The document is the first issue of the BISbuzz newsletter for the 2014-2015 school year at the British International School's Secondary Campus in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It provides information on upcoming events and trips for the school year, including orientation days, parent information evenings, trips within Vietnam and abroad, and sports competitions. It also provides a message of welcome from the Head Teacher and details on the start of term.

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

2. BISbuzz Issue 01 | 2
From The Head Teacher
Welcome to the 2014‐15 academic year at The Bri sh Interna onal 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 ge ng to know you over the coming weeks.
Orienta on Day for new families ‐ Tuesday 26th
August
New students in all year groups and their parents are invited to the Orienta on 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 facili es with your children and meet other parents. The Parent Teacher Group will be on
hand to provide informa on and show people around. Students transferring from Year 6 of BIS have already had
their orienta on and do not need to a end on that day. If you missed the orienta on in June, you are welcome to
a end on Tuesday, of course.
Students in Year 12 (Sixth Form) – Induc on Day Tuesday 26th
August
All Year 12 students are required to a end the Sixth Form Induc on Day on Tuesday 26th
August, star ng 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
informa on 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 con nue to be available in the Auditorium un l 26th
August
and in the Uniform Shop therea er.
Start of Term ‐ Wednesday 27th
August 2014
The new school year starts in full with Registra on in Form Rooms at 7.55am on Wednesday 27th
August 2014. New
students will be met in the Undercro , 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 Undercro 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 ques on or need further advice or informa on, 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 me se ling 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
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
TRIPS Overview 2014‐2015

4. BISbuzz Issue 01 | 4
Date Event Time
August
2014
20 ‐ 26 Non‐Pupil Day All Day
26
New Pupil Orienta on/New Families Orienta on
Year 12 Induc on Day
13.30‐15.00
08.00‐14.40
27 First Pupil Day
29 PTG Welcome Mee ng (AP1) 08.00‐11.30
September
2014
2 Vietnam Na onal Day
3 Year 12/13 Parent Informa on Evening 18.30‐19.30
4 Year 7 Parent Informa on Evening 18.30‐19.30
8
Moon Fes val
Year 9‐11 Parent Informa on Evening
18.30‐19.30
9 Year 8 Parent Informa on Evening 18.30‐19.30
10 Fire Evacua on Drill
11
Year 11&13 Invita onal PTSC
Year 13 Group 4 Introduc on
16.00‐18.00
12
PTG Mee ng
Vietnamese Addi onal 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 Op ons 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 Op ons 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 Se ling in le er
PTG Mee ng
08.15‐10.00
11 Year 13 ITGS Final submission
11‐12 (SAT Tests External)
15
PTG Lost Property
(Oxford/Medicine Den stry/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 Interna onal 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 Compe on
U19 Badminton (@SSIS)
Year 11 ‐ CIE IGCSE Maths Exam
13.00‐16.00
AM
30 Halloween Disco 18.30‐20.30
31 (USA Early Ac on/Early Decision Deadline)
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 confirma on. Confirmed dates appear in BISbuzz each week.

5. BISbuzz Issue 01 | 5
November
2014
1
ABRSM Theory Exam
BIS Invita onal Swim Meet
4‐8 SEOMUN
4 U14 & U19 Swim Meet (@ ISHCMC) 15.30‐18.00
5 Year 11 ‐ CIE IGCSE Mathema cs 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 Fes val
14 PTG Mee ng 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 Prac ce Expedi on
December
2014
2 Year 8 PTSC
3 Inter House Sports Day
4 U19 Basketball (@BIS) 16.00‐18.00
5
PTG Mee ng
IGCSE PE Modera on
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 Adver sing Compe on
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 Mee ng
(UCAS Deadline‐except Art & Design)
08.15‐10.00
19
ECAs Start
University Informa on Evening – UK
18.30‐20.00
20 U19 Basketball (boys @ SSIS, girls @ ISHCMC) 16.00‐18.00
21 University Informa on Evening – US & Canada 18.30‐20.00
21‐23
IGCSE Mock Exams
IB Mock Exams
22
U14 Football (boys & girls @ BIS)
University Informa on 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 Fes val (Manila)
4 U14 & 19 Athle cs (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 Mee ng
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 Prac ce Expedi on
10‐14 U13 FOBISIA Games (Tapei)
13
PTG Mee ng
PTG Quiz
08.15‐10.00
16.00‐18.00
18
PTG Lost Property
IGCSE Modera on
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 Mee ng 08.15‐10.00
4 SSIS Swim Meet 08.00‐17.00
4‐5 Bronze IA Assessed Expedi on
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 Produc on All‐Day Rehearsal 10.00‐16.00
14‐16 Produc on
15
PTG AGM
Year 7‐13 Inter‐House Swim Gala
08.15‐09.15
08.00‐12.30

7. BISbuzz Issue 01 | 7
16 U14 Volleyball (boys & girls@ ISHCMC) 16.00 ‐ 18.00
17
End of Term
Year 13 Mu i 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 Compe on (@ RISS) 02.40 ‐ 18.00
7
U14 Badminton (@ SSIS)
U14 Volleyball (Boys and girls @ BIS)
Year 6 Transi on Day
16.00 ‐ 18.00
16.00 ‐ 18.00
09.15 ‐ 12.30
8 (USA Final Report to Colleges)
9‐10 ISHCMC Invita onal 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 Gradua on 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 Transi on mee ng 15.30 – 16.30
7
PTG Second Hand Sale
(SAT Tests External)
10 Year 8 NC Level Report
11 Year 6 Parent Informa on Mee ng 15.00 ‐ 16.00
12
Year 11 Prom
Year 10 Exam Report
Year 12 Exam Report
PTG Mee ng
PTG Quiz
Year 12 Group 4 Introduc on
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) Summa ve 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 Innova ons Day
25 Prize Giving 13.00 ‐ 14.00
26
End of Term
Final Assembly
08.30‐09.30

8. BISbuzz Issue 01 | 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 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)
From the Underground & BIStro
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