Weekly Update #33, 22 May 2026

Join Us for the Upcoming Book Fair in the Atrium

From epic adventures to fascinating facts, exploring a wide variety of books is a brilliant way for students to build their vocabulary and discover new ideas. We invite all families to join the literary treasure hunt at our upcoming Book Fair in the Atrium from 25 to 27 May. Organised in collaboration with Book53, the event features a vibrant selection of high-quality titles tailored for all age groups. While students are highly encouraged to browse the displays and explore new genres, please note that children must have parental permission to make final selections and should not ask vendors to set books aside. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us build strong home libraries across our HeadStart community.

Foundation Carnival Stay & Play

Partner with your child to explore a year’s worth of EYFS progress at our final, ‘Carnival’ themed Foundation Stay & Play. Join us on Tuesday 26 May from 8:30am to 9:30am in the ILC at our Cherngtalay Campus for this end-of-year event. This concluding session invites parents to engage with their children in fun fair-inspired activities designed to showcase the progress made across the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. It is also one last chance to wish our Reception students well as they journey to Year 1.

Reception Graduation Ceremony 2026

We are thrilled to invite all of our Reception students and parents to a special celebration honoring all that our wonderful children have learned in Foundation! Join us as we celebrate their achievements and their exciting journey ahead in Primary school.

📅 Date: Wednesday 10 June 2026

🕒 Time: 08:45 – 09:45

📍 Location: Foundation & Primary Indoor Learning Centre

Let’s come together to applaud our little ones and their amazing progress. We look forward to sharing this joyful moment with you!

Sports Awards Ceremony 2026

On Monday 15th June from 16:00 – 18:00, our HeadStart Cherngtalay Academy students – football, swimming and basketball – will come together to celebrate the fantastic array of sporting successes of our teams and individuals this academic year. This will be followed by a FREE Community BBQ out on the Astro. Parents of all Academy students will receive an email and booking instructions for this event. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Digital Well-being Mandarin-speaking Parent Workshop Overview

Thank you to all the parents who attended our Digital Well-being Workshop on 19 May. Navigating the modern digital landscape requires awareness, and this session provided essential guidance on supporting students across domestic and international online platforms. We discussed assessing online risks, specifically focusing on content, contact, conduct, and commerce, before examining hidden dangers such as cyberbullying and generative AI. To help manage these challenges at home, parents were equipped with a practical toolkit featuring strategies for establishing clear family technology agreements.

A copy of the presentation can be found below 👇

Digital Well being Parent Workshop 2026 Mandarin Version

Year 6 to Year 7 Transition Meeting

Preparing for the jump to Secondary school is a significant milestone for our Year 6 students. To ensure a smooth and supported transition, we invite parents of all Year 6 students to an essential orientation meeting on Thursday 28 May from 8:30am to 9:30am in the Secondary ILC. This session will provide key insights into the Secondary curriculum, daily routines, and the growing independence expected of our students as they enter Year 7. Join us to discover how we prepare our learners for this exciting next step in their academic journey.

Chutikarn Doowa (Nanki) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 4

We are proud to celebrate Chutikarn Doowa (Nanki), who has secured offers from top Liberal Arts and Sciences programs at the University of Amsterdam and Utrecht University.

Nanki’s intellectual curiosity is evident in her EPQ on future-focused education systems and being shortlisted for CERN’s prestigious Beamline for Schools competition. An active community leader, she has served as Senior Prefect of Welfare, directed the 24-hour Run Against Human Trafficking, and managed school stage productions since Year 9. Her dedication also extends to the football academy and local environmental initiatives.

Aspiring to a career in educational research, Nanki’s interdisciplinary skills make her an ideal fit for her upcoming global studies. Congratulations on these exceptional achievements, Nanki!

Petr Drobotenko – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 10

We are delighted to celebrate Petr, who has secured offers to study AI and Computer Science at IE University (accepted) and the University of Navarra in Spain. Since joining HeadStart in 2022, Petr has explored AI’s impact through his EPQ and a TEDxYouth talk on the future of education.

Petr’s well-rounded profile includes leadership as Senior Eco Prefect and MUN General Secretary, alongside marine internships and creating a custom AI chatbot. An analytical thinker and award-winning student, Petr aims to implement AI solutions in his home country’s education system. Congratulations, Petr!

