I write to you from a building in Royal City that is normally a vibrant and energetic place full of curiosity and learning. Normally this building is our wonderful school, but this week the curiosity, energy and learning is happening away from the school and as I help coordinate our trips week from here, it feels like a very odd place to be. A school is only a school when the students and teachers are here - otherwise, it is just a building!
The trips have so far been going really well, and I am getting regular updates from all the trip leaders, and hearing all about the amazing things that that they are experiencing.
The Tanzania trip participants have been building the foundations for a new nursery school, been on safari, camped out under the stars in the bush, understood firsthand about the consequences of illegal trade in wildlife, built goat sheds, installed solar powered lighting for local villagers amongst the many activities. It really is a once in a lifetime experience for them all, and I can’t wait to hear all about their adventures upon their return.
I am delighted to announce that the British Vietnamese International School, Hanoi were the inaugural winners of the Hanoi Open Vietnam Schools Debating Championships organised by The Global Citizen Academy in Singapore and the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, hosted at Olympia School. Held last weekend, Bao Anh, Nam Anh, Sasu and Quang Ky formed a team to join the first national debate competition in Vietnam and won it, surpassing 31 other debate teams around the country. In addition to that, Bao Anh was ranked the 3rd best speaker in the country, with Sasu and Nam Anh ranked in the top 50.
They have been training for several weeks under the guidance of Ms Claire Bower, so my thanks to her. Congratulations again to the team who have achieved this award.
Last week, we had a really moving assembly to support our dear student and friend Anna, Do Hanh Anh, in her battle with leukaemia. She is being so brave, and facing up to all the treatment she is going through with real courage and positivity. Anna was such a regular performer for us at school events, such a talented singer/songwriter, and she was able to send us a video of her performing a song from her hospital bed. The Year 13’s organised the event and asked us all how we might be brave, and what we might try and overcome, as a result of Anna’s inspiration and struggle. They came up with the #BVISBrave tag line and produced an amazing assembly full of thought and hope.
Our thoughts, as always, are with Anna and her family as they go through this ordeal in Singapore.
I hope you all have a great week ahead.
