Weekly Update #19, 23 January 2025

Recogniging HeadStart’s Dedication and Commitment to Outstanding Education in Phuket

HeadStart extends warmest congratulations to our management team, teachers, and educational staff who received the “Honourable Recognition Award” from the Phuket Governor, Mr Nirat Pongsitthaworn, in celebration of the 70th National Teachers’ Day 2025, organised by the Ministry of Education and the Teachers’ Council of Thailand.

The award ceremony was held on 16 January 2026 at Rajabhat University Phuket, and recognised educators from across Phuket for their outstanding dedication, professionalism, and the positive impact they continue to make on students and school communities over the past three years of service.

We are truly proud of our team and deeply appreciate the unwavering commitment they have shown to our students and our school community.

Monthly Coffee Morning with the Headmaster

We are pleased to invite parents to a regular coffee and chat event with our Headmaster, Adam Drew. Taking place on the last Tuesday of every month, this is a dedicated time to say hello, ask questions, and get to know our leadership team better in a relaxed setting. The first of these will take place next Tuesday, 27th January from 08:15 at Nakita’s. We look forward to seeing you there.

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!

Half-Term Sports Camps

Over the February half-term holiday, our three sports academies are offering 3 days of training to help keep your child fit and healthy, continuing to improve their skills and develop friendships through their chosen sport. All camps will take place from Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th February at our Cherngtalay campus. Contact our Head Coaches or scan the QR code in the poster below.

Calling All Vendors – Lunar New Year Market

We are pleased to announce that our next market will take place on Friday 6th February from 2.40pm. The theme for this market will be ‘Lunar New Year’ – we are interested in home-cooked food and refreshments with a new year theme and handmade crafts that celebrate this important festival. If you are interested in becoming a vendor at this exciting community event, please contact Khun Newle at [email protected]

Calling All Academy Athletes – 24 Hours to Make a Difference @ Chaofah City Campus

It’s that time again when we rally all of our Academy Athletes, Coaches, and Parents together in order to raise much-needed funds for our chosen charity 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, 27th February to 20.00 on Saturday, 28th February 2026 at Chaofah City Campus.

Our AquaPanthers Swim Academy students will lead off the event, swimming through the night from 20:00 on Friday to 08:00 on Saturday morning. At 08:00, our Panthers Football Academy players will take over, with matches taking place throughout Saturday until 20:00. Panthers Basketball Academy players will then join in the fun from 14:00 until 20:00 on both courts. For the final 3 hours (17:00 – 20:00), our Academy players will be joined by specially invited teams, including parents, staff and local children’s teams for some fun games to see out the event.

• Swim Academy Students: 20:00 on Friday 27th – 08:00 on Saturday 28th February

• Football Academy Students: 08:00 – 20:00 on Saturday 28th February

• Basketball Academy Students: 14:00 – 20:00 on Saturday 28th February

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. There will also be refreshments for sale courtesy of our BTEC Business students, with all proceeds going to the ‘24 Hours to Make a Difference’ funds. This event will take place between the lower Astro-pitch and 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.

Nominated Foundation for 2026

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

• Life Home Project

All funds raised will be donated to this worthy local foundation which does important work with vulnerable young children and families here in Phuket.

Join Us for Our Next Toddler Playgroup

We invite parents with children aged 1-4 years to join our next free Toddler Playgroup session at HeadStart Cherngtalay. This session will take place on Wednesday, 28th January from 9:00 to 10:00am.

Guided by our qualified team, the playgroup offers a range of engaging activities, including sensory stations, hands-on crafts, story time, and songs designed to develop motor skills and curiosity. It 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.

Kanthaya Kongsawad (Peemai) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Early Years

We are delighted to celebrate Kanthaya’s university successes and to share that she has received offers to study Economics-related degree programmes at the University of York, the University of Brighton, the University of Leicester, Royal Holloway, University of London, and Lancaster University. Enrolled at HeadStart since 1 September 2011, Kanthaya has demonstrated long-term commitment, academic focus, and a clear ambition to pursue a future in economics and finance.

Kanthaya’s academic interests are reflected in her Extended Project Qualification, which examined the impact of a cashless society on money perception and impulse buying, highlighting her curiosity about financial behaviour. She has also completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award, combining service, skills, and physical activity through teaching jazz dance, developing advanced dance techniques, and committing to football training. Alongside her academic profile, Kanthaya has enjoyed nine years of competitive dance and six years representing the school in football, achieving success through dedication and discipline.

A respected leader within the school community, Kanthaya has served as a prefect for three consecutive years, contributed as a student council member, and taken on leadership roles within Sunny Side Up and the Interact Rotary Club, supporting charitable initiatives across the local community. Her practical experience assisting with financial records in her family business further strengthened her understanding of economics. We congratulate Kanthaya on her outstanding offers and wish her every success as she progresses towards a future career in the economic and financial sector.

Oleg Gordzievskii – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 1

We are pleased to share that Oleg has received university offers to pursue business studies in Thailand. He has been offered a place to study Business Global Management at the Asian Institute of Hospitality Management, as well as a place on the Bachelor of Business Administration at Bangkok University, accompanied by a 25% scholarship.

