Weekly Updates on 11/10/2024

 Dear parents,

We have reached the end of what has been an incredible half term. It has been packed full of events, activities and amazing learning experiences for the children. We introduced new events such as the Grandparent Day and we hosted more information sessions than ever before. Thank you for attending as many of these as you could it was great to see you all in school.

On 30 and 31 October, I shall be hosting a Principal update session on what we have achieved and what is coming next. I hope many of you will be able to join one of the sessions on offer:

Last weekend our students led an amazing MUN conference with many students from across the city joining for an incredible couple of days. Congratulations to all the students involved for a very successful event.

This week we saw a range of exit points for the primary students, a really nice way to finish the term.

Our storm relief efforts continue at a pace and this week more products were delivered to our partners to be distributed to the communities of greatest need. Thank you again for your contributions.

We are looking forward to the BritCham charity fun run on Sunday November 10th. Several hundred members of our community have signed up to support. I am very much looking forward to attending the event myself.

As you know I am keen to ensure there are community events to enable us to come together and celebrate our very special school. I am delighted to announce that this year we will be hosting a very special Christmas community event for you all. So, please hold the date; Saturday 7th December in the morning at BVIS. Further details will be released after the half term break.

Finally, I wish you all a very happy, safe and wonderful half term break with your families. School will reopen on Monday 21st October. Our staff will now take a well earned rest and I know you will join me in thanking them all for their extraordinary efforts during this first half term.

Small Steps and Huge Leaps

The Early Years Centre is a place of wonderful learning and development. Over this first half term, the teachers have watched the children take both small steps and huge leaps in their development. Children who were shy at first are now communicating and children who were reluctant to socialise are now making friendships. We celebrate the children for all their achievements.

Speaking with Firefighters

Last week, Year 1 had a very exciting visit from the fire service! The children got to try out a real fire hose and speak with firefighters about their job. Year 1 had a fantastic time learning important safety tips in a fun, hands-on experience.

Children’s Progress

In the last week of Term 1a, Year 2 is working hard to showcase their learning to parents. The children are organizing various activities for our Exit Point, such as singing, presentations, and a book café. This event provides parents with an opportunity to understand the learning process and see their children’s progress.

Human Impact on the Environment

This week, Year 3 students have been working incredibly hard during their English lessons, writing their own warning stories using the structure of The Great Kapok Tree. The children have written speech from the characters, including inverted commas to punctuate! The planning process has helped Year 3 students to remember the real-life impact that humans can have on the environment and has initiated important conversations around what they can do to ensure that wild animals can continue living safely in their habitats.

How to work together to find solutions

In Maths lessons, Year 4 students are not only introduced to new concepts and operations but also engage in exciting group activities. They have been enthusiastic about participating in games like Quiz Quiz Trade, Tic-Tac-Toe, quick answer challenges and online games. Through these group activities, students have learned how to share, listen, and work together to find solutions.

Family Trees

On Tuesday, 1st October, Year 5 welcomed their grandparents to celebrate Grandparents’ Day. We sang songs, played games and created some art together. One of the songs the children sang was Cây Gia Đình, which means family tree. Inspired by this, the children created their own family trees.

Reading and Speaking

Last week the Year 6 students did a great job focusing on their reading skills in English and Vietnamese. They worked well in their guided reading groups, practicing their targets and improving their inference skills. They enhanced their fluency and learned good practice from one another.

The students have also been completing persuasive writing in English and Vietnamese and completed a debate to showcase their speaking skills, as well as their persuasive writing skills.

Secondary Weekly Update 11/10/2024

An update from Ms Claire

Half term is here. What a busy and action packed 8 weeks it has been! This newsletter will cover some of the fantastic events which have taken place over the past few weeks.
I would like to wish all of our students and their families a very happy and fun half term break.

Hanoi International Schools Music Competition
On Thursday 3rd October, BVIS were delighted to host the first Hanoi International School's Music Competition. Six schools were represented with an incredibly impressive array of talent. The students who entered, performed to an exceptionally high standard and the audience were mesmerized by the captivating performances.

MUN - Model United Nations
On Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October 36 delegates, 9 chairs and 7 observers from schools across Hanoi came together at the annual Model United Nations Conference. This was organized by our Secretary generals, Thanh Mai and Khanh Dan in Year 13. Students had the opportunity to research and discuss timely global issues including
• UNEP – Mitigating the impact of light pollution on wildlife behaviour
• UNOCC- Integration of Technology in mitigating drug-related crime
• SPECPOL – Promoting international de-nuclearisation and de-escalation
The conference was a resounding success with outstanding contributions from all participants and new friendships forged.

Hoa Lo Prison Trip
The visit to Hoa Lo Prison relic by the Year 10 students of BVIS Hanoi was a resounding success. This annual event occurs in anticipation of the Liberation Day of Hanoi on October 10th, and in 2024, we celebrate the 70th anniversary of this historic occasion. The trip fostered a sense of gratitude among students for the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their youth and lives for Vietnam's peace and freedom. It also deepened their understanding of the resistance against French colonial rule, preparing them for their upcoming Vietnamese History studies in 11th grade.
This year, the Year 10 students proudly represented BVISHN as exemplary ambassadors during their visit, earning commendations from the staff for their eagerness to learn and positive attitudes. We are incredibly proud of them.

Parent’s STEAM Event
On October 2nd, we hosted a Parent STEAM Workshop. During the session, we discussed the importance of STEAM education, how parents can support interdisciplinary learning at home and explained our exciting partnership with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston).
Parents and students then worked together on a creative STEAM challenge, designing solutions to real-world problems such as climate change-induced flooding, particularly applicable here since the recent typhoon.
It was wonderful to see both parents and children collaborating, thinking critically, and solving problems as a team. The energy in the room was inspiring, and we look forward to more opportunities for parent-student engagement in STEAM!

What’s been happening in Science?
7V have been working on a Biocraft project as part of Biology week and Y12 have been investigating standing waves in tubes.

What’s been happening in Maths?
7V have been applying their decimal skills to real life calculations about money. They have been learning about how tax is calculated from a salary, and then choosing a car to purchase, based on the payment plan andthe cost of fuel! To finish the lesson, students solved a puzzle, moving around the room to work out the change from amounts, useful when travelling abroad!

What’s been happening in Computer Science?
This week, Year 8 students have been exploring essential terminology related to the workings of the web. Year 7 students have been busy creating timelines that highlight the milestones of the digital revolution.

University Visit

Primary

We wish you all a very relaxing weekend!

Senior Leadership Team from BVIS Hanoi