Fostering Individual Ability

Recruitment Handbook2014 - 2015

celebrating

20years ofsuccess1993 - 2013

Background

The International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) was the first international school

in Ho Chi Minh City. ISHCMC began life in 1993 with just 48 students covering

Nursery to Grade 5. It was then called the International Grammar School and was

founded and financed by Chris Dawe who bought out Vietnam Investment Review

(VIR). VIR had started the process to develop the first international school in Ho Chi

Minh City but it was Chris that took it on and he is credited with buying into it,

supporting the licensing, getting the investment and finishing the project to open the

school and continuing funding for school growth. Martin Snell was the first General

Director from 1993 – 1997 then Simon Dawe took over as General Director 1997 – 2001.

After this time the General Director and Headmaster roles became one.

In December 2013, ISHCMC celebrated our 20th Anniversary.

In 1997, ISHCMC moved to the current location in District 2. The new campus had 24

classrooms with over 100 students and classes were expanded to include Grade 6. It

was at this time that the schools name was changed to the International School Ho Chi

Minh City (ISHCMC) because of the word ‘Grammar’ and a perception that it was an

Australian school! By the end of 1998 students were enrolled up to Grade 10 and

ISHCMC had been inspected by the International Baccalaureate Organisation and

granted approval to offer the IBDP to Year 11 in 1999. It was also in 1999 that the school

gained full European Council of International Schools (ECIS) accreditation. ISHCMC

graduated their first class of Grade 12 students from the IBDP in 2000. Also in this year,

construction started on an additional block that included a new library. This was

completed in 2003. In 2005, a new secondary building was completed. In 2009 the

Administration building was completed. As a response to the growing reputation of

the school, another building was constructed that included new science labs, music

rooms, a gymnasium and swimming pool. This final addition was completed more

recently in 2011 and created three distinct but intertwined buildings housing both the

Primary and Secondary schools.

School Description

ISHCMC is the oldest and most established international school in Ho Chi Minh City.

ISHCMC is a non-denominational, co-educational and multi­cultural international

school with over 50 nationalities represented. Teaching in the English medium,

ISHCMC is the only school in Ho Chi Minh City that is certified to provide all three

International Baccalaureate Programmes (Primary Years Programme, Middle Years

Programme and the IB Diploma) for all of our student’s ages 2 to18 years.

ISHCMC is the only school in Ho Chi Minh City fully accredited by both the Council of

International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of School and Colleges

(NEASC), two of the most prestigious international accreditation organisations.

ISHCMC has purpose built facilities including an indoor gymnasium, a 25 meter, six

lane swimming pool and a large outdoor pitch with an artificial grass playing surface.

There is also an additional new school wing including science labs and performing arts

studios. Other facilities include 75 classrooms, a Library Media Centre, Information

Technology Labs, Music Rooms, Art Rooms, Canteen, Clinic, Adventure Playground,

Basketball/Volleyball Courts and a Multi-Purpose Auditorium.

School Location

ISHCMC is situated in the main residential expat area of Ho Chi Minh City, in

suburban District 2. ISHCMC is approximately 10 km from the centre of Ho Chi Minh

City. It is within walking distance of major serviced apartment complexes, (eg.

Riverside, Parklands and the Vista) shopping, cafés and restaurants in the An Phu area

and is nestled in a quiet location between the Saigon River and the Main Highway to

Hanoi.

ISHCMC is only a few minutes by car from the main residential areas in An Dien and

Thao Dien.

School Philosophy

Our school Philosophy is “Fostering Individual Ability”. Teachers are expected to

commit to this philosophy of the school and to model the school’s values and attitudes.

They are expected to use inquiry as their primary teaching methodology and to

implement the “Learner Profiles” of the IB Programme. Teachers are expected to adhere

to their job descriptions, to plan collaboratively in teams and to contribute towards

common goals for school improvement.

