Weekly Highlights 24/02/2023

Mr. Simon Higham, Principal

Dear Parents

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Weekly Highlights and thank you for engaging and connecting with us.

Following last week’s Year 5 residential trip to the Mekong Delta, it has been great to have all our year groups back in school, working hard and enjoying the many learning opportunities that are on offer.

There is a theme of ‘appreciation’ and ‘thank you’ in my writing this week – something that I feel is well deserved!

Parent Teacher Meetings – Thank You

Thank you to all parents of EYFS and Primary aged children for attending this week’s Parents’ Meetings. Additionally, thank you also to our parents of Year 13 students, who on Tuesday, attended their son/daughter’s final scheduled Parents’ Meeting. As a parent myself of a daughter who is in her final year of school, I fully understand that this last Parent/Teacher meeting was filled with both emotion and excitement linked to the next chapter of life that now lies ahead.

We are confident that our oldest students within our school are well prepared and supported in making their steps into Higher Education. As written in our recent CIS report: 'BVIS facilitates opportunities for students and parents to connect with universities from all over the world. The evidence suggests that this programme is comprehensive and is achieving the desired outcomes.'

Collections For Our Used Book Sale

Thank you to all parents who have already donated books for our Used Book Sale that takes place on Friday 3^rd March, between 3.00pm and 4:00pm on the Primary Playground.
 
We are all looking forward to seeing as many parents as possible at this event. All funds raised will be donated to our BVIS Community Partners.

Parent Satisfaction Survey

I would like to extend a huge thanks to all parents who have now completed our 2022-23 Parent Satisfaction Survey.

At the time of writing, we have had 336 individual responses which equals just over 40% of families who attend our school.

There is still time to complete your survey if you haven’t already done so. Simply click on the link in the email body to these Highlights. The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes and can be completed in English or Vietnamese.

What Gen Z Need To Thrive In The Future

On Wednesday evening this week, we organised an educational and informative Livestream, with a panel of experts to discuss these lead questions: 

• What will the future labour market look like?
• What does the world of work look like through the lens of a young Gen Z adult?
• What skills do Gen Z need in order to thrive in the future?

Following an incredibly open, honest and informative event, my thanks go to: 

• Gia Quy - BVIS graduate in 2016 and current TV/Film Director
• Ms Trinh - BVIS parent, entrepreneur and CEO/Founder of Talentnet) and 
• Ha Vy (Annie) - current Year 12 Student Leader at BVIS and member of Gen Z

Giving your time and efforts to allow us to understand more about what *Generation Z needs to thrive in an ever-changing workplace, was incredibly valuable – thank you!

*Generation (Gen) Z - born 1997-2012 – will soon become the next workforce generation in the future. Gen Z are famous for being creative, bold and tech savvy. 

For more information and updates relating to this event, please continue to monitor our school’s social media channels:

Contact Us 

To help assist you with any questions that you may have regarding your child’s BVIS education, use the contact details below – we’re ready to help and support you:

On behalf of our school team, I would like to thank all our BVIS community for your continued partnership to help deliver our school Mission: To deliver an outstanding international bilingual education for every BVIS child, that provides a learning experience like no other.  

Have a peaceful and family orientated weekend ahead.

Mrs Mary McAloon, Head of Primary

Primary Residential Trips

Years 4 and 5 arrived back with so many stories to share about their experiences last week in Long Hai and the Mekong Delta.  On Monday, students spent time reflecting on what they had learned, their most memorable activity and what they would like to experience again.  As a school we see the importance of taking time to reflect and consider what worked well and what could be even better next time.  This is a skill that we teach students to ensure they too know how to reach optimum learning techniques and continue to make exceptional progress.

Following the reflection time, I am pleased to share with you some of the students’ and teachers’ special thoughts.

Year 4 Reflections about the Long Hai residential:

The trip is the first time I have been away from my family and slept on my own, I learnt how to pack and organise my suitcase. I felt freedom! I enjoyed eating the toasted marshmallows!’ – Vicky

‘I felt happy, I enjoyed being away with friends. Staying with friends made me feel confident and excited. Also the food was so flavourful’ – Karen

‘It was the first time I experienced the feeling of sharing a room with friends, it was hard to sleep in the beginning but after that, I could sleep very well. I enjoyed the talent show the most. I also loved the beach games with Ms Phuc.’ – Leo 

‘Before the trip I did not know how to wash my hair and after the trip I knew how to do it. I learnt new skills! I loved the sketching activity.’ – Suzi

‘It was such a precious time as I did not have my mum by my side. This means I can show how independent I am. One of the most enjoyable experiences was eating toasted marshmallows, they tasted so good.’ – Candy

‘It was a great opportunity for the children to grow and really show how independent and confident they are. The children learnt to organise their belongings before and during the trip, they collaborated in the activities, brought their teamwork and communication skills outside the classroom and across the year group with whom they haven’t had a chance to work with before.’ – Ms Yen

Year 5 Reflections about the Mekong Delta residential:

'Mudfishing was my favourite activity. It taught me to persevere and never give up.' - Vincent

'I loved working as a team with my friends when we played disc golf.' - Coca

'My favourite memory of the trip was performing in the talent show. At first, I was scared, but afterwards my friends said my dance was so good and it made me happy.' - Jessie

'Our students really benefitted from being out of their comfort zones and experiencing new things with their classmates. They have come back to school this week with more confidence, resilience and independence.' - Ms Emily

'The children were exposed to the real-life experiences of local people living along the riverbank. This enables our students to have a deeper and broader understanding of the 'Rivers' topic they are currently studying in Lien Ket lessons.' - Ms Hong Anh

BVIS hosts Vietnam’s IPC Conference

On Friday 24th and Saturday 25th February, BVIS welcomed delegates from schools across Asia that deliver the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for an IPC conference.  Experts involved in creating and developing the curriculum led courses to train delegates in how best to implement the curriculum.  

