Mr Simon Higham: Weekly Update 18/11/2016

Following the amazing Sanguine Exhibition last week, the children have settled back into their individual learning.

Today, we have celebrated the hard work and dedication of all of our teachers and TAs through the annual ‘Teacher’s Day’ celebrations. This morning, all teachers and TAs were treated to a lavish breakfast as they entered through the school gates.

I would like to add my personal thanks to the PTG organising committee for arranging this special event and also say a big ‘thank you’ to all of our teachers and TAs. I am sure that you will agree with me that it is a privilege to be part of a thriving school, full of committed, energetic and creative professionals who guide, encourage and challenge all of the children within their care   – well done, you deserve it!

Community Football

Our Community Clubs continue to grow in popularity and numbers.

Take a look through this post by Mr Peter Dulborough, Year 4 teacher, how both BIS and one of our community partner schools, Binh An have been developing their football skills together.

Nord Anglia Education, World Nursery Rhyme Week

The use of Global Campus allows all of our children to connect with a worldwide arena of learning. Last week children in EYFS learned different nursery rhymes as part of Nord Anglia Education Global Campus World Nursery Rhyme Week.

Read about what they learned and how this was shared across the globe with other schools within our Nord Anglia family through this post by Ms Sarah Curran, Assistant Head Teacher (EYFS) and Global Campus Leader.

Feeling the Rhythm

Excellent learning through inspirational people continued at An Phu Primary Campus this week, with our children and parents taking part in drumming workshops with a talented UK percussionist and ethnomusicologist, Mr Andy Gleadhill.

Read more about this event through this post written by Beth Bown, Music Leader.

Talk 4 Writing in F3 – The Enormous Turnip

Learning and adapting stories continues to be a focus for all primary classrooms, with teachers and children enjoying our new Talk 4 Writing approach to enrich and enhance the use of the spoken and written word. F3 have would like to showcase their hard work in this post by Ms Louise Swift, F3 teacher and Assistant Milepost F Leader.

Language Perfect Competition

Mindfulness – tune into the present moment

Mindfulness is a practical tool that we should embrace to deal with life, it gives us the capacity to develop ourselves and the work we do. How often in the day do we just sit quietly and do absolutely nothing? Read more about how we all can focus and tune into to the present moment through this post.

Mathematics Workshop

As the teaching of Mathematics evolves, we are aware that the subject can become increasingly dissimilar to the subject we ourselves learnt at school. With this in mind, we would like to invite you to an interactive Mathematics Workshop on Friday 25^th November at 8.15am in the Multi-Purpose Room.

The workshop will explain how and when many of the different topics within Mathematics, such as probability and logic, are taught, in addition to demystifying the Mathematics Calculation Policy. The stalls will be managed by eager children from Milepost Three who will be delighted to invite you to take part in interactive games and challenges that support the learning of each topic. You will also have an opportunity to watch how the APP FOBISIA Maths team solve challenging problems as well as guidance on useful websites that you can access at home.

Both Mathematics Leaders will be in attendance to answer any queries you may have about the Mathematics curriculum or advise you on how to support your child’s learning at home. We look forward to meeting you next week.

Poppy Appeal

A big ‘thank you’ to everyone who supported our Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

I can confirm that the four campuses raised: 36,024,000 VND.                                                  

APS – 7,629,000 vnd

APP – 11,662,000 vnd

TX – 12,053,000 vnd

BVIS – 4,680,000 vnd

Thank you for your support. Here is some more information on where the money will go: http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/copythorne/poppy-appeal/where-does-your-money-go

Receiving Gifts

As outlined in the letter from Mr Tim Deyes (BIS Principal) to all parents this week, I would like to thank all parents for their feedback regarding the school’s position on the receiving of gifts. I would like to clarify the following based upon questions from parents:

• Gift vouchers are not classified as ‘cash’.
• In Vietnam it is traditional to give ‘Lucky Money’ in a red envelope. It is given as a sign of respect and should not be large in value.

As an organisation we take our responsibilities very seriously and we must ensure that at all times we protect the integrity of our community. To access the letter that was sent out to all parents this week, please click on the links below:

Receiving gifts - English version

Receiving gifts – Vietnamese translation

Personal Information Collection Statement (PICS)

It is now a requirement of the school that every parent agrees to a statement outlining how we as a school will store and use personal information. This is considered good practice and is now widely implemented by schools around the world.  As a current parent this is a retrospective action that links through to your original Application. The statement that this refers to can be accessed here for you to review and confirm agreement for each of your children. The statement also refers to our privacy statement that you can view on our website at the following address:

Privacy and Cookie Policy

Please look out for an email coming shortly to your Inbox for each child that you have enrolled in school. I would be grateful if you could register a response for each child in your family. This confirmation notification will be recorded in your child’s electronic file at BIS HCMC. 

PTG Update

Parent Liaison Volunteer, Ms Ying bisvnptgap1@gmail.com

PTG Visit Free Education Schools

In this post by Ying McKenzie, Parent Liaison Volunteer , find out more about how the An Phu Primary PTG visit to two of the schools that provide ‘free education’ to disadvantaged children. The first is Binh Trieu school in Thu Duc District and the second, Binh An school in District 8.

Upcycling project

Our Upcycled Uniforms Project will be having a Christmas stall! We will have new items and Christmas ornaments for sale. Please come down on:

Thursday 1^st and Friday 2^nd December: 7.30am - 8.15am

Thursday 8^th and Friday 9^th December: 7.30am - 8.15am

Please help to support in purchasing some unique products and at the same time reduce our carbon footprint.

Whole School Cake and Coffee Morning

On Friday 25^th November, the Whole School Cake and Coffee Morning will take place at the AP1 Gym from 9.30am to 11.00am. Please support the event by either donating or buying a cake with all proceeds going to Thuy's Dreams, an organisation that supports children with Cancer in Vietnam.

For more information on how you can support at this event, or if you are planning to bring a cake please contact either:

AP1 PTG – abi.miguel05@hotmail.com

AP2 PTG – bisptgap2@gmail.com

TX PTG - eva_mehrudeen@yahoo.co.id

Upcoming Dates for your Diary

November

Thursday 24^th: F2 and F3 Sports Day – 8.30am

Friday 25^th: Maths Workshops (Y1 to Y6) – 8.15am, Multi-Purpose Room

Friday 25^th: PTG World Coffee Morning – 9.00am to 11.00am AP1 Gym

December

Thursday 1^st: Sports Day - Year 1 (8.15am) / Year 2 (9.50am)

Thursday 1^st: PTG Disco

Wednesday 7^th: MP1 (Y1 and Y2) Christmas Production to parents (8.30am)

Friday 9^th: Interim Reports out to parents

And Finally………

Find out information in just one click using our Quick Links section that is located within the News and Insights tab.

In particular, it may be of interest for you to look through the recently added ‘Primary Curriculum’ link, that gives you essential information about the English National Curriculum and IPC. In addition, open up the Maths and English curriculum booklets that give detailed information about the learning that takes place in these core subjects.

I wish you all a very peaceful and relaxing weekend.

Mr Simon Higham, Head Teacher at An Phu Primary Campus