Primary Weekly Update 18/03/2022

One of the many positives of being back on site for Face to Face Learning is the opportunity for students to collaborate and work together as part of their learning.

Over the last number of weeks we have seen many examples of this in classrooms, on the playing field, in our Dreams Labs and in the playgrounds at both campuses.  From our youngest students in F1 to students in Year 6, they have been listening, taking turns, sharing, building on ideas, challenging  ideas and demonstrating all the elements of effective collaborative work. 

Collaborative learning has been shown to not only develop higher-level thinking skills in students, but boost their confidence and self-esteem as well. Working together can maximise the educational experience and improve social and interpersonal skills. Students learn how to work with various types of learners and develop their leadership skills.

Our Year 5 and Year 6 Maths students have had the opportunity to demonstrate this beautifully this week as they have competed over the last 2 days with other FOBISIA schools from across the region.  The children have impressed us with their collaborative skills, their listening and engagements with one another and their perseverance when things got tough! Congratulations to all our Maths Team. More information to follow next week.

This has extended to our Parent Teacher Group who are also working collaboratively together to ensure the success of one of our most loved events of the year - International Week.  Please make sure you scroll down to the PTG section at the end of the weekly update to learn more about how you can be involved in this year’s event!

Another example of great collaboration across the age ranges is in our ICT lessons this week.  Read on to find out more.

ICT Learning in action at the EY&I and  Junior Campuses 

In ICT, our F3, Year 1 and Year 2 students have been exploring robotics. Our F3 students have been learning about Beebots. The robot is controlled by moving it forwards, backwards and turning left and right. We explored using maps where students had to choose a destination and had to create a sequence of code to get them there.

Our Year 1 and 2 students have been learning about Dash the robot. Students controlled Dash using block-based coding. The first challenge students had was to build a maze using blocks and then create a code for Dash to move around the maze. The students had to think about the distance Dash needed to travel and how many degrees it needed to rotate. Another challenge students had was playing Dashketball with Dash where they had to get 3 balls into the net! Students had to think about the distance from the net and the trajectory of their throw. We had so much fun!

‘This term on the Junior Campus we welcomed the students back into the DREAMS LAB. What better way to ignite their love for coding than robotics? Lower KS2 used a range of STEM skills when investigating how to improve a machine’s efficacy. They modified the structure of their LEGO robots and enhanced the code to complete challenges. Our upper KS2 students took their knowledge of robotics to the next level using LEGO EV3. They explored how to add a range of sensors and used complex code to complete challenges, and of course, battle each other! What a fantastic welcome back!’

Maria Brett & Anthony Woolley, ICT Teachers

F1 Pizza Making

This week, the children have been so interested in making pizza and adding a variety of toppings in the playdough table. To follow on and extend this interest, we made some delicious pizza toast with the children in the F1 Kitchen. The little F1 chefs put their aprons on with excitement as they learnt how to spread the tomato sauce and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on their toast. As we waited for the pizza toast to cook in the oven, we sang our new rhyme, 'Do You Know the Pizza Maker?' and practised counting from 1-10. We had a lovely pizza party during snack time and the children were so proud of the pizzas they have made!

Ms Christine Ubago, F1 Teacher

SRE Lessons for Students in Year 3 to Year 6

As part of our PSHE programme of study, students in Year 3 to 6 follow a programme of study for Realationships and Sex Education.  These lessons are age appropriate in content and are delivered by the class teachers. On the 29th and 30th of March, we will have webinars for all parents so you can learn  ahead of the lessons what the content of the lessons will be and how it will be delivered. Please look out for letters for each Year Group early next week which will give you the opportunity to add any questions you may have to a Google Form and confirm your attendance.

BIS Young Musician of the Year Competition 2022

The BIS Young Musician of the Year competition will begin on March 21st, culminating in a Final on April 28th. This event is a chance to celebrate the achievements and hard work of our school's many excellent student musicians.

Here are the most important dates and details. If you are thinking of entering, please read the Frequently Asked Questions below for a lot more information.

Key Details

Any student from Year 3 to 6 can enter the competition.

