Dragon tales issue 20 by Vientiane International School

Dragon Tales Celebrating Pii Mai Issue 20 February-April 2015

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this edition of Dragon Tales. In particular special thanks to all those who provided the wonderful photos of our community celebrating in style.

If you would like to submit an article for the next issue please make sure you do so by

29 May 2015. If you are a student or a member of the teaching staďŹ&#x20AC; please submit your article to Mr Jon (Primary) or Ms Jo (Secondary).

Other members of the community should submit their articles to Ms Annie, Communications Manager) at annieb@ourvis.com).

Creativity in the PYP p10

Reflection in the PYP p15

Celebrating Pii Mai p18

Celebrating Mother Tongue Languages p32

From the Director Dear%VIS%Community% Dragon%Tales%is%a%magazine%that%I%look%forward%to%each%<me%as%a%showcase%of%the%ac<on% within%our%school.%% This%issue%is%par<cularly%filled%with%great%images%of%our%celebra<on%of%Pii%Mai%Lao%where% the%ac<on%seems%to%leap%off%the%pages.%You%can%see%the%celebra<on%on%the%faces%and%in% the%fun%captured%in%each%image.%We%are%indeed%fortunate%to%be%able%to%celebrate%the% many%aspects%of%Pii%Mai%Lao%and%our%assembly%was%a%fantas<c%culmina<ng%event%for%the% school%to%mark%the%new%year.%I%think%this%issue%of%Dragon%Tales%has%captured%the% moments%beau<fully.% The%theme%of%celebra<on%runs%through%the%magazine%with%Mother%Tongue%and%sports% and%classroom%ac<ons%and%individual%success%being%highlighted.%Our%community%is% varied%and%consists%of%many%different%na<ons%and%cultures,%but%we%come%together%to% celebrate%being%a%part%of%VIS%and%respect%the%achievements%and%special%characteris<cs% of%our%school.% I%invite%you%to%explore%the%pages%of%this%edi<on%of%Dragon%Tales,%and%to%share%what%VIS% celebrates%with%your%friends%and%rela<ves%across%the%world.%

Best%regards%

Primary Reflections Jon Davidson  Primary Principal Learning(from(each(other( As%I%leM%a%Grade%4%classroom%today%they%were%about%to% hitch%up%with%their%reading%buddies.%What%struck%me%at% that% <me% of% transi<on% was% the% palpable% sense% of% excitement% that% buzzed% around% the% room.% Earlier% that% same% day% a% liQle% lad% from% our% Prep% class% said% “I% know% your%son%–%he’s%my%reading%buddy.”%% This% does% beg% the% ques<on;% what’s% so% great% about% the% books% that% they% are% sharing?% The% answer% is% of% course% that% there% is% nothing% special% about% the% books% themselves,%they%are%just%chosen%from%our%(admiQedly% quite% awesome)% library.% The% real% magic% occurs% not% by% opening% a% book,% but% by% giving% our% students% guides,% mentors,%role%models%and%friends.%

With% this% ar<cle% you% will% see% examples% of% students% sharing%more%than%books.%The%Buddy%System%also%allows% students% to% share% other% pieces% of% work.% Grade% 4% were% looking%at%probability,%so%they%designed%games%to%share% with%their%Prep%buddies.%Crea<ng%Mathema<cians%who% genuinely% care% for% each% other% makes% a% school% into% a% community.%Wonderful%work%from%all%those%involved.%%%

Totally'mesmerised'

The% liQle% ones% beneﬁt% from% having% someone% they% can% look%up%to.%Someone%who%can%read%the%big%words%and% make%the%book%come%to%life.%They%see%how%to%behave%at% school,%where%some%gravely%serious%fun%is%the%order%of% the%day.%% The% rela<onship% is% by% no% means% one% way.% The% symbiosis% comes% into% play% when% the% older% students% realise% that% they% have% someone% looking% up% to% them.% There% is% a% realisa<on% that% codes% of% behaviour% are% expected% because% they% will% be% copied.% They% need% to% explain% things% clearly% and% pa<ently,% possibly% using% another% language.% Suddenly% they% know% what% responsibility% is% all% about% and% they% need% to% take% on% a% new%role.%% The% whole% system% of% buddy% reading% pays% dividends% beyond%the%obvious%curriculum,%it%ins<lls%the%a\tudes% and% aQributes% of% the% learner% proﬁle% we% strive% to% advocate%at%VIS.%

A'Math'game'to'show'"chance".'Designed'by'Grade'4' Grade'4'sharing'with'Prep'

Sharing'more'than'just'books'='games' that'show'probability' Books'and'Math'='all'mixed'in'together'

The PYP in Action: Students taking ownership of their learning

Katherine Williams PYP Coordinator R e c e n t l y,% P Y P% s t u d e n t s% a t% V i e n < a n e% Interna<onal% School% conducted% student^led% conferences.% Student^led% conferences% form% an% important%part%of%our%repor<ng%process%at%VIS.% They% are% a% unique% opportunity% for% parents,% families% and% caregivers% to% be% involved% in% their% child’s% learning% and% for% students% to% reflect% on% their%learning%and%set%new%goals%while%building% confidence% and% independence.% It% is% a% privilege% and% a% pleasure% to% walk% through% the% primary% school%on%conference%day%and%see%students%and% families%talking%about%and%experiencing%learning% in%so%many%different%ways.%

