

Mr. Simon Higham, Principal
Dear Parents
I would like to extend our warmest welcome to all of our students, teachers and parents that make up our very special, BVIS community. Whether you have been with our school since the very first day or if you are new to our community this year, your support is very much appreciated.

This year is a very important year in our school’s history as we enter our 10th year of operation. Through the last decade, BVIS HCMC has gone from strength to strength to become the premier international bilingual school in the city – and you are all, an important part of this success story. We are looking forward to continuing this success both this year and for the next decade to come.

Weekly Highlights – engage and connect with us
Each Friday, we will send out what we call our ‘Weekly Highlights’ to everyone across our school. Typically, this will be in your Inbox by 6.00pm each week.

The Weekly Highlights aim to bring the school and our community closer together and aim to help inform and remind parents and students of important news items and upcoming events, celebrate success stories across our school and give information that we hope will allow you to engage and connect more efficiently and effectively with life in school.
Each week, please take time to read through the content and make time to talk it through with your child(ren) – no matter how old or how young they are.
Should you have any feedback, questions or issues relating to any aspect of your child’s education, please look out for the following contact numbers that will be published in the Highlights each week:
- 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
Our BVIS staff are here to help so please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to support.
Our Teachers
As mentioned in my previous emails, we are very pleased to have our new teachers both in country and in school. This year, we have four additional teachers compared to last year in order for us to develop and enhance the learning and support that is offered across BVIS.

For more information about our teachers, please have a look at their professional profiles which can be found here, on the school website.
Throughout the first half term, we will be introducing all of our new teachers to you both in the Highlights and through our upcoming Meet the Teacher Evenings. Please make a note of the following dates in your diary:
- EYFS and Primary – Thursday 27th August from 5.30pm
- Secondary - Thursday 3rd September from 4.30pm
More details about these events will be coming to you soon from our leadership teams.
Supporting our Community through COVID-19
This week, we sent out a document to all parents that aims to support our BVIS community through COVID-19. The document can be accessed here. Please take time to read through the information, which outlines:
- Our strategy moving forward, should we be forced to close the school.
- Our enhanced Health and Safety procedures that must be adhered to whilst in school.

It always has been (and always will be) our preference to have our students and teachers in school, for face to face learning. However, we must be prepared to ensure that learning and safety is prioritised, no matter what situations we face.
Academic Calendar 2020/21
Please be reminded that this year’s academic calendar (2020/21) can found using this link

Updated Aide Memoire
With a new school year, comes a refreshed and updated Aide Memoire.

The Aide Memoire helps us to remember the mission, vision and values of our school thus allowing us all to be moving forward together in a consistent and positive manner.
This weekend talk to your child(ren) about the words contained within the Aide Memoire and understand together, what they mean and how we can develop ourselves in line with them.
Safeguarding
It is very important that all parents wear the official school lanyard and swipe card at drop off, pick up and at all times when you are onsite.

The blue lanyard helps us to identify all adults who are allowed to be on site and have permission to be here.

All visitors to school will receive and will be required to wear a red lanyard that identifies them as a visitor.
Please be prepared for any member of the school staff to approach you if you do not have any lanyard. Thank you for your cooperation in making our school environment, a safer one.
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:
Once again, thank you for your support of our BVIS community. It is both a pleasure and a privilege to have you as a member of our school and we are looking forward to meeting you all over the academic year.
Have a safe and restful weekend ahead.
Mr Simon Higham (Principal)