An important element of the school philosophy is an emphasis on the development of

the whole child and each teacher assumes responsibility for pastoral care, supervision

duties and after school activities. Teachers earnestly support an extensive range of

fieldtrips and activities. The ability, interest and commitment in offering extracurricular

activities in physical education, outdoor pursuits, art, music, drama and community

service are important qualities sought from candidates.

Structure

ISHCMC is part of Cognita, a world leading international schools group, currently

encompassing sixty-four schools across three continents. Today, you will find Cognita

schools in Brazil, Chile, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, the UK and Vietnam. The group

employs some 4,000 teaching and support staff in the care and education of around

27,500 pupils from the age of 1 to 18 years.

Since launching in 2004, Cognita has successfully built a group of outstanding schools

where no two are the same; each Cognita school retains its own unique ethos and offers

a curriculum and range of services tailored to meet the needs of local parents. Wherever

you visit a Cognita school, you will find empowered school leaders, committed teachers

and pupils who are enthusiastic learners.

The Board of Management has established the long term plan for ISHCMC to raise

standards within all areas of the school but most importantly in academics.

School Administration

Management responsibilities at ISHCMC are shared by the Senior Leadership Team.

The Headmaster, Simon Leslie, an Australian, joined ISHCMC in 2013 after holding the

Head of School position at New International School of Thailand (NIST) for 10 years.

The introduction of a new management position, Director of Academic Studies and

Deputy Headmaster was introduced at the beginning of the 2013 school year. This

position is held by Adrian Watts who is English. Between these two gentlemen, there is

over 40 years of IB experience. There are two Principals. The Primary Principal is Kurtis

Peterson, a Canadian who has previously worked in Uganda and China. The Secondary

Principal is Michael Roberts who is Welsh and has many years of IB experience.

Each of the Principals has a management team to assist with the coordination of his

section. Sam Sherratt is the IBPYP Coordinator. The Secondary team includes Kevin

Curran, Vice Principal; Tayna Nizam, IBDP Coordinator and Martin Grist, IBMYP

Coordinator.

Bob Connor is the Athletics and Activities Director and is very experienced in his field.

ISHCMC also has a dedicated team of people who manage the business and support

staff. Valerie Twomey is Director of Marketing and Admissions, Christine Bryne is

Admissions Manager and Community Liaison, Steve Pham is Human Resources

Manager and Martin Filkins is Finance Director.

School Size and Enrollment

In August 2013, there were 979 students enrolled with 449 students in Primary (Early

Explorers to Grade 5) and 530 students in Secondary (Grade 6 to Grade 12). Class sizes

are at a maximum of 22 students in Primary and 24 students in Secondary. There are 2

Early Explorers classes at each level, 3 Kindergarten classes and 4 classes at each grade

level from Grade 1 to Grade 12.

The ISHCMC school community originates from over 50 nations around the world.

ISHCMC employs 90 expat staff and 103 Vietnamese teaching assistants and

administrative staff. There is a balanced range of young, seasoned and veteran teachers

with average teaching experience of 8-9 years.

We intentionally hire a staff of different nationalities, ages, and gender. Our teachers are

from Australia (17%), Great Britain (23%), Canada (17%), United States (19%), New

Zealand (14%) and elsewhere (10%). The current average length of stay is 4-5 years.

Dip in enrolments in 2009 -2011 was due to the Asian financial crisis.

750 781 798 858 868 861

784 800 871

946 979

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Number of students 2003-2013

Number of students

The School Day

The School operates a northern hemisphere academic calendar from mid - August to

mid - June. The ISHCMC school year is divided into two semesters and four terms for

assessment purposes. The school year provides a minimum 180 days of instruction.

Our youngest students, the Early Explorer (EE) half day classes aged 2 and 3 years

attend school from 7:45am to 11:30am. The full day class for EE2/3 runs from 7:45am to

13:30pm. Early Explorers 4 (EE4), Kindergarten and Grade 1 finish their school day at

14:30pm. Grades 2 to 5 have classes from 7:45am to 14:45pm. Secondary Grades 6 to 12

run from 7:45am to 14:45pm.

