AP2 News 23/1/2015

BISbuzz Issue 19 | 1

BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - HO CHI MINH CITY| SECONDARY CAMPUS

JANUARY 23 | ISSUE 19

IN THIS ISSUE

From the Head Teacher 02

University Informa on Evenings 03

Saturday pool training 05

Geography Worldwise Quiz 06

Sports News 07

Volunteer Trip to Dong Nai Province 08

Community Service 09

PTG 11

From The BIStro & Underground 12

January

22nd—30th IGCSE Mock Exams / IB Mock Exams

26th—30th Trips Week ‐ Year 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12

February

2nd—6th School Photographs

3rd U14&19 SISAC Athle cs

5th PTG Wine and Cheese Night, 7pm

10th U14&19 SISAC Cross Country

10th Year 11&13 Exam Report

10th IB & IGCSE Performance Music Evening, 6pm

UPCOMING EVENTS

Trips Week 2015


From The Head Teacher

University Informa on Evenings

This week at AP2 we hosted three separate university informa on evenings, each one focussing on different regions. The UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Asia and Australasia were all covered in these informa ve events. Aidan Crowley and Lieve Perera presented informa on on the applica on processes, the entrance requirements and the par cular advantages of each region. If you missed the evening and would like informa on about the future at university for your child, don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Crowley ([email protected]). A special event for Korean universi es will be held later in the term, and Seoul Na onal University will visit the school on 4th February.

The unexamined life …

… is not worth living, according to Aristotle. Our Year 13 and Year 11 students started their mock examina ons this week and con nue all next week. Some Year 10 students joined them for early entry examina ons. Next week, of course, is also Trips Week, our annual week of expedi ons where students con nue their learning beyond the classroom. For these students there will be every opportunity to examine the limits of their comfort zones as they challenge themselves physically and emo onally in a range of outdoor adventures. So, ‘bon voyage’ to those heading off for Madagui, Dalat, Mai Chau, Lantau, Kon Tum, Chiang Mai and Puerto Galera. On those trips where Internet access is reliable and me is available, daily blogs will be used to update

parents. Parents will have been sent details of this. For other trips, emails through CHQ will be sent

directly to parents’ registered email addresses.

Richard Dyer Head Teacher, Secondary

From The Head Teacher


UNIVERSITY INFORMATION EVENINGS On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week we held three informa on evenings focussing on the most popular des na ons where our students a end university. Students and parents were introduced to the nuances and unique features of applica ons to the UK on Monday, Canada and the USA on Wednesday and Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore on Thursday.

It was incredibly reassuring to see the events so well supported and we would like to thank students and families for coming to school each evening to learn about the journey ahead [many families came to all three events!].

The central themes of the presenta ons focussed on:

The nature of selec vity

Student happiness in loca on and programme choice

Number of university applica ons

By defini on all colleges and universi es are selec ve. All students who enrol in a university are selected to enter. In the research process over the next six months we will be helping students to iden fy programmes of study, areas of interest and the ‘best fit’ pathway for each individual student with the ul mate goal being to have a list of colleges and universi es by the end of Year 12. This list will be refined over the summer so that when we return in Year 13 the applica on process can begin as soon as possible.

This links closely to student happiness in their area of study, the university they a end and its loca on. If we can achieve a sense of contentment in iden fying these factors students are more likely to succeed in their environment and be enriched by the process.

BIS recommends students think carefully about the number of universi es they consider applying to. Most importantly a student needs to be compe ve for each applica on they submit. The first term of Year 13 is incredibly busy. The deadline schedule is intense as well as the volume and complexity of academic workload naturally increasing. We aim to guide students to submit strong applica ons which represent their true ability as well as future promise. The reality is that students will not have me to submit non‐compe ve applica ons without compromising their academic performance which is the first considera on in all applica ons irrespec ve of des na on.

Formal guidance interviews for Year 12 students will take place from Monday 2nd February to Friday 6th March. Families will receive an invita on today and we hope you can make me to a end the first mee ng with your son or daughter. You will also receive an invita on to register for Naviance‐Family Connec on.

Thank you again to the BIS community for suppor ng the informa on events. We are looking forward to the collab‐ora ve journey ahead!

Aidan B Crowley College & University Guidance Counsellor


KOREAN UNIVERSITY UPDATE

Following the university informa on evenings for the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and Singa‐pore we will be holding a separate informa on event for Korean University applica ons and require‐ments. The me and date will be confirmed later in the term but we envisage we will hold the event in early April in me for this year’s applica on cycle. Students and families in Years 10‐13 are more than wel‐come to a end.

We are delighted to announce that SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY will be visi ng BIS on the 4th February at 12.30. We look forward to welcoming SNU to the BIS community. More details to follow.

