21 November 2014 | ISSUE 12

Dates for your diary

IN THIS ISSUE

From: Page

Headteacher 2

F3 3

Y4 4

Community Service Department 5,6,7,8 and 9

Staff profiles 10

PE 11,12,13 and 14

PTG 15,16,17

Menu 18,19

Contact information

225 Nguyen Van Huong St, District 2, HCMC

Tel: (848) 3744 4551

Fax: (848) 3744 4182

E-mail:

simonhigham@bisvietnam.com

BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - HO CHI MINH CITY

AN PHU PRIMARY

Newsletter

24th Bangkok Swimming Meeting (4.00pm)

26th U11 Basketball Tournament (AP2)

27th F2 and F3 Sports Day (8.30am)

30th Terry Fox charity run

1st Y3 (8.15am) and Y5 (10.30am) Inter House Athletics

2nd Y4 (8.15am) and Y6 (10.30am) Inter House Athletics

4th Y1 (8.15am) and Y2 (9.50am) Sports Day

4th PTG Disco

November

December

Teacher’s Day Breakfast

Y1 Community Service

From The Headteacher - Mr Simon Higham

Issue 12/Page 2

Scan here to access the

‘AP1 Parent Blog’

AP1 Parent Blog

http://ap1parentblog.blogspot.com/

Are you planning ahead for the rest of this term?

Click the ‘Monthly Calendar’ page on the AP1 Parent Blog and look at all of

the events that are taking place both this term and for the rest of the year.

In addition, use the blog to find an overview of term dates for this academic

year and also next year too (2015-16). Click here to view both calendars.

Another very busy week on Campus, with the focus upon creative learning, feedback and

giving back.

The Autumn Collection was unveiled for the very first time on Monday morning to begin

the new Year 4 IPC topic ‘Fashion’. As the catwalk took pride of place in the Milepost 1

playground, our Year 4 children came dressed in clothes designed by themselves. Sequins,

chic accessories and sparkle really began the week in style, rounded off with a fashion pa-

rade befitting the cities of Milan, London and New York. More details and pictures of this

event can be found on page 4.

I would like to thank all parents of Year 1 to Year 6 children that attended our parent

teacher meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. I hope that you gained an insight into your child’s progress,

achievement and effort and also have an understanding of their next steps and how you can assist in this pro-

cess. It is the expectation that all parents attend such meetings, therefore if you have not yet been able to dis-

cuss the Interim Report with your child’s class teacher, please make an appointment as soon as possible. As

always, your support is very much appreciated

On Thursday, the PTG Teacher’s Day Committee organised a special breakfast treat for all of our teachers and

teaching assistants. Situated inside of Gate A, coffee, tea, pastries and fruit were offered to our hard working

and dedicated staff to celebrate this very special day in the Vietnamese calendar. I would like to personally

thank the committee members Fraine Mahoney, Isabel Ariza and Nikki Aurora-G for their invaluable organi-

sation and also the volunteer parents Bina McConville, Carolina Wilson and Ginette Diaz Rodriguez for their

help on the day. Random acts of kindness such as these go a long way to forming a strong and unified commu-

nity.

It has been a pleasure to see how our extensive programme to create a greater awareness towards our Commu-

nity Partners was working this week with visits to Nguyen Hien Primary School for our Year 5’s and the con-

tinuing play dates of children from Thien Phuoc Foster Home with our Year 1 children. More details of both

these visits can be found on pages 5, 6 and 7.

Thank you to all F3 parents that attended this morning’s phonics workshop. A link to the presentation can be

found by clicking here - (F3 Phonics Workshop - Full Presentation. 21.11.15)

Finally, I would like to welcome delegates from FOBISIA schools across the region, to our Learning Support

Conference that takes place today and Saturday at AP1. Developing our teachers’ own outstanding practice by

sharing the outstanding practice of others is a vital element in constantly reflecting upon how we provide the

very best educational provision for all of our children.

I hope that you enjoy reading the articles in this week’s newsletter. Have a great weekend.

F3 Visit to the Water Puppets

Issue 12/Page 3

This week F3 had a fantastic visit to the Water Puppets show. The children boarded the bus and we had an ex-

citing ride to the theatre. The puppets and colours were all amazing to watch and the music was fantastic to

listen to. The children loved every second of it! Everybody was well behaved and did a great job representing

BIS.

