Esprit December Edition 2023-2024

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A PLACE TO BELONG 06 | Moon Festival assembly 2023 08 | International Festival 2023: a celebration of diversity and unity 10 | International Week 2023: let's celebrate the world and our community 14 | Our students take the stage by storm at the UK Festival 2023 16 | Fostering community spirit at the Britcham Run Run 2023 18 | Enriching experiences & lasting memories: a look back at our secondary residential trips 24 | Friends of BIS find out more about our thriving parent community

CREATE YOUR FUTURE 28 | A culture of continuous improvement: welcoming CIS/WASC evaluators to BIS Hanoi 30 | Building parent partnerships in the Early Years through home visits 32 | From Hanoi to ancient history: Primary students and parents celebrate learning in our IPC units 34 | Global citizenship curriculum in Secondary 36 | Create your future: design your pathway to success in Secondary 38 | Guiding students to best-fit futures: a glimpse into university guidance 40 | Meet our BIS alumni 42 | Bucksmore summer course at Oxford University: a life-changing experience

EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE 46 | BIS Hanoi and MIT: new year, exciting new challenges & a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

48 | World-leading expertise from the Juilliard School inspires our busiest term yet!

50 | BIS Hanoi's UNICEF ambassadors represent the school at a global summit 52 | The leaders of tomorrow: BIS Hanoi hosts the FOBISIA Model United Nations (MUN) 54 | FOBISIA U15 tournament: exceptional sporting achievements on an international stage 56 | Reflections of the Secondary student leadership team 60 | Our ambitious new Primary student council hit the ground running 61 | Introducing our new Primary house captains for 2023-2024 ESPRIT December 2023 | 3

A PLACE TO BELONG

A PLACE TO BELONG

EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

CREATE YOUR FUTURE

As the end of Term 1 approaches, I have the opportunity to pause and look back at some of the achievements of our student community already this academic year. More than ever, there is a strong sense of purpose and commitment from everyone to deliver their very best. Be it students in their academic studies, their performances, their sporting achievements or their various enrichment activities. Be it staff who want to broaden and deepen the range of provision on offer to all our students of all ages. Be it parents who continue to have a strong appetite to learn and partner with us as a school in supporting their child with their education.

This term’s Esprit is a great summary ‘round up’ of the headlines from this season at BIS Hanoi.

4 | BIS Hanoi

This term’s Esprit is a great summary ‘round up’ of the headlines from this season at BIS Hanoi. Can I encourage you to read, to view the photos and videos and get a taste of school life. It has clearly been an action-packed time with daily experiences on campus, alongside out of school adventures, trips and partnerships with organisations such as the British Embassy and British Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam. Our students have shown their perseverance, their care and integrity throughout. Enjoy your walk through the pages as you too discover that BIS Hanoi is indeed an amazing place to belong.

Richard Vaughan Principal

ESPRIT December 2023 | 5

A PLACE TO BELONG

The event showcased a total of six captivating performances, highlighting the rich cultural traditions of Vietnam.

The assembly began with a warm introduction and a heartfelt welcome to everyone in attendance. The younger students, F1, F2, and F3, kicked off the festivities by showcasing their creativity through the crafting of their own lanterns.

Year 2 students took the spotlight with a graceful dance titled "Ông Trăng Miệng Cười" (The Smiling Moon), leaving the audience in awe. The popular Year 11 band followed, enchanting everyone with their rendition of "Tôi Thấy Hoa Vàng Trên Cỏ Xanh" (I See Yellow Flowers on Green Grass).

EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

CREATE YOUR FUTURE

MOON FESTIVAL ASSEMBLY 2023

Year 3 and 6 students brought joy to the assembly, sharing their Moon Festival memories through the lively

The vibrant spirit of the Moon Festival filled the air as students and parents came together in their colourful Ao Dai for a memorable assembly at BIS Hanoi.

6 | BIS Hanoi

performance of "Thùng Thà Thùng Thình" (The Drum Beats on Mid-Autumn Night).

After that, Year 10 students performed a captivating dance performance titled "Mời Trầu.", which they recreated from the famous poet Ho Xuan Huong’s poem. Their performance aimed to promote progressive ideas about gender equality, showcasing the poet's emphasis on women's liberation.

Year 4 and 6 students continued the enchantment with their energetic dance performance of "Bài Ca Tôm Cá" (The Song of Shrimp and Fish). The assembly reached its climax with an enthralling

dance performance by Year 11 students, presenting the content of the folk play "Thị Mầu," shedding light on societal stereotypes surrounding traditional women's roles.

The Moon Festival Assembly concluded with an expression of gratitude to all the performers, teachers, and parents who made the event a resounding success. The celebration showcased the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam and fostered a sense of unity and appreciation for diversity within the BIS Hanoi community.

ESPRIT December 2023 | 7

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2023: A CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY AND UNITY Our International Festival 2023 was a true celebration of cultural diversity. This is the biggest event of the year at BIS Hanoi. It is a unique opportunity for students, parents, and the community to come together and embrace the multicultural spirit of our school. With students from over 30 nationalities, the festival was a colourful and immersive experience, offering a glimpse into different 8 | BIS Hanoi

cultures through various forms of music, dance, and cuisine.

At this year's festival, our amazing students once again showcased their incredible talents, representing various cultural features from around the world.

The programme kicked off with delightful drama, music, and dance performances from different countries. We were treated

to the lively Ghanaian song "Nanuma," the graceful Bharatnatyam dance from India, and even a captivating opening from a famous Shakespearean musical, to name just a few.

In the midst of the programme, our spirited Year 2 students took the stage to perform a lively Scottish country dance, and they even invited the audience to join in on the fun!

The grand finale of the stage performance featured a stunning choir performance by students from Years 7 to 13 with the beautiful Welsh song 'Suo Gan' and the energetic Vietnamese folk dance 'Thi Mau,' performed by our talented Year 11 students.

Additionally, our festival wouldn't be completed without the involvement of our wonderful parents, who set up cultural experience booths throughout the school yard. As a diverse and multinational school, we were able to showcase and celebrate a wide range of cultures, including Vietnam, Korea, China, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil.

It was truly a feast for the senses!

With students from over 30 nationalities, the festival was a colourful and immersive experience, offering a glimpse into different cultures through various forms of music, dance, and cuisine.

ESPRIT December 2023 | 9

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

SCAN HERE TO WATCH OUR INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2023

"As a parent of BIS Hanoi British International School and the organiser of this year's International Festival's hand embroidery workshop, I am very happy and honoured to be a part of such an important programme. I am delighted that everyone, even the foreign families, could enjoy the traditional Vietnamese hand embroidery art. This will undoubtedly be a memorable memory for Tiem Tho and my family at BIS Hanoi," said Ms. Nguyen Tho Tho, Vietnamese parent of the school.

visiting Phố Hàng Mã many times and collecting items from Korea. We hope to continue giving many BIS families good experiences of Korea in the future,” said Ms. Kyungmin Kim, representative of the Korean parents.

"It was an honour to help organise a Korean cultural booth this year. First off, I would like to express a huge thanks to Year 7 Korean parents for their efforts in making this event a success!

We had lots of fun doing traditional Korean games such as Jaegi, slap-match, Dalgona, arm wrestling, and making a spinning top and the Korean flag. Also, we could not miss trying Hanbok, Korean tattoos, and enjoying K-pop dance performances by Year 7 students. Especially Sunhee Hwang, a representative of Year 7 Korean parents, Sumi Lee and Panim Seo had such a busy time planning and preparing the event by 10 | BIS Hanoi

"Me and my children were very happy and honoured to take part in this event and be able to show a little bit more about Mexico as well as to learn more about our community's home countries. Thank you BIS for creating such an enjoyable event,” Ms. Xochitl Herrmann, one of our parents from Mexico shared.

We're grateful to all the participants, volunteers, sponsors, booth partners and attendees who made this event an unforgettable experience.

Thank you for joining us in creating cherished memories and fostering a sense of global community and a place to belong right here at BIS Hanoi.

ESPRIT December 2023 | 11

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

INTERNATIONAL WEEK 2023: LET'S CELEBRATE THE WORLD AND OUR COMMUNITY International Week is a celebration of diversity, culture, and global unity, and it holds a special place in our hearts. It's that time of the year when our school community comes together to learn, appreciate, and embrace the rich tapestry of cultures and traditions from around the world, and this year again, we have proudly celebrated our Global Citizens.

Some classrooms’ walls were adorned with colourful paintings and drawings that students created under the guidance of some of our parents; the beautiful Chinese paintings in 3B were a great testimony to the creativity and care that our students put into those activities.

Some Secondary students came and taught some Year 5 students how to cook Korean food; other classes learned about faraway countries such as Madagascar and their famous lemur. Year 2s learned about traditional instruments and had a go at playing traditional African drums.

Education is a key component of International Week. Teachers and visiting 12 | BIS Hanoi

International Week at BIS Hanoi is more than just an event; it is a testament to the school's commitment to diversity and global auditorium. experts led lessons on topics such as global issues, cultural traditions, and languages.

