Dear BIS community,
I am delighted to introduce this week’s update which includes features on each of the key pillars that make up BIS school life - adapted to our current virtual environment.
We are aware that wherever there is a challenge, it is important we offer support to meet that challenge, for students, parents and our wider community, here in Vietnam.
Find below opportunities for student support through our Learning Help Desk and experiences beyond the curriculum, including an exciting addition to our Virtual Library. For parents, our partnership series of workshops and webinars begins with IB and IGCSE Options events for Year 11 and Year 9 families respectively. I am also delighted that our Community Team is launching a way for us all to be involved in supporting our wider community, through the ‘Blue Dragon Marathon Walk’ Event. We know that community action is important not just for the benefit it brings to others but also to our own wellbeing.
Although we are all working from our homes, in conditions none of us would choose, connections across our student, staff and parent bodies are strong, and along with our ability to adapt and innovate, are providing the foundations for us to continue to learn and progress. My thanks to everyone in the BIS community - teachers, students and parents - for keeping this positive spirit going at this time.
With my best wishes to you and your families for a safe and restful weekend
Sean O’Neill
Head of Secondary
The very popular Study Club has been modified to offer a more focussed and personalised method for our students to connect with teachers and their peers during this period of virtual learning.
The Learning Help Desk offers students in all year groups the opportunity for either a 1:1 or small group session with either a teacher or a Sixth Form Academic Mentor on schoolwork-related issues.
Students can sign-up via Google Sheet where they can view the availability of both teachers and academic mentors as well as their individual subject expertise. They have the option of signing-up individually or as a small group where they are working on the same task with their peers.
The Learning Help Desk will run from September 13 to October 15, with Help Desk hour between 3pm to 4pm, in 15 minute blocks.
We are delighted to be able to launch our newest digital library resource, PressReader for schools - an online newsstand featuring 7000+ international newspapers & magazines to support our students’ learning and reading for pleasure.
Just log in to Destiny Discover to access news stories and articles from favourite sources and discover new ones from around the world.
Watch this screencast for a reminder of how to log in to Destiny Discover:
How to Access Destiny Discover: Students.webm
Take a look below for more details on PressReader features and content.
Each year, the UK's Geographical Association awards a 'Secondary Quality Mark' to schools whose Geography departments are at the forefront of delivering the best and most relevant curriculums. Here at BIS, the Geography Department has achieved this award and is one of the only school's to do so in South East Asia. One area of Geography that the department has been praised for is its use of enquiry.
This term, Year 8 students are examining how both natural and human-caused hazards threaten humans. They will be spending their lessons formulating questions, exploring the short and long term impacts and coming to a conclusion about which is the greatest threat. Here is an example of students initial planning:
Peter Cowen
Head of Geography and Learning Technologies Integrator
There are key milestones in any young person’s journey to independence, and selecting an academic pathway is no small part of this journey. Next Wednesday, we welcome Year 11 students and parents to join us for a webinar which marks the start of the next stage of academic choice for our students: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme options process. At Key Stage 4, students can choose 4 options subjects; with the IBDP, this increases to 6 options - one from each group of the IBDP shown in the graphic below.
The webinar will be presented by myself, Mr Gamwell and Dr Finnigan. Mr Gamwell will focus on exploring the IBDP and the attributes it continues to develop in our students; Dr Finnigan will talk about the pathway that continues beyond Year 13, when our students graduate from BISHCMC and make their journeys around the world to higher education; finally, details will be given about the next stages of the process. Students will be invited to attend subject Google Meets the following day, Thursday 16th September, to ask any further questions they might have about the subjects they are interested in taking.
Information is a fundamental part of any decision making process and, as is always the case, there are a wide range of people to support our students with these decisions. The webinar is only the start of this process, and we encourage both students and parents to engage with the handbook and the screencasts shared in advance of this event to begin to learn more about the IBDP and its component parts.
Please ensure you have registered for the webinar – the link was included in the email invitation sent out to you this week – and we look forward to seeing you, virtually, on Wednesday 15th September at 4.15pm.
Amy Murphy
Deputy Head Teacher: Curriculum & Learning
This week our annual Plastic Diet Challenge launched and this time, to reflect our Virtual School Experience, we’re seeing who reduce, reuse and recycle the most using the tips and tricks you’ll receive each week. Last year, our Dalat Dragons were our biggest reducers…can the other Houses steal the crown? Families, you can also get involved to support your son or daughter’s House!
This week, simply complete this Google Form to see how many single-use plastic items you use in a normal week. Then, make an effort each week to reduce, reuse and recycle your plastic waste. Let’s see how green BIS can be!
BSc (Hons) Criminology with Psychology, Portsmouth University, UK
PGCE Brighton, UK
Edward has 5 years teaching experience, starting his career and training at an outstanding IBDP school in the UK. There, he was successful enough in his training year to be promoted to Head of House, promoting Academics, Arts, Sports and Service amongst the whole school. After two years of very successful IB Psychology results, Edward moved to HCMC and began an international career in teaching.
In his previous role Edward led the IB Psychology curriculum and was quickly promoted to TOK Coordinator. Through this experience Edward developed a deeper understanding of the IB curriculum and the profound impact it has on its students. Now, through these experiences, Edward is one of the IB's greatest advocates.
In August 2021, Edward joined BIS HCMC as Head of Psychology where he aims to promote both a love of psychology and a love for learning. Outside of the classroom, Edward has many interests, especially playing the guitar, playing football and travelling around the world.
Where have you moved to BIS from?
RISS, HCMC
Why did you move to BIS?
I can learn a lot at BIS and I enjoy new challenges.
What has been the best experience for you since arriving in Vietnam?
Meeting BIS staff members (virtually). Everyone has been very thoughtful and welcoming.
