Weekly Update #1, 22 August 2025

We are delighted to announce the results of our 2025 A Level cohort!

August 12th and 14th were exciting days in the HeadStart community; the former being results day for our Cambridge A Level examination results and the latter concluding results for last year’s Year 13 students with Pearson’s A Level Art and EPQ results. Leading up to results day is always stressful for all involved. Internal questioning from staff and students alike on whether the countless hours of studying, support and interventions have had the desired results. So, were these days of celebration or have they led to deep ruminations on what went wrong?

We are proud to announce that the 2025 A Level results are, once again, incredibly impressive across the board. Before we share the headline figures, we would like to congratulate students, teachers and the wider school community for contributing to another academically successful year. For the full A Level, our Year 13 (and two Year 12!) students obtained an incredible 47% A/A with 92% graded A to C and a 100% pass rate. These are truly incredible results and will be difficult to surpass for our new Year 13 students.

As usual we would like to end by congratulating each individual student who pushed themselves throughout the year to obtain the best grades they could. As educators we love to celebrate students who overcame hurdles to achieve their results and those that surpassed expectations.

In closing, we would like to take this opportunity to offer thanks to all of you for your contributions to these successes, whether they were large or small. Results like these can only be produced by a strong school community. The banner on this page showcases some of the highest-achieving students of this academic year, but all of our students deserve praise for what they have achieved.

Parking and One Way System Update at Cherngtalay Campus

Dear Parents, Thank you for your patience with the parking issues we have had this week. We are implementing a new one way system with all cars using the main entrance to enter the school and using the road next to the football pitch to exit the school. This one way system will allow for cars to park along the roads on the school property and should also improve the flow of traffic. The map attached has been updated to show the one way system and where cars can park. Road signage and curb painting on the school site will be updated in the coming weeks.

ECAs and Academies are scheduled to start soon and so we hope that the staggered pick-up time for students and the new one way system should help to make parking, pick-up and drop-off a more efficient and pleasant experience for all. Thank you for your patience and support as we implement these improvements. The HeadStart Management Team

Welcome to Primary 3rd Floor – Home to Years 4-6!

Over the summer holiday break, we applied the finishing touches to the facility upgrades and campus expansion at HeadStart Cherngtalay campus as we look to further improve the quality of our facilities to keep pace with our ever-expanding academic programmes.

The most significant change has seen the opening of the 3rd floor in our Foundation & Primary building to accommodate our move to three-form entry from Reception to Year 6. As a result, the ground floor will now be a dedicated space for our Foundation children (Preschool, Early Years and Reception), including the introduction of language classrooms, reducing the need to move around the campus for these daily lessons.

Our Year 1 students will move up to the 2nd Floor, joining their friends from Year 2 and Year 3. They will also have their own dedicated computing room. Finally, our Year 4-6 classrooms will be located on the 3rd floor, along with a further computing room and Primary language classrooms, which will again reduce travel time around the campus for our Primary students.

Meet the Team: New Secondary Principal – Ben Wakeford

We are delighted to introduce Mr Ben Wakeford as the new Secondary Principal of HeadStart International School, Phuket, across both our school campuses. We are excited for the journey ahead under his guidance as our Secondary department continues to develop and grow. We would like to take this opportunity to share a little bit about Ben and his family:

“I am excited to move into the role of Secondary Principal across both of our HeadStart campuses and I am looking forward to immersing myself even further in the community and school life. This is our family’s second year living in Phuket, and it has been a privilege to be part of such a welcoming and vibrant school. My wife, Lisa, is Year lead in Year 1 at the Chaofah campus and our two young daughters are thriving as part of our wonderful school community. Being part of HeadStart is truly a family experience for us, and we all feel very fortunate to now call it our home.

I grew up in Hampshire, in the UK, and my career has taken me to London, Gloucestershire, and the Middle East. I am passionate about lifelong learning and hold a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, as well as the National Professional Qualification in Headship. I believe strongly in using research-proven practice to continually improve teaching and learning, ensuring that every decision we make has the greatest possible impact on our students.

In my experience, effort is rewarded with success – it is not just talent that leads to achievement, but determination, perseverance, and the willingness to learn from mistakes. A belief aligned with HeadStart’s 9 Learner Attributes. By nurturing these qualities, we are not only preparing students for academic success but also equipping them to navigate an ever-changing world and to make positive change within it.

As an educator, I value the importance of creating strong, positive relationships and working collaboratively with students, staff, and parents. Education is a shared journey, and I believe that when we work together, we can create the best possible environment for our students to flourish. I am a PE teacher at heart and have always had a love of sport. I have played and coached football and cricket, and in recent years I have enjoyed training for triathlons. I am enjoying exploring the roads, trails, and waters of Phuket, and continuing to lead by example in living an active, healthy lifestyle.”

