Weekly Update #26, 20 March 2026

Last Day of All Term 2 ECAs and Academies – Friday 27th March

Please be informed that all Term 2 ECAs (HeadStart ECAs, Fee Paid Programmes, CAPA & Academies) finish on Friday 27th March. From Monday 30th March until the end of term, school will end at 15:20 for all students. Please refer to our ECA calendar or visit the ECA page of our website for more information.

A Commitment to Zero Waste and Community Support

At HeadStart, we are proud to ensure that no food goes to waste across our campuses. Through our ongoing partnership with the Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) foundation, our Food Service Committee coordinates the redistribution of good-quality, surplus meals to vulnerable communities around the island, including private and government care facilities such as foster homes.

This initiative allows us to promote sustainability while actively supporting those in need. To achieve our zero-waste goals, our daily food management includes:

• Donating safe, surplus food directly to the SOS foundation for redistribution.

• Partnering with local farmers to collect our lunch food scraps.

• Repurposing these scraps as animal feed at farms across Phuket.

Set Sail for Motunui: Tickets for Moana Still Available

The heartbeat of Motunui is getting louder on the Chaofah Campus! Our CAPA Junior performers have been working tirelessly, and after months of rehearsals, the production is looking—and sounding—absolutely magical. There are now less than three weeks until we take to the stage.

As of today, Friday 6th March, the wait is over! While our cast families have already begun securing their spots, tickets are now officially available to our school community. Whether you have a student in the show or just want to witness an evening of incredible talent and courage, we warmly invite you to join us.

• Performance Dates: Wednesday 25th March & Thursday 26th March
• Time: 5:00 PM
• Doors open: 4:40 PM
• Location: Chaofah City Campus
• How to Book: Moana Ticket Booking Form

Secure your seats today to ensure you don’t miss this story of discovery and heart.

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 next session will take place Tuesday, 31st March from 08:15 at Nakita’s. We look forward to seeing you there.

Save the Date! Songkran Festival 2026

Join us for a joyous Songkran celebration! Come together for a vibrant celebration of Thai culture at our Annual Songkran Festival on Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd April, 2026!

Let’s embrace this beautiful tradition as a community, create unforgettable memories, and enjoy the festivities. Don’t forget to wear your flowery shirts, mark your calendars, and get ready for an amazing time!

Find more details in the poster below:

Songkran Market

To bring to an end another busy and highly successful school term at our Cherngtalay campus, we will hold a special Songkran Market. This is your opportunity to try some traditional Thai food and drinks, as well as pick up locally crafted products. See you at the Secondary Lawn (next to the Astro) from 14:40 on Thursday 2nd April.

Songkran Sports Camps

Over the Songkran holiday break, 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. Swim camp at our Cherngtalay campuswill take place on Friday 3rd, Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th April. The Football and Basketball camps will take place from Monday 6th to Wednesday 8th Aprilat our Chaofah City campus. Transport to and from City campus will be provided dependent on demand. Contact our Head Coaches or scan the relevant QR code in the posters below.

Secondary Pastoral and Student Support System Parent Meeting

We invite all parents to join us for an informative meeting focused on our Secondary Pastoral & Student Support System. Taking place on Thursday 26 March from 08:30 to 09:30 in the Secondary ILC, this session will provide a clear overview of how we guide and care for your child’s wellbeing. This is a valuable opportunity to connect with our staff and discover practical ways to support your child’s personal and educational development both at home and at school. We look forward to welcoming you.

Navigating the Digital World: The Pros and Cons of Roblox

As our students increasingly engage with digital platforms like Roblox, ensuring their online wellbeing remains a top priority for our school community. Unlike traditional video games, Roblox is a vast universe of millions of user-created “experiences,” which brings unique opportunities for creativity but also specific risks. Because content is often self-rated by creators and moderation is largely automated, students may inadvertently encounter mature themes or inappropriate interactions. By understanding these dynamics, we can help our students navigate this popular platform safely and responsibly.

Tackling these digital challenges requires a collaborative approach between home and school. We encourage parents to be proactive by utilizing Roblox’s parental controls to limit communication features and manage in-game spending on “Robux.” It is equally important to keep the lines of communication open; having regular, non-judgemental chats about their gaming experiences—or even playing together—can help you stay informed about who they are talking to and what they are seeing. Setting clear boundaries around screen time can also help prevent the risk of addiction and ensure that gaming doesn’t interfere with sleep or schoolwork.

We understand that keeping up with the latest digital trends can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone in this journey. To provide further support, we have attached a comprehensive guide from National Online Safety this week, offering practical tips on managing chat settings, identifying risks, and fostering open dialogue with your child. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s online safety or would like guidance on implementing these safeguards, please feel free to reach out to our Deputy Head of Primary (Pastoral) Ms Turner-King ([email protected]). We are always here to support you and your family.

Chatchaya Udomkiratak (Baikao) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 9

We are delighted to share that Baikao has received an outstanding range of university offers to study Medicinal Chemistry and related scientific fields. These include offers from the University of York, the University of East Anglia, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Bath and the University of Manchester, alongside offers from medical programmes including CICM Medical School and the joint SWU – University of Nottingham programme in Thailand. These offers reflect Baikao’s exceptional academic ability and her strong commitment to scientific research since joining HeadStart International School Phuket in August 2021.

