L - P

Associated items between L and P inclusive are shown below:

Leave of Absence 

Refer to Leave Policy here.

Lockdown

Lockdown practices will normally be carried out each term - one with notification in Term 1 and one without notification in Term 2 or Term 3. For lockdown procedures, refer to policy found here, and the procedures for Junior Campus and the EY and I Campus.

Medical Register

A register of children with allergies and medical conditions / requirements is provided and regularly updated by the school nurses. These will be displayed in both canteens, and in the Health and Safety Boards on each campus. Staff need to be aware of students in their classes who are affected. These lists will also available on the Primary shared drive.

Office

Staff in each campus office have a range of responsibilities which include:

• • Admissions

  • Attendance

  • Accounts and invoicing

  • All support staff

  • Orders

  • Correspondence

  • Children’s official records

Children may only phone home (for whatever reason) provided a suitable member of staff is in attendance or s/he sends a written note to the receptionist. The receptionist will not allow the child to use the phone unless one of the above conditions is satisfied. The school phone is not to be used by the children to organise their social life!

Overseas Orders

Staff are requested to advise the Head of Campus of any materials (local or overseas purchase) they wish to order at the beginning of Term 2. The HOC will then consider all requests as part of the budget allocation process and finalise the order in January / February. All approved purchase orders are processed in February / March.

Supplies are usually received during the summer vacation ready for the start of term in August.

There is a yearly budget for overseas orders agreed by the Director and the Principal. Much of the overseas orders are processed through a UK consolidation company.

Parents

Good teaching is our best advertisement and teachers and pupils can be the school’s best public relations agents. People cannot appreciate what they do not understand, particularly given the international nature of our parent population, so take time to explain our system and to present the school in a positive manner at all times.

Teachers are aware that the children may carry home tales of experiences at BIS that are both true and modified. It is important how the children perceive the school, its programmes and their teachers. Misunderstandings at home are often prevented when explanations to the children and parents are so clear that they cannot be misunderstood.

Examples of good teaching at BIS are very evident; be quick to extol the virtues of colleagues in any conversation. Positive attitudes are contagious. As teachers and teaching assistants we need to work together, support one another and act professionally at all times.

The effects and consequences of inappropriate comments, actions or breeches of confidentiality in the work place (whether face to face or through social media) and interaction within the school community should be considered and understood. Positive communications with parents about the school, children, fellow teachers, the administration and the directors are essential if the school is to continue to be successful. Breach of this contractual condition may result in termination of employment.

Communications between the school and parents is a high priority at British International School – HCMC. We keep the parents informed through many channels:

• • • The online Parent Handbook here: https://sites.google.com/bisvietnam.net/bis-primary-parent-handbook/home

    • The School Prospectus containing outlines of the school regulations, the curriculum, general information of interest to the parents, a current school calendar, current fee lists and community information.

    • Class Seesaw pages

    •  The child’s diary (up to Year 6)*

    •  The school website/Facebook Page/Twitter

    • Campus newsletters, published weekly containing calendar reminders, new items on learning and community notices, as well as on digital signage around both campuses.

    • At both primary Campuses there is a weekly future learning letter from each class, outlining what will be taught during the following week.

    • Campus specific parent hub

The School Diary should be seen by parents and teachers on a regular basis as it is an important form of two-way communication between the school and parents. Staff are encouraged to make regular comments about any aspect of the child’s achievements, development as well as any negative behaviour if any. This supports the procedure of ‘no surprise’ reporting to parents.

Seesaw is a web-based tool used to connect with parents, pupils and wider groups. It has taken the place of much email communication and will be the first point of contact in most instances. It also offers the fabulous ability for pupils to communicate with each other and comment on peer's work, as well as providing a learning journal of their own work which will be shared with family. 

Parent / Student/Teacher Conferences (PTSCs) and reports

The purpose of these meetings is threefold:

1. To inform parents of the child’s overall progress

2. To enable teachers to become aware of the parents’ perspective of the school and other relevant information that may have a direct influence upon a pupil’s performance

3. To establish a regular, personal communication system to enable parents and teachers to support the child.

There is one formal parent / teacher meeting in early January, which follows the sharing of the Interim Report in late December. There are then two invitational PTSCs over the remaining two terms for teachers to invite those parents of students that are in need of further attention in order to meet expectations. Parents or teachers may request additional meetings at any time should the need arise. Parents are informed of dates in good time. Meetings may involve persons other than the class teacher if the situation warrants. Both parents should be invited, as should the student. Each scheduled conference should last no more than 15 minutes. 

Preparing a set of discussion topics beforehand is a good strategy, with relevant points raised during the meeting added. A copy of this may be given to the parent if requested. 

Details of the curriculum may be discussed during conferences, but actual written copies of lesson plans and curriculum notes should NOT be given to parents.

In general, discussion of school matters should take place only at school and during normal teacher working hours when parents should be free to arrange an appointment regarding their child’s progress.

Parents requesting information on school policy, regulations and administration, should be referred to the Head of Campus or Deputy Head of Campus.

