Dear Parents,

Our week of learning has been once again punctuated by memorable events and activities to challenge, excite and inspire our students. Sporting successes, Community service, Performing and Visual Arts as well as S.T.E.A.M events have all made for a wonderful week on campus.

I begin this update celebrating the introduction of our new student committees for 2018 -19 who will play a lead role in the life and activities here into the next school year. At this week’s Sixth Form assembly we congratulated these groups as they embark on their new leadership journeys. More from each group about their roles, as well as their vision and plans for the year ahead coming soon...

Congratulations to our Academic Prefect team.

Congratulations also to our new Community and Wellbeing Committees...

And of course our warm congratulations to our new Events and Sixth Form Social Committees.

Good luck to you all in your new roles!

Shoestring Science

Shoestring Science is a Community based project run by our science department and involves our Year 9 scientists in preparing interesting and exciting experiments for our community partners using household substances. The experiments are all designed on a tight budget so that they can be easily repeated at low cost in community partner schools again into the future.

Before inviting our community partners to the eventy our Year 9 decided to practice their teaching skills and tweak their activities by inviting Year 5 students to join us to try them out..

“It is a valuable experience for our young scientists as they work in a team, organise their time, use problem-solving skills to find cheap items and communicate a scientific idea clearly and effectively. They will also use their experiences to reflect on how people learn best and how they could apply this to their own learning” is how our Head of Science, Matt Lambert describes the project,

Saigon STEAM Fair 2018

Recently two teams of STEAM enthusiasts representing BIS HCMC attended the 2nd annual Saigon STEAM Fair held here in the city.

Mr Matt Lambert, Head of Science explains more about how we use a STEAM approach at BIS to develop 21st Century thinkers in Saigon STEAM Fair 2018

Congratulations to Mimi, Cooper and Anh Khoi for placing third overall, with the judges particularly impressed at how environmentally conscious their design was.

NAE STEAM Week @ MIT 2018

At around the same time another four students from BIS HCMC were returning across the Pacific from their adventure in Boston. Here they had joined 25 other Nord Anglia Education students for STEAM Week @ MIT - a unique, five-day long event packed with STEAM-related challenges, learning and adventure at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  The photos looked great on Twitter at BIS_HCMC.  Let’s find out more from Head of Primary ICT & DT, Mr Luke Dyer as he sums up NAE STEAM week MIT 2018.

Meet the Teacher- Ms Samantha MacKenzie

For this week's 'Meet the Teacher' our Year 12 students, Jamie and Ji Min speak to English Teacher Ms Mackenzie.

Reading regularly is a gift and I want everyone who has studied English to go away with a love of reading for the rest of their life!

From riding a motorbike to sharing the gift of reading, Ms MacKenzie talks to us about many of her new experiences here in HCMC, both inside and outside the classroom.  

Meet Ms MacKenzie
 

BIS Night of the Arts 2018- Wednesday 6th June

Have you ever asked your child about their day at school and wished that you could have gone to a school like that?  Well now is your chance to try it out. Our Design, Visual and Performing Arts Departments will be opening their doors once again to parents, students, teachers and the local community.  

Last year’s BIS Night of the Arts was such a success that I am very much looking forward to the event this year to see how our parents enjoy the opportunity to experience the hands on learning available to our students everyday. All are welcome, I do hope you can join us fr this event.

Loreto Vietnam CAS Project- exams packs

This week it was time to support Loreto Vietnam through another of our Year 12 CAS projects.  At lunchtime on Friday the Loreto CAS team held a stall in the Undercroft to help students with their exam packs.

Loreto Vietnam works in southern Vietnam with underprivileged children and their communities in rural and remote areas to enhance their opportunities in life by providing educational infrastructure and resource support.

For our Year 7 to Year 10 and Year 12 students,  examinations begin on Monday 28th May. For students Year 9 and above, these are held in the exam hall with our Year 11 IGCSE and Year 13 IB students. This is an opportunity for students in other year groups to become familiar with the different setting.