These sessions empowered students with knowledge and understanding, helping them become more informed global citizens.

Undoubtedly a favourite among students (and staff!), the International Food Buffet offered a delectable journey around the world.

From yakisoba to Varenyki (Ukrainian dumplings), students got the chance to taste a range of traditional dishes from around the world, prepared by our dedicated parents. Another crucial part of International Week was the Cultural Exchange, where students and staff got another opportunity to learn about the countries that form our community. Another big thank you to our parents for

making this possible!

While International Week is a week-long celebration, we ended up with our traditional flag parade. Once again, it was an amazing opportunity to come together as one and celebrate our internationalism.

International Week at BIS Hanoi is more than just an event; it is a testament to the school's commitment to diversity and global unity.

It provides students with a unique opportunity to learn about and appreciate the world's rich tapestry of cultures and traditions.

Through cultural displays, educational workshops, and personal interactions, International Week nurtures a global mindset, preparing students to be informed, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world. This celebration of diversity not only enriches our school community but also contributes to a more interconnected and understanding world.

Once again, thank you, and we wish you all a great holiday!

Laurence Cabanne Deputy Head of Primary

ESPRIT December 2023 | 13

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

OUR STUDENTS TAKE THE STAGE BY STORM AT THE UK FESTIVAL 2023 SCAN HERE TO WATCH OUR UK FESTIVAL 2023

Festival 2023 on the 9th and 10th of September, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the UK. This grand event provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the deep bond between the two countries and immerse in the authentic essence of British culture.

What an incredible honour for our students to perform at the UK Festival 2023, organised by the British Embassy in Vietnam!

Our students were honoured to be invited to perform at this outstanding event. They showcased their talents on stage for a captivating 30-minute performance.

The British Embassy in Vietnam organised the UK

The show started with a mesmerising brass and

14 | BIS Hanoi

drum performance "La Mourisque", followed by two outstanding dance performances by Year 11 BISC Dance and Dance Co teams.

The Secondary choir then took the stage, delivering a heartfelt rendition of David Bowie's iconic song "Heroes”.

The Primary school students also left a lasting impression with their emotional choral performance of "Somewhere We Only Know”.

The grand finale featured approximately 70 BIS Hanoi students, who united their voices in harmony to perform the uplifting songs "Roar" and a captivating "3 chord mashup," eliciting

cheers and applause from the enthralled audience.

Mr. Richard Vaughan, our Principal, expressed his enthusiasm for attending the UK Festival, stating, "What an amazing opportunity our students at BIS Hanoi had to showcase their talents at such a prestigious and historical event. Congratulations to all our dancers, singers and musicians as you set a wonderful tone at the opening ceremony for this

unique celebration of the beautiful fusion between the UK and Vietnam”.

such as Quoc Hoi TV, Nhan Dan TV, VOV, Kinh Te Do Thi, VN News, Bao Moi,...

Our school also hosted a booth where we had the pleasure of welcoming many visitors who joined us for exciting activities. A big shout-out to all CAS students for their valuable help at the booth.

We'd like to thank all our students who enthusiastically participated in the event, our dedicated performing arts team for their hard work in preparing the performances, and everyone who supported our students and visited our booth. Your presence made this event even more special!

Our students' performance were featured in a wide range of news articles from many local news publishers,

ESPRIT December 2023 | 15

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

FOSTERING COMMUNITY SPIRIT AT THE BRITCHAM FUN RUN 2023

Our BIS Hanoi members came together on Sunday, November 5th, to participate in the annual BritCham Fun Run. This event, organised by the British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam to support local charities, provided a wonderful blend of quality family time, laughter, and healthy choices. It was a fantastic opportunity for us to give back to our beloved host

16 | BIS Hanoi

country while also improving our physical fitness.

On the day of the race, BIS Hanoi families eagerly arrived at the park venue early in the morning, getting prepared for the run. Many of them also made a stop at the school booth to join in the exciting activities we planned. The children were thrilled to join the quiz game, spin our lucky wheel, and receive their prizes.

Before the race began, we gathered for a memorable group photo, then set off on the 5-kilometre run, creating a truly wonderful morning for everyone involved.

The event was filled with laughter, energy, and a whole lot of running for a great cause. With the beautiful weather on our side, BIS Hanoi students, parents and staff ran with smiles on our faces, knowing that every

step we took was making a difference. We cheered each other on, pushed our limits, and celebrated the joy of giving back.

We want to give a special shoutout and congratulations to the amazing runners from our school including Ms. Hop Tran, our Vietnamese teacher, Gabriel (Year 13) and his parents, Thanh Mai (Year 13) and her family, and all other parents, students and

staff who reached the finish line with flying colours and below 30 minutes! You truly inspired us all!

A massive thank you to the British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam for organising this wonderful event and to all participants who made it a huge success!

Let's continue to run, support, and make a difference!

ESPRIT December 2023 | 17

A PLACE TO BELONG

ENRICHING EXPERIENCES & LASTING MEMORIES: A LOOK BACK AT OUR SECONDARY RESIDENTIAL TRIPS YEAR 7 MAI CHAU TRIP

EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

CREATE YOUR FUTURE

Student reflection

We went to Mai Chau for 4 days for a residential stay.

It was a fun trip and an amazing experience to be in a homestay. We had an exciting day every day and did loads of great activities!

Here are some activities we did: Hiking

This was an activity that mostly involved hiking in the mountains. It was very hot.

However, after the hike was finished, we had a peaceful meal and then had fun in the pool. It was a hard 6-kilometre hike, but we all enjoyed the challenge!

Bamboo Olympics In this activity, we had to make catapults that launched a 18 | BIS Hanoi

ball far away with 6 bamboo sticks and 6 rubber bands.

We launched the ball with the catapult, and the group that got the most points won.

Cultural Scavenger Hunt In the cultural scavenger hunt, we explored Lac Village.

We discovered lots of cultural information ourselves from the local community, and we also had to find some bugs.

Night Hike and Souvenir Shopping During the night hike and souvenir shopping, we went to the farm in the middle of the night, and we enjoyed standing in the dark, hearing all the sounds of nature.

After that, we went to the night market to buy some souvenirs. This was one of my favourite parts, as I enjoyed buying traditional goods from the local people.

Weaving This was my favourite because in this activity, we saw how they make and dye silk as well as trying to make it ourselves.

You could also buy some silk, which was around 150K. Rock Climbing I think rock climbing was an amazing activity because you got to experience actual traditional rock climbing that you don’t usually do. I panicked

during it because I thought I would fall, but then I realised that I was attached to the straps, so I was okay. And after some panicking, I persevered, and it was worth it! I really enjoyed the Year 7 Residential with Mai Chau!

Yuzuki (Year 7) The Mai Chau trip was wonderful, from its breathtaking views on the hike to the adrenaline from the bamboo challenge!

I will talk about my two favourite activities.

Rock climbing: I think rock climbing was one of the best activities on the trip.

For those who are afraid of heights, don't worry because there is a selection of heights.

I also liked it because it tested your bravery.

Stargazing: Stargazing was personally the highlight of the trip for me because we took time to just appreciate the beauty of nature; it is truly a rare thing we get to experience because of all

the pollution in the city. You get to lie there, just thinking about what you are grateful for. Overall, it was a really peaceful experience.

Tuong Van (Year 7)

YEAR 8 CAT BA TRIP In Year 8, students set foot on Cat Ba island, where they embraced the sun, sand, and sea. From cycling along scenic trails to conquering rock climbing challenges, they pushed their limits and

discovered their adventurous spirits.

Our students honed their compass and orienteering skills, fearlessly exploring the countryside and discovering hidden gems along the way. Their engineering and teamwork talents were put to the

test in an exhilarating raft building activity that made a big splash! They glided through the sparkling waters in sea kayaking, immersing ourselves in the beauty of the sea.

ESPRIT December 2023 | 19

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

YEAR 9 SAPA TRIP Year 9 chose Sapa as their destination, where they marveled at the stunning terraced rice fields and vibrant hill tribe communities.

They boarded the cable car up to Indochina's highest peak and sailed over the peaks of Sapa and through the clouds to be met with an astonishingly clear 20 | BIS Hanoi

view of Fansipan's highest peak. After dinner, Year 9s embarked on a captivating night photography tour of Sapa Town. Armed with trusty camera phones, they learned the art of capturing mesmerizing long exposure shots. Some of the students learned how to set up tents, ready for an exciting night of camping and hiking through the enchanting bamboo

forest. Meanwhile, others honed their navigational skills for a thrilling hike past a beautiful waterfall.

Sarah Macdonald Performing Arts Teacher Head of Year 9

YEAR 10 DA LAT TRIP Dalat was the chosen location for Year 10, where students indulged in thrilling outdoor pursuits and explore the city's charming beauty.

Our students worked together in teams using a variety of skills. They embarked on a hike using only a map, compass and

GPS coordinates. Some got lost along the route, but with some problem solving and teamwork, they successfully arrived at their destination with a smile.

They also had to build a raft which required them to put in practice their design and STEM knowledge, to then race it across the lake. We were also impressed by their

ability to pitch tents together.

