Community Links

Life beyond the Classroom

Being part of the HeadStart community goes far beyond the learning within the classrooms. Making a difference and educating our students to become responsible global citizens is not only embedded in our curriculum but is demonstrated in the caring attitudes of our teachers, students and parents. Twice a year we choose one project to support: in term 1 we focus on a local charity that is focused on helping people and in term 2 and 3 we focus on a charity that is ecologically based. Our Primary and Secondary students work as a dedicated group to get involved and find ways to support and help our focus charities. From sponsored swim- a -thons to bake sales, our students are fully committed to solving problems and gives them an appreciation of the importance of charity work.

Who we have supported

A lot of thought goes into who we will support over the academic year, and our projects have reached all over Thailand. The generosity from our school community has contributed to a number of projects such as; collecting in food and school donations for the Barnhem School in Phuket, providing enough socks and blankets to warm up over 400 children placed at the Border Police Schools in the Tak province of Thailand, transporting, over 300 shoebox Christmas gifts to the North of Thailand (The Children of the Forest) in our Operation Christmas Child gift appeal.

Local and National charities are not the only projects we dig deep for. We recently hosted a number of fundraising events to help a member of staff receive some essential, overseas medical treatment. The goodwill and kindness shown by our community resulted in a substantial amount of money being donated, which not only paid for the necessary treatment but also helped to fund a recovery programme.

Being a part of the HeadSart community means supporting and looking after each other and our neighbours near and far. A sense of pride and satisfaction is gained from knowing that, no matter how small, when we work together as a team, we can make a very big difference.

‘Charitable and community work shows their willingness to support those less fortunate than themselves. This means they receive a broad education to develop as well-rounded individuals.’ Education Development Trust (EDT) Accreditation Report, June 2017

There are long lasting effects when supporting a charity year on year and this can be felt in the way the children at the Phuket Sunshine Village Foundation are consistently cared for. They have access to good food, clothing, transportation to and from school, a psychologist who works with the children to overcome trauma and staff who care for the children day in and day out, giving them a safe haven and a place where they can call home. It is my hope that we continue to raise awareness and support for the wonderful work that the staff and admin are doing at PSV and I invite members of the community to visit the foundation and explore ways in which you can be a part of the wonderful work they are doing to change one life at a time. -Ms Miki Edouard, School Founder & Community Links Coordinator

As a result of the HeadStart community pulling our resources together, in 2022 we raised just under 300,000 Baht in support of the children at PSV. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who sponsored a child or gave of their time and resources towards this very worthy cause. Thsis year we had the pleasure of visiting the foundation with the Primary Student Council. The children had lots of fun interacting with each other and it was lovely to see them all playing together during a mini sports day organised by our football coaches.

24 Hour ‘Diveathon’ for Ocean Sustainability

In 2020 we were excited to be supporting the Oceans For All Foundation book launch. The book ‘Ocean Colours of Thailand’ is a collaboration of photos taken by some of the best divers in the region and has been designed to inspire a love for sea creatures and the underwater world that surrounds this beautiful country. As part of the launch, Oceans For All founder, David Martin, invited members of the diving community to join a 24 Hour Divathon in the HeadStart swimming pool. This was never been done before in Thailand so it was good to see many members of the community get involved!

Movember- Raising Awareness for Mental Health

As part of the grand finale of Movember, 6 brave souls (Messrs Brown, Clarke, Crowther, Khan and Lukats) risked their precious faces to be shaved by our guest barbers (Ms Brown, Ms Blackweir and Kru Sue) to raise money in the Grand Shave-Off Auction. Great effort from HeadStart students who raised around 5,000 Baht for The Movember Foundation. Thanks to all the MoBros for making it a very hairy Movember and now- to your razors!

Visiting the Elderly

Year 2-6 and Year 10 students had the chance to take part in some community service. Along with their teachers, they made healthy milk custard with fruit salad for the elderly and then visited Phuket Senior Centre. Year 10 students also prepared a lovely performance for them. The children helped to spread cheer, give out the delicious treats and donated useful items that they prepared.

Furry Friday Fundraising for Bodhi Dog Shelter

What a fun and active day we had for Furry Friday dress up in order to raise awareness for the Bohdi Dog Shelter. A big thank you to all who organised so many activities around the corridors so that the students could be involved. There was a bake sale which was sold out / Book and Bear donations / Toss the ping pong ball / M&M chopsticks game/ Face painting / Guess how many balloons…and so much more!

