1. BISbuzz Issue 02 | 1
BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - HO CHI MINH CITY| SECONDARY CAMPUS
AUGUST 29 2014 | ISSUE 02
IN THIS ISSUE
From the Head Teacher 02
Universi es visit 06
Learning Support Assistant and Admissions Officer adverts 07
ABRSM 07
Ac vi es 08
Sports News 09
New Parent Orienta on 11
Uniform Distribu on 12
AP2 Newcomers Coffee Morning 13
AP2 Wine and Cheese Night 13
Japanese Encephali s update 14
From The BIStro & Underground 15
September
2nd Vietnam Na onal Day
3rd AP2 Newcomers Coffee Morning, 8.15am
3rd Year 12/13 Parent Informa on Evening, 6.30pm
4th Year 7 Parent Informa on Evening , 6.30pm
6th Saturday Football Registra on ‐ AP2 field, 8am ‐10am
8th Moon Fes val
8th Year 9‐11 Parent Informa on Evening, 6.30pm
9th Year 8 Parent Informa on Evening, 6.30pm
UPCOMING EVENTS
2. BISbuzz Issue 02 | 2
From The Head Teacher
Introduction
The school year has started and it is wonderful to see the children back, buzzing with excitement and
ready for the year ahead.
Just before term started we welcomed the new BIS families with the PTG helping to provide informa on
and advice and hand out the informa on packs. Our Year 13 Prefects were on hand, , to guide new par‐
ents around the school taking a break from the Year 12 Induc on Day that they were helping out with. As
I write I am an cipa ng the PTG Welcome Coffee Morning on Friday morning at AP1 and looking forward
to seeing many of you there to meet the newcomers.
We started the year with an assembly to introduce the new teachers and to set the scene for the year
ahead. An outline of the assembly appears later in BISbuzz so that parents can join in with the messages
we are giving to their children. Please ask your children about the assembly and explore with them what
messages they understood.
Calendar
An updated calendar of events is included in today’s BISbuzz, with some minor adjustments highlighted.
Examination Results
Just before the summer, many students took LAMDA (drama) and ABRSM (music) exams and should be
congratulated for their wonderful successes. Our Year 11 students, alongside some Year 10’s, took IGCSE
exams with around 65% of grades being A* or A, compared to around 20% (GCSE) in the UK. There were
plenty of individual successes at all levels, but par cular congratula ons are due to the following students
for excep onal results: Tina Kim: 11A* 1A; David Kim: 10A* 3A; Paula Trinh: 10A* 1A; Hikaru Ho a: 10A*.
Our recent graduates are now ge ng ready to take up their places in some of the world’s top universi es.
They secured their places with an outstanding set of IB Diploma results, with around a quarter (24%) of
our students being awarded 40 or more points, compared to the world’s figure of around 6½%. Our top
students this year, and joint recipients of the Dux Scholaris award, are Chloe Lee and Thao My Tran.
All indica ons are that the results at IGCSE and IB are the best ever. Full details will be published to par‐
ents in BISbuzz and on the school website in due course.
3. BISbuzz Issue 02 | 3
BIS Start of Year assembly 2014
Welcome Back
A very warm welcome back to all returning students and an especially warm welcome to our new stu‐
dents. It’s good to see you all here – the place has been a bit soulless without you! Today the school is
full of life!
I enjoy the start of term. There’s always a sense of op mism, a buzz of an cipa on, and maybe a li le bit
of apprehension. I am sure you are ready to start the school year with a sense of determina on. You are
well‐rested, you have had the luxury of me, and you now feel ready to make a determined start.
For year 7 students, there is the determina on to do well in secondary school. Year 8, you are no longer
the youngest and you will want to make significant progress with your learning. Year 9 have op on
choices coming up where you make decisions you need to follow through with. Year 10, you are star ng
your IGCSE courses, and I am sure you are determined to do your best. Year 11, Year 13, you know what
lies ahead over the next 2 terms! Finally, our new Sixth Formers in Year 12, star ng life at the top end of
the school. I talked to you yesterday about the journey ahead. Exci ng mes.
Exam results
We start the year celebra ng the many examina on successes from before the summer holiday: ABRSM,
LAMDA, IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme. The results were excep onally good. I am delighted at how
successful you have been. So, I’ve been thinking about what leads to that success. How do you do it?
