Weekly Update #20, 30 January 2025

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, 4th February 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.

Community & Crafts: Friday Market Lunar New Year Special

Transforming our atrium into a hub of celebration, next Friday’s market rings in the Lunar New Year with a showcase of festive tradition. Expect a vibrant lineup of stalls featuring traditional Chinese cuisine, handmade crafts, and seasonal home goods created by our parents and local vendors. It is a wonderful opportunity to support our community creators while enjoying the sights and flavors of the holiday, so please join us on Friday 6th February to browse, eat, and celebrate the lunar new year together.

Term 2 Mandarin Language Day

There’s still time to register your family to a vibrant Mandarin Language Day event on Saturday, 7th February, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at HeadStart Cherngtalay Campus!

Event Highlights:

• Spring Festival craft activities
• Spring Festival riddle guessing
• Spring Festival Temple Fair

We kindly invite you to fill out this form so we can arrange the relevant activities for you. Thank you for your cooperation and support!

Lunar New Year Stay & Play

We invite parents of our Foundation stage children to join us for a special Lunar New Year Stay & Play. Celebrate the Year of the Snake together with your little ones on Thursday 12th February 2026, from 8:30 to 09:30 in our Foundation classrooms and Indoor Learning Centre.

Sports Days 2026

The PE Department and all our students are excitedly preparing for this year’s Sports Days! We are looking forward to what will no doubt be an enjoyable few days, with students working hard to develop their skills across all athletics events. We look forward to seeing many of you cheering on our students during these fantastic events.

Upcoming Parent Workshops and Information Sessions

We invite parents to join us for a series of informative sessions throughout February and March. These sessions and workshops are designed to provide practical support and guidance on key aspects of your child’s development and future planning. Topics include an E-Safety guide and maths workshop for Primary parents, phonics for parents of Foundation children and an introduction to pastoral care in Secondary. Please check the specific dates, topics and locations in the graphic below to ensure you do not miss these valuable opportunities to engage with the school’s academic and pastoral programmes. Next week’s meeting will take place in the Primary Hall (3rd Floor).

Diana Zakharova – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 10

We are delighted to celebrate Diana’s university successes and to share that she has received offers to study BSc Equine Business Management at Nottingham Trent University, Anglia Ruskin University, Hartpury University, and the Royal Agricultural University. Enrolled at HeadStart since August 2022, Diana has demonstrated consistent commitment, resilience, and a clear passion for the equestrian sector.

Academically, Diana was recognised as Student of the Month for PE in February 2025, reflecting her dedication and positive attitude. Beyond the classroom, she has built an impressive profile through a wide range of extracurricular and super-curricular activities. Diana has taken part in two 24-hour swimming charity relays, performed in school dance productions, and actively pursued horse riding across show jumping and beginner-level dressage, competing both externally and in-house, achieving two first-place finishes and three clear rounds. Her practical experience is further strengthened by three weeks of volunteering at stables during the winter break, where she supported younger riders, assisted with daily operations, and developed hands-on skills, alongside two weeks of work experience at the end of Year 11. Diana’s commitment to service and leadership is also evident through her extensive volunteering, including four consecutive summers as a counsellor at a children’s summer camp, where she worked patiently and confidently with young people. She has completed the practical component of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award, demonstrating perseverance and a willingness to challenge herself.

Looking ahead, Diana aspires to own and run her own equestrian business, with ambitions spanning stables, horse breeding, and equestrian equipment. We congratulate Diana on her well-earned university offers and wish her every success as she takes the next step towards a future in equine business and management.

Niklas Buskies – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 3

We are delighted to share that Niklas has received an offer to study Business Global Management at AIHM Bangkok, supported by a highly competitive 50% scholarship, reflecting his ambition, determination and strong commitment to his future goals.

During his time at HeadStart International School, Niklas has combined his academic studies with an impressive range of supercurricular and extracurricular activities. As a member of the HeadStart Football Academy, his dedication and positive attitude were recognised early on when he was awarded Student of the Month in his first week of school. Alongside his studies, including Business BTEC, Niklas has consistently demonstrated a clear entrepreneurial mindset and a growing interest in business and leadership.

