Mr. Simon Higham, Principal
Dear Parents
Safety First
This week, considering the recent community cases of COVID-19 in HCMC, we have been focusing upon the health and safety of our school community. I would like to thank you for the support you have shown us in ensuring that our school, our children and our community are taking every precaution to keep us safe.
I am pleased in the way that our children have reacted in both a determined and balanced manner to the recent outbreak. As communicated in my letter to you all on Tuesday this week, it is expected that every child continues to wear a mask and have at least one spare at school. Should you, your child, family members or carers show any symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat, they should not attend school and seek medical advice.
We continue to monitor the situation carefully and will communicate all developments that we have.
Currently:
- The BVIS ‘Merry Beachmas’ event on Saturday 5th December is cancelled (details about ticket refunds were sent out via email on Wednesday this week).
- All sports fixtures are cancelled until the end of Term 1.
- Club sessions run by external providers have been cancelled until the end of Term 1 (missed sessions will be rescheduled in Term 2).
- Planned events inside of school will go ahead as planned but without a parent audience – where possible, events will be livestreamed, and relevant parents invited to join online.
We continue to prioritise learning and the safety of our BVIS community.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly for any further updates.
Meet our New Teachers
This week, our final new teacher in the spotlight is Mr Robert Bailey, Secondary Science and Biology Teacher.
1. Where did you live prior to coming to Vietnam, what role did you have and what was the name of your previous school?
Before moving to Vietnam, I taught in Nakuru in Kenya for a year. Prior to that, I taught at Queen’s College in The Bahamas.
2. What were your first impressions of BVIS?
Fantastic labs, students that are very capable and willing to work and friendly colleagues!
3. What is your teaching philosophy in short?
For best results.......... make learning fun.
4. What 3 things are you looking forward to doing whilst working and living in Vietnam?
- Getting back underwater- scuba diving, snorkelling and hopefully spotting some turtles.
- Hiking through the jungles of Cat Tien and the other national parks.
- Eating as many fresh spring rolls as is humanly possible.
5. If you could sum up your experience so far in just one word, what would it be?
Awesome.
Engage and Connect further with us!
Should you have any questions, concerns or feedback regarding your child’s learning, please contact your child’s class teacher (Primary) or class tutor (Secondary) in the first instance. Our teachers are ready and willing to support you and your family in any way they can.
Teachers can be contacted directly through Class Dojo (Primary) and email. Our admin staff are also available to help and support using the numbers below:
- For all Primary Enquiries, please call:
(028) 3758 0709 / ext. 111
- For all Secondary Enquiries, please call:
(028) 3758 0717 / ext. 211
- For all enquiries linked to Admissions, please call:
(028) 3758 8033
On behalf of everyone at our school, stay safe, stay connected and stay focused on learning. Thank you for your continued support.
Mrs Mary McAloon, Head of Primary
Community Leadership
Following the collection of the extremely generous donations that our community kindly left with us at school, our primary community leaders along with secondary community leaders, plus Ms Nga and Ms Georgina, have been working hard to sort and pack the items to be sent.
In total, this week we sent 23 boxes of great donations to the Central Provinces that have been affected by terrible flooding over the past month. The donations will be shared between the people and families in Quang Tri and Quang Nam provinces who really need them. Thank you to all our families who supported this cause.
Y3 Exit Point
Year 3 have spent the past term learning all about rainforests and to end their hard work and perseverance, they celebrated their progress on Wednesday with a special exhibition of their work. Year 5 and Year 6 children were invited to join in the celebration, beginning with a showcase of learning in the theatre on stage followed by a display of their work produced. It is a pleasure to see children sharing and celebrating learning together.
Y5 Debate Final
On Thursday Y5 demonstrated the impact of their recent learning within their topic of persuasive writing. To consolidate this learning, all children practised their persuasive skills verbally through debates within the classes. This then led to a debate competition that was finalised on Thursday by meeting some of our wise teachers on stage in the theatre to discuss and deliberate the children’s chosen suggestions for change.
Congratulations to all participants and a particular well done to the finalists who gave the audience some really interesting thoughts to contemplate.
A Snowman at Sunset
On Friday Year 2 children set the stage for another Christmas delight in their production, ‘A Snowman at Sunset’. The children sang with such delight and told the story with such confidence. Well done to all our children and the team behind the scenes in making Friday’s performance a huge success.
Next week we look forward to seeing our youngest learners in EYFS in their Christmas Sing-a-Long. Updates on whether this event will be a student-only event will be shared via emails and ClassDojo prior to the day. We thank you for your understanding and support in keeping our community safe.
Upcoming Events
- 15/12/20 @ 11:30 am – Term 1 Ends
- 06/01/21 @ 08:25 am – Term 2 Begins
Wishing you all a safe and healthy weekend.
Mr Jack Rudin, Head of Secondary
Global Campus Introduction Session
Ms Mumby-Cole led sessions this week introducing our KS4 learners to the Global Campus platform and explaining its benefits. Students completed several collaborative and individual tasks. All KS2, KS3 and KS4 students are now familiar with the Global Campus site, and are using it to further their learning and gain Global Campus Badges.
BVIS Secondary Champion of the Week
Congratulations to NGUYEN, Ke Phuc (Eddie) in 11V for being this week’s Champion! Well done on a fantastic effort. With nearly all of term 1 complete who can end the term as the Champion over the holidays?
World Economics Cup
Congratulations to our Year 12 and 13 students who competed in the inaugural World Cup of Economics last weekend. The team underwent a gruelling 3 and a half hours of examination and then spent hours preparing for a team presentation that lasted 15 minutes.
All members of the team performed outstandingly and whatever the outcome – we are very proud of your achievements.
Student Council Christmas Activities
This week our fantastic student council have collaborated with the marketing department to provide a range of Christmas themed activities for all students to take part in. They set up a fun Polaroid photo station for students to take Christmas pictures together and for Christmas movies to be played in the theatre during lunchtimes. Through these activities, the students have been raising funds to support ENV’s Rhino conservation work, which follows on nicely from the wildlife theme of Love BVIS Week. It’s been great to see students and staff getting into the Christmas spirit whilst supporting a very worthy cause.