In the USA last week they celebrated the thanksgiving festival. So this week on the thinking wall I have asked students to think of what it is that they are thankful for. In amongst thanks for iPhones and video games, many of them were thankful for their families, their health and the opportunities that they are given.
I am thankful for all of these things as well - except the video games - and was very thankful this week for a number of things.
Our year 10 and 11 IGCSE drama students performed their examination pieces - as part of their ongoing coursework - to a live audience. The students performed brilliantly, demonstrating high levels of creativity and interpretation within their acting and performing skills. My thanks to Olivia Hutchinson for guiding them towards this point.
I was also thankful for the community spirit that was being shown by all staff and students as we planned out two big events happening in the next couple of weeks.
Sports Day will take place on Monday December 12th and will be a great day of athletics - with students representing their houses in this competition. It will take place at the San Dien Kinh Stadium (next to My Dinh National Stadium) and I invite all parents to come along and cheer on the students.
The Christmas Market will take place on Wednesday 14th December. This is a favourite part of the BVIS calendar, and the students, again in house teams, are busily preparing their stalls in an effort to raise as much money as possible for Blue Dragon and Operation Smile, our two brilliant charities. I hope as many of you will be able to attend as possible.
I was very thankful to Ms Debbie Murray- Smith who organised a terrific set of training workshops for our teachers on Wednesday - part of our commitment to developing our staff so that our children continue to get the highest levels of education.
This morning I was thankful to the Year 9 students who organised the poppy appeal during Remembrance - today they presented the 12 million VND that was raised to the UK Defence Attache, David Houghton.This money will go to the Royal British Legion that
Prior to that we were treated to a virtuoso violin performance from Stephanie Song, our visiting musician from the Juilliard school in New York. She performed to the Key Stage 3 assembly and then did a masterclass with many of our own budding violinists. My thanks to Sue Pogson for facilitating this.
So as we start turning our thoughts towards Christmas and the start of a new year I have found many reasons to be thankful here in BVIS - I hope you all have a great week ahead.
Mr. Nick Lee - Head of Secondary