Why(do(we(have(student6led(conferences?(( For%students%

For%parents%

• to% empower% students% as% agents% of% their% own%learning%

• to%beQer%understand%how%your%child% learns%

• to% provide% an% authen<c% opportunity% for% students% to% communicate% in% their% own% way%what%they%know,%understand%and%can% do%%

• to%see,%hear%and%experience%evidence%of% learning%and%development%

• to% reﬂect% on% and% celebrate% progress% and% achievements% • to% iden<fy% areas% for% growth% and% set% learning%goals% • to%include%families%in%their%school%life%

• to%celebrate%progress%and%achievements% • to%iden<fy%areas%for%growth% • to%build%rela<onship%and%memories%with% your%child% • to%share%and%par<cipate%in%your%child’s% school%life,%environment%and%interests%

Creativity in the PYP David Gocentas Grade 2 Teacher CreaEvity' –' “being' creaEve' and' imaginaEve' in' their' thinking' and' in' their' approach' to' problems' and' dilemmas.”'Making'the'PYP'Happen.' Crea<vity%is%not%something%you%only%see%or%read%in%a% published%piece%of%work.%It%is%the%a\tude%we%bring%to% our% learning% and% the% processes% we% follow% to% create% something%diﬀerent%or%unique.%It%is%the%willingness%to% be% open^minded% and% lateral% in% our% thinking% and% to% take%risks%and%face%our%challenges%‘head%on’.%There%is% no%limit%to%where%our%imagina<on%and%crea<vity%can% take%us!% Every%student%has%a%natural%predisposi<on%to%want%to% create,% build,% design,% inves<gate,% play,% explore% and% wonder!%The%challenge%as%teachers%is%to%nurture%and% promote% this% sense% of% crea<vity% and% imagina<on% throughout%our%program.%As%teachers%we%try%to%foster% crea<vity%in%all%aspects%of%schooling,%from%consul<ng% students%on%how%we%should%best%organise%produc<ve% learning%environments,%through%to%what%we%need%to% do% to% ensure% everyone% is% feeling% happy% and% safe% on% the%playground.%% So,% what% are% some% examples% of% VIS% students% being% ‘crea<ve’%in%the%Primary%School?% Prep( Our% Prep% students% recently% created% the% perfect% learning% environment% to% explore% forest% and% underwater% habitats% as% part% of% their% inquiry% into% Sharing' the' planet.% If% you% have% already% visited% the% Prep%N%classroom%you%would%have%been%forgiven%for% thinking% that% you% had% walked% into% a% tropical% rainforest% with% monkeys,% plants,% birds,% spiders% and% other%assorted%natural%wildlife%watching%over%you.%In% the% adjoining% Prep% E% classroom,% you% may% well% have% felt%the%need%to%reach%for%your%diving%gear%to%explore% the% underwater% world% and% animals% that% await% you% there.%These%learning%environments%oﬀer%the%perfect% space% in% which% to% challenge% student% thinking% and% to% pose% real^life% problems% that% require% crea<ve% solu<ons.%

Grade(2( Grade%2%recently%finished%a%unit%of%inquiry%under%the% transdisciplinary% theme% of% How' we' organise' ourselves.% During% this% unit% students% used% ‘role% play’% to% explore% and% discuss% different% issues% and% needs% in% our%community.%In%the%early%stages%of%the%unit,%some% students%iden<fied%the%increasing%amount%of%rubbish% on% the% playground% as% a% problem% that% needed% to% be% fixed.% In% order% to% consider% this% issue% with% a% crea<ve% and% open% mind,% students% par<cipated% in% a% role% play% at% the% end% of% the% unit.% Each% student% took% on% a% ‘character’% within% the% VIS% community,% with% students% playing%the%roles%of%parents,%staff%and%students%at%VIS.% In%playing%out%these%roles%and%deba<ng%the%‘rubbish’% issue% from% different% perspec<ves,% students% engaged% in% crea<ve% problem^solving% discussions.% AMer% all,% ‘who% is% responsible% for% the% trash% on% the% VIS% playground?’%and%‘as%an%organisa<on,%what%do%we%do% about%it?’%

imagina<ve,% students% had% to% think% about% the% materials,% colours% and% techniques% to% apply% to% their%work.% Grade(5( During%Term%3%our%Grade%5%students%have%been% working%hard%on%their%Exhibi<on%unit.%This%unit% oďŹ&#x20AC;ers% the% perfect% chance% for% our% students% to% be% crea<ve% and% imagina<ve% in% the% way% that% they%address%and%respond%to%a%real^life%issue.% During% their% weekly% Visual% Art% lessons,% Exhibi<on%groups%have%transformed%a%common' symbol' to' embody' the' uniqueness' of' their' group.' The' ďŹ nal' product' for' each' group' represents'each'member'and'their'thinking.' Grade(4(

Where(to(now?(

As%part%of%their%inquiry%into%How'we'express'ourselves,% Grade%4%students%created%masks%as%a%way%to%represent% an% issue% or% topic% of% personal% interest.% They% had% to% think% about% the% message% they% were% trying% to% communicate% to% their% audience% and% how% their% mask% was%to%achieve%this%goal.%In%being%crea<ve%and%%

Students' at' VIS' are' regularly' challenged' and' encouraged' to' approach' their' inquiries' with' an' open' mind'and'to'use'their'imaginaEon.'Having'seen'all'the' wonderful'learning'that'has'occurred'throughout'the' year'already,'we'certainly'know'that'our'students'are' responding'to'this'challenge.'Stay'tuned!'

