Weekly Update #38, 26 June 2026

A Message from our Headmaster

This has been another year of continued growth and excellence with our two campuses leading the way for education in Phuket. The community that continues to develop, welcoming new members from near and far, has been outstanding. The ‘HeadStart Family’ goes from strength to strength while maintaining the atmosphere and culture that have been the hallmark of our school for many years.

At Chaofah City campus, our English, Humanities and Business faculties have moved to our new, purpose-built Skypitch classrooms, allowing us to improve the quality of facilities and provision in our Maths and Science departments. In Cherngtalay, we have seen yet more expansion with the addition of a third class from Reception to Year 6, ensuring the continued growth of our Secondary school for years to come. Together, our burgeoning school community has enjoyed a plethora of events in a packed school calendar, with International Day and the 24 Hours to Make a Difference event standing out as a testament to the diverse cultures of our school and their generosity of spirit in contributing to the wider Phuket community.

Throughout the year, our sporting academies have excelled, with our footballers competing at the highest level in events both at home and away, including Bangkok and Koh Samui. In swimming, our Aqua Panthers Invitational proved highly successful, hosted again at the 50m Olympic pool at our Cherngtalay campus, and our swimmers brought home medals and personal bests while competing in Phuket and Bangkok. Our basketball academy continues to grow, with teams competing against opposition from across the island and our U13 Girls team winning HeadStart’s first-ever PISAC Basketball Championship trophy.

Our Performing Arts students continued to wow us with incredible performances in Little Shop of Horrors, Moana and our inaugural CAPA production at Cherngtalay—Alice: The Musical. Meanwhile, our Dance Academy students competed at both the ATOD and CSTD International Dance Competitions in Bangkok, and finished the year with a spectacular dance extravaganza. This year, the hard work, creativity, and dedication of the talented young artists from our Creative Arts programs across both campuses was celebrated in special exhibitions at the Phuket Cultural Centre and our Cherngtalay campus at the end of the school year.

At the time of writing, our Y11-13 students are diligently preparing for their IGCSE and A Level examinations, while our BTEC students are putting the finishing touches to their coursework. This year we enjoyed success in the Cambridge and Pearson Learner Awards, including a Top in the World award for IGCSE Foreign Language Mandarin and Top in Thailand for A Level Psychology. We also witnessed the continued growth and success of our increasingly popular World Scholar’s Cup program, with teams heading to The Tournament of Champions at Yale University (USA) and to the Global Round in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and one team securing an unprecedented 1st place overall in the Scholar’s Bowl. Truly exceptional achievements!

I look forward to continuing to work with you all moving forward, in what will continue to be an exciting time for many years to come as we continue expansion on both campuses. As we embark on a well-deserved summer break, let’s reflect on our achievements and return refreshed in August, ready to continue our journey of growth and success together.

Celebrating 5, 10 and 15 Years of Service at HeadStart

Together we proudly celebrate HeadStart’s Long Service Award honouring our dedicated employees within the Support Staff department who have served the school for 5, 10 and 15 years. This post is a tribute to the commitment, passion, and loyalty that have shaped HeadStart into the vibrant community it is today. Each milestone represents countless moments of hard work, collaboration, and care for our students, families, and colleagues. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our awardees for being the pillars of HeadStart’s success. Your service has left a lasting impact, inspiring all of us to strive for excellence and to continue building a school that feels like home.

Instrumental Lessons Registration

We are pleased to announce that registration for Private Instrumental Lessons for Term 1 of the 2026–2027 Academic Year is now open for students.

Please complete the relevant campus form below to indicate your preferences for the year ahead. We will endeavour to accommodate your requests and arrange a suitable lesson day and time. Once schedules have been finalised, we will contact you directly via email with your child’s lesson details.

• Deadline: If you would like your child to participate, please complete the registration form by 31st July 2026. Registrations submitted after this date will still be accepted; however, we cannot guarantee lesson availability or preferred scheduling.

• Availability: Places are limited and will be allocated based on availability.

• Scheduling: Please note that lessons cannot be scheduled until student timetables are confirmed in August for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.

• New Policy Note: From January 2026, students will no longer be taken from Thai Foreign Language lessons for instrumental classes during the school day.

If you have already submitted this form, there is no need to complete it again; your registration has been received. Please use the space provided in the form to include any specific requests regarding teachers or timings to help us make the best arrangements for your child.

Registration Form

Summer Camp 2026 – Exclusive Offer for HeadStart Families

Looking for a fun way to keep your children active and engaged this summer? Whether you need a few weeks between family holidays or a full summer programme, HeadStart Summer Camp 2026 offers a wide range of activities, specialist classes, and weekly trips.

Hosted at our Chaofah City Campus, the camp runs for six weeks with flexible booking options to suit your summer plans.

