Mr Sean O'Neill: Weekly Update 01/04/2022

As we reach the end of Term 2 , I feel so proud and grateful – proud to be part of such an amazing school community and grateful to all the people- parents, students, teachers and support staff who came together to make some fantastic BIS memories yesterday on International Day 2022.

Every community has its own customs, rituals and celebrations that bind its members together. These celebrations that shape the calendar of that community are important moments, moments where families and friends come together - they connect us with our community’s past and allow us to express values that have passed to us, and simply enjoy being together.

For our BIS Community that tradition, that celebration is International Day. A day when we connect not only to our own identity- but celebrate our diversity and the common bonds that we share- and all in a spirit of fun.

This year more than any other we have needed to come together, and I think this year we value being able to do so for then ever. My thanks once again to all the parents who brought such energy and positivity and braved the heat to make such a special occasion. And so, it is my privilege to share with you some highlights of International Day 2022 - wow what a day it was!

International Day 2022

Culture Show

Flag Parade & Fashion Show

International Food Festival

Cultural Workshops

IB Visual Arts Exhibition

It was a real privilege to join together in celebration and appreciation of the work of a special group of young people at our IB Visual Arts Exhibition 2022. The exhibition marked the climax of the IB Visual Arts journey. A journey where each began as IB students and is culminating with each now no longer students but artists- artists who have crafted and honed and curated to reach this point where they cross that line form students to artists publicly exhibiting their work.

It is common to think and hear talk of the ‘talent’ of young artists, and whilst the ability of these young people is unquestioned to talk only of them as talented is to overlook the hundreds of hours of painstaking deliberation, problem solving and practice, working and re-working to reach this point.

And of course this year, our IB artists have done all of this in the context of a pandemic which meant they missed many months of time in school in the studio. To produce work of such quality, in that context is a truly great achievement.

A huge congratulations to our IB artists- Tyler, Jenny, Jamie, Minnie, Jonathan and Tam.

My thanks also to our Art Department led by Mrs Janet Williams for their incredible support to guide our students to such an achievement.

Introducing our New Head Students 2022-23

This time of year marks an important moment in the life of our school, the handover by the outgoing Head Student Team to their successors. Today, in a series of assemblies, our outgoing Head Students introduced the new Head student team- the leaders of the entire student community at BIS HCMC to the rest of the Secondary Campus.

Adele

Adele has been involved with many school leadership positions including House Captain, Student Council, MUN and many more roles that demonstrates her incandescent personality.

With her unequivocal approachability as well as her dedicated and compassionate character both in and outside of school, it is no surprise that she will be taking on the role of being a head student of wellbeing,  she will continue to make monumental strides with regards to student wellbeing within our school community.

Khoa

Khoa has been a part of BIS since he was just 3 years old. And as he grew up, his commitment to the school evolved with it. Whilst this individual earned his reputation in his prowess in swimming and basketball, he is more than just an “athlete”, representing the school in maths competitions like Fobisea Maths and SEAMC, as well as being an avid artist in his spare time, he has fully demonstrated his holistic contributions to the school

Hyun Soo

HyunSoo has been in our community for more than a decade. And in those years, he has been a passionate, dedicated, and steadfast representative of our school.

This student fully encompasses our school’s burning ambition to excel within our endeavours. Whether it’s leading our school’s senior basketball & volleyball teams, being a premier athletics competitor whose tremendous feats I've witnessed myself, or by organising and supporting First Aid initiatives for all year groups - he has given his all to support our community. With passion. With determination. With ardour.

Nini

Nini has shown outstanding dedication to her co-curricular activities and student leadership roles, ranging from music clubs and school productions to being a BIS ambassador to the UN, and she has contributed to the wellbeing of our school community and beyond by leading numerous CCAs. She has been facilitating debate on serious global issues and has also made efforts to foster a sustainable school and local community. With the immense amount of skills she has, I am sure that this person will thrive in the position of head student.

A huge congratulations to them all on this significant achievement. We will say farewell to our outgoing Hed Student Team after the Easter break.

