This newsletter from the British International School - Ho Chi Minh City's An Phu Primary campus provides information on upcoming events, department updates, and new staff profiles. Key dates mentioned include the 5th Headteacher's Coffee Morning on November 5th and parent-teacher meetings on November 18th-19th. The MFL and PE departments provide updates on language and football competitions. New teachers Ms. Sophie and Ms. Melanie are introduced. Lunch menus are included for various grade levels. The PTG section and school contact information are also included.

1. 31 October 2014 | ISSUE 9
Dates for your diary
IN THIS ISSUE
From: Page
Headteacher & Deputy Headteacher 2
Y6 Pupils 3,4
MFL & PE Departments 5
Community Service Department 6
Introducing Our New Teachers 7
PTG 8
Lunch Menus from F1—Year 6 9,10
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
5th Headteacher’s Coffee Morning
14th Interim Reports issued
18th Y1 to Y6 Parent meetings - 3.00pm to 5.30pm
19th Y1 to Y6 Parent meetings - 3.00pm to 5.30pm
20th Teacher’s Day
30th Terry Fox charity run
November

2. From The Headteacher - Mr Simon Higham
Issue 9/Page 2
Scan here to access the
‘AP1 Parent Blog’
AP1 Parent Blog
http://ap1parentblog.blogspot.com/
Do you want to know what IPC, MP1 and ICT really mean?
Use the page „Educational Terms‟ on the AP1 Parent Blog to find out what the-
se and many other educational acronyms mean.
Do you want to know our academic results for students when they
reach secondary age? Click the ‘Academic Results’ page to find out
more. BIS knows your children, from EYFS to graduation in Y13.
If you are viewing this newsletter from a computer, simply click on the address
above to access the blog. If you are reading this using a printed ver-
sion, use a QR reader (such as the app inigma) and scan the QR
code on the left.
Welcome back and I trust that all families had a relaxing and peaceful half term holiday
and are now ready for more exciting learning opportunities.
Currently, all teachers are finalising their Interim reports for all children within school.
This attention to the individual progress and effort, enables learning to be assessed, evalu-
ated and tracked to ensure that the very best educational provision is given to every child
within our care. The reports will be given out on Friday 14th November. Parents have a
very important part to play in this process and I will be inviting all Y1 to Y6 parents to
our parent meetings on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th November - please look out for
the letter that will be sent to you next week that outlines how appointments are made to
talk to class teachers and specialists. It is very important that every parent
attends these meetings, so please make a note in your diary of the forthcoming dates.
Next week is our first Headteacher‟s Coffee Morning of the year. The purpose of this meetings is to present top-
ics of interest to parents and give an overview of the vision and forward direction that our school is moving. In
addition to my input, I have invited Dr Jonathan Halevy from Family Medical Practice to give a short presen-
tation on ‟Nutrition‟. You have been sent a letter of invitation this week and I look forward to meeting with as
many parents as possible next Wednesday 5th November at 8.15am in the Multi Purpose Room.
The theme of this week within school has been very much linked to wider learning outside of the classroom en-
vironment. Cyclos, taxis, go carts and many other different forms of transport have been in the playground
forming the entry point to the new IPC topic of ‟Transport‟ in Year 2. Year 5 have visited the science labs at
AP2 this week to further improve their knowledge and understanding of scientific enquiry and Year 6 began
their new IPC topic on „Fairgrounds‟ by visiting Dam Sen Amusement Park to look at how fairground rides
work in readiness for them designing their own rides during this half term. The pictures on the front of this
week‟s newsletter reflect this trip and more photos are available on page 3.
Thank you for your continued support in maintaining the highest standards of uniform within school. Please
continue to ensure that all children are wearing the school hat and black leather shoes - all details of uniform
expectations can be found in the Primary Parent Handbook.
Finally, I would like to remind parents that when in school, all adults should use the designated adult toilet
facilities only. New signs have been put up this week to direct you to the toilets that are for adult usage only.
Please be aware that no parent should be in the swimming room changing areas at any given time. Your coop-
eration in this matter is very much appreciated.
I hope that you enjoy reading through this week‟s Friday newsletter.
Happy Halloween!

