BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - HANOI

NEWSLETTERJANUARY 23 2015| ISSUE 18

IN THIS ISSUE

From Mr. Anthony RowlandsFrom Mr. Christopher ShortFrom Mrs. Karen HanrattySecondary GeographyKS2 House SportsLord Puttnam visits BIS HanoiTet FairFundinotots ProgrammeLunch MenuContacts

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Issue 18 | 1

UPCOMING EVENTS

26th Lord Puttnam visits BIS HN KS1 House Sports KS4/5 Boys Basketball vs Wellspring 27th-30th Y8 Expedition – Mai Chau27th Y4 Learning Insights Parents Information Session KS4/5 Boys Basketball vs St Paul29th Y1 Learning Insights Parents Information Session30th Y11 & Y12 Mock Results issued

2nd KS3 Boys & Girls Football vs HIS3rd-6th Year 6 Expedition to Hoi An3rd F3 Learning Insights Parents Information Session4th KS3 Boys Football vs Wellspring5th Year 2 Learning Insights Parents Information Session KS4/5 Girls Basketball vs Concordia7th Tet Fair 2015

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Issue 18 | 2

From Mr Anthony Rowlands - Principal of BIS Hanoi

Geography and History are often classed together as Humanities and, whilst they do have some things in common, they are very separate individual subjects. As with most subjects, gaining knowledge is important but more important are the skills that we use to analyse the

knowledge we learn. I am extremely confident that both subjects are taught to the highest level here at BIS Hanoi. Much is written about Geography by Mr. Schofield in today’s newsletter and I will talk more specifically of Geography in a later edition of the newsletter.

However, as I have mentioned in previous newsletters, I have a great fondness for History. There is so much that we can learn from the subject which can make us better human beings and help turn the world into a better place as we reflect upon past events. It is not just a subject that focuses on knowledge – where and when things happened - it also requires people to use analytical skills to evaluate what happened in the past. This week I was struck by a History essay written by Phuong Chi (Year 11). The essay won her the History Department’s Academic Award Competition and Mr. O’Reilly states of the essay:

‘’Phuong Chi based her historical fiction essay, titled “Strong”, on the consequences for divided families during the Vietnam War. Phuong Chi has used the historical skill of empathy to a high level within her work. Her paper focuses directly on the human impact of war and in doing so she provides a robust reason for the maintenance of peace’’

It is an outstanding piece of work which is written with thought and sensitivity. Here is a section of the essay which provides a taster of the quality of work produced:

“The memory of their short reunion flooded her mind as she continued to crop the wheat. She still remembered how euphoric and rejoiced she felt when she flung herself into his arms. The image was as vivid as if it was only yesterday. Her husband stood there, his uniform stained from the dirt and blood, reeking of war, but she still held on him as tight as she could, as if releasing him from her embrace would make him vanish forever.”

Phuong Chi’s essay will now be submitted to the ‘Historical Association of Great Britain’ to be judged in the final against students from around the world.

Congratulations to Phuong Chi and what a great way to end the week. I would like to wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Secondary Student CouncilSympaMeal Visit

While we enjoy the home comforts tonight, spare a thought for our Year 11 and 12 students sleeping in tents as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Silver expedition. We have talked about this award many times in this newsletter because it is such a good example of how BIS sets out to

develop the whole person. Kurt Hanh, the founder of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Gordonstoun School (where the British Royal family send their children) and the United World College movement, is quoted as saying that the Moray Firth (a part of the Sea around northern Scotland) was his best teacher. 80 years after Kurt Hanh founded the school, students at Gordonstoun still have sailing as a compulsory activity and every year each class takes a week out of lessons for sailing instruction on the Moray Firth and the Western Isles of Scotland. I doubt many ex-students are still active sailors but I

Issue 18 | 3

From Mr Christopher Short - Head of Secondary

know that the skills they learnt around teamwork, commitment, perseverance and leadership have remained with them for life.

As well as fantastic results and excellent personal skills, students do need to be guided through the mechanics of applying to university. With Morrisby testing, our new careers library and counselling with school staff we have already made a strong start in assisting our oldest students on the next step of their academic journey. Mr Byrne and his team have now secured IELTS testing run and examined by the British Council at BIS and, from next year, students will be able to sit their US SAT tests at school on test dates set by the College Board. With the demanding curriculum we offer, our wider programme and the tests required for university entrance we are now in a commanding position to start our first Year 13 class in August.

