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This week we present a joint Weekly Update from both campuses, an opportunity for you to see what is happening across primary and what children of all ages have been up to over the last few weeks.
Despite being Virtual, we were delighted to celebrate Moon Festival with the students on Tuesday. The Vietnamese team did a super job preparing 2 wonderful assemblies for the students at both campuses that highlighted previous celebrations, showcased the children’s lantern making and the teachers enjoying the opportunity to wear Ao Dai and greet the children, albeit virtually.
Our sincere thanks to the Vietnamese teachers for their amazing work in organising creative lessons and preparing these wonderful assemblies.
Across the 2 campuses this week, there has been so much happening. In Early Years, the Splat sessions have been a great success and it is fantastic to see parents supporting their children’s learning at home and having tons of fun in the process.
Year 1 students have been working hard in Phonic lessons, creating their own sentences and remembering all the important parts of sentence writing. Our EAL students have been creating story maps! Year 2 students have been looking at food chains in science and creating their own food chains and sharing them on seesaw! Year 3 students have been creating their own timelines. Check out this lovely video from Anna in Year 3!
Year 4 Students have been creating their own worlds in Minecraft as part of their ICT lessons and have done a brilliant job. Have a look at Quan’s world!
[[\media\Quan Y4 Minecraft.mp4]]Year 5 Students have been busy in their Spanish lessons Over the last 3 weeks, The Year 5 students have been working incredibly hard in their Spanish lessons. They have produced some excellent work and are clearly enjoying their lessons with Ms Marta. Take a look at their work to see what they have been up to in this short video.
And in Year 6, students may not be in school or on the field but that is not stopping them from participating in PE lessons. This week they have been learning the techniques for Sprint Starts as part of their unit on athletics.
Well done to all the students participating in the learning across both campuses, we look forward to seeing more great work in the coming weeks.
Each week we will introduce some of the new teachers that have joined our team this year! This week we will learn more about Ms Sophie Roberts who has joined the PE team and will be teaching aquatics across all three campuses, Ms Sasha Greenwood who has joined the EAL team, Stephanie Meredith who has joined the learning support team and Ms Sally Neville who is our first ever primary art teacher. A warm BIS welcome to you all!
Sport and Physical Education, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK
PGCE Physical Education, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK
BTEC Level 3 Sports Development, Coaching and Fitness, Cirencester College, UK
Sophie joined BIS in August 2021, having previously worked at a preparatory school in Notting Hill, London. Sophie completed her degree and PGCE in Cardiff and alongside her studies she worked at several different swim schools. During her PGCE, Sophie taught in a British International School in Valencia, Spain where she successfully developed a whole-school swimming programme that was integrated into the PE curriculum. Sophie began her swimming career aged 7; dedicating herself to daily training sessions to develop and perfect her ability in the water. Sophie’s passion for swimming and her ability to inspire her peers was recognised from an early age. She has captained both her club and County teams, won regional medals and competed several times at National and British Championships.
Becoming a swimming teacher at age 14, she has experienced and witnessed the profound effect that sport can have on one’s life and she is looking forward to sharing her passion with the students at BIS. Outside of school, Sophie enjoys travelling and experiencing different cultures and cuisines, socialising with friends, and taking part in sporting activities.
Where have you moved to BIS from?
London
Why did you move to BIS?
To experience working in a large International school, and to work alongside an amazing team in a highly respected school. I’m looking forward to exploring a new part of the world.
What has been the best experience for you since arriving in Vietnam?
All of the different types of food they have here. Especially the fruit.
Tell us one fun fact about yourself (hobbies, interests, talents, etc.)
I love to travel. In 2018, I travelled around Europe in a Fiat 500, driving over 10,000km through 11 different countries. My favourite place was Cappadocia in Turkey.
CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), Language Studies International, Brighton, UK
BSc Hons Fashion Marketing: First Class, The University of Manchester, UK
Sasha joined BIS as a Cover Teacher in November 2020 and joined the EAL team full-time in August 2021. She has been living and teaching English in Vietnam since 2019. Before coming to Vietnam, Sasha volunteered and taught English in Portugal and Zambia. She enjoys supporting learners to master the English language and believes excellent communication is vital to our increasingly global community.
