The British International School - Hanoi newsletter provides information on upcoming events, sports activities, and other school news. It highlights that the school has a strong sports program with competitive fixtures against other international schools in Hanoi. It also discusses the school's participation in swimming and football tournaments in other cities and countries. The newsletter provides contact details for various departments at the school.

1. BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - HANOI
NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 7 2014| ISSUE 10
IN THIS ISSUE
From Mr. Anthony Rowlands
From Mr. Christopher Short
From Mrs. Karen Hanratty
Art Focus: The Big Draw
Primary Sport and Physical Activity
Menu
Contacts
02
03
04
05-06
07
08
09
Issue 10 | 1
UPCOMING EVENTS
11th
Y11 Information Morning
12th
- 18th
School Photographer
12th
KS1 House Sports
Y5 Red River trip
KS3 Boys Football vs SIS
13th
KS2 (U9) football vs KISH
17th
- 21st
Anti – bullying week
17th
KS4/5 Boys Batketball vs St.Paul
18th
Y6 to visit Museum of Ethnology
Y10 Parents Evening
KS3 Boys Football vs KISH
KS4/5 Boys Basketball vs Wellspring
19th
KS3 Boys Football vs St.Paul
20th
Secondary Challenge Day 2
NOVEMBER

2. Issue 10 | 2
From Mr Anthony Rowlands - Principal of BIS Hanoi
Sport and Physical Education are a
major part of our school’s educational
programme. I am delighted with how
this aspect of school life is developing
at BIS Hanoi. We have a dedicated and
experienced Physical Education
department who are willing to give up
so much of their own time to ensure
that our students get maximum exposure to sport. We
have developed a network of sporting fixtures within
Hanoi where our students compete against other
schools in football, basketball, volleyball and
swimming. Indeed, some of our swimmers and
footballers have been lucky enough to participate in a
different level of competition. Last weekend, our Swim
Team competed in the BIS HCMC Swimming Meet and
gave a very good account of themselves, with many
qualifying from their heats into their respective finals. I
was told that they all represented BIS Hanoi with
distinction and pride and I am grateful to Mrs. Airdrie,
Mrs. Wild and Mr. Huy for giving up their weekend to
accompany the students to HCMC. This weekend, our
Secondary and Primary students have travelled to
Phuket, Thailand to compete in a football competition
organised by the British International School Phuket.
This is a very well established tournament with many
International schools from throughout SE Asia
competing. I look forward to hearing about the event
and our participation. Once again, I am grateful to Mrs.
Airdrie, Mr. Byrne and Mr. Atkinson for giving up their
own time to accompany the students to Phuket.
However, our focus is not solely upon competition.
Enthusiastic participation is encouraged in all regular
PE lessons. There are times during the year when our
students are exposed to regular House Sports events
when everyone has the opportunity to represent their
House. These have proved to be successful and popular
events. The health benefits of participating in various
sporting activities are very obvious but this
participation also develops social responsibility and
great teamwork skills. Sport and PE are very important
areas of our curriculum at BIS Hanoi.
Last week, the students in Year 6 were most fortunate to
host a visit from the famous Vietnamese poet Trần Đăng
Khoa. He spent some invaluable quality time with the
students and you can learn more about his visit later in
the newsletter. We are grateful for the support of one of
our parents, Ms. Cam, for helping us to arrange this
visit.
I do hope that you have a most enjoyable weekend

3. Issue 10 | 3
From Mr Christopher Short - Head of Secondary
I was fortunate to be in HCMC last weekend to support our inaugural swimming team. Our squad did
extremely well against schools in Saigon who have the opportunity to compete much more
frequently. The positions in heats is testament to how well they did; congratulations to all swimmers
and thanks to Ms Airdrie, Ms Wild and Mr Hue for coaching them. I look forward to seeing the team
further develop over the coming years.
I write this week’s newsletter from a rather wet Sapa. Year 9 are challenging themselves in new
environments and enjoying the experience despite the less than perfect weather. These expeditions
remind all of us including myself that you do need to extend your "comfort zone" occasionally to fully appreciate what
you have. More information on the expedition in a future newsletter.
The IGCSE and A Level examination timetables were published recently and these dates will be with Year 11 and 12
students very soon. These last few weeks before the examinations will go very quickly and I know students are
already working hard to be ready for them.
I wish our football teams all the best for their tournament in Phuket this weekend.
SECONDARY BASKETBALL

