Weekly Update #23, 14 February 2025

Announcements

Wishing Everyone a Restful Mid-term Break

Please be reminded that next week is our mid-term break. School will re-open for all students on Monday 24th February.

Our Admin office will be open from Monday 17th to Thursday 20th February to deal with any inquiries. The half-term Swim Development Camp will also take place at our Cherngtalay Campus from Monday to Wednesday.

Upcoming Events

24 Hours to Make a Difference at Chaofah City campus

It’s that time again when we rally all of our Academy Players, Coaches, and Parents together in order to raise much-needed funds for our chosen charities in the ‘24 Hours to make a Difference’ event. All academy students are expected to take part in this event, which will take place from 20.00 on Friday, 28th February to 20.00 on Saturday, 1st March 2025 at our Chaofah City campus.

• Swim Academy Students: 20:00 on Friday 28th February – 08:00 on Saturday 1st March (Aqua Cubs to join from 20:00 – 22:00)

• Football Academy Students: 08:00 – 20:00 on Saturday 1st March

• Basketball Academy Students: 14:00 – 20:00 on Saturday 1st March

• Parent and Staff Team Football and Basketball Matches: 16:30 – 20:00 on Saturday 1st March

Community Celebration & BBQ

To celebrate the achievements of our Academy students in their efforts to raise funds this year, there will be a community BBQ event from 18:00 – 20:00 with free food for players, parents and coaches and refreshments for sale courtesy of our BTEC Business students. Our Secondary Student Council will also be running a number of sport-themed games from 17:00 – 20:00 with great prizes to be won and all proceeds going to the ‘24 Hours to Make a Difference’ funds. We recommend that students bring 20 baht notes to play these games.

This event will take place on the lower Astro-pitch, the outdoor Basketball court and along the running track. All academy students, parents, coaches and staff are welcome to attend and make this a memorable culmination to our sporting endeavours.

We would be grateful if all families planning to attend the Community BBQ event from 18:00-20:00 would take a moment to complete this short form to help us plan the free food that will be on offer: 24 Hours to Make a Difference Community BBQ Form

Nominated Foundations for 2025

We are delighted that the Head Coaches, along with our Secondary Student Leadership, have nominated the following two foundations this year for sponsorship:

• Youth Football Home

• North Andaman Network Foundation

All funds raised will be shared equally between these two foundations who each do important work in their respective fields.

Meetings & Presentations

Online Safety Parent Workshop on 13.02.25

At yesterday’s parent workshop on Online Safety, we explored the ever-evolving digital landscape and the importance of working together to help our children navigate the online world safely and responsibly. It was a valuable opportunity for parents to ask questions, share concerns, and gain practical tips on fostering healthy online habits and managing screen time. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the discussion.

If you were unable to attend the meeting or would like to review the presentation, please see below:

Online Safety Parent Workshop 13.02.25

Primary Maths Workshop for Parents

We invite parents of Primary age children to join us for our latest parent meeting when we will run a workshop focused on maths learning. We look forward to seeing you there! Thursday 27th February 2025 from 8:30-9:30am in the Secondary ILC.

HeadStart Alumni

Jessica Rich – Class of 2024

Some of you may remember me from my years at HeadStart—maybe we were best friends, teammates, or simply shared fleeting moments in the same hallways. For those I’ve yet to
meet, I’m Jessica Rich, and from 2015 to 2024, HeadStart was my home. It shaped me, challenged me, and gave me a community I will always cherish.

You might be wondering why I’m writing this, but I have a story to share—one of passion, setbacks, and the unexpected lessons that come with chasing a dream. As I look back on
my life, one thing that remained constant is my love for sports. It wasn’t just a hobby, but the rhythm of my life, intertwined into everything I did, especially at HeadStart. Football, in particular, became more than a game—it was an obsession, a calling, something that shaped me far beyond the field. But as I grew, so did my curiosity. I became just as fascinated by the mental side of performance as I was by physical skill, realising that psychology plays just as crucial a role in success as athletic ability. That realisation led me to a dream: studying Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University, a place renowned for its excellence in the field.

In 2024, I took the leap and applied to Loughborough. I didn’t get in. It was crushing, and for a moment, I questioned everything. But rather than letting rejection define me, I used it as fuel to push myself further. During my gap year, I stepped outside my comfort zone, interning at ‘The Slate Phuket’, a luxury hotel, where I developed a deep respect for the hospitality industry and the dedication it takes to create meaningful experiences. As of right now, I am staying true to my roots, helping out at HeadStart’s Girls’ Football Academy. Coaching these young players has been incredibly rewarding—not only does it keep me connected to the sport I love, but it gives me the chance to help these girls experience the same excitement, joy, and sense of belonging that football gave me. I believe that this game is more than just skill and strategy; it’s about confidence, teamwork, and the unbreakable bonds formed on and off the field. A team is more than a group of players; it’s a family, and I was lucky enough to have one that never stopped supporting me.