이번주 BIS중학교에서 개최되었던 영국, 미국, 캐나다, 호주, 홍콩 그리고 싱가폴 대학들에 대한 입학설명회

에 이어서 한국대학 입학설명회를 따로 한국부모님들을 위해 개최할 예정입니다. 10학년이상 학부모 및 학

생들의 참석을 바랍니다. 정확한 날짜 및 시간은 추후 다시 공고하도록 하겠으나, 현재 4월 초로 예정하고

있습니다. 한국 학부모님들의 많은 관심바랍니다.

또한 서울대학교가 이번 2월에 저희 학교를 방문하여 입학설명회를 가질 예정입니다. 아래 일정을 참고하

시어 좋은 정보 받아가시기 바랍니다.

날짜 및 시간: 2월 4일 수요일 12시30분

장소: BIS중학교 6층 Theatre(극장)


On Saturday 17th January 2015, nine of our Year 12 students excitedly made their way into the AP2 pool to

begin their PADI Open Water Diver training with Ho Chi Minh City based Rainbow Divers. These students

will be a ending the Year 12 dive trip to Puerto Galera in the Philippines next week, along with ten other

students, to complete their course with Asia Divers.

The students spent the past few weeks doing online theory training; learning about buoyancy, equipment,

and safety. On Saturday they put their learning to the test and, a er learning how to put together their

dive gear safely, they were soon in the water comple ng their swim tests (and remembering to do their

buddy checks!). They were then put through their paces with a range of skills, such as taking their mask off

under water, buddy breathing, and taking the giant stride.

Many of these students were involved in raising awareness and funds for Project Aware; a founda on of

scuba divers who promote cleaner underwater environments and protec on for sharks. In Puerto Galera,

the students will be able to further their involvement in Project Aware by comple ng a beach cleanup and

a marine debris dive, collec ng rubbish from the coral reefs.

Hopefully they are looking forward to finishing off their course and heading for some fun dives. Many

thanks to Jeremy and the team at Rainbow Divers for se ng our students on their way!

Lauren Binnington Head of Sixth Form

Saturday pool training


Geography Worldwise Quiz


Sport News Team Sports Photographs Please note the school team sports photographs will take place during lunch mes between Wednesday 4th February and Friday 6th February. The schedule is also below. For any further informa on please contact me directly [email protected] Phil Drake Director of Sport/Ac vi es & Trips Coordinator

SPORTS TEAM PHOTOGRAPHS

Wednesday 4th February – Friday 6th February 2015 This is only applicable if you have represented the school in a fixture/tournament/gala or sports event. If you have represented the school in any of the teams below please be available for a team photo‐graph. Note that all photographs will take place at lunch mes in the Study Room.

School kit will be provided for all teams except for the swim team. Please make sure you also bring trainers for the photograph. Schools shoes are not acceptable.

Swim teams please wear your BIS Blues T‐shirt, PE T‐shirt or House T‐shirt. Please also wear school PE shorts.

Senior students can wear their own team kits if they wish. Date: Wednesday 4th February

Date: Thursday 5th February

Date: Friday 6th February

Team/Squad Year Time Venue Kit

U19 Basketball Boys & Girls 10 ‐ 13 12.30 – 12.45 Study Room Wear Senior Kit. Kit also provided

U14 & U19 Swimming All years 12.45 – 1.00 Study Room Wear PE shorts and BIS blues shirt, PE t‐shirt & house t‐shirt

U15 FOBISIA Squad 9 & 10 1.00 – 1.15 Study Room Kit provided or wear senior kit


U14 Football Boys & Girls 7 – 9 12.30 – 12.45 Study Room Kit provided

U14 Basketball Boys & Girls 7 ‐ 9 12.45 – 1.00 Study Room Kit provided

U13 FOBISIA Squad 7 & 8 1.00 – 1.10 Study Room Kit provided

Gymnas cs Squad 7 – 13 1.10 – 1.20 Study Room Wear own kit or PE t‐shirt/shorts


U19 Volleyball Boys & Girls 10 ‐ 13 12.30 – 12.45 Study Room Wear Senior Kit. Kit also provided

U19 Football Boys & Girls 10 – 13 12.45 – 1.00 Study Room Wear Senior Kit. Kit also provided

Phuket 7’s Boys & Girls U19 Squad

1.00 – 1.10 Study Room Wear Senior Kit. Kit also provided

SISAC Athle cs Squad & Cross Country Boys & Girls

U14 & U19

1.10 – 1.20 Study Room Kit provided


Volunteer Trip to Dong Nai Province January 15th ‐ 17th 2015

Hankyung (Korean Economic Daily) and WFUNA (a United Na ons organiza on) conducted a volunteer

charity organiza on project in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam. A team of medical doctors and volunteers

from South Korea joined with a group of students in Vietnam. We par cipated in volunteer services for an

underprivileged village in need of assistance. This volunteer experience proved to be a great experience as

well as a great help for the local residents of Dong Nai Province.

