Primary Parents Handbook 2023-2024

WELCOME FROM THE HEAD OF PRIMARY

Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will have to make. We recognise this at Reigate Grammar School Vietnam and so we put your child at the centre of our decision making: your child’s success and happiness are our key motivator.

We believe that it is precisely because we nurture happy, confident, global-thinking children that we attain excellent academic results. Our school values, twinned with our Inquiry-based IB certified Primary Years Programme develop your children academically, pastorally and socially and so we think that we are best-placed to offer an outstanding education for all students in our care.

Open the door to our world of possibilities and you will find children empowered to achieve through the outstanding teaching and learning opportunities provided by our talented team of teachers. Our unique, personalised approach melds the very best of contemporary British Education with that of the IB Primary Years Programme.

Our internationally-trained classroom teachers are all trained in our unique approach and receive regular high quality professional learning to ensure that standards are always excellent and we employ specialist teachers in a host of subjects to ensure that your child benefits from their first-class knowledge and skills. Our children also benefit from the support of assistant teachers and an EAL Teacher to support children for whom English is an additional language.

State-of-the-art technology ensures that pupils are prepared for the future and a range of rich academic resources complement our fabulous and modern campuses. All our classrooms are light, attractively furnished and air-conditioned with projectors, use of iPads and internet access. We have our own gym, swimming pools, library, media centre, playground and artificial turf pitch, as well as art, dance, music and performance spaces.

All of this guarantees that every child in our care receives the best possible education. The extra-curricular provision is outstanding, with a comprehensive sport, cultural and performing arts program beyond the school day as well as access to field trips, residentials and participation in local events.

This handbook contains as much information as we can possibly give you to ensure that your time at RGSV’s Primary School is a happy, rewarding and productive experience for you and your children. I am extremely proud to lead the Primary School and I look forward to meeting you in person.

Best Wishes,

Mr Brendan Finn Head of Primary

OUR VISION

Reigate Grammar School Vietnam aspires to nurture, empower and connect students with their local and global communities, to become international citizens who are active, compassionate and lifelong learners.

OUR MISSION

At Reigate Grammar School Vietnam we value community and connection; the relationships we have with one another are central to our happiness and success at School and beyond. Our mission is to care for and support each individual’s potential to become well-rounded, life-long learners with a strong sense of purpose based on their core values.

We empower and inspire our pupils by providing a challenging and diverse curriculum inside and outside the classroom that enables them to develop skills as reflective, brave, caring and principled learners.

We encourage our internationally-minded children to be inquisitive, collaborative and innovative by providing an inclusive and supportive environment.

We prepare our Reigatians to use their unique talents and abilities to make this world a better place by providing opportunities to give back to our community.

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Reigate Grammar School Vietnam (RGSV) is a not-for-profit Preparatory and Secondary institution, serving both the international and the local community. As a British international school, we embrace what our host country has to offer whilst bringing the world to our doorstep. RGSV is fully accredited by the Vietnamese Education Department. RGSV is an authorised International Baccalaureate School for the Primary Years Program and the Diploma Programme, and a recognised examination centre for Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE). It is currently undergoing the Patron accreditation for the Council of British International Schools. Evidence of this documentation is displayed in the relevant school office.

Nationalities: 21

Teachers: 20+ Internationally trained teachers

Average student to teacher ratio: 1:10

RGSV is a purpose built state of the art facility built on 20,000 sqm of land in a quiet and leafy residential area of the city.

RGSV’s design is the creation of internationally acclaimed educational architects and has:

• Spacious, well-resourced classrooms

• State of the art technology

• Two indoor swimming pools

• Indoor multipurpose gymnasium and stage

• Dance studio

• Library and media centre

• Spacious outdoor play areas

• Football field

WHO’S WHO

Our Headmaster, Education Director and Heads of Section form our school’s Senior Leadership Team. Together they guide our school using their extensive experience and passion for education.