• Weeks 1–2 (Ages 3–11): A smaller camp with activities led by the HeadStart team.
• Weeks 3–6 (Ages 3–14): A larger camp with an expanded programme of activities and classes delivered by both HeadStart staff and specialist providers.
  Children aged 3 who attended school during the 2025–2026 academic year are welcome to join.

HeadStart pupils receive an exclusive 25% discount on Summer Camp 2026 fees.

Explore the full programme and book your place here. We look forward to welcoming your child this summer.

Summer Football Camps

Our Summer Football Camp offers an incredible opportunity for players to tap into their football potential, enhance their skills, and enjoy a fun-filled experience at HeadStart International School, all within a vibrant and energetic environment! The Football Camp starts at 09:00 (drop off after 08:30) and finishes at 14:00 with lunch provided! Players will be split into the appropriate groups, depending on their age and abilities. Expect high-quality coaching from UEFA Licensed coaches, lots of fun and medals to be won! To sign up, please contact [email protected]

Week 1:Located at HeadStart Chaofah City Campus. August 10th - 14th (5 Days). Age 6 to 13 years oldWeek 2: HeadStart Cherngtalay Campus. August 17th - 19th (3 Days). Age 6 to 11 years old

Summer Swim Camps @ HeadStart Cherngtalay Campus

Our Summer Swim Camps offer a fantastic opportunity for swimmers to keep up their training routine, develop their strokes, increase their stamina and enjoy a fun-filled experience at HeadStart International School, all within a vibrant and energetic environment! The Swim Camp starts at 09:00 (drop off after 08:30) and finishes at 12:00! Swimmers will be split into appropriate groups, depending on their age and abilities. Expect high-quality training and lots of fun! Check out the details in the poster below. To sign up, scan the QR code in the poster or contact [email protected] with any inquiries.

Summer Swimming Lessons

From 17-19th August, we will also be offering swimming lessons for beginner swimmers - 3 days of 30 or 45 minute sessions (depending on age) with our expert beginner swim coaches. See times in the poster and scan the code in the poster or contact [email protected] for further information.

Summer Basketball Camps @ Chaofah City Campus

Our Summer Basketball Camps offer an incredible opportunity for players to tap into their b’ball potential, enhance their skills, and enjoy a fun-filled experience at HeadStart International School, all within a vibrant and energetic environment! The Camp starts at 09:00 (drop off only after 08:30) and finishes at 14:00 with lunch provided! A shuttle bus service will be available for pre-registered Cherngtalay students.

Suitable for girls and boys in Year 3 to Year 12. Players will be split into the appropriate groups, depending on their age and abilities. Expect high-quality coaching, lots of fun and medals to be won! See the details in the poster below. To sign up, please contact [email protected].

Jai Singh - Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 9

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of Jai Ayden Singh, who is aspiring to pursue Hospitality and Business Management and has applied to both AIHM and Bangkok University.

Since joining HeadStart in April 2022, Jai studied BTEC Business and Travel & Tourism, and gained valuable work experience at Wyndham Grand Hotel Kalim. He managed a BTEC vending machine project, supported his father’s hotel business, and participated in beach clean-up activities. Friendly, adaptable, and eager to learn, we congratulate Jai and wish him every success.

Trirattanaporn Pittapan (Pan) - Enrolled at HeadStart since Year 5

We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of Trirattanaporn Pittapan (Pan), who has been a valued member of the HeadStart community since January 2018. Following graduation, Pan will be taking a gap year while working part-time, gaining valuable industry experience, developing her live performance portfolio, and exploring future opportunities in the growing field of Esports before progressing to higher education.

An accomplished CAPA student, Pan starred in The Wizard of Oz, Little Shop of Horrors, and Evita, performing at school and charitable events. Her creative BTEC Performing Arts work included a live set performance and a Bossa Nova interpretation of Hotel California. We congratulate Pan and wish her every success.

New Football Season, New Third Panthers Kit

Prepare yourself for the 2026/27 season with our stunning new Pink Third football shirt, designed to make a striking impression both on the pitch and beyond—this is your chance to stand out. Presenting the HeadStart Football Kits for the upcoming season!

The World Cup Comes to HeadStart Cherngtalay

Our students had the amazing opportunity to compete in mini HeadStart World Cup tournaments over the final few weeks of term. Eager players from Year 4 to Year 9 stepped up to represent different countries for their houses. Many went the extra mile by wearing vibrant face paints and flying flags to show their team spirit.

It was fantastic to see players of all different football experiences and skill levels working so brilliantly together. The teamwork on display was exceptional, with more experienced players supporting their teammates to ensure everyone was involved. Every match was contested nicely and respectfully, showing that true sportsmanship and positive collaboration were at the heart of the tournament.