The school timetable is based on a 10 day cycle where each day has a letter assigned

from A-J. This sequence is maintained throughout the year to avoid missing particular

days due to long weekend holidays.

Teaching staff are required to be at school at 7:15am each Monday and 7:30am on other

days. The teacher’s day concludes at 4:00pm, unless staff are involved in activities or

extra-curricular commitments.

Contact Time

The Secondary 2014-2015 school day will be divided into four, 80 minute periods. The

Primary school day is divided into eight 40 minute periods.

Teachers with a lower contact time commitment are expected on occasions to substitute

for absent colleagues. All staff are required to offer one After School Activity (ASA) per

semester, help with supervisory duties and expected to act as Homeroom Teachers.

Teachers are required to attend staff meetings every Tuesday immediately after school.

Academic Assistants

All classrooms in the Primary School have access to a full time bilingual teaching

assistant.

Professional Development Opportunities

Opportunities are made for staff to pursue Professional Development.

Current Status

In 1997 ISHCMC was granted full accreditation status by the Council of International

School (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

ISHCMC was first authorised to run the IBDP in 1998.

In November 2013, ISHCMC went through the 5 year accreditation process for CIS,

NEASC and the IB.

Curriculum

ISHCMC is continually refining its curricula to provide an internationally designed

model for concurrency in learning for mobile and transient students whilst maintaining

an appreciation of the school’s local environment.

ISHCMC offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme to all students aged 2 to

18 years. The IB programme is a comprehensive, inquiry based approach to teaching

and learning which develops the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills

needed to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalising world. Teachers use their

collective, wide ranging experiences to continually allow a successful programme to

run.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) operates for

students aged 2 (Early Explorers 2) to 11 years (Grade 5). At the Secondary level the

programme for Grade 6 to Grade 10 (students aged 12 to 15 years) is based on the IB

Middle Years Programme (MYP). Grades 11 and 12 (students aged 16 to 18 years)

undertake the IB Diploma Programme (DP). ISHCMC has been successfully graduating

students in the IBDP for 12 years. The IBDP is the final certification for students at

ISHCMC. It is an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with

final examinations that prepare students for university and life beyond.

Additional ISHCMC educational benefits and developments:

ISHCMC is well resourced with imported materials from UK, USA and Australia

to support the delivery of the curriculum. The school places an emphasis on the

integration of technologies.

The school offers a 1:1 laptop programme in Secondary School.

Spanish and Mandarin have been introduced into K-12, with options of mother

tongue study encouraged within the ASA program.

Community Service involves students in a range of activities alongside their

academic studies. A successful completion of C&S (Grade 6-10) and CAS (Grade

11-12) is one of the requirements for obtaining the MYP Certificate and the IB

diploma.

The school has over 300 computers, including computer labs used across all

sections of ISHCMC.

In addition to their participation in the After School Activities Programme, all

students are encouraged to join a Global Issues Network (G.I.N) project for a

significant duration. A G.I.N project is an unpaid and voluntary exchange that

has a learning benefit for the student.

There is a minimum of one networked computer in every classroom. Primary

School classrooms have four desktop computers each.

Laptops are provided in the Primary School, these are housed in portable trollies.

A number of printers are also available throughout the school.

Multi-media facilities are also available to staff and students in the form of video

and digital cameras.

All classrooms have either Smart Board technology, a digital projector or a 42’’

LCD screen which connects to a computer for presentation purposes.

Field trips for grades 4-12 are an essential component of the programme.

The school participates in and hosts MRISA events, MUN and THIMUN

Conferences throughout the school year.

Living in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Vietnam is a developing country but not, by any standards, an underdeveloped

country. Infrastructure, in terms of roads, telecommunications and electricity, are well

developed and reliable. There has been, and will continue to be, an increase in the last

few years in the availability of consumer goods and imported food stuffs, with a

number of new supermarkets and even a shopping mall and a cinema that shows

English-language films. Everything you‘ll need for living, household use and school

items are becoming more and more widely available and there continues to be an

increasing number of leisure opportunities, such as fitness clubs and sporting facilities,

restaurants and bars, and cultural events.