How do you con nue to do this, year a er year?
First, the examina ons and assessments, like the courses you follow, are not obstacle courses. Obstacle
courses are designed to trip you up and catch you out, like the Carpe Retractum Challenge in Harry Po er
and the Prisoner of Azkebhan. That sort of course is devious and somewhat unfair.
In contrast, school is more of a training camp where, with determina on and prac ce, everyone can do
well. The lessons and the exams and the assessments are designed to give you the best chances to
demonstrate your learning. In addi on, you have wonderful teachers and a suppor ve school.
That’s the context. It means you all have a chance to do well. That doesn’t mean you will do well. The
rest is up to you.
4. BISbuzz Issue 02 | 4
A perseverance mind‐set
Above all, it’s YOUR a tude, your approach, your mind‐set that leads to the sort of success we see at BIS.
You, as students, are very good at persevering. Perseverance lies at the foot of our mission aide‐
memoire and is one of the founda ons of success.
Many people know about perseverance. One of the earliest stories concerns Robert the Bruce who, in
the early 1300s was King of Scots. While at war with England, and hiding out in a cave, he watched a very
determined spider spinning a web, trying and trying again un l she succeeded. Each me the spider
failed, she began again un l she succeeded. Inspired by this, Robert the Bruce returned to inflict a series
of defeats on the English, winning him more supporters and eventual victory. From this comes the
phrase, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again.” But that’s just a story.
More recently, Thomas Edison, the American inventor, said “Our
greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed
is always to try just one more me”
He also said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it
looked like work.”
People who have persevered
So much for sayings. What about ac on? Who has persevered and succeeded?
The Beatles performed live in Hamburg, Germany over 1,200 mes in just under 4 years – from 1960 to
1964 – building up more than 10,000 hours of playing me. By by the me they returned to England, they
had created a unique sound that led them to becoming one of the most successful bands of all me.
That’s perseverance.
Bill Gates, founder of Microso and now billionaire philanthropist, has been successful in many ways.
Why does he think he became successful? He says that in 1968, in the early days of computers, he got
exclusive access to a computer, which was unusual in those days. He spent his nights coding and pro‐
gramming. He spent the equivalent of 40 hours a week for five years doing that. This, he says, gave him
the insights and exper se to succeed. That’s perseverance.
Perseverance, I believe, needs two things: commitment and resilience.
I talked a bit about commitment last year. Resilience is similar. While some people have more of these
than others, it’s not what you have that ma ers, it’s what you do.
Perseverance is about keeping going, not giving up.
Commitment is doing what you need to do, even when you don’t feel
like it.
Resilience is bouncing back from setbacks.
5. BISbuzz Issue 02 | 5
Billy Jean King, the American World No. 1 professional tennis player
from the 1960s and 1970s was resilient.
She won 39 Grand Slam tles, including 12 singles, 16 women's dou‐
bles, and 11 mixed doubles tles. She said that when she lost a tennis
match, she regarded losing as research, not as failure.
Edison was similar, when searching for a way of manufacturing a light
bulb, failed for years and years. What was his a tude?
“I haven’t failed, I’ve just found 10 000 ways that won’t work.”
Inventors are like this. Dyson made 5126 a empts to invent a bag‐less
vacuum cleaner and failed. He succeeded on the 5127th
.
Let’s get even more up to date now. Have any of you read the
Young Samurai series? Chris Bradford, the author, trained for
years in Japan to help him write authen c stories. Here’s what
he has to say about resilience: “There is no failure except in no
longer trying.”
Do you think these people are naturally resilient? I think not. I think that they choose which inner voice
to listen to and take control of it. Here’s what that means. When you really want something, and meet a
problem, a setback, a difficulty, what goes on inside your head? What does that li le voice inside your
head say? Does it say, “I’m not strong enough, smart enough, fit enough, determined enough. I’ll just
give up?” Probably. All of us have a voice that says that, some of the me.
But what we do about that voice is up to us. We can change that voice. We can change that thought. It’s
up to us. And if we say to ourselves what Edison said, what Billie Jean King said, we may change the
voice. And we will learn from the challenges, and be resilient, and persevere.