A massive thank you to Mr Jones for organising the entire event, and to all the other teachers who helped make it run smoothly. A special shout-out also goes to the few brave teachers who laced up their boots and played alongside the students! Your support and participation made the matches even more memorable and fun for everyone involved. Mr Rothwell - PE Teacher

HeadStart Chess Grand Prix Finale

What a brilliant conclusion to our 2025/2026 chess season! Our final tournament welcomed an impressive 65 players from nine different schools across Phuket. It was fantastic to see students demonstrating excellent focus and strategic thinking, particularly our 16 Under-8 competitors who stepped up to the board with great confidence. The HeadStart team delivered strong performances, securing first-place finishes in the U8, U10, and U16 categories.

Individual tournament honours go to our amazing competitors: 1st place U16 was claimed by Poppy(who also took 2nd Best Girls), followed by 2nd U16Daniel, and 3rd U16Alex. In the U12 category,Ikkyusecured 2nd place andGeorgiytook 3rd. For our U10s,Remyachieved 1st place alongsideElianain 3rd. Finally, in the U8 division,Beatlesecured 1st place (and an incredible 12th overall!), withAlexander taking 3rd. A massive thank you to 50 Fly Trampoline Club for their continued sponsorship of these exceptional events.

This final tournament also marked the conclusion of our 10-event Grand Prix season, which saw 92 HeadStart students compete throughout the academic year. The Grand Prix rewards not just victories, but the vital skills of consistency, commitment, and regular participation. Congratulations to our Grand Prix Season Top 10 after a fiercely competitive year: taking 1st is Georgiy(121 pts), 2ndTigran(79 pts), and 3rdBogdan(70 pts). Rounding out our exceptional top ten are 4thRatmir(57 pts), 5thIkkyu(50 pts), 6thPoppy(48 pts), 7thAlex(40 pts), 8thLuka(36 pts), 9thNikolai(27 pts), and 10thYan (22 pts). Thank you for another fantastic year of chess!

Yellow Cheetahs Celebrate House Victory at the Cinema

Popcorn, friends, and movie magic made for the perfect celebration as our Yellow Cheetahs enjoyed a well-earned victory trip to SFX Cinema at Robinsons Phuket! To celebrate their incredible House Competition win, the entire group of students and teachers settled in together for a special screening of Toy Story 5. The celebrations didn’t stop at the movies, as our champions also enjoyed a delicious lunch across the mall. Years 1 & 2 treated themselves to a feast at The Pizza Company, while Years 3–6 headed over to enjoy a great meal at Sizzler. Meanwhile, our oldest champions in Years 7–9 celebrated in style at BonChon. A massive well done to our Yellow Cheetahs! Enjoy being this year’s reigning champions, and have a safe and wonderful summer break!

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony

Our Year 6 Graduation Ceremony was a truly special occasion and a wonderful way to celebrate the end of our pupils’ Primary journey. Families, staff, and students came together to reflect on the many memories made over the years – from exciting trips and performances to friendships, laughter, and countless moments of learning and growth. This Year 6 cohort is a group of children with incredible individual talents, but what makes them truly special is the unique energy they share and the strong bond that has united them throughout their time together.

The ceremony was made even more meaningful by the heartfelt speeches from their class teachers, Ms Hart, Mr Spencer and Ms Yates, whose words reflected the genuine care, pride, and admiration they have for their classes and the special relationships they have built. We were also treated to some outstanding speeches from the student representatives of each Year 6 class, who spoke with confidence, humour and genuine warmth as they reflected on their experiences, friendships and memories of Primary School. We were also treated to a rousing musical performance of “Unwritten” by the whole Year 6 cohort that perfectly captured the spirit of this energetic and joyful year group.

To our Year 6 graduates, congratulations! We wish you every success and happiness as you begin your next chapter. You will always be a part of the Primary family, and we cannot wait to see all that you achieve in the years ahead.

📸 Please find a full album of high quality photos of our Year 6 Graduation Ceremony here: Year 6 Graduation Ceremony 2026

A Fond Farewell and Happy Retirement to our Very Own Mr Lawler!

On Wednesday 24th June, the HeadStart Cherngtalay Foundation & Primary community came together for two very special assemblies to celebrate Mr Lawler as he prepares for his retirement.

Keeping the celebrations a closely guarded secret, Mr Lawler was good-naturedly lured away under the pretence of attending meetings, only to discover that hundreds of children and staff were waiting to celebrate him. Over the past few weeks, pupils had been secretly rehearsing songs, performances and spoken tributes, including a special tribute song rehearsed during secret music sessions in the Primary Hall. Our Deputy Teachers also prepared a dance performance, before inviting most of the Foundation and Primary staff onto the stage to join them.

The assemblies were filled with music, laughter, heartfelt messages and, for many, a few tears as children and colleagues thanked Mr Lawler for his dedication, kindness and leadership throughout his time at HeadStart. It was a fitting celebration of the positive impact he has had on our school community and an opportunity for everyone to show just how much he will be missed.