4. On Friday last week the children and
staff in Year 6 were very fortunate to
have a visit from Trang Dang Khoa, a
famous poet in Vietnam who is
especially popular with children.
Trang Dang Khoa is not only a great
poet but also a fine role model for our
students. He is known as the 'poetry
prodigy', having published his first printed poem when
he was just 8 year-olds followed by a collection of
poems, 'From the Corner of My Yard ', at the age of 10.
Some poems in this collection have been chosen to be
resources in Vietnamese text books in Primary and
indeed our children have recently been studying his
work. Trang Dang Khoa read some poems to the
children and discussed his work, answering some of
their many questions. At the end of the session each
child received the generous gift of an anthology of his
poetry.
Issue 10 | 4
From Mrs Karen Hanratty - Head of Primary
FINE DINING
YouTube and the internet provide valuable resources to
support children’s learning but visits like this truly bring
learning to life. It is one thing to read and enjoy a poem
or story, but quite another thing to meet face to face the
person who created it and be able to learn firsthand
more about the processes involved. During Book Week
we were fortunate to have Adam Bushnell visit us,
sharing his books and teaching children how he goes
about building characters and a story. In a couple of
weeks’ time we will be visited by Ben Heason, a world
renowned climber and explorer. While this visit will be
of interest to all our students, I know that the children in
Year 4 are particularly excited to meet and speak to Ben
as their current topic is ‘Explorers and Adventurers’. It
is wonderful to be able to bring such great people into
our classrooms.

5. “A painting is never finished – it simply
stops in interesting places”
Paul Gardner
Our chosen quote above, from Paul
Gardner, describes how the Art
department is summing up an
exhausting but exhilarating start to the
year. Paul Gardner is an artist teacher who travels the
world; he researches nature, translating his experiences
and what he sees into his paintings. BIS Hanoi students
have been working on a similar theme ‘It’s our world’.
You may have read in last week’s newsletter about BIS
Hanoi’s completed Big Draw events and celebration of
student’s achievements. Referring to our selected quote
- we are not yet finished – we have simply stopped in an
interesting place.
The next step is to frame artwork and upload the
completed projects onto the Big Draw website; there are
numerous competitions to enter. Participation in the Big
Draw was never solely about winning prizes, the
students are already winners with the results of their
hard work.
Issue 10 | 5
Ms Allison Cargill
Art Teacher
The art department alone could not have organised this
huge achievement. It seems like a long time ago I
watched the Big Draw video , was inspired by Andrew
Marrs' talk, then contacted Sue Grayson-Ford, enquiring
if there were any Big Draw events taking place in
Hanoi, with the intention of joining one of them. The
response - there were no events in Vietnam, and it
would be wonderful if BIS could plan the first event
here. This was not a hurdle but an added challenge.
There are too many people to thank, it would produce a
long list, but the BIS Hanoi Big Draw event would not
have taken place without the initial support of Mr
Rowlands, weekly meetings with Mr. Short, Ms. Harper,
voluntary artists Pham Luc and Susan Coles, BIS
parents, staff and of course all of the hard work from
students.
This week, Mr Tung will be organising Year 7 work,
completed by students and parents. The work will be
framed and auctioned at the school’s annual Tet fair. He
will also organise Year 9 work to be framed, two works
will be returned to Thinh Dai pagoda, two will remain in
school and two will be auctioned. In addition, at the Tet
The Big Draw

6. Issue 10 | 6
fair we will have two lacquer works to auction, these
have been designed but not signed by Pham Luc, the
decision not to sign them was due to most of the work
being completed by students with very little assistance
required. The style is unmistakably Pham Luc’s and if
you are a Pham Luc collector, simply like lacquer work
or want to own something produced by BIS students
this will your opportunity to make a bid on a unique
piece of artwork. The larger lacquer works have been
framed and installed in the first floor near the art room;
Framed and ready to hang Lacquer work , designed by Pham Luc
and produced by key stage 5 students – to be auctioned for
charity. 100cm x 100cm
please feel welcome to browse the works when you
next visit the school.
Our next aim to support students is to create a digital art
gallery, where work can easily be accessed online and
viewed by parents and other schools. There are too
many photographs to publish in a newsletter and too
many videos to upload onto the school‘s Facebook
website; a dedicated art page may be the solution.
Below are some of the images not yet published, these
include work produced during Susan Coles’ visit when
she facilitated the teachers INSET on ‘mark making’. All
primary teachers attended this event and it was open to
all secondary teachers. Susan also visited Thinh Dai
pagoda, supporting students in their production of work
using the pagoda environment. She said she had
enjoyed her visit to BIS Hanoi and had a wonderful and
welcoming experience during her first visit to Vietnam.
A final reminder, art work is never finished, we have
merely scribbled on the first page of our BIS Hanoi
sketchbook, it remains open and we are looking
forward to including future Big Draw events.
Mark making INSET facilitated
by Susan Coles
Examples of staff
contributions to
the school
sketchbook
Susan Coles carried dozens of entries back to the UK – 3 examples shown here for the ‘ Draw your Dinner ‘ competition.

