The British International School held its annual Spring Concert at the Ben Thanh Theatre in Ho Chi Minh City. Over 410 students from the Primary, Tu Xuong, and Secondary campuses performed together. Highlights included performances by the chamber choir, concert band, string ensemble, and a grand finale by all students singing "Gloria". The concert demonstrated the growing musical talent of BIS students and the hard work of the Music Department.

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BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - HO CHI MINH CITY| SECONDARY CAMPUS
APRIL 3 | ISSUE 28
IN THIS ISSUE
From the Head Teacher 02
UK University Fair 04
Spring Concert 06
Year 9 Vietnamese trip 08
Green Day 09
Sport News 10
School Produc on 11
Korean parents coffee morning 12
PTG 13
From The BIStro & Underground 14
April
4th ‐ 5th Year 10 Interna onal Award Expedi ons– Dalat
9th Year 8 Vietnamese Trip
10th IGCSE Business Trip
10th Year 9 Full Report
10th Ac vi es finish
14th—16th School Produc on, 7pm
UPCOMING EVENTS

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From The Head Teacher
NO! YES!
AIP Founda on
Edgarsnyder.com
Staying Safe – Part 2
Last week I urged parents to support the safety and well‐being of children while at school through wear‐
ing their Parent Card visibly around their neck when on site. Spare lanyards are available at the guard
house on request. We will be increasing our commitment to this and will be insis ng on visible cards for
all at the start of next term.
I now need to seek your support with safety and well‐being to and from school. We have promoted the
correct wearing of crash helmets for several years. So strong is our commitment to this that we have
supported the Asia Injury Preven on Founda on’s ‘Helmets for Kids’ campaign year a er year.
(http://www.asiainjury.org/main/helmets-for-kids.html)
It seems, however, that a small number of our students believe that they are indestruc ble and have
been seen travelling on or riding motor‐cycles without wearing a helmet. I really believe I do not need to
remind anyone of the dangers of this. What I have done, however, is remind students of our school rules.
The messages have been as follows:
1. Students without helmets are breaking the law, in school uniform.
2. This brings the school into disrepute (and undermines the “Helmets for Kids” banners that appear
outside the school.)
3. Our jurisdic on extends “to students while in school, travelling to and from school or at other mes
when in uniform or school kit.” (Parent Handbook, p32)
4. We will take ac on. That will include, informing parents, and star ng sanc ons.
I trust I can rely on parents to support our increased vigilance and our concern for the safety of the chil‐
dren.
Richard Dyer
Head Teacher, Secondary
From The Head Teacher

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Nap: Sleep lightly or briefly, especially during the day
(www.oxforddictionaries.com)
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150106-how-to-nap-like-a-pro
This ar cle from the BBC reminds us all of the benefits of proper sleep. At a me when many of our old‐
er students face increasing study loads and the prospect of examina ons in a few weeks, we all need to
make sure we are fully aware of the role sleep plays in learning and memory. I encourage you to read
the full ar cle and discuss with your children. What you will find out is:
 “No ma er how you design it, napping is never going to be as good as ge ng a full night of sleep”
but …
 A 10‐minute a ernoon nap is enough to help recover from a night of restricted sleep. You can feel
less sleepy, more vigorous and benefit from improved cogni ve performance for up to 2½ hours fol‐
lowing the nap.
 A nap generally improves memory performance, while caffeine either doesn’t affect – or worsens –
performance.
 Naps can improve brain func on and visual systems, promote physical and mental recovery and
memory consolida on.

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University Guidance
First UK University Fair for International Schools
On Monday 30th
March we hosted twelve universi es from the UK. The universi es represented varying
levels of selec vity as well as geographical loca on and included eight of the Russell Group universi es.
The a ernoon started with Year 12 having the opportunity to meet with the universi es in a private ses‐
sion. This was followed by a meaningful counsellor mee ng where we discussed entry requirements for IB
students, personal academic statements and teacher recommenda ons. A er school the event was open
to the community and it was both reassuring and exci ng to see such a large presence amongst our stu‐
dents from Years 9 – 11 as well as many parents.
Each of the universi es was incredibly impressed by our students and school. Speaking with the represent‐
a ves a er the fair they commented unanimously how engaged our students were. They complimented
our school and the structure of the support we provide for our students in preparing them for university
life and beyond.
This is the first fair of its kind in Ho Chi Minh City for Interna onal Schools. The feedback from the universi‐
es is that they wish for it to con nue in the future. I will be coordina ng with the universi es again to
host an even larger fair in October.
Aidan Crowley
College & University Guidance Counsellor
"Extremely enthusias c students, keen on
knowing more about educa on in the UK. I
hope they all do well in their exams, and
choose the UK as their study des na on.
Looking forward to welcoming BIS students to
Leeds one day".
Eileen Low, University of Leeds
BIS students were very well researched and are
very familiar with the universi es they are consid‐
ering. Most of them also know the main courses
they wish to enrol in. It’s also encouraging to meet
with parents who want to get the basic infor‐
ma on so they can start to do the research on the
universi es early on. I definitely hope to visit BIS
HCMC again in the near future.
Sherry Ng, University of No ngham

