Mr Sean O'Neil - Weekly Update 26th August 2022

Dear Parents,

This week has been one of establishing routines and connections as students enjoy their first full week of timetabled lessons across the curriculum.

Walking around the campus it is so uplifting to see students enjoying learning together collaboratively in classrooms, labs, workshops and our outdoor spaces.  Here is a snapshot of the rich learning during Period 4 today.

Co-Curricular Launch at the Wonderful CCA Fair

The auditorium was abuzz with excitement and energy this week as we held our Co-Curricular Fair. Students and Teacher CCA Leaders shared the huge range of over 100 CCA activities that students can choose from.

Our key message for this year is to be involved and try something new.

The SchoolsBuddy sign up for Co-Curricular Activities will be live from 5pm Monday 29th August and close at 5pm Monday 5th September.

Click here for the full CCA booklet with details of all the activities and how students can sign up!

Year 12 Information Evening

On the evening of Wednesday August 24^th, the Auditorium filled up with Year 12 parents and members of the Sixth Form team to look closely at the IB programme and how we can work in partnership to help the Year 12 students progress through such a demanding course. The presentation began with information of the course itself and all the support that is available to every student. During the tea break, parents were able to meet the form tutor of their child who will be a pivotal person of support during the next 20 months. The second part of the evening consisted of tips as to how parents can be engaged in their child’s learning, information regarding the process of applying to university, and details of the reintroduction of expeditions to the BIS year programme.

It was lovely to be able to meet so many of our student’s parents and we sincerely hope that they all found it useful.

Jane Hall, Head of Sixth Form

Year 10 IGCSE Spanish Enjoy Our New Spaces

Whilst completing a ‘live domino’ vocabulary game, IGCSE Spanish students were making excellent use of the new learning zone in the Languages department this week. Thanks to the expansion of the learning spaces, there is flow between collaborative learning and the traditional classroom.  Buen trabajo a todos!

Victoria Zahraoui, Head of Spanish

Music Students Wow at Auditions

Over the past week, the Music Department have had the privilege of listening to our talented BIS students auditioning for the BIS orchestras, Concert Band and Chamber Choir.  Following the online auditions last year, it was fantastic to hear live performances again.  As always there was a wide range of music performed and the standard was very high. We are looking forward to beginning rehearsals in September and preparing for our forthcoming concerts.

Congratulations to all the students for having the confidence to go through the audition process.

You can see videos of our wonderful musicians on our BIS Performing Arts Twitter page.

Ian Alexander, Director of Music

BIS HCMC Virtual 360 Tour

While we are looking forward to welcoming you to various parent events this year. In the meantime, you can go on a virtual tour of the Campus through our amazing Virtual 360 tour. Please click here to start the tour.

Year 13 Parent University Guidance Session

On Monday 29th August at 6pm, Year 13 parents are invited to a Guidance session with our CUG team. At this event Mr Rispin and Mr Weston will set out how the BIS CUG team supports our students throughout the University Application process. They will also give an overview of the timelines of various popular university destinations around the world and give their take on the best strategy students can employ throughout this process.

Both Mr Rispin and Mr Weston will be available to answer any questions you may have at the end of the presentation. Please click here to confirm your attendance.

Year 7 Open Morning

Year 7 parents are invited to our Year 7 Parent Open Morning at the Secondary Campus on Tuesday 30th August from 8:30-10:30am.

The morning will include an opportunity to learn more about life in Secondary from our Senior Leadership team and hear from Mr Morgan, Head of Year 7 on how we will shape a successful year ahead for our Year 7 students.

There will also be an opportunity to tour the campus to see our school on a typical working day-with student learning in action, to gain an insight into learning across the curriculum at Secondary.

Please click here to confirm your attendance.

Settling in Workshop for New Families

To support parents and families through the process of transitioning to a new school and indeed a new country, we would like to invite you to attend a ‘Settling in Workshop’ on Wednesday 31^st August 2022 at 8.30am. It will take place in the Sports Hall at the Early Years and Infant Campus.

Please click here to confirm your attendance. We look forward to seeing our new parents next Wednesday 31^st August.

Year 10 Information Evening

Year 10 parents are invited to our forthcoming Year 10 Parent Information evening on Wednesday 31st August at 6pm in the Secondary Auditorium.

This parent-focused workshop will provide you with all the information you need to know relating to your child's education over the coming 2 years. Senior Leaders and I will share important information with you regarding the IGCSE programme and pastoral care, as well as exciting updates relating to our Year 10 expeditions programme.

To help us plan the evening, please click here to confirm your attendance.

I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday. Please note that this is a parent-only event.

Sign Up for International Day -  Friday 14th October

Dear BIS Parents,

International Day is back to its original time slot this year, Friday 14th October.

This is an invitation to you as parents to get involved and celebrate your home country on Secondary International Day. Consider signing up as a Secondary Country Rep using the link below.  Over 50 nationalities are represented at BIS and last year more than 20 countries were represented on International Day.

