Mr Mark Sayer Weekly Update 17/6/2016

With the recent death of the boxing legend, Muhammad Ali, anyone familiar with this colourful character and exciting sportsman will have his well-known phrases circulating in their memories.

Such iconic phrases as “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” more than adequately describe his agile footwork and powerful punches that saw him to world champion on several occasions in the 60s and 70s.  He famously declared “I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was!”  perhaps less well known is his quotation “Braggin' is when a person says something and can’t do it. I do what I say.”

This may well be true.  Trust is an amazing thing: difficult to win and very easy to lose.  Over our first 3 years of operations, we have worked tirelessly to develop an educational offering that develops the children in and outside of the classroom.  As the articles this week attest, we realise through the accumulation of different and varied experiences just how far the students have come.  The Year 11s speak passionately about their Operation Smile visits and the Leadership course they enjoyed this past week.  Their English levels are phenomenal; their personal growth is a joy to behold.  In addition, today, I was approached by a Year 5 seeking my vote in the upcoming student election project.  Such articulation, confidence and joy in her learning! Yesterday I witnessed some outstanding musicality that was on display in the Year 6 ‘Live Lounge’.  If only we could bottle this and have it on sale!  It would literally walk off the shelves!

But their education is not done yet.  This is just one stage on their journey to becoming fulfilled, independent and impactful young adults.  To see students leaving early before the completion of their studies here pains us, as we would love to see them develop more strongly, more completely, ready for transfer to their chosen university overseas.  Like Muhammad Ali, he was not “bragging” when he was crowned the uncontested heavy weight champion of the world.  In a different field, that of education, we are not bragging either but we know that we deliver on our commitments to our students and to you, their parents.  We are sharing our lives together; we personally invest heavily in their well-being and success and care for each and every student as an individual.  Every child matters.

Have a great weekend.

Mr Mark Sayer - Principal of BVIS Hanoi