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Spring Concert
On Wednesday 1st
April 2015, musicians from all three campuses at BIS came together for their annual
spring concert at Ben Thanh Theatre, District 1. This year’s theme ‘Friends Around the World’ focussed on
taking the audience away on a musical journey. The An Phu Primary Campus and Tu Xuong Campus
opened the concert this year with a combined performance of ‘We Belong Together’. The An Phu Primary
students then remained on stage to perform a range of different pieces. Their performance of ‘We’re all
in this together’ from the MP3 Choir was definitely a favourite with the audience members, alongside the
combined choir and orchestra performance of ‘Give a li le bit’. Our second half was opened by the TX
students. Highlights included was beau ful performance of ‘For Good’ from the musical ‘Wicked’ per‐
formed by the TX Chamber Choir and their combined TX Orchestra and Choir piece, ‘Like an Eagle’.
There has been a steady increase in our students’ involvement in musical ac vi es at all three campuses
but in Secondary in par cular, we have so many students involved in the extensive variety of ensembles
we offer that we have now taken to showcasing the talent we have in the foyer of the theatre, prior to
the main concert. The TX String Ensemble performed two pieces as part of the foyer musicians, alongside
the AP2 Clarinet Group and Brass Band. These ensembles entertained our audience members while they
waited to take their seat inside the theatre, with some energe c performances that included ‘Three for
tea’ and ‘Rigaudon’. During the concert, the An Phu Secondary students demonstrated their musical tal‐
ent with a variety of ensembles. Some of the highlights were performances of ‘Past me with good com‐
pany’ from the Concert Band and the Chamber Orchestra’s performance of Dvořák’s‘New World Sympho‐
ny’. These pieces were both technically challenging and the students performed stylis cally and energe ‐
cally. In contrast, the String Ensemble’s performance of ‘You Raise My Up’ set a warm and homely tone to
the evening, alongside the delicate and well executed Flute Choir performance of ‘Lakme’ (Flower Duet).
The Chamber Choir’s passionate and accomplished performance of a piece called ‘If I could catch a rain‐
bow’ was rounded off superbly by the lyrical piano and cello accompaniment that entwined the piece.
The evening ended with a grand finale piece ‘Gloria’, with students singing a La n mass set to a theme
from Saint‐Saëns’ Third (‘Organ’) Symphony, which included all 410 performers from all three campuses.
Our numbers of students par cipa ng in music ac vi es has grown impressively and this year has been
the biggest number of students involved ever. The students have worked very hard over Term 2 to put
our musical showcase evening together and we, the music department, would like to congratulate them
for their constant support and commitment throughout the last few months. I watch our students with
admira on. Their strength and enthusiasm is remarkable and this year as I stood on stage for the finale
and absorbed this sea of faces, smiling and enjoying their well‐earned moment to shine, I felt not just
proud of our students, I felt incredibly lucky to have worked with them.
A DVD is being put together as a memento of the evening. These will be available to purchase at a later
date from the cashier and I will inform students of when they will be available.
Sarah James
Director of Music

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Year 9 Vietnamese Trip
History trip to the museum

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Green Day
Reminder: Green Day on Thursday 16th
April
Get to use the new student-made BIS bottle recycling bin made from waste
materials – to be unveiled on Green Day.
Remember: Keep collec ng those used ba eries for the house compe on on 16th
April.
Why do we recycle ba eries?
Ba eries contain extremely toxic substances like mercury, cadmium, lithium, lead and nickel metal hydride.
Ba ery materials pose no threat to human health when in use, but ba eries discarded improperly can have
dangerous health and environmental consequences because of the heavy metals the ba eries contain. Ba er‐
ies that end up in a landfill can leach chemicals and heavy metals into the soil, groundwater, lakes and streams.
When incinerated, ba eries release heavy metals into the air; these metals enter the environment in the ash
created during incinera on. The most recycled ba eries are lead acid ba eries.
Lead Acid Ba ery Recycling
The ba ery is broken apart in a hammer mill (a machine that hammers the ba ery into pieces). The broken
ba ery pieces are then placed into a vat, where the lead and heavy materials fall to the bo om and the plas c
floats. At this point, the polypropylene pieces are scooped away and liquids are drawn off, leaving the lead and
heavy metals. Each of the materials goes into a different recycling “stream”.
Plas c
Polypropylene pieces are washed, blown dry, and sent to a plas c recycler where the pieces are melted togeth‐
er into an almost liquid state. The molten plas c is put through an extruder that produces small plas c pellets.
The pellets are sold to a manufacturer of ba ery cases and the process begins again.
Lead
Lead grids, lead oxide, and other lead parts are cleaned and heated within smel ng furnaces. The molten melt‐
ed lead is then poured into ingot moulds. A er a few minutes, the impuri es float to the top of the s ll molten
lead in the ingot moulds. These impuri es are scraped away and the ingots are le to cool. When the ingots
are cool, they’re removed from the moulds and sent to ba ery manufacturers, where they’re re‐melted and
used in the produc on of new ba eries.
Sulphuric Acid
Old ba ery acid can be handled in two ways: 1) The acid is neutralized and turns into water. The water is then
treated, cleaned, tested in a waste water treatment plant to be sure it meets clean water standards. 2) The ac‐
id is processed and converted to sodium sulphate, a white powder that’s used in laundry detergent, glass and
tex le manufacturing.
Mai Van Trinh Year 7

