawing pictures of their family members and describing them in French. Some students were very careful, faithfully drawing their loved ones, while others… let’s just say their siblings may need a little help identifying themselves! Whether students took a faithful or more creative approach, it’s been a colourful and lively way to practice new vocabulary. Keep up the great work everyone! La famille looks fantastique! Madame Lemieux – French Teacher
Foundation
First Toddler Playgroup 2024-25
A big thank you to all the families who joined us for our very first playgroup session. We had such a wonderful time exploring and playing together. The children loved getting creative with the light table, enjoying hands-on fun with sand and water play, and connecting through a variety of engaging activities. We ended the session with a lovely song time led by Ms. Monica, which brought smiles all around!
If you have a toddler aged 1 to 4, we’d love for you to join us at our next playgroup event. Spaces are limited so please sign up each week through the QR code in the poster or via the dedicated GoogleForms:
We can’t wait to see you there!
Primary
Exploring Measurement in Year 3 Maths
This week, Year 3 explored measurement, focusing on metres and centimetres. The class worked together to measure various parts of the school building, from door frames to windows. The hands-on activity made learning practical and fun, with students enjoying the challenge of applying math to real-world objects. It was a great way to bring measurement to life while building teamwork skills! Ms Davies and Mr Cotterell – Year 3 Teachers
Year 5 Get Wet and Wild with Elephants in their Natural Environment
This week, the students of Year 5 paid a visit to our local neighbours at Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve. The students were first invited to prepare food for the elephants before handing it over to their trunks! They then trekked into the rainforest to see the elephants roaming freely in their natural habitat before playing around with elephant poo to make paper! Finally, the elephants made the most of the moist weather by mud bathing to cool down! Lots of interest was created and questions asked to learn the importance of rescuing and caring for elephants. What a fantastic trip for our Year 5 students. The Year 5 Teaching Team
Year 4 Captivated about Conserving our Oceans at Panwa Aquarium
This week, Year 4 dived into an exciting adventure to Panwa Aquarium! The students were captivated by the incredible marine life they saw and they were engaged in learning about the serious threats our marine biomes are facing. Together, they got to discover not only weird and wonderful creatures, but also actionable steps they can take to help protect these precious ecosystems. It was a fun, inspiring morning that sparked curiosity and a passion for ocean conservation. The Year 4 Teaching Team
Success Outside School
🥇 Congratulations to Kira (Year 2 Blue) and Kristina (Year 4 Yellow) who both travelled to Dubai to represent KGA Gymnastics at the Dynasty Gymnastics Competition 2024. Both our talented gymnasts came away with Gold medals!
Congratulations to all students who took part in the recent Spartan event at Blue Tree: 🥇 Annalisa (Year 9 Blue) finished first in the 12-14 Girls category, 🥇 Matthew (Year 5 Blue) finished first (Saturday) and fourth (Sunday) in the 7-9 Boys races, while Ayah (Year 1 Yellow), Sara and Alice (Year 3 Yellow) all completed the tough obstacle course for kids.
👑 Well done to Bella (Year 1 Yellow) for being crowned Miss Loy Krathong or หนูน้อยนพมาศ (Noo Noi Nophamas) at the Srisoonthorn Municipality Loy Krathong Festival.
Promotions From Around the Island
The 4th Annual Flag Football Holiday Bowl
We are 2 weeks away from our 4th Annual Holiday Bowl taking place on 14th December, 2024 at HeadStart International School, Chaofah City campus. We are playing for a cause to help serve underprivileged youth while raising awareness about (the fastest growing Olympic sport) Flag Football. This year our HeadStart Flag Football team will showcase their skills against other teams representing China and Thailand. Come show some support to our Panthers. For more information, please contact Coach Mzuri (M) on tel:+660824658781.
Holiday Tennis Camp
Join Us for Holiday Tennis Camp at Dome Tennis! This holiday season, HeadStart International School students and their families are invited to a fun-filled tennis camp at Dome Tennis! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, our expert coaches will guide you through exciting drills, games, and activities.
As a special treat, HeadStart community members will receive an exclusive 10% discount on all camp registrations! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to stay active, improve your game, and have a blast on the court. Spots are limited, so sign up today!
For more details and to register, visit The Dome Tennis Facebook page. See you on the court!
Important Dates
Noticeboard