So, what do you want your mind‐set to be at the start of this year? Have a great term.
Richard Dyer
Head Teacher
Secondary
6. BISbuzz Issue 02 | 6
The following universi es will be visi ng Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday 14th
September:
Princeton University
Columbia University
Northwestern University
Georgetown
Duke University
If you are interested in a ending this public event please follow the link below and complete the registra‐
on:
http://eventactions.com/ea.aspx?ea=Rsvp&invite=0yj51herbmenxkzu0vkb24sgw6vg330fmwf64nbjg07mhyhwkjz2
Aidan B Crowley
College & University Guidance Counsellor
Universities visits
7. BISbuzz Issue 02 | 7
Learning Support Assistant
BIS is seeking a second Learning Support Assistant to join the Learning Support Department at AP2
secondary campus. Learning Support at AP2 consists of in‐class support, study skills development
and homework support for students across the age range with a range of mild learning difficul es.
Qualifica ons and experience are useful, but enthusiasm, teamwork and an ability to relate to
young people are essen al.
There is the possibility of spli ng this post between two people working on different days.
If you are interested in this post, please send brief details of yourself by email to Richard Dyer
(richarddyer@bisvietnam.com) by Friday 5th
September and we will contact you with further infor‐
ma on.
Admissions Of icer
An expansion of the admissions team has led to the need for a full me admissions officer to work
with the AP2 team. We require an adaptable, presentable person with good inter‐personal skills to
communicate with new families applying to the secondary school. The posi on involves all aspects
of admissions, from ini al enquiry, through to presen ng the school to visi ng families, student
tes ng and final admission arrangements. The successful candidate will be a na ve English speak‐
er with good communica on and IT skills and a willingness to work flexibly within a Bri sh style
school.
If you are interested in this post, please send a copy of your resume to Tracey Brownrigg
(traceybrownrigg@bisvietnam.com) by Friday 5th
September and we will contact you with further
informa on
The deadline for entering the next ABRSM theory exam is Friday 5th
September.
The exam will be held on Saturday 1st
November at 9am. Don’t forget you need to
pass grade 5 theory before you can enter prac cal grades 6 and above.
8. BISbuzz Issue 02 | 8
Term 1 Ac vi es
At BIS HCMC we have an extensive ac vi es programme, in which I hope you will become ac vely in‐
volved. Whether you enjoy art, music, drama, sport, languages, solving mathema cs or scien fic prob‐
lems, helping disadvantaged groups, comple ng the Duke of Edinburgh Interna onal Award or just want to
try something new, there should be something available for you. Here at BIS there are over a 100 different
ECA’s to select from so I am sure there is something available for you. If there is an ac vity you would like
the school to introduce please speak to Mr Drake, the Ac vi es Coordinator & he will will do his best to
facilitate this.
Please be aware that students will be able to sign up on CHQ (for Term 1 ac vi es) from Wednesday 27th
August at 3pm. CHQ will close on Friday 5th
September at 5pm. If your son or daughter is unable to log on
to the system please ask them to speak to myself PhilipDrake@bisvietnam.com or Julie Williams Ju‐
lieWilliams@bisvietnam.com
The ac vi es booklet can be found by following the link to the school website:
h p://www.bisvietnam.com/index.php/clubs_ac vi es‐39.htm
Students will be no fied on CHQ whether they have been selected by Friday 12th
September.
Term 1 Ac vi es will begin on Monday 15th
September and finish on Sunday 14th
December 2014. There
will be no ac vi es during the October holiday (18th
October – 26th
October inclusive).
Instruc ons to students using CHQ
This system has been set up for you to use on a daily basis to select and track all your chosen ac vi es.
Term 1 Ac vi es open for selec on on Wednesday 27th
August at 3pm and close on Friday 5th
September
at 5pm.
A copy of the Term 1 Ac vi es Booklet can be found in the Documents tab or on the BIS school website.
h p://www.bisvietnam.com/index.php/clubs_ac vi es‐39.htm
Please follow the instruc ons below to log on and select your desired ac vi es/paid clubs:
Go to school website www.bisvietnam.com and click on the CHQ link (top right hand corner).
