Annual Report 2014 2015

2014/15 Vientiane International School Annual Report

Vientiane International School Ban Saphanthong Tai Vientiane Lao PDR

Vientiane International School

Inspiring, Challenging and Preparing for Life

Contents

Page 1 2 3 4 4

Content Contents Introduction Student Demographics Service Student Performance

• Diploma Results • International Schools Assessment • Measure of Academic Progress • Special Educational Needs

6 8 9 10 11 12

Financial Outcomes Facilities and Infrastructure Staff Information Activities and Events Community Partnerships Strategic Planning

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Vientiane International School

Inspiring, Challenging and Preparing for Life

Introduction Dear VIS Community, 2014/15 was a year characterized by preparation for the future.

The major work undertaken in preparation was in the Strategic Plan which is called 2020 VISion. This plan has been developed by a taskforce made up of students, staff and community members, with specific focus areas developed by Expert Groups.

More detail on the 2020 VISion is contained in later pages.

Student academic performance continued to develop with international assessments showing that students performed at a level expected for an international school. The International School Assessment (ISA) and Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) tests were administered to students across the school. VIS results match those in other similar international settings and compare well with national systems. Our students have demonstrated that they are well prepared for the future through these results.

Mandarin was offered as a new Language Acquisition course at the Middle Years Program this year, adding to the PYP course which started last year. This complements the established French course and gives students the choice to learn an Asian or European language. Languages continue to be a major focus of the school with Mother Tongue courses offered within the school day.

Financially, the school planned for a balanced operating budget and completed a

number of important upgrades to facilities.

This sound financial position has enabled the school to continue to provide expanded quality choices for our students.

The other significant action in preparation for the future was the change of Director as I am completing five years in the role. The Board’s selection process examined over 30 high quality applicants before selecting Jane McGee to become the next Director of the school.

The school has continued to thrive during 2014/15. On all measures, the school has developed and grown. The number of students, curricular and co-curricular choices, expertise of staff and strong student performances are all measures of a very successful year.

Thank you for your involvement in the success of 2014/15.

Greg Smith Director June 2014

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Student Demographics Fast Facts 2014/15 began with 456 enrolled students after the normal exit rate of approximately 20% at the end of the previous year.

Just over 100 new students were enrolled for the first day of the school year. This was broadly on-trend with previous years.

A total of 150 new students entered VIS during the school year.

A total of 134 students left VIS during the year, including 23 at December and 74 in June (including graduates).

Staff, students and their represented a total of 45 nationalities.

Mother Tongue Languages are scheduled and taught within the regular school day as an option for families wishing to maintain a language. The tables below show the increase in number of students and the total number of languages offered within the school day in 2014/15.

Numbers of Languages Studied PYP

MYP

DP

Total

2009-10

--

--

7

7

2010-11

3

3

6

8

2011-12

5

6

7

9

2012-13

7

9

10

15

2013-14

7

12

5

14

2014-15

10

10

9

13

families different Students Studying a Mother Tongue Language PYP MYP

DP

Total

2009-10

----

---

11

11

2010-11

17

25

16

58

2011-12

36

39

21

96

2012-13

49

64

25

138

2013-14

57

81

35

173

2014-15

60

82

35

177

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Service The ethos of providing service and action is an important part of being an International Baccalaureate World School and is a strong element of the Vientiane International School community. The school embeds the concept of service and action through a number of fundamental aspects of the curriculum and school structure. In the Diploma Program, it is essential to complete a Creativity Action Service (CAS) component in order to gain graduation. This provides a framework for all students to undertake work in all three areas and have it verified by teaching staff. Much of this service work is completed through individual projects and interests, although the school’s major projects also feature.

Middle Years Program students work within the Community and Service (C&S) framework which leads them through a process to identify and participate in action service to various community groups based on interests and projects.

Primary Years Program students are encouraged to take individual action as a response to their learning in class. The grade five exhibition, as the culminating project for the primary years, is often built around a service and action focus area.

The major projects undertaken by the school were: Youth Educating Youth School (YEYS) This project consists of secondary students who plan and implement lessons for the students of Ban Saphanthong Tai primary school on a Saturday. These Saturday schools operate approximately ten times

through the year and up to 40 VIS students have been involved as teachers and supervisors.

