The newsletter provides information about upcoming events at the British International School in Ho Chi Minh City. It includes details about an orientation day for new students, the start of the new school term, International Week which will include students wearing national dress to a Parade of Nations, and a carol concert that showcased the skills of the school's choirs and orchestra. It also summarizes swimming and football tournaments the school participated in and provides the lunch menu for younger students.

1. 19 December 2014 | ISSUE 16
Dates for your diary
IN THIS ISSUE
From: Page
Headteacher 2
Music Department - Carol Concert 3
PE Department - Bangkok Swimming 4
MPF Skype with Santa 5
International Week 6
Community Service Department 7-10
Fundinotots - BIS Baby and Toddler Group 11
Lunch Menus 12-13
Contact information
225 Nguyen Van Huong St, District 2, HCMC
Tel: (848) 3744 4551
Fax: (848) 3744 4182
E-mail:
simonhigham@bisvietnam.com
BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - HO CHI MINH CITY
AN PHU PRIMARY
Newsletter
9th Orientation Day for new students
12th Term 2 begins
14th AP1 Welcome Back Coffee
19th - 23rd International Week
20th & 21st Global Café
23rd Parade of Nations (national dress)
26th - 30th School photographs are taken
January

2. From The Headteacher - Mr Simon Higham
Issue 16/Page 2
Scan here to access the
‘AP1 Parent Blog’
AP1 Parent Blog
http://ap1parentblog.blogspot.com/
Nearly 20,000 page views on the AP1 Parent Blog.
Click on the link to the AP1 Calendar to find out what events are
planned for Term 2.
Please note that new posts are regularly added to the Blog to celebrate and showcase AP1 events and achieve-
ments.
According to the Oxford English dictionary, the word „spectacular‟ means „beautiful in a
dramatic and eye catching way‟. This week, there have been many spectacular activities
throughout the campus in preparation for our festive holiday.
On Tuesday, over 400 parents, 300 children and 100 teachers and teaching assistants
came together to celebrate the joys of Christmas with our annual Carol Concert. We could
not have asked for a more spectacular evening under the stars showcasing the spectacular
skills of our choirs and orchestra. Thank you for supporting this event - one of the definite
highlights of the year for me - I hope that it got you in the Christmas mood. More details
of this event can be found on page 3 of today‟s newsletter.
There has also been some spectacular parties across all classes this week and I was pleased to see so many par-
ents attending these and sharing the fun with their children. For our EYFS classes, Santa came to school,
handing out presents and reinforcing how well behaved all the children have been this year. They also had an
opportunity to speak to Santa directly via Skype on Thursday as for the very first time, BIS had a link to the
North Pole. The children asked some very thought provoking questions. Look out for more details and pictures
on page 5.
Well done and welcome back to all of our swimmers that attended the International Feeding Frenzy in Bang-
kok last weekend. All of those that participated did both themselves and BIS proud with many spectacular per-
sonal bests. The results of the meet are detailed below showing our 4th overall placement out of 14 competing
schools. More pictures can be found on page 4.
Final team placing:
1 Bangkok Patana TigerSharks 3,767 pts
2 Uwcsea -East 3,421 pts
3 Tanglin Merlions 2,231 pts
4 BIS HCMC 2,018 pts
5 ISB Dragons 1,447 pts
I would also like to congratulate Helena Vila Ariza who was placed 2nd overall in the 8‟s and Under individual
section - a spectacular achievement!
Finally, thank you all for your continued support in the education of our children this term and I leave you
with an extract from „Twas the Night before Christmas‟ by Clement Clarke Moore:
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.!"
I wish you all a very peaceful and relaxing Christmas break.

3. Music Department - Carol Christmas Concert
Issue 16/Page 3
This year‟s concert was a wonderful evening of fes-
tive entertainment. The concert began with a great
rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock” from our youngest
performers, the MP1 Choir, followed by items from
no less than four different choirs. The Orchestra
played “White Christmas” beautifully and the audi-
ence sang along with us for “Santa Claus is Coming
to Town”. However, the highlight of the evening
was definitely our rousing finale, “All I Want For
Christmas Is You”, featuring all of the evening‟s
performers. Once again, we were extremely im-
pressed with the amazing talent shown on display
but, most importantly, the children‟s sheer enjoy-
ment when performing. The Music department are
very proud of each and every one of the children
involved. Well done!
Ms Beth Bown
Music Leader