However, don‘t expect that things will function the same way as in your home country,

or even the country you are leaving. Vietnam has its own way of doing things, some of

which will be a blessing to you and some of which will cause frustrations. A sense of

humour, much patience and a consciousness that you are here as a guest in this country

are definitely all required.

HCMC or Saigon is known as the “Pearl of the Orient” with around ten million people,

including a population of approximately 60,000 expatriates (Western, Japanese, Korean

etc.). HCMC is Vietnam's largest city and an important regional sea port. With its

tropical climate, a cosmopolitan population and a mixture of shopping malls and

markets it's an easy choice of home away from home for many expats. The city offers a

fast-paced lifestyle within a city steeped in history. The contrast is perhaps most evident

in the juxtaposition of French-colonial architecture with high-rise buildings and

skyscrapers, as well as in the traditional markets across the road from busy shopping

centres selling the latest in designer goods.

While HCMC is the financial capital of Vietnam, the cost of living in this city will not

burn a hole in the expat’s pocket. Local goods are cheap and while imported western

goods are more expensive, they are readily available. Transportation is a big topic in

Vietnam, and the art of simply crossing the street is a skill that expats moving to

Vietnam need to learn swiftly. There are buses and bus routes around the city but they

are not fully accessible to westerners unless you learn a little Vietnamese. Taxis can be

cheap provided you use a reputable company. There are also many xe-om drivers

(motorbikes) ready to speed you around the city. With a range of choices from

shopping malls to small markets, expats moving to HCMC will love the variety of

choice.

There are ways of becoming connected to the local Vietnamese community, notably by

participating in community service activities through the school, charitable groups or

arts activities. The expatriate community is also an active one, with many opportunities

for socializing, playing sport, becoming involved in community work, or even joining a

drama group or a band.

More information about HCM City can be found in the Word HCMC

www.wordhcmc.com and Asia Life Magazine www.asialifemagazine.com.

Language

Most words in Vietnamese are only three or four letters long, making the language

appear easy. The stumbling blocks, however, are the six tones that can turn the word –

“cam”, for example, into orange, give, don‘t, flirt, nice, hold, feel and sick! Vietnamese

people greatly appreciate any attempts to learn their language and will engage easily in

simple conversations, with varying degrees of success! When all else fails, Vietnamese

are adept at non-verbal communication and this can be very helpful in difficult

situations.

Climate

Vietnam has a remarkably diverse climate because of its wide range of latitudes and

altitudes. The country’s weather is determined by two monsoons. There is a relatively

dry winter monsoon, which affects mainly the northern part of Vietnam above Danang.

It comes from the north-east between October and March. From April to October, the

south-western monsoon blows, bringing warm, damp weather to the whole country.

The rainfall at this time is heavy and Ho Chi Minh City can have spectacular electrical

storms. Ho Chi Minh City has a rather consistent average temperature of between 25oC

and 31oC. The hottest time is between February and April.

Transport

The challenges and hazards of vehicle traffic in HCM City cannot be over emphasized,

yet many teachers opt for the independence of owning a bicycle or motorcycle for

mobility. Transport to and from the school will be organized for you during the

orientation period, but taxis are easily found outside most hotels and on the street.

Health and Medical

Medical facilities in HCMC are not the same as those you would encounter in a

developed country, however very adequate facilities for foreigners do exist with

resident foreign doctors within close vicinity to the school. The Franco Vietnamese (FV)

Hospital (www.fvhospital.com) has outpatient and inpatient services in most

specialties, including obstetrics. There are also alternative health care options in HCMC,

with a number of reliable acupressure and acupuncture practitioners. In addition, there

are many opportunities for meditation, yoga and other health-related practices.