Year 10s ended off the evening with a nice BBQ, roasted marshmallows and plating charades around the campfire. They also headed from Bidoup National Park to Da Lat City for some more fun.

Claudine Van Rensburg Computer Science Teacher Head of Year 10 ESPRIT December 2023 | 21

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

YEAR 11 BAI TU LONG TRIP Student reflection

Day 1 The first day began for us with five hours of travel by bus and boat. We were split into 3 groups; each group had a different task from the other.

Once we had our lunch at the resort, we began going towards our afternoon activity location. Since I was in group A, we were doing some standup paddleboarding in the ocean. It was quite difficult to go paddleboarding because the waves would continue to push you towards the beach.

We learned two positions your body can be in while paddleboarding: either sitting on the knee and paddling or standing up the board. It wasn’t easy to stand up on the paddleboard; I found it hard to control the movement of the board and fall into the sea. I made five attempts but failed; some of the students managed to do it for a few minutes only. We had some volleyball matches and walked around the beach, then we soon headed to the resort to 22 | BIS Hanoi

get cleaned and have dinner.

After having some spectacular seafood, the staff had karaoke set up for us to sing along to and board games. This lasted till 9 p.m.

Day 2 The second day was quite different for us. We had a warm breakfast and looked forward to the morning activity. My group was on a mission to collect data on multiple ecosystems. Then later, we would use this for our biology lessons. Surprisingly, we had to walk for about half an hour to certain ecosystems on this island. Since we were divided into 6 members per group, my group had to study mangroves, which were quite wet, and certain plants. Then, we walked for another 20 minutes towards the woodland region. There were lots of sticks and fallen leaves, so we found it difficult to identify any living plants.

While we were walking, we saw some amazing views of different parts of the island.

After about 20 minutes of walking, we returned to the

resort and went for some hot meals in the dining hall. We were served some combination dishes. We all had enough to go around.

Soon came the afternoon activity; this time, my group was playing beach games.

It was sunny, so we had sun cream and water with us.

We did activities that were based on teamwork. They were quite fun. And since we had some time to spear, we were swimming in the ocean for a while. Soon, the sunset began, and we headed towards the resort. We had two hours until dinner, so many just went into their rooms to freshen up and chill for a while. The other groups, B and C, came at their own pace. A lovely meal was served, along with drinks on sale for those who wanted some. For the evening event, we were allowed to play in our rooms till 10 p.m. or join in the karaoke.

Tanmay Gaikwad Year 11

YEAR 12 MAI CHAU TRIP Working with the community and charitable partners, BIS Hanoi pledged material to allow a local village, Na Chao, to continue to build infrastructure, including 50 metres of road and material to build a much-needed bridge. The project aims to improve the accessibility of Na Chao villagers to farmland and help the village increase productivity and muchneeded income. I am proud to say that the students showed great industry, building over 30 metres of road themselves and completing the embankment project in just three days!

The effort and dedication the students showed for this project were truly inspiring. The local community was grateful to receive the handover of the project to complete the final 20 metres of road and commented on how hard the students had worked.

Alongside the infrastructure project, we found time to engage with the local community, who were kind enough to invite us into their traditional Thai-style homes, built off the ground. We chatted with families as we cooked traditional sticky bamboo rice, pork, and tofu over the open fires (which made the food taste so good!) and found out about the challenges rural communities face in the modern world. We heard about their commitment to keeping traditions alive and to retaining young people in the community who sometimes may want to go and work in the city. We found out about the daily routine and how different life is. It was

Scan here to read the reflection written by Linh Chi & Xinyue (Year 12), designed by Gia Linh (Year 12).

a truly humble and defiant experience that opened all our eyes to the challenges and joys of living a rural life.

We thank all the villagers for their hospitality and kindness and for accepting us into their homes.

There was also time for some fun! In Lac Village, we built bamboo rafts and sailed them down the river, some more successfully than others. I hope the shoes have dried out! We played sports with local children in the park; I’d say there are possibly some future professional footballers

to come from Mai Chau! We also learned traditional fan dancing, held a talent show for the Na Chao village, and made our way up to Chieu Cave, all 1200 steps up!

We packed so much into these three days that it really was a wonderful and enriching experience for all the students, making memories and new connections the whole time.

Andrew Pearson Science Teacher Head of Year 12

ESPRIT December 2023 | 23

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

FRIENDS OF BIS FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR THRIVING PARENT COMMUNITY 24 | BIS Hanoi

Our main goal at Friends of BIS is to support the school in creating a sense of belonging. We offer parents opportunities to engage in various activities and events related to school life, positively impacting both our children's well-being and our own sense of community.

As a parent community, we actively suggest activities and events based on

Scan the QR code and join our “Friends of BIS Hanoi” Facebook Group!

our collective needs and preferences.

Examples include coffee mornings, day trips in and around Hanoi, holiday-themed events like Halloween, and special days such as Teacher Appreciation Day. We also initiate communityoriented projects, such as the uniform swap, with the incredible support of Ms. Linh Huynh, our Community Service Officer.

Participation in these planned activities and events is entirely voluntary, allowing each of us to choose our own level of involvement. Our overarching goal is to cultivate a more diverse and inclusive community for our families and, most importantly, our children.

Hanoi, we have connected with wonderful people and gained insights into the local culture. We encourage more parents to get involved, as the benefits are sure to extend to all of us.

Tina Gibson & Xochitl Peon BIS Hanoi Parents

On a personal note, our experiences with Friends of BIS have been incredibly positive. As newcomers to ESPRIT December 2023 | 25

A PLACE TO BELONG

CREATE YOUR FUTURE

EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

CREATE YOUR FUTURE

Welcome to the "Create Your Future" section of our school magazine, where we explore the exciting opportunities and initiatives that empower our students to shape their own destinies.

At BIS Hanoi, we believe in preparing our students not just for academic success, but for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter throughout their personal and professional lives.

26 | BIS Hanoi

At BIS Hanoi, we believe in preparing our students not just for academic success, but for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter throughout their personal and professional lives.

Through innovative programs and partnerships, we equip them with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

In the article "Creating Your Future: Design Your Pathway to Success," we highlight the rigorous curriculum offered in Years 10 and 11 at BIS Hanoi.

Our International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) programme provides a strong academic foundation, fostering critical thinking, research skills, and a strong work ethic. This tailored curriculum prepares students for the challenges of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and beyond, allowing them to design their own path to success.

We also delve into how the IBDP offers flexibility in subject

choices, encouraging a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to education. By selecting subjects aligned with their interests, students gain a diverse skill set as well as adaptability.

We also introduce three new courses designed to empower students for the rapidly changing job market. The Ways of Learning programme helps students understand themselves as learners, while the Global Citizenship and Digital Citizenship curricula foster awareness, responsible citizenship, and critical thinking skills. These innovative approaches prepare students not just for university, but for lifelong learning and success in an ever-evolving world.

In the article "Guiding Students to Best-Fit Futures: A Glimpse into University Guidance," we hear from Joe McKinney, the University Guidance Counsellor at BIS Hanoi. He shares how the University Guidance Counselling (UGC) department collaborates with the community to help students create their future. By maintaining and expanding their network of university relationships, providing diverse options, and offering personalised support, the UGC department ensures that each student finds their best-fit path for success as global citizens.

We also learn about Thuc Anh,

a Year 13 student who had a lifechanging experience participating in the Bucksmore Advanced University Preparation Course at Oxford University. Beyond academics, the course taught her invaluable life skills, independence, and responsibilities. It prepared her to create her future both as a university student and as a wellrounded individual. Through academic challenges, thrilling activities, and interactions with a diverse community of students, Thuc Anh discovered her passions, expanded her horizons, and formed lifelong friendships. This transformative journey empowered her to embrace lifelong learning and pursue her ambitions.

In our Primary School, students have actively participated in engaging activities and experiences related to their IPC units, fostering their ability to "create their future." These immersive opportunities have expanded their knowledge and nurtured their creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. Students have been equipped with the tools to confidently forge their own paths.

In early childhood education, we recognise the significance of building strong partnerships between educators and parents in shaping a child's future. Through home visits, we bridge the gap between home and school, fostering personal and collaborative relationships. These visits provide insights into a child's cultural background and individual needs, allowing us to tailor our approach and provide optimal support. By integrating home and school

environments, we empower children to "create their future" by nurturing their development in a seamless and inclusive learning environment.

As we continue to "Create Your Future," we celebrate the invaluable contributions of our alumni.

Their achievements, support, and mentorship shape the identity of our school and inspire the next generation.

Our strong alumni community is a testament both to the transformative power of education and to our commitment to nurturing lifelong connections and empowering students for success.

Stay tuned for more inspiring articles in this section, as we explore the initiatives that shape the future of our students. Together, let's create a future filled with endless possibilities and incredible achievements.