I would love to sit here and name every teacher who helped me along the way, because each of them supported me in different ways, pushing me when I needed it and believing in
me even when I doubted myself. But if I did that, we’d be here for days. Just know that I am endlessly grateful. Among them, one person I would like to mention—Coach Frost. No
matter how many setbacks I faced, he never stopped believing in me, even when I struggled to believe in myself. Every time I thought about giving up on Loughborough, I heard “NGU” in my head. Never give up. And I didn’t.

Now, after everything, I am incredibly proud to say that this September, I am officially going to Loughborough University. The journey wasn’t easy, but it was mine, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that setbacks don’t define you—how you rise from them does

Greg Bottrill Visit

This week, we’ve been thrilled to have Greg Bottrill, renowned expert in learning through play, with us at school. His visit has been an exciting and inspiring opportunity to deepen our understanding of how play can enhance early literacy, especially in Foundation and Key Stage 1.

Greg Bottrill is widely known for his innovative approach to education, emphasising the importance of play as a tool for developing literacy skills in young children. His belief is simple: children learn best when they’re actively engaged, and play is the perfect environment for this to happen. This week, Greg’s time with us has focused on empowering our team to embed play into daily lessons, creating a learning environment where children can explore, express, and develop their literacy skills naturally.

‘The Power of Play’ Teacher Conference

One of the standout moments of Greg’s visit was ‘The Power of Play’ conference held on Monday 10th February at our Cherngtalay campus, with delegates from all over Asia gathering to explore the intersection of literacy and play. It was an incredible opportunity to share insights and experiences with educators from diverse backgrounds, learning how play-based learning is being embraced globally.

Greg’s session at the conference was both inspiring and thought-provoking. He demonstrated how play can be used not just for developing academic skills but also for nurturing creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. The energy in the room was palpable as educators exchanged ideas and discussed how these strategies could be implemented within their own unique cultural contexts.

Sincere thanks to Greg and all the delegates who joined this enriching Professional Development experience.

‘Let’s Co-Play!’ Parent Meeting

In addition to the teacher conference, we held a very special meeting with HeadStart and Phuket families, focusing on the concept of co-play. Co-play is an approach where educators, parents, and children collaborate during playtime, strengthening the bond between home and school and deepening the impact of learning. The insights shared were invaluable, and the feedback from the Phuket families was overwhelmingly positive. All attendees left with a renewed sense of partnership and a deeper understanding of how co-play can transform learning experiences for children.

Supporting Teachers to Integrate Play in the Classroom

Throughout the week, Greg worked closely with our Foundation and KS1 teachers, providing hands-on demonstrations, sharing practical ideas, and helping staff build their confidence in integrating play into the classroom. From storytelling through dramatic play to writing adventures sparked by imaginative games, we’ve been amazed at how Greg’s strategies bring literacy to life in such an engaging and child-centered way.

Having Greg at our school this week has been an absolute pleasure. His passion for literacy through play has ignited new ideas, sparked collaboration, and reminded us of the powerful role that play holds in early childhood education. We are incredibly grateful to Greg for sharing his wisdom and inspiring us all to think outside the box when it comes to teaching literacy.

PE & Sports News

First-ever Secondary Sports Day!

What an amazing first-ever secondary sports day! With a mixture of track and field events such as high jump, shot put and javelin, as well as some fun events like the obstacle race and the house tug of war, there was something for everyone to enjoy. One of the highlights of the morning sessions was Mariia Frolova’s (7 Yellow) from the Blue Tigers who launch her shot put an incredible 11 meters! A big shout out also to Year 9 Green Dragon’s student Annelisa Floesser with an awesome all-around contribution in all her individual sports scoring in the top 2 consistently for her year group. The afternoon was a pool-based affair with our Secondary students taking to the water for some aquatic events. Annelisa again made waves winning all her race events and, unsurprisingly, contributing to first place for the Green Dragons! Well done to Green house for their well-deserved victory. Mr Walker – PE Coordinator

📸 Please find a full album of photos here: Secondary Sports Day 2025

Primary Students Power Up at Sports Day

Our Primary Sports Days were full of excitement with some excellent displays of running, jumping and throwing. Years 1 through 3 took part in the bean bag target and distance throws where they could demonstrate different types of throwing skills while Year 4 and up had the more advanced discus, javelin and shot put to launch. All the year groups were then able to demonstrate their different running styles in the distance run in which students had to run as many laps as possible in the allotted time, then show their fast feet in the sprint races. Well done to the Yellow Cheetahs for winning in Years 1 to 3 and to the Red Phoenixes who were victorious in Years 4 to 6.

