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Today we welcomed back to school 40 Year 5 and 6 athletes that represented our school this past week at the FOBISIA Primary Games in Phuket Thailand. I have been keeping up to date with their progress on Twitter and it has been wonderful to see their hard work and effort over the last 2 terms pay off as the medal count increased day by day.
Of course it’s not always about the winning but the taking part and sportsmanship both on and off the pitch and we have been delighted to hear great reports of the BIS team and how they conducted themselves. They embodied the Aide Memoire attributes this week in full. More details will follow next week of their trip and the various events they participated in. My thanks to all the coaches that have worked with them over the last two terms and that travelled with them this week. Huge thanks also to the incredible BIS parents that went along to support. As always it is much appreciated.
There were also over 50 students taking part in today’s assembly showcasing some of our music groups. They have been working very hard and it was great to see them perform in front of the whole school and their parents. Well done to all involved in preparing these music ensembles.
On Monday, all parents of children who are currently in Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 received a copy of the first drafts of the new class lists for 2018/19. These lists have been agreed by our teachers by considering a range of factors which include a balance of gender, ability, nationality, behaviour, learning support, language competency and social groupings.
Thank you for your support during this process. The deadline for feedback has now passed and we will begin to add teacher names and room numbers to the lists.
Final lists will then be published to parents on Friday 22nd June, one week before the end of the academic year.
Please note that these lists are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control, including the unexpected/late withdrawal of a child from school. In addition, please be aware that some year groups have a natural imbalance between boys and girls. Appropriate measures have been made to allocate an even number of boys and girls across all classes. Finally, some draft lists may seem imbalanced in number. This is due to the allocation of new students prior to the commencement of the new academic year.
(Please note that our current Year 6 children will be informed of their new class during the Secondary Transition Day on Thursday 7th June.)
We thank you for your support and understanding in what is always a very worthwhile process.
Do you currently have old uniform that you're no longer using or preparing for next year and need somewhere for all of this year’s old uniform to go?
Our thriving upcycling project needs your old uniform. Simply bring it into school and deposit all uniform items in the collection bins provided. These are situated along the office corridor and outside of the canteen.
Together, we can continue to make a difference!
In Year 5 EAL sessions, the students have been working hard on developing their fiction writing skills in order to create a journey narrative. Read more about their efforts and links to their blog to find out more in this post by Mr John Lee, EAL Teacher.
During today’s assembly some of our musical groups performed and even more musicians will have the opportunity to perform at our summer concert next Tuesday June 5th. The concert will take place in the Secondary School Auditorium and promises to be a wonderful occasion. It starts at 6pm, doors will open at 5.45pm. No tickets are needed.
On Saturday 9th June the Junior Campus will host the 11th annual Aquathlon. An Aquathlon is a fun and fast-growing sport that combines both swimming and running. Students can compete individually or in a team (1 swimmer, 1 runner.)
The swimming will take place in the BIS Junior Campus pool, and the run will take place on the big field. The race briefing will take place at 6.45am and the first race will begin at 7.00am.
Year 1&2 : 40m swim (4 widths) / 200 run (1 lap)
Year 3 : 150m swim (6 lengths) / 800m run (4 laps)
Year 4 : 200m swim (8 lengths) / 800m run (4 laps)
Year 5 : 250m swim (10 lengths) / 1km run (5 laps)
Year 6 : 300m swim (12 lengths) / 1km run (5 laps)
You will require: Swimming costume, Trainers to run in, T-shirt (which must be worn during the run), Goggles (optional), Hat (optional), Towel
If your child would like to participate, click the link below, or on the invitation email. This link will take you to a spreadsheet. Click on the relevant age group tab and fill in your child’s details. Should you require any further information, please contact Ali Thom from the PE department, alastair.thom@bisvietnam.com.
The Science team and students at BIS HCMC Secondary Campus are looking forward to welcoming the new Year 7 students in August 2018. Our teachers are constantly striving to ensure the Year 6 students from the Junior Campus have a smooth transition into Year 7. To this end, they have created a unique transition programme within Science. Read more about this award in this post written by Year 7 students; Minh, Min Young and David
This week Dr. Angie Wigford ran 3 workshops on how a child’s brain develops. This then led onto discussion on how important playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy were in developing resilience. Read more to find out about this important talk that took place for parents and teacher at the EY&I campus in this post by Ms Sarah Curran.
On Saturday 26th May, 72 Year 13 students came together with over 400 of their teachers, family members and friends to celebrate their Graduation at the Park Hyatt, Saigon. It was a special ceremony filled with an array of emotions; great excitement for what lies ahead for our graduating Class of 2018, tinged with some sadness as we said our fond farewells. Read more about this event in this post.
BIS HCMC have had the pleasure of working with Ky Quang Pagoda (Go Vap District) for over 6 years. Each term, our students visit the pagoda and do different activities with the children there. Read more about this great initiative in this post by Ms Clover Sharman, Community Service Project Manager.
Following Mr Anthony’s email to all parents last week, we have continued to distribute 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 the 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.
BIS Night of the Arts is back! Our Design, Visual and Performing Arts Departments will be opening their doors once again to parents, students, teachers and the local community to showcase a variety of lessons, open rehearsals and performances.
For all details, please refer to this post from our Secondary Campus colleagues.