House Round Up

The end of Term 2 sees the competition for the Annual House competition  hot up as Hanoi, Hue, Saigon and Dalat houses battle it out for the coveted prize, the BIS HCMC House Trophy. 

It has been a fantastic term being able to welcome back some previously postponed House Events due to online learning. Having all the students taking part in House Events physically has really brought back the incredible House Spirit that is always present in the corridors of BIS. Here is an update of some of the fantastic events that took place this term as well as the current overall standings:

House Board Competition:

1st Saigon

2nd Dalat

Joint 3rd Hue & Hanoi

House Dodgeball

1st Dalat

2nd Saigon

3rd Hue

4th Hanoi

International Day Quiz

1st Hue

2nd Saigon

3rd Hanoi

4th Dalat

Overall Standings

1st Saigon

2nd Hue

3rd Hanoi

4th Dalat

Currently Saigon are in pole position but with only 500 points difference between 1st and 4th, there’s still all to play for! We look forward to many more new events in Term 3 as well the return of more House favourites.

PTG Social Night - Wednesday 27th April

The Secondary PTG wants to invite parents from all campuses to the PTG Social Night.  There will be free flow beer, wine, selected cocktails and soft drinks. Delicious canapés. Cost 400,000 VND per person.

Along with the chance to catch up with old friends and make some new ones, we will have a special art auction to support our community partners. 

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday 27th April
• Time: 7-9 PM
• Location: Lubu 97B Thao Dien Street
• Tickets:  Available from Reception from Monday 18th April

College & University Guidance Virtual Visits 2022

After the spring holiday we will resume our Virtual University Visits program the week beginning April 25^th. We have ‘virtual visits’ lined up from universities including the Imperial College, London, the University of Edinburgh, NTU in Singapore, and ANU in Australia. We are also hoping to arrange a return visit by US Ivy league colleges UPenn and Brown as well as the University of Cambridge. For the dates and further information on confirmed visits see sign-up links below.

• April 28th 2022 – 3.30pm – 4.30pm: Making a Successful Russell Group Application: University of Nottingham, University of Liverpool, University of Glasgow – Please sign up for this at this link.
• May 5th 2022 – 3.30pm – 4.30pm: Virtual Visit: The University of Edinburgh – Please sign up for this at this link.
• May 12th 2022 – 3.30pm – 4.30pm: Virtual Visit: Nanyang Technological University – Please sign up for this at this link.
• May 19th 2022 – 3.30pm – 4.30pm: Virtual Visit: The Australian National University (ANU) – Please sign up for this at this link.
• May 26th 2022 – 3.30pm – 4.30pm: Virtual Visit: Imperial College, London  – Please sign up for this at this link.

Saigon Children's Charity Cycle Adventure

COVID Update

Update to Covid Management Measures for the Secondary Campus

Based on the newly released decree from the HCM People Committee, we will now be operating according to the following guidelines (see table below). 

As you will see, our measures are in accordance with the latest guidelines, however, we have added in some additional requirements to help maintain and ensure our ongoing high levels of community health and wellbeing. 

As before, please continue to communicate with the school in the event of cases, so that we can help with guidance, advice and support.

Your key points of contacts are:

• BIS Student Centre - sc@bisvietnam.com
• Your child’s Form Tutor
• Mr Wills (Deputy Headteacher for Welfare and Guidance) - gareth.wills@bisvietnam.com

In the event of any of the circumstances illustrated below, once informed, the school will make individual contact with parents to illustrate in detail the procedures and key guidance information.

Should you have any queries or questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Wills for further advice.

Many thanks for your continued help and support.

Regards,

Gareth Wills

Deputy Headteacher (Welfare and Guidance)

• Monday 18th April: First Day of Term 3
• Wednesday 20th April: Y8 PTSC 3pm-6pm
• Friday 22nd April: Year 13 Study Leave begins
• Wednesday 27th April:  PTG Social Night
• Thursday 28th April:  IBDP Exams begins
• Friday 29th April: Year 11 Study Leave begins
• Monday 4th May: IGCSE Exam begins

Have a wonderful holiday.

Sean O’Neill
Head Teacher, Secondary Campus