Yanakorn Thanangpol (Focus) – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 8

We are pleased to celebrate the achievements of Yanakorn Thanangpol (Focus), who has secured offers to study Business and Commerce in Australia at the University of Western Australia and Curtin University. During his time at HeadStart, Focus has demonstrated strong academic discipline in Mathematics, Economics, and Business, alongside a growing interest in entrepreneurship and market adaptation. Through both his studies and independent learning, he has developed sharp analytical and critical thinking skills.

Beyond the classroom, Focus gained valuable real-world experience at Townhouse Cafe, mastering business operations, finance, and customer service. This experience strengthened his communication, teamwork, and time management. A hardworking and adaptable student with ambitions to manage his own business, Focus is well-positioned for the opportunities ahead. We congratulate him on these achievements and wish him every success in Australia!

Johanna Holmqvist – Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 10

We celebrate Johanna Holmqvist as she graduates from HeadStart. Johanna has distinguished herself as a creative, compassionate member of the school community, demonstrating leadership across academic and extracurricular activities. Johanna’s passion was reflected through TEDx, CAPA productions, Eco Club, and volunteering to teach English. Alongside studies, she pursued climbing, scuba diving, Jiu Jitsu, and UKMT Maths, whilst gaining experience in real estate. Her contribution was recognised through a Student of the Month award.

Johanna will be taking a gap year to work in Bangkok and travel throughout Sweden before aspiring to study Fine Art. We congratulate Johanna on all she has achieved and wish her success as she begins this new chapter.

Meet the Cast of Alice: The Musical

Capturing the larger-than-life personalities of Wonderland is no small feat, but our young actors demonstrated wonderful creativity, rising to the challenge brilliantly. Following the amazing success of our first major Cherngtalay Campus production, Alice The Musical, we are thrilled to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the individual performers who brought this whimsical world to life.

Whether it was embodying Alice’s sharp, inquisitive spirit, channeling the Mad Hatter’s eccentric energy, bringing the enigmatic Caterpillar to life, or executing challenging synchronised ensemble routines, every performance reflected months of rigorous discipline and creative collaboration.

A massive thank you to everyone who poured their heart into this production!

Inspiring Lifelong Readers at Home

A genuine love of reading is one of the strongest predictors of a student’s long-term success, yet recent data indicates a steady decline in reading for pleasure among young people. To counter this trend, the latest parent guide outlines practical strategies to inspire young readers at home, building habits that directly strengthen their academic progress. Whether your child is developing core literacy in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) or developing the critical analysis skills required for their IGCSE examinations, making reading a shared activity builds a strong foundation for learning.

The guide highlights several accessible approaches to try at home. Instead of sticking only to traditional novels, try introducing magazines, comics, or non-fiction articles. This shows children that reading takes many different forms and helps them discover their personal interests. Talking about the story also builds vital comprehension skills. You might ask what they think a character will do next, or even read the same book together so you can share your thoughts. Simple habits, such as finding audiobooks for the school run or setting aside time to read as a family, quickly improve a student’s focus and vocabulary. Crucially, letting them see you read regularly sends a strong message that reading is a normal and valued part of everyday life.

One of the most effective ways to encourage reading is by allowing children the autonomy to choose their own books. The upcoming HeadStart Book Fair provides the perfect opportunity to put these strategies into action. Come along to browse the shelves together, chat about the books that catch their eye, and let them pick out their next great adventure.

Panthers U11 Boys Impress with High Press Against BISP

The HeadStart Panthers U11 Boys were in action this week, taking on the BISP FOBISIA U11 Boys. The Panthers have been training hard over the past few weeks, and this hard work was clearly evident out on the pitch.

The BISP team struggled to cope with the intensity of our aggressive high press, allowing us to win the ball back high up the pitch and create a number of excellent attacking opportunities, which led to several well-earned goals. In addition to pressing high, the boys also switched the play effectively on several occasions, helping us create further chances and add to our goal tally.

It was a fantastic all-round performance from the HeadStart Panthers, and we hope the team will carry this momentum into the HeadStart U11 Boys Football Festival, which will be held at the Choafah Campus on Saturday 6th June. The boys will face strong opposition from Choafah City Campus, UWC, and KIS. Both the players and coaches are excited for the challenge ahead. Coach Paul – Football Coach

Cultural Integration and Etiquette in Practice

Embracing the rich traditions of our host country, the “Smile, Wai, and Say Hello” project instils respect, kindness, and cultural awareness from the moment students arrive at HeadStart. Each morning at the school entrance, both Thai and international students participate in this shared routine, practising traditional Thai greetings. This active participation fosters a practical understanding of Thai customs through the respectful gesture of the wai.