You (and any accompanying family members) should consider immunization against

typhoid, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pre-rabies (a series of 3 injections), hepatitis A, and

hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis (a series of 3 injections). It should be noted that all

the immunizations are covered by the school’s medical insurance scheme, and for this

reason it is recommended that you obtain any necessary immunizations after arrival

into Vietnam. Should you choose to obtain immunizations before you arrive, this is at

your own expense.

Even though most drugs are available over the counter at pharmacies, you may wish to

bring a supply of any prescription medications you need. You may be able to replace

them here, but it is better to feel comfortable at the start of a new contract.

Shopping

Though many shops have fixed prices, bargaining is a way of life in HCM City and one

that takes practice and patience. You will find the cost of locally produced food and

goods to be quite inexpensive compared to costs in Western developed countries.

Buying products of any kind that are imported from Western countries will add

significantly to the amount you spend, but the convenience and pleasure of familiar or

Western-quality goods may balance the cost.

Many items are sold at higher prices to expatriates so negotiation is a fact of life. It‘s

possible to avoid the extra cost by asking your household helper or other local person to

shop for you or with you.

Food

In HCMC, you can buy everything you need for eating in a healthy way. The amount,

variety and quality of goods that are locally available continue to increase. Expatriates

can obtain Western goods through supermarkets close to home and a full list is

available in the HCM City Guide magazines. Particularly note the Metro Supermarket,

located in the opposite side of the school (across Hanoi Highway), which has a large

variety of goods at a reduced cost and An Phu – APSC Supermarket (720, An Dien, An

Phu, District 2), which has a very large range of food, including imported food.

Most food in supermarkets, small shops and even markets are fixed price. Fruit and

flowers from street sellers can be bargained. In the markets, you may pay more as a

foreigner.

Eating Out

You have a large choice of establishments for eating out in HCM City, from street food

and simple cafes to more expensive upmarket restaurants. Street Food is extremely

inexpensive and a great way to experience the local culture, particularly if you are

attending a “Bia Hoi” (your colleagues are sure to introduce you to this drinking

experience shortly after your arrival!).

Good Vietnamese food is available in many restaurants around town and some

favourites are listed in the HCM City Guide magazines, along with many restaurants

catering to all tastes, from the cheap and cheerful or fashionable restaurants and bars in

downtown District 1. If you are currently living in a major North American, European,

Australian or other developed city, you will find the prices very reasonable.

Imported wine however continues to be of a slightly higher cost.

Getting away and out and about

The social life in Ho Chi Minh City is varied. There is an array of social venues, bars and

restaurants. There are opportunities to join sports clubs, interest groups and attend

community events. Travel within Vietnam and South East Asia is very easy and

affordable. Trips or weekends away can be organized through many local travel agents.

There are some wonderful places to visit!

The school social committee is a fun and active group which organizes a variety of

events each month. In the past these have included paintballing, TGIF drinks, group

meals and shopping trips. The social committee also organizes two big parties in

December and at the end of the year.

Teacher Testimonials

“Thoughts About Living in Ho Chi Minh City.”

If you are considering Ho Chi Minh City, and

indeed Vietnam, as a place to live then we suggest

you linger no more and come. We have been

teaching at ISHCMC for 11 years now and we

have seen and experienced many changes as the

city and the country finds its new self.

In our early days here we often needed to set off

on mini-expeditions to find what we thought were

reasonably basic items. When we returned to New

Zealand in the holidays we often took a suitcase

within a suitcase so that we could bring back the

things we could not buy in Ho Chi Minh City. But

now most things are easily sourced.

Over the last decade there has been a surge in

growth. The immediate area around the school is

witnessing a lot of development. There used to be

only several accommodation options, but now

there are quite a number of apartment and villa

type places which people can choose from. The

staff at the school this year seemed to quickly find

a place that suited them.

The area where the school is situated is in a low rise area on the fringe of the main city.

There are restaurants, cafes, several bars, a large number of shops, and supermarkets

(including a Metro) all selling most of what you need. If you are looking forward to a

bit of pampering then there are a number of options close by. All these are easy to get to

and most people walk, pushbike or motorbike.