SECONDARY BASKETBALL

This week we held the KS2 House Sports competition. As ever, it was organised by the PE department with the aim of it being an inclusive session, an afternoon when all children would have the opportunity to take part as well as to support their team mates. The competition this time was around

‘Handball’, a fast and exciting game where children need to use their teamwork skills as well as physical skills to score against the opposing team. Teams were made up of children from Years 3 and 4, or Years 5 and 6 and a mixture of boys and girls to make the competition more balanced.

What an exciting afternoon it turned out to be! We had held a similar competition in Term 2 last year and I can honestly say I was surprised and impressed with the development in the children’s game. Without exception their level of skill and competence has increased, which led to far closer matches that were really gripping to watch. The expressions on the children’s faces were also amazing – such looks of focused concentration and determination beyond their years. There was a great team spirit as well with all Houses, children supporting and cheering for their friends but being gracious to the opposing side as well. The final results declared Hanoi as the winners, but in my opinion every child was a winner just by the excellent attitude that they displayed.

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From Mrs Karen Hanratty - Head of Primary

FINE DINING

My thanks for such a terrific afternoon go to the PE department and all KS2 staff who ran the event so smoothly. But more importantly to the KS2 children who made it such a wonderful and memorable afternoon.

What a fantastic start to Term 2! From what the grades attained by the IGCSE students show, they evidently have displayed exceptional perseverance and reflection in their revision studies over the Christmas holidays and Mock period! They have set themselves an excellent platform from which to achieve even greater

results in the Summer Exams. There are lots of potential A-Level candidates in this group, many of whom I hope to see continue their studies in Year 12 as we launch the CIE AS and A-Level course. Well done…you know who you are!

Also in Year 11, the students have also been working hard on their coursework, a project investigating the quality of the environment in and around Hanoi using the latest technology to bring ‘learning to life’ outside the classroom . Students of all Key Stages will soon get the opportunity to experience the benefits of this equipment in the near future. I know that the Year 10 Geographer’s are eagerly anticipating this prospect, as well as continuing the exciting curriculum that they are studying. All students (and parents too!) from BIS Hanoi are welcomed and encouraged to view, comment or ask questions to me on any of the posts contained in the Blog. The department’s Subject Ambassador’s; Le Khanh Linh, Tran Xuan Tung and Nguyen Phuong Chi will become actively involved in assisting the department in the maintenance of the Blog as well as other exciting developments. I am excited to be able to have the opportunity to work with them soon.

The successes of Year 11 are by no means down to luck. The skills and attributes needed to be a good Geographer are carefully developed over time. This is to ensure that once they finish their studies, not only are the students academically proficient in understanding issues and natural environments around the world, but they also acquire a deeper sense about how to be a better Global Citizen. However, equally important, is that they are prepared for university and entering the job-market. Geography is a pivotal subject, widely recognised for its academic robustness, and as such is a qualification held in high regard by a vast range of employers

(See the articles found here at http://bishngeography.blogspot.com/2015/01/geographical-skills-and-success-in.html )

Issue 17 | 5

Secondary Geography

Mr Jim SchofieldGeography Teacher

With this in mind, I would welcome any student, but particularly any Year 9’s or 11’s, to come to ask me any questions they might have about the IGCSE or A-Level programmes, as option choices are coming up soon. Or, indeed, ask their Subject Ambassador for more information.

In Key Stage 3, Year 7 has been busy learning and practising their map skills, as well as understanding how and why places become places. Why are settlements located where they are and what factors influence if they will grow or not? Year 9 has recently finished a musical project about conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone. You can see some examples of excellent performances here at: http://bishngeography.blogspot.com/2015/01/year-9-conflict-diamond-presentations.html

They are also currently developing their extended essay writing skills on the topic of diamond trading and the positive and negative issues surrounding this. Year 8 are also getting deep into the costs and benefits of tourism, and are also learning about how to plan and write concise extended essays. Both the Year 8’s and 9’s have also been taught how to be honest when researching and how to quote research they find, rather than just copying and pasting from websites. This will be a vital skill to master as they move further through the school, because showing Integrity in their academic pursuits is imperative for them to mature with the BIS Aide Memoire in their minds.