Well done F3.

Ms Louise Swift

F3 Teacher & Assistant Milepost Leader

Issue 12/Page 4

As an entry point into their new IPC unit ‘Fashion’, the Year 4 pupils

presented the very latest in styles from around the globe. ‘The BIS Fashion -

Autumn Collection’ brought together the creative, artistic and writing talents

of our fabulous models whereby each pupil had to first decide upon a style,

come up with the actual costume befitting that style and then write their

walkway introduction using the type of language commonly used in fashion

extravaganzas. The final aspect of the event, and arguably the most daunting,

was the presenting of the chosen fashions on the purpose built catwalk at the

front steps of AP1, and didn’t the models do their creations justice? Paris,

London, Milan, and now An Phu! A huge crowd of over 120 parents and friends

were in attendance to witness what was the initial, but certainly not the last,

annual “Autumn Collection’ event.

Ms Clare Lowson

Year 4 Teacher and Assessment Leader

Year 4 - Autumn Fashion Show

Issue 12/Page 5

Year 5 Visit Nguyen Hien

Primary School

Why we went?

We went to the Nguyen Hien school to help us feel

part of the community, the Vietnamese school

community. Our school is different to them and we

should appreciate being more fortunate. We

learned how to communicate with the Vietnamese

students at the Nguyen Hien school. We were

there to learn how to work with different people,

as our community is getting bigger and bigger

worldwide, and to meet new friends. In my opinion

a good school is one that appreciates differences, is

kind to one another and encourages being part of

the community, meeting people worldwide. That is

what makes our school special!

Proud Suntipong (5B Pupil)

What we did?

When we went to Nguyen Hien school the

activities we participated in included

traditional dancing and sports. For

traditional dancing we lined up in rows of

our classes with children from Nguyen Hien

school in front of us. We all copied some

children from Nguyen Hien school and a

teacher from their school. After that we all

got in a few circles and copied some B.I.S

children and Nguyen Hien school children

and did the traditional dance again. For

sports we first of all did tug of war, we were

separated into two different mixed teams.

After that we then did basketball mixed

with skipping. We lined up and when it was

our turn we got the skipping rope and

skipped five times took the basketball and

shot.

Matthew Carter (5S Pupil)

Community Service

Ms Deborah Spencer

Y5 Teacher and Assistant Milepost Leader

Issue 12/Page 6

How we felt?

Before we arrived at the Nguyen Hien school most of us were excited but some people were a

little bit scared too because our teacher had told us that the students in Nguyen Hien school

could speak only a little bit of English. When we went to the gym to do PE we all realized

that the Gym was way bigger than our schools gym and it looked different. The PE lessons

in the Nguyen Hien school were very different from our school’s PE lessons so a lot of people

were surprised. When we finished PE everybody were very sweaty.

After that we went up to the classroom to do the traditional dance so we all were super excit-

ed. When we went in to the classroom it was also bigger than our classroom but there was

only a table, chair, computer, projector and the big screen. When we saw the dance a lot of

people said it was very funny but some people just thought it was just weird. After we saw

them dancing some people from our school went to the front of the classroom and also some

from the local school. I think they were very nervous. We had a very good time.

Sung Soo Lee (5I Pupil)

Community Service

Community Service - Thien Phuoc Foster Home

Issue 12/Page 7

Over the last few weeks some lucky Year One students have had the chance to meet our Community Partners.

Thien Phuoc Foster Home for Disabled Children provides a loving home for children with disabilities in Ho Chi

Minh City. The range of disabilities of the children are varied. We played with the children in the BIS soft paly

room. It was great fun making new friends and learning from each other.

.

Ms Nicole McKelvie

Y1 Teacher

Here we are playing with the

children. We had to think of

games that they would like. They

enjoyed colourful and noisy

games with the scarves and bells.

We knew that the children were

happy because they smiled at us

and grabbed for the toys. We felt

happy when we made them

smile.

Year 1 Thien Phuoc Playdate

Community Service and Enterprise Day

Issue 12/Page 8

Last month, the whole school participated in Enterprise Day. It was a huge success and the students made

26,914,000VND in profits!

The school voted on how the money should be used. After some debate, the generous students decided to use the

money to support some of BIS’s Community Service partners. The funds were dispersed in the following way:

7,099,000VND to Thien Phuoc Home, to support their Christmas Party and festivities.