During his time at HeadStart International School Phuket, Oleg has developed a strong interest in business through his BTEC studies, where he has taken part in practical activities such as selling products, communicating with customers and designing brands, helping him gain an understanding of how businesses operate in real-world contexts.

Alongside his academic studies, Oleg is a committed member of the HeadStart Football Academy and also plays football regularly outside of school, demonstrating teamwork and dedication. He has further broadened his understanding of business through short work experience placements in the real estate and yachting sectors.

Congratulations to Oleg on securing these excellent offers and a scholarship. We wish him every success as he moves on to the next stage of his academic and professional journey.

Panthers Compete at Inaugral U9 Soccer 7s

The Cherngtalay Panthers U9 Boys represented our academy with pride at the BISP Soccer 7’s tournament. Competing against strong opposition, the team demonstrated outstanding effort and resilience across the two-day event.

Their performance improved significantly throughout the tournament. The squad responded superbly to tactical challenges, showing a great commitment to learning and supporting one another on the pitch. While many individuals excelled, the most impressive takeaway was the team’s collective growth in communication and confidence.

This experience marks an important milestone in their footballing journey. Congratulations to the players for their fantastic sportsmanship, and a huge thank you to the parents for their ongoing encouragement and support. Coach Rothwell – Football Coach

📸 An album of photos can be found here.

Good Luck @ the FOBISIA Championships!

Good luck to our Cherngtalay AquaPanthers swimmers taking part in the FOBISIA Championships at Thanyapura this weekend. Remember that passion, friendship and enjoyment are the keys to creating great memories! We look forward to great support from our fans joining us for all the action this weekend. Go AquaPanthers!

Record-Breaking Turnout for January Chess Tournament

We are thrilled to report a new attendance record of 44 players at our latest tournament. It was especially inspiring to see our chess community growing, with 17 enthusiastic students competing in the Under 8 and Under 10 categories. The focus and sportsmanship on display were outstanding.

🏆 Overall Top 3 (7.0 points): Georgiy (6 Blue), Alex (9 Yellow), Ikkyu (7 White). ♕ Best Girls: Poppy (9 White), Sofiia (3 White), Rio (5 Yellow). 🌟 Best U-8: Raphael (2 Blue), Misha (2 Yellow), Beatle (2 White).

High Energy on the Court: House Basketball

The courts were alive with energy last week as the Red Phoenixes, Yellow Cheetahs, Green Dragons, and Blue Tigers faced off in the House basketball competition. It was fantastic to see students from all Houses playing with such enthusiasm and positive spirit. Regardless of the scores, the teamwork on display was the real victory. Keep pushing for those House points!

Foundation Students Meet the Local Police

Our Foundation students had a thrilling visit from the local police force this week. It was a fantastic opportunity for the children to meet the officers in a friendly, relaxed setting and ask them questions about their daily work. The highlight for many was the chance to sit inside the police car and see the equipment up close. Alongside the excitement, the officers shared some simple but important safety messages to help keep our students safe.

Phonics and Rhythm in Early Years Blue

Early Years Blue have shown great enthusiasm during their morning phonics sessions using the Little Wandle programme. This week, the children confidently utilised sound cards to showcase their growing knowledge as they were introduced to the new sound ‘b’. Alongside this literacy focus, the group enjoyed exploring rhymes and using a range of musical instruments to perform their rhyme of the week, ‘Jack and Jill’. By singing and keeping the beat together, the children are strengthening their early listening skills and confidence in an engaging environment that perfectly demonstrates the benefits of learning through play.

HeadStart Students Shine

We are delighted to congratulate our students on their significant achievements in recent music and sports competitions, representing HeadStart with pride on both local and international stages!

• Lev (2 Blue) secured the Bronze medal at the Philippines International Judo competition, awarded by the President of the Navotas Judo Club.

• Jasmine (5 White) was awarded the Gold Prize in Piano, Age Group B, at the Brahms International Online Music Competition, in recognition of outstanding artistry and dedication to musical excellence.

• Tiger (6 White) achieved 1st Runner Up in the Singha Krungthai Junior Golf Ranking 2025-2026 at Ratchaprapha Dam Golf Course, Suratthani.

• Raphael (2 Blue) took 1st place in the U-8 Division of the HeadStart International School Chess Tournament.

Superheroes and Demon Hunters at Flying Lizard

Join Salli for two action-packed ‘Play in a Day’ adventures! Hosted at the Flying Lizard – a vibrant, kid-friendly cafe worth a visit – these workshops allow children aged 5-15 to immerse themselves in ‘Superheroes & Magic’ (Tuesday, 17th February) or the dark fantasy of ‘Demon Hunters’ (Thursday, 19th February). Each day covers acting, movement, and character creation, wrapping up with a performance for parents. It is a wonderful opportunity for kids to get creative while you enjoy the cafe’s great food and drinks.

For more information please check out the Flying Lizard website: events.flylizard.com