This issue of the BISbuzz newsletter provides information on upcoming events at the British International School in Ho Chi Minh City's secondary campus. It includes details about parent-teacher conferences, the school calendar for next year, debates held in the Year 9 International Life Skills program, math and sports news, a call for an Eco-Committee parent representative, music performances, a quiz night, International Day, a fun run, parent-teacher group year level lunches, and menus from the school cafeteria.

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BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - HO CHI MINH CITY| SECONDARY CAMPUS
SEPTEMBER 19 2014 | ISSUE 05
IN THIS ISSUE
From the Head Teacher 02
Reporting and Parent Teacher Student Conferences 2014-15 03
Next year’s calendar 04
Year 9 – International Life Skills Debates 05
Maths Problem of the Week 2 06
Sports News 07
Parent Eco-Committee Representative Needed 08
ABRSM High Scorers’ Concert 2014 09
Quiz Night 10
International Day 11
BBGV Fun Run 13
PTG Year Group Lunch 14
From The BIStro & Underground 15
September
22nd AEO Tour (33 colleges from USA), 12.30pm
22nd Cornell University, The University of Chicago, Vanderbilt
University ,Rice University visits, 7pm
23rd Cornell University, The University of Chicago, Vanderbilt
University ,Rice University visits, 12.30pm
25th Year 9 Options Evening, 6.30pm
26th PTG Quiz
28th BBGV Fun Run (please note revised BIS Group
Photo time of 7.30am)
UPCOMING EVENTS

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From The Head Teacher
Email and letters
Please make sure your email address we have on file is kept up to date. We send all information letters
and invitations to Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences home by email only. Please inform the school of
any changes to your email address to huongdo@bisvietnam.com
Four of the world’s top six universities are in England
The latest QS World Rankings of universities, regarded as the most rigorous
ranking of its type, places the University of Cambridge, Imperial College
London, University of Oxford and University College London in the top six,
with only Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) ahead. Harvard
ranks equal fifth with UCL and Stanford, California Institute of Technology,
Princeton and Yale filling up behind to make a new top ten.
We are proud to have BIS graduates at many of the top universities around the world, including those in
the top ten.
Scottish Referendum
We’re a long way from Britain and the United Kingdom but here at the
British International School we are taking an interest in this week’s events in
Scotland. Here is a nice 5 minute introduction to the background to the bid
for Scottish independence, from The Guardian newspaper’s website:
Richard Dyer
Head Teacher
Secondary
http://goo.gl/sSkQL3 http://goo.gl/N0z0xy
http://goo.gl/2M8sMI

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Reporting and Parent Teacher Student Conferences 2014-15
Year Term 1 Term 2 Term 3
7
10th
October
Settling in letter
26th
November
Parent Teacher
Student Conference
27th
February
Short Report
25th
-29th
May
Internal
Examinations
26th
June
Full Report
8
2nd
December
Parent Teacher
Student Conference
20th
March
Full Report
25th
-29th
May
Internal
Examinations
10th
June
NC Level Report
9
25th
September
Options Evening
15th
October
Parent Teacher
Student Conference
10th
April
Full Report
25th
-29th
May
Internal
Examinations
26th
June
End of KS3 Summative
Report
10
19th
November
Parent Teacher
Student Conference
27th
March
Short Report
25th
-29th
May
Internal
Examinations
12th
June
Exam Report
26th
June
Full
Report
11
8th
October
Options Evening
11th
September
Invitational
PTSC
21st
November
Full report
21st
-30th
January
Mock Examinations
10th
Feb
Exam Report
11th
Feb
Parent Teacher Student
Conference
IGCSE Examinations
12
28th
November
Short Report
3rd
March
Parent Teacher Student
Conference
25th
-29th
May
Internal
Examinations
12th
June
Exam Report
26th
June
Full
Report
13
11th
September
Invitational
PTSC
28th
November
Full Report
21st
-30th
January
Mock Examinations
10th
Feb
Exam Report
12th
Feb
Parent Teacher Student
Conference
IB Examinations