For these exams, students are required to have clear packaging for their pencil case and water bottle and it is these items that our Loreto Vietnam CAS group are selling.

If you would like to order an exam pack or to find our more about their project visit the Facebook page Loreto Vietnam - BIS. Items can also be purchased from Katie Walsh at Reception.

Sports and PE- the latest Match Reports

Here are the results from some of our most recent SISAC matches

SISAC U19 Badminton City Championships

8th May

Boys singles, 1st and 3rd

Girls singles, 1st

Boys Doubles, 2nd and 3rd

Girls Doubles, 3rd

Mixed Doubles, 1st and 2nd

SISAC U14 Volleyball

10th May

Girls U14 team AIS Team (Away) - BIS win

Boys U14 team AIS Team (Away)- BIS win

It is great to see our volleyball teams performing so well, the students and their coaches are focussing a great deal into developing volleyball at the moment and it is clearly paying off.

See the Twitter Highlights @BISHCMC_PE.  

To read the full details from last weeks matches go to the Match Reports page under Sports and PE at bisvietnam.com

A View from the Bridge- May 22nd and 23rd

This year’s literary production is the much loved Arthur Miller play, A View From the Bridge, we are looking forward to some excellent performances from our budding Year 9 and 10 actors.  

The performance will be held in the Theatre from 5.30pm on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd May.  Tickets are available from the Secondary Reception for 50,000 vnd each.

All parents and students are welcome to join us - I look forward to seeing you there.

PTG AGM- Thursday 17th May

The Combined Campus PTG AGM will be held on Thursday 17th May and all parents and available teachers are encouraged to attend where possible.  The meeting will be held at the Junior Campus in the MPR and we will hear from the current Parent Teacher Group (PTG) committees of all three campuses about all of the wonderful events held this year.

The  PTG is an important part of the BIS community, adding to the life of the school with a variety of fun, social and fundraising events throughout the year.  I would like to say a huge thank you to this year’s Secondary Campus PTG Committee, Christine, Shweta, Anu, Gus, Rob, Mel, Odyl and Arie and team for all of their work so far - this team have achieved so much this year and in such a very creative way - they have also had a great deal of fun.  We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible again next year.

If you would like to nominate for a position on the PTG Committee in any of the current roles including; social, community, sports, treasurer, secretary, chairperson, events, marketing or another, please contact the PTG at bisptgap2@gmail.com or the school via Reception.  I am sure the team would love your support.

Managing our Traffic Together

Next week, we will be distributing a newly updated Driver’s Code of Conduct to all those who drive to school both at drop off and pick up times. With key information in both English and Vietnamese, we aim to further educate our drivers to make better choices when they enter the areas around our school campuses and within the Thao Dien area as a whole.

Please take time to talk to your drivers about this and ensure that it is visible in your car at all times. This will serve as a reminder about our expectations for all drivers when they are bringing our children to school in the morning and picking them up at the end of the day.

PTG Flea Market- Sunday 3rd June

It’s once again time for the PTG Flea Market 2018..  If you are relocating or just wanting to have a summer clear out, now is the time to register for a table.  In true flea market style we will be hoping for lots of pre-loved treasures on sale as ever.

To book a stall (or two) visit the Secondary Reception to buy your ticket. The cost is 200,000vnd per stall.  

For queries please contact the PTG at bisptgap2@gmail.com

Safeguarding at school – it’s everyone’s responsibility

If, during your visit to school, you have any reason to be concerned about the safety of a young person, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Person.

Please note that CCTV cameras are in operation at all times across the campus

Join the Team - Current Employment Vacancies at BIS

Please share these post adverts with friends and family that may be interested.

