This week in the Primary School – Ms Rosy Clark – 15/01/2016

Year 4 trip to Sunny Farm

This week, all of the Year 4 children visited ‘Sunny Farm’ which is located about one hour’s drive away from BVIS. This trip took place to enhance our children’s learning for their “Food and Farming” Lien Ket topic. The children had a great time and took part in a range of a learning experiences at the farm:

·      Harvesting guava

·      Feeding animals such as ducks, geese, pigeons and pigs

·      Making their own lemonade

·      Planting their own spring onions

At the British Vietnamese International School, we value learning outdoors and away from school / home. This term all of our Primary residential trips will take place and Year 3 – Year 6 parents will soon receive information about these.

Overview of our residential visits programme for Y3 – Y6 children this term:

Educational visits are an important part of the curriculum here at BVIS and we adhere to the BIS Group of Schools’ policy when planning and carrying out our school trips.

The British government recognises that: “learning outside the classroom helps to bring the curriculum to life – it provides deeper subject learning and increases self-confidence. It also helps pupils develop their risk awareness and prepares them for their future working lives.” (Health and Safety Executive 2011).

Before any BVIS educational visit takes place, whether a few hours or several days’ in length, whether close to school or further afield, we carry out a “Risk Assessment”. In fact, risk assessments are taking place next week for the Year 5 residential visit to the Mekong Delta and the Y6 trip to Hoi An which will take place after Tet. During a risk assessment, staff visit the hotel and location(s) of the planned activities. They will carefully check the quality of the facilities and ensure healthy and safety precautions are in place for the children and staff.

Trip itineraries are planned carefully and enough staff accompany each trip according to the school’s agreed staff/pupil ratios. First aid training for BIS Group staff is provided on an annual basis by Family Medical Practice here in HCMC so we can ensure there is a first aider accompanying every residential trip too.

Whenever possible, either Mr Oliver or I also accompany the residential visits. Both of us are looking forward to this year’s residential learning experiences and to spending quality time with the children. We know the children will develop enormously through these visits and we look forward to being a part of this alongside their class teachers.