Chris Newman Head of Secondary

ESPRIT December 2023 | 27

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

A CULTURE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: WELCOMING CIS/WASC EVALUATORS TO BIS HANOI

This term, BIS Hanoi was delighted to welcome visitors from the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

From 19th-24th November 2023, international evaluators from two organisations embedded themselves in our school to see first-hand what life at BIS Hanoi is like.

They conducted a rigorous assessment of the school’s progress and development in key areas such as teaching, wellbeing, and guiding 28 | BIS Hanoi

principles. They also spoke to students, staff, and parents to get an honest perspective from across the school community.

The visit forms part of our re-accreditation process with these two globally recognised organisations.

More importantly, it represents a pivotal stage in the continuous 5-year process of reflection, evaluation, and improvement which drives our school forward.

The evaluation team was made up of experienced

educators from international schools around the world.

Their expertise provided a fresh perspective and external validation of our school’s efforts to continually maintain the very highest educational standards.

“The CIS/WASC evaluation is a rigorous and comprehensive process that is in line with our school's commitment to continuously improving our educational programmes and practices. This visit marks the culmination of two years of hard work by all key stakeholders in our

school community, including 231 staff members, over 500 parents, and almost 700 students. The feedback we received from them is constructive and is aimed at enhancing the value of our educational efforts,” said Richard Vaughan, Principal.

The visit of the CIS/WASC evaluators is just one part of the CIS accreditation cycle.

While the visit of external evaluators is an important step, the accreditation process places greater emphasis on continual self-

renewal and reflection. The most important part of the cycle is the ‘Self-Study’ process, which takes 12-24 months to complete and involves all key stakeholders in the school.

As part of the Self-Study process, a school evaluates its key strengths and areas of improvement, before identifying and initiating actions to address them.

In advance of last week's evaluation visit, BIS Hanoi has been actively undertaking this Self-Study process for the past two years.

A key advantage of the CIS accreditation process is that it is validated externally, but driven internally. It is the responsibility of our staff and leadership teams to continually raise standards, while evaluation visits provide objective measurement of our progress and achievements.

By adopting the CIS accreditation process, BIS Hanoi demonstrates a long-term commitment to continual improvement.

ESPRIT December 2023 | 29

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

BUILDING PARENT PARTNERSHIPS IN THE EARLY YEARS THROUGH HOME VISITS In the realm of early childhood education, fostering strong partnerships between educators and parents is a cornerstone of a child's holistic development.

Recognising the crucial role parents play in a child's early years, it is vital that educational institutions adopt innovative approaches to bridge the gap between home and school. At BIS Hanoi, we have decided to implement home visits as 30 | BIS Hanoi

Home visits provide us with insights into your child's cultural background and family dynamics.

a way to build partnerships between parents and teachers.

The early years of a child's life are formative, laying the foundation for their cognitive, emotional, and social development. During this period, parents are the primary influencers in a child's life, shaping the child’s values, attitudes, and behaviours.

Establishing a strong partnership with parents is therefore pivotal

to our aim, as educators, to create a seamless learning environment that extends beyond the classroom.

Home visits serve as a powerful tool for our Early Years team to connect with parents in a familiar setting, fostering a more personal and collaborative relationship.

Home visits provide us with insights into your child's cultural background and family dynamics. This understanding is crucial to help us tailor our educational approaches to align with your child's home environment, ensuring a more inclusive and culturally sensitive learning experience.

Every child is unique, and home visits allow us to gain a deeper understanding of our students’ individual needs, strengths, and challenges.

This personalised insight enables our teachers to tailor their approach, ensuring that each child receives the support necessary for their optimal development.

Visiting a child's home also establishes a foundation of trust between educators and parents. This trust is vital for open communication and collaboration, as we believe that parents are more likely to actively participate in their child's education when they feel a strong connection with the school and its staff.

Home visits help us to create a bridge between the learning that occurs in the classroom and your child's everyday experiences at home. We can offer practical suggestions and activities that parents and carers can incorporate into daily routines to enhance the child's learning and development.

By fostering collaboration between our teachers and parents, we create a holistic support system that recognises the importance of both home and school environments in shaping a child's future.

Holly Carmichael Assistant Head of Primary

ESPRIT December 2023 | 31

Throughout the term, our Primary students have enjoyed a range of exciting entry and exit points related to their IPC units. We have been very lucky that so many parents and carers have also joined us to celebrate and share these learning experiences with the children. The IPC units have been jam-packed with interesting activities, day trips and much more. Here are some of Term 1’s best bits!

A PLACE TO BELONG EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

CREATE YOUR FUTURE

FROM HANOI TO ANCIENT HISTORY: PRIMARY STUDENTS AND PARENTS CELEBRATE LEARNING IN OUR IPC UNITS

Year 1 created a highlights reel showcasing the best bits of IPC, which perfectly captured the magic of their topic ‘The Earth Our Home’.

Parents were invited into school to watch the video with the children, who were very excited about seeing themselves on the big screen!

32 | BIS Hanoi

Year 2 enjoyed a very exciting trip to Kim Quan Market, where they collected the ingredients necessary to make their own spring rolls.

The children brought the ingredients back to school and worked hard in the school kitchen to make their delicious spring rolls!

Year 3 slid into action this year when their first entry point saw them take a trip to Royal City Ice Rink. It was a great experience and really helped the children to further their understanding and apply their knowledge of how forces work in reallife.

Year 6 started their IPC unit, ‘The Great, The Bold and The Brave’, by using a variety of materials and tools to construct historical landmarks.

The children practised their skills of communication and collaboration when constructing their amazing buildings.

Year 4 created a wonderful showcase for their parents to celebrate their exit point, which saw them share their learning through exciting interactive activities! The children were proud to show off their home-made instruments as well as their 3D models of the water cycle.

Year 5 participated in the ‘The Big Quiz of the Years’.

In this tantalising quiz, the children worked hard to identify historical figures, locate ancient civilisations, and even make a Greek Thobe. It was so much fun and a fantastic way for everybody to get involved!

Across the Primary School in this first term we have enjoyed dressing up, participating in experiments, visiting exciting places, and learning about the world around us. We are looking forward to sharing all the exciting opportunities we have planned in IPC throughout the rest of the academic year.

Megan Tracey IPC Leader ESPRIT December 2023 | 33

A PLACE TO BELONG EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

CREATE YOUR FUTURE

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP CURRICULUM IN SECONDARY

BIS Hanoi's introduction of a Global Citizenship Curriculum for Years 7 to 10 marks a significant and exciting opportunity for students. The curriculum is centred around the school's core values, emphasising caring, perseverance, respect, integrity, reflection, and inquiry. These values serve as essential life skills, laying the groundwork for the future success of global 34 | BIS Hanoi

citizens as they advance academically and engage with the broader world.

The curriculum fosters an understanding of diverse cultures and the interconnectedness of our world, instilling in students the tools necessary to navigate and thrive in a diverse global community.

In Year 7, the emphasis has been on understanding

the value of fairness and rules by examining our school community. Year 8 students have explored the significance of our local community, recognising its impact on their lives.

Meanwhile, Year 9 and 10 students have delved into global issues, including discussions on democracy and the influence of social media.

These lessons provide students with a

broader perspective on local, national, and global issues, cultivating a sense of responsibility for their actions across various scales and environments.

The future of the Global Citizenship Curriculum promises exciting handson, practical opportunities.

Students will engage in conversations with external charities and community

partners such as Blue Dragon, gaining insights into real-world challenges and applying core values beyond the classroom. Collaborative group projects across all year groups aim to enhance skills in collaboration, public speaking, and research, providing a practical application of global citizenship education.

Parents will be invited to witness project outcomes

in Term 3, reinforcing community involvement and celebrating the diverse skills developed by students throughout the school year.

Shaun O’Callaghan Head of Humanities & Eleanor Forsyth Geography Teacher & Global Citizenship Coordinator

ESPRIT December 2023 | 35

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CREATE YOUR FUTURE

CREATE YOUR FUTURE: DESIGN YOUR PATHWAY TO SUCCESS IN SECONDARY

At every stage of their Secondary education, students at BIS Hanoi are empowered to “Create their future” by learning essential, transferable skills as part of a bespoke curriculum.

Preparing for the unpredictable: The value of IBDP As a school with over 10 years of experience delivering academic excellence, we know that the IBDP stands out as the ideal pathway to university - and beyond.

36 | BIS Hanoi

A key reason for this is the flexibility for personalised subject choices. At BIS Hanoi, students have the freedom to select from a range of subjects aligned with their passions and strengths, encouraging a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to education.

Pairing subjects thoughtfully, such as Mathematics with Visual Arts, or Language and Literature with Environmental Systems and Societies, can unlock incredible potential.

It gives our students the adaptability, creativity, and diverse skill set they will need for a successful future in our ever-changing world.

Creating a pathway for success: A wealth of options at IGCSE The IGCSE and BISC taught in Years 10 and 11 at BIS Hanoi offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum which equips students with a strong academic foundation. We have worked hard to build a curriculum

that encompasses a broad range of subjects, tailored to our students' choices.

Each course is customised in order to fulfil our aim of preparing students for IBDP by fostering critical thinking, research skills, and a strong work ethic. As with all year groups, our wellbeing provision nurtures students to become well-rounded, balanced, and academically prepared individuals who are ready to flourish in the future.