The scheduled meetings should hold no surprises for the parents. Any problems that have arisen should have been discussed prior to these conferences.

Reports

There are two written reports each year: one during the first term and the other in the penultimate week of Term 3. As for the Parent/Teacher Conferences, written reports should hold no surprises for the parents. The teacher should be able to explain the various comments made. Staff should be consistent in comments made at conferences and in reports and be aware of the details of previous teacher comments that are on file. 

PE and Swimming

Teachers and TAs need to supervise children as they change for PE and swimming. Supervision of the children is not just the responsibility of the PE department. It is the responsibility of the class teacher to ensure pupils get changed, ready for PE under their supervision. This responsibility can be delegated to the TA only if they are confident that the TA can ensure the health and safety of the children.

If a child is fit to attend school then they are fit to swim.

Performance Management

There is an ongoing internal professional review and development programme here at BIS HCMC Primary. For details, refer here.

Photocopying

Teachers will need to submit requests for photocopying to the resource staff giving, when possible, adequate time for the tasks to be completed.

Playtimes and Lunchtimes

The duty rota is displayed in the staffroom, around the campuses and every teacher (and TA) must display a copy in their room with their duty responsibilities.

EY & I Campus Playtimes

• • F1 to F3 Intermittent breaks throughout morning

  • Year 1 09:45 – 10:00

  • Year 2 10:15 – 10:30 

Juniors Campus Playtimes

• • Years 3 and 4 09:30 – 10:00 (staggered) 

  • Years 5 and 6 10:00 – 10:30 (staggered)

Playtime Duties

When in the playground, it is the responsibility of the teacher on duty to make sure that:

• • The children play only in the safe, designated areas

  • All children wear a hat/cap when playing outside

  • They deal with any small problems, which may arise

  • If a child misbehaves, they are reminded of the Golden Rules and / or the school’s Aide Memoire. If necessary, appropriate action should be taken in accordance with the school’s Positive Behaviour Policy (see policy and procedures section)

  • Any child who sustains an injury should either be dealt with outside or taken to the nurse to have their injury assessed. An accident report (see policy and procedures section) may need to be completed. The nurse will provide all children who have visited her with a short note home. Parents will be informed directly by the nurse of any head injuries or other injuries deemed to be of a serious nature

  • At the end of the designated playtime, a bell is rung and children are escorted back to their classes by the class teacher or TA 

Wet Break Time:

• • The teacher on duty will make the decision for pupils to return to classes, and duties will continue based on a location for each duty teacher/TA which can be found in the wet play expectations of each campus

  • During the wet playtime, class teachers or TAs are expected to supervise their classes.

  • Each class should have a range of quiet activities available for their pupils. The pupils should be made aware of what they can and cannot do

  • Children will eat snack in their classroom when playtime is ‘wet’

  • At the EY&I, an announcement by HOC/DHOC/AHT/YGL will be made over the tannoy to inform class teachers and TAs to return to their classrooms

Early Years & Infants Campus Lunchtimes

• F1            11:30 – 12:00 (Lunch)

• F2            11:30 – 12:00 (Lunch), 12:00 - 12:30 (Play)

• F3            11:00 – 11:30  (Lunch), 11:30 - 12:00 (Play)

• Year 1    12:00 - 12:30 (Lunch), 12:30 - 13:00 (Play)

• Year 2    12:00 - 12:30 (Play), 12.30 - 1:00 (Lunch)

Juniors Campus Lunchtimes

• Years 3 and 4 12:00 – 12:55 (children eat in canteen 12:00 – 12:15 for Y3, and 12:10-12:30 for Y4)

• Years 5 and 6 12:00 – 12:55 (children eat in canteen 12:20 – 12:45 for Y5 and 12:35 - 1:00 for Y6)

Wet Lunchtime

In both campuses, the teacher on duty will make the decision whether it is appropriate to play outside. Children who are not eating will remain / return to their classroom where they will be supervised by their class TA/class teacher. At the EY&I, an announcement by HOC/DHOC/AHT/HoY will be made over the loudspeakers to inform class teachers and TAs to return to their classrooms. The teacher on duty will patrol the classes in coordination with other duty teachers. Children will use the designated wet play activities.

Children will eat their lunch at the normal times. The classrooms should be tidied ready for afternoon lessons.

Playground and Canteen Guidelines for EY&I 

Positive Behaviour Policy

 Introduction 

We recognise and value every student as an individual and will endeavour to respond in the most appropriate way to their needs. Many of the most difficult decisions arise when there is a conflict between the best course of action for an individual and the best course of action for the school community as a whole. When such tensions arise, the considerations of the community will usually supersede those of the individual.  For the full policy, refer to the “BIS positive behaviour management policy” in the Sites web page.

If children choose not to use a rule, then there will be a consequence.  The consequences should be fair, consistent, certain, known in advance, logical and related to the action.

Please note that each level may not follow in order, and depends on the severity of the incident and the age of the child.