News for Parents

Open day

Posted on16 Mar 2024

The Saturday of last weekend was dedicated to the “Open Day” at the IGS.
In the morning, the U6 area and the primary school opened their doors and welcomed interested parents for an informative tour, while activities for the little ones were offered in the forum. 

The students of the student council not only provided a sweet treat with their waffle stand, but also donated the proceeds to a good cause.

In the afternoon, it was time for the secondary level. They presented themselves for the first time during the Open Day as part of the Night of Science, where teachers, as well as cooperation partners of the IGS and external experts, delighted the guests with lectures, workshops, and hands-on experiments.
Visitors of all ages had the opportunity to gain insights into the scientific methods of the STEM subjects at the IGS throughout the event by being introduced to microscopy, determining the pH value of various ingredients in the laboratory, or exploring the beauty of mathematics. Additionally, the Language, Art, and Music Departments opened their doors to showcase the uniqueness of the IGS.

On the main stage, an interesting experiment show was held every hour, which combined the history of alchemy with modern chemistry, causing amazement and enthusiasm among the audience, just before the visitors had the opportunity to participate in lectures and workshops.

As the IGS sees itself as a progressive school with a focus on the STEM field, experts on topics relevant to research and development were invited. For instance, Dr. Klein from the Vietnamese-German University led a lecture and workshop on “Semiconductor and Microchips,” where participants had the opportunity to program and test their own microchips on-site.


The IGS is also very pleased that NFQ Asia participated in the Night of Science and provided visitors with insights into the possibilities and challenges of the currently rapid AI developments.

During the concluding panel discussion with students, teachers, and parents, significant aspects were discussed, encouraging the audience to contemplate the topics and actively participate. Mr. Lars Jankowfsky (Founder of NFQ) emphasized the successful approach of the IGS and its concept of “Digital Citizenship.” He highlighted that taking responsibility in dealing with artificial intelligence (AI) will be of increasing societal relevance in the future.
The IGS would like to thank all participants of this year’s Night of Science.

NaWi Learning Landscapes: A New Learning Module with a Bang

Posted on16 Mar 2024

On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, everything at the NaWi Learning Landscapes revolved around forces and levers. Students from classes 5 and 6 had the opportunity to dive into the new physics learning module in an exciting and varied manner. After a brief explanation of the learning content, they were allowed to demonstrate their skill in a balance competition. The challenge was to establish equilibrium at four different stations by hanging the correct masses at the right distance from the pivot point and weighing an object of unknown weight with a balance scale. 
To conclude the double period, Mr. Kehm and Mr. Vidmar demonstrated the practicality of knowledge about the lever principle in everyday life. They showed that one can easily open a bottle with a crown cap using a 2-meter-long lever (a folding ruler) with a bang!

Badminton Tournament

Posted on16 Mar 2024

In soccer, our school regularly competes against other schools. However, we also don’t neglect other sports. Last Saturday morning, students from classes 11 and 12 participated in a badminton tournament against the French and Finnish schools. Initially, individuals competed against each other in various groups. The group winners advanced to the next round. While our students unfortunately had to concede defeat early on, students Harry and Karel clinched first place in the later doubles event – a strong performance. 
We thank the French school for the invitation and look forward to more competitions of this kind.

POETRY WEEK – 2024

Posted on15 Mar 2024

March 21 is International Poetry Day, and to celebrate this event and create awareness of all things poetic, IGS goes all out to post poetry everywhere on campus for a week. 
This year, the Grundschule poetry will be displayed in the entrance hall to the GS and on either side of the passage leading up to Villa C.
There will be a special focus on French poems written by our students in and around the entrance to Villa B, which will also coincide with le Journée internationale de la francophonie which is on 20 March 2024.
This year, there is also a special section in the Library of Ville E which will focus on internationally known poets from countries which represent our diverse language population (Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish etc.)
As for the rest of the Campus, it will be flooded with a diverse collection of in-house poetry written by our students, a veritable inundation of creativity. 
Happy Poetry Week – IGS – 2024.

IT’S TIME – Night of Science

Posted on08 Mar 2024

First have a look at our Trailer

Join us on Saturday 09 March 2024, to dive into the fascinating world of science and experience an evening full of discoveries, exciting experiments, and inspiring conversations. Whether young or old, there’s something for everyone!
Together with our event partners, the Vietnamese-German-University and NFQ Asia, we offer you highlights such as:

  • Science Lectures and Interactive Workshops
  • Science Shows
  • Hands-on Activities

Bring your family and friends and let’s explore the secrets of science together. This is a unique opportunity to experience science up close and find joy in learning.

