- The document is a newsletter from the British International School in Ho Chi Minh City providing information about upcoming events in August and September 2014. - It includes details on orientation days, parent information evenings, trips, sports competitions, performances, and other school activities on the calendar. - The head teacher's message welcomes returning and new families and provides logistical details about the start of term.

1. BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - HO CHI MINH CITY| SECONDARY CAMPUS
AUGUST 22 2014 | ISSUE 01
UPCOMING EVENTS
IN THIS ISSUE
From the Head Teacher 02
TRIPS Overview 2014‐2015 03
Events calendar 2014‐15 04
Japanese EncephaliƟs update 08
From The BIStro & Underground 09
BISbuzz Issue 01 | 1
August
26th Year 12 InducƟon Day, 8am
New Pupil OrientaƟon/New Families OrientaƟon, 1.30pm
27th First Pupil Day
29th PTG Welcome MeeƟng, 8am at AP1
September
2nd Vietnam NaƟonal Day
3rd Year 12/13 Parent InformaƟon Evening, 6.30pm
4th Year 7 Parent InformaƟon Evening , 6.30pm

2. BISbuzz Issue 01 | 2
From The Head Teacher
Welcome to the 2014‐15 academic year at The BriƟsh InternaƟonal School. To returning families, I hope you had a
refreshing break and that you are ready for the new school year. To those new families joining us, we are delighted
to have you with us and I very much look forward to geƫng to know you over the coming weeks.
OrientaƟon Day for new families ‐ Tuesday 26th August
New students in all year groups and their parents are invited to the OrientaƟon Day at 1.30 pm on Tuesday 26th Au‐gust
in the Theatre on the sixth floor of the AP2 campus. This is a good opportunity to meet the senior staff at the
school, have a look at the faciliƟes with your children and meet other parents. The Parent Teacher Group will be on
hand to provide informaƟon and show people around. Students transferring from Year 6 of BIS have already had
their orientaƟon and do not need to aƩend on that day. If you missed the orientaƟon in June, you are welcome to
aƩend on Tuesday, of course.
Students in Year 12 (Sixth Form) – InducƟon Day Tuesday 26th August
All Year 12 students are required to aƩend the Sixth Form InducƟon Day on Tuesday 26th August, starƟng at 8am in
the Theatre, and finishing at 3pm in the Sixth Form Common Room. Lunch will be available for purchase during the
day or students may choose to bring their own lunch.
Parent Handbook
A Parent Handbook will be provided to each new family at the start of the term and a PDF version will be available
on the school website for all returning families. This contains much of what you need to know as parents of BIS and
informaƟon on whom to contact for further details.
School Uniforms and Canteen Cards
School uniforms and student canteen cards pre‐loaded with VND500 000 have been available in the Auditorium
from 8.00am to 4.30pm since 13th August 2014 and will conƟnue to be available in the Auditorium unƟl 26th August
and in the Uniform Shop thereaŌer.
Start of Term ‐ Wednesday 27th August 2014
The new school year starts in full with RegistraƟon in Form Rooms at 7.55am on Wednesday 27th August 2014. New
students will be met in the UndercroŌ, outside the Auditorium. Students should arrive in school between 7.30 and
7.45am. The BIStro will be open from 7am and Form Room details will be displayed in the UndercroŌ and on the
LCD screens. Year 7 students will meet in the BIStro at 7.55am to be escorted to their Form Rooms. The Tuesday of
the second week, 2nd September, is a public holiday and the school will be closed that day.
Laptops
All students in all secondary year groups 7‐13 will need to bring their own laptop computer to school every day for
use in lessons. If you have a quesƟon or need further advice or informaƟon, please contact Mr. Ben Turner, Deputy
Head (benjaminturner@bisvietnam.com).
We welcome a number of new teachers to the An Phu Secondary Campus this term. As an expanding school we are
fortunate to be able to appoint a larger number of teachers. They arrived in Ho Chi Minh City mid‐August and have
already been spending Ɵme seƩling in and working in school with their new colleagues, preparing for the start of
term.
I look forward to seeing you all for the new school year.
Richard Dyer
Head Teacher
Secondary

3. BISbuzz Issue 01 | 3
TRIPS Overview 2014‐2015
DATE DETAILS YEAR
GROUP TRIP LEADER Est. COST
(Based on 2013-14)
5th -7th September 2014 Y13 CAS – Kontum - Vietnam Y13 Mr English VND 5,000,000
4th – 8th November 2014 SEOMUN Y10-13 Mr Gamwell VND 20,000,000
7th – 9th November 2014 Phuket 7’s Football Y10-13 Mr Drake VND 19,000,000
13th – 18th November 2014 FOBISIA Music Festival - Beijing Y7-13 Ms James VND 26,000,000
12th – 15th November 2014 U15 FOBISIA Games - BIS Jakarta Y9-10 Mr Drake VND 22,000,000
28th – 30th November 2014 Y11 IGCSE Geography Trip – Mue Ne - Vietnam Y11
IGCSE Mr Hadley VND 4,500,000
29-30th November 2014 Y12 Gold D of E IA Practice Expedition Y12 Mr Essery VND 6,000,000
28th – 30th November 2014 FOBISIA MUN - ABC HCMC Y10-13 Mr Gamwell TBC
12th – 15th December 2014 Feeding Frenzy Swim Meet - Bangkok Patana
School Y7-13 Mr Drake VND 18,000,000
26th – 30th January 2015
Trips week
Madagui – Vietnam
Dalat - Vietnam
Mai Chau - Northern Vietnam
Hong Kong
Kontum
Philippines
Year 12 International Gold Award
Mau Chau – Northern Vietnam
Y7
Y8
Y9
Y10
Y12
Y12
Y12
Y12
Mr Durrant
Ms Tiemann
Mrs Hall
Mr Wall
Mr English
Mr Dyer
Mr Essery
TBC
VND 15,000,000
VND 13,000,000
VND 13,000,000
VND 20,000,000
VND 11,000,000
VND 25,000, 000
VND 22,000,000
VND 13,000,000
25th -28th February 2015 SEAMC Maths – Hong Kong Y8-10 Ben Sillitoe TBC
27th February – 1st March 2015 Y12 IB Geography Trip – Dalat - Vietnam Y12 IB Mr Hadley VND 5,500,000
3rd – 6th February 2015 FOBISIA Drama – BIS Manila Y7-10 Ms Sargent VND 21,000,000
7-8th March 2105 Y10 Bronze D of E IA Practice Expedition Y10 Mr Durrant/ Mr
Essery VND 6,000,000
10th – 14th March 2015 U13 FOBISIA Games - Taipei European School Y7 - 8 Mr Drake VND 22,000,000
21st – 23rd March 2015 Saigon MUN Y9-13 Mr Gamwell VND 1,000,000
2nd April 2015 Y9 Vietnamese Day Trip Y9 Ms Mai No cost
8th April 2015 Y8 Vietnamese Day Trip Y8 Ms Mai No cost
4-5th April 2015 D of E IA Adventurous Journey Assessed
(Bronze) Y10 Mr Durrant/ Mr
Essery VND 6,000,000

4. AP2 Events calendar 2014‐15
Please note that the dates below were set in June 2014 and may be subject to change. Please contact the school
for confirmaƟon. Confirmed dates appear in BISbuzz each week.
Date Event Time
BISbuzz Issue 01 | 4
August
2014
20 ‐ 26 Non‐Pupil Day All Day
26
New Pupil OrientaƟon/New Families OrientaƟon
Year 12 InducƟon Day
13.30‐15.00
08.00‐14.40
27 First Pupil Day
29 PTG Welcome MeeƟng (AP1) 08.00‐11.30
September
2014
2 Vietnam NaƟonal Day
3 Year 12/13 Parent InformaƟon Evening 18.30‐19.30
4 Year 7 Parent InformaƟon Evening 18.30‐19.30
8
Moon FesƟval
Year 9‐11 Parent InformaƟon Evening
18.30‐19.30
9 Year 8 Parent InformaƟon Evening 18.30‐19.30
10 Fire EvacuaƟon Drill
11
Year 11&13 InvitaƟonal PTSC
Year 13 Group 4 IntroducƟon
16.00‐18.00
12
PTG MeeƟng
Vietnamese AddiƟonal Classes Start
08.15‐10.00
15 ECAs Start
18
Cheese & Wine Evening
U19 Volleyball (boys & girls @ BIS)
19.00‐21.00
16.00‐18.00
19
Peace Day
(Cambridge Overseas Interviews Deadline UCAS)
20 ABRSM High Scorers Music Concert 19.00‐21.00
23 Year 13 Group 4 Day 08.00‐14.40
25
Lock Down Drill
Year 9 OpƟons Evening
U19 Volleyball (boys & girls @ ISHCMC)
U14 Basketball (boys & girls @ BIS)
18.30‐20.00
16.00‐18.00
16.00‐18.00
26 PTG Quiz 16.00‐18.00
28 BBGV Run
29 Dragons’ Den 15.00‐17.00
October
2014
2
Theatre Group Visit: Of Mice and Men
U14 Basketball (boys and girls @ BIS)
08.00‐14.40
16.00‐18.00
6‐7 BOTB Rehearsal 15.00‐17.00
7 U14 & U19 Swim meet (boys and girls & SSIS) 16.00‐18.00
8 Year 11 OpƟons Evening 18.30‐20.00
9
BOBT
U19 Volleyball (boys & BIS, girls & ISHCMC)
U14 Basketball (boys & girls @ ISHCMC)
19.00‐21.30
16.00‐18.00
16.00‐18.00
10
Year 7 SeƩling in leƩer
PTG MeeƟng
08.15‐10.00
11 Year 13 ITGS Final submission
11‐12 (SAT Tests External)
15
PTG Lost Property
(Oxford/Medicine DenƟstry/Veterinary UCAS deadline)
Year 9 PTSC
12.30‐13.30
16.00‐18.00
16 U14 Basketball (boys & girls @ BIS) 16.00‐18.00
17 InternaƟonal Day
20‐24 Half term holiday
28
U14 Basketball (boys and girls @ SSIS)
U19 Volleyball (boys and girls @ BIS)
16.00‐18.00
29
Monologue CompeƟƟon
U19 Badminton (@SSIS)
Year 11 ‐ CIE IGCSE Maths Exam
13.00‐16.00
AM
30 Halloween Disco 18.30‐20.30
31 (USA Early AcƟon/Early Decision Deadline)

5. BISbuzz Issue 01 | 5
November
2014
1 ABRSM Theory Exam
BIS InvitaƟonal Swim Meet
4‐8 SEOMUN
4 U14 & U19 Swim Meet (@ ISHCMC) 15.30‐18.00
5 Year 11 ‐ CIE IGCSE MathemaƟcs Exam AM
6‐9 Phuket 7s Football
8‐9 (SAT Tests External)
11‐12 Year 12 Studio Performance 18.00‐19.00
12‐15 U15 FOBISIA Games
13‐17 FOBISIA Music FesƟval
14 PTG MeeƟng 08.15‐10.00
19 Year 10 PTSC 16.00‐18.00
20 Teachers Day
Year 12 Parent Workshop
18.30‐20.30
21 Year 11 Full Report
Psychology Sleep Study
19.00‐00.00
22 Psychology Sleep Study 00.00‐07.00
23 Terry Fox Run (TBC)
24‐28 Year 12 Community Project Week
25 U14 & U19 Swimming (@SSIS) 12.30‐18.00
26 Year 7 PTSC 16.00‐18.00
27 Year 13 Full Report
28 Year 12 Short Report
28‐30 Year 11 IGCSE Geography Trip
29‐30 IA Gold PracƟce ExpediƟon
December
2014
2 Year 8 PTSC
3 Inter House Sports Day
4 U19 Basketball (@BIS) 16.00‐18.00
5 PTG MeeƟng
IGCSE PE ModeraƟon
08.15‐10.00
6 Christmas Bazaar 09.40‐14.00
6‐7 (SAT Tests External)
8 U19 Basketball (@BIS) 16.00‐18.00
9 PTG Lost Property
10‐11 Winter Concert All Day Rehearsal
11 Winter Concert
U14 Football (@BIS)
19.00‐21.00
16.00‐18.00
12 ECAs Finish
12‐15 Bangkok Feeding Frenzy Swim Meet
16 Year 8 AdverƟsing CompeƟƟon
18 U19 Basketball (boys @RISS)
U14 Football (girls @BIS)
16.00‐18.00
16.00‐18.00
19 End of Term
Final Assembly
11.30
08.30‐09.30
22 ‐ 09 Jan Holiday
January
2015
8‐9 Non‐Pupil Day 08.00‐16.00
12 First Pupil Day
14 PTG Welcome Back and Newcomers Coffee Morning
15
U14 Football (boys & girls @ ISHCMC)
U19 Basketball (boys & girls @ BIS)
16.00‐18.00
16.00‐18.00
16
PTG MeeƟng
(UCAS Deadline‐except Art & Design)
08.15‐10.00
19 ECAs Start
University InformaƟon Evening – UK
18.30‐20.00
20 U19 Basketball (boys @ SSIS, girls @ ISHCMC) 16.00‐18.00
21 University InformaƟon Evening – US & Canada 18.30‐20.00
21‐23
IGCSE Mock Exams
IB Mock Exams
22 U14 Football (boys & girls @ BIS)
University InformaƟon Evening – Asia
16.00‐18.00
18.30‐20.00
24‐25 (SAT Tests External)
26‐30
Trips Week
IB & IGCSE Mock Exams

6. BISbuzz Issue 01 | 6
February
2015
2 SISAC Cross Country
2‐5 School Photos
3 ‐ 6 FOBISIA Drama FesƟval (Manila)
4 U14 & 19 AthleƟcs (hosted by BIS) 08.15‐13.00
5
PTG Cheese and Wine
U14 Football (boys and girls @ BIS)
19.00‐21.00
9‐13 MFL IB Orals
10
Year 11 Exam Report
Year 13 Exam Report
IB & IGCSE Performance Music Evening
U14 & U19 Swim Meet (@BIS)
18.00‐19.00
16.00‐18.00
11
Year 11 PTSC
U14 Football (boys @ girls @ ISHCMC)
16.00‐18.00
12
Year 13 PTSC
U14 Football (boys @ BIS, girls @ SSIS)
16.00‐18.00
16.00‐18.00
13
Tet Assembly
PTG MeeƟng
11.45‐12.30
08.15‐10.00
13‐21 Formula 1 in Schools Trip (TBC)
14‐22 Tết Holiday
23‐24 Non‐Pupil Day
24 Holiday for Non‐Teaching Staff
27
Year 7 Short Report
(USA Mid‐Year Reports to Colleges)
Year 12 IB Geography Trip
28
Year 12 IB Geography Trip
ABRSM Theory Exam
March
2015
1 Year 12 IB Geography Trip
3 Year 12 PTSC 16.00‐18.00
5 U19 Football (@BIS) 16.00‐18.00
7 Prefect Training Day 08.30‐15.00
7‐8 IV Bronze PracƟce ExpediƟon
10‐14 U13 FOBISIA Games (Tapei)
13
PTG MeeƟng
PTG Quiz
08.15‐10.00
16.00‐18.00
18
PTG Lost Property
IGCSE ModeraƟon
12.30‐13.30
19 U19 Football (boys & girls @BIS) 16.00‐18.00
20 Year 8 Full Report
21‐23 SAIMUN
24 (UCAS Deadline for Art & Design)
26 U19 Football(boys & girls @BIS) 16.00‐18.00
27 Year 10 Short Report
31
Spring Concert all Day Rehearsal
U19 Table Tennis (@SING)
13.00‐16.00
16.00‐18.00
April 2015
1
Spring Concert All Day Rehearsal
Spring Concert
2
Year 9 Vietnamese Trip
U14 Volleyball (boys & girls @ BIS)
16.00‐18.00
3 PTG MeeƟng 08.15‐10.00
4 SSIS Swim Meet 08.00‐17.00
4‐5 Bronze IA Assessed ExpediƟon
6‐10 MFL IGCSE Orals
8 Year 8 Vietnamese Trip
9 U19 Football (boys @ BIS, girls @ SSIS) 16.00‐18.00
10
ECAs Finish
Year 9 Full Report
11‐14 ProducƟon All‐Day Rehearsal 10.00‐16.00
14‐16 ProducƟon
15
PTG AGM
Year 7‐13 Inter‐House Swim Gala
08.15‐09.15
08.00‐12.30