A bespoke curriculum that prepares students for a dynamic world To instil a growth mindset and prepare students not just for university, but also for a rapidly changing job market, we have designed three new courses for the current academic year.

Our Ways of Learning Programme in Years 7 to 11 provides extensive support to help students understand themselves, their dreams, and their identity as a learner. This collaborative effort guides them towards academic success across all phases.

Our new Global Citizenship Curriculum for Years 7-10 is

rooted in our school values.

It empowers students to engage with local and global issues, fostering awareness and responsible citizenship.

It provides a foundation for CAS in the IBDP Core by allowing students to explore links with BIS Hanoi’s community partners.

Finally, our Digital Citizenship Curriculum for Years 7-9 is also closely aligned with our values.

It encourages students to critically enquire and reflect on their online behaviour, digital footprint, and responsible digital

citizenship.

We are proud that these innovations in our curriculum were developed in response to student and parent voices. They create the opportunities and skills for our students to learn how to adapt, persevere, and inquire deeply - essential qualities for success in an ever-evolving world.

Ms. Stephanie Miller Deputy Head of Secondary & Ms. Gemma Archer Assistant Head of Secondary (IB) ESPRIT December 2023 | 37

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

GUIDING STUDENTS TO BEST-FIT FUTURES: A GLIMPSE INTO UNIVERSITY GUIDANCE Embarking on a new academic year, I am delighted to share more with you about the University Guidance Counselling (UGC) department's initiatives for students at BIS Hanoi. We aim to collaborate as a community to guide students toward their best-fit futures, ensuring success as global citizens in an ever-changing world.

Maintaining our current network We are committed to continuing the successes from previous years and developing the UGC department further over the coming year. This term, we have been actively cultivating university relationships formed in previous years, as well as building new ones.

This is essential to ensure that this year's applications are supported by a network familiar with both our students' potential and their aspirations.

Expanding our network This term, we have engaged with over 55 universities here on school campus, over 180 universities at the CIS-

38 | BIS Hanoi

EARCOS Conference 2023, and a further 250 universities at the Hanoi University Fair 2023. This reflects our commitment to variety; we want our students to be exposed to a diverse range of possibilities and have the opportunity to explore many geographical and institutional options. Our goal is to present a range of options to ensure that each student finds their best-fit future.

Looking forward. At the heart of the UGC department is our dynamic range of services and resources. From one-to-one counselling sessions that dive deep into individual aspirations, to our collaboration with the

Cialfo university guidance platform, we are dedicated to sculpting post-BIS Hanoi journeys that resonate with each student's unique potential.

Connecting with our community. Parent-Connect sessions are the backbone of our collaborative engagement, and have already proven to be impactful. We have held two sessions already this term, with another coming up in January. The dialogues which take place are there to foster open communication between parents, students, and the UGC department. This collaborative approach creates a holistic support system, which is essential for a student’s successful next step.

Future considerations Challenging the conventional narrative, our one-on-one approach goes beyond rankings.

It delves into the unique strengths and aspirations of each student, ensuring a tailored journey that considers individual potential, rather than conforming to conventional metrics. This includes delving into the 4Ss: Study, Stay, Social, Safe, to ensure the best-fit future for our students.

Joe McKinney University Guidance Counsellor

ESPRIT December 2023 | 39

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE

MEET OUR BIS ALUMNI Let's meet some of

Le Tran Thu Thao Class of 2016 Temple University

Ha Quoc Huy Class of 2017 Columbia University

The teachers at BIS Hanoi helped me develop the ability to work independently and channel my efforts towards what I wanted to achieve; these skills helped me greatly during the application process and have stuck with me ever since.

I have gained so much from the dedicated teachers at BIS, who are undeniably some of the best in Hanoi.

They not only provided me with useful learning sources but also motivated me to explore new horizons in my favourite subjects.

Hoa Tuan Kiet Class of 2022 University of California, Berkeley

Lee Suhjin Class of 2022 Saint Louis University

EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

the extraordinary individuals from our Class of 2016 to 2023.

Scan the QR codes to learn more about their invaluable experiences and unforgettable moments they had during their time at BIS Hanoi.

BIS holds a special place in my heart, thanks to the incredible friends and teachers I crossed paths with.

It's like having a treasure trove of wisdom at my fingertips! Whether I need guidance on schoolwork or personal matters, I can always turn to my diverse group of peers, each with their unique backgrounds and experiences.

40 | BIS Hanoi

I am extremely grateful for the countless opportunities BIS offered, including establishing the CREST club and developing the NAEUNICEF campaign. Through these activities, I was able to directly engage in STEM research and service, which not only aligned with my values but also paved the way for further exploration in college.

Do Bao Ngoc Vi Class of 2018 Duke University The IBDP was a perfect, wellrounded and challenging curriculum for me as it gave me a breadth and depth of learning, developed internationally minded thinking and prepared thoroughly for university life.

Nguyen Ngoc Hanh Tien Class of 2018 London School of Economics (LSE) The teachers at BIS inspire you to believe in your limitless potential and push you beyond your known limits. They genuinely care about your well-being, making them truly unique.

Remember, as an IB student, you are not alone in this journey.

You have the privilege of being surrounded by dedicated, caring, and wonderful teachers every day at school.

Lucia Velle-Loach Class of 2023

Pham Bui Gia Han Class of 2023 Stanford University

BIS provided me with invaluable opportunities to connect with individuals whom I may not have otherwise encountered. This was made possible through team building activities and leadership initiatives spearheaded by the Mr. Airdrie and other teachers.

Although these opportunities really pushed me out of my comfort zone, they showed me that I can achieve a lot more than I thought I could.

My time at BIS Hanoi has had a significant impact on my personal development, shaping me into a more wellrounded person. Participating in activities such as sports, which pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and taking on leadership responsibilities not only enhanced my confidence but also offered me a lot of joy throughout my school years.

Kan Funayama Class of 2021 King’s College London The IB programme instilled a sense of curiosity in me, taught me to learn independently, how to express myself, and improved my research skills and time management. It showed me that with diligent effort and an inquisitive mind, you can open any door that leads you down the right path.

Daniel Mubin Jung Class of 2023 University of California, Irvine The BIS Hanoi community is very diverse, and from what I can tell, it's not just based on nationalities. Everyone has different opinions, and the school is an open place where everyone can be themselves.

ESPRIT December 2023 | 41

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

BUCKSMORE SUMMER COURSE AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY: A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE As part of the Nord Anglia family of schools, our students will have access to unique opportunities and experiences beyond the classrooms. Last summer, Thuc Anh, a Year 13 student, participated in the Bucksmore Advanced University Preparation Course at Oxford University, which proved to be a life-changing adventure.

Over the course of two weeks, she had the opportunity to discover her favourite subjects, engage in thrilling activities, explore the beauty of England, and form lifelong friendships, creating memories that would 42 | BIS Hanoi

last a lifetime. The academic rigour of the programme served as an eye-opener for Thuc Anh. Despite its brevity, the academic challenges provided her with a glimpse into the high intellectual demands of university life.

She immersed herself in law, observing trials at an actual Crown Court, and delved into international relations, gaining insights into global politics and governance.

Beyond the classroom, Thuc Anh found joy in the exhilarating activities and cherished moments spent with her new friends. From

Despite its brevity, the academic challenges at Bucksmore provided her with a glimpse into the high intellectual demands of university life.

gripping rollercoaster rides at Thrope Park to spirited games of Capture the Flag, every experience was filled with laughter and excitement.

What truly left an impact on Thuc Anh was the diverse community of students she encountered. Interacting with peers from around the world, she learned about their cultures and gained unique perspectives that broadened her horizons.

Reflecting on her time at Bucksmore, Thuc Anh emphasises that the course extended beyond academics.

It nurtured her independence, teaching her valuable life skills and responsibilities. The message from the centre manager on lifelong learning resonated deeply with her, encouraging personal growth beyond the classroom.

As Thuc Anh concludes her account, she expresses gratitude for the unforgettable experience and encourages others to embark on this transformative journey.

“Besides academics and education, the course taught me most about independence and responsibilities. It prepares

you to not only become a university student, but also a proper individual (adult, even) managing all aspects of life”, she shared.

For over 40 years, Bucksmore Education has been providing students with innovative and engaging academic short courses, centred around helping young people find and pursue their passions and ambitions. Its University Preparation course at Oxford University continues to inspire and empower students, fostering a love for learning and cultural exchange.

ESPRIT December 2023 | 43

A PLACE TO BELONG

EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

CREATE YOUR FUTURE

At BIS Hanoi, excellence is not just a promise; it is an experience woven into the very fabric of our educational community. From the moment students walk through our doors, they embark on a journey marked by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals. Over the coming pages of this section, you will learn more about what makes the BIS experience truly exceptional.

Excellence extends beyond academics at BIS. We are committed to the holistic development of our students, emphasising character building, leadership skills, and a strong sense of community. Extracurricular activities, sports, and arts programmes complement academic pursuits, allowing students to discover and nurture their talents in a supportive and inclusive environment.