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NEXT YEAR’S CALENDAR

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This week saw Year 9 students participate in a series of debates as part of their
International Life Skills Programme. The students were presented with three
motions on controversial topics and tasked with proposing or opposing a specific
motion. Each class researched the issue and then prepared arguments for four
students in their group to deliver in head to head debates.
A sense of anticipation filled the Theatre on Thursday afternoon as the year group
gathered for the debates. The first contest saw 9B and 9I debate the motion “Social
media is ruining our social lives”. Arguments were dissected and propositions
rebuffed in a high quality debate with 9I eventually voted the winners.
The next contest saw 9H face 9V to debate the motion, “The BIS uniform should be
abolished”. In a passionate debate which excited the audience, both teams
employed rhetorical devices to good effect. In a close vote, 9V opposing the motion
were victorious.
The high standard was continued in the final debate between 9N and 9H, on the
motion, “There is too much pressure in school to do well”. Once again the standard
of debate was impressive with much knowledge and confidence on display. Another
close vote saw 9H opposing the motion come out on top.
The debates, organised by Mr Bergin Head of Middle Secondary School, form part of the International Life
Skills Programme designed to equip our students with vital skills. The International Life Skills Hexagon
contains 6 skills areas which are the focus of the programme. The particular aim of this activity was to
develop Communication and Problem Solving Skills as well as Global Citizenship.
Our Year 9 students were truly impressive in their response to this challenge, displaying confidence and
skill way beyond their years. Well done to all involved.
Sean O’Neill
Assistant Headteacher
Year 9 – International Life Skills Debates

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 For it to be possible to draw a figure without taking the pen off the paper
and without drawing along an existing line, there must be either no points or
exactly two points in the figure at which an odd number of lines meet.
 We can now check that only the last picture satisfies these conditions and
indeed, one can draw it without taking the pen off the paper and without
drawing along an existing line.

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HOLIDAY SPORTS PROGRAMMES
The following Holiday Programmes will take place from 20th
– 24th
October.
Term 1 Key Dates
22nd
September AP1 ECA’s begin.
28th
September BBGV Fun Run.
9th
October U19 Volleyball City Championships.
28th
October U14 Basketball City Championships.
29th
October U19 Badminton @SSIS 1pm
1st
November BIS Invitational Swim Meet.
6th
– 9th
November Phuket 7’s U13’s U18’s.
12th
– 16th
November U15 FOBISIA GAMES – BIS Jakarta.
25th
November U14 & U19 Swimming City Championships.
3rd
December Inter House Athletics Day.
5th
December IGCSE PE Video Moderation 1.
7th
December AP1 ECA’s finish.
12th
– 15th
Bangkok Feeding Frenzy.
14th
December AP2 ECA’s finish.
19th
December Sports Day Assembly.
Phil Drake
Director of Sport/Activities & Trips Coordinator
Date Sport Time
Head
Coach
Minimum
No. Of
Students Age
Prices (all in
VND) Location
20/10 - 24/10 Football 8.00 - 11.00 SSA Min 8 Year 3 upwards 1,900,000 Big field
20/10 - 24/10 Basketball 1pm - 4pm SSA Min 8 Year 3 upwards 1,900,000 AP2 Sportshall
20/10 - 24/10 Swimming 8.00 - 13:45
Mr Vinh
Nguyen
Min 8 F2 upwards
Various
(see letters)
AP1 pool
20/10-24/10 Multi Skills 8.00 - 9.00 Mr Soriano Min 8 Y1-Y3 440,000 AP1 Sportshall
20/10-24/10 Multi Skills 9.00 - 10.00 Mr Soriano Min 8 F1-F3 440,000 AP1 Sportshall
20/10-24/10 T ball 4.00 - 5.30 Mr Soriano Min 8 Y3-Y6 660,000 Big field
Sport News

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Parent Eco-Committee Representative Needed
We are striving to achieve our GREEN FLAG Award and to do so, we require a parent to attend our
secondary campus Eco-Committee. What’s involved?
 The Eco-Committee consists of parents, teachers, students, support staff and senior management
 We meet twice a term during school hours (dates to be published shortly)
 Oversee and evaluate the environmental schemes and review the school’s Eco Action Plan at AP2
 Discuss possible future ideas for environmental improvement, on-campus and the community
 To publicise the work of the Eco-Committee in PTG meetings
 To act as an Eco-Committee representative on behalf of other parents of children in the school,
passing on relevant ideas to the committee chairperson.
For further information or to volunteer please contact me by e-mail: ianwilson@bisvietnam.com
or click on the following link: http://www.eco-schools.org.uk/
Ian Wilson
Community Service Projects