Congratulations to Nanami One%of%our%grade%4%students%Nanami%Terada%recently% ﬂew% to% Tokyo% with% her% family% to% aQend% an% award% ceremony% for% a% wri<ng% compe<<on% she% entered% in% Japan.%% The% compe<<on% was% organised% by% a% Japanese% publishing%company%and%was%aimed%at%young%writers.% About% 850% people% par<cipated,% submi\ng% novels% they% had% wriQen.% % Nanami% received% “a% judge’s% choice”%award%^%one%of%ﬁve%prizes%awarded.%Her%novel% has%now%been%published%as%an%e^book%along%with%the% other%winners.%%%% Nanami%shared%recently%at%our%primary%assembly:% “I' love' wriEng' stories.' I' cannot' imagine' my' life' without' reading' and' wriEng.' I' am' very' happy' that' I' got'an'award'in'a'novel'wriEng'compeEEon'because' of'my'love'for'wriEng.'' The' story' I' wrote' is' the' adventure' of' a' witch' who' can’t' use' magic' and' a' boy' who' is' a' famous' adventurer.' I' love' the' world' of' magic' and' I' get' very' excited' when' I' hear' the' word' magic.' So' I' thought' I' wanted'to'tell'my'excitement.'

At' the' ceremony,' I' had' a' chance' to' give' a' speech.' I' talked' about' my' experience' in' Laos.' When' I' ﬁrst' came' here,' I' couldn’t' speak' English' so' I' couldn’t' communicate' with' everyone.' I' felt' really' sad' and' cried.' I' thought,' why' did' I' have' to' come' to' a' place' like' this?' ' But' this' experience' taught' me' a' very' important'thing.' When' I' was' in' Japan,' I' couldn’t' really' understand' what' it' is' to' feel' very,' very' sad' or' frustrated.' But' when' I' came' here' and' felt' sad,' I' think' I' came' to' understand' the' feelings' of' my' story’s' characters.' Of' course,' I' had' a' sweet' family,' kind' friends' and' teachers'so'I'didn’t'feel'so'sad'like'the'characters'in' my'novels'do.'But'I'learned'sadness,'frustraEon'and' the' happiness' when' someone' helped' me.' I' think' it' improved'my'wriEng'a'lot.' I' want' to' build' on' my' own' experience' that' others' can’t'get,'and'build'my'own'world'inside'myself,'and'I' hope' to' write' a' novel' that' strikes' people’s' hearts' someday.”' Well%done%Nanami!'

Field Trips  Olwen Millgate Grade 3 Teacher “The'PYP'prepares'students'to'become'acEve,'caring,'lifelong'learners'who'demonstrate'respect'for' themselves'and'others'and'have'the'capacity'to'parEcipate'in'the'world'around'them.'It'focuses'on'the' development'of'the'whole'child'as'an'inquirer,'both'within'and'beyond'the'classroom.%“(ibo.org)% Beyond%our%classrooms%we%have%amazing%opportuni<es%for%our%students%to%connect%their%learning%to%their% environment%in%Laos.%Students%interact%with%the%se\ng,%displays,%and%exhibits%and%ask%ques<ons%to%gain%an% experien<al%connec<on%to%the%ideas,%concepts,%and%subject%maQer%that%connects%to%the%current%class%inquiry.%% Field%trips%take%students%to%loca<ons%that%are%unique%and%cannot%be%easily%duplicated%in%the%classroom.%We% make%connec<ons%between%the%ﬁeld%trip%venue%and%the%classroom%both%before%and%aMer%the%trip.%% Field%trips%are%a%great%way%for%students%to%share%their%learning%with%their%family%and%provide%great%conversa<on% opportuni<es.%

Grade%4%visit%% Kaonio%Puppet%Theatre

Grade%2%visit%Lao%Disabled%Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s%Development%Centre%and%COPE%Centre

Reflection Anne Zuidema, Grade 1 teacher Reflec<on%is%a%valuable%tool%for%personal%and%academic% growth.%Some%students%have%a%natural%ability%to%reflect% while% others% need% to% prac<ce% strategies% in% order% to% improve% their% intrapersonal% skills.% Students% who% are% aware% of% their% strengths,% weaknesses,% passions,% and% challenges%are%able%to%become%more%self^directed%and% purposeful% in% their% learning.% Below% are% some% of% the% techniques% used% in% our% primary% classrooms% which% encourage%self^reflec<on.%They%range%from%being%fun,% quick% everyday% strategies% that% are% embedded% into% daily% classroom% rou<nes% to% more% thoughnul% ques<oning%which%leads%to%deeper%understandings.%

