Ms Karen Hanratty Weekly Update 26th June

So the term, and indeed the school year, have both come to a close today.  It has been another busy and successful term packed with many special events.  More importantly it has been full of great learning.  Without exception, every one of the parents that I spoke to last week was delighted with how much progress their child has made this year, both academically and socially.

With the holidays in mind, we have focused this week on

‘Keep Healthy, Stay Safe’

as our Primary school theme.  Teachers have worked with children to think about wholesome eating, maintaining a healthy exercise regime and protecting themselves from danger – in the home and on the roads.  The holiday is a long one and our aim was to give children the knowledge they need to ensure that they all return to school in August just as fit and well as they left us today.

The end of the year marks a time for moving on.  Children will be returning to school to new year groups and classes, to new phases of the school and for Year 6 to the Secondary school.  Our children are ready for this; they have matured over the year and physically grown, as can clearly be seen by the length of some of the boys’ trousers!

We have two special members of the Primary teaching team who are leaving us today.  Mr. Nick Bury, who started with us as a Year 3 teacher and this year moved into teaching ICT, will be missed for his endless smile and helpfulness to others, not to mention his commitment to his children and his teaching skills.  Mrs. Hawkins, who stepped in at short notice to teach music for two terms and has added so much to the Primary section through her energy and vitality, and her great desire to bring music to life for children.  We wish them both well in the next step of their journey.

As you are aware, it is also the time for me to be moving on.  I have had a wonderful three years at BIS Hanoi, helping to take the school from its very beginnings to the established and successful school it has now become.  I feel confident that the Primary section is in a strong position to continue to grow and develop from its firm foundations.

The greatest joy for me at BIS Hanoi, has been the people that make our school; the wonderful staff that we have in all areas working together, but most importantly the amazing children.  Our young people are a delight and an inspiration, with their boundless enthusiasm, hunger for learning and sense of fun.  They are the next generation and I am immensely proud to have had this opportunity to work with them.  I wish each and every one of them all the best for the brightest possible future.

Have a wonderful summer!