Beyond the classroom, Niklas maintains a busy and balanced profile, combining football training with Muay Thai, SAT preparation, and meaningful community involvement through Sunny Side Up, where he has supported less-privileged students developing their English skills. His willingness to help others highlights his empathy, maturity and strong sense of social responsibility.

Congratulations to Niklas on this excellent offer and scholarship. We wish him every success as he prepares to take this exciting next step towards his future ambitions.

Play & Picnic Brings our Community to Life

The HeadStart Play & Picnic transformed our school grounds into a vibrant hub of connection as families and community members gathered for a joyful morning of play, connection, and shared experiences beyond the classroom.

The real magic wasn’t just the magic show — it was the feeling in the air. Under the beautiful Phuket sun, parents and children worked together to set up picnic spaces while students moved seamlessly between games, inviting friends and siblings to join in the fun with laughter trailing behind them. The spirit of togetherness reached its peak during the magic show, where the entire crowd sat side-by-side as a single, captivated audience.

In that moment, the school grounds truly felt like an extended family home, filled with a strong sense of belonging and community. Phoenix’s mum shared that this was one of the best events the school has ever hosted, saying “Our family truly enjoyed every moment of it.” And one young student summed up the morning perfectly, declaring, “I love playing games with my Mummy and Daddy.”

Throughout the event, students demonstrated what it means to be community-minded — welcoming friends, including siblings and parents in games, and sharing space, food, and laughter with others. Our first-ever Play & Picnic was a huge success, reminding us that learning and belonging grow strongest when families and community come together. We would like to thank each and every family who came to join us, your support is our success and we look forward to next year’s event with you all!

📸 A full gallery of pictures can be downloaded here: Play & Picnic 2026

Aqua Panthers Secure Top 10 Finish at FOBISIA Championships

The Aqua Panthers delivered an outstanding performance at the FOBISIA Division 2 Championships at Thanyapura last weekend. Competing against 25 teams and 565 swimmers from across Asia—including Japan, Malaysia, and China—our small but mighty squad of 22 athletes from across both campuses showed incredible focus and resilience. We are thrilled to announce that HeadStart finished 9th overall, a remarkable achievement for our first appearance at this prestigious meet.

Individual successes shone brightly, with Pavel (8 White Chaofah City) securing a tie for 2nd place High Point in the 12-year-old category and Charlie (12 White Chaofah City) taking 3rd overall in the competitive 16 & Over age group. Beyond the medals, the weekend was defined by personal bests and the courage to race against the region’s elite. We extend our gratitude to the parents and families whose support from the stands drove our swimmers to these new heights. Go Aqua Panthers! Coach Brown – Head Swim Coach

Year 3 Combine Art and Language in French House Project

Our Year 3 students recently applied their French vocabulary in a creative project, drawing and describing their houses using terms for shapes and colours. This hands-on activity encouraged students to be both creative and inquisitive as they explored new vocabulary to accurately depict their homes. By integrating art with language learning, the children reinforced their skills in a practical and memorable way, building confidence in their spoken and written French.

Tiny Hands, Big Discoveries – Toddler Playgroup

The energy at our latest Toddler Playgroup was fantastic! The children jumped right into the activities, having a great time exploring the sensory tables and playing alongside their friends. It was wonderful to see everyone feeling so comfortable and confident in our Foundation space. These mornings are a great opportunity for families to connect while the little ones have fun, learn to socialize, and enjoy our safe, play-focused environment. We are already looking forward to seeing everyone again next time!

A Planetarium Adventure for Year 5!

