Weekly Update Back to School Edition, 15 August 2025

School Calendar for the Academic Year 2025-26

HeadStart Becomes FOBISIA Member School

We are excited to announce that HeadStart International School, Phuket, has recently become a proud member of FOBISIA (The Federation of British International Schools in Asia). This prestigious affiliation reflects our commitment to providing our students with the highest standards of international education and fosters closer connections with leading British international schools across Asia. Membership in FOBISIA offers us access to a wide network of educational excellence, professional development opportunities for our staff, and the chance to participate in collaborative events and competitions that enrich our students’ learning experiences.

Being part of FOBISIA offers numerous benefits for our school community. It allows us to exchange best practices with other member schools, stay updated on the latest educational trends, and collaborate on innovative projects. Additionally, our students will have more opportunities to participate in regional sports tournaments, academic competitions, and cultural exchanges, helping to boost their confidence, global awareness, and leadership skills. We look forward to leveraging these advantages to further enhance our school’s programs and to continue providing a vibrant, inspiring environment for all our students.

Stay in Touch: Whole School Communications

We’d like to remind you that important school news will now be sent directly to your inbox via email from our Heads of Department and teachers. Every Friday afternoon, you will receive a link to our Weekly Update on the school website, which includes vital announcements about meetings, upcoming events, and key dates for your diary. The Weekly Update also highlights student achievements, both in and out of school, along with exciting activities and projects happening around campus.

For quick updates and reminders in English, Thai, Russian, and Mandarin, please scan the QR codes below or displayed on our ‘Information and News’ boards around campus to receive regular important updates. Don’t forget to follow our social media outlets for lots of pictures and videos showcasing the school in action here: HeadStart Cherngtalay Facebook Page.

Thank you for staying connected with us!

Parent Parking at Cherngtalay Campus

Please be informed that this academic year there are new access arrangements for parents and students at our Cherngtalay campus.

Firstly, we have improved the drop-off area at the main entrance. For parents parking in the Building A and external car parks (white spaces in the graphic), there is now a stairwell that leads directly to the main entrance turnstiles, improving flow as you enter school. We politely remind parents that they should use either their Parent Access Card or fingerprint to enter through the turnstiles.

Please be informed that the Secondary Building Parking (also white) should be used as an overflow car park once the Building A and external car parks are full, or during special events. The drop-off at the Secondary Building is reserved for Secondary students and their siblings. This gate will continue to close at 8:10am each day at which time Secondary students should enter through the main school entrance.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we look to improve access, parking and traffic flow at our school site.

Access Card Arrangements

Please find here Access Card arrangements for this school year:

• Starting August 2025, the school will no longer issue access cards for Foundation and Primary students.

• Parents can still use their own access cards to enter and exit the school site as usual.

• New parents still get their parent access cards to enter and exit the school site as usual. Please ask at the admin office if you do not yet have a card.

• All current Foundation and Primary student access cards will be deactivated from the turnstile system for the academic year 2025-26, and will no longer work.

• School will provide student access cards only for new Secondary students (Years 7 - 13), which can be used at the turnstiles. Returning Secondary students can still use their existing access card.

Please do not hesitate to contact our admin teams regarding parent access to the school site: [email protected]

Parent Fitness Classes

Join us for another action packed year of parent fitness classes with our brilliant trainers, every morning from 08.00-09.00am in the fitness suite on the third floor of the Sports building (Building C). These classes are free of charge and have been organised to promote healthy and active living within our community. See you in the gym! In addition to our free parent classes, Coach Jordi is also available for private individual and group training sessions.

👉 If you require further information about parent fitness or private training sessions, see the fliers below or contact Coach Jordi by writing to [email protected]

Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs) Parent Meeting

Come join us! We welcome all parents to join us for our first parent meeting of the school year when we will talk you through our Extra Curricular Activity (ECA) programmes and policies and offer hints and tips on how to get the most out of our Parent Portal. We look forward to seeing you there! Thursday 21st August at 8:30-9:30am in the Secondary ILC.

Getting Prepped for the New School Year

Over the last week, our academic staff both returning and new have been busy getting prepped for the start of the new school year. With new classrooms and facilities to prepare, in-house training to complete and new teaching teams with bonds to form, our Cherngtalay campus has been a hive of activity and excitement.

PE & Sports Teams Refresh their Lifeguarding Skills

A big thank you to P’Pik and her team from the Thai Lifeguard Association who ran our PE & Sport Department’s Lifeguard training this week.

Your children are in good hands and we’ll see you all poolside soon! Mr Carter - Head of PE