We are committed to the holistic development of our students, emphasising character building, leadership skills, and a strong sense of community.

44 | BIS Hanoi

Over the coming pages, you will learn about the BIS Model United Nations event for student leadership that Nia Cooper orchestrated last month, attended by over 150 students from across Southeast Asia. With the British Ambassador giving the opening speech to some insightful and valuable discussions focused on crises around the world, it certainly put a spotlight on the important role these future leaders have to play in the world.

Pathways into student leadership start early at BIS, as you will learn from Alice Goodwin, the primary enrichment leader who is introducing the Primary House captains for this academic year.

In addition to a whole host of other excellent experiences we provide our students at BIS, the Performing Arts Team has showcased and celebrated the students journey in Performing Arts this term, from Internation Festival performances from some of our younger students to continued outstanding learning experiences in class through our Julliard Curriculum and a selection of incredibly polished performances in and around

Hanoi this term. Congratulations to our amazing community, and well done on a fantastic term.

We are so proud of our incredible students and staff. Bravo!

Rebecca Carroll Head of Primary

ESPRIT December 2023 | 45

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

BIS HANOI AND MIT: NEW YEAR, EXCITING NEW CHALLENGES & A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE! Secondary Every year, MIT launches 3 exciting challenges for Nord Anglia students to take part in. This year began with the challenge to engineer a plant that could survive in extreme conditions.

Year 7 approached this challenge in their Science, Art and Design Technology classes and used knowledge from each subject area to tackle the problem. The students have been taught to use the following design thinking approach: 1.

Empathy: Gain an understanding of the difficult climates that plants face, and understand how plants adapt.

46 | BIS Hanoi

2. Define the problem: Decide on a location to design their plant for and consider how the plant can adapt to survive.

3. Ideate: Create many new and exciting ideas for a plant 4. Prototype: Model the plant 5. Test: Check how well the design really works, and gather feedback and constructive criticism.

Then, go back to stage 3 to create more ideas based on the testing and feedback gathered.

It has been great to see students learning to apply design thinking, as well as knowledge from a range of subjects, in order to tackle

Scan to read more about Hyeonchan's trip to MIT

complex problems. This is what STEAM is all about!

In other exciting STEAM news, Hyeonchan Jung won the chance to visit MIT itself in October, where he took part in a week of workshops and tours. He was challenged to ‘hack the tube’ - to create something new and exciting with a cardboard tube - in response to which Hyeonchan made a gyroscope.

Only 14 students from all the SEA Nord Anglia schools were selected, so it was a great achievement for Hyeonchan to be chosen. He thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and was amazed to see the incredible workshops and makerspaces, attend lectures from MIT alumni, and make friends with students from across the region.

Hannah Budd Head of Art & Design

Primary In Primary, our MIT challenge was “Exploring Plant Adaptation in the Face of Extinction”.

Our first Primary MIT Challenge of the year asked students to work in teams to study how plants adapt to survive in various ecosystems around the world. Our goal was to design plants capable of withstanding an extinctionlevel event, specifically an asteroid collision with Earth.

Our STEAM Teams examined diverse examples of plant adaptation, ranging from arid deserts to dense rainforests, and from freezing tundra to scorching grasslands. By studying how plants have evolved to thrive in these vastly different conditions, students gained valuable insights into the resilience and adaptability of plant life.

We then envisioned a hypothetical scenario where an asteroid collision threatened life on Earth.

Armed with knowledge of plant adaptation,

students designed plants that could withstand the cataclysmic aftermath of an extinction level event.

In order to survive, a plant would need to be capable of surviving in drastically altered environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures, reduced sunlight, and disrupted water and nutrient supplies.

potential for engineering plants to withstand cataclysmic events - such as the very real threat of climate change to our environment.

Stephen Labelle Primary Computing Teacher & Emily Clark Year 6 Teacher Data & Assessment Leader

Students designed plants with adaptations such as deeper roots for increased water absorption, thicker coating to reduce water loss, and modified leaves to optimise photosynthesis in low-light conditions. They also engineered plants with improved resistance to animals eating them, and plants that ingested insects to obtain their energy and nutrients.

The MIT challenge on plant adaptation not only expanded our understanding of how plants survive in their natural habitats, but it also showcased the ESPRIT December 2023 | 47

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

WORLD-LEADING EXPERTISE FROM THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL INSPIRES OUR BUSIEST TERM YET! During the Summer term of 2023, I had the experience of a lifetime! Alongside Performing Arts colleagues from Nord Anglia schools around the globe, I attended the first staff CPD (Continuing Professional Development) event since the pandemic. This unique and special gathering took place at The Juilliard School in New York City.

It was an honour to represent BIS Hanoi, to share and learn from practitioners from other Nord Anglia Schools, and to receive thoughtful and inspiring training from the Dance, Drama and Music specialists from The Juilliard School itself. The Juilliard K-12 education team is at the forefront of arts education.

They lead the research and development of the Juilliard Creative Classroom resources 48 | BIS Hanoi

that we use to shape and inspire our Performing Arts curriculum here at BIS Hanoi.

With a focus on meaningful experiences, creative process and personal reflection, all students in Primary and Secondary school are given the opportunity to flourish through the Performing Arts. We are proud to be a school which leads the way in promoting a ‘fully bright’ curriculum, where students benefit from more balanced access to all three Performing Arts disciplines: Music, Dance and Drama.

Term 1 has been a fully loaded term for the Performing Arts department. We kicked off the year with a special invitation to perform on the big stage at Hoan Kiem lake as part of the UK in Vietnam Festival.

Over 100 BIS Hanoi students from Year 3 to Year 13 took to the stage in a segment which included performances from Dance Company, Ukulele Club and the Primary and Secondary choirs. We drew a huge crowd and the students performed with true passion and professionalism. Prior to the event, our musicians were even treated to a special afternoon workshop with a UK Military Brass Band!

Next on the agenda was our annual International Festival.

This event saw a class from every year group in the school share their learning, inspired by a wide variety of different cultures and communities around the world. We are proud of our inclusive approach to this event, which encouraged every child in the school to get up on stage

Scan to watch our students' performances

and perform in front of family and friends. The International Festival performances included mime acts depicting a bustling airport scene, colourful and passionate renditions of world dance forms such as Flamenco and Bharatanatyam, an energetic musical performance of African chants and drums, and beautiful choral renditions of traditional songs and hymns from Wales and Mongolia!

In the second half of this term, our vocalists from the Music department had the opportunity to shine. Mr Scott proudly took the Secondary Choir to perform as part of the special Remembrance service, hosted by the UK Embassy, at the beautiful Cua Bac church.

Meanwhile, Ms Kirk hosted the city’s first ‘Big Sing’ event with support from Ms Beasant

and the Primary Choir. They were joined by choirs from the British Vietnamese International School and Hanoi International School, and spent the day singing in harmony together with a special showcase at the end of the day. Both events demonstrate how the arts act as a meaningful vehicle for our values of care and respect.

Our most ambitious event came at the end of term, when our Secondary production ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ hit the stage. Secondary school students and staff involved in the cast, orchestra, tech and design teams worked tirelessly throughout the term to put together an outstanding show. It showcased some of our best vocal talent alongside an original design and movement concept,

supported by the reliable skills of our instrumentalists. It was a personal favourite show for many in our department - and it was wonderful to share it with our whole school community!

To round-off what has been one of our busiest terms ever, our music CCA groups and a selection of gifted soloists and ensembles provided the entertainment at BIS Hanoi’s first Community Christmas Fair.

Our performers successfully created a warm yuletide atmosphere while students, staff and parents browsed the stalls and enjoyed festive refreshments.

What a magical way to end the year!

Emily Brawn Acting Head of Performing Arts ESPRIT December 2023 | 49

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

BIS HANOI’S UNICEF AMBASSADORS REPRESENT THE SCHOOL AT A GLOBAL SUMMIT In this article, Robyn and Da In, our UNICEF Ambassadors, describe their experiences taking part in the Nord Anglia Education UNICEF summit in New York City. We also hear about some of the initiatives they have been working on using the knowledge, skills and learnings they acquired at the summit.

50 | BIS Hanoi

All around the world, lots of global problems exist, such as clean water supply, education and gender inequalities.

UNICEF and the United Nations are trying hard to solve these global issues. Through Nord Anglia’s partnership with UNICEF, we went to the NAE-UNICEF summit in New York this summer to learn how our school can work towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During the summit, we met lots of experts from both UNICEF and other

organisations. From those specialists, we were able to learn about SDG structures and attend other workshops, including learning the true meaning of dialogue and how to take action in our communities.

On the first day of the summit, we were put into groups to encourage communication and teamwork. In these groups, we worked together to brainstorm ideas for how Nord Anglia students can tackle the SDGs. We created presentations about our ideas for solutions and presented them in front of the CEO of Nord Anglia, Chief Education Officer, and representatives from UNICEF. During the summit, we also visited tourist destinations like SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and The Highline.

