1. 8 May 2015 | ISSUE 30
Dates for your diary
IN THIS ISSUE
From: Page
Headteacher 2
Nepal Earthquake Appeal 3
BIS HUB 4
Music Department 5
PE Department 6
PSHE Department 7
EYFS Department 8
Year 2 Department 9
Term 3 Extra Curriculum Activities 10
Lunch Menus 11-12
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
18th Term 3 Extra Curricular Clubs begin
20th Headteacher’s Coffee Morning (8.15am)
20th-24th FOBISIA Games
May
Pictures below from left to right :
Learning about Shape- Fundinotots
Design and Technology - Year 1+2
2. From The Headteacher - Mr Simon Higham
Issue 30/Page 2
I would like to wish everyone a warm welcome back to school after our end of Term 2 holi-
day. I sincerely hope that all of your batteries have been recharged ready for a very busy
Term 3 of learning.
Welcome to all of our new families that have started BIS this term. Please do not hesitate
to approach any member of our staff if you have any questions, queries or feedback. We
very much value what you have to say and I look forward to meeting with you all, if I al-
ready have not done so, over the coming term.
In the final newsletter of Term 2, I outlined an update to the new Standard Operating Pro-
cedures that will take effect from this Monday. Please refer to the information below:
Beginning from Monday 11th May, any parents that do not have a valid swipe card to enter our campus or any
non-parent who is a visitor to our school must follow the procedure that is outlined below:
A form of photographic ID (driver’s license or ID card) will be requested from you by the security guard
The ID will be exchanged for a visitors’ badge with a red lanyard
Each visitor will be required to sign in and complete all sections in an updated visitors’ book
On leaving the campus, each visitor must sign out with the visitor’s badge exchanged for their photographic
ID
Please note:
If you do not have either a valid swipe card or any form of photographic ID, the security guard will escort
you to the Main Office where you will be met by a member of the school staff.
No entry to the campus as a ‘visitor’ will be allowed through Gates B or C. All visitor badges will be is-
sued at Gate A only.
From Monday 11th May, all parents and visitors that are on site will be expected to wear their swipe card / visi-
tors’ badge around their necks using the blue/red lanyards provided. This aims to give enhanced visibility of all
adults that are on our site at any given time.
Click here to view full version of this letter with the Vietnamese translation.
Your support in this matter is very much appreciated.
Recently, I have noticed an increased number of children using the Main Office as a place to wait before pick
up. Please can I remind all parents to collect your children from their classrooms at 2.30pm. If children are not
picked up by 2.40pm, they will be taken, as per the procedure, to our Late Room in the library. All late pick ups
are recorded.
Do you want to beat the traffic before drop off and pick up? Why not consider the following options below:
1. Come to school at 7.30am for drop off and 2.00pm for pick up and try our new Terrace Café. Tea, coffee and
fruit drinks are available together with a cool, shaded seating area.
2. Consider accessing AP1 using Gate C or via the school bridge. This entrance/exit is currently under utilised
and you will not be stuck in heavy traffic between Gate B and Gate A at peak times.
3. Please talk to your drivers about not U Turning and stopping on Pedestrian Crossings. This will ensure
that the traffic keeps flowing and our BIS Community is safer on the roads.
4. After drop off and pick up, follow Nguyen Van Huong around the loop past The Village and out of the school
- it may be a little longer in distance but it will again, keep the traffic flowing for everyone.
By working together, we can improve the traffic flow outside school - it only takes one driver to stop this though
so please ensure that you do your little bit to help.
I hope that you enjoy reading through the articles in this week’s newsletter. Have a lovely weekend.
Well done to all of our Year 6 children from both An Phu Primary Campus and Tu Xuong Pri-
mary Campus who sampled what life is going to be like in Secondary school next year. On
Thursday morning, all these children took part in our annual Transition Day, led by An Phu
Secondary Campus. The children all experienced many different subject areas to ensure that
they moved a step closer to being secondary ready in August. I look forward to hearing the
many stories that will be told about this exciting experience. A big thanks to all of my second-
ary colleagues that made this morning possible.
3. Nepal Earthquake Appeal
We have all been deeply moved by the images and news from Nepal over the last two weeks. At BIS, we are
relieved to have welcomed back those members of our community who were in the area when the earthquake
struck. We know, however, that there are many people still facing terrible hardship and that there will be diffi-
cult times ahead for the people of Nepal.
We know that the BIS community will want to do what they can to help these people. With that in mind we
have been in touch with The British School in Kathmandu (TBS), a fellow FOBISIA school, and have arranged
a collection within our school. Every penny from this collection will go towards TBS’s Community Service pro-
jects in the area.
You can donate from Monday 11th May - Friday15th May. Two collection boxes, like the one below, will be po-
sitioned at Gate A and outside the canteen, during drop-off and pick-up times.
Thank you to the PTG for their help in organising the collection and thank you in advance for your generosity.
Ms Aoife O'Connor
Year 2 Teacher and Community Services Leader
Issue 30/Page 3
4. Issue 30/Page 4
BIS HUB - www.bisvietnam.com
A warm welcome back to all our BIS community and to the new families joining us this term. We hope everyone
had an enjoyable break. It is a short but extremely busy term ahead. We look forward to more exciting events
throughout the term and preparing the children for their move to their new year groups in September as well
as everything else that is happening.