On behalf of the entire HeadStart Cherngtalay Foundation & Primary community, we thank Mr Lawler for everything he has contributed to our school and wish him a long, happy and well-deserved retirement. The Foundaiton & Primary Team

A Day of Learning, Creativity, and Celebration

The final day of term was packed with learning, creativity, and celebration as Secondary students enjoyed a memorable Activity Day filled with opportunities to explore new skills, collaborate with friends, and reflect on another successful academic year.

One of the highlights of the day was welcoming The Litter Hub, who delivered engaging sustainability workshops for our Year 7 and Year 8 students. Through hands-on activities and discussions, students explored different types of plastics, learned which materials can be recycled, and considered the importance of reducing waste through the principles of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The sessions encouraged students to think critically about the choices they make every day and how small actions can have a positive impact on the environment.

Meanwhile, our Year 9 students travelled to the HeadStart City campus for their own Activity Day, designed to support their transition into Year 10. The visit gave students an opportunity to become more familiar with the campus, learn about the next stage of their educational journey, and begin preparing for the exciting challenges and opportunities that await them in Key Stage 4.

Back at Cherngtalay, students enjoyed an incredible range of activities thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of our staff. Options included Pandan Leaf Craft, Bridge Building, Chinese Calligraphy, VEX Robotics, Jungle Book, Chess, Karaoke, Pencil Case Decorating, Pirate Games, Origami, Friendship Bracelet Making, Mindful Mandalas, Gardening, and Thank You Card Making. Whether developing problem-solving skills, expressing creativity, learning a new craft, or stepping outside their comfort zone, students embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and curiosity.

The afternoon concluded with a fiercely contested World Cup Football Tournament, where teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship were on full display. After a series of exciting matches, Croatia (Phoenix Boys) emerged as the boys’ champions, while Czech Republic (Cheetah Girls) lifted the trophy in the girls’ competition. Congratulations to all for their effort, determination, and support for one another throughout the tournament.

The celebrations continued with our Year 9 Leavers Assembly, a special occasion that gave students and staff the opportunity to reflect on a memorable year together. Through a collection of photographs and shared memories, we looked back on the friendships, achievements, and experiences that have shaped their time at Cherngtalay. We wish all of our Year 9 students every success as they begin the next chapter of their journey at HeadStart City.

We also took the opportunity to celebrate academic excellence, recognising our UK Mathematics Challenge award winners and presenting the Maths Puzzle of the Year Award to Leo, who completed more weekly maths puzzles than any other student this year. His commitment to embracing challenges and developing his problem-solving skills is a fantastic achievement.

Our final presentations recognised the outstanding efforts of students through our House Point Awards. A special mention must go to Lara and Leo, who each achieved an incredible 300 House Points this year. This remarkable accomplishment sets a new record at HeadStart School and earned them the prestigious Blue-Garnet Award and a special prize. Their achievement reflects a year of consistently demonstrating our learner attributes and making positive contributions to school life.

As another successful academic year comes to a close, we would like to thank our students, staff, and families for their support, enthusiasm, and commitment throughout the year. We wish everyone a wonderful, restful summer break and look forward to welcoming you back in August for another exciting year of learning and achievement.

HeadStart Students Shine

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

• Sonya (6 Yellow) won two gold medals for achieving the highest points in the 12+ years rhythmic gymnastics category (free hands and ball routines) at the Youyimei Rhythmic Gymnastics Youth Club competition in Shanghai.

• Annalisa (1 Blue) successfully passed her Foundation Classical Ballet examination with the Southern Federation of Dance.

• Milo (2 White)andEoin (2 White)achieved fantastic results at the Siam Sports tennis tournaments, withMilowinning Champion in the Under-6 division and Runner-up in the Under-8 division, andEoin winning Champion in the Under-8 division.

• Amelia (6 Yellow),Mailin (4 Yellow),Gina (3 White),Mia (1 White),Anna (1 White),Nicole (EY Yellow),Ada (Reception Yellow),Sophia (4 Yellow),Darina (1 Yellow),Kira (White), andKureha (2 White)achieved outstanding success at the KGA Cup gymnastics competitions:Ameliawon three gold medals (floor routine, vault, and bars) and a silver medal (beam);Mailinwon a gold medal (bars), two silver medals (beam and vault), and a bronze medal (floor routine);Ginawon four gold medals;Miawon one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal;Annawon a gold medal in the free hands routine and a silver medal in the ball routine;Nicolewon gold and bronze medals;Ada,Sophia,Darina, andKiraeach took home silver medals; andKureha delivered a wonderful performance.

• 47 Primary EAL Learners successfully completed our English as an Additional Language programme, reaching a fantastic milestone!