Senior Leadership Team

Acting Headmaster Patrick Glennon patrick.glennon@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Education Director Ly Tran ly.tran@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Head of Primary Brendan Finn brendan.finn@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Deputy Head of School and Head of Secondary Colin Bastida Bradshaw colin.bastida@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator

Nikki Farrar nikki.farrar@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Primary Leadership Team

Head of Primary

Brendan Finn

brendan.finn@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Athletic Director and ECA Co-ordinator

Hayden Schulze hayden.schulze@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Language Learning Leader & EAL Coordinator

Katy Gawne katy.gawne@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Specialist Leadership

Digital Technology Leader

Katie Ashcroft katie.ashcroft@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Whole School Head of Music

Daniel Hewitt daniel.hewitt@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Whole School Head of Art

Liz Schulze liz.schulze@reigategrammar.edu.vn

We have a dedicated team of classroom and specialist teachers in our Primary School and their details can be found in the relevant Year’s Brochure.

Whole School Head of Vietnamese

Hien Phan Thi Thu hien.phan@reigategrammar.edu.vn

PARENT HANDBOOK

SCHOOL CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

04: JV HAC Volleyball (RGSV)

06: Primary Parent Workshop

08-10: Yr 5-9 Camp

13: Staff PD/Collaboration (No school day for all students)

17: International Day

20-27: Yr 13 Mock Exams 22-24: Yr10-12 camp

23: Primary Parent Workshop

MAY

01: International Labour day

01-17: DP external exams

01-31: IGCSE/A-Level external exams

03: Semester 1 report to Yr 13 parents

24: Yr 13 Leaving Ceremony (TBC)

07: Primary Parent Workshop

08: SEC parent workshop

09: Winter Bazaar

15: Festival

SLCs/PTCs / Y13 Art Exhibition End of Term 2

JUNE 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

01: Staff PD/Collaboration (No school day for all students)

02: Return to School

18: Hung King Day Anniversary 19: Yr 13 last day

22: School Re-enrolments 23: PYP Exhibition

25-30: IGCSE/A-Level external exams

26 Apr-17 May: DP external exams

30: Vietnamese Reunification Day

MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

01-07: IGCSE/A-Level external exams

07: Yr 11 last day

12-18: Whole school Music event/ 10 Year celebrations

14: Semester 2 report to parents

19: Speech Day / Last day of school (Half day)

6

FORM CHECKLIST

Emergency Contact Form / Medical Waiver Form

Medical History Form

Field Trip Permission Form

Leave of Absence Form

Có dị ứng với loại thuốc nào không?

Có dị ứng loại thức ăn nào không? Ví d ụ: lạc, celiac (Đề nghị cung c ấp thông tin chi tiết các triệu chứng và cách điều trị)

대한 세부 정보

지난 개월 이내 심각한 부상 예 골절 수술

ệ ề ạ 심장 질환

ả ẻ ế ậ 신체적 장애

Các bệnh khác ế

기타 세부사항을 기재해 주십시오

Có bị mộng du không?

수면보행증 몽유병 숙박시에만

Có yêu cầu đồ ăn đặc biệt không?

식이요법 요구사항

MEDICAL HISTORY

Student Details

Does the student take any medications regularly?

If “Yes”, please provide details

Does the student have any allergies?

If “Yes”, please provide details Yes No

Does the student require medication for allergies?

If “Yes”, please provide details Yes No

Blood type:……………………

If “Yes”, please provide details

Does the student have any hearing impairment?

If “Yes”, please provide details Yes No

Has the child ever received support for social or emotional difficulties?

If “Yes”, please provide details Yes No

Has the child ever contracted with Covid-19 before?

If “Yes”, please provide details Yes No

Parental Permission Form and Waiver

Name of event:

Date of event:

Name of Student:

Form Group:

Known As

I hereby give my permission for the above-named student to attend the event outlined above . The insurance for the trip is covered by the school insurance policy, which covers the School within Vietnam and is stipulated by the Vietnamese government. I hereby agree to hold harmless RGSV and its representatives from all liabilities caused or alleged in whole o r in par t by any act or omission of these persons in connection with the provision of this trip, even if these persons are unintentionally at fault for such an act or omission.

