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On a sunny island in Thailand, British International School, Phuket is trying something different. The school follows a “triple helix” approach, bringing learning, well-being, and passion together to help students build a happy, meaningful life, no matter what they choose to do next.
Sports play a big part in this. Students can join teams in football, swimming, aerial arts, basketball, tennis, and golf, with chances to compete in tournaments across the region and around the world. Physical Education continues until Year 12, but students who want to go further can join the High‑Performance coaching programme. It’s designed for young athletes aiming to grow their skills beyond school and possibly into professional arenas.
Where student-athletes thrive
ACRE CAMPUS
44
student nationalities
60+
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma pass rate
96%
fully qualified teaching staff
100%
Meet BISP’s student-athletes
The biggest difference Audrey noticed upon starting her training at BISP, aside from the community, was that she no longer had to make such a long commute. “My skills have improved and I feel more confident in the game now. I’ve learned that it’s okay to make mistakes because it helps me improve,” she says.
Today, Audrey is playing for the U-17 Philippines girls’ national team. “The girls are really strong, and they’re also older and much taller,” she says. “That pushes me a lot because I am one of the youngest. Plus, going against other countries has shown me how much I need to improve.”
When Audrey Reese Jamaila Aviar first moved to Phuket from the Philippines, she wanted to make her family proud. They’ve supported her football journey since she was seven.
She first learned about BISP when her brother’s coach invited her to tryouts. What was supposed to be a one-time experience turned into the journey of a lifetime.
Audrey Reese Jamaila Alviar
YEAR 10
When I first came to BISP, I didn’t really feel homesick. I actually felt really comfortable because the people here were really nice and welcoming,” she says.
After leaving her dorm to walk to school at 7:45 a.m., Audrey meets up with her friends while heading to class. As a Year 10 student, she’s currently taking courses to prepare for the IGCSE exams in Year 11. After, Audrey takes a short break at 10:00 a.m. then returns to classes until lunch at 12:30 p.m.
8:00 AM
As a student-athlete, Audrey’s days start before sunrise. She wakes herself up by washing her face and spends time getting ready for a long day. “I eat a really heavy breakfast, and I talk with my friends to get myself ready for the day,” says Audrey.
6:30 AM
Audrey warms up and stretches on her own before heading to the BISP Cruziero Academy. Here, she trains with professional coaches from Brazil on some of the finest school sporting facilities in Asia. “It’s competitive because everyone here is really strong,” she says. “I realised I needed to bulk up. I needed to toughen up.”
4:00 PM
After finishing classes, Audrey returns to her dorm room to revise for any upcoming tests. With the IGCSE programme offering a blend of core and elective subjects, she can explore new interests and pursue her passions. Right now, she finds herself drawn to the Design Technology course.
2:30 PM
Day in the life of Audrey Reese Jamaila Alviar
After leaving her dorm to walk to school at 7:45 a.m., Audrey meets up with her friends while heading to class. As a Year 10 student, she’s currently taking courses to prepare for the IGCSE exams in Year 11. After, Audrey takes a short break at 10:00 a.m. then returns to classes until lunch at 12:30 p.m.
8:00 AM
As a student-athlete, Audrey’s days start before sunrise. She wakes herself up by washing her face and spends time getting ready for a long day. “I eat a really heavy breakfast, and I talk with my friends to get myself ready for the day,” says Audrey.
6:30 AM
After finishing classes, Audrey returns to her dorm room to revise for any upcoming tests. With the IGCSE programme offering a blend of core and elective subjects, she can explore new interests and pursue her passions. Right now, she finds herself drawn to the Design Technology course.
12:00 PM
Audrey warms up and stretches on her own before heading to the BISP Cruziero Academy. Here, she trains with professional coaches from Brazil on some of the finest school sporting facilities in Asia. “It’s competitive because everyone here is really strong,” she says. “I realised I needed to bulk up. I needed to toughen up.”
3:00 PM
Mika’s favourite part of living on campus was connecting with her peers. “Being away from one’s parents at a young age can be a big change, especially if you’re used to having siblings around. But living with girls your age, and many of them athletes too, is reassuring. You follow similar routines and share the same goals,” she says.
One day, Mika hopes to go to the US and play Division I football whilst attending university there, and she’s already on the right track. She’s currently representing the Israeli national girls’ team and wants to continue playing at even higher levels.
Mika Caspi has been living in Phuket for 13 years and began attending BISP in 2021 on a football scholarship. An Israeli Canadian, she began the sport at around 11 years old, later than most people and she was clear about what she needed to progress.
Mika Caspi
YEAR 12
“When I started thinking about playing football more seriously, I knew BISP was the right choice because of the facilities and coaching,” says Mika. “The strong academics were a big plus too. Everything just lined up.”
Day in the life of Mika Caspi
Just like Alviar, Mika's school day starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at about 2:35 p.m. As an IB Diploma student, she’s found it challenging to balance the IBDP curriculum with her football training, as the workload is much heavier than the IGCSEs. “That means going over content after school with teachers,” she says. Mika aims to pursue physiology and exercise science at university, though she’s also drawn to fields such as business and nutrition.
8:00 AM
Unless she has a morning gym session, which would require her to rise an hour earlier, Mika's day typically starts at 6:30 a.m. She gets ready, has breakfast, and then goes to school.
“I always like to listen to music in the morning. It calms me when I get ready, and it puts me in a good mood,” she says. “Going to breakfast with your friends and talking gives you some excitement too.”
6:30 AM
It’s time to get her football gear on. Mika trains with the BISP Cruzeiro Academy, and alongside that, represents the Israeli national girls’ team. “I’ve played with a few generations of girls who’ve since graduated. I’ve seen various styles of play,” she says. Today, Mika is one of the oldest in the academy. “So, I know what younger students expect from me because I was in the same position as them,” she says.
12:00 PM
As training ends, Mika heads back to her dorm to freshen up and have dinner. After a meal, students have an hour and a half of study time, during which House Parents will take away their phones. “It’s helpful because you stay focused,” she says. “Then, I go to sleep because it’s a pretty tiring day.”
3:00 PM
Just like Audrey, Mika's school day starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at about 2:35 p.m. As an IB Diploma student, she’s found it challenging to balance the IBDP curriculum with her football training, as the workload is much heavier than the IGCSEs. “That means going over content after school with teachers,” she says.
Mika aims to pursue physiology and exercise science at university, though she’s also drawn to fields such as business and nutrition.
8:00 AM
Unless she has a morning gym session, which would require her to rise an hour earlier, Mika's day typically starts at 6:30 a.m. She gets ready, has breakfast, and then goes to school.
“I always like to listen to music in the morning. It calms me when I get ready, and it puts me in a good mood,” she says. “Going to breakfast with your friends and talking gives you some excitement too.”
6:30 AM
As training ends, Mika heads back to her dorm to freshen up and have dinner. After a meal, students have an hour and a half of study time, during which House Parents will take away their phones. “It’s helpful because you stay focused,” she says. “Then, I go to sleep because it’s a pretty tiring day.”
8:30 PM
It’s time to get her football gear on. Mika trains with the BISP Cruzeiro Academy, and alongside that, represents the Israeli national girls’ team. “I’ve played with a few generations of girls who’ve since graduated. I’ve seen various styles of play,” she says.
Today, Mika is one of the oldest in the academy. “So, I know what younger students expect from me because I was in the same position as them,” she says.
4:30 PM
The school provides a personalised support system for students who need extra help. The Learning Support team works one-on-one with your child to devise a plan that helps them reach their full academic potential, offering guidance across social, emotional, and intellectual contexts. The University and Careers Counsellor team is also available to advise on career path choices and university applications.
Student-athletes often have to travel for their tournaments, and BISP’s teachers understand this better than anyone. “They support me a lot. When I’m away for a tournament, they extend deadlines and always answer my requests for help,” says Audrey.
It’s the same for Mika, too. “While we’re expected to manage our workload effectively, the school provides ample resources and assistance. They ensure that all class content is available,” she says.
Where students receive individualised support
Learn more about how British International School, Phuket guides athletes to success.
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