We look forward to seeing you!
Your IGS

Soon it’s time: Open Day in the U6 Area

Posted on08 Mar 2024

What do our little learners do in the Discovery and Research House? And how does the playful learning of language and other essential skills actually work?
All of this (and more) can be discovered at the Open Day next Saturday, March 9, 2024, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Come and participate in exciting surprise activities!
The children from both houses are already preparing everything for you, creating artwork, and providing insights into our daily routine. Everyone is excited to show you how we learn together. So, stay tuned and join us!
We look forward to seeing you!

PARENTS’ PLAY DAY AT U 6

Posted on08 Mar 2024

Last week, all groups in the U6 area were invited to an afternoon board game café. Parents and children were able to explore various board and group games under the guidance of educators while enjoying coffee and cookies. They had the opportunity to try out different games commonly played in the U6 area. Some inspirations for their home game collections were also discovered.
The event was in high demand and provided an opportunity for children and parents to make contact with each other across groups.

project Week in U6

Posted on01 Mar 2024

this week, the project week took place in House D. The school beginners continued to explore the theme “Everything about Plants.” They had already started this theme last year and could now finally plant the potatoes they had cultivated. 
Many other plants and vegetables, such as okra and avocado, are now growing on our balconies and are being cared for by the school beginners. 
The juniors have launched their story workshop and developed their own picture book. In their story, the children shrink and experience exciting adventures in the land behind the hole in the wall. 
Whether they have found their way back remains to be seen.

Football Match

Posted on01 Mar 2024

Last Friday marked the second encounter between our U15 football team and the team from ESchool, one of the largest international schools in Ho Chi Minh City. In the 4-4 draw in the first leg on the opponent’s campus, both teams showed no mercy. The return match took place at our sports venue. The IGS Selection took an early lead with two goals from Paul. 
However, in the second half, the ESchool team grew stronger and added excitement to the game with a well-deserved goal. Despite numerous missed opportunities, our team managed to defend the narrow lead until the end. 
The final score was 2-1 in favour of the IGS Selection. We look forward to more games in March!

INTERNATIONAL MOTHER-TONGUE DAY

Posted on01 Mar 2024

Here it comes again, International Mother Tongue Language Day is observed globally every year on February 21st to recognise and promote linguistic and cultural diversity.
On this special occassion, our students from Classes 6 to 12 completed a project “International Mother Language Day” where they were encouraged to write some favourite slang in their mother tongues and then design a little bit of artwork on the posters during their Library and Vietnamese hours.
“Language is power, and my mother tongue is the foundation of my identity.” 
(by different sources)

Board games

Posted on01 Mar 2024

In their most recent art project, our class 7 students have been developing their own boardgames. They worked in groups and discussed some of their favourite games, then began to plan how they could build their own games. They were encouraged to consider the different aspects of their game design from the rulebook, the board and the packaging to create something unique and engaging. The students were thrilled with their final outcomes and eager to share them with other students at the school. We invited the class 4 students to test out the games and vote for their favourites in different award categories.
Congratulations to all of the students who took part in this project, your hard work has really paid off.

Information Evening for Class 9/10: Internship / IB

Posted on29 Feb 2024

Last Monday, a parent evening took place at the IGS Campus for parents of 9th and 10th-grade students, focusing on the work placement and the (multilingual) International Baccalaureate [(G)IB].
In the first part of the evening, parents were informed about the upcoming work placement for Class 9 and 10 students at the end of the school year. The week-long internship aims to provide students with insight into the professional world, allowing them to explore, develop, confirm, or reconsider their career aspirations. A constructive discussion during the subsequent question-and-answer session also addressed experiences and assessments of teachers, parents, and students regarding particularly suitable internship positions. At this point, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Class 10 students who willingly and spontaneously shared their experiences from last year.
In the second part of the parent evening, parents of our current Class 10 and our future IB students were informed about options for the upcoming course selection for our IB upper level. During the course selection, attention is paid not only to the usual requirements of the IB Diploma Programme, but also requirements for meeting the minimum conditions   for achieving the GIB (International Baccalaureate) set by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. This allows our school’s students to obtain a GIB diploma and, consequently, eligibility for university admission in Germany. We look forward to teaching and guiding this cohort, which will take their (G)IB Diploma exams in May 2026!