At BVIS we plan the primary students’ Lien Ket lessons (history, geography, art and design and technology) using the IPC as the core curriculum.  Being unique and personalied at BVIS with our approach to bilingualism within our delivery of learning, the IPC delegates were interested and enthused to learn about how our teachers adapt the IPC to resonate with our student body and allow them to develop their Vietnamese Perspective alongside their Global Perspective.  Ms Ruth Bowler, our Lien Ket Coordinator, delivered an informative presentation about how we at BVIS ensure students experience variety whilst developing knowledge, skills and understanding in all the Lien Ket subjects.  

An insight for parents into the excellent learning experiences that students experience is the exit points that year groups host throughout the year to share and celebrate their learning.  I encourage parents to attend their child’s next Exit Point to see for themselves how the IPC complements student learning at BVIS.

Term 2 Parents’ Evening Meetings

Thank you to all our B and I class parents who attended the parent meetings with their children’s class teachers this week.  This opportunity is for teachers to share progress and next steps for development as we approach the final term of the academic year.  Regular home-school communication is conducive for students achieving the most out of every learning experience.  Having an understanding of where children would benefit from practising and consolidating at home will support their progress towards their end of year expectations.  These expectations were sent home via email at the beginning of the year.  Should you need a copy of these being shared once more, then please contact Ms Mai at mai.nguyen2@bvisvietnam.com

Upcoming Events 

• 27/02/23 to 03/03/23: Book Week Celebration
  
  
• 28/02/23 and 02/03/23: Parents Evening for V and S classes
  
  
• 01/03/23: Positive Parenting Workshop 5: Wearing your firm parenting hat for Upper Primary
  
  
• 03/03/23: World Book Day dress-up celebration
  
  
• 07/03/23: Y6 Residential Trip
  
  
• 07/03/23: EYFS Sports Morning

• 15/03/23: Positive Parenting Workshop 5: Wearing your firm parenting hat for Lower Primary

Mr Toby Bate, Head of Secondary

Following on from Ms Mary’s Highlights, I am pleased to be able to share with you some reflections from our recent Year 9 residential trip to Ho Tram:

Thuy Minh from 9S said:

I enjoyed surfing and kayaking on this trip. For surfing, I stepped out of my comfort zone and learnt a brand new skill that I had never imagined myself ever learning. Kayaking - I thought I would not enjoy kayaking as it is not my cup of tea but spending time with my classmates outside of school gave me the best memories.

Chris in 9S said:

My favourite part of the Y9 trip was when we went to the spa. It was super fun trying out many kinds of pools around there. The ice room was super cold, the tea pool was really warm, and there were also many more pools.

An Update from our Music Department

The BVIS Instrumental Music Programme, in collaboration with the Auftdart School of Music and Performing Arts, was recently launched with a number of students across Upper Primary and Secondary taking lessons. Students have been able to choose between learning the piano, drums or even singing lessons with our fabulous new teachers Mr Canh and Mr Luis. Some students are playing these instruments for the very first time, whilst others are trying to refine their skills in an instrument they are already familiar with.

If you would like your child to take part in our brand new instrumental music programme, please contact our school office and they will help you find out more.

World Book Day

Next week BVIS we will celebrate World Book Day on Friday 3^rd March, but there are also many events taking place during the week

We are encouraging all our students and staff members to be as involved as possible with the activities on offer to celebrate World Book Day. 

BVIS Secondary Champion of the Week

A huge congratulations to Hoang Khoi (Tin Tin) in 7S who is this week’s Champion with a massive 23 housepoints!  Well done Tin Tin!

Secondary Champion Tutor Group of the Week

We are pleased to report that 7S are this week’s Champion Tutor Group once again. This means that they have now won 3 times in a row! Well done to 7S and their tutor, Mr Moroney.

Battle of the bands

This coming Saturday, the BVIS student band “Bittersweet” will compete in HCMC International Schools Battle of the Bands. Best of Luck to Sophia, Ellie, Phuong Nhi, Ha My and Nhu Y from Year 11, who will be representing BVIS at the event.

If you can, please do come along to the Yoko café in D1 to support the students, but as this is a private event you will need your school ID to be allowed to enter the venue.

Upcoming Events  

• 23-27/02/23: U13 FOBISIA Games

• 24/02/23: A Level Music Recital Night

• 28/02/23: USA Universities Fair

• 03/03/23: World Book Day

• 03/03/23: Y7-10 Grade reports sent home

• 07/03/23: Y8 Parents Evening
  
  
• 14/03/23: Y12 Parents Evening
  
  
• 23/03/23: Arts Award Evening

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: