1. 12/12 - 15/12 Bangkok Swim Meet
17/12 EYFS Christmas Concert, ‘Ralph the Reindeer’
@ 8:30am
18/12 TX Christmas Musical Market
19/12 Term 1 finishes @ 11:30am
BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - HO CHI MINH CITY
12 DECEMBER 2014 | ISSUE 15
Dates for your diary
IN THIS ISSUE
From the Head of Campus 2
MP2 Production + Blogspot 3
Music Department + EYFS Christmas Concert 4
TXhibition 5
Eco Team + Dragon’s Den + Finer Diners 6
PE Department 7
Football Tournament + Dates of Term 1 8
December
TU XUONG PRIMARY
Newsletter
Contact information
43-45 Tu Xuong St, District 3, HCMC
Tel: (848) 3932 0210
Fax: (848) 3932 0770
E-mail:
suehill@bisvietnam.com
Newsletter Issue 15|1

2. From the Head Teacher - Ms. Sue Hill
Dear Parents,
The pantomime of Aladdin, held last night in the school hall, was spectacular! In an attempt
to raise the profile of the MP2 production this year, we had an evening showing for the first
time and the children really rose to the challenge. The colourful, highly entertaining
performance included some of the traditional roles associated with panto: the pantomime
dame (traditionally a man playing a mother character) and principal boy (a girl playing the
main young male character). The slap-stick humour and audience participation was also
there in abundance.
The children were amazing: the singing was so jolly and tuneful, the acting expressive and the timing perfect.
What a talented group of performers! Thank you once again to the MP2 team of teachers and teaching
assistants who have worked so hard to create this masterpiece and to Mr Robbie for his musical direction.
Next week we have two events to look forward to: the EYFS show, ‘Ralph the Reindeer’, and the Christmas
Musical Market. I look forward to seeing many of you there. If you or your children would like to shop at the
market then please purchase tickets from Ms Oanh, in the office (before the event) or on Thursday evening (at
the event). All proceeds will go to our school charities.
I must wish all our TX swim squad competitors all the very best for this weekend as they participate in the
Bangkok Feeding Frenzy. Good luck Quynh An, Jamie, Khoa, Jeanette and Andrew—we look forward to
hearing all about it on Monday.
Next week, the school will finish on Friday at 11:30am for the festive break. Children return to school on
January 12 2015.

3. Newsletter Issue 15|3
On Thursday 11th December, the family and friends of Milepost Two were whisked away on an adventure to
the bustling, spice-fragranced streets of the East, in the panto-style version of Aladdin. We encountered
dancers, musicians, pickpockets and much more as the storytellers and actors launched us into a tale of good
versus evil.
The musical production of ‘Aladdin Trouble’ brought excitement to all those in the audience who watched in
awe of the talented actors, singers and dancers. We couldn’t resist the urge to join the children by clapping
hands and stamping feet in the finale song ‘A Panto Like No Other’ and both children and adults alike left
beaming with smiles at the amazing story of wishes, banter, buffoonery and, of course, love conquering all. A
well-deserved moment of glory Milepost Two- what a fantastic success!
Miss Jessica Bell
MP2 Production
Blogspot
To make an event at school successful, it takes dedication, energy and commitment. A few weeks ago the
children in Milepost 2 were introduced to some new songs in music, they auditioned for the different roles in
the play and began learning lines. Two weeks ago a rehearsal schedule was drawn up and the scenery,
costumes and props started appearing. The Thursday evening production of ‘Aladdin’ was the result of a lot of
hard work; well done to everyone involved and especially to the Milepost 2 team for coordinating this
marvellous occasion. This week also saw the culmination of a term’s worth of work in art. It was great to see
parents joining their children to appreciate the various pieces of artwork in the foyer and to engage in an art
workshop. Congratulations to Ms Charlie – the first Art TXhibition was a great success!
On my blog (ianbattersby.blogspot.com) this week
you will find the following posts:
The TXhibition and Art Workshops
Aladdin – the MP2 Production
Mr. Ian

4. Newsletter Issue 15|4
EYFS Christmas Concert
Music Department
Announcing: TX Christmas Musical Market 2014
TX Christmas Musical Market
Thursday 18th December 2014, 6:00pm
Please join us for a special Christmas celebration in the TX playground and foyer. The event
includes:
 Christmas Market with many wonderful Christmas crafts all made by the children from EYFS
to year 6 for you to buy and take home.
 Musical performances by the TX orchestra, choirs, brass group and many more.
 Refreshments and home-made baking
Parents please note: This is a non-seated event. We ask when you are watching the performances
to please stand - this is not a formal concert. The Musical Market is a relaxed free-flowing event
and parents can choose to stand at the stage or wander over to the market at any time.
We also ask parents to please be prepared for the weather - December is usually dry in the
evenings, however in case of rain, please bring an umbrella.
We hope to see many of you there supporting our wonderful talented children on the evening of
18th December!
Mr. Robbie

