Enrichment

You don't learn to walk by following rules.  You learn by doing and falling over. 

Richard Branson

Integrity - Respect - Care - Enquirers - Reflection - Perseverance

Our co-curricular learning involves CCA and offsite expeditions and visits.

Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs)

Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) are an integral part of the education offered at BIS HCMC and provide our students with a broad range of learning opportunities which positively impact many facets of their development, including academic progress.  The diverse co-curricular programme is designed to enhance the core curriculum and provide opportunities for students to broaden their interests and perspectives of the world as they develop a range of skills including social, emotional, leadership, independence, collaboration, moral reasoning, decision making, problem solving, and critical thinking. 

At BIS HCMC we have an extensive activities programme. 

The aims of our Enrichment activities (CCAs) at BIS, HCMC are:

• Give breadth and depth of challenging experiences that ignite curiosity and inspire life long learning in and beyond the curriculum.

• Create healthy team competition and players who have both courage and encourage each other. 

• Work with partners including artists, drama companies and music ensembles to reach high standards of team/group and personal performance.

• Provide opportunities for character development always embracing our Aide Memoire and rooted in being Global Citizens.

• Authentic involvement and leadership in social impact and community work.

• To offer a balance of endeavour which provides the framework for the IBDP CAS Programme.

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is a way of thinking and a set of skills we encourage our students to encompass in every aspect of their lives. In making selections we ask students to take part in at least one of the four CCA areas below for a balanced experience.

Creativity:     The arts, music, languages and other experiences that involve creative thinking. This could include involvement in the creation of something new, like an environmental awareness campaign.

Activity:             Physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle.

Service:              Any activity in which you help other people, either in school or preferably in the wider community.

Sustainability: Caring for the natural world and developing ways to ensure sustainable resources for the future

Times

Our activities programmes run before lessons, during lunchtime and after lessons (2:50 – 3:50 pm & 3:55 - 4:55 pm). Some programmes run beyond these times and are stated in the booklet. 

A small number of activities take place at weekends and some, such as the Duke of Edinburgh International Award require a commitment throughout the year.

Activities typically run from the second or third week of term to the penultimate week.  Occasional use of facilities for examinations may mean that some activities are suspended for certain periods.

Termly CCA Programmes

A programme of activities is published in August for Term 1 and at the end of Terms 1 and 2 for the following terms. 

If an activity teacher is unable to take the activity, parents will be informed at least 24 hours in advance of a cancellation or alternative arrangement to look after the students will be made at school.

CCA Selection using SchoolsBuddy

Activities need to be selected using the online SchoolsBuddy system. In the secondary campus, selections are made by students themselves.  Parents will not be able to select CCAs for their child(ren).

Students will receive instructions on using SchoolsBuddy in the CCA booklet that is published each term. They will be able to see updates and changes to their approved activities through the on-line SchoolsBuddy homepage. Both the student and their parents will also receive notification when accepted for participation in a CCA. 

For the majority of CCAs, the online system (SchoolsBuddy) will randomly allocate students to each CCA. As it is not a first come first served system, you may not always get your first choice activity. 

Guidelines for Parents using SCHOOLSBUDDY to check student activities or provide consent for events

Please note that information will only be available on SchoolsBuddy after the system goes live during each CCA selection window. Please go to: https://bishcmc.schoolsbuddy.net 

 After clicking the link above, you will be directed to the login page. Do not add your email directly to this page, but instead, click on iSAMS (Parent) button. 

This will direct you to the iSAMS login page.   Please login using details supplied to you by  school. If a new parent, you will have received an email from school on your registered email  address with the words 'New iSAMS Parent Portal Sign in' within the subject line. Use those  details to set up iSAMS. If you have forgotten login details, simply click the 'Forgotten your details?' option (see green arrow). 

Once logged in correctly, you will land on your SchoolsBuddy Dashboard. It is on this page that  you will again be able to see the CCA Booklet and the welcome message from school.   

Paid Activities

There are a number of paid activities that students can sign up for such as Yoga, K-Pop, Hip Hop, as well as kickboxing and even football. These are provided by external individuals and organisations with all information about them detailed in the online activities booklet. 

If a student has selected a paid activity, an email confirming their choice will be sent to both the student and their parents. There is then a payment window in which parents must confirm their child’s place on the CCA by making the payment. The preferred method is via Bank Transfer.

School Banking Details can be found in the CCA booklet.

When making payment for the chosen CCA, please ensure that you include a payment reference as follows: CCA Name (e.g.TDT Hip-Hop CCA), student's name (e.g. Toby Nguyen) and the class (e.g. 11B) Once payment has been processed, please take a screenshot of the transaction and forward it to our Secondary Campus cashier, Ms Anh Pham on cashier.sc@bisvietnam.com . An example screenshot can be seen below. Please note the payment reference and the reference number is clearly seen.

For further information regarding CCAs, please refer to the termly CCA booklet or the further guidance here.

Saturday Football

Saturday Football is run by volunteer parents on Saturday mornings during term time. This takes place on the Junior Campus field and is open to boys and girls of all ages.

Expeditions and Week Without Walls

“I regard it as the foremost task of education to insure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial, and above all, compassion.”  Kurt Hahn

Aims

At the British International School, Ho Chi Minh City, we are committed to providing a fully rounded, holistic education, one that helps every student grow academically, personally, and socially. We believe that meaningful learning extends far beyond the classroom, and that some of the most powerful learning experiences happen when students are challenged to explore, collaborate, and reflect in new environments.

Our Expeditions and Week Without Walls programmes are an essential part of the wider enrichement curriculum, giving students opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences. These experiences nurture creativity, activity, service, and leadership, helping students develop confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of global awareness.

In addition to the dedicated Expedition Weeks in January and May for specific year groups (see below), a range of trips and visits take place throughout the year. Many of these are curriculum-based, and student participation is expected to support extended learning and to enrich both academic and personal growth.

Participation

All students in Years 7–10 and Year 12 are expected to take part in these programmes, which are a core part of the BIS experience, building confidence, character, and connection beyond the classroom.

During each year group’s Expedition Week, there is no on-site school provision as teachers and staff are fully engaged in leading these experiences. It is also not considered ideal for students to join another year group, as each programme is carefully designed for their specific age and stage.

These shared experiences are a valued part of each child’s journey, helping them grow in confidence and strengthen their sense of belonging within the BIS community.

Purpose and Learning Outcomes

Each experience is carefully designed to:

• Provide a challenging and enriching residential opportunity.

• Develop independence, teamwork, and leadership.

• Foster resilience and adaptability through authentic experiences.

• Strengthen students’ understanding of social responsibility and global citizenship.

These experiences are a cornerstone of a BIS education, supporting students’ personal development and preparing them for the IB Diploma Programme, university, and beyond.

Safety and Wellbeing

Student safety and wellbeing are our highest priorities.

• All students participating in expeditions are covered by the school’s gold-standard insurance policy.

• Every expedition undergoes rigorous risk assessments and pre-visit checks, in accordance with international safety standards.

• Expeditions are led and supervised by trained BIS staff, supported by trusted external providers who meet the school’s safety and quality requirements.

Financial Information

There is a cost associated with Expeditions Week, and parents are encouraged to plan and budget accordingly. Full details, including payment schedules and destination information, are communicated in advance to allow for preparation and discussion.