International Day is not only a fabulous event for the students, but a wonderful day for parents and carers to participate and share their home traditions, food and activities.

REMEMBER…Running an International Day booth or activity is what you (the parents) want to make it. Don’t be put off if you are new to BIS or Secondary, we can guide you.

If you are your country's sole representative or only have a couple of helpers, perhaps try a short activity or a small food stall.

There are no small ideas.

If you would like to sign up as the representative for your country, please use the link below and register your name using the SignUp Genius link below.

Secondary Country Representative Sign-Up

Please contact Mel Rowe (PTG Chairperson) on +84 93 802 9513 for any queries.

Melanie Rowe, Secondary PTG Chair

International Day Planning Meeting - Tuesday 6th September

The Secondary Campus International Day planning meeting will be held on Tuesday 6th September at 8.45am in the Auditorium. 

At this meeting, you can find out more about the shape of International Day as well as the current guidance around holding the event.

Please register here if you will be attending the meeting on Tuesday 6th September.

We are delighted to say that in-person University visits will be resuming this year at BIS. We will also be continuing with our weekly Thursday webinars. These will start from September the 8^th with the University of Toronto. Below are details of this and some of our other upcoming events.

• 29th August 12.40pm -  In-Person 'Studying Architecture at University' - The Curve. Students should sign up for this via ‘University Visits’ on BridgeU.

If they are interested in studying architecture in the UK (or elsewhere) they can come and listen to Martina Avila (3rd year Architecture student at the University of Nottingham, UK) talk about her experience and give advice on everything from preparing a portfolio to choosing the right university. This session should also be of interest to anyone considering studying Architecture. 

• 30th August 12.40pm - In-Person 'The University of Sydney'  - The Curve. Students should sign up for this via ‘University Visits’ on BridgeU

The University of Sydney is ranked number 41 in the world by the 2023 QS Global University Rankings. It is also one of the most popular destinations for BIS students. Alex Vu from the University of Sydney will give a short talk which will cover “Studying in Australia” and also cover a little of the breadth of courses the university has to offer.

• 8th September 3.30pm - BIS CUG Webinar - The University of Toronto - Students can sign up via BridgeU

We are delighted to start our latest webinar series with The University of Toronto, which is the most popular university destination worldwide for BIS students, with 6 students heading there from BIS this year and even more than this with offers. One of our class of 2022 was also successful in gaining a prestigious Lester B Pearson International Scholarship. Jan Braun will lead this webinar and will be happy to answer any questions after her talk, with hopefully an in-person visit to follow up from Jan later in the term.

• 14th September 12.40pm - In-Person - University of Warwick & University of York - The Curve. - Students should sign up for this via ‘University Visits’ on BridgeU.

Find out about the Russell Group and what type of student they are looking for. You will also hear from the University of Warwick to find out more about our courses, campus and student life. Also from the University of York, you will find out more about the courses and job opportunities available relating to the respective courses, industrial placement opportunities, career support services and scholarships available. In addition, you will get a sneak preview of student activities about living and studying at York.

We hope to see students at one or more of these events. Students should remember to sign up via the BridgeU University Visits tab.

Paul Rispin, Senior University Guidance Counsellor

Traffic Update: Free Car Park Available for All BIS Parents

To help reduce congestion at pick-up on Nguyen Van Huong, free Car parking is now available for BIS Parents at 258 Nguyen Van Huong street (Hem 76)

To access free parking simply :

• Collect a pack of car park tickets at any time from Gate A of any BIS campus.
• Give a ticket to the attendant upon exit from the car park.

By asking your child to meet you at the car park you will have a smoother pick up and reduce congestion.

Please encourage your drivers to use the Car park. For any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Secondary reception team at sc@bisvietnam.com

Can I also remind you of our driver code of conduct, especially not double-parking outside the school gates. This blocks the road and adds considerable congestion.  It is important we all play our part to keep traffic flowing at busy times.

Thank you for your support

• Monday 29th August: Year 13 Parent University Guidance Session, Secondary Auditorium, 6.00pm
• Monday 29th August to Monday 5th September: Co-Curricular Activities sign-up on Schoolsbuddy, 5pm
• Tuesday 30th August: Year 7 Open Morning, Secondary Auditorium, 9.00am
• Wednesday 31st August: Year 10 Parent Information Evening, Secondary Auditorium, 6.00pm
• Tuesday 6th September: International Day Planning Meeting, Secondary Auditorium, 8.30am
• Tuesday 6th September: Year 11 IBDP Options Evening, Secondary Campus, 6.00pm
• Thursday 8th September: Year 8 Open Morning, Secondary Auditorium, 9.00am
• Wednesday 14th September: Year 9 IGCSE Options Evening, Secondary Campus, 6.00pm

Enjoy your weekend,

Kind regards,

Sean O’Neill

Head Teacher, Secondary Campus