3. Y6 Trip to Dam Sen Amusement Park
Issue 9/Page 3
I really enjoyed Dam Sen Park,
the rides were amazing. I liked
the boat roller coaster and four
seated roller coaster which kept
on spinning round. The haunted
house was kind of scary because
the walk way kept shaking and
there were zombies, ghosts and
vampires. It was freaky!
By Nicole George 6B
This Thursday all of Year Six went to Dam Sen
Theme Park to have some fun before our new IPC
topic. It was an awesome day out! The moment we
got our tickets and put our bags down we all raced
to different rides. There were lots and lots of rides
- Phoenix ride, Log ride, Rollercoaster… There
were scary ones and not-so scary ones. When we
finished riding on all the different rides we went
to a haunted house. Not everyone went inside be-
cause it was really SCARY! After the haunted
house we got to have a few more last rides before
we left to come back to school. In the end we all
had so much FUN!
By Ly Hwang, 6B
Dan Sen Park was very fun yes-
terday! My favourite thing was
the log flume. The log flume was
really slow to start with and then
when we went up. When we got to
the top it suddenly became fast!
But that was not the best part.
Then all of a sudden there was a
drop! We went down so fast and
we all got wet! No one was still
dry. It was amazing!
By Jessica Battersby 6B

4. Y6 Trip to Dam Sen Amusement Park
On Thursday we went to Dam Sen Park.
There were so many rides and all of
them were awesome! My favourite ride
was the Water Log Ride! It was very
slow but at the end there was a massive
great leap of faith! Although most of the
rides were really fun, there was one ride
I did not necessary like - it was the dizzy
spin car ride. But at the end it was all
fun!
By Alexer Yap 6B
Issue 9/Page 4
Epic, fabulous, fantastic. Those would be
my top 3 words to describe Dam Sen
amusement park. It was very, very awe-
some! Everyone including all the teachers
enjoyed the unforgettable rides. My favour-
ite ride was the chair swing because it was
boiling outside and the chair swing cooled
me down. I think lots of other people also
liked the chair swing. I won't ever forget
our adventure at Dam Sen.
By Joseph Kim 6B
My favourite ride at Dam Sen was the spinning
coaster. The spinning coaster is a square with
two seats at the front and two seats at the back.
It spins around and goes backwards and for-
wards. It was quite scary because it was very
high and I was afraid I was going to fall! I also
reallt enjoyed the log boat, which is a boat in the
water but it has rails under the water. It goes
up like a rollercoaster. When it‟s up the hill it
slides down, super-fast into the water. The wa-
ter isn‟t deep but there are a lot of splashes,
therefor you get wet!
By Anna-Esmee Van Der Lei

5. Issue 9 /Page 5
Modern Foreign Language News
Bonjour, Hola, Ni Hao!
Children from Y3 to Y6
at AP1 are enrolled in
a Language Perfect
Online competition
from 3rd - 13th November
They are competing
against other schools
from all over the world
with the chance for
their language skills to
be recognised at an
international level.
I am asking for your
cooperation at home to
allow your children to
spend some time com-
peting. It can be done
on the Language Per-
fect website or by
downloading the app
for I-pads or Android
devices “Language Per-
fect”. Login details
have been passed to
your children, either
through their language
teacher (MP3), or
through a note in their
diary (MP2).
Ms Sophie Tighzer
Primary MFL Leader
Football - Phuket U9’s V SSA
On Thursday 30th October I played in a match against SSA for the BIS U9 Phuket team. The players in our
team were Ben Marshall, Oliver, William, Shubhankar, Tijmen, Ji- Sung, Vedanth, Freddie and Ben Wheller.
Oliver and Ben Marshall were from Year 3, and the rest of us were from Year 4.
In the first half, the SSA team scored before 10 minutes had passed. Our team was very flustered but in the
second half, I was happy to help the team by scoring 1 goal from the penalty spot. Next, the corner kick went
in for the other team, however Ben Wheller scored an equalising goal, and he led our team to win by scoring
one more goal. So the result was 3-2 to our team.
It was a good practice for us to get ready for the upcoming Phuket games. I think that our team played great
and we hope we do well Phuket.
Ji-Sung Nam - (Y4 student)

