Weekly Update #11, 8 November 2024

Outstanding Learner Awards

HeadStart International School Phuket continues to set the standard for academic excellence, with remarkable achievements in both IGCSE and A Level results. The school’s commitment to fostering a rigorous and supportive learning environment has enabled students to excel in these internationally recognized qualifications.

The Outstanding Learner Awards recognize exceptional achievement in Cambridge and Pearson exams, including IGCSEs and A Levels. These prestigious awards celebrate top-performing international students worldwide, highlighting their academic excellence, commitment, and hard work. Recipients of these awards demonstrate outstanding performance across various subjects, setting them apart as future leaders in education.

In the 2024 IGCSE exam series, HeadStart students achieved outstanding results, with many securing top grades across a range of subjects; however, three students stood out - not just at HeadStart, but throughout the whole of Thailand, Asia and the world!

In recognition of his academic excellence, Conor Bowens was ranked 1st in Thailand across his 8 examined subjects, including coming Top in Thailand in English Literature. At the same time, Berta Palop Roca used her creative excellence to achieve the highest mark in Asia for GCSE Art & Design. Finally, not content with mastering Thailand and Asia, Daniel (Yichen Ma) bested every other candidate across the globe in iGCSE Mathematics! Daniel didn’t drop a single mark across 2 separate higher maths papers and is duly recognised as Top in the World in that subject. All three truly remarkable achievements!

In the 2023-24 AS and A Level series, our Year 12 and 13 students also excelled with 32% of students achieving an A* or A grade. Standing out were our Head Boy, Krit (Krittat Phaisamran), and Selly (Hyunji Lee), who were recognised with the High Achievement Award in Thailand for AS Level English Literature and A Level Chemistry respectively. And last but not least, Kirill Kochetkov was ranked Top in Thailand in A Level Mathematics. Once again, outstanding achievements of which we are all proud!

These accomplishments reflect not only individual student talent but also the effectiveness of HeadStart’s comprehensive curriculum, which emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and global citizenship. The school’s tailored approach to education ensures that each student receives the support they need to thrive academically. With a dedicated team of educators and a stimulating academic environment, HeadStart prepares students not just for exams but for lifelong success.

HeadStart International School Phuket is not only the outstanding school on the island of Phuket but is now a leading institution in the region, offering students a pathway to exceptional academic and personal achievement.

Announcements

CAPA HeadStars present “Evita” @ Chaofah City Campus

HeadStart International School proudly presents Evita, the powerful and iconic musical that brings to life the remarkable story of Eva Perón. Set in mid-20th century Argentina, Evita follows Eva’s journey from humble beginnings to the heights of political influence as the beloved yet controversial First Lady. Her dedication to advocating for the poor and championing women’s rights left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and intrigue. Narrated by Che Guevara, the famed revolutionary, Evita explores themes of ambition, love, and power through unforgettable music, inspired performances, and captivating choreography.

We warmly welcome you to come and join us for an unforgettable performance of Evita by our very own CAPA HeadStars. Tickets are now on sale for this event which takes place in the Sports Hall at our Chaofah City campus from 6:00-8:00pm:

• Book tickets for Evita Wednesday 27th November 2024

• Book tickets for Evita Thursday 28th November 2024

If you encounter any issues during the booking process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]

Christmas Fair at Cherngtalay Campus

With the festive season fast approaching, it is time to start preparing for our Christmas Fair. This wonderful community event will take place on Wednesday 11th December from 1:30-3:30pm. The CAPA department have already got our Primary classes rehearsing for their festive performances, and our events team are busy making plans for our Christmas Fair stalls. If you are interested in offering a Christmas-themed activity or have Festive Season products to sell, please contact Khun Newle at [email protected] to reserve a tent. We look forward to hearing from you.

Upcoming Events

Odd Socks Day 2024

As part of raising awareness during Anti-bullying Week, students, teachers, support staff and parents are all invited to wear ODD SOCKS throughout the day on Tuesday 12th November. The odder, the better!

Join Us for Loy Krathong Celebrations on Friday, 15th November 2024

We warmly invite all students and parents to join us for a special celebration of Loy Krathong, a beautiful Thai tradition. We encourage everyone to wear traditional Thai attire to make the day even more special! The event will include Loy Krathong activities in Thai class, such as Krathong making and Thai dancing. For Early Years and Reception children, there will be a special Loy Krathong Assembly at the Indoor Learning Centre (ILC) from 08:30 - 08:50am.

