Beyond the scoreboard: How BVIS Hanoi students found their voice at the Nord Anglia Education SEA Games

What happens when you take young learners out of the classroom and onto an international sports stage? You see them shine in ways you never imagined.

At this year’s Nord Anglia Education Southeast Asia Games (SEA Games), BVIS Hanoi students didn’t just represent their school – they represented growth, grit and global citizenship.

“I learned that we can’t just stay with mum and dad forever,” said Year 5 student Quoc Nam, after competing in T-ball and basketball. “We have to be independent, join a group, go out, and experience other places. I was really proud of myself when I got Dragon of the Day. I helped my team, motivated them, and reminded them to try again.”

“I did motivate my team the most. Some people in my team got out on the first try [in T-ball], but I motivated them so they could do it again.”

It was that same encouragement that helped him grow in confidence too.

“I started talking with people. I learned that we have to be independent and strong,” he said.

BVIS Hanoi parents witnessed extraordinary transformations, too. Quan, father of Year 6 student Binh An, gained a whole new perspective of his daughter’s spirit.

“When they get out of the family, they behave on their own, their true characteristic, and I can see something I don’t usually see,” he said. For Quan, the SEA Games weren’t just about sports – they also gave him a window into how his child was learning to navigate the world, build friendships, and show resilience.

“She learns how to win and lose, and how to contribute to the team’s success,” he said. “After this, she’s really grown up.”

Quan also emphasised BVIS Hanoi’s unique strength in how they strike a balance between two languages: “The children learn English and Vietnamese at the same time. They don’t lose their Vietnamese culture. Instead, they grow both.”

From PE Teacher Miss Ellie Dunford’s perspective, the international event helps students be courageous and step outside of their comfort zones.

“These events help our children grow more than just as sportspeople – they develop confidence, resilience, relationships and independence.”

For Miss Ellie, one of the most powerful moments came during a tough game of T-ball: “We lost, but the team gathered around and reflected together. They didn’t care that they lost. They were high-fiving each other and me. That was a core memory.”

Miss Ellie sees sport as a kind of sanctuary – a space for joy and learning. “Sport is that release. It’s meant to be a happy kind of place, a relaxed enjoyment away from the stress of school or homework.” And from within that joy, growth emerges. Whether it’s exchanging currency for the first time or making new friends across cultures, “they learn things I can’t teach them in the classroom”.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher or a 10-year-old waiting for your name to be called as Dragon of the Day, these shared experiences become something unforgettable. For everyone involved, the SEA Games weren’t just about competition; they were a celebration of character, community and the courage to grow.