Mr Ian Battersby: Weekly Update 30/11/18

Last week, Years 1 and 2 had their Sports Days on the field at the Junior Campus, this week it was the turn of F2 and F3, while F1 had their own Physical Development Morning at the EY&I Campus on Wednesday. Mr Chris Nguyen, our Marketing Assistant was present at all these events.  He has taken many photographs and posted them on the school’s Facebook page. Click on the links below (Year 1 and 2 are in the Primary Sports Day post) to see the photos from the different events:

Year 1 and 2  Sports Day Photos

F2 and F3 Sports Day Photos

Physical Development is one of the 3 prime areas (along with Communication and Language, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development) of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.  Throughout F1, F2 and F3, teachers and teaching assistants continually monitor the children’s progress against clearly defined developmental stages, and then provide activities that will allow them to strengthen the muscles required to do the things that we take for granted; holding a pencil, using scissors, climbing, running, etc. 

It was great to see so many parents join us for our F1 Development Morning where there was an opportunity to find out more about this element of the curriculum.

F1 Development Morning

As the children grow, they begin to enjoy taking part in races, and other sporting activities.  This was clearly evident when watching our F2 children take part in events on the junior field.  The children had a super time participating in all the activities. 

At our recent Specialist Open Classrooms Event, Mr Simon Grimshaw (our Primary PE Leader), highlighted why PE and events like Sports Days are so important:

Regular physical activity helps your child develop in ​a range of ways. Not only does it help their physical health, it also helps improve brain function and your child’s emotional wellbeing.

* It keeps the body strong and healthy and improves mental health.

* It improves focus, school performance, sleep and energy levels.

* It helps children to enjoy improved relationships and interact with others in a fun environment.

Early Years and Infant Sports Days 2018

Year 2 Modern Foreign Language (MFL) Choices

This week, all Year 2 parents should have received a letter with information about choosing a modern foreign language (either French, Spanish or Mandarin) that will be studied in Year 3.  If you have not received this letter please contact Ms Van (van.pho@bisvietnam.com) who can provide you with one.

If you would like to see Ms Sophie’s presentation that was shared about making the MFL choice, please follow the link below:

Y2 Parents MFL Choices

Finer Diners

Congratulations to this week’s Year 2 Finer Diners!

Community Talks

Fever in babies and children was the subject of the last community talk for Term 1.  On Wednesday 28^th November, Dr Orly from Raffles Medical led a talk on ‘Fever’ and discussed with parents the following issues: What is fever? What causes fever? When is a fever something serious?  When should I call the doctor? What is Hand Foot and Mouth disease and how can I help my child feel better?

Coming up in Term 2

• Community Talks
  • Look out for more talks coming in Term 2.  Topics to be discussed include: heart attacks, autism and pollution.
• Community Workshops
  • Term 2 will also see the start of our community workshops where parents will have the opportunity to come together and do a creative workshop together.  Workshops coming up include printing, embroidery and watercolour painting. Look out for details at the start of Term 2 about how to sign up for these workshops.

Fundinotots Mural

I was talking to a former parent from the Tu Xuong Campus last week and she was asking me about how things were going since the amalgamation.  I explained that one of the many benefits is being able to work more closely with the Secondary Campus.  A great example of this is happening in Fundinotots where a group of Year 12 students are painting a wonderful mural for the children to enjoy.  Ms Sarah explains more:

Fundinotots Mural

Learning Skills Challenge: Week 12

With the rain and wind sweeping through Ho Chi Minh City at the beginning of the week it was fantastic to see so many students take on last week's learning skills challenge. Are you ready to take on the challenge once more? Please click here for more details.

Parent Teacher Student Conferences for Vietnamese Lessons

For the parents of those children who study Vietnamese after school on Tuesdays and Fridays, there will be no lessons taking place this coming Tuesday (4^th December).  Instead, there is an opportunity to meet with your child’s Vietnamese teacher, to discuss progress and ask any questions you may have about the Vietnamese Language programme. 

Thank you to all those who have already made an appointment. The Parents’ Evening Sign-up will remain open until 5pm on Sunday, so there is still time to make an appointment if you haven’t done so already.

Please note - the last Vietnamese lesson of the term will be on Friday 7^th December.