BOLDINQUISITIVESTUDENTSPICK GEOGRAPHY

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12/year-11-coursework-field-trip-into.html). (http://bishngeography.blogspot.com/2014/

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KS2 HOUSE SPORT

Visit by Lord Puttnam of Queensgate UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

Oscar-winning Movie Maker

Monday, 26th January 2015

Issue 18 | 7

SPONSORED BY:

JOIN US FOR

TET FAIRHỘI XUÂN 2015

SATURDAY, 7th February 201510.00am - 2.00pm

Lucky Draw (Up to the value of 18 million VND)Water Puppets & Magic ShowStudents’ PerformancesTraditional & Modern GamesFood & Drinks Corner

Hoa Lan Road, Vinhomes Riverside, Long Bien, Hanoi

Ngũ cốc ăn sáng Nestlé

INTERNATIONAL GROUP

Issue 18 | 10

BIS HANOI MENUWeek Beginning 26th January

Monday26th Jan 27th Jan 28th Jan 29th Jan 30th Jan

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

From Year 3 to Year 12 : All meals come with a salad or salad bar choice along and 2 choices of vegetables, rice, Vietnamese soup.

From Year 7 to Year 12: We have introduced our NEW Sandwich bar with assorted cheeses, fresh tuna, egg salad, roast meats and other daily specials on our homemade bread, dark rye, whole wheat, oatmeal, french bread, Vietnamese rolls, raisin bread and other fresh baked bread every day.

Morning snack

Morning snack

Lunch

Lunch

Lunch

Afternoon snack

EYFS

PRIM

ARY

SEC

ON

DA

RY

Sticky rice with pork cake

American doughnut

Steam bunRice soup with

chickenPate sandwich

Milk Juice Milk Juice Juice

Fruit Fruit Fruit Fruit Fruit

tomato sauce Pork Omellete

Chicken

fries

German sausage with mashed

potatoes

Grilled pork with BBQ sauce

Strawberry crepe Egg sushi roll Yogurt Oatmeal cookiePan cake with

nutella

Juice Juice Fruit Soya milk Juice

Sticky rice with pork cake

American doughnut

Steam bunRice soup with

chickenPate sandwich

Milk Juice Milk Juice Juice

Pork caramel with egg

Grilled chicken with pepper

sauce

Chicken

fries

German sausage with mashed

potatoesBBQ pork burger

tomato sauce Pork Omellete Assorted pizza

Braised pork with daikon

Fried mince pork

Noodle from the central

Irish beef pienoodle

German sausage with mashed

potatoesBBQ pork burger

(v) Vegetarian shepherd’s pie

Grilled chicken leg with pepper

sauce

(v) Roasted vegetable calzone

Stauteed chicken with lemon

grass,bell pepper

(v) Sautteed soy cake with

vegetables

Pork caramel with egg

Pork OmelleteChicken

fries

Braised pork with daikon

Fried mince pork

Issue 18 | 11

Good communication is important to us and we would like to ensure that you have the correct contact information in order for you to call the school:

School Number: 04 3946 0435

Extention number:

Receptionist: 0(For all general enquiries)

Principal’s Office: 208principaloffice@bishanoi.com(If you wish to contact the School Principal)

Business Manager’s Office: 109thaonguyen@bishanoi.com

Primary Office: 220primaryoffice@bishanoi.com(For all enquiries regarding the Primary Section)

Secondary Office: 215secondaryoffice@bishanoi.com(For all enquiries regarding the Secondary Section)

Admission Department: 222/122/555/777/888bishanoi@bishanoi.comdessydelevaux@bishanoi.com (Admission Manager)jinnyjung@bishanoi.com (Korean Liaison Officer)hatruong@bishanoi.comtrambui@bishanoi.com

Marketing Department: 189huyennguyenngoc@bishanoi.com(For all enquiries regarding Marketing)

Finance Department: 202(For all enquiries regarding school fees)

Medical Room: 117/303linhdieu@bishanoi.com (Main school)liennguyen@bishanoi.com (Early Years Building)(For all enquiries regarding Medical Issues)

Uniform Shop: 221tamle@bishanoi.comnhungpham@bishanoi.com(For all enquiries regarding School Uniform)

School Buses: 218nganguyenthithuy@bishanoi.com(For all requiries regarding School Buses)