Have you checked out the new look BIS website yet? It's definitely worth a peek to see what everyone has been
up to across the campuses. Click on the links below that will take you directly to the website and the new look
HUB.
Do you want to learn more about our BIS HUB? More information will be available at the Headteacher’s Coffee
morning on Wednesday 20th May at 8.15am in the Multi Purpose Room - I hope to see you there.
Ms Dee Grimshaw
Deputy Headteacher
BIS Website
BIS Hub - An Phu Primary
5. Issue 30/Page 5
Music Department - Young Musician of The Year
On Thursday evening, 12 musicians from both AP1 and TX primary campuses competed for a chance to win the
Young Musician of the Year Final 2015. All of the finalists had passed through the first round auditions and the
gruelling semi-finals to be chosen to perform in the AP2 Theatre. I’m so proud of all of the entrants who had
worked so hard and gave outstanding performances. Our judges were Mr Williams from the BVIS Music De-
partment and Mr Alexander and Ms James from the AP2 Music Department, who had a very challenging job of
listening to all of the performances and deciding who our winners should be.
I am pleased to announce that John Lee (violin) was given first place; Chae Rim Lee (piano) second place;
and Andrew Vu (saxophone) third. Our runner-up finalists were Hieu Nguyen (piano), Mel Chung (piano), Soo
Min Ryu (piano), Yu Gyeong Kang (cello), Sofia Lo (violin), Minh Anh Nguyen (piano), Jenny Phan (piano), Jun
Han Chong (Janggu drum) and Theresa Lai (piano). Well done to all those who took part, you performed su-
perbly, musically and to a very high standard.
Thank-you to all of the parents and instrumental teachers who have provided so much support and care for our
growing musicians, and to all of those adults and children who came to support our competitors. I’m already
looking forward to next year!
Mrs Frances Amos
Music Teacher
7. Issue 30/Page 7
PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) - Good to be Me
S.E.A.L
The theme for last half-term’s work on developing
children’s social, emotional and behavioural skills has been
‘Good to be Me’.
Over the half term, the children’s learning has been
focused on exploring how they can motivate themselves in
their learning and across the school. They have been asked
to set their own goals, think about how they learn best and
consider how they might make wise choices.
This term, our new topic is
‘Relationships’
Family Talk Time
We all have times when we feel down about some-
thing. What can we do to help? Ask each member of
your family to think of one thing that cheers them up
when they feel down or fed up. Your child might like to
draw the ideas and stick them on the fridge or wall as
a reminder of how we can help to cheer each other up
when we are feeling down.
8. Issue 30/Page 8
EYFS Department - F2 Love Role Play
The children in F2 have been having a lovely time in school in our different role play areas. Role play is great
for developing the children’s language skills, imaginations and cooperation with one another. In Ms Patricia’s
class and Ms Rachel’s class, the children have been dressing up as animals. They had lots of fun playing with
each other in role. In Ms Clair’s class, the children became fairy tale characters in the class castle, telling sto-
ries and making up spells.
Ms Clair Draper
F2 Teacher and Assistant Headteacher (EYFS)
9. Issue 30/Page 9
Year 2 IPC Topic - ‘Our World, The Environment’
Our new IPC topic in Year 2 is 'Our World, The Environment'. Children have been very interested in finding
out more about endangered animals and issues affecting them. Below are some photos and comments from the
children in Y2 to give you a flavour of what they have been doing in class.
Ryan and Kevin 2I: Poachers shoot elephants to get their tusks.
Valerie 2I: Sun bears have pads on their paws to help them climb trees.
Louis and Tarka 2S: Pangolins have overlapping armour. They are ant eaters and they also eat termites.
Their claws can break termite nests apart. It is against the law to kill them but some people eat them in wild-
life restaurants.
Xuka and Chau 2S: Moon bears are sometimes kept in a cage but it is better for them to live in the forest.
Ayush and Sheryl 2N: People kill the pangolins for medicine and for their skin. They keep them for pets.
Jerry 2N: Sun bears are being hunted for pets.
Dong Woo 2V: Some people eat king cobras and drink their blood.
Itsuki 2V: Some people make bags from snakes and some people kill elephants and make a necklace or statue
from its tusks.
Ms Jude Handscombe
Year 2 Teacher and Milepost 1 Leader
10. Issue 30/Page 10
Term 3 Extra Curriculum Activities
Please note that some of our Term 3 Extra Curriculum Clubs still have some available spaces for sign up. If your child(ren)
are interested in attending an extra club, in addition to their current allocation, please contact Ms Duyen directly for support.
All additional places will be allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis.
