From Crest to Community- The Saola Comes to Life at BIS HCMC as our First-Ever Sport Mascot

For more than 20 years, The Saola has quietly been part of our story.

Since 2005, it has stood proudly within our school crest — a rare and precious symbol representing our Vietnamese home and our responsibility to protect what matters most.

Earlier this year, the Saola also began to take on a new role within our school community, becoming a logo connected to BIS sport and team identity.

This marked the first step in bringing the Saola beyond the crest and into everyday school life.

The Saola has always carried meaning. Now, our current Year 12 Enrichment Prefects have brought that story to life — transforming a historic symbol into BIS HCMC’s first-ever official sports mascot.

And a new era of school spirit has begun.

Martin - Year 12 Enrichment Prefect shared "For years, students have asked for a mascot that represents our values while strengthening the connection within our community. The Saola achieves exactly that, and we’re so proud to present it to the school.”

Why Introduce a Sports Mascot?

At leading British international schools around the world, sports mascots do more than entertain.

They:

• Unite students across year groups
• Strengthen identity
• Build pride in school representation
• Create shared belonging and spirit
• Energise sport and community events

As one of the leading British international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, BIS HCMC continues to expand its sporting programme and facilities — including the recent opening of The Summit, our renovated sports hall.

It was time for a rallying symbol.

A mascot that students could stand behind.

A symbol that represents who we are — on the court, on the pitch and beyond.

"The Saola has already had a massive impact on our school as the mascot was cheered and celebrated at the launch event. My favorite part of the whole launch was when the Saola started to dance in our Primary assembly and the students all joined in” shared Florence, Year 12 Enrichment Prefect

Why The Saola?

Choosing the right mascot mattered. It needed to represent who we are, where we are, and what we stand for.

For BIS HCMC, the answer had been part of our identity all along.

The Saola — one of the rarest animals in the world and a powerful symbol of Vietnam — has been part of our school crest since 2005, representing our connection to our Vietnamese home and reminding us of our responsibility to protect what is precious. It was the perfect answer.

Bringing The Saola to life as our sports mascot was a natural next step.

And importantly, the storytelling and launch of The Saola was student-led, expertly by our Year 12 Enrichment Prefects.

They researched its origins, explored its cultural and environmental significance, and shared the story of the Saola with the entire school community — ensuring every student understood why this remarkable animal represents BIS HCMC.

Through their research, our prefects shared that the Saola:

• Was first discovered in May 1992 in Vietnam’s Vu Quang Nature Reserve
• Lives in the mountainous forests along the Vietnam–Laos border
• Is regarded as a national treasure and powerful symbol of Vietnamese biodiversity
• Was chosen as the mascot of the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2022
• Is classified as Critically Endangered

They ensured every student understood why this extraordinary animal matters — not just to Vietnam, but to us.

As an international school in Vietnam, the Saola reflects our unique identity.

It symbolises:

• Deep respect for our Vietnamese context
• Responsibility to protect what is precious
• Rarity and resilience
• Quiet strength
• Pride rooted in place

And uniquely, as shared by our prefectsBIS HCMC will be the only school in the world with a Saola as its sports mascot — a distinction that reflects our global ambition and our local pride.

From Symbol to Spirit

Our school crest, introduced in 2005, was carefully designed to represent the identity of BIS HCMC and the values we stand for.

At its centre are three key elements alongside our school motto, Crescat Scientia:

• The Lion — symbolising our British heritage and our commitment to rigour, excellence and achievement.
• The Saola — a rare indigenous deer discovered in Vietnam’s highlands, representing our Vietnamese context and our responsibility to protect what is precious.
• The Lotus and Book — symbols of Vietnam, learning and knowledge, reflecting our commitment to outstanding education.

The shield is surrounded by a laurel wreath, an emblem of success and distinction, while our motto Crescat Scientia reminds us that learning and knowledge should always grow.

For years, the Saola has lived within that crest.

Now, that story moves.

The Saola is no longer simply a symbol within a shield.

It is a living presence in our sporting and school culture.

Student Leadership in Action

This launch was led from start to finish by our Year 12 Enrichment Prefects:
Florence, Hugo, JiU, Khanh Linh, Martin, Rachel and SeoWon.

They:

• Researched the historical and cultural significance of the Saola
• Explored why it was originally chosen by previous students
• Delivered assemblies across Secondary
• Visited our Early Years and Infant campuses
• Led Junior Campus celebrations
• Shared storytelling presentations explaining its biodiversity and symbolism

SeoWon, Year 12 Enrichment added “It was really special sharing the story of the Saola with the younger students and watching them get excited about such a unique animal becoming our school mascot.”