Aquathlon 2013

An Aquathlon is a fun and fast-growing sport that combines both running and swimming.

This is the 6^th BIS Aquathlon and now a well established event at both AP1 & AP2. It was great to see so many students, parents and staff “battle it out” in the swimming pool and during the run.

The distances for each age group were as follows

· 10 - 13 years:           300m swim, 1.5km run

· 14 - 18 years:           400m swim, 2.5km run

· Parents/Staff: 400m swim, 4km run

Congratulations to all participants.

 

BIS AQUATHLON RESULTS - JUNE 13

 

Age 10 - 13 BOYS:  300m Swim & 1.5km Run

 



Age 10 - 13 GIRLS: 300m Swim & 1.5km Run

 

 

Age 14+ BOYS:  400m Swim & 2.5km Run

 

 

Age 14+ GIRLS:  400m Swim & 2.5km Run

 

Adults & Year 12 students: 400m Swim & 4km Run

 

Age 10 - 13 TEAM: 300m Swim & 1.5km Run

 

Age 14+ TEAM:  400m Swim & 2.5km Run  

      

 

Staff/Parents Team: 400m Swim & 4km Run

 

 

 

 

 



Dancenter – Inspiration: Report

Last weekend we celebrated the creative talents of many BIS students from both the AP1 and AP2 campuses as they performed in the Dancenter Show – Inspiration. The event most certainly lived up to its name. With students showcasing their abilities across a range of dance disciplines, those privileged enough to witness this event were treated to some beautifully executed and visually stunning performances. 

Slick and meticulous hip hop choreography coupled with some tranquil and fluid contemporary pieces made for breath-taking viewing. Our students delighted and mesmerised the audience with their fine-tuned footwork, emotionally expressive subtleties and flawless timing to a diverse range of musical accompaniment in a range of dance classifications: Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Acro, Break to name a few!

Congratulations to all students who performed in this event. You were all fantastic and we look forward to future displays of your creative talents. Really well done!

Phil Drake

Director of Sports/Head of Physical Education

 

Tennis Stars!

Congratulations to our fantastic tennis stars.

Henry Tu (8B)

Singles and Doubles champion (gold medalist) in the U16 Junior Boys Tennis Tournament of South Vietnam.

 

May Tran (8V)

Singles and Doubles bronze medalist in the U14 Junior Girls Tennis Tournament of South Vietnam.

Both tournaments were played between 3^rd to 9^th June 2013

 

From The Head Teacher

It has been a quiet week in school with our Year 11 and 13 students having finished their exams and our Year 10 and 12 students completing their end of year exams.  I am sure it hasn’t seemed quite for these Year 10 and 12 students as they put their learning to the test in the Sports Hall all week.

Two articles caught my eye recently.  One relates to sleep and the other to sun.  Both concern our young people’s health and well-being.

Sleep and technology

The IB Journal of Teaching Practice published a study by Roberta Longpré which followed nearly 300 15-18 year old girls.  The study compared their sleep habits, amount of homework and their use of technology for recreation and entertainment.  The results confirm what we would expect:  that students who get the right amount of sleep and homework and who switch off the technology for entertainment after 8pm get better grades.  As stated by the article, “The study found that students who got 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night, did 2 to 3 hours of homework per night, and did not participate in recreational technology activities after 8:00 pm, tended to have higher grades.” (Longpré, 2013, P1).  Though the amount of sleep stated (7-8 hours) is actually less than that recommended for good health and better learning for children 15-18, the study highlights what many of us know, but not all of our children take notice of.

Longpré, R., 2013, “Investigating the relationship of different amounts of sleep, homework and recreational technology use on academic performance”, IB Journal of Teaching Practice, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 1-6

Sun Protection

As we approach the warmer (and wetter) season, we need to be more vigilant than ever about sun protection.  Those from the southern hemisphere are often shocked at the cavalier risks that their northern hemisphere friends take with sun protection, or lack of it.  With “slip, slap, slop” drummed into children from a young age in Australia, it is surprising that many here in equally penetrating sun take less care.  In Vietnam, we live with year round sun and get used to it.  Getting used to it is no protection from the dangers, however, and can lead to complacency.  A recent article in Time Magazine highlights the risks and the proven benefits of daily sun protection.  I’ll certainly have my sun-screen on for tomorrow’s Aquathlon.

“Dermatologists have long prodded their patients to apply more sunscreen, claiming it not only protects against skin cancer, but aging as well. Now there’s evidence to prove it.

“In a new study, Australian researchers report that people who apply sunscreen everyday show 24% less skin aging compared to participants who only used sunscreen part of the time. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, looked at  900 people under 55 and discovered those regularly using sunscreen were less likely to have increased skin aging after 4.5 years — even those in middle age.”