Tell us one fun fact about yourself.
I enjoy playing guitar, exercising and listening to podcasts.
MSc Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents, University of London, UK
Bachelor of Arts with Distinction, University of Michigan, USA
Saskia joined BIS HCMC in August 2021. After completing her Degree in Psychology at the University of Michigan she began working for Childrens’ Services in London, carrying out Targeted Youth Work both in schools and the community. Pursuing an interest in counselling, she completed a Masters in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents at the University of London before taking on the role of Child Protection Officer and Counsellor at Graveney School in London. She believes in building strong relationships with students, staff and families in order to promote whole-school wellbeing. When not at work Saskia loves to read, travel and take part in team sports.
Where have you moved to BIS from?
Graveney School, London, UK
Why did you move to BIS?
For the opportunity to experience working in a country with a completely different culture and to explore how that impacts the counselling experience.
What has been the best experience for you since arriving in Vietnam?
I've most enjoyed getting to know the staff and students, who've all been incredibly kind and welcoming. I've also loved admiring the city from my window and I can't wait to finally get out there and experience it!
Tell us one fun fact about yourself.
I’m a black belt in Kickboxing!
University of the North West: South Africa:
● Honours Degree in Chemistry (Equivalent to a Masters degree in the UK)
● PGCE Chemistry
● Bachelor of Science degree (Majors in Chemistry and Zoology)
Chris has been in Education for the past 28 years. After teaching 11 years in South Africa, he moved to Brunei where he has taught since 2004. He has taught Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science and Mathematics.
Throughout his career, Chris has held leadership positions, including Head of House, Head of Year, Head of Chemistry/Science and Deputy Principal. He is passionate about Education and in particular, teaching Chemistry. He has a keen interest in racquet sports and has played tennis and squash throughout his life, coaching tennis and squash teams and organizing national and international sports’ tournaments, including FOBISIA. He enjoys listening to music, travelling, walks in nature (especially being near water) and spending time with his family.
Where have you moved to BIS from?
Brunei
Why did you move to BIS?
BIS has a superb reputation. Having come from a school with similar values, I knew that I would feel at home here. I feel that this is an environment where I would be able to grow both professionally and personally.
What has been the best experience for you since arriving in Vietnam?
Despite arriving in Vietnam under very challenging circumstances (COVID-19 lockdown), the warm welcome and the support that our family has received, has made this transition so much easier.
Tell us one fun fact about yourself.
Music sustains me - I could not imagine my life without it.
Despite the current Covid-19 situation and ongoing restrictions, we are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Virtual World CleanUp Day event next Saturday 18th September. There will be a workshop webinar on Microsoft Teams lasting from 9 am - 10:15 am.
This year’s theme will be on ‘Digital Carbon Footprint’, and during the workshop we will have a 45 minute ‘CleanUp Your Database’ activity, in which participants will have the opportunity to reduce their own digital carbon footprint by clearing out their storage space amongst other ways. We will also launch the new student-led sustainability initiative: Green Network Saigon.
The sign up form for this event will be opened from this Thursday 9th September until Tuesday 14th September. Participants can sign up for the workshop through this link. We highly encourage you to sign up for the morning workshop webinar on Microsoft Teams.
We will also host a ‘CleanUp Your Database’ BIS House Competition during our World CleanUp Day. This activity will last 45 minutes and participants can do it anytime during the day. Participants can showcase their progress before and after the activity to earn participation points. They can also record how much storage space they’ve removed from their devices and accounts during the activity (measured in MB). In the end, the house that removes the most storage space during World CleanUp Day will win. Participants can participate on the day by filling in this Google form recording their results after they did the activity.
We look forward to your participation and enthusiasm towards the World CleanUp Day 2021!
Event Details
Date: Saturday 18th September
Time: 9am to 9:45am
We have accepted the challenge and we would like to invite you to do so too!
On the week beginning 20th September we will participate in the Blue Dragon Marathon Walk 2021, an international event which will see us going the distance to raise funds for our community partner Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
BIS HCMC has entered three teams, one for each campus, and we are looking forward to having the entire BIS community join us in helping vulnerable Vietnamese youth break out of poverty!
For more than 15 years Blue Dragon Children’s foundation has been providing holistic care for those in need, whether a rural child who has found themselves alone on the streets of Hanoi searching for work, or a young woman who has been trafficked into China as a bride.
Please be on the lookout for more information on how to accept the challenge, which we will be sharing shortly.
Tracey Brownrigg
BIS Community Service Project Manager
Monday 13th September: Virtual CCAs begin.
Wednesday 15th September: Year 11 IBDP Options Webinar, 4:15pm online by invitation to Year 11 parents and students.
Thursday 16th September: Year 11 IBDP Options Student Subject Fayres 12:30 and 3:00pm, online invitation to students
Saturday 18th September: World Clean Up Day 2021, 9:00am to 9:45am online Database Cleanup webinar, open invitation.
Monday 20th to Friday 24th September: Blue Dragon Marathon Walk 2021
Wednesday 22nd September: Year 9 IGCSE Options Webinar, 4:15pm online by invitation to Year 9 parents and students.
Thursday 23rd September: Year 9 Parent Teacher Student Conference online by invitation to Year 9 parents and students.
Friday 24th September : Year 9 IGCSE Options Subject Fayres, 12.30pm & 3:00pm, online invitation to students
Tuesday 28th September: Parent Partnership Workshop Series : Supporting your child through Virtual School, open invitation to parents of all year groups.
With my best wishes to you and your families for a safe and restful weekend
Kind regards,
Sean O’Neill
Head Teacher, Secondary Campus
101 Thao Dien Street,
Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Junior Campus
225 Nguyen Van Huong Street,
Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Secondary Campus
246 Nguyen Van Huong Street,
Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