Grace Villa Foundation Fundraiser

Year 9 worked incredibly hard in an effort to raise funds for Grace Villa Foundation. There were a huge amount of different events for students, teachers and parents to get involved with that were all student planned and run. It was a huge success as the students raised wll over 100,000 Baht for the foundation. The students demonstrated excellent leadership skills and showed an amazing drive to help others. A huge congratulations to them all, especially the boys who shaved their hair in order to boost the amount raised!

12 Hour Swimathon for Life Home Project

Friday, March 23rd started as any other day for the HeadStart Aqua Panthers. Wake up and start the daily routine of having breakfast, getting ready and heading out to school. Though this day was typical, the evening would be drastically different than any had experienced before. On this particular evening, the Aqua Panthers would embark on an overnight swim-a-thon called the ‘12 Hour Relay’. The task was simple, have at least one person in the water throughout the night cranking out laps to see how far the team could swim while raising money for the Life Home Project Foundation. Our goal was to raise enough funds to repair their roof and assist with other financial obligations.

Before the event began, the swimmers set up their sleeping areas in the sports hall which consisted of sleeping bags, tents, bean bags, and other night time essentials. Next, the team was divided into smaller groups (younger to older) to fill the 12 hours of swimming we were about to embark on. Each swimmer sought sponsorship from their friends, family, and teachers by lap or flat rate.

The team did an amazing amount of work during this event. As a group, they swam 54.7 kilometers! From HeadStart, that would be a little further than Phi Phi Island! The Aqua Panthers have raised over 110,000 Baht for the LHPF which has been used for school uniforms for all of the students, much needed repairs and additions to the building.

There is something magical about staying overnight at school with your friends paired with raising money for a worthy cause. Each HeadStart Aqua Panthers put forth amazing effort and created memories that will last for years to come. We are all look forward to next year.

Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Launching a new charity initiative can always be a challenge for a number of different reasons. Some people may not fully understand the intention behind it, some perhaps do not want to get involved, or sometimes people just haven’t got the time to help. Some of these concerns came to mind as we initially rolled out our Christmas Charity Campaign back in Term 1, The Christmas Gift Shoebox Appeal.

After a lot of effort on everyone’s part we are proud to announce that the HeadStart community raised such a significant amount of presents for children in need around Phuket and that we ended up giving 600 gifts to 9 different schools and charities across the island: Phuket Sunshine Village, Holland House, Bahn Pitak, World Vision – Patong, Kathu Special Needs School, Phuket Youth Football Home, Life Home Project, ‘Yes’ School Rawai, Barnhem Children’s Home. We truly appreciate all of your kind donations support and generosity in this appeal.

Year 10 Visits Special Needs School Phuket

Year 10 students visited a Special Needs school in Phuket. The students led them in playing, exercising and read stories to the children. They also brought flowers and gifts for the children and teachers. Win performed a magic show and at the end sang a Thai song called ‘Never Give Up’.

Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2015

Christmas 2015 HeadStart collected 300 shoe boxes filled with gifts, toys and essentials for the Children of the Forest Foundation. To find out more about how you can get involved with sponsoring or donating to this needy cause click here http://childrenoftheforest.org/

Donation of Playground Equipment

HeadStart donates playground equipment to the Phuket Sunshine Village. To find out more about how you can get involved with sponsoring or donating to this needy cause click here http://www.phuketsunshinevillage.org/

Barnhem Foundation Activity Day

HeadStart sponsored a play day, lunch and activities for the children of the Barnhem Foundation. The children had a great day at the new HeadStart facility exploring the indoor playroom, sports hall and swimming pool. The school collected many needed items for the children. To find out more about how you can get involved with sponsoring or donating to this needy cause click here http://www.barnhem.org/

Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2014

Parents and students pack and send over 200 shoe boxes filled with toys and supplies for the Asia Foundation Center. To find out more about how you can get involved with sponsoring or donating to this needy cause click here http://www.asiacenterfoundation.org/

Fundraising for Gibbon Rehabilitation Center

HeadStart takes up the challenge to help end animal cruelty and supports the Gibbon Rehabilitation Center by inviting the Gibbons to have a day at the school interacting with students, reading in the Library and eating school lunch. We also gave donations for the gibbons food and medical care. To find out more about how you can get involved with sponsoring or donating to this needy cause click here http://www.gibbonproject.org/