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2013/06/04/sunscreen-slows-skin-aging-and-what-else-you-should-know/#ixzz2VUCinFjU

 

Richard Dyer

Head Teacher
Secondary

 

Uyên’s last day

Korean University visits

VISIT OF SUNG KYUN KWAN UNIVERSITY – TUESDAY 11^TH JUNE

 

Dear Parents & Students,

Following the visit of Seoul National University last week I am delighted to announce that Sung Kyun Kwan University will be visiting us on Tuesday 11^th June. Mr. Kim will be representing the university and will deliver a presentation from 11.00 – 12.00.

 

After the overwhelming response from families last week we have decided to move the event to the Theatre on the 6^th floor. The representatives from SNU were very impressed with our school and students, and also with the support from families. Such visits are an opportunity to develop good relationships with the Korean universities and hear about their general admissions procedures.  It is an opportunity for us to give a very good impression of our school and our students so that the universities will consider applications positively.  We appreciate your support in making the visits a positive experience for the universities.  

 

The visitors are not in a position to respond to questions about individual admissions cases, or respond to concerns from parents about admissions policies or past decisions.  If parents have questions specific to their child, then I will be happy to hear these myself and I will follow up with the universities during or after the visit in private meetings.

 

On Tuesday I would like to invite interested families to attend the admissions presentation of Sung Kyun Kwan University. Please make your way to the Theatre on the 6^th floor via the elevator nearest to reception at the main entrance. Please note there will be a class in the theatre before the presentation so please arrive from 10.50 onwards.

 

Aidan B Crowley

Careers & University Guidance Counsellor                                 

Bourbon Street Jazz Festival

On Saturday 1^st June, the city celebrated ‘New Orleans style’ with the first ever ‘Bourbon Street Jazz Festival’, held at Q4 events venue.

The BIS Big Band and the Senior and Junior School of Rock were privileged to be invited to perform at this event. It was challenging for the students to learn a new style of music, especially for the Big Band who all performed an improvised jazz solo - many for the first time ever- in our performance of ‘Cissy Strut’. Other songs performed by the BIS groups included ‘Sick and Tired’, ‘Mardi Gras Mambo’ and also the famous ‘Bourbon Street Parade’.

 

All the students enjoyed performing to a large audience on a professional stage and listening to some of the other fantastic performances.

 

There will be another opportunity to hear the BIS version of these New Orleans songs performed in our own ‘BIS Bourbon Street’ Festival’ on Friday 14^th June at 12.45 in the auditorium.

 

From The Head Teacher

Visual Arts Exhibition

This week we have enjoyed a fabulous opening night for our Visual Arts Exhibition.  If you get a chance to visit, the exhibition is now open to the public.  Details are on our Facebook page and have been highlighted in AsiaLife in print and on their website here:

http://www.asialifemagazine.com/vietnam/bis-art-exhibition-at-cargo-bar/

and

http://www.asialifemagazine.com/vietnam/british-international-school-exhibition-at-cargo/

 

KS3 Showcase

This week we also enjoyed an evening of KS3 drama at our annual KS3 Showcase.  This is an event where we gain an inside view on the work that our students undertake in drama lessons in years 7, 8 and 9.  My thanks go to our drama teachers, Mr. Sargent, Mrs. Astley and Ms. Sinker for putting on such a wonderful opportunity for students and parents.

 

Graduation 2013

Last Saturday our graduating year 13 students were honoured at a daytime ceremony at the Park  Hyatt Hotel, followed by an evening dinner.  The formal part of the day included a poignant speech from Mr. Maurice Nguyen on the founding of BIS and the importance of the day for his daughter,  Jenny, for whom the school was originally conceived and founded.  The Head Students presented  mementoes to our outgoing Head Students and our outgoing Head Girl, Annette Wu, and Head Boy, Nicholas Yap spoke fondly of their time at BIS.  Nick and Annette received a standing ovation from their peers, who were clearly touched, judging by the tears in many eyes. Extracts from their   speeches will be in this year’s Yearbook, alongside photographs of the event.

 

Richard Dyer

Head Teacher

Secondary

 

Sport News

BIS was very proud to welcome the famous Scottish football manager, Alex McLeish into school this week.

On Wednesday this week, BIS was very proud to welcome the famous Scottish football manager, Alex McLeish into school. Alex has managed several high profile UK football clubs including Rangers (Scotland), Birmingham City and Aston Villa. He also managed the Scottish national team.

 

On his visit to BIS, Alex took some very successful coaching sessions with groups of male and female squad players from across the three BIS campuses.

We would like to personally thank Alex for giving up his time and coming to work with our up and coming football players of the future. I am sure that they all learned a great deal from his experience in coaching at the very highest level.

Congratulation to all the AP2 BIS BLUES Swimmers!

BIS HCMC came 1^st overall in the ISHCMC Invitational Swimming Gala last Saturday. Well done to all swimmers who have trained throughout the year and achieved much success.