Wishing Ben and his family a great year ahead.

Meet the Team: New Director of Sport – Tim Cresswell

It is with great pleasure that we introduce Mr Tim Cresswell as the new Director of Sport at HeadStart International School, Phuket, across both our school campuses, along with his wife, Jenny (Year 5 Teacher at our Cherngtalay campus) and their two sons. We look forward to him fulfilling his vision for our PE, Sports and Academy programs as they continue to develop and grow. Here is Tim and his family’s story:

“I am delighted to be joining HeadStart International School in Phuket after spending the past 20 years in Hong Kong, where I worked in international schools and served as Director of Sport for 14 years. I relocate with my wife, Jenny, a Year 5 teacher, and our two young sons, aged six and eight. As a family, we love to stay active and are excited to explore everything Phuket has to offer. Having played a wide range of sports growing up—and football at college in the United States—I now enjoy cycling and water sports in my spare time.

Originally from Nottingham, England, I began my career as a football coach and scout in Australia, Hong Kong, and the United States before returning to education, where I felt I could make a broader and more lasting impact on students. I hold a Master’s degree in Sports Science, with a focus on how coaches and teachers can best support students from diverse cultural backgrounds—an area of particular importance to me and one that closely aligns with the values of HeadStart.

My educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that sport is a powerful vehicle for learning and personal growth, extending far beyond performance on the pitch, court, or field. As Director of Sport, my mission is to develop a program that not only strives for excellence in competition but also nurtures the holistic development of every student-athlete. I am passionate about mentoring young people, guiding them through the unique highs and lows of sport, and helping them create lifelong memories that will positively shape their futures. I look forward to using my 20+ years of experience in education and coaching to further enhance the sporting provision at HeadStart and contribute to a vibrant, supportive school community. Helping students become competent, confident, and knowledgeable movers who are equipped to lead active, healthy lives.”

Wishing Tim and his family a great year ahead.

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!

Share Your Child’s Success

At HeadStart, we are incredibly proud of the many and varied achievements of our students, from academic accomplishments to sporting success and creative endeavours. Whether taking part in one of our many extra-curricular activities or school programmes, or developing a lifelong passion outside school, our students frequently demonstrate that they are inspired by a love of learning. Each week, we have the opportunity to celebrate these successes as a community both at our Monday morning flag raising ceremony and through our various social media channels.

If your child has experienced success and you would like to share this with our wider community, please complete our Student Achievement Submission Form which can be accessed via the QR code below. We look forward to hearing from you!

First Friday Market of the School Year

We’re excited to announce the return of our beloved Friday Markets at HeadStart International School, Cherngtalay Campus. Our very first market of the year will take place on:

📅 Friday, 12th September

🕒 14:40 – 16:30

We warmly invite you to join us as a vendor! The Friday Market is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the school community and share products that support our values. As part of HeadStart’s commitment to sustainability and healthy living, all items sold must be eco-friendly and/or health-focused.

Friday Market Guidelines:

• Eco-friendly theme: Please avoid plastic and foam packaging.

• Healthy food only: No candy or junk food allowed.

• Table booking: First come, first served.

• Parent vendor rotation: Parents may book a stall every other market (unless filling a last-minute vacancy).

• Electricity: Let us know in advance if your stall requires power.

• Set-up time: From 2:20 pm

• Sales start: Parents & Foundation children – 2:40 pm; Students – 3:00 pm

• Market closes: 4:30 pm

• No-shows: Vendors who don’t attend without notice will not be allowed to book again (except to fill last-minute spots).

If you have any questions or would like to book a stall, please feel free to get in touch with Khun Newle in the admin office or email [email protected]. We’re looking forward to another vibrant market season and hope to see you there!

Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs) Parent meeting on 21.08.25

Thanks to the many parents, returning and new, who joined us for our first parent meeting of the school year. It was wonderful to see such a large turnout to find out about the amazing array of Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs) we have on offer, and how parents can use our Engage portal to book these for their children. Look out for announcements on our social media channels for booking periods and, should you have any questions or problems, feel free to get in touch with our ECA Team at [email protected]

Please find a copy of the presentation below 👇

HSN Parent Meeting 01 ECA and Parent Portal Meeting 21 August 2025

Homework in Primary Parent Meeting

We invite all Primary parents to join us for our latest parent meeting when our Primary Academic team will share important information about the online platforms used for homework for our Primary age students. It will also be a great opportunity to meet other parents and members of our community. Our Thai, Russian and Mandarin speaking admin teams will be on hand to provide translation services. We look forward to seeing you there! Thursday 28th August 2025 from 8:30-9:30am in the Secondary ILC.

