Weekly Highlights 09/09/2022

Mr. Simon Higham, Principal

Dear Parents 

I trust that you had a very relaxing and enjoyable two day public holiday last week and are now looking forward to a consistent period of learning that now lies ahead. As always, our BVIS staff are fully committed with energy, enthusiasm and creativity to ensure that every student achieves more than they ever thought possible. 

First Ever Principal’s Afternoon Tea 

Thank you to all parents who engaged and connected with our school through this week’s first ever Afternoon Tea Event.

Those who were able to attend learned more about the school’s senior leaders and what their own individual purpose and educational philosophy is. Following this, parents were guided through the most recent feedback from the 2021/22 Parent Satisfaction Survey and how this has influenced the developments across the school. Finally, everyone was given a tour around 5 of the most significant campus upgrades to see how our working partnership between home and school is influencing the learning and teaching of BVIS students. 

Please look out for information about the next Afternoon Tea event. Should you have any suggestions for any future topics for us to address, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Jacy (PA to Principal) at the following email address: 

jacy.nguyen@bvisvietnam.com 

Welcome to BVIS 

As part of our introduction to new members of our teaching staff, we are pleased to welcome Ms Therese Bayoneta, Early Years and Foundation Stage teacher. 

1. What were your first impressions of BVIS?  

This school has a great learning environment with world-class facilities that cater to children’s individuals needs and interests. BVIS has a warm space for staff and students from different countries and culture. 

2. As a BVIS teacher, what are your professional priorities in this first year at school?  

My top 3 priorities are embedding love of learning to my young students, building positive relationships with my colleagues, and fulfilling my passion for teaching in the Early Years. 

3. What 3 things are you looking forward to doing whilst working and living in Vietnam?  

I’m excited to explore more places in Vietnam, trying all of Saigon's famous cuisines and living independently in a new environment. 

Further information about our Leadership and Teaching teams can be found on our school website and by clicking here. 

New Bus App Launches Soon 

In our aim to continuously improve our school bus service, we have been working alongside our bus provider and plan to launch a new bus app called B2S at the beginning of October 2022. 

The app is available for free download on both the App Store and Google Play. 

This new Bus Management software has been developed to ensure that each bus parent will feel more engaged and connected with their child(ren’s) bus routine, including notifications of pick up and arrival, real time GPS tracking, fast access to important information and direct communication with the bus monitor. 

Look out for information via email coming to all bus parents very soon. 

Should you wish to enquire about your child using our school bus service, please use one of the contacts below. 

Thank you for taking time to read the news, events, reminders and updates from this week’s Highlights. Your time is very much appreciated and respected.

Have a great weekend ahead.

Mrs Mary McAloon, Head of Primary

Parenting Workshops with BVISHCMC expert, Mr Luke Curran 

Last Wednesday we hosted the first of a series of parenting workshops for families in the primary years.  Mr Luke Curran, Head of Safeguarding, Welfare and Guidance, took the participants on a journey to understand the concept of ‘Wearing your Teaching Hat’ as a parent.  Parents learned about the science behind the approaches by participating in a number of practical activities, which enabled the audience to view a child’s perspective on everyday concepts and as a result, understand the importance of guiding and teaching them to develop and progress.  

Families in attendance commented on how valuable the workshop was.  They learned strategies to use at home with their child to encourage and support their learning in the home.  The next scheduled parenting workshop is for Upper Primary families on the same topic, ‘Wearing your Teaching Hat’ on Tuesday 13th September at 08:30am.  We look forward to welcoming as many families as possible to this valuable workshop 

Young Musician of the Year 

Auditions are underway for the citywide competition, ‘Young Musician of the Year’.  The final of this prestigious event will be held at ABC International School this year at the beginning of October.  Ms Heather Rugile, Primary Music Teacher, listened to a number of Year 3 to 6 students during round one of auditions this week.  Students were invited to sing or play an instrument of their choice to compete.  Performances were assessed on musicality and technical proficiency.  Students who were selected to perform in the semi-final round will play in the whole primary assembly on Friday 23rd September.  Families of the semi-finalists will be receiving further emails from Ms Heather regarding the next steps of the competition.   

Congratulations to every courageous student who auditioned for this great opportunity to become the ‘Young Musician of the Year’ from across three international schools in HCMC. 

Technology at BVIS 

On Wednesday and Thursday this week we hosted two important workshops to guide parents in setting up the technology that students need for their learning this academic year.  Our first was for parents with children in Years 3 to 6 and the second was for our EYFS families.  For our Year 1 and 2 parents, there are a series of three phonics workshops starting next week that will cover learning technologies for these years. 

At BVIS, students in Years 3 to 6 are required to use an iPad for their learning both in school and at home.  This educational strategy is formed around the principle of a seamless transition for student learning with many pioneering resources now being online.  In addition, the strategy focuses on the mission “Create Your Future” ensuring as educators, we guide and support students to build good habits and structure when using technology.  This will ensure students make consciously healthy decisions; an example of this is the amount of time they spend on screens. 