Parent/Guardian Information

Full Legal Name:

Relationship to Student:

Parent Signature: Date:

Pupil Absence Request Form

To: The School Office prep office@reigategrammar edu vn / secondary.office@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Cc: The Form Tutor

NOTE TO PARENTS: Please do not request absence if there is any alternative, as missed lessons may have a disproportionate impact upon learning outcomes leading to diminished life chances later on Some things are only taught once and some subjects rely upon sequential learning which, if disrupted, may cause long term damage to exam prospects

Name of child: Form Group:

ROUTINE ABSENCE:

Date for requested absence: Times of absence:

Reason for absence:

● Medical

● Dental

● Funeral (dedication)

● External examination: x

● Other

EXCEPTIONAL ABSENCE REQUEST:

Additional information (please include details to explain why this could not be arranged outside school hours):

First date of absence: Last date of absence: Total school days absent:

Reason for absence (please include details to explain why this could not have been arranged outside school hours):

Please return this form via email to the relevant School Office: prep office@reigategrammar edu vn / secondary office@reigategrammar edu vn and CC in your child’s Form Tutor FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

APPROVED / NOT APPROVED

Signed/authorised (Head of Prep/Secondary):

Reason:

Date: Keeping your child safe

This Form will be held in the relevant School Office and if your child is signing out of school, for example to attend an appointment, then this form will be used as a check to issue the blue exit slip so we ensure that we know where they are going.

Additional Notes

Routine Absence

For the sake of their child’s learning, we ask parents to make every effort to arrange appointments outside the school day If this is really not possible, please email absence requests to your child’s form tutor who will usually authorise and note this absence.

Exceptional Absence

It is not normally appropriate to request absence for special social events or family holidays, especially in years where there will be a public examination. However, sometimes discretionary authorised absence will be granted,

if it has not been requested previously, for an exceptional reason. This might include attendance at a funeral, wedding of an immediate family member, or exceptional pre-approved educational activity

Absences will not usually be authorised for family holidays during term time. If there are exceptional reasons why a family holiday may overlap with term time, then please use this form to request authorisation, before arrangements have been made, from the \ Head of Prep/Secondary explaining the reasons. Absences will also not be authorised for other activities such as driving lessons or paid work. Work experience should be arranged outside of school hours.

OUR YEAR GROUP BROCHURES

These brochures have a wealth of information specific to each year group including contact details, key procedures and curriculum content. Please click on the links below to be taken to our relevant Year Group Brochures.

Early Years Foundation Stage Year 3 Year 4

Year 1 Year 2 Year 5 Year 6

OUR SCHOOL POLICIES

Our school provides a range of policies to guide the way in which it operates. A comprehensive set of these policies can be found on the school website here

Links to policies which parents may find they use most often with regards to the operation of the Primary School can be found below.

• Whole School Admissions Policy

• Whole School Attendance Procedures

• Whole School Language Policy

• Whole School Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

• Whole School Inclusive Education Policy

• Whole School Anti-Bullying Policy

• Preparatory School Behaviour Policy

• Preparatory School Intimate and Personal Care Policy

• Preparatory School Curriculum and Assessment Policy

• Preparatory School EAL Policy

• Preparatory School Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) Policy

REGISTRATION & ABSENCE

Pupils are expected to attend school regularly and to be on time in order to receive the maximum benefit from the instructional programme and to develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline, and responsibility. There is a direct relationship between good attendance and school success, therefore we ask parents to make every possible effort to plan family vacations during the school holidays as detailed in the school calendar.

Attendance is taken every day via our online portal, Managebac. School opens at 8 am, with registration beginning at 8.20 am and closing at 8.30 am. Pupils can be marked Present, Absent (unauthorised) or Excused (school-authorised absence), Late (more than 10 minutes into the session) or Health (if visiting the Nurse). Authorised absences are for unavoidable reasons, and are determined by the Head of Primary. If a child is ill and will not be attending school that day, please call the school office so that the teacher can be notified. Some illnesses can be very contagious; and therefore, we encourage you to keep your children at home if they are ill. In the case of some illnesses, the school will direct children to be kept at home and/or may ask parents to collect their child if they become unwell at school. In the case of a serious medical or emergency situation, the school will work with parents on missed class lessons.

Routine Absence: For the sake of their child’s learning, the School asks parents to make every effort to arrange appointments outside the school day. If this is really not possible, please email absence requests to the relevant School Office who will usually authorise and note this absence.

Exceptional Absence: It is not normally appropriate to request absence for special social events or family holidays, especially in years where there will be a public examination. However, sometimes discretionary authorised absence will be granted, if it has not been requested previously, for an exceptional reason. This might include attendance at a funeral, wedding of an immediate family member, or exceptional pre-approved educational activity. Absences will not usually be authorised for family holidays during term time. If there are exceptional reasons why a family holiday may overlap with term time, then please use this form to request authorisation, before arrangements have been made, from the Head of Primary explaining the reasons. Absences will also not be authorised for other activities.

