Mr Ian Battersby: Weekly Update 14/12/18

The children have been working hard all term and I am always so impressed with the hard work and dedication of our marvellous team of teachers and teaching assistants. As I was reading through the recent ‘Interim Reports’, time and again I saw that the effort that the children were making was being reflected in super progress.  There will be an opportunity to discuss the reports in Parent Teacher Student Conferences that will be taking place on Tuesday 15^th and Wednesday 16^th January.

In addition to the learning in the classroom, there have been many events to enhance the children’s experience; Moon Festival, Book Week with Author Adam Bushnell, Sports Days, the Year 1 Production, the Hour of Code, the EYFS Christmas Singalong to name but a few.  Furthermore, we have had a number of visitors; accreditors, Martin Kneath and David Ottaviano from the Council of International Schools, Mark Evans, the lead inspector from PENTA International and of course Lord David Puttnam, who officially opened the Early Years and Infant Campus. There was a similar message from all of them – we have created a place where children can flourish in their learning and should be proud of what we have achieved.

With your on-going support, we look forward with anticipation to the learning and opportunities that will be happening in Term 2.

Christmaths Market

With only 11 days left before Christmaths, there was a great opportunity to do some Christmaths shopping at the Christmaths Market on Wednesday.

In the days leading up to market day, the children had been busy creating items to sell and games to play.  Throughout this process, maths was everywhere.  Counting sequins, making shapes for Christmas decorations, measuring weight and capacity when baking biscuits are just some examples of how maths was used. Then, of course, on the day itself, the children had to work out how much items cost and then decide how they were going to spend their money.  Shopkeepers had to be ready to charge the correct amount and then, if necessary, give change.

Mr Rob, one of our Maths leaders, explains more:

Christmaths Market

A December to Remember

As the lightning was flashing and the thunder crashing on Tuesday morning, there was a moment when I thought it would be a December to remember, but for all the wrong reasons.  Thankfully, the storm moved on, the sun came out, and the all-weather sports pitch dried up allowing us all to enjoy the choirs, ensembles and orchestras in the primary carol concert.  There were so many beautiful performances from the ocarina club to the community choir.  In the end, it turned out that it certainly was a December to Remember.

A December to Remember

Thien Phuoc Christmas Party

Christmas is a time of giving, and we all enjoy giving and receiving gifts.  On Monday afternoon, a group of teachers and students headed to the Thien Phuoc Foster Home for children with disabilities to bring some Christmas cheer and festivity.  There was even a very special visitor with individually chosen gifts for all the children.

Thien Phuoc Christmas Party

Scratch Workshop with Year 8

One of the benefits of having our three campuses in such close proximity is that we can share our learning with students of all ages.  Over the past week our Year 2 children have been visiting the Year 8 students to test their coding and creativity skills.  The Year 8 students were tasked with creating an educational game for our Year 2 children to use and enjoy.  This week was the tip of the challenge for them; could their games pass the scrutiny of the Year 2 children?  Find out more in Ms Fran’s post in the link below.

Scratch Workshop

Taster Sessions in the Primary Canteens

At the last headteachers’ coffee morning, a parent asked if we could arrange for parents to come into the canteens on both the Junior and Early Years and Infant Campuses to taste the food the children enjoy every day.  We were more than happy to oblige, so over the last two weeks, parents have been lining up, just like the children, to sample some of the dishes prepared by Ms Jenny Low, our food and beverages manager, and her team.

Mouthwatering Taster Sessions at the Primary Canteens

Tet Collection

The Lunar New Year celebrations are early next year; we are off school from Thursday 31^st January.  This time will come round quickly, so we have already started our Tet Collection.   We are going to be collecting items as usual, although there are some differences as to how we will be doing this, this year. 

Upcoming Community Events

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.

PTG Update

On Monday morning, I joined Mr Anthony (our Principal), Mr Carl Mincher (Headteacher of the Secondary Campus), Ms Dee and Ms Van (our Business Director) to say thank you to the committees of the primary and secondary PTGs.  It is worth repeating that we really appreciate all their hard work and we wish them a restful and relaxing holiday so they can return charged up ready for the exciting events happening in Term 2.

PTG Update: 14/12/2018

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.

7/1/19 – Term 2 begins

8/1/19 – Welcome Back and Newcomers Coffee Morning

15 & 16/1/19 – PTSCs with Class Teachers

21 – 25/1/19 – International Week

31/1/19 – TET Holiday begins

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…

Thank you, once again for all your support this term and remember to keep reading with your children over the holidays. If you are travelling, I wish you safe journeys.  If you are staying in Ho Chi Minh City, I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing holiday.