We are delighted to showcase the hard work of 4 of our Year 13 BIS HCMC artists who are exhibiting select pieces from their recently completed International Baccalaureate Visual Arts course. To find out more details and how you can come along to support, please access this post by our Secondary Art Department.
From 2013-2015, Lara Wilkinson was a primary PE teacher here at the British International School, Ho Chi Minh City. Since leaving Vietnam and returning to the UK, Lara has combined her passion for hockey with a charity close to her heart; Help for Heroes. In this post, we speak to her about Operation Endure where her ladies’ hockey squad completed 8 military challenges and 28 hockey matches in just 8 days.
Our International Week is fast approaching and we are looking forward to another great week of learning across both the Early Years and Infant and Junior Campuses. This year, International Week will run from Monday June 18th to Friday June 22nd 2018. It promises to be a spectacular week for all.
A letter about International Week will be sent to all parents on Monday outlining the days and times for the various events happening. Please do read this letter which is also being sent in Vietnamese and Korean.
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.
Are you interested in joining the new Primary PTG Committee for the forthcoming school year? Please do see anyone from the current PTG or Mr Simon or Mr Ian to discuss further.
Saturday Morning Football (SMF) needs a new leader from August as sadly Andy will be leaving the Junior campus. If you are interested in taking over or helping please do contact us.
It’s fun, rewarding and you’ll make lots of new friends! Please find out more by emailing - bisvnptgap1@gmail.com
Thursday 14 June – Get your dancing shoes ready!
Tickets on sale from Monday 4th June as follows:
Tickets cost 50,000VND to include refreshments but NOT a drink due to plastic straws not allowed in school – so please can children bring a full water bottle, please note that YEAR 6 CHILDREN GO FREE (but still need to obtain a ticket from Gate A or Canteen please so we know how many children are going).
JUNIOR CAMPUS TICKET SALES – (please note tickets do advise a drink is provided but they were printed prior to the decision that children should provide their own drink/water bottle).
On sale at Gate A and Canteen from Monday 4th June, at morning and afternoon pick up.
Please sign up, using the following link, to help sell Junior Disco tickets at Junior campus at Gate A and Canteen Disco Term 3, 2018 (thank you!)
EY&IC TICKET SALES – (please note tickets do advise a drink is provided but they were printed prior to the decision that children should provide their own drink/water bottle).
On sale from Ms Palm at EY&IC Reception all day.
The recycling uniform shop will be open as follows during June:
Thursday 7th June – 7.15-8.15 am at Juniors
Friday 8th June – 7.15-8.15 am at EY&IC
If you wish to volunteer to help at either of the stalls please do e mail onemorereused@gmail.com to register your interest. Can children wishing to purchase items please bring smaller VND notes with them please, thank you!
There is SATURDAY FOOTBALL FAMILY FUN DAY on Saturday 2nd June.
Saturday Morning Football will host a “Family Fun Day” this Saturday 2nd June from 8am - 12o’clock. All are welcome!
There will be matches, kids vs parents matches, challenges and races! Come along and a enjoy this fun day!
COACH ANDY moving on! Next season my son Sam will be moving to the Secondary Campus and to Year 7. Therefore, he will not be part of the SMF and I will no longer be a coach. Please volunteer to coach and keep the sessions fun and enjoyable for the parents and kids! SMF will need coaches to help with Years 2/3 and Years 4/5/6 sessions.
For all footballers:
Please ensure your child wears long socks and shin pads, a number of children have not worn these over recent weeks.
Fee Payment and Registration Forms
Thank you very much to all parents who have completed a registration form and made payment of the fee. A reminder that the fee is VND500k with a football kit and reduced to VND350k if your child re-uses their kit from last year. We will check all registration forms and issue an appropriate refund if a parent has paid the higher fee before the discounted amount was announced.
Shin Pads and Long Socks
Please ensure that your child always wears suitable long football socks and shin pads (they can be bought at the school shop or local sports shop). This prevents injury.
Coaches needed for Y2/3 and 4/5/6 & Administration Volunteers
We are still looking for more Parent Coaches for the Y2/3 and Y4/5/6 teams. For each year group we want to make small coach teams (with parent and student coaches) so we/you are more flexible in case of you have to travel/have other commitments. Don’t worry too much about experience, as you will work in a team. Let us know if you can run one session and/or help to run a session each week.
Reminders:
*Please remember children need to wear sports kit.
*Please remember all children need shin pads with football socks to protect their legs.
*Please remember they must bring a water bottle.
*Hat or cap is optional
*You can buy Football socks from the BIS Uniform Shop, or any sports shop.
*For parents who are unable to stay throughout the whole training, would appreciate to arrive 10 minutes before your children's session ends to pick them.
*Please remind children if they are wearing football boots, they are not allowed in the basketball court and the playground area as their boots might damage the floor surfaces.
Thanks!
Saturday Football Team
June
Good luck to our young coders from Year 4 to Year 7 participating in the ‘Global Code'a'thon’ here at BIS on Saturday from 10am until 3pm. Check out Twitter for some live updates @bis_dreamslab throughout the day.
Have a great weekend,
Mr Simon Higham, Head Teacher, BIS HCMC, Junior Campus
The weekly update from Dee Grimshaw, Headteacher of the Junior Campus, highlighting some of the events that have taken place this week.