Circumstances beyond the family’s control may require a pupil to be absent for an extended period of time and the school will do its best to support this. However, if a pupil misses 20 or more days of school throughout the year for a non-authorised reason, e.g. taking an extended holiday, the school reserves the right to refuse them entry into the next year group at the end of the year. This might mean having the option of repeating the year or leaving the school. Prolonged and/or frequent absences may be investigated as a Safeguarding & Child Protection concern, as a pupil going missing from education is a potential indicator of abuse or neglect. Please also consult the School’s Attendance Procedures on the school website.

THE SCHOOL DAY

BUSES

The school does provide a bus service to and from most areas of the city of Hanoi. If you would like to take up the option of sending your child to and from school on the bus please consult the School Registrar. All pupils are expected to comply with the bus rules and it is also an expectation that pupils will treat the bus interior with respect. Please see the School’s Bus Policy here

HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY ON CAMPUS

We endeavour to provide an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for all our learners. If you have questions or comments about health and safety at RGSV, please contact the Head of School Office at hosoffice@reigategrammar.edu.vn

Visitors to Campus

School Visitor ID Cards: All parents, and authorised parties, are required to carry their ID cards to show to security at the school entrance. Parents who forget to bring their ID card must register at the security gate and present a suitable alternative ID (which must contain a photo). Collection and applications for School Visitor ID tags are made through the School Office.

Unless delivering or collecting children, all visitors must have an appointment to enter the campus. If a visitor does not have an appointment, we cannot guarantee the person they wish to see is available. All non-staff entering the campus must wear the visitor’s badge issued by the security guards. During the school day, visitors will sign in at the guard’s booth. All guests to the campus must report to the Reception area, where they will either wait, or they will gain access to the lobby area, or to a first-floor meeting room. Visitors must not look around the campus without a member of staff accompanying them. This means all areas of the School are off-limits to visitors, unless it had been agreed before the visit that they can go to a named area, or they are with a member of staff. If a parent wishes to take a child out of school during the school day, they will be asked to wait at Reception, and a member of staff will collect the child from the classroom.

When the School is hosting an event where parents and other adults are invited to enter the campus, but at these times there will still be areas which are marked as being off-limits to our guests.

Evacuation Procedures

Fire notices are posted in all classrooms. There is a fire and evacuation drill each term and the process is reviewed regularly. In the event of a fire breaking out on school premises, all persons must follow the school’s evacuation procedure and congregate on the school’s football pitch.

Security Guards

The school employs a highly reputable security company, providing 24-hour security protection for RGSV. The security guards also provide traffic control for the school. All parents are reminded that safety procedures exist at the school for the safety of all pupils. Security Guards are unable to exercise flexibility on this and so any failure to adhere to the procedures could result in a parent being refused access to the school premises.

CCTV

RGSV is equipped with a close circuit television (CCTV) system to ensure the safety of our school community. The system covers all entry and exit points as well as a number of key areas within the school.

Vehicles

No vehicles are granted access to the school grounds.

Smoking

The entire school campus is a designated smoke-free zone. We would like to remind anyone visiting RGSV that they must not smoke or vape within the school grounds.

AIR QUALITY, HEAT INDEX AND SUN PROTECTION

Air Quality

In common with many other international schools, RGSV currently uses an air quality index (AQI) reading of 200 as the threshold for acceptable conditions for outdoor play and sports. This means any reading of 201 and above will result in the cancellation of normal outdoor play and athletic activities. Our reading is taken from our own school monitoring device. Field Trips are allowed to proceed when AQI levels exceed normal protocol limits, but only when taking place at indoor locations.

Heat Index

In Hanoi we often have times of the year where it is extremely hot. If the real feel temperature (which takes into account air temperature and humidity) is above 41 degrees celsius at any point during the day an announcement will be made over the tannoy and all outdoor activities will move indoors. This includes playtime and PE. If the swimming pool has a real feel of above 41 degrees celsius then pool activities will be cancelled and move to gym.

Sun Protection

To ensure protection from the elements due to Vietnam’s high UV index, pupils should wear suitable clothing that will protect body skin from the sun. This is most important between 10 am and 3 pm and in the hotter months of March to October when the average UV index can reach 12.