7. Physical activity allows children to
develop physically, become healthier
and prepare for psychological
challenges. Whether they are
competing in a football fixture, taking
part in a karate club or physical
education lesson, or simply riding a
tricycle around the playground,
physical activity undoubtedly has a
positive impact on children’s lives.
At BIS Hanoi, our children have the opportunity to take
part in competitive sporting events, recreational and
extra-curricular activities, House Sport events and a
new lunchtime sports programme. All of these are
designed to maximise student participation and
enjoyment, and provide opportunities for children to
embrace sportsmanship, develop skills, practise
teamwork and meet new students.
Issue 10 | 7
Mr Mark Atkinson
PE Teacher
Primary Sport
and Physical Activity
We have an inclusive development model, from boys
and girls playing at Under 7 level to children playing at
Under 11 level, which shows great strength and depth,
and highlights the positive team culture amongst our
students. Our students have gained valuable experience
playing in a number of national and international
tournaments against some of the best academies in Asia.
Locally, we have achieved some fantastic results
against some of the best international schools in Hanoi.
To conclude, we would like to congratulate Saigon, who
overcame tough competition to win the Key Stage 2
Multi-Skills House Sports event and we’d also like to
wish our two Boys’ Football teams the best of luck in
Phuket this weekend, we’re sure they’ll do us proud!

8. Issue 10 | 8
BIS HANOI MENU
Week Beginning 10th November
Monday
10th
Nov 11th
Nov 12th
Nov 13th
Nov 14h
Nov
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
From Year 3 to Year 12 : All meals come with a salad or salad bar choice along and 2 choices of vegetables, rice, Vietnamese soup.
From Year 7 to Year 12: We have introduced our NEW Sandwich bar with assorted cheeses, fresh tuna, egg salad, roast meats and
other daily specials on our homemade bread, dark rye, whole wheat, oatmeal, french bread, Vietnamese rolls, raisin bread and
other fresh baked bread every day.
Banana muffin
Passion pound
cake
Potato and
beef samosa
Banana cream
crepe
YogurtOatmeal cookie
Morning
snack
Morning
snack
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Afternoon
snack
EYFSPRIMARYSECONDARY
Grilled cheese
sandwich
Minced pork
wrapped quail
egg
Minced pork
wrapped quail
egg
Boiled pork
Fried chicken
with orange
sauce
Braised pork
cake with rice
Maccaroni
with beef
Sauteed seafood
noodle
Braised pork
and tofu
Fried chicken
with orange
sauce
Braised pork
cake with rice
Maccaroni
with beef
Sauteed seafood
noodle
Moroccan chiken
rice pilaf
Braised pork
and tofu
Hue noodle soup
Crispy beef
noodle
Pork ragu
Fried chicken
in fish sauce
Chicken fingers,
roast baby
potatoes
Pan seared pork
Fried chicken
in fish sauce
Sauteed noodle
with seafood
Braised pork
cake with rice
Fried fish,
home made
potato chips
Fried fish,
home made
potato chips
Boiled pork
Fried chicken
in fish sauce
Chicken fingers,
roast baby
potatoes
Pan seared pork
Fried fish,
home made
potato chips
American
doughnut
Corn and
chicken soup
Milk
Fruit
Smoothie Juice JuiceSoya milk
Fruit Fruit Fruit Fruit
Fruit
MilkJuice JuiceSoya milk
Milk MilkJuice JuiceSoya milk
Rice soup
Grilled cheese
sandwich
American
doughnut
Corn and
chicken soup
Rice soupBanana muffin

9. Issue 10 | 9
Good communication is important to us and we would like to ensure that you have the correct contact
information in order for you to call the school:
School Number: 04 3946 0435
Extention number:
Receptionist: 0
(For all general enquiries)
Principal’s Office: 208
principaloffice@bishanoi.com
(If you wish to contact the School Principal)
Business Manager’s Office: 109
thaonguyen@bishanoi.com
Primary Office: 220
primaryoffice@bishanoi.com
(For all enquiries regarding the Primary Section)
Secondary Office: 215
secondaryoffice@bishanoi.com
(For all enquiries regarding the Secondary Section)
Admission Department: 222/122/555/777/888
bishanoi@bishanoi.com
dessydelevaux@bishanoi.com (Admission Manager)
jinnyjung@bishanoi.com (Korean Liaison Officer)
hatruong@bishanoi.com
trambui@bishanoi.com
Marketing Department: 189
huyennguyenngoc@bishanoi.com
(For all enquiries regarding Marketing)
Finance Department: 202
(For all enquiries regarding school fees)
Medical Room: 117/333
linhdieu@bishanoi.com (Main school)
liennguyen@bishanoi.com (Early Years Building)
(For all enquiries regarding Medical Issues)
Uniform Shop: 116
tamle@bishanoi.com
duyennguyenthi@bishanoi.com
nhungpham@bishanoi.com
(For all enquiries regarding School Uniform)
School Buses: 218
nganguyenthithuy@bishanoi.com
(For all requiries regarding School Buses)