Year 5 students embarked on an exciting out-of-the-classroom learning adventure at the Berda Claude Planetarium, where they explored the wonders of Earth and space. From the comfort of the impressive Cosmos Theatre, students were immersed in a dynamic and interactive presentation that brought scientific concepts to life. Throughout the experience, students demonstrated curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm as they engaged with the educational content and deepened their understanding of our planet and the wider universe. This memorable excursion provided a valuable opportunity to extend classroom learning in a unique and inspiring environment, making it a truly fantastic day of discovery beyond the school walls. The Year 5 Team

Koh Lanta 2026: Year 7 Build Connections Across Campuses

Our recent Year 7 residential to Koh Lanta was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved as 101 students from our two campuses came together for three days of adventure, teamwork, and personal growth. The programme was packed with exciting activities, including snorkelling, long-tail boat rides, mangrove walking, and kayaking through the mangroves. Students also enjoyed a relaxing and fun-filled morning at the pool and beach, giving them time to unwind, connect with friends, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

What stood out most throughout the trip was the students themselves. They were a credit to their families, their teachers, and the school, demonstrating outstanding behaviour, maturity, and responsibility at all times. In particular, students truly embodied our learner attribute for the month – collaboration, working together, supporting one another, and building positive relationships across campuses with confidence and respect. Trips like this are more than just adventures; they are powerful opportunities for students to grow socially, emotionally, and personally. We are incredibly proud of every student who attended and the way they represented our school community.

📸 A full gallery of pictures can be downloaded here: Year 7 Residential 2026

Mangroves, Memories, and Teamwork: Year 8’s Phang Nga Adventure

Our Year 8 students from both campuses recently embarked on an unforgettable journey through Phang Nga Bay, where the spirit of collaboration was at the heart of every discovery. From building clay mangrove models to exploring the Twin Caves and visiting James Bond Island, students worked together to uncover the secrets of Thailand’s vital ecosystems. Whether they were investigating the chemistry of limestone or learning about sustainable living from the Moken people, their shared curiosity and mutual support turned every experience into a collective adventure.

The trip culminated in a high-energy talent show that truly showcased the power of teamwork. Students joined forces for everything from interactive quizzes about their learning to hilarious wheelbarrow races and musical duets, proving that the strongest memories are made when working together. By the time they checked out—leaving their rooms spotless as a final team effort—it was clear that this residential was as much about building bonds as it was about exploring the environment. Well done, Year 8!

📸 An album of pictures can be downloaded here: Year 8 Residential 2026

From Bamboo Rafts to Elephant Care: Year 9’s Collaborative Northern Adventure

Our Year 9 students recently returned from an incredible residential trip to Chiang Mai, where the spirit of teamwork shone through every activity! From the serene heights of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to the hands-on conservation work at the Chang Elephant Care Centre, students worked side-by-side, supporting one another and demonstrating deep respect for Thailand’s rich culture. Whether they were navigating the lakeside on bicycles or participating in traditional Tai Lue music and dance, their ability to work as a unified team made every experience more meaningful.

The journey continued with a focus on teamwork and shared responsibility as the group trekked through the Mae Wang forest and navigated bamboo rafts. These challenges, along with the climb up the “Sticky Waterfalls,” required constant communication and mutual encouragement. By engaging thoughtfully with local Karen communities and collaborating on creative projects at the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park, Year 9 demonstrated remarkable maturity. They return home not just with new knowledge, but with stronger bonds and a true understanding of what it means to succeed together!

📸 A full album of photos can be found here: Year 9 Residential Chiang Mai

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!

• Moumou (4 Yellow) 2025 Beijing Street Dance League – Super Heshenghui Stop: Free Style U8 Girls Division Champion, Freestyle 2v2 – Open Age Division Fourth Place, and Freestyle U16 Girls Division – Fourth Place, awarded by the Beijing Municipal Sports Federation.

• Callen (5 Yellow) FOBISIA Swimming competition: 3rd U14 Freestyle Relay, 50m freestyle finalist – 6th place, and 50m butterfly heat winner.

• Rafael (6 White) 2nd Place U11-12 Taekwondo at the Danan Taekwondo – Wiengsa Games 2026.

• Lidiya (2 Yellow) 3rd Place Trampoline at the 8th TTG Games 2025 – Trampoline Gymnastics.

• Jasmine (5 White) Champion at the 2025 World Children and Youth Piano Competition, awarded by the World Youth Talent Education Association.