• Children should wear a sunhat that provides good protection during PE, on sports days, trips, excursions and during recess and lunch times.

• Parents should assist younger children to apply a SPF 30+ Broad Spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen before going into the sun for extended periods.

• Older children can apply a SPF 30+ Broad Spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen before going into the sun for extended periods.

• Staff cannot apply sunscreen for the children

HEALTH SERVICES

Children’s Medical Conditions and Allergies

It is vital that the school is kept up to date with information about your child’s medical history, current conditions and allergies and it is parents responsibility to do so using the following forms:

• Emergency Contact Form / Medical Waiver Form

• Medical History Form

School Nurse

Basic medical attention for minor ailments is given in the medical room, which is supervised by the School Nurse or a member of the office staff. The office staff are qualified first aiders but are not nurses. More serious ailments and injuries will be referred to a medical professional or the Ambulance Service. If, in the opinion of the School Nurse, the child requires further medical attention parents will be contacted.

On occasions when parents cannot be contacted, one of the office staff will accompany a pupil to hospital, and stay with the pupil until a parent arrives.

The Health/Nurse’s Office is open from 8:00 am to 4:30pm from Monday to Friday and, during the weekend for the duration of any events. One of the core aims at RGSV is to provide a caring environment for all our pupils. We also appreciate that people learn most effectively when they are happy and healthy.

To ensure this, RGSV features a Health/Nurse’s Office staffed by a fully qualified nurse. Our nurse ensures:

• Prompt and effective first aid in a caring environment

• The Preparatory Office is informed if he or she is judged to be unfit to continue in class as well as contact the parent if the pupil needs to be taken home or see a medical practitioner

• Maintains pupil health records and details of all accidents are stored by the School Office team

• Raise awareness of the importance of hygiene and health management

Administration of Medicines

The school will only administer medicines with written parental permission which must be given to the nurse. Children should not carry medicines in school with them to self-administer. Unless in an absolute emergency, the school, nor any of its employees will not administer medication to your child. Parents/guardians must sign written consent for the Nurse or school office team to administer medicine(s).

Our full First Aid and Medical Policy can be found here

UNIFORM

RGSV’s full uniform requirements may be found in our school policy Uniform & Personal Appearance Policy & Guidance

BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE (BYOD)

Pupils must bring a laptop or a tablet from Year 4 upwards. The make of device a pupil wishes to bring is their choice, but RGSV is currently an Apple centre and we automatically have technical back-up for Apple users. We cannot guarantee the same level of technical support for non-Apple users. The School sends the BYOD specifications to families each year and the specifications can also be found in the relevant Year Group Brochure.

BACKPACKS, SNACK BOXES AND STATIONERY

Our smart and practical school uniform gives our pupils a sense of community and belonging to RGSV, as well as creates an atmosphere conducive to learning. Please note that the school uniform is compulsory for all children at RGSV. We thank you for ensuring that your child wears the correct school uniform. Please note that black leather shoes are part of the correct uniform policy. Preparatory children wear PE kit all day on the days that they are having PE.

If you require other items for your child, uniform fitting can be done at the “RGSV School Shop”, next to the school on Nguyen Cong Thai Street, Monday to Friday. Please call to make arrangements for this.

Generally, each pupil should bring a backpack for carrying materials to and from school. Please keep in mind that these are “young backs”and the backpacks should not be so large as to encourage excessive weight and so that they fit in the children’s cubbies. Children should also bring a snack box for snack time. The school supplies some textbooks, paper and pencils for pupils’ use while at school. However, parents are expected to supply stationery for the children. A list for each year group is provided in each year group’s Year Group Brochure.

PARENT ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION

Parent Engagement

At Reigate Grammar School Vietnam, we encourage all parents and students to get involved in our school community. We offer various opportunities for community engagement and parent involvement. There are a number of annual events that volunteer parents organise, like our annual International Day and Winter Bazaar, whose parent committees organise and plan these events with the support of the school each year.