4. Issue 16/Page 4
PE - Bangkok Patana Feeding Frenzy 2014

5. Issue 16/Page 5
MPF Skype With Santa
On Thursday, the children in MPF were very lucky to have a Skype conversation with Santa in the North Pole
alongside their friends in BVIS. Children from Years F2 and F3 each took it in turns to ask Santa a question
which he then answered.
The children planned their questions in advance and thought carefully about what they wanted to ask. They
showed great confidence in asking their questions clearly and confidently. We found out lots of new things
about Santa and the North Pole, including that Rudolph really is Santa's favourite reindeer!
Ms Clair Draper
F2 Teacher & Assistant Headteacher (EYFS)

6. International Week at AP1
Issue 16/Page 6
Dear Parents,
As we approach the end of what has been a very busy term, we are already very much thinking about next
term and in particular International Week which begins on Monday January 19th. 2015. On Wednesday, a let-
ter was sent to all parents with details of this fantastic learning rich experience. More details will follow in ear-
ly January.
One thing to remember for now is that your child will be invited to wear their national dress or clothes that
represent the country they are from during our Parade of Nations on Friday 23rd January 2015. The
costume should represent where the child is from, not a place they have visited.
We have prepared the parade music for all the countries that we have children listed for. If however, your child
holds dual nationality and will be dressing in a costume other than the nationality listed in school for them,
please do let us know so we can adjust the music for the parade.
The children will also be studying a country within their classes and will have the opportunity to visit other
classes and learn about the countries they have been studying too. It promises to be a superb week full of excit-
ing learning and new experiences for the children.
Before this though, a holiday, that everyone is looking forward to. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a
wonderful holiday. For those that are travelling be safe and enjoy visiting family , exploring new places or
simply enjoying the break away. For those staying in HCMC, have a wonderful and peaceful holiday.
Ms Deirdre Grimshaw
Deputy Headteacher

7. Community Service - Football Tournament
Issue 16/Page 7
A Day of Friendship
100 years ago, an unexpected game of football on the fields of France brought two opposing armies together. It
is heartening to know that The Beautiful Game can still bring people together as we welcomed over 70 children
to a carnival of football and friendship.
Being part of a sports team is something of a dream to many children across the world and our Community Ser-
vice leaders made sure that this dream was fulfilled for our students and community partners. All of this hap-
pened in a tournament that was both competitive and sporting.
The teams were all mixed so that our BIS students and our guests played on the same sides on a day that was
perhaps best summarised by one of our own students: “I made some great new friends today”.
Mr Jonathan Smith
Y4 Teacher & English Leader

8. Saturday Morning Football Tournament
Issue 16/Page 8
We had a thrilling end to the Term 1 Saturday Morning Football programme last weekend, with almost 80 chil-
dren taking part in the Christmas Football Tournament 2014.
Six mixed teams from Years 2-4 and Years 5-6 took part in two separate tournaments running at the same time
on the big pitch – that also meant a lot of parent coaches, referees, scorers, one loud MC and of lots of family
supporters making it all great fun.
We saw some great football being played by all the children, culminating in two very exciting finals between
England (3) and USA (0) in the Y2-4 tournament and Brazil and Cameroon in the Y5-6 tournament. The latter
ending in a 0-0 draw which led Cameroon to win on penalties – nail-biting!
Thank you again to everyone who has supported us this term, have a wonderful Christmas and see you all
again at the first session of the new term - 17th January.
We still welcome new players from Y2 – 6, please do email us if you child is interested in joining us at bissatur-
dayfootball@gmail.com
Enjoy the break and happy New Year!
Ms Anna Wheller and Ms Margot Evers-van Gastel
Saturday Morning Football Coordinators

9. Community Service Projects - Y9 Helmets for Kids
Issue 16/Page 9
Why not ask Father Christmas for
a new helmet this year?
Ms Emma Morris
Community Service Projects Manager

10. Community Service Department - Tet Collection
Issue 16/Page 10

11. Fundinotots Programme
Issue 16/Page 11
Enrolments for Term 2 Fundinotots are now being received. For more information about our BIS Baby and
Toddler Group, please contact our Main Office. We‟re looking forward to meeting you very soon.
Sarah Bonner
Fundinotots Leader