Secondary Action Learning Service Activities (SALSA) trips All students in the secondary school participate in this program. Grade levels return to rural Lao communities annually to re-engage and provide service and action that the community has negotiated.

The Green Team This team is a school based student action group that meets regularly and encourages strengthening the green credentials of the school.

Student Performance Diploma (IBDP) Results All students entering grade 11 are encouraged to attempt the IBDP and graduate with an International Baccalaureate Diploma as well as the VIS High School Diploma. For some students, the IBDP is not necessary to gain admission to their preferred university, however it is a prestigious certificate which helps to support any application. There were 19 VIS DP candidates who attempted the full IB diploma in 2014/15. Of these, 95% were successful in gaining a full diploma. This compares with a global rate of 79%.

The diversity of the VIS community, and the support for Mother Tongue at VIS was shown in 56% of successful candidates receiving a bilingual diploma. This requires the student to complete a literature course in their mother tongue language. The global

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average for bilingual diplomas is less than 30%, so the VIS results are outstanding.

The following table shows the comparison for the VIS IB Diploma results (total points) for the past four years. Each subject is scored out of a possible 7 points. With Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Action and Service component contributing to the overall graduation, the best possible score for a student is 45 points.

Year

2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Highest Point Score Awarded

VIS Average Total Points

Global Average Total Points

40 40 36 37

31.5 31 31 31

29.6 29.8 29.8 29.8

International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) The International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) is completed in February of each year for students in grades 3-10. This assessment compares the overall results of students in a grade level with their peers in more than 300 schools across the world.

More than 70,000 students were assessed through the ISA last year.

Overall, the results show that the performance of VIS students is statistically the same as students in International Schools across the world. There are several specific points where a statistical difference in scores has been noted. These differences provide direction for the school to ensure additional resources are provided to areas requiring extra support.

The following graphs show the global comparison of scores across grade levels for Reading, Writing and Mathematics.

ISA Reading 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

VIS

World Av.

ISA -­‐ WriHng 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

VIS

World Av.

ISA -­‐ MathemaHcs 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

Annual Report 2014 -­‐ 2015

VIS

World Av.

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Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) The Measure of Academic Progress tests are a computer based assessment for Language Usage, Mathematics and Reading. These three tests are completed by students in grades 2 – 9 twice per year and are used by the teaching staff to identify specific goals for individual students and groups within a class. The assessments provide an additional diagnostic tool for the school, particularly where students are from a non-English speaking background.

The MAP tests are completed in August and May so that students and their teachers can measure progress in identified areas. The MAP system assesses an extensive array of skills which have been determined to reflect most curriculum frameworks. The standards used by the MAP system to develop goal areas is based on US standards including the Common Core, American Education Reaches Out (AERO), and state outcomes.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) VIS can admit students with mild learning difficulties, and is non selective in academic selection processes. The school employs two full time SEN Coordinator/Learning Support Teachers who work with students, teachers and parents in all grade levels to provide support to access the curriculum.

Area of Service SEN Services Monitoring Extension In School Therapy Sessions External Therapy Services

Primary 7 All 0

Secondary 14 66 1

2

3

0

2

Additional staffing for this important area was made available for 2014/15. The work of external therapists, particularly for speech and occupation therapy, has been highly valued by families and staff.

Financial Outcomes This year has resulted in US$115,056 deficit to cover necessary maintenance work to improve classrooms and health and safety around campus.

The overall student growth forecast was met by a surplus of 1%.

Total Tuition Income for the year was US$6,852,129. Year on year, the increase in tuition income from 2013-14 is US$669,884, which is a growth of 11%.

The following table shows the numbers of students in receipt of SEN Coordinator services during the year.

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Income Received $8,000,000 $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $0

Administrative Expenses Includes administration staff salaries and benefits, accreditation memberships, accounting and auditing, printing, software licenses and other administrative costs.

Approximately US$998,289 in 2014-15.

Support Expenses Includes ground staff salaries and benefits, premises leasehold, loan interest, profit taxes, utilities, transport, ICT and school maintenance.

TuHon fee

Total income

Total expenditure from 2013-14 to 2014-15 largely reflects increased staffing to cater for larger student numbers, greater course choice, and educational materials required.

Opera5onal Expenditure 12% 14% SY14-­‐15 74%

AdministraHon Expenses InstrucHonal Expenses Support Expenses

Total Operational Expenditure for the year was US$7,240,356. Operational expense categories are described below: Instructional Expenses Includes teacher salaries and benefits, teaching materials, program resources and any other student activities such as MRISA and SALSA trips.