Communication

Your child’s education is a real partnership and so communication is key for parents staying connected with our school’s news, announcements, events and opportunities. The Head of School office issues a Newsletter every Friday to keep you up to date with all of the news and events from the school and there are periodic updates from the Head of Preparatory and other leaders in the school. In terms of communication with your child’s teachers, emails are published in the Year Group Brochures and you can also use our Seesaw Platform to communicate.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The school has a very active PTA who meet on a regular basis to discuss fundraising and events for the school. If you are interested in finding out more about the PTA please contact: prep.office@reigategrammar.edu.vn

You would be very welcome to get involved

Online and Social Media Links

• Website

• Facebook

• LinkedIn

• Instagram

• Youtube

DINING SERVICES

The catering service at Reigate Grammar School Vietnam is provided by RGSV personnel working from our large commercial kitchen, located on campus.

We understands that what students eat affects their health and their ability to learn and perform in the classroom. At RGS Vietnam, our catering team provides nutritious, balanced meals, and we work to educate the students on how to make healthier food choices. Our goal is to instil a love and understanding of fresh, healthy food at a young age that will positively influence them throughout life.

All catering staff receive training in how to prepare and serve healthier food to RGSV students, and our skilled catering team works with fresh ingredients of the highest quality, which are local-sourced wherever possible.

Our catering team also works with the school council to tailor menus to the tastes and preferences of the students. We introduce further interest and excitement to our menus through themed lunches. We introduce cuisines from around the world, tying these into the school curriculum whenever possible.

If you require further information or have any feedback about the catering service, please contact our Registrar office at registrar.office@reigategrammar.edu.vn

CURRICULUM & ASSESSMENT

Curriculum

Reigate Grammar School Vietnam (RGSV) believes that our curriculum, aligned to the International Baccalaureate PYP philosophy, should be purposeful, well-planned and provide children with the knowledge, skills and concepts needed to succeed in our global society.

At Reigate Grammar School Vietnam, we are committed to ensuring high expectations and standards for all pupils. To achieve this, teachers use a blend of the IB Primary Years Program, and the English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and National Curriculum Programmes of Study as a starting point for planning, but are not limited by these.

Throughout the school, a mix of classroom and subject specialist teachers deliver the curriculum. It is broad and balanced and is designed to give pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education.

We provide a personalised, broad and balanced and one that stimulates intellectual curiosity whilst providing opportunity for all pupils to learn and make progress. The curriculum is designed to promote the spiritual, moral and cultural development of our pupils together with their mental and physical wellbeing. Our curriculum should command the confidence of our current community and our Secondary school.

Assessment

At Reigate Grammar School Vietnam, we recognise the importance of formative assessment and the integral role it has to play in creating a learning culture. Formative assessment is used to track the progress of individual pupils. It involves identifying each child’s progress in each area of the curriculum, determining what each child has learned and what therefore should be the next stage in his/her learning. There are four key elements:

• Sharing learning goals;

• Effective questioning;

• Self and peer evaluation;

• Effective feedback.

In-school formal summative assessment is carried out in the following ways

• Upon entry to ascertain an entry profile of pupils’ learning

• GL Standardised Progress Tests are carried out for English and Mathematics in Years 3,4, 5 & 6 towards the end of every year and a report provided to parents

• Cognitive Ability Testing (CAT 4) is undertaken upon entry and in Years 3 & 5 and a report provided to parents

• The New Group Reading Test is administered to children on a termly basis

• In Early Years, Year 1 and Year 2 children’s phonic knowledge is summatively assessed every term

Reporting to Parents

The primary purpose of reporting to parents is to provide information regarding a child’s performance. It also works to empower parents with the accurate knowledge they require to be true partners in the continuing education of their children. Two written reports, completed by teachers at the end of each semester, are available to parents via the ManageBac platform.

Portfolios and reports will give parents a clear indication of how their children are doing against the learning outcomes expected in each year group. Reporting to parents is completed twice a year through a written report. and there are two opportunities for consultation, one of which is pupil led. However, we encourage parents and teachers to initiate conferences on an “as needed” basis.

Full details of the Programme of Inquiry are provided in each Year Group Brochure and parents are also encouraged to read our full Primary Curriculum and Assessment Policy which can be found here

INCLUSION

Teachers set high expectations for all pupils. They will use appropriate assessment to set ambitious targets and plan challenging work for all groups, including:

• More able pupils;

• Pupils with lower prior attainment;

• Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds;

• Pupils with SEN;

• Pupils with English as an additional language (EAL).

