Mr Carl Mincher: Weekly Update 29/06/2018

There were so many of our students called to walk across the stage in recognition of their efforts, not just in academics, but also in their support and service to class and community. Far too many to mention here, or to include in photos.  It was such a positive end to the year with so many individuals cheered on loudly by their peers for their special skills and contributions.

This is an occasion to reflect on the year past and always a wonderful occasion to join together and share in one another’s successes. It is also a great reminder that none of this happens at it’s best without you.

So, as we reach the end of another remarkably successful year of learning at BIS, we would like to thank you all for your support. We know that the success of our students is founded on strong partnerships between home and school and we value your support in providing the best conditions for our students to achieve so much in their Academic, Co-Curricular and Personal development.

Fond farewells

For those that are leaving BIS, we said our fond farewells in our form tutor groups and in today’s assembly.

I would like to wish you all the very best of luck for the future and encourage you to stay in contact with us. Please remember to follow us through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube in order to keep in contact with what is happening at BIS, HCMC. Please remember you are always welcome to return to visit BIS and we would love to hear news of the next chapter in your journeys.

Year 8 BIS learning skills game

On Thursday, our Year 8s took the morning off to enhance their entrepreneurial and marketing skills with our Learning Skills games. This activity enabled our students to develop their collaborative and reflective skills.

Prizes were given for leadership, the best marketing campaign and the most profit made. This prize went to the team comprised of Jason Xuong, Minaga Navurunnage, Tung Lam, Philip Vu, Manh Khai Dao, Kanghyun Par, Suzanne Kassell and Mai Thi Nguyen.

Students take to the streets to clean up Thao Dien

Last Saturday morning the BIS House T-shirts were a very visible presence on the streets of Thao Dien as students, parents and teachers from across all three BIS campuses took part in our second Clean-Up event in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  

Lauren Binnington, Assistant Head Teacher, tells us more about Thao Dien Clean Up 2018 in this post.

BIS HCMC says NO to plastic

Over the last twelve months we have seen a steady but inexorable movement taking place within the grounds of BIS.  Individuals and small groups have been saying no to plastics, upcycling, educating and gathering towards a single global goal. There have been many small changes already made this year, but we are looking forward to an even greater movement.

Click here to find out more about the BIS HCMC #2020PlasticPledge and how you can get involved.

The “NAE - UNICEF Student Summit” 2018 in New York City

The school year may well have ended for many but for some students there is much more excitement yet to come.

As part of Nord Anglia Education’s collaboration with UNICEF, student ambassadors from our family of schools around the world will visit New York next week to demonstrate how our schools are working to meet the United Nations’ Global Goals for Sustainable Development, including through the annual Global Challenge.

Our three BIS HCMC Ambassadors are Doan Nguyen (Year 12), Vy Nguyen (Year 11) and Ashley Lee (Year 10).

Learn more about each of them and their upcoming journey at the NAE - Unicef Student Summit 2018 by clicking here.

Introducing the new PTG Committee

As parents you are an important part of the BIS community  and through the many and varied PTG events held throughout the year, we have welcomed a great support from you. Many of these events would not be possible without our PTG Committee and I would like to say a final thank you to this year’s energetic PTG Committee for all of their efforts from the Christmas BISzaar to Social Nights and everything else in between.

I am very happy to see that most of this year’s team will be returning next year with a few extra members too. I look forward to working with you all and thank you for your commitment to your children and the BIS Community.  

Get involved in our design competition

This Summer, the Secondary PTG are challenging all BIS parents, staff and students to come up with a winning t-shirt design that can be worn by the BIS community at both primary and secondary sporting events throughout the year.

Click here to download the T-shirt design template and get creative.

Join the BIS HCMC Community Choir

Free on a Thursday morning? Want to get more involved with the school community? Then the BIS HCMC Community Choir might be for you! Open to all parents and staff across our 3 campuses, you’ll have the opportunity to improve your vocal ability as well as perform in live concerts with our students at events throughout the academic year.

Rehearsals will take place on Thursday mornings between 7 and 8am at our Secondary Campus. All abilities welcome. It’s sure to be a great deal of fun so come along, grab a coffee, have a sing and try something new!

Please click here to sign up BIS HCMC Community Choir.

• Tuesday 21st August: New Student and IB Induction, from 8.00am
• Wednesday 22nd August: First Day of Term 1
• Thursday 30th August: Year 12 Expedition information evening

Uniform Collection - 2018-19 Academic Year

All uniforms for students returning to school will be available for collection from the Secondary Auditorium from 8th – 21st August 2018 (8.00am – 4.00pm).

Can we ask that during the holidays, you take the opportunity to purchase a good stock of the correct uniform items for the new academic year:

• Shoes: Formal black leather shoes, (not sports shoes)
• Socks: White, black or grey ankle high socks.
• Belt: (Boys only): Black Leather.
• Jumper: Please note that students wishing to wear a jumper over their school shirt should purchase a navy blue school sweater when collecting their uniform. Other jumpers including those with BIS branding are not permitted as part of our dress code.

For ease of reference, please see the dress code from our new 2018-19 Student diary.

Facilities Improvements

We will be using the summer break to complete a range of exciting refurbishments to facilities at our campus. Please note that the main building at the Secondary Campus will be closed for visitors during the Summer due to the extensive renovation work that is taking place.

We look forward to sharing our new facilities with you at the many parent events planned for the first term of the 2018-19 academic year.

Once again, from all of us at the Secondary Campus, thank you for your support. We are very proud of what your sons and daughters have achieved this year and look forward to another year of exciting learning at BIS in August.

In the meantime I wish you a safe, relaxing and peaceful summer holiday together with your families.

Carl Mincher, Head Teacher, Secondary Campus