WRITTEN BY
Chris Newman
15 September, 2023

Secondary School Update (15 September 2023)

Secondary School Update (15 September 2023) | British International School Hanoi - Secondary School Update
Weekly update from Head of Secondary

Dear Secondary School Community,

We are delighted to share the success of our recent Tutor Connect Day, which took place on Wednesday. This event provided an excellent opportunity for parents, teachers, and students to come together and engage in meaningful conversations about their goals, opportunities, and challenges for the year ahead. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the parents who actively participated in the discussions and supported their child's learning journey.

Tutor Connect | BIS Hanoi

The event was a tremendous success, fostering a sense of collaboration and support within our school community. It was truly inspiring to witness the dedication and commitment of everyone involved. By working together, we can ensure that our students receive the best possible education and guidance throughout their secondary school years.

Another significant event that took place recently was our Digital Citizenship Day. This day centred around cultivating a deep understanding of digital footprints, online safety, privacy, phishing, wellbeing online, and effective online communication. We are pleased to announce that the event involved all our students, equipping them with essential skills to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.

I would like to congratulate the student leaders who contributed to the success of Digital Citizenship Day by organising and running engaging sessions. Their enthusiasm and dedication are commendable, and we are proud to see their leadership skills flourish.

Together, through events like Tutor Connect Day and Digital Citizenship Day, we can foster a supportive and inclusive school environment that nurtures the holistic development of our students. We look forward to more collaborative initiatives in the future as we continue to strive for excellence in education.

Chris Newman 

Head of Secondary

Key Dates
  • 19th September: Principal's Coffee Morning
  • 29th September: Moon Festival Assembly 
  • 5th October: Year 9 + 11 Options Evening 
  • 7th October: International Festival
  • 16th-20th October: Holiday 
  • 31st October-3rd November: Residential Trips 
Pastoral Update on Year 13

Term 1 of Year 13 has been full of fast-paced action for our Year 13 students, who return with renewed vigour and passion for their final academic year. Our students have shown great dedication and enthusiasm in their studies. I am proud of their achievements thus far and want to take a moment to update you on the exciting accomplishments in Year 13.

I would like to commend our prefect committees for their outstanding efforts in organising events for their respective sections. They have shown great leadership skills and have significantly contributed to the vibrant school community we have here. I am confident that their hard work will result in memorable experiences for all our students at BIS Hanoi. Furthermore, I am delighted to share that our house captains have been running assemblies, showcasing their exceptional organisational skills, and inspiring their peers. These assemblies have been a wonderful platform for students to showcase their talents and achievements, fostering a sense of pride and unity within our school.

This week, we also held Tutor Connect sessions, where students had the opportunity to reflect on their IB studies so far and set goals for the future. These sessions play a crucial role in fostering self-awareness and personal growth. I would like to commend our students for actively engaging in these sessions and taking ownership of their learning journey.

In addition to academic development, our students have been working diligently on improving their organisational and study skills. They have been utilising Microsoft Outlook to plan their time effectively and stay on top of their commitments. It's heartening to witness their dedication to becoming disciplined and independent learners.

Lastly, I would like to express my congratulations to all the students who have submitted their extended essays (EEs). This is a significant milestone in their IB journey, and I am confident that their hard work and dedication will yield fruitful results.

Term 1 of Year 13 is a very challenging time for our students, especially with many official IB deadlines. However, our students have settled well into the term and are already making great progress. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the families for their continued support and partnership. Your involvement in your child's education is invaluable, and together, we can create a nurturing and enriching environment for all our students.

Ms Embling

Head of Year 13

Learning Showcase

English  

Year 11 students have been immersing themselves in their new text for IGCSE English Literature, 'A Streetcar Named Desire' by Tennessee Williams. The 1947 tragedy is set in New Orleans and follows the turbulent journey of the Southern belle Blanche Dubois, visiting her sister, Stella, and her husband, Stanley Kowalski. Jazz and blues music has filtered through the English corridor, spliced with multiple play productions. The debate amongst BIS pupils is: who plays the best Stanley? Is it the infamous Marlon Brando's 1951 performance, the more modern takes of Stanley from Ben Foster's performance at the National Theatre (2016), or Paul Mescal (2023), who just won the Olivier for his role? It is clear that, like Blanche, the Year 11s definitely want 'magic'!

Ms. Daniels  

English Teacher