There will be two divisions:

• Year 3 and 4 students
• Year 5 and 6 students

Performances will be judged on musicality and technical proficiency. However, judges will also take into account the relative difficulty of different instruments, as well as differing constraints on progress. For example, at what age it is possible to begin learning the given instrument.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can enter?

Any BIS student from Years 3 to 6.

Will there be any categories or divisions?

There will be two divisions in the competition, one for students in Years 3 and 4, another for students in Years 5 and 6.

Where will the competition be held?

This competition, including the finals, will be held at BIS.

When will the competition be held?

Round 1 Auditions will be held over two weeks during lunch times, from March 21st to March 31.

Global Campus Visual Arts Competition 2022

Today we are launching the Global Campus Visual Arts Competition 2022. The focus of this competition is Education OR Wellbeing. What does Education mean to you? What is Wellbeing and why is it important? Your task is to create a piece of art which represents either Education or Wellbeing. You can use paints, crayons, pencils, junk modelling, pastels, digital art etc. When you have finished your picture, write 50 words to explain what you have drawn and why it is important to you. Entries need to be submitted before Friday 25^th March. Give your work to your teacher and they will pass it on to Ms Jules (Y4) or Ms Eileen (Y5). Good luck and we look forward to seeing your work.

 For more information about the competition, please click on presentation link below:

 Visual Arts Competition

Charity Cycle Adventure 2022

Ms Sarah in the library needs your HELP!

There are a lot of books that have still not been returned to both the EY and I and Junior libraries from last school year.  Can you please have a look at home to see if you can find any books that need returning to school? If you find any library books, please send them back to school with your child.

Thank you for your help

Sarah Bonner, Acting Primary Librarian

Health and Safety Updates - Important - Please read!

We would like to thank you all for the support you have provided in ensuring we were able to have children back safely, but also in keeping with the current Decrees from both the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and the Department of Education and Training (DOET) of Thu Duc City and the Ministry of Health. In fact, our preparedness far exceeds any expectations put on us by these organisations. Here are our latest updates.

Issued together with Official Letter No. 548/UBND-VX dated February 22, 2022 of the City People's Committee)

Covid Community Transmission Management, Reduction and Prevention Measures: A Summary

• Covid Positive - Self Isolate until entirely symptom free for a minimum of three full days.

Once ‘symptom free’ for a period of three full days, the return to school can occur once your child has either:

• PCR Test Result (Negative)
• A Medically Certified Rapid Antigen Test Result (Negative)
• Local Health Authority Release Certificate

• Close Contact - (Direct Physical Contact during transmission period). 7 (or 5 if your child is vaccinated) Full Days Self Isolation. Return is allowed with either a:
  • PCR Test Result (Negative)
  • A Medically Certified Rapid Antigen Test Result (Negative)

• Household Contact (Anyone living in the same home) - Self Isolate for 7 (or 5 if your child is vaccinated) Full Days from the date of last F0 case in the Household. Return is allowed with either a:
  • PCR Test Result (Negative)
  • A Medically Certified Rapid Antigen Test Result (Negative).
• Symptomatic (Any Cold/Flu/Covid Symptoms) - stay off school until symptom free. 
  • Take a precautionary Rapid Antigen Test at home prior to return and keep the school informed. 

As you will be aware we carry out randomised, contact tracing and cohort testing as part of our covid transmission management and reduction measures.  When a child is tested under these circumstances we will make contact with parents.

As a school we recommend regular testing at home.  The health of our community is everyone’s responsibility.  Through vigilance, monitoring, testing and following these points, we can all help to maintain safety and lessen the chances of community transmission.

Any concern you have at home with the health of your child, and include the Health and Safety Leads of each campus (EYIC Ms Sarah Curran sarah.curran@bisvietnam.com  and JC Mr Chris McKelvie Christopher.mckelvie@bisvietnam.com  .

It is vital, also, that you inform the office of any positive case within your family – these are called ‘household close contacts’ and children of a household close contact will be required to remain off school until such a time as a negative PCR is provided to the campus nurse. Whilst we do not expect this, it is highly recommended that you have a supply of Rapid Antigen Tests at hand and that you use them regularly within your family.