Grade(1( Finished%Product%(Picture%1)(

Prep( Here% are% some% Prep% students% showing% how% they% felt% about% their% performance% during% a% learning% engagement.% This% common% hand% gesture% used% as% a% reﬂec<on%tool%and%equates%to:% •% Thumbs%up:%I%understood%everything%and%I%did% well.%

Revision%of% Finished% Product% (Picture%2)%

•% Thumbs%to%the%side:%It%was%okay.%I%had%a%liQle% bit%of%trouble.% •% Thumbs%down:%I%did%not%understand%or%I%found% it%challenging%

If'you'had'a'chance'to'redo'your'work,'how'would'you' do'it'differently?'' This%ques<on%is%oMen%asked%to%allow%students%to%think% about% their% successes% and% how% they% could% make% improvements% in% future% work.% AMer% comple<ng% the% finished% product% a% Grade% 1% student% reflected% on% her% work.% The% original% work% is% labeled% picture% 1.% The% reflec<on% is% labelled% picture% 2.% She% spoke% with% a% teacher%and%said:%% “I' would' take' away' the' leaves' because' I' didn’t' really' like'them.'Instead'I'would'add'a'rainbow'and'have'it' match' the' blue' background.' I' also' wanted' to' put' in' more' petals.' There' are' so' many' different' flowers,' I' found'it'hard'to'find'a'flower'that'was'just'right.'The' easiest'part'was'making'the'blue'background'because' I'knew'that'I'loved'blue.”'

Grade(2( As% part% of% their% recent% How' we' organise' ourselves' unit% in% Grade% 2,% students% iden<fied% issues% in% our% school% community% that% they% wanted% to% address.%They%formed%organisa<ons%to%address%these% needs% and% role% played% different% jobs% within% their% chosen%organisa<ons.%% Students% stopped% to% reflect% at% regular% intervals% and% discussed%some%of%the%challenges%they%faced%in%their% groups.%Student%comments%were%recorded%as%part%of% a% class% book% for% all% to% share% and% discuss.% Reflec<ng% on% these% challenges% provided% students% with% the% opportunity% to% share% both% personal% and% group% struggles% and% to% iden<fy% possible% solu<ons% for% how% their%groups%could%work%beQer%in%the%future.%

"It's'hard'to'agree'on'the'one'thing'because'we'are' in'a'group'and'there'is'more'than'one'person.'When'' you're'in'a'group'it'is'hard'to'ﬁnd'a'soluEon'that'you' all'agree'on."' "Listening' to' other' people's' ideas' is' challenging.' Some'people'are'playing'and'talking'which'makes'it' hard'to'hear."'

Following% one% whole% class% reﬂec<on,% students% shared%various%challenges%including:%

Grades(3,(4(and(5( The%upper%primary%grades%have%individual%reﬂec<on% journals%which%they%use%on%a%weekly%basis.%Prompts% are% oMen% given% to% help% the% students% guide% their% reﬂec<on.% Here% is% one% example% from% a% Grade% 4% classroom:%

Below%is%an%example%from%a%Grade%3%learning%journal%which%highlights%things%proud%of%and%things%which%can%be% shared%with%others.%The%student%also%iden<ďŹ es%how%thinking%can%change%when%looking%back%(into%the%past)%and% looking%forward%(new%steps%for%learning).

ReďŹ&#x201A;ec<on%is%an%integral%part%of%the%PYP%and%is%a%wonderful%way%to%celebrate%the%diversity%of%learning%within%the% classroom.% It% is% also% an% authen<c% avenue% for% students% to% learn% how% to% communicate% posi<vely% towards% themselves%as%well%as%towards%others.

ສະບາຍດ' ປ'ໃຫມ, ລາວ Sabaidee Pii Mai The%celebra<on%of%Lao%New%Year%at%VIS%on%April%9%was%spectacular.%Every%year%the%gracious%Lao%staff%at%our%school% work%assiduously,%crea<vely%and%conscien<ously%to%plan%and%present%a%beau<ful%observance%of%the%biggest%Lao% holiday%of%the%year.%This%year,%in%a%model%example%of%dedica<on%and%teamwork,%the%result%of%their%efforts%was%truly% awesome.%Everyone%here%was%dressed%for%and%totally%immersed%in%the%day’s%fes<ve%ac<vi<es.% %%%%%% The%delighnul%decora<ons%around%the%campus%and%the%Lao%Pii%Mai%music%waMing%through%the%PA%system%generated% both%a%respecnul%and%joyous%atmosphere%for%the%occasion.%Ac<vi<es%included%games%and%flower%garland%making% for%Primary%students%and%a%swim%gala%for%Secondary%in%and%around%the%pools.%%% %%%%%% AMer%lunch%Primary%and%Secondary%students%and%staff%gathered%together%under%marquee%tents%to%write%New%Year% wish%notes%which%were%placed%along%a%large%“Sabaidee%Pii%Mai”%wriQen%across%the%back%sports%field.%Then%the% colourful,%jubilant%parade%proceeded%from%there%to%the%front%court%where%a%fabulous%culmina<ng%assembly%was% staged%to%the%sheer%delight%of%all%who%par<cipated%in%it,%including%parents%and%friends%in%the%VIS%community.%%% Students%from%both%Primary%and%Secondary%sang,%danced%and%performed%in%a%myriad%of%customary%ways.%The% highlights%of%the%show%were%a%hilarious%“VIS%Primary%Got%Talent”%mimicking%our%annual%VIS%Idol%and%an%elaborate% Secondary%tradi<onal%costume%fashion%show.%Throughout%the%performances,%the%fusion%of%tradi<onal%and%modern% was%superb.%AMer%a%closing%somma%ceremony,%where%young%people%pay%respect%to%elders,%most%went%out%to%the% sports%field%to%engage%in%the%tradi<onal%watering%ceremony%which%soon%became%the%expected%Lao%New%Year%water% frolicking.%%%

