Mr Ian Battersby: Weekly Update 03/05/2019

As we enter Term 3, there is so much to look forward to.  In addition to all the great learning opportunities for the children, there are a couple of events aimed specifically at parents that I hope you will be able to attend. 

The first event I would like to draw your attention to is the Digital Citizenship workshop scheduled for next Thursday, May 9^th.  It will take place in the Junior Campus Gym, beginning at 8.30am and is open to all parents.  It is extremely important that parents are vigilant about the online safety of their children and this workshop will guide you as to how to do this. A reminder letter with more details was sent to all parents yesterday. 

The second event that is approaching is our PTG AGM taking place on Thursday May 16^th. This event is for both the primary and secondary Parent Teacher Groups and the committee will share what events have been run this year, what monies have been raised and how this has been distributed.  The PTG committee will need new volunteers next year so should you be interested in stepping up, please email bisvnptgap1@gmail.com or speak to current committee members, Lily, Nicky G, Nandini, Eng Wan, Dawa and Ruchika to express your interest.

Classes for Next Year

Each year, we look collectively as teachers at the balance of students in each class and whether we need to mix the classes. This is done if we feel there is an imbalance of gender, nationality, ability, etc. Before the holiday, you will have received a letter explaining that this year, all the year groups at the Early Years and Infant Campus will be mixed. Our priority is always to have a healthy mix that will ensure the right environment is created to enable all pupils to maximise their learning.  One part of that is trying to ensure that each child has at least one friend who they feel comfortable within their new class. 

This week, you will have received a ‘friendship slip’ where you can identify four children, any of whom could be the friend that your child is paired with in their new class.  These slips must be returned to your class teacher by Friday 10^th May.  Furthermore, if there is any educational information that you feel should be taken into account when putting together the new classes, it is essential that the class teacher is informed also by next Friday.

Putting together the classes for next year is a difficult task and we appreciate your support in this matter.

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

To read more this week from the PTG, including details of what to do if you would like to get more involved, please click the link below:

Primary PTG Update: 03/05/19

6/5/19 – Term 3 Clubs begin

7/5/19 – Vietnamese lessons begin

9/5/19 – Digital Citizenship Workshop @ 8.30am in the Junior Campus Gym

13/5/19 – 17/5/19 – Assessment Week

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

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

3/6/19 – 7/6/19 – F1 and F2 Class Celebrations

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

14/6/19 – F3 Summer Show

14/6/19 – Vietnamese Lessons Finish

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

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

20/6/19 – PTG Disco

21/6/19 – Digital Down Day

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…

Following the break for the holidays, I am pleased to inform you that the CCAs will resume on Monday 6^th May with Vietnamese lessons beginning again on Tuesday 7^th May. Please can you make sure that whoever is picking up your child knows the time that they will be finishing. 

Wishing you a fabulous weekend,

Ian Battersby, Head of the Early Years and Infant Campus