Winter Holiday Sports Programme

Please see the message below from Phil Husband, our Director of Sport, about exciting sporting opportunities coming up over the holiday period:

BIS are delighted to announce another action packed Winter Holiday Sports Programme during this year's Christmas holidays. Camps will run for the full first week before Christmas and the final two week days before school starts in January. The camp this holiday includes sports and activities such as Skills Factory, Basketball, Football and Swimming. Providers working with the school this year include BIS’ own PE and Swimming staff, RSFA and SSA coaches. 

Please click here to access the 'Winter Holiday Camp 18-19 Overview' for the full list of activities and prices for all three campuses. If you would like to sign up for a camp, please print off the relevant letter and reply slip and pay at the cashier of your school before WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER. Please stick to this deadline so that relevant organisation can be made with providers. 

Christmas BISzaar 2018

Our Parent Teacher Group (PTG) are busy organising our annual Christmas BISzaar to be held on Saturday 8th December 2018 at the BIS Secondary Campus. 

Raffle tickets are now on sale from each campus reception. Register your interest in the Christmas BISzaar 2018 Facebook event to stay up to date with the latest prizes!

PTG Update

I know the children will be looking forward to next week’s discos, but there is plenty of work going on to prepare for another event looking ahead to the new year; International Week is just round the corner. Read all the latest news from our primary PTG including final figures from the community service donations from PTG 2017-2018.

Primary PTG Update: 14/12/18

Join our BIS Baby and Toddler Group

Children can start at BIS when they are 2 years old. Fundinotots is the ‘BIS Baby and Toddler Group’ where parents of children aged 0 to 36 months can meet other parents and allow their children to engage in a range of activities. Fundinotots is based on the new Early Years and Infant Campus.

To find out more about fundinotots at BIS HCMC, please click here.

2/12/18 – Term 1 Co-Curricular Activities (Clubs) Finish

3/12/18 – Y1 & Y2 Parent Canteen Taster Session @ 9am (sign up through CHQ)

4/12/18 – Parent Teacher Student Conferences for Vietnamese Lessons

5/12/18 – F2 Spy Bootcamp @ BVIS

5/12/18 – Year 1 Production @ 8.45am in the EY&I Sports Hall

6/12/18 -  Behaviour Management Coffee Morning @ 8.30am – Junior Campus Gym

6/12/18 – Disco for Years 1 and 2 – See PTG post for more details

7/12/18 – EYFS Singalong @ 8:45am in the EY&I Sports Hall

7/12/18 – Interim Reports to Parents

8/12/18 – Christmas BISzaar

10/12/18 – F1, F2, F3 Canteen Taster Session @9am (sign up through CHQ)

11/12/18 – Primary Carol Concert @ Junior Campus

12/12/18 – EY&IC Christmas Market (for children only)

14/12/18 – Term 1 ends @ 11.50am

7/1/19 – Term 2 begins

Playground Supervision

To ensure our children are always safe, please do take note of the following message that is displayed in the EY&I campus:

Permission to leave slip

We would like to remind all parents that school identification badges must be shown and worn at all times when on any of our three campuses (including weekend and evening events).  If not, you will be asked for some form of identity and be required to wear a visitor’s badge.  

If you are collecting a child without the ID card, you will need to visit Reception for a ‘Permission to leave slip’ before collecting your child from the classroom and exiting the campus together.

We thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students and school site safe and secure.

Health and Safety

Stay Vigilant

As in all major cities petty crime does occur, as a reminder to all of us please always take care of your personal belongings, especially when walking across roads and along the pavements.

Safeguarding at school – it’s everyone’s responsibility

Photographs

It is every parent’s wish to capture memorable moments on camera of their child at school either performing in an assembly, on their birthday or simply playing with their friends on the playground before the start of the school day.  Any photos that are taken by parents on personal devices must be kept private.  They must not be shared publicly on social media or between non-family members such as, other parents in the school.  By following these guidelines, we ensure our BIS safeguarding policy is adhered to and that our children are kept safe. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

If, during your visit to school, you have any reason to be concerned about the safety of a young person, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Leader.

And Finally…

December is a busy time in school! Over the next two weeks, there are all sorts of events and activities taking place.  Next week, there are special events happening in all the different year groups, so please check your child’s Seesaw account as their teacher will be providing you with all the information you need to know. 

Have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend,

Ian Battersby, Head of the Early Years and Infant Campus