6. Community Service - Friendship Club with Binh Tho
Issue 9/Page 6
Good question!
With every portable electronic device using batteries of some sort, we know they don‟t last forever. They power
your calculators, remote controls for your AC, TV, music player, children's toys, mobile phones, laptops and
much more, but what do you do when they finally stop working?
Answer: Bring them into school
As part of our commitment to protecting the environment, each campus in BIS strives to reuse, recycle and
reduce our waste wherever possible. Whether it is paper, card, plastic drinks bottles or even batteries, we
would like you at home to think before disposing of it with your regular waste. We understand
that it isn‟t that easy finding recycling points around the city so we have taken the initiative.
Each campus has a specific battery recycling point—their locations are:
AP1 Reception AP2 Under Croft TX Reception
We accept all household batteries—AA, AAA cells, rechargeable, button type and mobile phone batteries
The reason (the small print): Batteries that are thrown out with regular waste usually end up in land fill sites
or sometimes even burned. Over a period of time they can leak heavy metals (such as lead or mercury) and
corrosive acids which pollute our rivers, lakes and groundwater, contaminating the environments of many liv-
ing things. The good news is that recycled materials contained in old batteries can actually be re-used by vari-
ous industries.
Mr Ian Wilson
Exams & Community Service Officer
Community Service - what do you do with your old batteries?
Friendship Club is now in full swing and students in Years 1—3 have been enjoying spending time with our
friends from Binh Tho School. Before the half term break, they were eagerly preparing for their special Hal-
loween Party by making witches hats and spider webs (proudly displaying them above). This Thursday after-
noon, they met together to play games and have special treats as they strengthened bonds and enjoyed shar-
ing their time together.
Friendship Club is just one of the clubs on offer where our students get the chance to engage with other stu-
dents from our Community Partners where they develop friendships with other similarly aged children.
Ms Melanie Wagstaff
Y4 Teacher

7. Meet our New Teachers!
Introducing Our New Teachers
A chat with Ms Sophie, MFL
Teacher
Pick the first 3 words you think of when I say
Vietnam?
Pho, Traffic, Rain
What are your first impressions of BIS?
The children are so polite and enthusiastic
about languages, I love them! It is a nice place
to work at, open to new ideas.
What new experience have you had since you ar-
rived in Vietnam?
Having to ride a motorbike which turns into a
boat because road can be so flooded!
If you were writing a postcard to friends back home,
what would it say?
I am living the life!!!
A chat with Ms Melanie, Year 4
Teacher
Pick the first 3 words you think of when I say
Vietnam?
Welcoming, Exciting, Home.
What are your first impressions of BIS?
There is a real sense of community at BIS,
which is something that cannot be fabricated.
It is a fun, caring and supportive learning envi-
ronment for pupils and staff alike and I feel
privileged to be part of the BIS community.
What new experience have you had since you arrived
in Vietnam?
I have enjoyed sampling the local food and
meeting some lovely people from here and
abroad. Additionally, it has been great to visit
some of the amazing places around Vietnam
and the surrounding countries. I have also had
a bit of a hairy experience on the back of a mo-
torbike taxi, which is something I will think
twice about before repeating!
If you were writing a postcard to friends back home,
what would it say?
I would tell them that I am having a great time
here. I would write that it is fantastic place to
work and that the pupils are fabulous. As a
Brit, I would, of course, not forget to mention
the weather! It is a lot better than it is in the
UK!
Dear parents,
Meet the last two teachers from the 2014/2015 cohort. Melanie is in Year 4 and Sophie our MFL Leader. Once
again there are nothing but positive comments from both about Vietnam, their welcome and the wonderful
school that is BIS. Next week watch this space for profiles of other staff in our BIS community. Not just teach-
ers!
Ms Deirdre Grimshaw
Deputy Headteacher
Issue 9 /Page 7
Meet our New Teachers!
Who would like to know more about in our commu-
nity? Do you have a great question that you would
like to ask? Email Ms Dee with any ideas for future
staff profiles and see who comes next!
deirdregrimshaw@bisvietnam.com

8. Issue 9 /Page 8
PTG

9. Issue 9/Page 9
MENU FOR F1 - F2
MENU 1 (WEEK BEGINNING 3 NOVEMBER)
DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
MAIN
COURSE
CHOOSE 1
Honey Lime
Chicken, Sautéed
Potato
OR
Braised Tofu with
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 & Vege-
table 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 3 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, Po-
tato 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 & Carrot
FOR VEGETARI-
AN ONLY
Dhal
Spinach & Mel-
on Soup
Vegetarian
Cottage Pie
Chinese Cabbage
& Carrots
Pasta Napolitana
Chickpeas Salad
Vegetarian Noodle
Soup
Long Bean & Car-
rot
Tofu & Vegetable
Stew, Rice
Cabbage & Carrot
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 Chick-
en & mayon-
naise,
Served with Salad
Fresh Fruits & Salad Bar are available daily

10. Issue 9/Page 10
MENU FOR YEAR 3 - YEAR 6
MENU 1 (WEEK BEGINNING 3 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 & Vegeta-
ble 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 Noodle
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