In the Global Goals CCA back at BIS Hanoi, we helped

prepare the International Parade, which took place during International Week.

We worked together with Primary students to present facts about the different nationalities in our school, using a presentation with research about each country and the SDGs they have been working towards. This was a great experience for us to know more about each country and its achievements, as well as raise awareness of the SDGs within the school.

For World Children’s Day, we decided to take over the school’s social media to raise awareness of children’s rights and inequality. We prepared 2 posts for each day on different topics regarding the SDGs and things that interest us.

We hope you enjoyed the posts and learnt something about the SDGs. Lee Dain & Robyn Gibson Year 11 students & UNICEF Ambassadors

ESPRIT December 2023 | 51

A PLACE TO BELONG CREATE YOUR FUTURE EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW: BIS HANOI HOSTS THE FOBISIA MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MUN) BIS Hanoi was honoured to welcome more than 150 student delegates from 13 International Schools across Asia for the FOBISIA Model United Nations (MUN) 2023!

How do we protect our seas and marine life? How do we ensure digital privacy in the age of artificial intelligence?

How do we safeguard the rights of women in conflict zones?

These were just some of the big questions tackled by student delegates at the FOBISIA Model United Nations (MUN), which took place at BIS Hanoi from 10th12th November.

Our school is a proud member of FOBISIA, a collaborative federation of 96 International Schools.

52 | BIS Hanoi

FOBISIA member schools work together to share teaching best-practices and provide students with unique new learning experiences.

The FOBISIA MUN was a valuable opportunity for students to learn more about the role of the United Nations, as well as develop skills such as communication and collaboration, at a time when international relations are more important than ever.

Topics in this year’s FOBISIA MUN were centred around ‘The Future of Asia’.

A Welcome from the British Ambassador to Vietnam On Friday afternoon, our student delegates gathered in the theatre for the official Opening Ceremony. We were privileged to welcome His

Excellency Mr. Iain Frew, His Majesty's British Ambassador to Vietnam, as the keynote speaker.

Mr Frew inspired the delegates by sharing his experiences from the five international postings he has held as a diplomat.

Referencing his time representing the UK in both Russia and the EU, Mr Frew reflected on the positive outcomes achieved by diplomacy, as well as those times when a resolution could not be found. Mr Frew described diplomacy as “an art, rather than a science,” emphasising how successful diplomacy creates solutions where the framework for an agreement does not yet exist.

He encouraged delegates to demonstrate the key values of good diplomacy during

their own MUN debates, including: Empathy, Vision, Creativity, Positivity, Expertise, BIS Hanoi’s own values of Integrity and Respect.

Three Days of Debate and Discussion Begins!

After an introductory session on Friday, the student delegates returned to campus on Saturday morning, ready for the real debating to begin!

The MUN was split into 12 different committees, each made up of delegates from different international schools, which tackled a diverse range of topics.

The Asia Pacific Council debated the issue of child marriage in developing countries, the Security Council debated the conflict in Yemen and Nuclear Disarmament, while the World Health Organization worked to create a framework for dealing with future pandemics.

Each individual student was

responsible for articulating the perspective of the country they were representing. The resulting speeches were in equal parts passionate, informed, skillfully articulated - and often humorous too!

After a total of four, ninetyminute debating sessions, the student delegates, committee chairs and administrators sat down to enjoy a well-deserved Gala Dinner in the auditorium in the evening.

New Experiences, New Perspectives and Lasting Friendships On Sunday morning, the FOBISIA MUN was back in full swing with two further debating sessions.

The atmosphere on the final day was positive and relaxed.

When the final session came to a close, members of each committee enjoyed sitting down for lunch together, taking photographs and taking part in the MUN tradition of signing one

another’s placards.

The Closing Ceremony and awards took place in the auditorium, where delegates had the opportunity to to hear from keynote speaker Mr Yuji Shinohara, Governance Analyst at the United Nations Development Programme.

Mr Shinohara gave an honest and engaging speech about the challenges of the UN and the importance of taking action to make positive change. Before the conference was officially closed by the MUN Secretary General, BIS Hanoi MUN Director Ms Nia Cooper congratulated the participants on their exceptional intellect, diplomatic finesse and commitment to the continent of Asia.

A huge congratulations to all the delegates, chairs, administrators and volunteers who took part in three inspiring days of debate, discussion and collaboration.

It has been a pleasure to welcome you all to BIS Hanoi!

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FOBISIA U15 TOURNAMENT: EXCEPTIONAL SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS ON AN INTERNATIONAL STAGE From the 10th - 14th of November, our U15 FOBISIA teams ventured to Pattaya, Thailand, to compete in a range of athletic endeavours.

In an excellent display of talent and sportsmanship, the teams showcased their skills in athletics, football, basketball, and swimming against various international schools from across Asia.

The enthusiasm and dedication of the athletes was evident as they demonstrated their prowess on the track during the athletics events. Whether it was sprinting, long jump, or relay races, the team showed exceptional speed, agility, and determination, pushing themselves to new heights and achieving personal bests. A special shout out to our high jumpers, who once again performed fantastically.

Amber broke the games record with a jump of 1:48!

On the basketball court, the U15 team demonstrated their coordination, dribbling skills, and accurate shooting.

They engaged in intense matches, showcasing their teamwork and strategic thinking to outmanoeuvre their opponents and secure the points for their team. The 54 | BIS Hanoi

boys came in 2nd place, while the girls came in 1st!

Spectators of the football matches witnessed thrilling displays of teamwork, strategy, and raw talent. The U15 boys and girls showcased their skills, executing precise passes, brilliant goals, and exceptional defensive manoeuvres. The matches were a testament to the teams’ commitment to the sport and their ability to rise to the challenge. The girls managed to finish in 2nd place and the boys had a great day in which they learnt a lot about themselves, finishing 5th.

In the swimming pool, the U15 team took to the water with grace and determination.

They showcased their technique, speed, and endurance in various swimming events, leaving a splash of achievements in their wake.

Beyond the sporting achievements, the U15 FOBISIA team embraced the opportunity to make new friends, forge lasting memories, and experience the vibrant culture of Thailand. The camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed

by the team was exemplary, earning them accolades both on and off the field.

This journey to Pattaya was more than just a competition; it was a transformative experience for the U15 FOBISIA team. They returned home with a renewed sense of pride, stronger bonds as a team, and a wealth of memories that will inspire and motivate them in their future athletic endeavours.

Congratulations to the U15 FOBISIA team for their exceptional performances and for representing BIS Hanoi with passion and integrity.

Their accomplishments in athletics, football, basketball, and swimming are a testament to their hard work, dedication, and unwavering spirit.

1 TERM, OVER 150 CCAS, COUNTLESS NEW EXPERIENCES! In Term 1, students at BIS Hanoi were able to choose from over 150 Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), led by staff and external providers alike.

The incredible breadth of activities on offer aligns with our creative, active and service components.

CCAs help students achieve a holistic school balance by nurturing their existing interests, inspiring new passions, and equipping them with new skills. This term, we were delighted to welcome parents onto the

school campus to get a taste of the diverse clubs and activities on offer.

Our connections with other international schools, as well as with local and international organisations, provide students with unique opportunities to pursue their interests. You can read about the achievements of our Under 15 Team at the FOBISIA games in this magazine, while other students represented the school with equal passion and dedication at HAC sporting events.

In addition to sports, students are able to choose from a range of creative and service CCAs. Secondary students had the opportunity to showcase their performing talents in the show-stopping Secondary production.

Elsewhere, students across the school planned and took part in community service initiatives, and raised money

for numerous charities over the course of the term.

Another highlight made possible by the school’s FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia) membership was the FOBISIA Model United Nations. BIS Hanoi was honoured to welcome more than 150 student delegates from 13 International Schools across Asia to take part in three days of discussion and debate on global issues.

We look forward to welcoming students back next term to witness more of their achievements on the track, on the field, on the stage, or wherever their passions take them!

Salome Airdrie Director of Sports & Activities

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REFLECTIONS OF THE SECONDARY STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM Students' voices matter at BIS! Our students' thoughts, opinions, and individuality are highly valued here. We ensure that their voices are heard, even if the outcome may not always be as expected.

With an exciting start to the academic year, we have a new student leadership team, including tutor reps and a student council. I am thrilled to collaborate with our students, understand their needs, and support their leadership skills. The current Head Students have done an amazing job addressing student concerns and planning strategically. Next term, they will pass the torch to our Year 12 Head Students.

Our House Captains have also made great strides, leading assemblies and improving communication.

Student Leadership at BIS continues to grow, creating positive change. I look forward to another productive year with the student leadership team.

Robert Taylor Assist Head of Secondary (Wellbeing)

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everything will be clarified and revealed to you very soon. We have something extremely amazing planned for before the conclusion of our Head Student activity, so please stay tuned!

Saito Pham Ngoc Le – Head Student As one of the Head Students, it has been an honour to lead the school for the last year.

We have reached several milestones not just through our social media profiles, but also by fundraising for worthy causes.