Many people of all ages lined up pa ently wai ng for their turn. When their me came, we took their

pulse readings, recorded their blood pressure, and checked their overall health. Famous hairdressers were

greeted as a welcome surprise and helped out with cu ng people’s hair. The people especially

appreciated this part since they would not be able to afford expensive haircuts, like we do every day. In

addi on, there was an entertainment group in which children played with things they never saw – our

goal was to get a smile or laugh out of every single one of the children.

Unlike my expecta ons, there were no problems with communica on. A er just a few words and a couple

of demonstra ons, the people easily understood. They all had big wide smiles plastered on their faces in

whatever situa on they were in, grateful to be alive and to enjoy the moment. This caused me to reflect

on myself and how picky I have been. Their houses, unlike my neighborhood, were all damaged and not

completely hygienic houses. They did not own such things like a motorbike, car, or even air condi oning;

there were only one or two plug‐sockets and one fan for the whole house.

This experience allowed me to learn many things and be able to reflect on myself, on how lucky I am to

have numerous things, where I would always think things as something definite to have, but on how there

are some people who can’t afford them.

Jinny SHIN 8S


Community Service Year 8 Design Compe on in associa on with Mekong + Year 8 students are star ng a new and exci ng design project in collabora on with Mekong +, the non‐profit organisa on which oversees the opera ons of the familiar hand s tched Mekong Quilts. The winner will have their design put into produc on and will be able to influence design decisions regarding the fin‐ished piece, runners up will receive gi vouchers for the store.

Between now and the Lunar New Year, they will undertake the project during Art & Design classes to come up with their own individual design inspired by the Lunar New Year and all that it brings – the Year of the Goat, Tet flowers, food & celebra ons. The students will decide early on whether their design will be for a cushion cover, tote bag or drawstring bag.

Mekong + staff came and presented to each class to explain who they are and what their company does – they currently provide work for around 350 women in rural villages in Viet Nam and Cambodia in addi on to many social projects to improve sanita on, health and educa on. They then showed the students different design techniques from s tching to applique, finished products, samples and even let them see how the design process works with a new denim range they will be launching shortly. Then our teachers took over, asking the students to do some research and to come up with images to base their own design from – the designers from Mekong + were on hand to answer our student’s ques ons and help in their ini‐al thought processes. Here are some student comments:

'This compe on isn't about art skills but it’s about crea vity. This is why I like it and find it different'. My Hoang 8I

'The compe on is turning out to be a lot of fun! Everyone has so many great ideas, the winning design is sure to be amazing' ‐ Maily 8I

'The compe on is helping me to understand more about what kinds of food, ac vi es, and cultural things Vietnamese people do during Tet. Before I started to design I hadn't realised that combining ideas was so difficult. You have to do a lot of drawings and designs, then decide if it is good or not' ‐ Yu‐Hsuan 8I

A judging panel including a couple of our teachers with a keen design eye and designers from Mekong + will make their decisions in the New Lunar Year. An exhibi on of the shortlisted designs will be hosted both here on campus and in the Mekong Quilts store on Le Loi.

More details and designs will follow in forthcoming edi ons of BISbuzz.

Ian Wilson Community Service Projects



Wine and Cheese Night A good chance to catch up with old friends a er the holidays and a chance to make some new ones!

It promises to be a relaxing evening of wine, food and lots of interes ng people!

Thursday, 5th February 2015

From 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Tickets 200,000 VND per person Available at the AP2 recep on.

Venue: Dist ‐2 ,Thao Dien

PTG


From the Underground & BIStro

Menu 1 (26 January)

From the Underground & BIStro

DAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

MAIN COURSE CHOOSE 1

Chicken & Vegetable Curry,

Rice

Pasta with Pork Meat Balls

Chicken Noodle Soup (Pho)

Fish Goujon & Potato Wedges

Pork in Dark Soya Sauce, Rice

VEGETABLES Morning Glory &

Carrot Salad

Bean Sprouts & Carrot Salad

Choy sum & Carrot Salad

Chinese Cabbage & Carrot

Salad

Broccoli & Carrot Salad

SOUP Watercress Cabbage & Carrot Spinach Pumpkin Soup Mixed Vegetable

DESSERT Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit Mixed Fruit

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 Curry Puff Samosa Fruit Cup

Chocolate Mud Cake Swiss Roll Fruit Cup

Curry Puff Samosa Fruit Cup

Banana/Carrot Muffin

Sponge Cake Fruit Cup

Donut Crème Puff Fruit Cup

Education

AP2 News 23/1/2015