Grade 3 Reading in Class

Posted on26 Feb 2024

The Grade 3 children really enjoyed listening to Yusuke read The Enormous Crocodile written by Roald Dahl. Reading is one of the best ways to learn new vocabulary and to be able to speak and write English with confidence. Whether you’re reading a classic novel or fairy tales before bed, reading aloud to children can significantly benefit your child’s life. Reading to young children is proven to improve cognitive development, which is the ability to think and understand. This helps to improve language skills and prepare for academic success as it enhances increased concentration and discipline. It is a wonderful way of developing a special bond with your child. When you begin reading aloud to your child, it essentially provides them with background knowledge on their young world, which helps them make sense of what they see, hear, and read. It leads to improved imagination and creativity and a lifelong love of reading. 

Happy New Year – We welcome the Dragon!

Posted on07 Feb 2024

May this year be filled with energy, strength, and positive changes for you. May your dreams come true, and may every challenge on your path turn to your advantage. May health, happiness, and prosperity accompany you. 
Chúc mừng năm mới!

Half-Term Tet Celebration

Posted on07 Feb 2024

To celebrate the last day of the first term, IGS shone with vibrant decorations under the blue sky. The Tet celebration took place on February 7, 2024, bringing together students from different classes in the forum, with the highlight undoubtedly being the students’ contributions, from a play performed by Class 2, to traditional songs leading up to the lion dance by Class 9.
The Year of the Dragon was joyously welcomed before the first half of the school year came to an end for all students at 12:00 noon.

Dragon Art

Posted on07 Feb 2024

The art department has been going wild with dragon themed art over the past few weeks. We would like to share a few of the highlights here with you. All of the students have been hard at work; from attempting to build the world’s longest dragon with paper links, making flying dragon animations, designing their dream dragons, building sculptures and working with spray paints.
We are so impressed with the student’s creations. 
We wish you all a happy and prosperous start to the new year and hope you enjoy your break.
Chúc mừng năm mới!

Dragon Dance at U6

Posted on07 Feb 2024

For days, the children in the U6 area have eagerly stood by the windows, watching the older school children rehearse the dragon dance. Quickly, the thought occurred to us: we can do that too! So, the newcomers to school watched closely and, in preschool, explored what makes a good dragon dance and everything that goes into it. Having fun during the daily rehearsals was, of course, part of the process! 
For the grand finale, the older children gave a performance of their dragon dance to the younger children from houses D and G, receiving enthusiastic applause.

Soccer Tournament

Posted on07 Feb 2024

What a highlight! Last Saturday, both the girls’ and boys’ teams took part in a soccer tournament against two other schools – the Finnish and French schools. It was a real spectacle for every football fan with beautiful combinations and numerous goals scored. 
Now the students are looking forward to a well-deserved Tet holiday and hopefully more successful games next term.

opend day for Kindergarten, Preschool and primary

Posted on03 Feb 2024

SAVE THE DATE
The IGS will open its doors on March 9, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM for all interested guests and parents. Our team from the Kindergarten, Preschool, and Primary School looks forward to welcoming you to our campus. In addition to activities for the little ones, our educators and teachers will be available for you.

Girls’ Football

Posted on02 Feb 2024

On January 20th the time had finally come! Our girls’ team, which has been training weekly since the end of last school year, played its first soccer game. The opponents were the girls from the Atletico Saigon Football Club. The team had been looking forward to the game for weeks, but hardly showed any nervousness during the game. The IGS Selection took the lead early with two goals and was able to keep it until halftime. In the second half the score was even increased to 3-0. Atletico Saigon wanted to make things exciting again with the 3:1, but the final 4:1 sealed our team’s well-deserved victory: a great performance in the first game – keep it up!
The next game will follow next Saturday against the International French School from District 9. At the same time, the boys will also play against the same school. Both teams would be happy fort any support.

