Weekly Updates on 08/11/2024

Dear Families

This week I hosted a visit from Mr Sean Gilbert from MIT University America. We are discussing an even stronger partnership and also the opportunity for some MIT undergraduates to visit our school and work with our students and staff. This is an exciting initiative and I will update you on this in due course.

Each year Cambridge Examinations award worldwide recognition to students who have exceeded in their exam results each year and have performed best in the world, best in country or best in subject. I am delighted to announce that this year we have four students who have received Cambridge awards. A huge congratulations to these students, we are very proud of you all.

Last week I hosted two Principal meetings with parents. Thank you to all those who attended. I now have even more ideas on areas we can improve across the school. We have also produced a short video outlining some of our success and some of the areas we know parents may want us to further improve. Please see the 'You Said, We Did' video below:

As you know we are continually looking at ways to further improve English levels for our students. I hope it has not escaped your attention that the primary students are engaging in more singing. We know this will impact greatly on their levels of English Acquisition.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the BritCham Charity Fun Run on Sunday morning. Please click this LINK to read for further guideline to help you enjoy the Fun Run and have a fun Sunday with families and friends.

I wish you all a very relaxing weekend ahead

Not giving up

This week the Early Years Centre has been focusing on the school value – Perseverance. For the children in Early Years, an understandable definition would be to try, try and try again. Shouts of “you can do it!” could be heard across the classes as the children tried new and more challenging activities.

Creating and Sorting Shapes

In Maths lesson, the students explored 3D shapes through creative activities. They used clay and straws to create unique shapes. Additionally, they worked in groups to find and sort images of various objects based on the shapes they have learned.

The Digestive System

This week, Year 2 students have been thoroughly engaged in exploring a new and exciting type of experiment—investigating how the intestines work! They’ve shown great curiosity as they observed and participated in a hands-on activity simulating digestion, helping them understand this fascinating part of the human body. Alongside the experiment, the children have been developing their writing skills by learning to write clear instructions. They’re working on using time adverbials (like first, next, and finally), nouns, and verbs to make their instructions precise and easy to follow. It’s been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and focus as they develop their understanding of scientific processes and improve their writing skills.

Acting to Bring the Story to Life

Year 3 students were very excited about the play ‘Khanh Ly and the Dinosaurs’. Each of them confidently embraced their character, skillfully portraying their roles with a range of expressions that made the story lively and engaging.

Making a Vietnamese Classic Snack

Delicious and attractive egg bread is no longer a strange dish for Year 4! After exploring the recipe for making bread in the sample text “How to Make Egg Bread?”, the students had a chance to showcase their baking skills in the canteen. The excitement, eagerness to learn, and lively atmosphere made the experience truly memorable!

The Earth’s Magnetic Field

In the last week, Year 5 have been learning about the structure of the Earth. We created a paper model and labeled the different sections. We learned that the internal structure of the Earth creates a magnetic field which protects us from the Sun’s radiation. This magnetic field can also be used to create compasses.

Speaking and Listening

Year 6 students conducted interviews with Year 7 students to learn about their service learning experiences. The Year 7 students shared inspiring stories about their projects, such as organizing community clean-ups and charity events, highlighting the skills they developed, including teamwork, leadership, and empathy. The Year 6 students, eager to capture these insights, practiced their interview skills by asking thoughtful and probing questions. This exercise not only provided valuable information for their news but also helped them refine their interviewing techniques, learning the importance of active listening, note-taking, and follow-up questions. The experience was enriching for both groups, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Secondary Weekly Update 08/11/2024

An update from Ms Claire

This week we welcomed back 2 students and Mr. Gino from a trip of a lifetime to Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston (MIT). In next week's newsletter they will share an update on their amazing trip!
It was lovely to see so many parents at the Year 9 Parent Teacher Conference (PTC) on Wednesday and we are really looking forward to welcoming Year 12 parents next week.

Just a reminder that we will be welcoming Parents of Year 7, 8 and 9 students to come into school on Wednesday 20th November for a Special World Children’s Day assembly and activities. Full details have been emailed to parents. If you would like to join us, please fill in this form HERE.

Perseverance Month

November is Perseverance Month and students and staff are sharing stories of when they have demonstrated resilience and kept on going despite challenges. This is truly inspiring and exemplifies why this is one of our school values.

School Counsellor Update

Last week, Mr. Duc Anh led a very informative Parent Workshop on ‘Adolescent Resilience’. He received a lot of positive feedback from those who attended. They key advice from the workshop:

"Parents can help their children improve their Resilience by exposing them to 7 types of Positive Childhood Experiences:
1. Ability to talk to family about feelings
2. Feel family support in difficult times
3. Enjoyment in participation in community traditions
4. Feeling of belonging in high school
5. Feeling of being supported by friends
6. Having at least two non-parent adults who genuinely care
7. Feeling safe and protected by an adult at home.

His next workshop will be on Depression and Mood Disorders in Adolescents on 9th January 2025. More information will be emailed to parents.

In the past week, he has also led 2 Pizza Lunches for new students and returning students. This was a great opportunity for students to gather, chat and share experiences about their first few months and BVIS.

An Insight from one of our new students

Y Nhi (9V) joined BVIS in August. This is what she has said about settling into the school this year :

'As a new student, I felt extremely nervous on the first day of school. I was afraid I wouldn't have any friends and wouldn't be able to keep up with the curriculum. However, after the first day of school, I felt less nervous. everyone was very kind and friendly. Everyone also talked to me and helped me a lot! The teachers at BVIS are very nice, they always answer my questions and always help me keep up with the curriculum. Now, after a few weeks of studying, thanks to everyone's help and love, I am very happy because I have many friends, and I also don't have too many difficulties with studying.'

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Update

Students taking part in the Broze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award have been getting ready for expedition! This has included learning how to set up tents and doing some HIIT training to make sure they are ready for the long trek carrying their kit!

What’s been happening in Computer Science?

This week, Year 10 students explored asymmetric encryption, while Year 12 students reviewed key networking terminology through a fun game of Taboo.

Whole School

Secondary

We wish you all a very relaxing weekend!

Senior Leadership Team from BVIS Hanoi