This is repeated in the inner city which is easily accessed over the Saigon River Bridge

and takes about fifteen to twenty minutes to get to by taxi. The city is very manageable

Long service recognition at the

20th Anniversary Celebrations

with the central area not being as frenetic as some other large Asian cities. People

visiting the center just need to take the same precautions as they would anywhere else.

Sure there are a large number of motorbikes and certainly an increasing number of

vehicles which seem to all have a rather different view as to what constitute traffic

rules, but it isn’t enough to cause too much anguish. It is all part of it!

New restaurants, cafes, shops, malls and bars are springing up (sometimes replacing

similar existing places). The Vietnamese are very entrepreneurial so they are very quick

at recognising an opportunity. A building you pass on your wanders one day will

suddenly be demolished the next. Something not too permanent will quickly take its

place before a more substantial building goes up. There are many options for eating,

Vietnamese and International, and you will surely find something that suits you.

Beyond the city center there are many places to explore in the outer districts. A day

wandering with your camera can be quite exciting as you explore the sometimes

jammed streets, markets and cafes.

Vietnam is a very interesting place and there are many places to travel to. Most people

will naturally visit the main internal destinations. These places are easily accessible by

plane. It must be said that many people find it difficult to go beyond these popular

places. But with a sense of adventure and getting information from those who have

been here a while it is easy enough to visit more remote spots. Those who do, usually

have interesting tales to tell. And of course there is also the rest of Asia to explore!

It can be quite hot and humid. The rainy season usually kicks in about the end of May

and will start to taper off again about the end of November. There is nothing like a good

deluge of rain and being trapped in a small cafe drinking cafe sua da!

One thing about International School teaching is the friends you make. At ISHCMC we

have met so many people who we will always keep in touch with.

We are sure that any of you who are thinking about coming to Ho Chi Minh City and

who want to teach at our school will not be disappointed. - Graham Stichbury, Grade

3 Teacher and Sue Stichbury, Early Childhood Teacher.

“We Might Just Belong Here!”

“We are (in reverse order) my son Louis (3), my

daughters Zahra and Ruby (5 and 6), my husband

Sam and me, Kelli Sherratt. We have lived in China,

Bangladesh, and Thailand, and while Viet Nam has

elements of all three, it seems to have them all in

balance. It has edge and energy, but in a somehow

comfortable way. It's always hard to pin down one's

impressions of a new country, or to express them, so

I won't try to generalize. I'll just say that we're loving

the wide, leafy boulevards of Ho Chi Minh City after

the closeness – and highrise-ness – of Bangkok. The

people are really friendly and polite, and their smiles

– dare I say it – more genuine than in the famous

'Land of Smiles'. After living in a high-rise condo for

four years, here we feel more grounded – we have a

garden where the kids can get their toes dirty. I

watch my son proudly carrying stalks and leaves to

the compost heap and think, “he couldn't do that in

Bangkok”. My daughters, meanwhile, have been beside themselves with excitement

after spotting actual fairies flying around the Bougainvillea in the garden. They're

dragonflies, but please don't tell the girls!

It's also nice to be in a somewhat smaller school, where you see all your colleagues

every day and people don't get lost on you the way they can in a big institution.

ISHCMC has its challenges, for sure, but (keeping my fingers crossed) it seems, so far,

to have a soul, and as a teacher that's what we look for above all. And as a parent, too! I

felt this strongly recently, when all five of us spent a very happy evening at school at

the Family Night. We all came home feeling that we might just belong here. Thanks to

everyone who has gone out of their way to make us feel so welcome – it's working!

PS I've been told never to cross my fingers here – apparently it means something rather

rude! Oops!” - Kelli Sherratt, Early Explorer 4 Teacher and Sam Sherratt PYP

Coordinator

Shopping in down town

Ho Chi Minh City

“Time for a Beer and a Pho!”

Working at ISHCMC is like

standing in the middle of the

world. Every day I encounter

new ways of thinking, learn more

about different cultures and

realize that I have so much more

to learn.

ISHCMC kids are truly

international citizens who bring

with them a vast array of

experiences and a thirst for

knowledge that I find

exhilarating, exciting and – in the

very best way – exhausting.

They want to know. As a

teacher, this provides me with

the perfect setting in which to deliver the IB curriculum.

ISHCMC operates within an incredibly diverse and supportive community of faculty

and families. There are always so many events happening in and around the school,

from school and interschool activities, through to celebrations and PTO-run events.

Living in Sai Gon is always fantastic, sometimes frustrating and constantly inconstant.

The Ho (my nickname for this sprawling metropolis) is like a well-oiled machine that

nobody seems to be in charge of. Yet for the most part, it works – sure, there are power

cuts, sometimes the food you order turns out to be the complete opposite of what you

imagined, and don’t even get me started on the traffic rules (basically, ‘biggest wins’),

but you soon realize that getting stressed over these sorts of things doesn’t really

achieve…well, anything, really.

This is a city – and a country – of extremes. You can go and sit on a plastic stool on the

roadside, drink cheap beer and eat street food until the cows come home, or you can

ascend the dizzying heights of the Bitexco Building and drink cocktails as the sun sets

Phu Quoc Island - driving a vintage army jeep

through the jungle.

and the streams of motorbikes transform into glowing veins far below – the pulse of the

city dancing to its own wonderful beat.

Living here is also the perfect position for travel: the beaches of Mui Ne, Vung Tau and

Phu Quoc Island, all the way through to the mountains of Da Lat and magical Hoi An:

straight from the pages of a fairytale (with the added bonus of custom-made shoes and

tailored clothes). Of course, there is also Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, the

Philippines…the list is endless, varied and right on the doorstep.

Sai Gon city is dynamic: always changing and always moving. I love it here because it’s

one of the last ‘unfinished’ places in the world (think Bangkok or Shanghai thirty years

ago). Don’t come here expecting perfectly-paved streets and an unchanging skyline.

Don’t come here expecting public transport that runs to the minute or food that arrives

exactly as you imagined it to be (the food here is sensational, by the way).

Come here expecting nothing and everything – leave your preconceptions on the plane,

jump on the back of a xe om and disappear into the melee, sit with an old lady and buy

her a coconut, or go and have a day being pampered at a spa, and like me, you will fall

in love with the Ho.

Time for a beer and a pho! - Allistair Quirke, Grade 3 Teacher

”On the Whole Life in Vietnam is Great for the Family.”

This is my second year at

ISHCMC teaching English

to a fantastic group of

students from over forty

different countries.

Vietnam is an interesting

and welcoming country

and Ho Chi Minh City an

easy city to get around

with a small city centre

and a wide range of good

restaurants. The school

located in District 2 is a

short twenty-minute taxi

ride from the city centre

located in District 1.

This year the school is much more settled with a new administration team with an

excellent reputation and proven track record, and despite the turbulent past twelve

months and exit of many great staff; the new teaching team appears willing to work

together and accepting of the current challenges of developing a school for the 21st

century. The one down side of the school is the tight space that it is crammed into, but a

lot happens in that space during the day, after school and on weekends.

Financially Vietnam is a great place for a family. For less than $US 400 a month it is

possible to employ a good full time maid who will cook, clean and do laundry and

ironing. She will also do the shopping for you buying fresh food for the day or the

week as the need arises. Many families live in district 2 with kids of all ages. Our

daughter has made many friends and often has play dates and sleep over’s with friends

she has made through school

One difficulty as a teacher earning a single income with a family is that the Housing

Allowance is tight. Apartments are affordable and many single teachers have found

accommodation in The Vista, which is close to the school and proving the most popular

On the streets of Ho Chi Minh City!

choice, but it is not really an option for a family. It is possible to find good homes for

rent but it pays to start early, preferably before the school year, as there is more choice

and better quality homes available. The choices quickly evaporate once the school year

begins.

The other issue of living outside of an apartment block or compound is security. Petty

theft is rife in district 2 and you really do need to consider the issue of security.