Secondary Reflections

Jo Loiterton Secondary Principal

Pii%Mai%is%the%celebra<on%of%a%new%year%arriving%here% in%Laos.%%We%celebrated%with%a%wet%and%wild%Swim%Gala% and%an%assembly%showcasing%our%value%of%Lao%culture% from%both%now%and%in%the%past.%%

Our%grade%12s%have%ﬁnished%every%aspect%of%the%two% years%of%their%tough%and%demanding%High%School%and% Diploma% programs% with% the% excep<on% of% their% exams% in%May.%

But%Pii%Mai%also%marks%the%beginning%of%many%endings% as%we%move%into%our%last%eight%weeks%of%school.%With% endings%comes%celebra<ons%and%we%have%had%much%to% celebrate%in%the%secondary%school%at%VIS.%%

Finishing%is%an%achievement%in%itself,%and%I%expect%that% this%cohort%will%do%well%with%their%ﬁnal%results.%These% students%are%passionate%and%smart%and%the%very%future% of%our%world.%%

The%celebra<ons%of%learning%in%par<cular%have%been%a% remarkable% window% into% the% comprehensive% skill% and% knowledge% set% that% our% students% develop.% So% much% goes%on%here%in%and%out%of%the%classroom!%%

The% DP% Visual% Arts% Exhibi<on% and% the% Theatre% performances% highlighted% the% crea<ve% elements% of% our% student% talent.% The% TOK% presenta<ons% demonstrated% a% strength% in% connec<ng% diﬃcult% and% complex% abstract% ideas.% I% was% deeply% touched% by% the% breadth% and% depth% of% their% CAS% experiences% as% they% recently% sat% with% their% supervisors% and% shared% what% they% had% learned% and% how% they% had% grown% through% the% Crea<vity% Ac<on% and% Service% components% of% our% program.%

Through%the%Grade%10%Personal%Project%Exhibi<on%we% witnessed% the% pursuit% of% a% personal% passion% and% the% documenta<on%of%the%learning%and%the%reﬂec<on%that% occurs% while% developing% a% project.% Topics% varied% enormously%from%personal%hobbies,%to%explora<ons%of% home% and% host% culture,% local% and% global% issues,% and% service.%The%Personal%Project%marks%the%culmina<on%of% the% MYP% program% and% the% celebra<on% marked% deep% personal%learning%and%growth%for%our%students%as%they% were%able%to%share%their%journey%with%us%all.%%%

I% am% excited% for% their% futures% and% am% proud% of% their% growing%list%of%university%acceptances.%%I%am%conﬁdent% that%they%will%make%the%world%a%richer%and%beQer%place% for%us%all.%Sokdee!%Grade%12%for%the%last%steps%of%your% Grade%12%year%and%your%upcoming%exams!% %Sokdee%Pii% Mai%everybody!%

Breathing in the beauty of Bangkok IBDP Arts Trip to Bangkok

Rachael Phiasanaxay A% group% of% 26% Theatre% and% Visual% Arts% students% and% their% teachers% headed% to% Bangkok% last% January% to% explore% the% vast% array% of% art% galleries,% take% part% in% life% drawing%and%drama%workshops,%experience%the%beauty% and%skill%of%Khon%Dance%Drama%and%to%draw%inspira<on% for%their%own%crea<vity.% The% three% day% trip% included% visits% to% Jim% Thompson’s% house,%the%Bangkok%Arts%Cultural%Centre%and%NIST%(New% Interna<onal% School% of% Thailand)% where% theatre% students%took%part%in%a%full%day%of%workshops%exploring% puppetry% and% ‘object’% theatre.% These% visits% provided% relevant%experience%connected%to%the%Diploma%Program% course% requirements% as% well% as% providing% fabulous% inspira<on%for%their%own%crea<vity.    Incorporated% into% the% busy% schedule% was% a% trip% to% the% cinema% to% watch% the% ﬁlm% version% of% the% stage% musical% ‘Into' The' Woods’% which% provided% a% g r e a t% d i s c u s s i o n% p o i n t% f o r% comparing% the% role% of% the% ﬁlm% director% to% that% of% the% theatre%

director,%having%previously%watched%the%Digital%Theatre% version.% In% a% world% where% computer% genera<on% is% not% possible,% how% is% it% possible% to% create% the% eﬀect% of% a% giant?%% The% highlight% for% me% was% watching% the% students% be% inspired% by% Bangkok% itself,% from% listening% to% the% students% responses% to% the% colourful% and% magical% performance% of% The% Ramayana% to% their% rousing% rendi<ons%of%‘Agony’%on%the%escalators%in%MBK.%