Ms Sarah Curran and Mr Chris McKelvie, Deputy Headteachers

Helmet Safety

According to a US study helmets cut the risks of severe traumatic brain injury by half, when riders suffer a brain injury. The report, in the American Journal of Surgery, also concluded that riders with helmets were 44% less likely to die from their injury, and 31% less likely to break facial bones.Dec 9, 2020. This is a great video clip on why helmets are important. 

In 2019 we introduced Helmet Hero and asked all parents to buy and wear a helmet that fits well and meets international standards; ECE 22.06 standard (Economic Commission for Europe) or equivalent.

This week on the way to school there was an accident involving a motorbike colliding with a push bike that resulted in the child falling off. Fortunately the child is well but it was a reminder to us all of the importance of wearing a helmet.

If you currently do not have helmets please can you purchase them so we can keep  safe.

School Photos

We are pleased to inform you that school photographs for students and class groups at the EY&I Campus will be next week,  March 25th to April 1st .  We are happy to advise that we will be partnering with Pret a Portrait this year for school photos.  To find out more about Pret a Portrait please follow the link here.

https://www.pret-a-portrait.net/our-services/a-fresh-approach-to-school-photography/

https://www.pret-a-portrait.net/our-services/siblings/

Please check your child’s learning letter/Class Seesaw Page that will state what day your child’s class and individual photograph will be taken. Please ensure your child is wearing the correct uniform at all times.

Uniform Expectations

A reminder about the expectations for uniform and shoes as we are back on campus;

• All children should be wearing black shoes.
• Socks should be white, black or grey in colour.
• All children with long hair should have it tied back neatly.
• Children should not be wearing jewellery except small stud earrings. Any exceptions due to faith or other, should be discussed with the class teacher.
• Smart watches that can act as telephones are not allowed.

Many thanks for your support.

Update from the PTG

Hello everyone,

The most awaited, vibrant, and culturally colourful event is going to happen in Term 3. Yes, we are talking about the International Week which will happen in the week of June 13^th.  The PTG team would like to thank the country reps who have volunteered to represent their country during the International Week at Global Cafe.

 We would like to invite you to the first Country Rep meeting

·         Date: Wednesday 23rd March 2022

·         Time: 8.30am-9.30am

·         Venue: Small Hall – EYI Campus

 If you wish to attend the meeting, please sign up using the link here.

 Our first task is to choose the PTG Global Cafe Committee.

 We need 5 volunteers:

• Flags and Stamps Coordinator: Distribute the flags and the stamps during setup of stalls. Collect them back after GC is over.
• Food and Recipes Coordinator: Collect the name of the food and the ingredients from country reps and type them on the cards.
• Decorations Coordinator: On the day of Global café setup, check on the reps if they need any assistance with setup and coordinate with the school accordingly.
• Music Coordinator: collect the music piece to be played during the global café from the country reps.
• Stationary Supplies Coordinator: manage the stationary table on the day of global café setup.

If you would like to volunteer for any of the above roles, please sign up via the link here.

 If you would like to volunteer as a Country Rep, please use the link here.

Countries that need a volunteer:

If you have any additional questions about International Week, please email: jana.capek@gmail.com, or primaryptgbis@gmail.com

 Gayatri Shankar and Jana Capek

17/03/22 - 18/03/22              FOBISIA Virtual Primary Maths Competition

24/03/22 - 01/04/22               EY&I School photos

28& 29/03/22                          RSE Webinars for Year 3 - 6 Parents

01/04/22                                   End of Term 2

And Finally…

Friday is the last day we have access to the Early Years and Infant Campus via the bridge in the BIS Car Park.  From Monday, we will be able to use the New Car Park, which is also on Hem 76. In order to help keep the traffic moving on Thao Dien Street, we ask that you always use the New Car Park.

Vouchers for the New Car Park can be collected at any time from the guards in their office by Gate A at the Early Years and Infant Campus.

On Monday, children in F3 to Year 2 will continue to enter school through Gate B.  Children in F1 and F2 along with parents and carers will enter through Gate A.

Wishing you a restful and relaxing weekend.

Kindest regards,

Ian Battersby & Dee Grimshaw, Headteachers