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Sport News
BIS Secondary Campus Inter‐House Swimming Gala 2015
Year 7 – 9 Gala and op onal for Year 10‐13
Wednesday 15th
April 8.50 – 12.30
Venue: AP2 Swimming Pool
Dear Parents,
I would like to invite you to the Secondary School Inter‐House Swimming Gala at the An Phu Secondary
Campus, on Wednesday 15th April (for Years 7‐13). This year, the Gala will be compulsory for years 7‐9,
but op onal for years 10‐13. Those students in Years 10‐13 who do not swim must a end lessons as nor‐
mal.
All students will swim for their house and only compete with other students in their year group. Both girls
and boys races will be separate. Students should wear the correct swimming kit and their House T‐shirt
whilst on the poolside.
There will be a variety of individual and team events. Each student should be swimming in a minimum of
one event. The maximum any student should swim is 5 races (including relays). There will also be float rac‐
es and a tyre relay. The emphasis is on par cipa on, friendly compe on and fun.
If you have any ques ons please feel free to contact me at garywillis@bisvietnam.com. I look forward to see‐
ing you at the Swimming Gala.
Gary Willis
Head of Physical Educa on

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School Production

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BIS 한국 학부모님들께,
저희 중 고교(세컨더리) 캠퍼스에서 한국인 학부모님들을 모시고 교장 선생님과 함께 작은 다과회 시간을 마련하였
습니다.
커리큘럼 및 주요 교직원들을 소개하는 시간을 갖고 한국 학부모님들과 조금 더 소통하는 자리가 될 것으로 기대합
니다.
BIS의 다른 초교 캠퍼스의 학부모님들뿐 아니라 우리 학교에 관심을 두고 계신 주위 분들도 함께할 수 있는 시간을
마련했으니 많은 참석 바랍니다.
참여를 원하시는 재학생 학부모님들은 CHQ로 등록해 주시면 되고, 그 외 분들은 이메일로 등록해 주시면 됩니다.
감사합니다.

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PTG

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From the Underground & BIStro
Menu 1 (6 April)
From the Underground & BIStro
DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
MAIN
COURSE
CHOOSE 1
Cottage Pie-Beef
OR
Chicken & Vegeta-
ble Curry, Rice
Pasta with Pork Meat
Balls
OR
Fish Teriyaki, Rice
Roast Pork, Roast
Potato/Rice
OR
Chicken Noodle
Soup (Pho)
Fish Goujon &
Potato Wedges
OR
Beef & Vegetable
Stew, Rice
VEGETA-
BLES
Morning Glory &
Carrot
Salad
Beansprouts & Carrot
Salad
Choy sum & Carrot
Salad
Chinese Cabbage
& Carrot
Salad
SOUP Watercress Cabbage & Carrot Tomato & Tofu Spinach & Melon
DESSERT Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit
VEGETARIAN
Vegetarian Cottage
Pie
Chickpea Salad
Mixed Fruit
Pasta Napolitana
Mixed Beans Salad
Mixed Fruit
Vegetarian Noodle
Soup
Tofu in Soya Sauce
Mixed Fruit
Tofu & Vegetable
Stew, Rice
Spinach & Melon
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
Chocolate Mud Cake
Swiss Roll
Fruit Cup
Curry Puff
Samosa
Fruit Cup
Banana/Carrot
Muffin
Sponge Cake
Fruit Cup
FRIDAY
Roast Chicken, York-
shire Pudding
OR
Pork in Dark Soya
Sauce, Rice
Broccoli & Carrot
Salad
Mixed Vegetable
Mixed Fruit
Chickpea & Vegetable
Curry, Rice
Mixed Vegetable
Soup
Mixed Fruit
Donut
Cream Puff
Fruit Cup