WHAT’S IN AN AGE?(( A% play% exploring% the% concept% of% age% through% the% genera<ons,% captured% on% stage% by% the% enVISion% community%theatre%company.% by%Lorah%EvereQ  Theatre%Cri<c%for%the%Tales

Before%the%Pi%Mai%break,%enVISion%Theatre%Company’s% produc<on% of% Deborah% Bruce’s% play% Same% performed% to% three% packed% houses.% Directed% by% Margarete% Magiera,% and% with% a% cast% drawn% from% students,% teachers% and% parents% from% VIS,% ‘Same’% explores% the% rela<onships%of%a%group%of%cousins,%their%grandmother% and% the% residents% of% the% old% people’s% home% in% which% the%play%is%set.%% Some<mes% griQy,% some<mes% amusing% and% ul<mately% moving,% this% produc<on% subverts% genera<onal% representa<on% by% having% students% play% the% ‘old% people’% and% adults% perform% the% ‘teenager’% roles.% This% works%from%the%start:%Act%1%sees%the%‘teenage’%cousins% together% in% their% grandmother’s% room% at% the% old% people’s% home% a% few% days% aMer% she% has% died.% Ini<ally% the% audience% is% amused% at% the% sight% of% adults% playing% teenage%roles%but%quickly%the%dialogue%and%ac<ng%has% the% audience% immersed% in% the% interac<ons% of% the% cousins% as% they% come% to% terms% with% wider% family% issues% brought% to% the% forefront% by% the% death% of% their% grandmother.% Likewise,% in% Act% 2% the% ‘old% people’% are% thoroughly% convincing% through% a% combina<on% of%

ac<ng%and%eﬀec<ve%makeup%and%costume.%Perhaps%the% <tle%of%the%play,%Same,%is%most%per<nent%in%this%Act%as% it%is%in%part%an%explora<on%of%how%human%mo<va<on,% needs%and%a\tudes%stay%constant%even%when%the%body% is%older.%% Deborah% Bruce% is% a% theatre% director% and% writer% from% London.% Her% ﬁrst% play,% Godchild% was% staged% at% Hampstead%Theatre%in%October%2013,%and%her%play%The% Distance% was% shortlisted% for% the% Susan% Smith% Blackburn%Award%2013.%She%is%under%commission%from% the%Na<onal%Theatre%and%the%Royal%Court.% Same%was%originally%commissioned%as%part%of%the%2014% Na<onal% Theatre% Connec<ons% Fes<val% and% premiered% by% youth% theatres% across% the% UK.% It% was% originally% wriQen%for%young%actors,%but%with%roles%from%teens%to% eigh<es.% hQp://connec<ons.na<onaltheatre.org.uk/plays/ same#.VTn1nSGqqko%

The%enVISion%theatre%company%was%set%up% as% a% response% to% a% growing% need% for% a% performing%arts%outlet%in%Vien<ane.%Open% to% secondary% students,% parents% and% staff,% the% company% started% off% in% 2013% taking% part% in% a% series% of% workshops% which% explored% different% themes% through% the% medium%of%drama.% The% desire% to% see% the% workshops% through% to% produc<on% was% the% driver% for% larger% scale% performances% to% be% conceived% and% t h e% g ro u p% p e r fo r m e d% t h e i r% fi rs t% produc<on% ‘Mobile% Phone% Show’% by% Jim% Cartwright% in% March% 2014% under% the% direc<on% of% Rachael% Phiasanaxay.% Future% plans%for%the%company%will%be%to%increase% the% number% of% performances% to% two% a% year% instead% of% one% and% to% produce% a% m o r e% d i v e r s e% r a n g e% o f% t h e a t r e% experiences%for%audiences.

JOIN(enVISion(Theatre(Company( If%you%are%interested%in%ge\ng%involved%in% the% enVISion% Theatre% Company,% either% as% a% performer% or% back% stage% please% contact% Ms% Rachael% for% more% informa<on% at%rachaels@ourvis.com

MYP Update Jonathon Smedes MYP Coordinator What’s(happening(in(the(MYP?( The%beginning%of%semester%two%is%always%a%busy%<me% in%the%lives%of%MYP%students%and%teachers.%%Our%Grade% 10% can% tell% you% just% how% hec<c% this% <me% is% as% they% recently% finalized% their% Personal% Projects,% which% culminated%in%the%Personal%Project%Exhibi<on%on%24th% February.% The% Personal% Project% is% a% significant% student^directed%inquiry%produced%over%an%extended% period%during%year%five%(Grade%10)%of%the%IBMYP.%%The% exhibi<on% is% a% celebra<on% of% the% 8% month% journey% that% the% students% have% been% on% whilst% undertaking% the%project%and%it%is%an%opportunity%for%all%members% of% the% VIS% community% to% formally% congratulate% the% Grade%10%students.%% Behind% the% scenes% teachers% were% also% working% hard% to% compile% samples% of% work% to% submit% for% the% ‘monitoring% of% assessment’,% an% annual% submission% the% looks% at% MYP% assessment% prac<ces% at% VIS.% % This%