Your User Name is your school email address e.g. struong@bisvietnam.net
Your password has been emailed to your school email account. You should change your password to a new
password when you first log in. If you have forgo en your login details please click on ‘Forgo en Your User
ID or password’ from the CHQ login page. Follow the online instruc ons and a new password will be sent
to your school email. Any further issues please contact philipdrake@bisvietnam.com
Step 1: Click on My Profile tab
Step 2: Expand My Ac vi es
Step 3: Select View/Manage/Submit Ac vity Choices (2014‐2015 Term 1)
Step 4: For each ac vity/paid club add a different number e.g. Monday: Football club add 1, Wednesday:
Board Games add 2 then 3, 4, 5 etc. to all other clubs you would like to par cipate in.
The SAVE bu on will appear to the right of the ac vity list click SAVE
Step 5: Once you're happy with your choices you MUST press the SUBMIT bu on at the top of the page.
You will receive an automated email confirming your club preferences.
Step 6: To cancel a selec on a er submi ng add a 0 to the Desired box then save and submit
Step 7: If you click onto My Schedule on Friday 12th
September a er 3pm you should be able to see your
ac vi es by scrolling through to Monday 15th
September (start of Term 1 ac vi es). You will also receive an
email which will details all the ac vi es your son/daughter has been approved for.
Try to make sure you have a range of ac vi es which allow you to develop physically, crea vely as well as
socially.
Activities
9. BISbuzz Issue 02 | 9
INTERNATIONAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS
U15 FOBISIA Games, hosted by Bri sh Interna onal School, Jakarta 12th
– 16th
November
A le er rela ng to this compe on was given to students this week and is also a ached to this news‐
le er. Please be aware students should be under 15 on 1st
August 2014.
PHUKET 7’s Football Tournament, hosted by Bri sh Interna onal School, Phuket 6th
– 9th
No‐
vember 2014
Once again we have been invited to a end this football compe on in Phuket. A le er was given to stu‐
dents this week and is a ached to this newsle er. This year we are hoping to take 4 teams:
U13 Girls & U13 Boys: For these teams students need to be under 13 on 1st
August 2014
U19 Girls & U19 Boys: These 2 teams will be made up of students from Year 10 and above.
Bangkok Patana Swimming Compe on 12th
– 15th
December 2014
Details rela ng to this compe on will be sent to parents early in September.
The U13 FOBISIA Games will take place in March next year, hosted by Taipei European School and further
details will follow later in the term. Any Year 7’s who are interested in taking part in this event should
choose the relevant sports clubs in term 1 (football, basketball, swimming & athle cs).
NEWS FROM THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Informa on to parents
A le er was emailed to all parents regarding informa on and procedures in Physical Educa on. Please
feel free to contact me if you have any specific ques ons rela ng to this le er.
Sports Clubs
There are over 45 sports clubs taking place at An Phu Secondary so please encourage your child to get
involved! Students should follow the CHQ instruc ons listed on the informa on email that came out to
parents this week. The ac vi es booklet can be found by following the link to the school website:
h p://www.bisvietnam.com/index.php/clubs_ac vi es‐39.htm
Sports Clubs & Paid Sports Clubs will begin on the week of Monday 15th
September and run un l the
week ending Sunday 14th
December. There will be no ac vi es during the October half term.
Sports Fixtures
We have another very busy Sports Fixtures schedule with the majority of fixtures taking place a er school
on Thursday’s. The first set of fixtures begin early in September and fixtures will run throughout all three
terms.
This year we will con nue to use the online system called CHQ.
If your child is selected for a sports team, you will be no fied by email and asked to read the details. The
email will include mes; dates, venues and maps will also be a ached. You will then be prompted to re‐
spond to the email by either clicking the green YES tab (to give permission for your son/daughter to play)
or the red NO tab (permission has not been granted). This informa on will then be sent directly back to
the PE staff and enable them to monitor their squads for the forthcoming fixture. Students will be no fied
of their selec on by team lists being displayed in the main undercro area at the An Phu Secondary
school. If you have any concerns or feedback regarding this system please do not hesitate to let me know.
Interhouse Football
The Interhouse system will take place at the end of this term and further informa on will be distributed
to parents and students.