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A CALL TO ALL VIETNAMESE PARENTS
International Day is an annual event at BIS . It is taking place on Friday 17th
October this year. It is a
great day for all students to discover more Vietnamese traditional culture.
In order to set up a wonderful day for all students, on behalf of the Vietnamese department I would like
to ask for your support and your help with decoration, food and preparation.
Any ideas and support are welcomed, please feel free to contact me maile@bisvietnam.com or
Reception Miss Vy vyle@bisvietnam.com and Mrs Wilson susanwilson@bisvietnam.com
Please be informed that you are also invited to a meeting to discuss the theme for the decoration in
room 108 on Monday 6th
October 2014 from 8:15 – 8:45am
Thank you in advance
Mai Le – Head of Vietnamese Department
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Ngày Quốc Tế là sự kiện thường niên diễn ra hàng năm tại BIS. Năm nay sự kiện này sẽ diễn ra vào
ngày thứ sáu 17 tháng 10 năm 2014. Đây là một ngày hội cho tất cả học sinh tìm hiểu thêm về văn hóa
Việt Nam .
Để có thể tổ chức ngày hội thành công cho tất cả học sinh, thay mặt khoa Tiếng Việt tôi thiết tha mời gọi
sự hổ trợ và sự giúp đỡ từ phía phụ huynh trong công việc trang trí, thức ăn và chuẩn bị.
Chúng tôi đón nhận tất cả sự hổ trợ và giúp đỡ từ phía quý vị, xin quý vị đừng ngần ngại liên hệ với tôi
qua email maile@bisvietnam.com hoặc cô Vy vyle@bisvietnam.com và cô Wilson
susanwilson@bisvietnam.com
Chúng tôi cũng trân trọng kính mời quý phụ huynh đến dự buổi họp để thảo luận với cô Mai Lê về chủ
đề trang trí ở phòng 108 vào ngày thứ hai 6/10/2014 từ 8:15 đến 8:45
Trân trọng kính chào và cám ơn.
Mai Le – Trưởng Khoa Tiếng Việt

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PTG Year Group Lunch
Keeping with our tradition, once again we have organized our year group lunches!
Mark your calendars for the following dates…
Year 7 : Monday 6th Oct ’14
Year 8 & 9 lunch : Tuesday 7th Oct ‘14
Year 10 & 11 lunch : Wednesday 8th Oct ’14
Year 12 & 13 lunch : Thursday 9th Oct ‘14
Details will be emailed to parents directly.
RSVP: bisptgap2@gmail.com

15. BISbuzz Issue 05 | 15
From the Underground & BIStro
Menu 2 (22 September)
From the Underground & BIStro
DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
MAIN COURSE
CHOOSE 1
Beef Lasagne
OR
Seafood Fried
Rice
Cheese Pizza
OR
Pork with Onion, Rice
Honey Baked
Chicken,
Sautéed Potato/
Rice
OR
Beef Noodle Soup
Spanish Fish
Pasta OR
Szechuan
Chicken, Rice
Ham & Cheese
Croquet Monsieur &
Roast Potato
OR
Chicken Rice
VEGETABLES
Morning Glory &
Carrot
Salad
Chinese Cabbage &
Carrot
Salad
Long Beans &
Carrot
Salad
Choy sum &
Carrot
Salad
Bean Sprouts &
Carrot
Salad
SOUP
Spinach & Melon
Soup
Mixed Vegetable
Soup
Spinach Watercress Tomato & Tofu Soup
DESSERT Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit
VEGETARIAN
Vegetarian
Lasagne
Chickepeas Salad
Mixed Fruit
Cheese Pizza
Mixed Vegetable
Soup
Mixed Fruit
Tofu Noodle Soup
Long Beans &
Carrot
Mixed Fruitit
Veggie & Peas
Pasta
Mixed Beans
Salad
Mixed Fruit
Oriental Fried Rice
Tomato & Tofu Soup
Mixed Fru
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
Swiss Roll
Crème Puff
Fruit Cup
Chocolate Mud
Donut
Fruit Cup
Curry Puff
Samosa
Fruit Cup
Muffin
Sponge Cake
Fruit Cup
Curry Puff
Samosa
Fruit Cup