process% results% in% a% formal% report% from% an% IB% moderator% on% the% strengths% and% areas% of% growth% within%our%assessment%prac<ces.%%This%can%been%seen% as%quality%assurance%that%assessment%prac<ces%at%VIS% are%indeed%of%a%high%quality.%%% Lastly,% as% always,% MYP% students% con<nue% to% keep% themselves% busy% outside% of% the% classroom% through% involvement% in% a% number% of% co^curricular% ini<a<ves% such% as:% % MRISA% spor<ng% tournaments,% MRISA% arts% exchange,% Model% United% Na<ons,% Global% Issues% Network,% VIS% sports% day,% Careers% tas<ng,% Work% Experience% and% a% number% of% school% excursions.% Whilst% all% of% these% ac<vi<es% technically% take% place% outside% of% the% tradi<onal% school% learning% environment,% they% are% vital% in% providing% our% MYP% students% with% a% holis<c% experience% and% compliment% what%students%do%in%class%on%a%day^to^day%basis%in%the% MYP.%

Library News Philip Williams, VIS Librarian NEW(to(VIS(library( Supercharge%your% academic%research%with% ProQuest%online%and%ﬁnd% high%quality%informa<on% that%a%Google%search%will% never%ﬁnd.

hQp://search.proquest.com%%%%% (login%details%on%request%librarian@vislao.com%)% VIS%Library%is%constantly%reviewing%new%resources%and%is%excited%to%announce%a%signiﬁcant%upgrade%to%our% informa<on%services%with%the%launch%of%ProQuest%earlier%this%year.%ProQuest%hosts%millions(of(arMcles%from%over% 8,000(full6text(scholarly(journals,(magazines(and(newspapers.%There%are%160%subjects%represented%across%6,200% full^text%<tles.%% ProQuest%also%provides%many%features%to%connect%students%to%what%they%need,%when%they%need%it.%Features%include% an%intui<ve%search%engine,%social%sharing,%auto^cita<on,%personalisa<on%and%ar<cle%transla<ons.% 1000s%of%ar<cles%in%German,%Chinese,%French%and%other%languages.% Please%contact%the%VIS%Library%at%librarian@vislao.com%for%more%informa<on%about%how%to%connect%to%this% powerful%research%tool.%Parents%are%also%welcome%to%access%this%resource.%

IB DP Update Teresa Foard IB Diploma Coordinator IB(DP(in(AcMon( Time% management% is% not% something% we% can% assume% that% students% will% do% naturally% –% it% is% an% approach% to% learning%that%must%be%taught%and%also%modelled.%If%we% expect% our% students% to% be% well% ôrganised% and% punctual,% to% work% methodically% throughout% the% year% and% to% meet% all% deadlines% without% last% minute% panic% then%we%must%model%strategies%to%help%them%achieve% this%goal.% %(Approaches%to%Teaching%and%Learning%in%the%Diploma% Programme,%IBO%2013)% January% to% March% is% really% when% the% rubber% hits% the% road%for%our%Grade%12%students.%It%is%a%<me%when%they% must% manage% the% deadlines% demands% of% the% nine% areas%of%the%DP%curriculum.%In%this%period%the%majority% of% their% internally% assessed% inves<ga<ons,% folios,% oral% commentaries% and% laboratory% work% are% due.% These% tasks%cons<tute%between%20%%%and%50%%of%their%final% IB%DP%grade.%With%so%much%going%on,%and%ever%looming% stress%of%May%exams,%it%is%hard%for%our%grade%12s%to%not% feel%like%they%are%in%crisis%mode.%% One%of%the%ways%we%have%been%suppor<ng%students%is% with% the% work% of% Sean% Covey% “The% 7% habits% of% Highly% Effec<ve%Teens.”%One%of%Covey’s%7%habits%is%making%use% of%a%<me%management%quadrant.%Students%have%found% this% a% helpful% frame% for% deciding% what% tasks% and% aspects%of%their%life%are:%% 1.%

Important/urgent%

2.%

Important/not%urgent%

3.%

Not%important/urgent%%

4.%

Not%important/not%urgent%

Whilst% we% have% discussed% with% students% the% need% to% avoid% quadrant% number% 1,% we% have% also% concluded% that%between%now%and%the%end%of%IB%exams%(May%4%–% 22),% students% will% necessarily% spend% more% <me% in% quadrant%number%1,%than%in%other%periods%of%their%life.%% In%addi<on,%our%Grade%12%students%have%been%engaged% over% the% past% 10% weeks% in% a% Mindfulness% programme% with% Ms% Suzanne.% Mindfulness% means% simply% becoming% more% aware% of% your% own% percep<ons% as% they% happen% and% your% thinking% as% it% occurs.% Helping% students% “stay% in% the% moment”% can% help% them% overcome% distrac<ons,% increase% aQen<on% and% improve%concentra<on.%(Brefczynski^Lewis%et%al%2007)%% As% a% community% we% are% aware% that% our% Grade% 12s% need% more% support% at% this% <me% to% cope% with% the% emo<onal%and%organisa<onal%demands%of%comple<ng% the%IB%Diploma%or%Courses%pathway.%We%wish%them%all% the%very%best.