Community Service Project  Manager

We are looking to recruit someone with a strong desire to work for a growing organisation who has an affinity with and an interest in education. BIS HCMC is a compassionate supporter of community projects in Vietnam and beyond. Therefore, we  are looking for an enthusiastic person to manage community service and extra-curricular projects that have a balanced focus between People, Animals and the Environment.
The person appointed will need to  oversee the provision of these projects for Early Years and Infant, Junior and Secondary campuses. A good knowledge of Vietnam and an understanding of the how the school can support community projects is desirable and holding a recognised degree qualification is essential.
A full job description is available on request.
If you are interested please forward a letter of application and full CV  which must include a recent professional photograph and the contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current employer to bis.recruitment@bisvietnam.com  by Friday 18th May.

Academic English Intern

British International School, HCMC, is seeking to appoint an Academic English Intern from August 2018.

The successful applicant will be qualified to degree level (or about to complete their degree this summer) and will be able to support students at all levels up to and including 6th Form IB students in developing their written English skills, particularly through extended written forms. This position would be an excellent opportunity to work in a leading international school environment, particularly for those who may be considering applying for teacher training in the future.

Please explore the school website www.bisvietnam.com for further information about BIS HCMC.

Further details are available regarding the post from Robert Brownrigg, Head of EAL and Academic English robert.brownrigg@bisvietnam.com

English as an Additional Language (EAL) Teacher

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to help a diverse international community of students access the education we offer through the English language.

Working with the Head of EAL and Academic English applicants will be self-motivated, proactive and adaptable team players.

Candidates will be experienced and highly capable in all aspects of EAL support and instruction for secondary age students (11-18 years old).  They will be comfortable and confident working to support EAL students in subject classes as well as through designated EAL lessons. They will be able to help students to access the curriculum by developing their interpersonal language skills and subject specific, academic language. They will relish the opportunities to work alongside teaching staff to help them customise their approaches to help students to access lesson content and participate fully.

Ideally the successful candidate will:                              

• ·    Be an adaptable and enthusiastic team player;

• ·    Have had experience in teaching English as an additional language to teenagers and young adults;

• ·    Possess excellent written and spoken English;

• ·    Hold a degree and recent qualifications in teaching English as an additional language;

• ·    Have knowledge of the English National Curriculum and the IB Diploma Programme;

• ·    Be able to support students in the production of academic writing.

Application Process

We welcome applications from those who are passionate about education and have the skills and experience to make a significant impact on our students and school community.

All applications should include a CV, the name of two referees and a covering letter.

Further details are available regarding the post from Robert Brownrigg, Head of EAL and Academic English robert.brownrigg@bisvietnam.com

Closing date for applications to this post is Friday 25th May 2018 although we reserve the right to pursue good applications as soon as we are ready.

New Secondary Parent Cards- ready to collect

Your new Parent Cards are available for collection from the Secondary Campus reception. Many have already been collected and the collection period closes on Friday 18th May.

The new cards are a part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding our students and therefore:

• All old cards must be returned

• New cards must be collected by a parent or authorised adult

• New cards must be collected before Friday 18th May

• Any old card used to gain access to the school after the final date will be kept and exchanged for a visitor card.

For more information please email katie.walsh@bisvietnam.com at the Secondary Campus Reception.

Upcoming Events

Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th May:  ISHCMC Invitational Swim Meet
Monday 14th May: Term 3 Clubs and Activities start

Thursday 17th May: PTG AGM Combined, MP Room at the Junior Campus from 8.15am All welcome

Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd May: A View From the Bridge Literary Production

Wednesday 23rd May: SISAC U14 Volleyball City Championships, Boys @ ISHCMC, Girls @ SSIS 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Saturday 26th May:  IB Graduation Day, Park Hyatt

Wednesday 30th May: IB Visual Arts Exhibition

Sunday 3rd June:  PTG Flea Market, Secondary Campus Auditorium, 9am to 12 noon

Have a wonderful weekend, and to those of you taking part in the Da Nang Half Iron Man and Sprint triathlon this weekend good luck from us all!

Kind regards,

Carl Mincher

Head Teacher

Secondary Campus