On the whole life in Vietnam is great for the family, with a large number of activities

available both organized by the school and local community. - Wayne Harwood,

Secondary English Teacher

”Living in Vietnam is Wonderful!”

I began working at ISHCMC three years ago. I

had worked in International schools previously,

but in very westernized countries. I was a little

apprehensive about working so far from home in

a culture so different to my own.

Upon arrival my fellow newbies and I were

looked after very well. We were placed in the

same accommodation and left to explore for a

few days. Things like bank accounts and

vaccinations were included in our induction

schedule and we very quickly felt settled. The ‘safety in numbers’ feeling was strong,

and we quickly formed friendships that have lasted until now.

This is what greeted me when

I booked a cheap hotel in Hoi

An for me and my visiting

family.

The school itself was more established than my previous schools, and there were many

new programs and policies I had to get my head around. They are now of course

second nature.

Living in Vietnam is wonderful. This is the best standard of living I have ever had, and I

am quite sure I will never experience this level anywhere else in the world. No amount

of travel seems to burden my wallet, and I have seen more countries in the last few

years than in the rest of my life put together. A hundred dollars and one or two hours in

an aeroplane can land you in many countries, each with their own charm, culture and

way of life. Ho Chi Minh City itself is not jam-packed with ‘must see’ sights, but

Vietnam on the whole can keep you busy for a long while. Whether you want a beach,

mountains, diving, quad-biking or temples, you will find yourself happy here.

The food is Vietnam is wonderful and its people are very hospitable. Suffice to say, I am

more than happy here in the Ho. When I eventually come to leave this place it will be

with an extremely heavy heart. - Paul Harris, Secondary Mathematics Teacher.

“The Right Side of Crazy”

“The right side of crazy,’’ is how I describe

where I live to my family and friends. I have a

very modern apartment with a sensational view

of the river and a flash fifty metre swimming

pool. Each work day starts with a few minutes

cycle to ISHCMC on the Martin 207, complete

with basket and bell, against oncoming traffic ,

never knowing what I am going to encounter,

even in that short distance! Ho Chi Minh is that

perfect mix of adventure and comfort.

Biking through the Mekong Delta

I love living in District 2, where ISHCMC is located, and often have to be coerced to go

further afield. There is a good choice of restaurants, cafes, local food shops and roadside

dining, as well as enough ‘”watering holes’” so you don’t run into the same people (or

parents) all the time, but are well enough known to be warmly welcomed by name in a

number of establishments. Decent supermarkets, bakeries, butcher, local produce

markets and wine shops leave me with little to put on the ‘I must bring back from

home’ food items list. There are also a number of decent (and affordable) local spas and

gyms.

If you are up for a little more, District 1 is only a 20 minute taxi/motor bike ride away.

Here you will find plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, spas, street life and a growing

music and arts scene. In comparison to other major Asian cities, it is Adelaide! (Yes,

which as a comparison only helps if you are Australian). The Ho is definitely is one of

those cities that each time you turn around there is something new opening or

happening.

I have lived in Asia for ten years (previously in Malaysia & Hong Kong), and Ho Chi

Minh certainly ticks the boxes for me. It is a city still in the throes of development.

Designer stores and fast food franchises are here but have yet to take over as in other

parts of Asia. The expat community is very diverse and inclusive and you may find

yourself getting involved in networking and interests that you may never have

considered before. Despite being slugged with a heavy tax rate, living in Ho Chi Minh

is affordable. How much you can save depends on lifestyle choices. I travel frequently,

have flowers in my house, decent wines in my fridge and plenty of friends to share

them with! - Jane Clarke, Secondary Learning Support

International School Ho Chi Minh City28 Vo Truong Toan Street, District 2,

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Tel: +84 (8) 3 898-9100Fax: +84 (8) 3 898-9382

Email: SimonLeslie@ishcmc.edu.vn

www.ishcmc.com

An International Schoolfor children aged 2 - 18