This cultural appreciation continues directly into the classroom. In Thai language lessons, students begin each session by greeting one another, establishing positive relationships, demonstrating good manners, and creating a welcoming learning environment. During these lessons, students are explicitly taught the correct etiquette and physical steps required to perform the wai accurately. By embedding this practice into daily school life, students actively develop confidence, demonstrate respect, and build a strong, inclusive community. Kru Dia – Thai Director

Exploring Thai Heritage Through Culinary Arts in Year 7

Exploring a country’s culinary heritage offers a highly engaging pathway into its language and culture. As part of their Thai-Foreign Language curriculum, Year 7 students recently stepped into the kitchen to prepare Mango Sticky Rice, one of Thailand’s most iconic – and tasty! – desserts. Guided by Kru Amy, the students combined practical cooking techniques with their ongoing cultural studies, learning how to properly balance the rich flavours of coconut milk with fresh mango and perfectly cooked sticky rice. The activity concluded with a formal presentation of their dishes to guest judges. Thank you to Kru Dia and Ms Amelle for evaluating the students’ impressive culinary efforts! Kru Amy – Head of Thai

Science Learners of the Month Awards

Cheers and applause filled the Primary assembly as we recognised the innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow during our Science Learner of the Month awards. Encouraging an early passion for scientific inquiry helps students build the resilience, analytical skills, and critical thinking needed for future challenges.

One student from every class was recognised for their outstanding investigative mindset and genuine enthusiasm for exploration. During the ceremony, each child received a certificate alongside a personalised slide showing five special words from their teacher, highlighting the unique qualities that make them such fantastic young scientists. We are incredibly proud of all our winners!

HeadStart Students Shine

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

• Matthew (6 White) won 1st place in the Go-kart competition at Central Patong.

• Liza (4 Blue)andSofiia (5 Blue) achieved top results at the ATOD competitions, with Liza winning Gold in Ballet, and Sofiia taking Gold and Silver across Ballet and Gymnastics.

• Liam (4 Blue) achieved an outstanding score of 98/100 in the DELF PRIM A2 French certification by France Education International.

• Sherlynn (1 Blue) received an Honorable Mention in the Children Freestyle (C) Solo (7 & Under) at the 13th CSTD Thailand Dance Grand Prix 2026.

• Jolie (8 Blue) competed at the Horseshoe Point Poly Qualifier #6, winning 2nd place in the 80/90cm jumping and 5th place out of 42 in the 70cm jumping.

• Daniil (3 White),Vladik (4 Yellow),Sophia (2 Yellow),Selina (7 Blue),Eloise (7 Blue),Bridget (7 Yellow),Aya (2 Blue),Lilibet (2 Blue),Jessica (5 Yellow),Katie (5 Yellow),Lochy (4 Blue),Finian (6 White),Eoin (2 White), andAmelia (6 Yellow) represented the school exceptionally at the PISAC 2026 Swim Championships! Daniil took home 4 Golds; Eloise won Gold; Vladik won 1 Gold and 1 Silver; Jessica won 1 Gold and 2 Silvers; Lochy won 1 Gold, 3 Silvers, and 1 Bronze; Katie won 2 Silvers and 1 Bronze; Bridget won Silver and Bronze; Selina won Bronze; Sophia, Aya, and Lilibet each earned 2 Silvers; Finian placed 4th in the 200m freestyle and 7th in the 100m backstroke; Eoin placed 8th in the 50m; and Amelia secured 6th place in the 50m LC Backstroke and 7th place in the 100m LC Backstroke.

Edgoing International Educational Programmes

Edgoing is offering a series of international academic and cultural immersion programmes in Singapore and Shanghai for students aged 7 to 18. Scheduled for July and October 2026, these courses are designed to develop practical skills in areas such as STEM, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Leadership, and Wealth Management.

The short-term camps feature partnerships with leading institutions, including the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU), alongside a dedicated Mandarin immersion experience in Shanghai. For full details regarding specific age brackets, dates, itineraries, and registration, please review the attached posters or contact the programme organisers directly via [email protected], or visit www.edgoing.com.