Mr Sean O'Neill: Weekly Update 24/06/2022

Dear Parents and Students,

It has been a special last day of term today as we celebrate reaching the end of the academic year.  As I look back, in some ways it feels like the start of this academic year was a completely different world, in a different time- in other ways, it feels like only yesterday.

The great thing about school life is that we share so many experiences, but do so with our different unique perspectives and memories- those moments that stay with us.  I have so many favourite moments that come to mind as I reflect on the year.

Seeing our students on campus for the first time this year after months of lockdown- when they came hesitantly to collect their uniforms- the excitement of seeing each other and of course our new Campus areas like The Courtyard and the Hub was lovely to witness. After Tet, when we finally had every year group back in face-to-face lessons, for that first week as I walked the corridors and saw our students all back in classrooms the wonder of normality was a special experience.

 Of course, I suspect like many within our community, a highlight is the memory of walking through the colour, smells and sounds of International Day- (which I think may well have been the best yet) and just feeling so happy and proud at the effort and spirit that everyone brought to the day. It felt like a real celebration.

And most recently, in the latter stages of Term 3 , there was a week in it felt like every day we had a great event-  an unbelievable Acoustic Lounge, The Night of The Arts, a mesmerising Y12 Drama performance and the joyous  Night at the Musicals and it felt like we were finally back. Back enjoying music together, enjoying being together, back being BIS.

Today, each student received our 2022 School Yearbook which I hope you enjoy reading together and keep as a record of a unique and hugely successful year.

My sincere thanks to every student, parent, teacher and member of our support staff for everything you have contributed.

My very best wishes to you all for a restful and peaceful holiday.

Sean O’Neill

Annual Prize Giving 2022

End of Year Assembly

It was a pleasure for the community to be able to get together and celebrate the end of the school year. It was an opportunity to recognise the many successes of BIS students this year: their sporting achievements, commendation prizes, outstanding community involvement. There was also much excitement and reverie as the Champion House for 2022 was announced.

Congratulations Saigon House for claiming the converted House Shield for the first time in 5 years!

Year 8 Students shine in National Competitions

Richard Ngo Choi, 8B, recently took part in the Vietnam National Swimming Championships in Hue. He was competing in the age 12 and 13 category against the very best swimmers in the country. Richard managed to balance his school work with many months of hard work in the pool as preparation for this competition. He participated in five events altogether, finishing in the Bronze medal position for the 50m Butterfly, 100m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle. He also claimed 5th place in the 100m Freestyle and 7th place in the 200m Freestyle. Huge congratulations to Richard for his amazing achievements.

Dolly Nguyen, 8N, was one of 5 Vietnamese students to recently qualify for the age 10 to 14 Steinway International Piano Competition, in the professional category. This is already an incredible achievement. For her final round submission last week, Dolly had a 20 minute window to perform and submit three pieces of music through an online forum. Dolly’s success is testimony to the hours and hours of practice that she has committed over recent months. She is now eagerly awaiting to hear the final results which should arrive during the holiday. All the best to Dolly and congratulations.

Year 6 Crest Project

This week saw our Year 6 students visit the Science Department to complete their transition to Secondary School. The students successfully solved a mystery using fingerprinting techniques and were able to find out who took a pair of science goggles! Students worked collaboratively in their new form groups and practised using observation skills to form a conclusion. The science team were very impressed with the students’ critical thinking during the investigation and how well they reflected on their practical methods. We are looking forward to having them on campus next year.

Sarin Leigh, Physics Teacher

Staying Happy & Healthy during the Summer Holidays

Uniform Collection August 2022

New Uniform collection for all Secondary students will be from Monday 8th August to Monday 15th August from the Secondary Campus from 8.00am to 4.00pm. 

All uniforms will be prepared in pre-packed bags using the information provided by parents on the Secondary Uniform Order 2022-23 form which was sent out by email in May.  Uniform collection and any size swaps can be done during your visit.

Primary Uniform collection will be coordinated and information shared via primary campus communications.

First Day of School 2022-23

We are very much looking forward to being able to see all of our students for the first day of school on Wednesday 17th August.

Please check in to your regular contact points with us over the holidays for further updates.

Welcome Back Coffee Morning - Wednesday 17th August

We invite all parents to join the Welcome Back Coffee Morning on the first day of school which will take place this year at the Junior Campus.

It is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new, a chance to meet the PTG and welcome new members to the BIS community.

Be involved in Science at BIS

The Science Seminar program

We will be introducing “The Science Seminar Programme, “ a series of evening events throughout the year that provide an opportunity for the sharing of the passion that we have for Science. Each seminar session will have 3-4 speakers sharing their experiences and thoughts on a range of Science-related topics that resonate with us as individuals and within the wider community. These are aimed at staff, students and parents.

We will have speakers from within our teaching team and our students, and would also love to gather volunteers from our parental network who may be willing to donate their time. The events will run from 18:00-19:00 (approximately), with dates in November and March to be confirmed.

Medical Society

We have a number of students interested in Medical Careers and would like to invite parents in related fields to come and share their experiences and expertise with the group.

If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please get in touch with me via email: helen.waterhouse@bisvietnam.com

Helen Waterhouse, Head of Science.

School Photographs 2022 - Earlybird Offer extended to 1st July

School photos are now available to view online and emails have been sent to all families of students who were in attendance for school photo days. 

Earlybird discount extended to Friday 1st July

Pret a Portrait is offering a 25% discount for all orders placed before Friday 1st July.

Please contact sc@bisvietnam.com for a reminder of your child/ren’s Sitting ID or for more information.

Friday 24th June: Last day of Term

Tuesday 16th August: New Families Orientation Day, All Campuses

Wednesday 17th & Thursday 18th August:  Year 12 Student Induction, Secondary Campus, all Year 12 students

Wednesday 17th August: First Day of Term 1 - 2022-2023

Wednesday 17th August: Welcome Back Coffee Morning, Junior Campus, from 8.15am

Wednesday 24th August: PTG Newcomers Bus Tour, combined campus event, all new parents welcome.

Have a wonderful holiday,

Kind regards,

Sean O’Neill

Head Teacher, Secondary Campus