8,630,500VND to Binh Tho School, to help build a new playground.

11,184,500VND to E.A.S.T., to go towards a new habitat for the pygmy loris.

At a recent Whole School Assembly, representatives from each project came to receive their funding. Ms Dee,

with the help of the House Captains, presented the money on big BIS cheques. We were honoured to present the

cheques to Abi, representing Thien Phuoc Foster Home, Sister Khuong from Binh Tho School, and Clover from

the E.A.S.T. project.

Thank you to the representatives for coming to receive the funds in person and thank you to all the students for

your generosity and continued commitment to Community Service at BIS. Our Community Partners will do

great things with the money you earned at Enterprise Day!

Ms Samantha Baker

EAL Teacher and Community Service Leader

Community Service and Enterprise Day

Issue 12/Page 9

Inviting players from Years 5, 6 & 7 to take

part in a Community Football Tournament.

Sign up will be by CHQ soon!

Sunday 14th December

Introducing Our Team

A chat with Ms Phuong,

Primary Vietnamese

Coordinator

How long have you worked at

the school?

Since November 2006

What is your favourite time of

the year at BIS?

I always feel wonderful when seeing the chil-

dren excited about whole school events like

Moon Festival, Christmas and Tet Fair.

If you had to describe BIS in 3 words what

would they be?

Professional, respectful and caring

Why do love/like working at the school?

I love seeing children learning and playing in

school. I also enjoy working with professional

and friendly staff as well as experiencing in-

tercultural environment.

Ms Phuong : As a Vietnamese person, what

would be the top 5 things you would recom-

mend a foreigner to do in HCMC?

Enjoy a general view of Saigon by night on

a Vespa tour.

Visit the old French Quarter including

places such as the Opera House, Notre

Dame Cathedral Saigon, Independence

Palace, Saigon Post Office and Dong Khoi

Street.

Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine such as spring

rolls (chả giò), pancakes (bánh xèo), rice

cooked in a clay pot (cơm niêu), broken

rice (cơm tấm), noodle soup (phở) and

drink coconut juice.

Drink Vietnamese coffee or tea like local

people.

Enjoy bargaining at Ben Thanh market.

A chat with Ms Dee

Deputy Headteacher

How long have you worked at

the school?

Since August

What are you impressions of BIS so far?

Coming here as a family has been a wonderful

experience. Speaking with my ‘mummy hat’ on,

my boys are really happy and are enjoying the

challenges that BIS has set them. In my role as

Deputy Headteacher, I am enjoying getting to

know the children, staff and parents and the

whole of the BIS community

What five words describe the school for you?

Community, Care, High Expectations, Laugh-

ter and Learning.

If you had to write a postcard to family and

friends back home what would it say?

Dear Family,

WOW! What an amazing experience so far.

Many people told us that Saigon and BIS were

special places but you have to come here to

truly realise it. We are thoroughly enjoying all

the new experiences from riding on a scooter

to eating Vietnamese food. The boys have set-

tled in really well and are enjoying all the new

experiences and challenges that BIS has to of-

fer. Already they feel part and parcel of the

community.

Please come and visit!

Dear parents,

This week we introduce another two members of staff Ms Phuong who is our Primary Vietnamese Coordinator

here at AP1 and Ms Dee Grimshaw, Deputy Headteacher aka. Me! Ms Phuong works with all our TAs to make

sure that the Vietnamese Culture lessons are broad and varied and provide an enriching experience for all. Ms

Phuong is also busy co coordinating the Vietnamese Language lessons that take place after school for many of

our students. She does a wonderful job.

As you probably know, I am new to post this year and I am enjoying supporting Mr Simon and all the teaching

staff in their roles here at school. It’s a wonderful place to work and I am enjoying the many and varied chal-

lenges that come my way.

Watch this space for more profiles next week as we interview some of our longer serving members of the BIS

Community.

Ms Deirdre Grimshaw

Deputy Headteacher

Meet Ms Phuong Meet Ms Dee

Issue 12/Page 10

Come to school as normal

Wear your house T-Shirt

(don’t forget your hat, water

bottle and sun block)

Parents are encouraged to

attend and support their

children.

Where:

AP1’s small outdoor field

Events:

W a t e r c u p r a c e , w o b b l e b o a r d s ,

b e a n b a g c h a l l e n g e , o b s t a c l e c o u r s e ,

e g g a n d s p o o n r a c e , s p r i n t s a n d m o r e .