ขอเชิญร่วมกิจกรรมวันลอยกระทง วันศุกร์ที่ 15 พฤศจิกายน 2567 ทางโรงเรียนขอเรียนเชิญผู้ปกครองและนักเรียนทุกท่านร่วมฉลองประเพณีลอยกระทง ซึ่งเป็นหนึ่งในวัฒนธรรมที่งดงามของไทย โดยการแต่งกายด้วยชุดไทย เพื่อร่วมแสดงออกและอนุรักษ์วัฒนธรรมการแต่งกายของไทย ทางแผนกไทยได้จัดกิจกรรมลอยกระทงในชั้นเรียนวิชาไทย เช่น การประดิษฐ์กระทงและการรำไทย และสำหรับนักเรียนชั้น Early Years และ Reception จะมี Loy Krathong Assembly ที่ Indoor Learning Centre (ILC) เวลา 08:30 - 08:50 น.

Friday Market - Eco Special!

Inviting everyone to attend our first Eco Special Friday Market of the school year. If you want delicious home-baked treats and freshly made drinks, or sustainably sourced products and second-hand items with a focus on reducing plastic waste and supporting local enterprise, then join us in the Atrium from 2:40pm on Friday 15th November. We look forward to seeing you there!

AquaPanthers Invitational 2024

Over the weekend of Saturday 30th November - Sunday 1st December, our Cherngtalay campus will host its first ever swimming event - the AquaPanthers Invitational (API) - which will see swimmers of different ages from across Phuket and beyond compete. This unique event would not be possible without the support of our Swim Academy Team, our support staff, and you, our amazing student and parent community. We are therefore looking for volunteers to assist with a range of competition tasks, including timing and supporting swimmers. If you are interested in getting involved or what to find out more, please contact our Head Swim Coach, Zak Brown: [email protected]

Meetings & Presentations

End of Term 1 Assessments, Revision, Reports and Grades Parent Meeting on 07.11.24

In our Primary parent meeting this week, parents found out how their children are assessed at HeadStart. We looked at how students are assessed for learning through formative assessment - that continuous cycle of planning, teaching and assessment where feedback is gained through observation, class discussions, questioning, reviewing class work and providing both verbal and written feedback. This type of assessment happens every day and is tracked over time, for each child, against curriculum objectives using an online tool called Learning Ladders. This tracking software gives teachers easy access to data on strengths and targets to work on for individuals, groups or for the class as a whole.

Parents then learned about summative assessments, the assessment of learning, that their children will be doing at the end of Term 1. There was an explanation of how the results from both formative and summative assessment is shared through the HeadStart reporting system. Hopefully, parents left the meeting feeling confident in their understanding of the information that will be provided in their child’s report at the end of this term. Mr Lawler - Head of Foundation & Primary

Assessments and Reporting Parent Meeting 7 November 2024

Parent Meeting: Phonics Workshop for Parents

Inviting all our Year 1 and 2 parents to a workshop/information session, led by Mr Lawler and Mr Whitham, to help you to better understand our approach to teaching phonics. This workshop will last for about one hour and will take place on Thursday 14th November 2024 in the Secondary ILC from 8:30-9:30am.

At this workshop you will have an opportunity to understand how phonics is used to develop your child’s reading skills, and look at ways that you can support your child’s reading skills outside of school. We look forward to seeing you there.

Phuket Sunshine Village Fundraiser

Sincere thanks to our entire school community who just keep on giving! Thanks to your amazing generosity, over the last week, we have managed to sponsor another 5 children at PSV, taking the total number of children sponsored to 25! A heartfelt thank you to the children and families of Year 2 Blue and Year 5 Blue for their efforts to raise money to sponsor their chosen child and to the Leonov family for their generous donations!

Meet the Team

The Housekeeping team at HeadStart International School play a crucial role in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for both students, staff and parents alike. They ensure that classrooms, common areas, and restrooms are consistently tidy, hygienic, and well-stocked, as well as managing lunchtimes in our canteen, contributing to the overall comfort and well-being of everyone on campus. Their attention to detail and proactive approach in managing a whole range of daily tasks contributes significantly to the wellbeing of our community. Beyond maintaining a clean and hospitable campus, the Housekeeping team also assists with setting up spaces for events, helping to create a positive, friendly atmosphere. They are an integral part of our community, offering shining smiles and welcoming ‘wais’ throughout the school day. Their hard work and dedication are essential in supporting our school’s commitment to providing a high-quality educational experience and inspiring a love of learning! On behalf of our entire school community, we would like to offer our sincere thanks to our Housekeeping team for everything they do!

Foundation

Going on a Bear Hunt in the Early Years

In the Early Years classrooms, our little ones went on a bear hunt — and what better way to bring the story to life than with some creative bear toast! 🍞🐻 The children used their fine motor skills to practice cutting and decorating their toasts, adding eyes, ears, and smiles to their chocolate-covered bear faces. 🍫✨ It was so much fun to see them recognize facial features and get a little messy along the way! 😄

The joy of learning through play is always a win, and today’s bear-themed snack was no exception! Miss Una and Miss Sophie- Early Years Yellow Teachers

Primary

Science Fun: Lava Lamps & Learning!