12. Issue 16/Page 12
MENU FOR F1 - F2
MENU 2 (WEEK BEGINNING 12 JANUARY)
DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
MAIN
COURSE
CHOOSE 1
Roast Chicken,
Mashed Potato
OR
Pork in Dark Soya
Sauce, Rice
Beef Lasagne
OR
Seafood Fried Rice
Cheese Pizza
OR
Pork with On-
ion, Rice
Honey Baked
Chicken, Sautéed
Potato
OR
Pork Noodle
Soup (Nam Vang)
Pork burger
OR
Szechuan Chicken, Rice
VEGETA-
BLES
Cabbage & Car-
rots
Spinach Morning Glory
Long Beans &
Carrots
Choy sum & Carrots
SOUP Spinach & Melon Tomato & Tofu
Cabbage & Car-
rot
Spinach Watercress
FOR
VEGETARI-
AN
ONLY
Chickpea & Vege-
table Curry, Rice
Spinach & Melon
Soup
Vegetarian Lasa-
gne
Tomato & Tofu
Soup
Cheese Pizza
Cabbage & Car-
rot Soup
Vegetarian Noo-
dle Soup
Long Beans &
Carrots
Aloo Tikki Burger
Watercress Soup
MENU FOR F3 - YEAR 2
MENU 2 (WEEK BEGINNING 12 JANUARY)
DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
MAIN COURSE
CHOOSE 1
Roast Chicken,
Mashed Potato
OR
Pork in Dark
Soya Sauce,
Rice
Beef Lasagne
OR
Seafood Fried
Rice
Cheese Pizza
OR
Pork with Onion,
Rice
Honey Baked
Chicken, Sautéed
Potato
OR
Pork Noodle Soup
(Nam Vang)
Pork burger
OR
Szechuan Chick-
en, Rice
VEGETABLES
Cabbage &
Carrots
Spinach Morning Glory
Long Beans & Car-
rots
Choy sum &
Carrots
SOUP
Spinach & Mel-
on
Tomato & Tofu Cabbage & Carrot Spinach Watercress
FOR
VEGETARIAN
ONLY
Chickpeas &
Vegetable Cur-
ry, Rice
Spinach & Mel-
on Soup
Vegetarian Lasa-
gne
Tomato & Tofu
Soup
Cheese Pizza
Cabbage & Carrot
Soup
Vegetarian Noo-
dle Soup
Long Beans & Car-
rots
Aloo Tikki Burg-
er
Watercress
Soup
DELI BAR
OPTION
Bun
filled with Ham
& cheese
Served with
Salad
Jacket Potato
filled with Baked
Beans & Bacon
Served with Salad
Bun
filled with cheese
& egg
Served with Salad
Jacket Potato
filled with Bolo-
gnese Sauce
Served with Salad
Bun
filled with
Chicken & may-
onnaise,
Served with Sal-
ad
Fresh Fruits & Salad Bar are available daily

13. Issue 16/Page 13
MENU FOR YEAR 3 - YEAR 6
MENU 2 (WEEK BEGINNING 12 JANUARY)
DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
MAIN
COURSE
CHOOSE 1
Roast Chicken,
Yorkshire Pudding
OR
Pork in Dark Soya
Sauce, Rice
Beef Lasagne
OR
Seafood Fried
Rice
Cheese Pizza
OR
Pork with Onion,
Rice
Honey Baked
Chicken, Sautéed
Potato
OR
Pork Noodle Soup
(Nam Vang)
Pork burger
OR
Szechuan Chick-
en, Rice
VEGETABLES Cabbage & Carrots Spinach Morning Glory
Long Beans & Car-
rots
Choy sum & Car-
rots
SOUP Spinach & Melon Tomato & Tofu Cabbage & Carrot Spinach Watercress
FOR
VEGETARIAN
ONLY
Chickpea & Vege-
table Curry, Rice
Spinach & Melon
Soup
Vegetarian Lasa-
gne
Tomato & Tofu
Soup
Cheese Pizza
Cabbage & Carrot
Soup
Vegetarian Noo-
dle Soup
Long Beans & Car-
rots
Aloo Tikki Burger
Watercress Soup
DELI BAR
OPTION
Baguette/Jacket
Potato
filled with ham,
chicken, cheese,
egg, tuna mayon-
naise, baked
beans, peas & bo-
lognese sauce
Served with Salad
Bun/Jacket Potato
filled with ham,
chicken, cheese,
egg, tuna mayon-
naise, baked
beans, peas & bo-
lognese sauce
Served with Salad
Wrap/Jacket Pota-
to
filled with bacon,
ham, chicken, egg,
cheese, tuna may-
onnaise, baked
beans, peas & bo-
lognese sauce
Served with Salad
Bun/Jacket Potato
filled with ham,
chicken, cheese,
egg, tuna mayon-
naise, baked
beans,
peas & bolognese
sauce
Served with Salad
Baguette/Jacket
Potato
filled with ham,
chicken, cheese,
egg, tuna mayon-
naise, baked
beans, peas &
bolognese sauce
Served with Salad
Fresh Fruits & Salad Bar are available daily