Congratulations to everyone who took part and well done! Mr Walker – PE Coordinator

📸 Please find a full album of photos here:

Year 1 to Year 3 Sports Day 2025

Year 4 to Year 6 Sports Day 2025

Foundation Students Have a Blast at Sports Day

What a fantastic Sports Day! The Foundation children had an absolute blast, showing off their amazing skills and team spirit! Thank you to all the parents who came out to cheer our little sports superstars on and make the day extra special. Your support means the world to us! The Foundation Team

📸 Please find a full album of photos here: Foundation Sports Day 2025

House Update

Yellow Cheetahs Take Early Lead in the Term 2 & 3 House Competition

With our Sports Days now complete, the House Points have been update ahead of the mid-term break. And it’s great news for the Yellow Cheetahs who are currently out in front, with the Blue Tigers, Red Phoenixes and Green Dragons in hot pursuit! Don’t forget, the race for the Term 2 & 3 House Prize is a marathon, not a sprint, so there is still plenty of time (a term and a half to be exact!) to earn points for your house and set your sights on the end of year House Prize! Ms Thompson – House Coordinator

Languages Department

Celebrating ‘La Chandeleur’ in Primary French Lessons

On 3rd February, we celebrated ‘La Chandeleur’ in French class! This is a French celebration where crepes and galettes are eaten. After much debate, we finally established that no, crepes are not pancakes, and no, crepes are not blinis either! Our students rolled up their sleeves and worked hard in the kitchen over the weekend to bring some delicious crepes to share. Students enthusiastically role played and confidently ordered their crepe and toppings in French…There were no “faux-pas”, only a strong “joie de vivre” in the classroom!

Well done everybody for your hardwork and enthusiasm, and a massive “merci beaucoup” to all the parents who helped out at home and made this celebration possible! Madame Lemieux – French Teacher

Primary

Designing Robots in Year 6 Art

Year 6 were given the task of designing 3D robots to help save our planet using recycled materials. The students came up with some innovative and creative ideas to help save animals, plant trees and collect rubbish whilst developing their cardboard construction building skills and learning about different joining techniques.

Sculpting Cakes from Recycled Materials in Year 5 Art

Year 5 students developed their oil pastel blending skills and explored blending different tones to make their work look 3D. Then we looked at the giant sculptures of ice cream cones and cakes by Claes Oldenberg and created our own cake sculpture using recycled materials.

Year 2 Explore the Wonders of Space!

This week, Year 2 had an amazing visit to the planetarium, where we relaxed in comfy chairs and explored the wonders of space. The experience was interactive and engaging, with plenty of fun questions that had us clapping and stomping to show our answers. A highlight was looking through a telescope at the sun, spotting huge sunspots that appeared much smaller to the eye—an important reminder never to look at the sun directly! We also enjoyed an incredible video called The Snowflake, which made us feel like we were on a thrilling roller coaster ride. It was a fantastic day of learning and adventure! Mr Patel and Ms Gibb – Year 2 Teachers

Year 4 Experience the Incredible Tastes of India

The Year 4’s had a wonderful time concluding their Humanities Unit – Incredible India. The students got hands-on in the kitchen, creating their own version of ‘Chaat—a’, delicious dish made with chopped cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, yogurt, and spices. It was a fantastic way to experience the vibrant flavours of India, and everyone had so much fun exploring its incredible cuisine! The Year 4 Team

Collaborating to Scale our Solar system in Year 5 Science

5 Blue enjoyed learning all about the vast distance in our Solar system by creating their very own ‘Toilet Roll Solar System’! Collaborating in teams, they had to meausre distances from the tennis ball Sun all the way to the outer reaches, way beyond Pluto! Mr Carroll – Year 5 Teacher

Secondary

Year 6 Begin the Process of Transition to Secondary with a Science Special!

This week, our Year 6 students from both classes had a Science lesson in the Secondary Laboratory. This was an excellent opportunity for them to experience what Science lessons are like in the Secondary school, and they were able to use some of our brand new equipment to investigate colour and the nature of light. This is the first of a short series of visits in which Year 6 will be able to learn in Secondary classrooms with Secondary specialist teachers, in advance of making the transition to Secondary school next year. We will be working on electrical circuits after the half-term break, and revising their recent work on the circulatory system by dissecting a heart. The Year 6 students will also join us for our Valentine’s Day House activity this week to build friendly relationships with the older students in Years 7 to 9.

At HeadStart, we put in place a transition programme that aims to gently introduce our Year 6 students to the changes they will experience both in the style of their lessons and in the structure of the day when they make the transition to Secondary school. Students will have an opportunity to spend a day following a Year 7 timetable later in the year, and we very much look forward to them joining us in Secondary in August. Dr Marsh – Head of Secondary

Developing Drawing Skills with Charcoal and Chalk in VAP and ECA Classes

Primary VAP and Secondary ECA classes have been developing their drawing skills and working with charcoal and chalk pastels to produce these beautiful animal studies. Ms Leow – Art & Design Teacher

Promotions From Around the Island

Natontity – All Natural, Coral-safe, and Waterproof Sunscreen in Six Colours!

Thank to our friends at Natontity for their support of our HeadStart Sports Days – Protecting Children Against the Sun’s Harmful Rays.