Our%Grade%11s%are%now%well%underway%with%the% It% was% a% pleasure% to% see% 25% Grade% 10% students% Extended% Essay.% This% independent% piece% of% Grade(12(DP(Exams( May(4(â&#x20AC;&#x201C;(22nd(( research% is% completed% over% a% 12% month% period.% Students% will% develop% and% follow% a% summer% Grade(12(GraduaMon May(29th extended% essay% plan% so% they% return% to% VIS% in% August% with% a% draM% for% as% progress% mee<ng% August(21st.( Our% Grade% 11s% are% also% to% be% commended% for% the% support% they% provided% at% our% recent% IB% DP% Exhibi<on%on%March%26th.% %The%main%purpose%of% this% event% was% to% provide% support% to% our% Grade% 10% students% and% families% transi<oning% into% the% DP.%Over%20%Grade%11s%gave%up%their%evening%to% provide% subject% informa<on% from% a% studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s% perspec<ve.%%

Celebration of Mother Tongue Languages Mother(Tongue(Languages(CelebraMon( March(4,(2015( CelebraMng(Cultural(Diversity(is(promoMng(InternaMonal6mindedness( The'theme'of'this'year’s'Mother'Tongue'Languages'CelebraEon'was'humour'across'cultures.'' Students'understand'that'percepEons'of'humour'varies'with'culture.'Even'though'laughter'is'a' universal'peculiarity'of'human'beings,'diﬀerent'cultures'have'diﬀerent'interpretaEons'of'and'expectaEons'for' humour.'' We,%VIS%Mother%Tongue%Languages%team,%would%like%to%express%our%sincere%thanks%to%all%for%your%fantas<c% support%in%making%the%Mother%Tongue%Languages%Day%such%a%success.%It%has%been%inspiring%to%witness%your%great% commitment%in%the%celebra<on%of%cultural%diversity. “The'wonderful'celebraEon'of'‘Mother'Tongue’'language'diversity'at'VIS.%%It'was'tremendous'to'see'students' sharing'their'language,'their'culture'and'working'together'in'such'a'range'of'interacEve'experiences.”''' Miss'Olwen'&'Miss'Angie' “VIS'allows'us'to'keep'a'strong'connecEon'with'our'Mother'Tongue'languages'through'courses'that'allow'us'to' improve'our'skills.'But'we'also'enjoy'the'Mother'Tongue'CelebraEon'Day'that'brings'us'closer'to'our'culture.'The' diversity'of'naEonaliEes'and'cultures'embellished'the'community'and'makes'VIS'a'vibrant'community.”''' Laura'Berdaga'

Vientiane International School Sports

David Williams Activities Director

Dragon(Sports(:(The(end(of(season(two…….(

MRISA%%

Another%busy%VIS%sports%season%has%come%to%a%close% with% primary% and% junior% football% and% senior% basketball.% The% third% season% is% now% underway% with% volleyball% for% primary% and% secondary% students,% and% football%for%the%seniors.%

Junior% and% Senior% teams% travelled% for% MRISA.% The% seniors% travelled% to% the% Interna<onal% School% of% Phnom% Penh% and% saw% the% boys% achieve% 3rd% place.% The% junior% football% teams% travelled% to% Interna<onal% School% of% Eastern% Seaboard% in% PaQaya.% Both% teams% had%very%strong%ﬁrst%days%but%didn’t%quite%manage%to% qualify%for%the%ﬁnals.%%

VSSA( All% teams% competed% in% the% VSSA,% the% local% school% sports% league.% % Achievements% in% the% league% include% senior% girls% coming% runners% up% being% narrowly% defeated%in%the%ﬁnal%and%girls%junior%team%domina<ng% the%league%and%winning%the%ﬁnal.%%

Coach's(player( Players’(player( Most(improved(

Primary( Boys( football Iestyn% Rusinow Yohan% Magiera Colin% Kent

Primary( Girls( football Lola% Franck Tina% Allen Gabrielle% Poole

Sports(awards(( Please% see% below% the% winners% of% the% 2nd% sports% awards% event% this% year.% Well% done% to% the% students% athletes%below.%

Junior( Girls( football Zazie% Franck Sian% Rusinow Nejema% Hagen

Junior( Boys( Football( Kevin% Hug Maxime% Frank Marco% Schirrma cher

Senior( Girls( Basketball Aimee% Campbell Catherina% Scanlon Renee% Gilbert

Senior(Boys( Basketball( Stephane% Selbe Stephane% Selbe Parsa% Mohtashami% Khojasteh

On%21%^%23%May%VIS%is%hos<ng%the%MRISA%Junior%volleyball%tournament.%( If(you(are(available(to(host(visiMng(students(and(havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t(done(so(yet,( please(volunteer.(You(can(do(so(through(the(below(Google(form:( hap://goo.gl/forms/7wnGJES4UN% For%more%informa<on,%photos,%news%and%more%on%sports%and%Co%Curricular%Ac<vi<es%please%visit%the%VIS% Ac<vi<es%Google%site%at:% hQps://sites.google.com/a/ourvis.com/visa/% Or%follow%us%on%facebook%at%VIS%Dragons%%