Approximately US$839,900,000 in 2014-15.

Capital income from the Annual Capital Fee is directed to the development of the facilities and significant capital investments.

The section on Facilities and Infrastructure gives details on the projects within this financial area.

Total Capital Income for the year amounted to US$1,038,000.

The major individual cost items within the capital expenditure were: • Furniture, air-conditioners and ICT for curriculum use: US$533,535.

• Final payment for the swimming pool: US$24,443.

• Initial payment for the science labs refurbishment and the new language building: USD$232,000.

• Principal payment of bank loan: US$200,000.

• Renovation work on existing buildings: US$125,200.

Approximately US$5,271,070 in 2014-15.

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OperaHonal Income and Expenditure $8,000,000 $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $0

conducted in February 2016 for the Lao calendar year 2015.

Facilities and Infrastructure 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015

TuHon fee

Total income

OperaHonal Expenditure

Lao law has no category for international, non-profit organizations and therefore ‘ownership’ of VIS is vested in the Director of the school, which is registered as a business. Each Director transfers this ownership to the Board of Trustees as a condition of their employment. Parents act as ‘shareholders’ during the period that their children are enrolled at VIS through the election of Trustees. This structure enables VIS to operate with a parent-elected Board of Trustees holding strategic and fiduciary responsibility while the Director holds operational responsibility.

Registration as a business has a financial impact on the school in terms of profit tax and Value Added Tax (VAT). Tuition fees are exempt from VAT but everything the school purchased is subject to 10% VAT. The school negotiated that the Annual Capital Fee is not subject to profit tax.

The school undertakes one official audit through Lao Accounting methods by KPMG who have just taken over from Chanthavong and Associates. Their first audit will be

The school completed a major upgrade of the Library facility in 2014-15 based on two years of extensive consultation within VIS and externally. The changes in the library made the visibility of books much higher and increased the number of spaces for students to complete independent study or small group instruction. The access to technology was increased and the collection was improved to highlight the various groups and curriculum needs of the school.

An extensive upgrade to the canteen and food services area saw replacement of appliances and addition of food freezer and cold store options. The food preparation and storage area was remodeled and upgraded, and the food distribution area was expanded to increase the speed of service.

Additionally, a new ID card system was implemented which provided each student with a smart debit card with internet access for parents to accurately track all consumption and spending.

A trial of recreational use of the swimming facilities for families on weekends was undertaken in 2014-15 with the number of families using the service well below that which was required to make it financially viable. A replacement program was implemented in the second half of the year whereby any VIS family could book use of

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the swimming pool facility providing they arranged to have an approved Lifeguard on duty. This enabled VIS families to access the pool after school hours and was utilized by a number of families.

A one-to-one laptop program was initiated for 2013/14 and continued in 2014-15 with students from grade 5 through grade 12 being provided with a leased Dell ultrabook with Microsoft Office suite. Students also had the option of selecting an Apple Macbook Air or Pro, or providing their own device which met the school’s specifications. Grades 4 and below were provided with a mixture of netbooks and iPads to ensure the availability of computer technology at all times in every classroom.

Safety was improved through addition of a protective fence and remodeling of the guard house to provide for better access control. The new student ID card will also enable the installation of entry security systems at a later date. The US Embassy assisted with funds for this important safety project.

Staff Information The school is reliant on the quality of staff to maintain the standards of education and support provided to students and families.

Staffing policies continued to focus on retaining and attracting high quality expertise and ensuring that the structures within the school support collaborative practice. To that end, the school has continued the support for middle level leadership with provision of a formal leadership course which results in the awarding of a Diploma of Management to successful staff participants.

This year saw the expansion of Mandarin Chinese to the secondary school resulting in the addition of one new teacher. Other additions to the staff were provided to cater for students with special educational needs..

The transition rate of teachers sits at between 15 and 20% per annum. This year we said farewell to a committed and professional group of staff (teachers and support staff) who have contributed greatly to the development of the school during their tenure.