During her time at HeadStart, Baikao has demonstrated a deep passion for science, particularly chemistry. She recently completed an Extended Project Qualification exploring the question “To what extent can liposomes enhance cancer treatment?”, highlighting her interest in pharmaceutical and medical chemistry. Her research achievements include presenting and publishing a study at the 63rd Kasetsart University Annual Conference on innovative approaches to understanding mitosis, as well as receiving a Gold Medal at the Srinakharinwirot University Research Conference (2025). She has also been recognised with a Gold Medal in the Scientific Thinking Challenge and awards in the UKMT Mathematics Challenges.

Beyond the classroom, Baikao has contributed actively to school and community life through her involvement in the Student Council, the Interact Project and the Sunny Side Up leadership team. She has also participated in a CERN collaboration project, delivered science talks and gained valuable experience through medical shadowing at Navamin 9 Hospital and Siriroj Hospital, alongside laboratory assistance work. Congratulations to Baikao on this impressive set of offers, and we wish her every success as she prepares for the next stage of her academic journey in medicine and research.

Oskar Theander – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 2

We are proud to share that Oskar has received an excellent range of university offers to study Sports Management and Sports Science in the UK. These include offers from the University of Portsmouth, the University of Brighton, Liverpool John Moores University, Leeds Beckett University and the University of Kent. These offers reflect Oskar’s long-standing passion for sport and recognise the dedication he has shown both academically and through his involvement in school athletics during his time at HeadStart International School Phuket, where he has been a student since August 2014.

Throughout his time at HeadStart, Oskar has distinguished himself through his outstanding sporting achievements. He was recognised as Overall Sportsperson of the Year in 2024 and has been a key member of the school’s Football Academy for many years. His commitment and performance have earned him numerous football honours, including Player of the Year, two Coaches’ Awards and two Most Improved Player awards. In addition, Oskar has taken part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme and was recognised with a Student of the Month award, highlighting both his determination and positive attitude towards school life.

Beyond the classroom, Oskar has demonstrated strong leadership and community spirit. As captain of the school football team for several years, he has shown excellent leadership and teamwork. He has also volunteered with the Sunny Side Up project, helping to teach English to underprivileged children in Thailand, and participated in beach clean initiatives. Oskar further broadened his experience through work experience at the Pullman Hotel, where he gained insight into the hospitality and service industry. Congratulations to Oskar on this impressive set of offers. We wish him every success as he prepares to begin the next stage of his academic journey in sport.

International Day 2026!

International Day was a wonderful success, showcasing the vibrant cultures of the many nationalities that make up our school. This strong sense of community was immediately felt as families explored the wide variety of traditional dishes generously shared at the parent-led cultural tents. The celebration then continued on stage, where students and community members confidently delivered traditional performances, offering everyone a chance to learn more about the diverse backgrounds represented at HeadStart.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the afternoon. The hard work of the parents who coordinated the food tents, the students who rehearsed their routines, and the staff who managed the event is highly appreciated. It is exactly this teamwork that allows us to host such engaging events, providing a supportive environment for our students to celebrate their heritage and build global awareness.

📸 A full album of photos can be found here: International Day 2026

Strategic Success: Record Turnout at Our March Chess Tournament

Our latest chess tournament was a resounding success, setting a new milestone with a record 52 players competing. It was incredibly rewarding to witness such high levels of energy, focus, and sportsmanship across all boards. We saw a particularly strong turnout from our younger students, with 15 players in the Under 8 category and 8 in the Under 10 group bringing fantastic enthusiasm to the event. The U-8 section provided some of the most thrilling moments of the day, culminating in a tense tie-break to decide the winner after a fiercely contested race.

Congratulations to all participants for their resilience and fighting spirit. A special well done to our top performers:

• Overall Top 3: Georgiy (6 Blue Chaofah City), Ikkyu (7 White Chaofah City), and Tigran (9 Blue Cherngtalay).

• Best Girls: Poppy (9 White Chaofah City), Sofiia (3 White Chaofah City), and Eliana (4 Yellow Cherngtalay).

• Best U-8: Beatle (2 White Chaofah City), Alexander (2 Blue Chaofah City), and Raphael (2 Blue Cherngtalay).

• Best U-10: Remy (3 Yellow Chaofah City), Sofiia (3 White Chaofah City), and Eliana (4 Yellow Cherngtalay).

Congratulations to all participants for their sportsmanship, focus, and fighting spirit. We’re proud to see the tournament growing — not just in numbers, but in passion and quality of play! And we are already looking forward to the next competition on Saturday 25 April!

Kicking Off with Confidence

Taekwondo is a high-energy martial art that keeps students active while having a great time. Our ECA provides a fantastic outlet for physical fitness, teaching foundational kicks, blocks, and movement with a strong emphasis on safety and proper technique. In this secure and engaging setting, students build their coordination, balance, and stamina while making new friends on the mat, proving that staying fit can be incredibly fun.