In the Year 1 & 2 Science ECA, our young scientists had a blast working in pairs to create their very own lava lamps! 🔬💡 Not only did they enjoy watching the colorful bubbles rise and fall, but they also got to explore important science concepts like density and acid-base reactions. It was amazing to see the children engaged and curious as they observed how different liquids interacted with one another. 🌈💧

Secondary

Secondary Halloween Party

This year’s Halloween Party for Secondary students, held at our Chaofah City campus, was a not-to-be-missed event! With SPOOKTACULAR games, a HAUNTING soundtrack and SPINE-CHILLING costumes on display, it truly was a “noctis horribilis” to remember!

Sincere thanks go out to our Prefect Teams for organising this Halloween event, including the interactive games - the Welfare Committee’s themed take on the legendary pastime, Eyeball Pong, led by Lena (Year 13) and Naki (Year 12); Guess the Halloween Candies in a Jar from the House Committee, run by Mali (Year 12); the Service Committee’s popular Pumpkin Roll, led by Pear (Year 13) and the gruesome and gory Mystery Box run by Alex (Year 13) and Susanna (Year 12) from the Eco Committee - and to the BTEC Business students, ably supported by our very own Ms Jones, for providing snacks and refreshments. Also, a special mention to DJ Ultraviolet (aka Al in Year 12) for stepping up at the last minute to provide a sensational soundtrack to fit the event!

Huge congratulations to the three costume prize winners:

• Creative - Petr (Year 12 Chaofah City campus)

• Scary - Tais (Year 11 Chaofah City campus)

• Group - The Smurfs (the Blue Crew from Year 12 and Year 13 Chaofah City campus)

We are already looking forward to next year’s Halloween event!

Learner of the Month - Respectful

Throughout October, our students were focusing on the learner attribute of the month: Being Respectful. This means not only showing respect in lessons, but learning about respecting other people and our environment, appreciating that all people are unique and diverse, and that all people should be treated equally. As is always the case with our learners, they didn’t disappoint and did their best to develop this key attribute!

Respectful certificates were awarded in each subject and handed out in assembly to the following students:

• CAPA - Coco Zhang

• Computing - Mariia Antonova

• EAL - Chloe Zhao

• English - Leo Akhmetov

• Humanities - Lara Banthoengjai

• Languages - Nailya Janissova

• Languages Thai - Masha Rodkina

• Maths - Kiara Mendes

• PE - Kabtan Wongsawanon

• Science - Mark Kolesnikov

‘Ms Manning’s Choice’ is awarded each month to the student that our very own Assistant Head of Secondary, Ms Manning, feels has embodied this learner attribute either in or out of lessons. This month it was awarded to Bella Sephton; well done Bella and congratulations to all!

November’s focus is Kindness, which ties in with Anti-Bullying Week next week, so we look forward to a continued, and maybe even enhanced, kind and caring environment.

Success Outside School

🥇 Congratulations to Sagit (Year 6) and Dmitrii (Year 7) on their recent victories in the 13th Lao Judo Championship in Vientiane. Judokas from across Thailand and Laos travelled to Vientiane’s Budo Center from 26-27 October to compete. Representing Phuket’s very own Blue Tree Phuket Team A, both boys finished first in their age/weight categories! Well done!

Well done to Daniil (Year 2) for his great performances at the recent Pentathlon Swim Meet at BISP. Daniil won a number of his heats and showed great determination in the finals of the freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke.

Community Links

Scholars of Sustenance Foundation Thailand is pleased to submit the Monthly Food Surplus Donation Report for October 2024. The data below reflects the significant contribution made by the HeadStart community that directly impacts on the lives of people in Phuket and on our local environment. We thank you for your contributions. Should you need any further information regarding this report, please do not hesitate to contact us by visiting our webpage: Scholars of Sustenance

Headstart International school Phuket Oct 2024

Promotions From Around the Island

Theatrix Presents - A Christmas Carol: The Panto

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE PANTO is coming to the Junkyard stage next month! Theatrix is bringing you its fifth annual panto, the timeless tale by Charles Dickens of the miserly Christmas-hating Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is a rich and miserly money-lender who is known, feared, and hated as ‘the nastiest, cruellest man in all London’, but on Christmas Eve the appearance of his long-dead business partner and a host of ghosts challenge him to change… or else! Will he change? Well, come and see and help him to see the error of his ways and become a better man. You’ll be helped by a host of hilarious characters, including Simple Sally, the dim-witted but well-meaning duo of Dally and Doolittle, a handful of ghosts, and Charles Dickens himself.

See A Christmas Carol in all its glory, pantomime-style, a delight for the whole family that will thrill you as it involves you in the action, chill you with the appearance of one spooky ghost after another, tickle you with the crazy antics of the characters, and fill you with Christmas cheer to take home with you and help brighten the season. Get your tickets now for December 6, 8, 12, 13, or 15.