Thank you to all parents who attended the workshop; your support towards learning technologies for your child will help to ensure that they have access to premium learning resources both at home and school. 

If you would like further support in setting up your child’s iPad, then please contact our Primary Reception by telephone on, (028) 3758 0709 or email at, primaryreception@bvisvietnam.com. Our in-school experts will provide you with the help you need. 

Primary Parents’ Evening Meetings 

The Parents’ Evening booking system is now open.  Please refer to the email that was sent to parents early this week with instructions on how to book your meeting with your child’s class teachers.  We must aim for 100% attendance at these meetings as they allow the “team around the child” (parents and teachers) to support learning and progress and ensure every child goes beyond expectations.   

If you are having any difficulty with accessing the booking system, please contact your child’s class teachers or call Primary Reception on,  (028) 3758 0709 and we will support you directly. 

• 13/09/22 @ 08:30am: Positive Parenting Workshop 1 – Wearing your teaching hat (open to Years 4 to 6 parents) 
  
  
• 15/09/22 @ 08:30am: Phonics coffee morning Workshop 1 (open to F3, Year 1 and 2 parents) 
  
  
• 22/09/22 @ 08:30am: Phonics coffee morning Workshop 2 (open to Year 1 to 2 parents) 
  
  
• 29/09/22 @ 08:30am: Phonics and Reading coffee morning Workshop 3 (open to Year 1 to 3 parents) 

Mr Toby Bate, Head of Secondary

As Mr Higham has mentioned in his Highlights piece, I trust that you have enjoyed the long weekend and look forward to the more usual school weeks ahead. The next few months represent a significant learning period for all our students, where we expect significant progress to be made, especially with our older students who will take examinations this academic year. 

I hope that you are looking forward to celebrating the mid-autumn festival this Saturday and you will have the chance to spend this important day with your loved ones. It will be my first Moon festival in Vietnam, and I am looking forward to being with my own family on the day. 

In order to celebrate the festival in school, Secondary students have today enjoyed the opportunity to wear a traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai. 

Many of our Secondary school teachers also took the opportunity to wear their own Ao Dai to join in this celebratory day and to understand it’s importance in Vietnamese culture. 

Student Council News 

On behalf of the Secondary Student Council, we would like to say a warm welcome back to all of our fellow students in Secondary!  

After a long summer, we have returned, well-rested and ready to learn. It's amazing to see so many of our students back in school, filling the halls with their chatter, bringing back the familiar BVIS atmosphere.  

The 2022-23 school year has officially begun, and we’re so excited to see what the new year will bring. 

Both the Student Council and the House Prefects have planned an amazing year ahead. Many new events and activities are underway - along with old favorites like Halloween and Christmas, students should look forward to many more fun new events to come!  

Additionally, the Student Council would also like to announce that member applications are now open! As the main organisation representing the student body, we are looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team, helping us achieve our mission of making BVIS an even better place!  

Along with our new chairs, the Student Council are determined to make this year the best one yet! If your child(ren) are interested in filling the position, please don't hesitate to sign up! 

Written by Minh and Kevin – Presidents of the Student Council 

Creative Arts 

Last week students auditioned for the upcoming show “Blood Brothers”, which will take place from the 7th- 9th December. We had an amazing turnout of students from Y7-Y13 who came to show their acting and singing skills. It has been an incredibly difficult decision to choose the final cast, which will be revealed later this week! 

Business & Economics 

This week in the Business & Economics faculty students have been celebrating their achievements in the ‘World Economics Cup’ competition. Our students, who have just graduated from BVIS, came into school to collect their medals and certificates for this competition. One of our students was 3rd in the world, achieving a gold award, with another nine students achieving either a silver or bronze award. They led Vietnam to finish 9th overall out of the 38 countries who participated.

BVIS Secondary Champion of the Week 

A huge congratulations to Khanh (Kandice) in 9V who was last week’s Champion, and to Ngoc (Chrissie) also in 9V who is this week’s champion.  

Kandice always has a smile on her face so its great to see her positive attitude rewarded – well done Kandice. Chrissie always makes every effort in all of her lessons to make sure she completes work above and beyond our expectations – well done Chrissie! 

BVIS Secondary Tutor Group of the Week 

With the incredible efforts of Kandice last week, 9V were last week’s Champion tutor group - well done to them! However, this week, despite the great efforts of Chrissie in 9V, this week’s Champion Tutor Group is 9B so an enormous well-done to them! Can anyone steal their crown next week? 

Safeguarding and Child Protection

The health, safety and wellbeing of our students remains the number one priority at BVIS HCMC.

Should you have a concern for the welfare of any child in our school, please refer to our Safeguarding poster below: