Weekly Update #11, 7 November 2025

The CAPA Senior Show is Here! Little Shop of Horrors Tickets: BUY NOW!

The moment you’ve been waiting for is here! Tickets are NOW ON SALE for the CAPA Senior show of Little Shop of Horrors! Witness the iconic Broadway musical brought to life by our CAPA HeadStars, HeadStart Dance Company A, Production Band, and Chorus. Experience the tale of desperation, consumerism, and unexpected consequences—all set to a fantastic, catchy soundtrack!

Join us for this witty Broadway smash-hit, a perfect blend of dark comedy and satire.

• Dates: Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th November 2025

• Time: 6:00 PM

• Location: Chaofah City Campus, HeadStart International School PhuketTICKETS ARE AVAILABLE NOW! Purchase your tickets to secure your spot for this critically acclaimed musical:

• Book tickets for Little Shop of Horrors (Cast B) Wednesday 26th November 2025

• Book tickets for Little Shop of Horrors (Cast A) Thursday 27th November 2025

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

Changes to our English Language Communications

Please note that for our English language parent communications we will be moving away from using the LINE App. Over the next month, we will be transferring over to a dedicated WhatsApp Channel. We will use this channel for notifications and reminders of upcoming events as well as important news. We will continue to post updates to our English language LINE App during this time (closing on 30 November). This transfer is already underway – scan the relevant QR code below or visit our display boards at school.

The reasons for this change are:

📢 Messaging Power

• All media types are supported: text, photos, videos, voice notes, polls, links, documents.

🔔 Notifications & Visibility

• Parents can turn on alerts if they want instant notifications, but by default updates don’t overwhelm.

📂 Organization & History

• Messages stay in a chronological, permanent feed, easy for parents to revisit.

• Parents can scroll back through the full channel history to catch anything they missed.

🌍 Ease of Use

• Parents simply click “Follow” and they’re in.

• Parents can share the channel link/QR easily, so adding new members/followers is easy.

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 10th December from 13:30-16:00. The CAPA department already have 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.

Anti-Bullying Week & Odd Socks Day 2025

Next week, we will be recognising Anti-Bullying Week 2025, with the important theme of ‘Power for Good’. This theme reminds us all — children and adults alike — how our voices and actions can make a positive difference in standing up against unkind behaviour and helping others feel safe and valued.

Monday 10th November is Odd Socks Day, a fun way to celebrate our differences and remind everyone that being unique is something to be proud of! All children are encouraged to wear odd socks to school to show that everyone is special in their own way.

Throughout the week, Primary students will take part in activities in their homeroom classes exploring kindness, empathy, and respect. They will learn practical ways to use their “power for good” by supporting others and speaking up when they see something that isn’t right. There will also be whole school activities designed to unite us in our shared commitment to creating a positive, respectful school community.

This is such an important topic to discuss with children, helping them understand that even small acts of kindness and courage can make a big difference.

Dress for Sunshine! Casual Clothes Day

On Thursday 13th November, we invite all students to ‘Dress for Sunshine’ as part of our Phuket Sunshine Village Term 1 Fundraiser. In return for a minimum donation of 50 baht, students are welcome to come to school wearing vibrant colours and sunshiney clothes to brighten the day and demonstrate their generosity of spirit to raise money for the children at PSV. While Hawaiian shirts and colourful shorts and skirts are encouraged, students should do not wear inappropriate beachwear – no bikinis please! We look forward to seeing everyone dressed to impress and bring the sunshine to HeadStart!

Come & See Me Swim

We are delighted to invite our Foundation parents to our “Come and See Me Swim” sessions, which will take place from Monday, 10th November to Friday, 14th November. This is a wonderful, informal opportunity to come and observe how we support your children during their regular swimming lessons and see their growing confidence in the water. Find the schedule in the poster below 👇

Next Toddler Playgroup Session

Parents with children aged 1-4 years are invited to join our free Toddler Playgroup at our HeadStart Cherngtalay campus on Wednesday, 12th November from 9:00 to 10:00am. Designed for toddlers, this session is guided by our qualified team and offers a range of play-based activities, including sensory stations, hands-on crafts, story time, and songs to develop motor skills and curiosity. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect and experience our school community. Please scan the QR code in the poster to register your interest.

Friday Market

Get ready for our next Friday Market! Come along to the atrium on 14th November from 2.30-4.30pm to browse a fantastic selection of items from local vendors. Whether you are looking for delicious baked goods, unique souvenirs, or after-school treats for the kids, there will be plenty to explore.

Aqua Panthers Invitational (API) 2025 – Volunteers Needed!

Over the weekend of Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November, our Cherngtalay campus will host its second ever major swimming event – the Aqua Panthers Invitational (API) – which will see swimmers of different ages from across Phuket, Thailand 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]

Parent meeting: End of Term 1 Assessments, Revision, Reports, and Grades

Thank you to the many Primary parents who attended our session about the End of Term 1 assessments and subsequent report cards. The presentation provided a clear overview of the assessment process, covering the format of the upcoming exams and explaining how student progress will be formally reported. The session clarified how we combine continuous assessment with summative results to provide parents with a comprehensive picture of development.

Primary Term 1 – Assessments and Reporting

Phonics Workshop for Primary Parents

We warmly invite all Year 1 and 2 parents to a Phonics Workshop on Thursday, 13th November 2025, from 8:30 to 9:30am in the Secondary ILC. This session will provide a clear overview of our phonics programme, explaining how we teach your child the essential skills of reading and writing. You will also learn simple, practical ways to support your child’s learning journey at home.

Our Community Spirit Shines: PSV Appeal Week 3

The incredible generosity of our HeadStart community continues to shine as we end the third week of our Phuket Sunshine Village (PSV) appeal. This week, we extend a heartfelt thank you to AnAn, Oscar, and their family, as well as to Liam and his family, for their generous donations. We are also delighted to recognise the collective efforts of Year 2 White and Year 5 White for their fantastic contributions.

This support is vital and directly helps provide essential items, from school lunches to educational books, for the 100+ children at PSV. We continue to welcome donations at our Admin Office. Meanwhile, our Primary classes are busy with their sponsored activities, and our Secondary students are finalising preparations for the Kindness Fair on Friday 14th November.

Maintenance & Gardener Teams

Our Maintenance and Gardener teams play a vital role in keeping both our campuses safe, welcoming, and environmentally friendly. Their daily work ensures that all facilities, learning areas, pathways, and play areas are well-maintained and free from hazards. Our gardeners carefully tend to our school’s trees and gardens, creating a lush and natural environment that promotes learning and well-being. By using sustainable practices such as efficient watering systems and eco-friendly landscaping, they help preserve the school’s commitment to being green. Together, their dedication ensures that both our HeadStart campuses remain safe and secure and at the same time in harmony with nature.

Loy Krathong at HeadStart Cherngtalay

On 5th November, HeadStart Cherngtalay celebrated Loy Krathong, embracing this cherished Thai tradition with pride and happiness. Our Foundation celebrations included a captivating Thai dance performance by the Thai Dance Club, “The Beautiful Moon Shine,” featuring Vanessa (Y1), Lilibet (Y2), and Sophia (Y2), while other students impressed everyone with confident Thai language presentations like “I Am a Cloud” and “The Elephant.” The morning concluded with students and parents joyfully floating their Krathongs in our playground, creating lasting memories while celebrating the spirit of unity and gratitude.

📸 You can download a gallery of pictures here: Foundation Loy Krathong 2025 Picture Gallery

Across the school, students also enjoyed hands-on experiences creating their own Krathongs during Thai lessons. In Primary, Thai parents were warmly invited to join their children for this special activity, sharing meaningful time together while fostering creativity, cultural appreciation, and pride in Thai heritage.

📸 You can download a gallery of pictures here: Loy Krathong 2025 Picture Gallery

AquaPanthers @ ISB Swimfest

Good luck to all our AquaPanthers swimmers heading up to Bangkok for the ISB Swimfest this weekend!

Primary House Penalty Shootout

Congratulations to the Red Phoenixes, the winners of last week’s exciting Primary House Activity! The event was a thrilling penalty shootout that brought a fantastic level of energy and friendly competition to our Primary students. Students from all Houses lined up to take their shots, aiming to score valuable points for their teams. The atmosphere was filled with cheers as everyone had a great time participating in the challenge. Well done to the Red Phoenixes for their impressive win!

Secondary Speedball and Capture The Flag

On Friday 30th October, our excitable Secondary students showed their competitive spirit in a sports-themed House Activity. Year 7 played Speedball in the Sports Hall while Years 8 & 9 played Capture The Flag on the Astro. Speedball is a fast paced invasion game that features two teams working hard to attack a variety of goals within the game that requires students to be alert at all times. Capture The Flag is a game that involves strategy and teamwork, with the objective to bring the captured flag back to your own side without getting tagged. All students showed resilience and collaboration to win points for their House, with strong leadership from our House Captains. Overall, the Green Dragons were victorious in Speedball and the Yellow Cheetahs were came out on top in Capture The Flag.

Green Dragons Hold the Lead in the Term 1 House Competition!

With just a few weeks left of the Term 1 House competition, the Green Dragons are currently perched in top spot in the race for the Term 1 prize! Hot on their heels, however, are the Red Phoenixes in second place. The Yellow Cheetahs (3rd) and Blue Tigers (4th) are still battling hard, proving that this competition is a marathon, not a sprint. With the standings still tight, now is the time for all students to up their game and maximise their House point scoring to reach the goal — the end of term House Prize!

From ‘Wood’ to ‘Forest’: A Year 1 Mandarin Literacy Journey

Year 1 Mandarin First Language students recently embarked on a joyful literacy journey themed around ‘trees’. The lesson focused on how Mandarin characters grow naturally in meaning. Students explored the logic of how one tree (木) becomes ‘woods’ (林), and three trees make a ‘forest’ (森). This discovery process, turning abstract literacy into an active and visual experience, sparked clear moments of understanding as children used cards to build the characters themselves.

