Dear Parents,
I am so proud of our students, this week. The cancellation of the Key Stage Three trips was a huge disappointment for all of them but their response has been mature and magnificent. We are looking at ways in which we can reschedule the trips, as our children deserve this opportunity. We will announce the new dates of the rescheduled trip, as soon as we can.
The older students, who have been taking their 4th series of progress check tests, have also conducted themselves impressively. They have studied hard and, as I mentioned in an earlier hub piece, they have strengthened their foundation for future examination success. I urge all of the Year 11 and Year 13 students to take the week’s holiday, as an opportunity to re-charge their batteries.
Be Prepared but Keep it in Perspective
Our first round of assessments for Key Stage 3 students will take place in the week beginning the 24 November. Younger students could begin preparing for these exams by reviewing their notes and preparing questions for their teachers, for when they return to school. The Key Stage 3 assessments will be in the subjects of English, Science, Mathematics, History, Geography, Vietnamese and MFL. Students should take these assessments seriously but remember that “little and often” might be the best way to organise their revision between now and the 24 November. I encourage students to speak to their tutor and subject teachers, if they want further advice on how to prepare for assessments.
We feel the benefit of Nord Anglia Support
We have had two visitors to the school, this week. Paul Murphy, our curriculum specialist from Juilliard, worked with students. He also delivered a workshop to teachers on the topic of structuring effective student feedback. It was a unique session, that had us thinking in extraordinary ways about the way we can prepare students prior to asking for their feedback. We really value our partnership with Paul and Juilliard. The relationship we have with Juilliard presents exceptional opportunities to our students and would be unimaginable without the supportive power of Nord Anglia behind us. Nord Anglia support us in other ways, too. Today we were visited by the regional HR manager, Annie Gayle. Annie is just one of the many support staff we can turn towards for advice and a different perspective. Having worked in an independent school prior to my arrival in Hanoi, I cannot praise enough the professional value of being a member of Nord Anglia Education.
Curriculum Update
Thank you to all the parents from Year 6 to Year 9 that completed our curriculum questionnaire. We had 112 responses and the data has given us significant insight into the ways we might decide to develop our educational offer (Please see Ms Hill’s hub piece). We will share the final developments that have emerged from the questionnaire with parents in term 1b.
I wish all of our students and staff a well deserved rest.
Tim Webb, Head of Secondary