The Importance of our Aide Memoire- Perseverance

The Importance of our Aide Memoire- Perseverance We have been back just over a week and our Year 13 students are beginning to realise the size of the challenge that faces the final year IBDP student. Students are making improvements to their extended essay prior to feedback from their personal tutors. The extended essay is an essential part of the IB. It is a 4,000 word piece of extended writing based on independent research. Students must achieve a passing grade for their extended essay (grade D or above) or they will fail their diploma.

Dear Parents

We have been back just over a week and our Year 13 students are beginning to realise the size of the challenge that faces the final year IBDP student. Students are making improvements to their extended essay prior to feedback from their personal tutors. The extended essay is an essential part of the IB. It is a 4,000 word piece of extended writing based on independent research. Students must achieve a passing grade for their extended essay (grade D or above) or they will fail their diploma.

The good news is that the extended essay rewards perseverance- a quality that BIS students have been developing since we first opened our doors to the children of Hanoi. The key to being successful at extended essay writing is to accept that writing research is challenging, frustrating and complicated. The process tests a student’s willingness to take risks and their determination work to minimise the potential pitfalls of research- incomplete data or issues of access to data. Students should not panic, when they encounter these problems (and we all do!). They should talk the issues through with their tutor and make a plan B and a plan C. A positive proactive approach, typified by regularly seeking support from your tutor, rather than hiding from the challenge, will be rewarded with a comfortable pass.

The process is far more important than the final grade. When our students encounter research at university, they will have an excellent grounding in planning, analysis, referencing and academic writing, as a result of their effort in completing the IBDP extended essay.

BIS Hanoi Athletes

We have been busy in the PE department hosting trials for soccer and basketball this week. A large number of girls and boys have competed for the honour of wearing the BIS Hanoi team shirt. All of the coaches have agreed that making the final selection was a painful process, as we have had to disappoint some talented and skilled athletes, and exclude them from this year’s final squads. I congratulate the successful athletes and urge them to represent the school to the best of their ability at all times. For this year’s disappointed athletes, it will be a difficult few weeks. Persevere and don’t give up.  There will be opportunities in the future. Work hard on your skills, athleticism and stamina and make sure that when your next opportunity comes, you are ready to seize it.

Tim Webb, Head of Secondary