7. 16 U14 Volleyball (boys & girls@ ISHCMC) 16.00 ‐ 18.00
BISbuzz Issue 01 | 7
17
End of Term
Year 13 MuŌi Day
End of Term Assembly
Year 13 Final Assembly
Year 11 Final Assembly
08.15‐09.00
10.15 11.00
10.15 11.00
20 – 1 May Holiday
May 2015
2‐3 (SAT Tests External)
4 First Pupil Day
4‐26 IB Exams
5‐12 June IGCSE Exams
6‐7 Saigon Enterprise Challenge
18.00 ‐ 20.30
6 U19 Dance CompeƟƟon (@ RISS) 02.40 ‐ 18.00
7
U14 Badminton (@ SSIS)
U14 Volleyball (Boys and girls @ BIS)
Year 6 TransiƟon Day
16.00 ‐ 18.00
16.00 ‐ 18.00
09.15 ‐ 12.30
8 (USA Final Report to Colleges)
9‐10 ISHCMC InvitaƟonal Swim Meet
14 U14 Volleyball (boys @ ISHCMC, girls @ SSIS) 16.00 ‐ 18.00
16 Admission Tests
18‐19 Year 10 Drama Showcase
25‐29
Year 10 & 12 Exam Week
KS3 Assessment Week
30 GraduaƟon 11.00 ‐ 14.00
June 2015
3 Year 10&12 Literature Show 18.00 ‐ 20.00
4
Year 10&12 Literature Show
U14 Table Tennis (@ SING)
18.00 ‐ 20.00
13.00 ‐ 16.00
6
Aquathlon
(SAT Tests External)
9 Year 6 Parent TransiƟon meeƟng 15.30 – 16.30
7
PTG Second Hand Sale
(SAT Tests External)
10 Year 8 NC Level Report
11 Year 6 Parent InformaƟon MeeƟng 15.00 ‐ 16.00
12
Year 11 Prom
Year 10 Exam Report
Year 12 Exam Report
PTG MeeƟng
PTG Quiz
Year 12 Group 4 IntroducƟon
19.00 ‐ 21.30
08.15 ‐ 10.00
16.00 ‐18.00
13 ABRSM Theory Exam
15‐16 KS3 Show 18.00 ‐ 20.00
15‐19 ABRSM Exams
17 PTG Lost Property 12.30 ‐ 13.30
18 Public Speaking Final (Year 9)
19
ECAs Finish
Inter‐House Dodge Ball
20 Whole School End of Year Party 18.00 ‐ 22.00
22
Year 7 Full Report
End of KS3 (Year 9) SummaƟve Report
Year 10 & 12 Full Report
Year 9 Geography Trip
Public Speaking Final (Years 7,8,10)
Year 12 Group 4 Day
08.00 ‐ 14.40
23 InnovaƟons Day
25 Prize Giving 13.00 ‐ 14.00
26
End of Term
Final Assembly
08.30‐09.30

8. 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
BISbuzz Issue 01 | 8
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.

9. BISbuzz Issue 01 | 9
From the Underground & BIStro
Menu 1 (27 August)
DAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
MAIN COURSE
CHOOSE 1
Roast Pork, Roast Potato/
Rice
OR
Chicken Noodle Soup (Pho)
Fish Goujon & Potato Wedges
OR
Beef & Vegetable Stew, Rice
Roast Chicken, Yorkshire Pudding
OR
Pork in Dark Soya Sauce, Rice
VEGETABLES Choy sum & Carrot
Salad
Chinese Cabbage & Carrot
Salad
Broccoli & Carrot
Salad
SOUP Tomato & Tofu Spinach & Melon Mixed Vegetable
DESSERT Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit
VEGETARIAN
Vegetarian Noodle Soup
Tofu in Soya Sauce
Mixed Fruit
Tofu & Vegetable Stew, Rice
Spinach & Melon
Mixed Fruit
Chickpea & Vegetable Curry, Rice
Mixed Vegetable Soup
Mixed Fruit
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
Banana/Carrot Muffin
Sponge Cake
Fruit Cup
Donut
Crème Puff
Fruit Cup