Mr Ian Battersby: Weekly Update 17/05/2019

When I was seventeen, I took my driving test. I failed (for driving too close to parked vehicles). A few months later, I took it again, but this time I passed. On another occasion, when I lived in Sudan, I had a blood test to see if I had malaria. The test was negative. That is the thing about tests, there is a definite result – pass or fail, positive or negative. 

We sometimes refer to the assessments that the children do at this time of year as tests, but they are so much more.

The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘assess’ as to:

‘Evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of’

Our assessments begin as soon as a child enters the school.  At the beginning of the year our teachers are looking to see what the children know and understand based on how they complete their work in class and what they say about their learning, and then plan specific learning based on these evaluations.  Each child in a class will be given different tasks and different levels of support depending on what they need.  We call this ‘personalised learning’.

At key times in the year, we have focused assessment weeks where teachers provide the children with assessments tasks.  Again the results of these assessments will identify the areas where a child has a strong understanding of a concept and those where the child will need to focus on next.  In our assessments, there are no passes or fails.  It is all about helping the teachers to target the next areas of learning for each individual.

Information from the assessments carried out this week will help inform the forthcoming ‘End of Year Reports’ which will be emailed to parents on Friday 21^st June.

F3: Talk 4 Writing

Becoming hooked on learning goes a long way towards success.  Our teachers will design creative and innovative ways to get the children’s imaginations flowing.  For Talk 4 Writing this week in F3, the children began learning the text, ‘Each Peach Pear Plum’ by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.  If you have not read this fantastically filled text, then I sincerely recommend it.  As you read the story, you will meet a variety of characters from other rhymes and stories – it’s a great read! 

Well, the F3 teachers really did ensure all children were ready and excited to learn about their new Talk 4 Writing text.  Find out what they did in the link below.

Story time in F3

Language in Focus: Danish

Ms Andi and Ms Michelle introduced the children to the new language in focus this week; Danish.  There will be a post with more details next week, but if you would like to find out more, please click on the link below:

https://bislanguageinfocus.blogspot.com/p/danish.html

Roadworks Outside the Early Years and Infant Campus

As we are all aware, Thao Dien is presently undergoing some major roadworks which are now close to the main entrance of the  EY&IC. As a school, we have tried very hard to communicate with the construction company to delay any work close to the school until the summer holidays. However, the work needs to be completed within a particular timescale and will carry on.  I would ask for everybody’s patience and understanding whilst this work is ongoing. Hopefully, it will benefit everyone in District 2 in the future.

Anthony Rowlands

Managing our Traffic Together

Just prior to the holiday, I was contacted by a member of our local community asking about what was being done about the traffic situation in Thao Dien.  I met with the gentleman in question and showed him the procedures we have in place and how the school has invested in measures to help ensure the traffic keeps flowing, for example, creating the car park next to the Early Years and Infant Campus.

He was impressed with all that we have done.  Thank you to everyone who has worked with their drivers to ensure that the code of conduct is followed.  Unfortunately, there are still some drivers who insist on double parking near school and doing U-turns close to the drop-off area.  Please speak to your drivers to remind them of what is expected. 

Thank you – together we can make a difference.

For more information about how we can work together to improve traffic around our campuses, please access this post.

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.

BIS Community Choir (for parents and staff)

Following a successful term with wonderful performances, we are looking forward to a new term and would welcome new members to come and join the chorus.  Rehearsals are on Thursday 7.00-7.45am (Secondary Auditorium) and Friday 1.15-2.15pm (Junior Music Room), so please come along to the one that is most convenient for you.

If interested please e-mail Mrs Frances Amos frances.amos@bisvietnam.com or visit https://sites.google.com/bisvietnam.net/communitychoir/home for more information.

PTG Update

I want to thank the PTG for all the hard work they do that helps make the BIS Community what it is.  The current committee have done a terrific job this year, but we do need volunteers to step into their roles.  There are more details in the PTG Update, but if you think you could help out next year, please do speak to one of the existing committee members or let Ms Dee or me know.

Primary PTG Update: 17/05/19

23rd May - PTG Parent Lunch

• Thursday 23rd May @ 12:00pm
• Junior Campus
• All parents and teachers welcome to enjoy a tasty lunch organised by our PTG.

23rd May - Disney's Mulan Jr.

• Thursday 23rd May @ 6pm
• Secondary Campus Auditorium
• Admission is free, no tickets or reserved seating

2nd June - Pre-Loved Fair

• Sunday 2nd June @ 9am - 12pm
• Secondary Campus Auditorium
• Relocating? Having a spring clean? Or perhaps just looking for a bargain? Join us on Sunday 2nd June at the BIS Pre-Loved Fair to buy and sell second hand/used items! Click here for more details.

20-21-22/5/19 – F3 SPLAT sessions

23/5/19 – Junior Campus Production – ‘Mulan’

27 & 28/5/19 – F1 SPLAT sessions

29/5/19 – Community workshop ('Immune System in Children' – in Vietnamese)

29-30-31/5/19 – F2 SPLAT sessions

3/6/19 – 7/6/19 – Open House Swimming Lessons (for F3 to Y2)

4/6/19 – Year 1 and Year 2 Music Concert

5/6/19 – Headteachers’ Coffee Morning

8/6/19 – BIS Aquathlon

11/6/19 – Junior Campus Music Concert

13/6/19 – F3 Summer Show

14/6/19 – Vietnamese Lessons Finish

16/6/19 – Term 3 Co-Curricular Activities (clubs) Finish

17/6/19 – 20/6/19 – F1 and F2 Class Celebrations

17/6/19 & 18/6/19 – Year 2 Visits to the Ao Dai Museum

20/6/19 – Digital Down Day

20/6/19 – PTG Disco

21/6/19 – End of Year Reports Emailed to Parents

24/6/19 – Open Afternoon

28/6/19 – Term 3 Ends @ 11.50am

Before and after school waiting area

When waiting to drop off and collect the children at the EY&I we ask for all parents, carers and children to wait on the ground floor only.  We are in the process of installing extra seating in the shaded areas to increase the seating areas for our community at these times.  This rule is in place to ensure lessons and clubs that are running at these times are not disturbed and all children in the building are kept safe.  People sitting around the lower ground floor outside the canteen and along the corridors will be asked to move to the ground floor by our teaching staff.  Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our campus safe.

Online Safety

Keeping safe is priority for us all.  Even when we believe our youngest children are safe, they may well not be if the parental controls and recommended filters have not been installed or applied.  When children search online and watch content using sites such as, ‘youtube’ it is important to have all the safety nets in place.  We advise parents to install content filters and apply parental controls on all devices that our young children have access to.  If you would like any support on this, please contact Ms Mary and I will put you in touch with our ICT teachers to help.

End of Day Procedures

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 child’s 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.  Please note, once your child has been handed over to you at pick up time (both after school and after clubs), the responsibility of your child has also been handed over to you.

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

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 between campuses and across roads.

Safeguarding at school – it’s everyone’s responsibility

Personal 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.

Thank you,

Ms Mary

And Finally…

Next week sees the first of our final term’s celebration of our children’s learning and efforts on stage.  ‘Mulan’, our Junior production, is open for all on Thursday 24^th May at 6pm in the secondary campus auditorium.  No tickets required, so do come along to watch what will be an extremely enjoyable show for both adults and children.  Over 90 junior children have been working hard alongside their teachers on this magical performance since Term 1 during their weekly production club sessions.  Next week is their time to shine and to have you in the audience would make it all the more special for them.

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable weekend,

Ian Battersby, Head of the Early Years and Infant Campus