Teachers will plan lessons so that pupils with SEN and/or disabilities can study every area of the curriculum, wherever possible, and ensure that there are no barriers to every pupil achieving. While RGSV staff are able to cater for individual learning needs of children, we are unable to provide services or programmes for pupils with severe special learning needs or disabilities. Parents of children with any kind of serious learning issues or disabilities are urged to contact the school before making plans to bring their children to our school.

Teachers will also take account of the needs of pupils whose first language is not English. Lessons will be planned so that teaching opportunities help pupils to develop their English, and to support pupils to take part in all subjects. The Language Learning Leader will work with the EAL Teacher and Teaching Assistants to ensure necessary ‘push in’ and ‘pull out’ support is provided for these children.

BEHAVIOUR

Reigate Grammar School, Vietnam (RGSV) believes that positive behaviour is an essential condition for effective learning and teaching. We believe in fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect, where students take responsibility for their behaviour and learn from their mistakes. Our full Preparatory Behaviour Policy can be found here

We believe that Pupils, Staff and Parents have the right to:

• Feel emotionally, socially and physically safe

• To be respected and valued by others

• To have a voice in their school and their opinion heard

• To be able to learn

Our RGSV school rules flow from our core rights and responsibilities and from the Learner Profile attributes of the IB PYP, especially those of being caring, principled, open-minded, reflective and taking risks.

Our rules are:

• We are caring and principled

• We respect ourselves, others and our environment

• We try our best

• We take responsibility for our choices and actions

The four Preparatory School rules are displayed prominently in every classroom.

At the beginning of the year, each class co-creates an essential agreement that establishes the expectations in the class. This essential agreement is informed by the rights, responsibilities and rules outlined in the School Behaviour Policy and makes clear connections to the IB PYP Learner Profile attributes. It is the cornerstone of behaviour management in the classroom community and should be regularly referred to when applying rewards and consequences.

A copy of the classroom essential agreement should be signed by the teacher and pupils and displayed prominently in the classroom next to the school rules. Copies of the agreement should be sent home to parents. Translations should be made available if asked for in writing by the class parents.

Anti-bullying

We are committed to providing an individualised, exceptional education for all children. We cater to the “whole child” and ensure that our students learn not only the academic skills, but the personal skills they need to succeed as adults in the community. To fully accomplish this, it is essential that we foster a positive school culture in which all students are welcomed, safe and appreciated. By nature, bullying behaviour reduces the quality of children’s education by interfering with their learning. Furthermore, bullying has been shown to have short-term and long-term effects on the physical and mental well-being of students.

In accordance with our school philosophy RGSV strictly prohibits bullying directed toward any student or groups of students. Our staff promotes an inclusive environment and is wholeheartedly dedicated to the prevention of bullying. We abide by the set of procedures outlined in our Anti-Bullying Policy which you can find here and take responsibility to support the best interest of our students in all circumstances.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

It is our belief that exposure of children to a broad range of activities beyond what is possible in the classroom stimulates interest, improves diversity of skills and gives the children interests that they may well enjoy and benefit from through to adult life. Children are expected to undertake an ECA after school on a Tuesday and Thursday each week. A full list of the extra-curricular activities on offer is sent from the School Office each term and is subject to variation dependent upon staff’s skills and interest and the availability of outside providers.

FIELD TRIPS AND RESIDENTIALS

Field Trips and Residentials are an essential part of our curriculum and take place throughout the year, linked to the children’s Programme of Inquiry. Parents will be given two weeks notice of all planned field trips and should ensure that they complete the permission form so that their child can attend. Parents should inform their class teacher if they do not wish their child to participate in an activity. Children not attending field trips should be kept at home for the duration of that trip.

Residentials take place for Year 5 and 6 during Semester One and information about these is sent home to these parents within the first few weeks of the Academic Year.

OUR HOUSE SYSTEM

The house system is in place to foster and promote a variety of personal skills for the children and also highlight school enjoyment for all of our community in a friendly competitive way. Our houses are named: Phoenix, Unicorn, Tiger and Dragon

Throughout the whole school all children and staff are divided into these four houses. In addition to the sense of fun it brings to the school, it also provides valuable learning opportunities in the following areas:

• Community, camaraderie and collaboration

• Ambition, community service and healthy competition

• Mentorship, leadership and friendship