This foundational learning was reinforced through hands-on, independent activities. Students completed a puzzle for the character ‘tree’ (树) and then blended writing with art to create colourful artworks for ‘leaf’ (叶), using real leaves for decoration. The lesson successfully combined language, art, and imagination, demonstrating an effective, multi-sensory approach to literacy and character recognition.

A Day to Remember: Our Visit to the Elephant Sanctuary

This week’s visit to the Elephant Sanctuary was such a special experience for the children. When we arrived, the children showed such care and curiosity as they offered bananas to the elephants, noticing how gently they reached out with their trunks. We then made our way along the canopy walkway, where we watched the elephants roaming, splashing, and playing freely in the jungle below. It was a calm and peaceful moment, giving the children time to simply watch, wonder, and talk about what they could see. A day filled with adventure, learning, laughter, and plenty of memories we’ll cherish! The Reception Team

Old MacDonald Had A Lesson

Old McDonald came to visit Early Years Yellow! We had our very own farm in the classroom, and everyone joined in singing Old McDonald Had a Farm together. The children were so excited to meet him and loved listening to our core story Rosie’s Walk read by Old McDonald himself! What a wonderful and fun morning on the farm! Miss Una – Early Years Yellow Teacher

Science Week – Making Complex Principles Visual and Exciting!

Our Primary students attended a fantastic science assembly on Friday, translating complex theories into memorable, hands-on demonstrations. The session provided a brilliant visual exploration of key scientific principles. Students were captivated as they learned about Bernoulli’s principle. Using just a fan and toilet paper, they observed how airflow affects pressure, a core concept in understanding aerodynamics. The assembly also featured a fun demonstration with dry ice, where a bubble was used to trap and illustrate the properties of carbon dioxide.

Science Week – Egg Drop Challenge!

Year 1 had an ‘egg-cellent’ time during Science Week, starting with the theme ‘I wonder…?’. Tasked with helping Humpty Dumpty stay safe from his big fall, students used their ‘inquisitive’ and ‘creative’ learner attributes to design protective solutions using recycled materials. They worked together beautifully on their designs before the exciting test: dropping their secured eggs from the school bridge to eagerly see the results. It was ‘smashing’ fun!

Secondary Science Week Ignites Student Curiosity

Framing the Unknown – The Art of Asking Questions in Science

This year’s Science Week centred on the theme “Framing the Unknown: The Art of Asking Questions in Science.” Through the connected prompts “Wonder Why, Wonder What, Wonder When,” students were encouraged to explore the power of curiosity and the importance of questioning in scientific thinking.

The week was a vibrant celebration of inquiry, creativity, and hands-on exploration, inviting students to look beyond what is known and engage with the ideas, puzzles, and mysteries that drive scientific discovery. By posing meaningful questions and investigating them through a wide range of activities and challenges, learners across the school have experienced first-hand how science advances: not through answers alone, but through the questions bold enough to be asked.

Science Week was closely aligned with our learner attributes, and students embodied them throughout the week. They were inquisitive, asking thoughtful questions, contributing to the Wonder Why Wall, and engaging fully in experiments and competitions. They showed courage, stepping outside their comfort zones to try new activities and ask bold scientific questions. Students were also resilient, demonstrating persistence through trial-and-error in engineering tasks and continuing to refine their ideas. And they were collaborative, working effectively in teams, supporting one another during practical challenges, and strengthening the connection between primary and secondary learners through shared teaching and learning experiences. The Science Faculty

📸 You can download a gallery of pictures here: Science Week 2025 Picture Gallery

Getting to the ‘Heart’ of the Matter in Science Week

It is Science Week, and our theme this year is “I wonder…”, where we are encouraging students to think about how we frame questions in Science and what makes a good question “good”. As one part of Science Week at HeadStart Cherngtalay, Secondary students were able to investigate how the human body works by studying the heart. Dr. Marsh gave a brief introduction to the structure of the heart and a demonstration of proper dissection technique.

Students then needed to work in small groups to compare the structure of a mammalian heart (using a pig heart which is very similar in size and structure to a human heart) with a much smaller bird heart (from a chicken). The challenge was not just to dissect the heart correctly but to do so in a systematic way to enable investigation of the structures and function of the organ, and to be able to consider how blood moves through it.

Electrifying Physics: A Hair-Raising Science Week Experience

Another Science Week session used the Van de Graaff generator. Students learned the principles of static charge and how electrons are transferred, before observing these forces in action. Volunteers safely placed their hands on the generator’s sphere to experience the ‘hair-raising’ effects of electrostatic repulsion. This provided a clear and memorable link between scientific theory and a tangible outcome.

Celebrating Our Student Champions!

We are thrilled to share a fantastic roundup of recent student accomplishments! It’s been an incredible few weeks, with Primary and Secondary students bringing home an amazing 16 awards from external competitions. The variety is truly inspiring, with top spots earned in everything from golf, judo, and tennis to equestrian, Spartan races, cross-country, chess, and even international mental arithmetic.

These achievements, many at national and international levels, are a powerful testament to our students’ dedication, hard work, and passion. We are incredibly proud of their commitment to pursuing these passions outside the classroom. A huge congratulations to every single student and their supportive families for these outstanding results!