Phil Drake
Director of Sport/Ac vi es & Trips Coordinator
Sport News
14. BISbuzz Issue 02 | 14
An outbreak of Japanese encephalitis has been ongoing in
the Northern parts of Vietnam since early June. Over 28
children have been admitted to hospitals in Hanoi so far.
Recently, we were informed that several children were ad-
mitted to the pediatric hospitals in HCMC with Encephalitis,
4 of them were confirmed to be Japanese Encephalitis cas-
es.
What is Japanese Encephalitis (JE)?
Japanese Encephalitis (JE), is a viral disease passed through
the bite of an infected mosquito which can cause severe brain
infection (Encephalitis).
The natural reservoir of the virus are domestic pigs and wild
birds and the virus can pass to humans by mosquito bites. The
virus cannot pass directly from human to human. Most cases are
therefore in the rural areas, but urban cases have occurred.
Who Is Most At Risk?
Children younger than 10 years old are at higher risk, with children aged 5 - 9 years old being at most risk. However, most children
are vaccinated after the age of 13 months, so be sure to check their immunisation schedule. Booster shots are recommended eve-
ry 3 years.
What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms during the early stages may include high fever, severe headache, rigors (shaking), diarrhea and vomiting.
More severe neurological symptoms may develop later on, including reduced level of consciousness, agitation, seizures, paralysis,
increased muscle tone, coma and even death.
What prevention methods can I take?
JE can be easily prevented with immunisations.
The vaccination is primarily used for children 13 months and above. The vaccination is made up of 3 shots which are given as part
of a schedule and it gives close to 100% protection.
The immunity wanes after a few years so be sure to check your children’s vaccination status. Booster shots are recommended
every 3 years.
Do FMP clinics currently have the vaccine in stock?
FMP currently has stocks of the vaccine available in our clinics.
Where is our vaccine made?
The vaccine currently available in Vietnam is the inactive virus vaccine produced by Green
Cross Korea. This vaccine has been in use for over 50 years with a remarkable record of effica-
cy and safety.
What are the side effects?
As with every vaccine there may be tenderness at the site of injection for a day. Side effects of
the vaccine may include local swelling, redness or pain, allergic reaction and rarely, fever, mus-
cle pain and headache.
Dr Jonathan established pediatric care at Family Medical Practice in 2005. Establishing
growth and developmental assessments of babies, and the development of our vaccina-
tion program which is essential to every child’s health.
In 2012, Dr Jonathon left Vietnam for a year of training in the Pediatric intensive care unit
at the Royal Children hospital in Melbourne, Australia. He acquired extensive experience
and training in care for babies and children in critical conditions, and in emergency evac-
uations.
We were delighted when Dr Jonathan returned to us in November 2013.
15. BISbuzz Issue 02 | 15
From the Underground & BIStro
Menu 2 (1 September)
From the Underground & BIStro
DAY MONDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
MAIN COURSE
CHOOSE 1
Beef Lasagne
OR
Seafood Fried Rice
Honey Baked Chicken,
Sautéed Potato/Rice
OR
Beef Noodle Soup
Spanish Fish Pasta
OR
Szechuan Chicken, Rice
Ham & Cheese Croque
Monsieur &
Roast Potato
OR
Chicken Rice
VEGETABLES
Morning Glory & Carrot
Salad
Long Beans & Carrot
Salad
Choy sum & Carrot
Salad
Bean Sprouts & Carrot
Salad
SOUP Spinach & Melon Soup Spinach Watercress Tomato & Tofu Soup
DESSERT Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit
VEGETARIAN
Vegetarian Lasagne
Chickepeas Salad
Mixed Fruit
Tofu Noodle Soup
Long Beans & Carrot
Mixed Fruitit
Veggie & Peas Pasta
Mixed Beans Salad
Mixed Fruit
Oriental Fried Rice
Tomato & Tofu Soup
Mixed Fru
DELI BAR
OPTION
Baguette & Wrap
Fill it with a variety of choices including ham, chicken, cheese, tuna mayonnaise, beef, baked bean,
mixed bean, bolognese sauce
SNACK MENU
Curry Puff
Samosa
Fruit Cup
Curry Puff
Samosa
Fruit Cup
Banana/Carrot Muffin
Sponge Cake
Fruit Cup
Donut
Cream Puff
Fruit Cup