F2 + F3 Sports Day When:

Thursday, 27 November,

2014

8.30-9.15am

F2 and F3 Sports Days

Issue 12/Page 11

MP1 Sports Days

Issue 12/Page 12

Ms Lara Wilkinson

PE Teacher

Come to school as normal

Wear your PE kit (don’t

forget your hat, water bot-

tle and sun block)

Parents and supporters

are welcome to spectate

in the viewing areas.

Where:

AP1’s Big field

Events:

Water cup race, long jump,

beanbag challenge,

obstacle course, egg and

spoon race, sprints and

MP1 Sports Days

When:

Thursday, 4 December,

2014

Year 1: 8.15-9.00am

MP2 & MP3 Sports Days

Issue 12/Page 13

Mr Chris Pemble

PE Leader

Date Sport Time Head Coach Min No of

students

Age Prices

(VND)

Location

20/12-22/12 Football 8:00-11:00am SSA Min 8 Y3 upwards 1.350.000 Big Field

20/12-22/12 Basketball 1:00pm-4:00pm SSA Min 8 Y3 upwards 1.350.000 AP2 Sports

20/12-22/12

Swimming

8:45am-9:30am Mr Vinh Min 5/Max F2-F3 415.000 AP1 Pool

9:30am-10:15am Mr Vinh Min 5/Max Y1-Y2 415.000 AP1 Pool

11.00am-12.00pm Mr Vinh Min 5/Max Y3-Y4 550.000 AP1 Pool

12.15pm-1.45pm Mr Vinh Min5/Max 15 Y5 upwards 825.000 AP1 Pool

December Holiday Sport Programmes

Dear Parents,

Please see attached dance programmes that will be offered by the Dancenter next term.

Be aware that these programmes are also open to students from other schools. These programmes will not

appear on our Activities schedules (CHQ) as their sign up dates are between 1-13th December.

Contact the Dancenter and make payments directly to secure a place for your son or daughter. Please also

quote BIS HCMC when making this booking.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Mr Phil Drake

Director of Sport/Activities & Trip Coordinator

British International School, Ho Chi Minh City

246 Nguyen Van Huong, District 2, HCMC, Vietnam

Phone: +84 (0)8 3744 2335

Fax: +84 (0)8 3744 2334

Mobile: +84 (0)9 06 965218

Email: PhilipDrake@bisvietnam.com

Website: www.bisvietnam.com

Part of the BIS Group of Schools

Paid Dance Classes For Term 2

Issue 12/Page 14

Issue 12/Page 15

PTG: Teacher’s Day Breakfast

Thursday 20 November was Teacher's Day and as a small way of thanking our wonderful teachers and TA's for

all their hard work throughout the year the PTG provided breakfast for all 120 staff, as well as a small gift of

Alfajores (a traditional South American caramel biscuit). It was a great way to start the day and it was lovely

to see the happy faces of the teachers as they arrived at school to be greeted with coffee and breakfast treats.

Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher

- Japanese proverb

Thanks to the rest of the committee, Ginnette Diaz, Isabel Ariza de Villa and Niki Aurora-Gupta, as well as

the people who helped serve on the day, for all your work to make this event possible. A special thank you also

to the Loop restaurant for their generosity in sponsoring the coffee.

Fraine Mahoney

PTG Teacher’s Day Committee member

Issue 12/Page 16

PTG - Future Events

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C054EACAE28A4F85--‐

Issue 12/Page 17

PTG - Future Events

Issue 12/Page 18

MENU FOR F1 - F2 MENU 1 (WEEK BEGINNING 24 NOVEMBER)

DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

MAIN

COURSE CHOOSE 1

Honey Lime Chicken, Sautéed

Potato OR

Braised Tofu with Pork, Rice

Cottage Pie-Beef OR

Chicken & Vegeta-ble Curry, Rice

Pasta with Pork Balls OR

Fish Teriyaki, Rice

Roast Pork, Mashed Potato

OR Chicken Noodle

Soup

Fish Goujons, Potato Wedges

OR Minced Beef & Vegeta-

ble Stew, Rice

VEGETA-

BLES

Choy sum & Car-

rots

Chinese Cabbage & Carrots

Spinach

Long Beans &

Carrots

Morning Glory

SOUP

Spinach & Melon

Soup

Watercress

Mixed Vegeta-

ble

Spinach

Cabbage & Carrot

FOR VEG-ETARIAN

ONLY

Dhal

Spinach & Melon Soup

Vegetarian Cottage Pie

Chinese Cabbage & Carrots

Pasta Napoli-tana

Chickpeas Salad

Vegetarian Noo-dle Soup

Long Beans & Carrots

Tofu & Vegetable Stew, Rice

Cabbage & Carrot Soup

MENU FOR F3 - YEAR 2 MENU 1 (WEEK BEGINNING 24 NOVEMBER)

DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

MAIN COURSE

CHOOSE 1

Honey Lime Chicken, Sau-téed Potato

OR Braised Tofu

with Pork, Rice

Cottage Pie-Beef OR

Chicken & Vege-table Curry, Rice

Pasta with Pork Balls OR

Fish Teriyaki, Rice

Roast Pork, Mashed Potato

OR Chicken Noodle

Soup

Fish Goujons, Potato Wedges

OR Minced Beef &

Vegetable Stew, Rice

VEGETABLES

Choy sum &

Carrots

Chinese Cabbage

& Carrots

Spinach

Long Beans & Car-

rots

Morning Glory

SOUP

Spinach & Mel-

on

Watercress

Mixed Vegetable

Spinach

Cabbage & Car-rot

FOR VEGETARI-AN ONLY

Dhal

Spinach & Mel-on Soup

Vegetarian Cottage Pie

Chinese Cabbage & Carrots

Pasta Napolitana Chickpeas Salad

Vegetarian Noo-dle Soup

Long Bean & Car-rot

Tofu & Vegeta-ble Stew, Rice

Cabbage & Car-rot Soup

DELI BAR OPTION

Bun filled with Ham

& cheese Served with

Salad

Jacket Potato filled with Baked

Beans & Bacon Served with Salad

Bun filled with cheese

& egg Served with Salad

Jacket Potato filled with Bolo-

gnese Sauce Served with Salad

Bun filled with

Chicken & may-onnaise,

Served with Sal-ad

Fresh Fruits & Salad Bar are available daily

Issue 12/Page 19

MENU FOR YEAR 3 - YEAR 6 MENU 1 (WEEK BEGINNING 24 NOVEMBER)

DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

MAIN

COURSE CHOOSE 1

Honey Lime Chick-en, Sautéed Potato

OR Braised Tofu with

Pork, Rice

Cottage Pie-Beef OR

Chicken & Vege-table Curry, Rice

Pasta with Pork Balls OR

Fish Teriyaki, Rice

Roast Pork, Mashed Potato

OR Chicken Noodle

Soup

Fish Goujons, Po-tato Wedges

OR Minced Beef &

Vegetable Stew, Rice

VEGETABLES

Choy sum & Car-

rots

Chinese Cabbage

& Carrots

Spinach

Long Beans & Car-

rots

Morning Glory

SOUP

Spinach & Melon

Watercress

Mixed Vegetable

Spinach

Cabbage & Carrot

FOR VEGE-TARIAN ON-

LY

Dhal

Spinach & Melon Soup

Vegetarian Cottage Pie

Chinese Cabbage & Carrots

Pasta Napolitana Chickpeas Salad

Vegetarian Noo-dle Soup

Long Beans & Car-rots

Tofu & Vegetable Stew, Rice

Cabbage & Carrot Soup

DELI BAR OPTION

Baguette/Jacket Potato

fill with ham, chick-en, cheese, egg,

tuna mayonnaise, baked beans, peas & bolognese sauce Served with Salad

Bun/Jacket Potato filled with ham, chicken, cheese,

egg, tuna mayon-naise, baked

beans, peas & bo-lognese sauce

Served with Salad

Wrap/Jacket Pota-to

filled with bacon, ham, chicken, egg, cheese, tuna may-

onnaise, baked beans, peas & bo-

lognese sauce Served with Salad

Bun/Jacket Potato filled with ham, chicken, cheese,

egg, tuna mayon-naise, baked

beans, peas & bolognese

sauce Served with Salad

Baguette/Jacket Potato

filled with ham, chicken, cheese,

egg, tuna mayon-naise, baked

beans, peas & bolognese sauce

Served with Salad

Fresh Fruits & Salad Bar are available daily