Outside of school, Sasha is very active and has completed 2 half marathons. She is also trained in ballet and contemporary dance, and she loves reading, crafting and sewing clothing for herself and her friends.
Where have you moved to BIS from?
VUS Language Centre, Ho Chi Minh City
Why did you move to BIS?
BIS has a community feel which is unmatched and a dedicated EAL team who strive to provide excellent support based on continuous research and development.
What has been the best experience for you since arriving in Vietnam?
I have enjoyed learning about the different customs, culture and history of Vietnam.
Tell us one fun fact about yourself (hobbies, interests, talents, etc.)
I have run two half marathons. Does that count as a whole one?
BSC Hons Social studies, Teesside Polytechnic, UK
PGCE Primary, Somerset SCITT, UK
Certificate National Award for SEN Coordination, Plymouth University, UK
Post Graduate Stephanie joined BIS HCMC in August 2021. Prior to this she was a special educational needs coordinator in Poole. She has experience of teaching in Early Years, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. During this time, she has worked closely with students with specific educational needs and is passionate about supporting pupils to achieve personal goals in an engaging and safe environment.
Her interests include paddle boarding, wild swimming, socialising with her friends and she especially likes watching live music. Stephanie used to enjoy playing women’s rugby but now likes to watch Wales, her national team play.
Where have you moved to BIS from?
The UK - Poole in Dorset
Why did you move to BIS?
To experience international teaching and increase my skills set. To also explore the Vietnamese culture, history and cuisine.
What has been the best experience for you since arriving in Vietnam?
The people, as everyone I have met so far has been so friendly, welcoming and helpful.
Tell us one fun fact about yourself (hobbies, interests, talents, etc.)
I am Welsh but tone deaf. Don't ask me to sing!
BA Hons in Printed Textile Design: University for the Creative Arts, Surrey, England, UK
PGCE: London South Bank University, UK
Sally is a London trained teacher and artist who has a background of working professionally in the Arts. She began her teaching career in London followed by four years teaching in India; she joined BIS in 2021 with her daughter who entered the 6th Form. Before embarking on her teaching career, she has worked as a Costume Designer, Prop Buyer and Photographer. Sally believes that all students benefit from engaging with a rich and diverse Art curriculum and is at her happiest in a busy, stimulating Art department. An avid traveller and explorer, Sally likes to immerse herself and draw inspiration from the culture of wherever she may be.
Where have you moved to BIS from?
I have been teaching in India for the last four years and prior to that I was teaching in London.
Why did you move to BIS?
I had been to Vietnam before with my family and fell in love with the country so was keeping my eyes peeled for a good teaching position here. I applied to BIS because it is obviously a fabulous school, and I am lucky that I get to teach my subject across all the campuses.
What has been the best experience for you since arriving in Vietnam?
Coming to set up a new life in a foreign country in these extraordinary times has not been without its challenges...but I have been overwhelmed with the support offered by existing BIS staff here. Also, despite the situation, we have been able to get all sorts of things delivered...including the most amazing gluten free chocolate birthday cake!
Tell us one fun fact about yourself (hobbies, interests, talents, etc.)
I love street photography so can't wait to get out and about onto the streets of this amazing city with my camera. And also I can't wait to swim - I am a fish by nature!
Over the past few weeks the parents of Fundinotots, our parents and toddler group have been meeting virtually to have a coffee and a catch up together. The idea behind these sessions is to provide an informal opportunity for Fundinotot parents to meet each other virtually, talk and ask each other questions. It has been lovely to see both existing and new parents connecting over the last few weeks and supporting each other during this period of extended lockdown. If you have a baby or toddler at home under the age of three and would like to join the Fundinotots virtual coffee and catch up sessions that are held every Tuesday and Thursday morning please contact me at sarah.bonner@bisvietnam.com and I can share the links with you.
Sarah Bonner, Fundinotots Leader
It’s the final day and push for our Blue Dragon Marathon Walk.
All this week we have been participating in the Blue Dragon Marathon Walk 2021. This international event offers an opportunity to join people from all around the world as we go the distance to raise funds for our community partner Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
At the time of writing this post, as a school community we have run or walked the marathon distance many times over and raised over 75 million VND.