5. TXhibition
What a fantastic week of Art we’ve had! The foyer has been transformed with all our children’s incredible
drawings, sculptures, pots and prints. All week we have had workshops that have brought parents and children
together creatively. Year 6 had a great time drawing portraits, some even drew their mum! Year 2 made
beautiful clay tiles and Year 1 experimented with collage. Year 3 and 4 worked together on some still life and
not forgetting Year 5 who made and printed their own lino designs. PHEW! Everyone has worked so hard this
term and I’m sure you will agree it’s definitely paid off. Well Done Arty Smarty’s!
Ms. Charlie

6. Don’t forget your Water Bottle.
This term, the Eco-Scouts and Warriors have spent lots of time reminding children to bring their water bottles,
and to stop using plastic cups. Let’s make sure we all remember to reduce, reduce and recycle whenever we
can as the holidays approach.
Reduce, reuse, recycle too,
The Eco Teams are watching you
Eco Teams
Dragon’s Den
This term the Year 6 children have been studying fairground rides as their IPC topic. As part of this, they visited
Dam Sen Park to enjoy the rides and collect ideas for their own fairground ride. In pairs they then designed and
made a model fairground ride, using batteries, motors, cogs and pulleys to make the mechanism work. In
Britain there is a TV program called ‘The Dragon’s Den’. On this program people present business ideas to a
panel of wealthy investors, The Dragons. The contestants pitch their idea and ask for investment from the
Dragons in return for a percentage of the business and profits. The final challenge for the Year 6 pupils was to
try to persuade The TX Dragons to invest in their ride. Following semi-finals earlier in the week, the final six
groups pitched their ideas to The Dragons in today’s assembly. After listening to the ideas and sales pitches,
The Dragons interrogated the groups to find out more about the ride design, marketing ideas and potential
profit. Once all the groups had taken their turn, The Dragons made their decision as to which group they would
invest in. The winners of a very close competition were Bach and Kephren. All the Year 6 children displayed
confidence and quick thinking under pressure, and can be very pleased with themselves.
Mr. James
Finer Diners
Well done to Quoc Vinh, Tadala (3T), Duc Nguyen (3X), Ken (4X), Vitoria and Pauline (4T).

7. Paid Dance Classes for Term 2
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
Holiday Programme
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 Hall
20/12-22/12 Swimming 8:45am-9:30am Mr Vinh Min 5/Max 10 F2-F3 415.000 AP1 Pool
9:30am-10:15am Mr Vinh Min 5/Max 10 Y1-Y2 415.000 AP1 Pool
11.00am-12.00pm Mr Vinh Min 5/Max 12 Y3-Y4 550.000 AP1 Pool
12.15pm-1.45pm Mr Vinh Min5/Max 15 Y5 upwards 825.000 AP1 Pool
Newsletter Issue 15|7

8. Football Tournament
Newsletter Issue 15|8
Football has the power to bring us together and to engage young people who would not otherwise
feel part of the First World War centenary.
As the timing of our Community Football Tournament coincides with the centenary of a very significant event
in history, we will have a tribute before the games begin. We are very honoured to have Mr. Douglas Barnes,
HM Consul-General HCMC attend and present a plaque to BIS to commemorate the event.
BIS in conjunction with the British Consulate are supporting a project called ‘Football Remembers Week’,
being run between The British Council, the Premier League, the Football League and the Football
Association. They have joined forces in an imaginative partnership to encourage young people to remember
the Christmas Truce of 1914, one of the greatest surprises of the First World War. The British Council have
sent the education pack to over 30,000 schools in the UK and already many have taken part.
The aim of this project is to engage football fans to pay tribute to what took place in Flanders on Christmas
Day 1914. The Christmas Truce was a spontaneous ceasefire between soldiers fighting on the Western
Front in 1914. They met in ‘no man’s land’, buried their dead, sang carols and exchanged gifts. Some even
played football.
From 6-14 December, players at every level of football – from Premier League to primary schools, are invited
to play a match as part of ‘Football Remembers’ and to take part in a photo tribute. By taking a picture of
the combined teams and uploading to Twitter or Instagram using #FootballRemembers. Photos will be
posted on the website and stored as a moment of history.
Click here to see the photos on the Football Remembers website
For more information on this initiative please visit the website Football Remembers or download the Football
Remembers Week Activity Pack
We look forward to welcoming all players, friends and family and many of our community partner organisa-
tions on a very special day.
Thanks in advance for all your support.
Ian Wilson
Community Service Projects
Dates of Term 1
Date Year Group/s Event
12/12-15/12 Y4-Y6 Bangkok Feeding Frenzy Swim Meet
17/12 EYFS Christmas Concert
18/12 Y1-Y6 Christmas Concert (Evening)
19/12 All Term 1 finishes @ 11.30am