Activities Date Time Remarks
Advanced Magic
Year 4-6
Monday 14.40-15.40 Priority to students joining this
club in term 1+2
Free club
Thien Phuoc Helping Hands
Year 4-6
Monday 14.40-17.30 Off site
Free club
Basketball General
Year 3-4
Monday 7.00-7.45 Free club
Taekwondo
Year 4-6
Monday 14.40-15.40 Paid club
Jewellery Making
Year 1-6
Tuesday 14.40-15.40
15.45-16.45
Paid club
Vietnamese for Intermediate
Year 1-3
Tuesday 14.40-15.40 Free club
Spanish
Year 1-6
Tuesday 14.40-15.40
15.50-16.50
Paid club
Acrylic Painting
Year 4-6
Wednesday 15.45-16.45 Paid club
Sketching and Painting
Year 4-6
Thursday 14.40-15.40 Paid club
Scrapbooking and Paper Craft
Year 1-6
Thursday 14.40-15.40 Paid club
i-Robo Advanced
Year 3-6
Thursday 14.40-15.40 Paid club
Games Club with Binh An
School
Thursday 14.40-15.40 Free club
Homework Y6 Thursday 14.40-15.40 Free club
11. Issue 30/Page 11
MENU FOR F1 - F2
MENU 1 (WEEK BEGINNING 11 MAY)
DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
MAIN
COURSE
CHOOSE 1
Honey Lime
Chicken, Sautéed
Potato
OR
Braised Tofu with
Pork, Rice
Cottage Pie-Beef
OR
Chicken & Vegeta-
ble Curry, Rice
Pasta with Pork
Balls
OR
Fish Teriyaki,
Rice
Roast Pork,
Mashed Potato
OR
Chicken Noodle
Soup
Fish Goujons, Potato
Wedges
OR
Minced Beef & Vegeta-
ble Stew, Rice
VEGETA-
BLES
Choy sum & Car-
rots
Chinese Cabbage
& Carrots
Spinach Long Beans &
Carrots
Morning Glory
SOUP
Spinach & Melon
Soup
Watercress
Mixed Vegeta-
ble
Spinach Cabbage & Carrot
FOR VEG-
ETARIAN
ONLY
Dhal
Spinach & Melon
Soup
Vegetarian
Cottage Pie
Chinese Cabbage
& Carrots
Pasta Napoli-
tana
Chickpeas Salad
Vegetarian Noo-
dle Soup
Long Beans &
Carrots
Tofu & Vegetable
Stew, Rice
Cabbage & Carrot
Soup
MENU FOR F3 - YEAR 2
MENU 1 (WEEK BEGINNING 11 MAY)
DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
MAIN COURSE
CHOOSE 1
Honey Lime
Chicken, Sau-
téed Potato
OR
Braised Tofu
with Pork, Rice
Cottage Pie-Beef
OR
Chicken & Vege-
table Curry, Rice
Pasta with Pork
Balls
OR
Fish Teriyaki, Rice
Roast Pork,
Mashed Potato
OR
Chicken Noodle
Soup
Fish Goujons,
Potato Wedges
OR
Minced Beef &
Vegetable
Stew, Rice
VEGETABLES
Choy sum &
Carrots
Chinese Cabbage
& Carrots
Spinach
Long Beans & Car-
rots
Morning Glory
SOUP
Spinach & Mel-
on
Watercress Mixed Vegetable Spinach
Cabbage & Car-
rot
FOR VEGETARI-
AN ONLY
Dhal
Spinach & Mel-
on Soup
Vegetarian
Cottage Pie
Chinese Cabbage
& Carrots
Pasta Napolitana
Chickpeas Salad
Vegetarian Noo-
dle Soup
Long Bean & Car-
rot
Tofu & Vegeta-
ble Stew, Rice
Cabbage & Car-
rot 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
12. Issue 30/Page 12
MENU FOR YEAR 3 - YEAR 6
MENU 1 (WEEK BEGINNING 11 MAY)
DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
MAIN
COURSE
CHOOSE 1
Honey Lime Chick-
en, Sautéed Potato
OR
Braised Tofu with
Pork, Rice
Cottage Pie-Beef
OR
Chicken & Vege-
table Curry, Rice
Pasta with Pork
Balls
OR
Fish Teriyaki, Rice
Roast Pork,
Mashed Potato
OR
Chicken Noodle
Soup
Fish Goujons, Po-
tato Wedges
OR
Minced Beef &
Vegetable Stew,
Rice
VEGETABLES Choy sum & Car-
rots
Chinese Cabbage
& Carrots
Spinach Long Beans & Car-
rots
Morning Glory
SOUP Spinach & Melon Watercress Mixed Vegetable Spinach Cabbage & Carrot
FOR VEGE-
TARIAN ON-
LY
Dhal
Spinach & Melon
Soup
Vegetarian
Cottage Pie
Chinese Cabbage
& Carrots
Pasta Napolitana
Chickpeas Salad
Vegetarian Noo-
dle Soup
Long Beans & Car-
rots
Tofu & Vegetable
Stew, Rice
Cabbage & Carrot
Soup
DELI BAR
OPTION
Baguette/Jacket
Potato
fill with ham,
chicken, cheese,
egg, tuna mayon-
naise, baked
beans, peas & bo-
lognese sauce
Served with Salad
Bun/Vietnamese
Baguette
filled with ham,
chicken, cheese,
egg, tuna mayon-
naise, baked
beans, peas &
bolognese 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/Vietnamese
Baguette
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