If you haven’t yet donated, you can do so by clicking here. For step-by-step instructions on how to make a donation, please click here.
We would encourage you to also watch this video which features one of the Blue Dragon children telling their story of how the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation impacted their life.
Thank you for your support.
Tracey Brownrigg
BIS Community Service Project Manager
For most of the children at BIS, English is not their first language, in fact for many it may be even their third or fourth language. To enable children to fully access the curriculum, our English as an additional language (EAL) teachers provide guidance for all staff and focused support for some children.
Following on from a very successful webinar for parents of children in the Early Years and Infant Campus, next Wednesday, 29nd September at 1.30pm, our EAL team will host a webinar for parents of EAL students at the Junior Campus. It is specifically for parents who are receiving EAL support, but all parents are welcome and may find it as the topics covered will include the importance of the home language and how best to support your child’s language development. The link to the webinar will be shared via Seesaw next week.
If you would like to view the Early Years and Infant webinar, please click on the link below:
EY&I English as a Additional Language Webinar
Your opportunity to enjoy the recital as well as to share a performance!
We are very excited to be able to share the details of our very first Virtual Tea Time Recital.
The recital will contain pre-recorded performances that will be streamed for our BIS community from our Youtube channel on Friday 1st October at 3pm. For a taster of what is to come, enjoy the trailer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NZ9r3Me6r8Xm3ODFeEgA9ClCATfnlrqO/view?usp=sharing
Our Virtual Tea Time Recitals are an opportunity for our talented students to perform and share their skills to bring joy to our community. Regardless of whether they are a beginner or more advanced, pupils are able to experience the art of performing pieces they have been practising to further develop their performance skills. This results in them feeling a real sense of achievement when they have performed, and they reap the rewards of their hard work and dedication.
If you would like your child, from any year group, to feature in a future Virtual Tea Time Recital please email Ms Anna for further details (anna.hogan@bisvietnam.com)
Here is an advanced preview of some of the amazing performances that you will be able to enjoy. A big thank you to all of the wonderful students and parents who have spent time preparing these for our enjoyment.
Anna Hogan, Primary Music Leader
Please remember the 5K to keep safe.
29/10/21 EAL Webinar for JC Parents
01/10/21 Virtual Recital
06/10/21 Phonics webinar
13/10/21 Headteachers’ Coffee Morning
15/10/21 Virtual Co-Curricular Activities: Block 1 Ends
16/10/21 Half-term break begins
25/10/21 Term 1.2 begins
We continue to encourage our parents to be an active member of our PTG group. One way is to volunteer as a class or country rep. Thanks to all those that have volunteered so far. We have a great turnout of parents. It’s never too late so please click on the links below if you would like to be a class or country rep.
Class rep- -Primary PTG BIS: BIS Primary Class Parent Rep_2021/22 (signupgenius.com)
Country rep: Primary PTG BIS: BIS Country Rep 2021/22 (signupgenius.com)
This month, the PTG team is planning a workshop related to the upcoming Moon Festival. If you would like to be part of this workshop or have ideas to share, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our email is primaryptgbis@gmail.com
Enjoy your weekend and hope to see more sign ups.
Thank you,
Gayatri Shankar Primary PTG Coordinator
Everybody has felt the effects of the lockdown in some way and we recognise that our parents are no different. At BIS, the ASC (Advice, Support and Counselling) Team is there primarily to support the students but also there to support staff and parents. On Thursday 30th September at 1.30pm, Ms Saskia Dodds-Smith, our school counsellor, will be joined by Ms Zara Pugh, our student support officer and Ms An Ho, our student support assistant, in hosting a webinar for parents on wellbeing in the current pandemic. A link will be sent via Seesaw next week. We look forward to seeing you there.
Have a safe and restful weekend.
Ian Battersby Dee Grimshaw
Head of the Early Years and Infant Campus Head of the Junior Campus
Joining BIS HCMC in Foundation Stage 2 (F2) is a fantastic age to begin a lifetime love for learning, encouraged and nurtured by our experienced and committed class and specialist teachers, who personalise learning unique to every child. We look back at what our F2s have experienced in less than one term already at BIS HCMC.