Welcome to the HeadStart Football Academy

Meet our dedicated 2025-2026 Football Academy coaching team! Let’s hear from our football coach, Paul Rothwell:

“I’ve been in Thailand for 9 years, teaching and coaching school children throughout my time here. In 2019, I began my coaching journey with the FA of Thailand in Bangkok and completed my AFC C License last year. I studied Sport Science at university, participating in research with professional footballers and other athletes.

Football has been my passion since childhood, and I aim to inspire young players to develop a genuine love for the game. Now in my fifth year as a football coach at HeadStart, I’ve enjoyed watching the academy grow and seeing our players improve technically, physically, and mentally.

I’m committed to pushing my players to be their best, while ensuring every session is engaging, challenging, and enjoyable. Helping young athletes grow in skill and confidence is incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to support their development both on and off the pitch.”

Football Academy Kicks Off Next Week

Are you ready for an exciting year of Football Academy training sessions, competitive matches and the excitement of playing as a team and representing HeadStart International School? We couldn’t ask for a better team to make this happen. Head Coach Frost, Coach Rothwell and Coach Taee to challenge, inspire and push everyone along to higher levels of attainment. Let’s go HeadStart Football Panthers! Click on the link to read more about our HeadStart Football Academy.

📩 For inquiries about our football programmes, contact our Head Coach, Stef Frost: [email protected] or Coach Rothwell: [email protected]

Welcome to the HeadStart Aqua Panthers Swim Academy

Meet our dynamic 2025-2026 Swim Academy coaching team! Let’s hear from our new swim coach, Ella Ackermann:

“Hello, my name is Ella, and I’m from Virginia, USA. I’m thrilled to join HeadStart Cherngtalay as a swim coach this year!

I studied Health and Exercise Science at university, where I was part of the Swim Team and Triathlon Club. With a lifelong background in competitive swimming, I discovered my passion for coaching at 16. I’ve led a team of 150 swimmers, from beginners overcoming water fears to nationally ranked athletes earning university scholarships. I also have five years of experience giving private lessons to individuals aged two to seventy-five.

My goal is to help swimmers feel safe and confident in the water while reaching their potential. As a Certified Personal Trainer and Registered Yoga Teacher, I incorporate body awareness, flexibility, and strength into my coaching. I’m excited to bring my encouragement-focused philosophy to HeadStart’s swim team and be part of this positive environment!”

Dive Into Swim Academy Next Week

With the tryouts now complete, our Swim Academy training sessions begin next week. See below for the schedule 👇

Welcome to the HeadStart Basketball Academy

Meet our slam-dunking 2025-2026 Basketball Academy coaching team! Let’s hear from our new basketball coach, Musheleus Benson (aka Coach Lucy):

“Hi, my name is Musheleus Benson from Fort Worth, Texas. My love for basketball began at age 7 playing AAU, and I later played Division 1 basketball at Tarleton State University. I served as team captain for my final two years and earned defensive awards every year except my last, when I received the MVP award.

My coaching journey started as a freshman, leading basketball camps on campus, where I enjoyed mentoring players and watching them grow. After college, I returned to coach my alumni AAU team, working under my former head coach.

Defense is my passion, and I thrive on an aggressive, high-energy playstyle. This mindset taught me the importance of teamwork and supporting others on and off the court. At HeadStart, I aim to instill this mindset, encouraging players to trust and have confidence in their teammates, helping them develop both as athletes and individuals.”

Tip Off With Basketball Academy Next Week

With the tryouts now complete, our Basketball Academy training sessions begin next week. See below for the schedule 👇

Active Learning in Year 3 Maths

Year 3 have had a fantastic start to maths this term with an exciting ‘Active Maths’ lesson! We took our learning outside to the astro, where we used our bodies to make different 2D shapes before taking part in fun sporting challenges. From skip-counting with balls to arranging our teams into hundreds, tens and ones, the children combined movement with maths to bring their learning to life. The Year 3 Team

A Fun First Week in Year 4 Yellow

Year 4 Yellow have had a fantastic first week of the school year. From fun getting-to-know-you activities to diving into our Term 1 topics, our class has been busy exploring the layers of the ocean in Humanities and using Base 10s in maths to deepen their place value skills. It’s been wonderful to see our students working collaboratively and being courageous whilst working together and tackling new challenges with enthusiasm. What a brilliant start to the year, well done everyone! Mrs Cotterell – Year 4 Yellow Teacher

Crafting Ocean-inspired Pottery in Art VAPP and ECA

At the end of last school year, our Primary VAPP and ECA Art students created ocean-inspired clay pots. Over the summer break, the pieces were fired and glazed and they
are looking beautiful. Ms Leow – Art & DT Teacher