The Halloween fundraiser was a big success for us, and the introduction of sanitary goods in girls' toilets was one of the year's highlights. Looking ahead, I'm excited by the Year 12s' path to join the prefect committee and our ability to give the torch to these incredible individuals to continue the legacy. The formation of the new Prefect Committee and House Captains will bring many great new perspectives to the school's exciting events.

The committee changed the labels and descriptions, but

Vuong Kim Ngan – Head Student It's been wonderful being one of the Head Students, given the opportunity to collaborate with other likeminded student leaders and supportive teachers.

Throughout the year, we've worked together as a student body, along with the help of several staff members, to improve the school environment and host different types of events, all dedicated to making the school a more warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Hopefully, the hard work of all

our members on the Prefect Committee has contributed to an improved educational experience for all students, and that this dedication will be continued as we 'pass the torch' to the next year's group. In my opinion, student involvement undoubtedly improves the experience for everyone in school, and I can only hope our future leaders innovate and collaborate, proactively taking initiative to help our school achieve academic excellence on all fronts.

students to engage in meaningful debates and discussions on global issues, further enhancing their critical thinking and diplomatic skills. Moreover, we also showed a deep commitment to inclusivity and student welfare.

Recognizing the importance of menstrual hygiene, the head students have taken the initiative to advocate for free sanitary products, providing students with the necessary resources. As our term is coming to an end, we eagerly look forward to passing on the legacy to the Year 12 Head Students next year.

Thanh Mai Ngo – Deputy Head Student The Prefect Committee has been at the forefront of organizing various initiatives and events that have positively impacted the student community.

In Promotions, we have successfully managed three Instagram accounts, which have effectively promoted student activities, clubs, and events, fostering a sense of engagement and unity among the student body.

Moreover, in collaboration with the Current Affairs department, Promotions also successfully hosted the FOBISIA MUN conference, attracting 220 attendees from 13 different schools internationally. This event provided a platform for

improved educational and fun school was effective. It is really sad that my head student’s term is over, and I cannot wear my Prefect shirt anymore, but I look forward to seeing the leaders of next year’s group become better leaders than me and change our school nicely. I am sure they can! I hope everyone remembers our student council team as a great team which did a huge job to lead the school's student community.

Nguyen Ngoc Linh – Student Council Cho Geonhee – Deputy Head Student It was really honoured to represent students as a leader and volunteer for school.

As I am elected as a head student, I could have a good experience collaborating with passionate students and attentive teachers.

Throughout the year, we have weekly meetings with Mr. Taylor, and tried our best to collect students’ complaints and find a solution to them.

Even though I am not strongly sure that I took care of all students in our school, I hope students can feel our contribution to making BIS Hanoi a space with more

The year being a member of the Student Council has been a profound lesson in leadership for me that goes beyond the named title – but sympathy, communication and observations. Reflecting on my experience, I realize that leadership is a continuous learning process where each and every aspect of a person is explored and improved.

Adapting to challenges, responding to feedback and proactively seeking to support others are some examples of practices that I’ve gained whilst being a KS4 rep.

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and energy throughout the year as a person who should be setting a good example.

With this, it allows you to connect and understand diverse needs from students’ demands which later allows it to be addressed during the weekly meeting. To me, being a good leader also means fostering an environment where voices are heard – which can be ascertained by taking a step further and never settling for the minimum. By this would be taking the initiatives and be proactive with tasks given.

Throughout this journey, I’ve grown as an individual and witnessed the impact consistent and effective leadership can have on our school community.

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enhancing the safeguarding aspect within our school community. It was rewarding to witness the positive transformations in individual students as part of the decision of the student council.

Bui Gia Khanh Pham – Student Council Being a student council representative this year has been personally meaningful for me. Having observed firsthand the prevalent mental health challenges faced by my closest peers, I felt a genuine commitment to actively contribute to

Having been in various leadership positions, I’m constantly enriched with the small lessons I reap along the way — from managing a smaller team of tutor reps to engaging with the wider year group. It has never been less interesting, at times challenging, so I’m excited for the upcoming year and the opportunities it holds for our collective contributions.

Nam Hwanhee – House Captain

work collaboratively. This is why without the other fellow House Captains, we wouldn’t have come this far. A special shoutout to Jaewon, Gaetane and Thai Duong. And of course, Ms. Cooper, our incredible leader, the anchorlike figure. Huge gratitude and love to her.

Hello students, it’s Hwanhee, the House Captain of the best House. This role is filled with happiness and laughter.

Throughout this year of new experiences, I have encountered a never-ending joy.

Being a House Captain is not just about leading; it’s about fostering unity, nurturing talents and embodying the spirit of our House. It is our firm duty to strive to organize thrilling House competitions and events to promote sportsmanship and inspire academic achievement. It has been not just mine, but all of us House Captains’ goal to cultivate an environment where every member feels valued and engaged.

Beyond the logistical aspects, my role extends to being a role model and mentor to the students. It is important to set an example, demonstrating integrity, resilience, and how cool the House Captains are.

With my constant positive attitude, I try to inspire others and make myself a supportive figure.

House Captain isn’t just a title; it is a commitment and dedication to serve and

leadership and development to truly see a positive change within the school.

Nguyen Ngoc Bao Han – Student Council

Kim Ngoc Ngan Khanh – Student Council Being a part of the Student Council brings me a sense of responsibility and opportunity for personal growth. As a new member who has only joined in October, the different aspects that the student council had in mind were a part of my expectations of what I would be contributing to. Yet, something I find that the school and council are especially passionate about is the wellbeing of its pupils. Seeing several events surrounding this issue play out last year, I am particularly glad that we have decided to make safeguarding one of our main focuses as a school.

Something I am looking forward to this year would be the chance to expose myself to a range of opinions from a span of year groups. My ultimate goal would be to support the student council in promoting inclusivity,

Despite how I recently joined the student council, it already helped me participate in countless different opportunities and it allowed me to express my thoughts and opinions on different agendas of the school. This enhances the school since during meetings we collaboratively discuss the problems in our learning environment and solutions on how to improve the school and welcome everyone globally. BIS tries their best to allow students and peers to have their own unique voice and I think that they effectively achieved this goal.

Having the privilege to discuss and elaborate with the varying year groups helped me expand my confidence and my willingness to make mistakes. Personally, I am very excited to continue helping and improving our school, making it ‘A place to belong’.

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CREATE YOUR FUTURE

OUR AMBITIOUS NEW PRIMARY STUDENT COUNCIL HIT THE GROUND RUNNING

The process of selecting our new Primary Student Council began when last year’s councillors led a special assembly. Their aim was to inspire the next generation of Student Councillors to apply and take up the challenge for the 2023-24 academic year, and their message was clear: every child’s voice at BIS is important and should be heard.

Election excitement quickly spread across the school!

Students who were eager to become representatives for their class were asked to prepare a speech or presentation outlining the reasons why they wanted to be a Student Councillor. They were also asked to share what they would like to change around the school, and to 60 | BIS Hanoi

provide examples of when they have exhibited desirable skills such as communication, collaboration, listening, leadership and respect. The successful candidates were later announced in assembly.

Since being elected, the brilliant team of 17 students (from year 2 to 6) have been very busy! They began by discussing ideas to make our school an even better place to be. One idea that they wanted to implement straight away was designing a suggestion box which allows any student in the Primary School to share their ideas.

For Black History Month, all children in our Primary School learned about famous, inspirational black women, including astronauts, singers,

nurses, gymnasts, boxers and world leaders. To celebrate the activities and learning that took place in class, the Student Council came up with a set of questions to interview a range of students.

These interviews we used to create a fantastic video that was shared in assembly.

Please watch the video here

I am extremely proud of the Primary Student Council and their achievements to-date and look forward to working with them throughout the year. They have big plans!

Aaron Watkins Year 3 Teachers

INTRODUCING OUR NEW PRIMARY HOUSE CAPTAINS FOR 2023-2024

A new academic year brings new opportunities for student leadership in the Primary School.

Primary House Captains play an important role in fostering community spirit, representing their house and the school at events, and planning exciting new activities for Primary students to take part in.

We would like to congratulate our new 2023-2024 House Captains and wish them luck in their positions. They are: Hanoi – Minsol and Seheum Dalat – Juyi and Dohyun Hue – Yeonseo and Mina Saigon- Cameron & Evika Shortly appointed,

after our

being aspiring

leaders quickly identified three skills they would like to develop this academic year: communication, collaboration and creativity.

Throughout the course of the year, the students and Ms Goodwin will work together to nurture these skills through a range of activities.

The new House Captain Team, who are dedicated to building a sense of community across the school, have also worked together to set some goals for the year ahead. They hope to bring more House events to their peers and raise the profile of House Points in the Primary School.

As well as self-reflection and looking ahead, the House Captains have been busy with other jobs in

school. From presenting at the International Festival, to running games during House Lunch, they have embraced their positions with enthusiasm.

It is set to be a busy year for these students and we cannot wait to see them grow and develop in their new role!

Alice Goodwin Primary Enrichment Leader ESPRIT December 2023 | 61

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