Learning Through Play in Year 5 and 6 Mandarin

Our Year 5 and 6 Mandarin First Language students have been learning through play this week by designing their own Chinese character UNO cards. Creating the cards requires students to accurately write and review the language, offering a practical way to reinforce their stroke order and vocabulary retention. Playing the game together then provides the perfect opportunity to make memorising these complex characters fun, interactive, and highly memorable, combining rigorous academic practice with collaborative learning. Mr Tian – Mandarin Teacher

Reception Learn About the Every Day Lives of Important People at Niran Farm

This term, Reception has been learning about important people in our community, such as bus drivers, vets, and farmers, and why their roles are so important in our everyday lives. Through this, the children have developed a better understanding of how these community workers help and support us. This learning led to our exciting and meaningful trip to Niran Farm!

Reception White had a fun-filled trip to Niran Farm! The children loved meeting lots of different horses and learning about where they come from, what their homes look like, and how old they are. As they walked around the stables, they also saw different workers who help care for the horses, such as a vet and a farrier. The children were very respectful and open-minded throughout the experience, showing great curiosity and enthusiasm. They also demonstrated kindness and care towards the animals, gently interacting and understanding how to treat them safely. We enjoyed saying hello to a friendly horse named Mocha, and the children were very excited to visit goats, Eloise and Elvis. To end our fantastic trip, everyone had great fun taking part in a “hobby horse” game, full of laughter and smiles! Miss Courtney – Reception White Teacher

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!

• Roman(4 Yellow) secured a “Heat Winner” ribbon for winning his Breaststroke race.

• Lochy(4 Blue) achieved 1st in 50m Backstroke, 2nd in 100m Breaststroke, 3rd in 50m & 100m Freestyle, and 4th in 50m Butterfly & 50m Breaststroke at the BISP Invitational Swim Meet, earning Top Scoring Male Swimmer from HeadStart Cherngtalay with 62 points.

• Selina(7 Blue) placed 4th in 200m Breaststroke and 5th in 200m IM at the BISP Invitational Swim Meet, earning Top Scoring Female Swimmer from HeadStart Cherngtalay with 44 points.

• Eloise(7 Blue) placed 5th in both the 200m and 400m Freestyle at the BISP Invitational Swim Meet.

• Rafael(6 White) was awarded Outstanding Athlete at the GP 1st Taekwondo Open 2026.

• Shanjin(8 Blue) achieved a Gold certificate in the UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge 2026, an impressive feat as this challenge is usually aimed at Year 9 to 11 students.

• Skye(2 Yellow),Sophia(2 Yellow),Ian(5 Yellow),Jessy(5 Yellow),Max(8 Blue), andLara(8 Blue) emerged as Winners in their respective categories for the Thai Culture competitions.

• Leon(2 White),Talay(2 White),Areeya(2 White),Zai-Taung(2 White),Arjun(5 White),Chawin(5 Yellow),Anpun(5 Blue),Jolie(6 White),DylanandFreya(9 Blue) proudly participated and represented their levels wonderfully in the Thai Culture competitions.

Sign Up for Phuket’s Premier Running Event

We are delighted to share an opportunity for members of the HeadStart community to join one of Phuket’s most popular international running events – the Phuket Laguna Marathon. Organised by one of our very own HeadStart families, this year’s event promises to be a wonderful celebration of community and fitness with options for all the family. Taking place over the weekend of 13-14 June 2026, there are shorter distance races for young runners and those new to the sport, while the main event will take place in Sunday 14 June. Scan the QR code in the poster and use the the code to get a special 10% discount on the registration available to all HeadStart families.

March Dining Events at ETNA and CLC

This month, ETNA and CLC invite you to celebrate the harmony of culinary heritage and fine dining, woven together by the lakeside breeze of Boat Avenue.

• Throughout March: ‘Georgian Month’ at ETNA. Explore the legacy of the mountains with traditional dishes like Khachapuri, paired with ancient amber wines from Shumi Winery.

• 21 March: Château Angélus Dinner at CLC (11,700 THB). Beginning at 7:00 PM, this exclusive 5-course dinner features iconic vintage pairings guided personally by the estate’s Export Director.

For all enquiries and reservations, please contact the venues directly at 062 620 6591,+7 999 968 5471, or via Telegram@misha_waka.

A Night of Theatre for HeadStart Families: “The See Saw Tree”

HeadStart families are warmly invited to enjoy “The See Saw Tree,” a beloved environmental play brought to life in a special co-production by Theatrix Thailand and The Litter Club. Running at Junkyard Theatre (next to IKEA) from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on April 30, as well as May 1, 3, 7, 8, and 10, this inspiring production blends storytelling, music, and live theatre. It is a fantastic opportunity for our community to enjoy an evening out while exploring important themes of environmental responsibility. Tickets are 500 THB for students and 650 THB for adults, with a 10% discount for groups of ten or more. For details or to book, please visit www.thelitterclub.org/events or contact Joel (0936 490 066) or Josh (0966 396 252).