Leaving Staff in 2014-2015 Name Position Library Asst Baby Sivilay Bang On Thepkhamheuang Accountant Asst Secondary Tchr Carol Seymour Primary Tchr Courtney Smedes Secondary Tchr Brett Derickson Director Greg Smith Primary Tchr Elaine Reimann Primary Tchr Erin Parnall Secondary Tchr Helene Boissinot Primary Principal Jon Davidson

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Jonathan Smedes Julia Lachet Khamla Douangmanivong Khammouane Sengkhamvilay Laurie Derickson Linda Kent Maidee Tongnengya Malee Chantha Mara Smedes Nicky Shaw Nola Kennedy Williams Ryan Evans Vilasouk Phatoummachit

Secondary Tchr Secondary Tchr Cleaner Cleaner Secondary Tchr Primary Tchr Receptionist Bus Monitor Primary Tchr Secondary Tchr Primary Tchr Secondary Tchr Instructional Asst

The school continued to have the excellence of the teaching staff recognized through requests for presentation at conferences and attendance at development workshops for the IB. A number of staff have been identified as workshop leaders or presented at the regional EARCOS conferences this year.

Activities and Events Vientiane International School is proud to be a founding member of the Mekong River International Schools Association (MRISA).

This association of schools meets for regular sporting, artistic and leadership activities. The sporting tournaments include volleyball, basketball and football (soccer) for girls and boys at junior and senior secondary levels. In 2014/15 VIS was represented in all tournaments with results shown in the table below.

Tournament Senior football Junior football Senior basketball Junior basketball Senior volleyball Junior volleyball

Girls 6 4 5 2 7 6

Boys 5 4 3 8 7 5

The MRISA Junior Volleyball tournament was hosted by VIS in May. This required a massive effort by the whole community to host all the competitors from participating schools. The support of the community in providing homes allows continued involvement in MRISA events and is a major attraction for the students who are part of travelling teams. Students and teachers volunteered their time to help with officiating, media, set up and many other tasks.

VIS hosted the Annual MRISA School Directors and AD’s meeting the day after the tournament.

Students also participated in the MRISA Leadership Summit, Arts Exchange, Model United Nations and Global Issues Network Conference.

Football, volleyball and basketball competitions for primary, junior and senior squads were also held within the Vientiane Schools Sports Association (VSSA), an organization that has been strongly supported by VIS. The school swim team is known as the Mekong Dolphins and has a strong membership of 60 students. VIS hosted a swim meet at the school in December which was attended by the team members and

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invited guests from local schools. This was a great success in promoting the sport of swimming.

A representative team participated in swim meets in Phnom Penh in November and in Phuket in May, placing 3rd at both events.

The Co-Curricular Program consists of sessions of optional activities offered after school. Primary students access activities within four sessions of approximately 8 weeks, and secondary students choose from semester based sessions of approximately 16 weeks. This year there were a total of 99 different activities offered within the Co-Curricular Program. These activities were undertaken by a total of 435 students out of a possible 456.

Community Partnerships

Other significant events arranged by the school during the year which parents and students supported strongly included: • • • • • • • • • • •

PYP concerts Secondary performing arts musical and theatre shows Grade 12 Art Exhibition Grade 10 Personal Project Exhibition PYP Exhibition Pi Mai Lao Assembly VIS Idol Francophone Day Celebrate Mother Tongue Day Athletics and Swimming carnivals Grade 12 Graduation

The Parents and Friends Association (P&F) continued to be a strong contributor to the culture and enrichment of the school. The Association arranged a number of events through the year and provided funds for additional equipment to enrich the education of our students. The P&F was an enthusiastic supporter of the Sister School project and raised funds specifically to support this Student Council initiative.

Notable highlights of the year’s support include: • • • • • •

Annual Report 2014 -­‐ 2015

International Peace One Day Class liaison parents Fun Fair Quiz Night Halloween Night and Garage Sale

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Strategic Planning During the last half of 2013/14 a group of 25 staff, students and community members met over several sessions to map out the major direction for school over the period to 2020.

This strategic direction has been called the 2020 VISion.

2014/15. Recommendations from each working party were shared and approved by the Board in May and will form the basis of a number of operational goals for the school in the 2015/2016 school year.

The major areas that the school will focus on for the next five years are: • Fostering Diversity • Maintaining Strong Languages • Recognising Needs and Talents • Enriching Curricular Choices • Ensuring a Comprehensive Co Curricular Program.

These major areas were approved by the Board of Trustees and form the basis of plans developed by working parties during

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Mekong River International Schools Association

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