Tet Preparations – Year of the Dragon

Posted on02 Feb 2024

As soon as the Christmas decorations are wrapped up and safely stowed away, the preparations for the Tet festival begin. The Year of the Dragon is particularly eagerly awaited by everyone, because the dragon promises prosperity, wisdom and luck for the new year.
For this reason, the children from the U6 area made lanterns, dragons and of course Li Xi bags this week, in which a small amount of money, the “Lucky Money”, is traditionally given away. The rooms were carefully decorated and of course the first Tet songs can be heard here and there.
Next week the time will have come: the big Tet celebration is on the program and the children are already eagerly waiting for the lion dance, which, like every year, is the culmination of the first half of the school year and will be performed by secondary school students.

Suoi Sao Orphanage

Posted on01 Feb 2024

As the Lunar New Year approaches, the spirit of giving and spreading joy fills the air in the IGS community. 
The morning of Saturday, the 27th of January, students from classes 8, 10 and 11 took a visit to the Suoi Sao Orphanage. This visit was for the children of the orphanage and the students to gather together one more time before Tet. The students and teachers had organized various activities including a face painting station and several arts and crafts stations, one of them being a station for a poster about the twelve lunar zodiacs. With such stations, both the students and the children got to learn more about the Lunar New Year. 

As part of their visit, the students had brought along thoughtful donations from the school community for the children. These donations included food, clothes, money and toys in hope of bringing more joy and happiness to the children as Tet is approaching. Upon arrival, the students were greeted with bright smiles from the little girls of Suoi Sao. The atmosphere quickly filled with laughter and joy as games were played, songs were sung, and stories were shared. It was a beautiful sight to witness the bonds forming between the students and the children.
As the visit drew to a close, hugs were exchanged, and promises of future visits were made. Through this visit we also found out that the Suoi Sao Orphanage found a new location to move to after Tet which is more comfortable for them. Thus we hope they’ll have a good time settling into their new home after the new year!

COFFEE WITH U6

Posted on23 Jan 2024

The new year had barely begun when the parents and educators from the U6 area met for the first “Coffee with us” of 2024.
This time the question was how parents can support the children in mastering the exciting everyday life in kindergarten and the school entry program. For example, it was about the background to the topic of punctuality when dropping off and picking up, bringing along important items such as uniforms, water bottles, etc., but also about the fact that the children’s everyday life can be strenuous and debilitating for them, because the  kindergarten and school entry programs are also work.
The children learn, try things out, experience successes, but of course setbacks that they have to deal with. It is therefore important to support children so that they can take part in and benefit from all activities.
The parents themselves also had great suggestions for future projects, such as a board game exchange where board and board games can be borrowed for use at home.
The next Coffee with us will not take place again until May 20, 2024. In the meantime, we would like to draw your attention to our Open Day, which will take place on Saturday, March 9th, 2024. Exciting and fun activities await your children and you can talk to your children’s teachers. Of course, drinks and small snacks are also provided.

STEM / mint

Posted on19 Jan 2024

A Day of Science and Community

January 15th was a special day for the IGS, marked by the STEM project day and an evening event celebrating the certification as an acknowledged STEM school. The events of the school day were an impressive showcase of the school’s dedication to STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
The morning began with exciting activities for the students. Classes 5 and 6 went through experimental stations where they could observe various natural phenomena using simple experimental setups. These practical activities helped younger students awaken their curiosity and interest in the natural sciences.
Classes 7 and 8 had a particularly “cool” experience: they made ice cream using dry ice. This experiment was not only educational but also enjoyable for the students, as they experienced the principles of state changes firsthand and then got to enjoy their homemade ice cream.

Classes 9 and 10 built their own cotton candy machines. This project combined engineering with fun. Making their own cotton candy demonstrated the application of scientific principles in food technology.

The highlight of the day took place in the evening: the celebration of the certification as an acknowledged STEM school. For this occasion, representatives of the German community’s economy, parents’ representatives, and upper secondary classes 11 and 12 were invited. The event served not only to recognize the school’s efforts for excellent STEM education but also as a platform for exchange between the school, business, and parents.

The certification as an acknowledged STEM school is a significant milestone for the school, underscoring its commitment to promoting STEM subjects and preparing its students for the challenges of the 21st century.

Vietnamese Fairy Tales

Posted on18 Jan 2024

Have you ever wondered about Vietnamese fairy tales? Are they the same stories as the western stories? Are they interesting to read? Are they only for children?
Vietnamese fairy tales are considered as fiction and are usually anonymous, although some stories may be explanations for certain things and phenomena in life. The stories are transmitted orally in folklore by Vietnamese people and tell imaginary stories revolving around a number of heroes, events, gods, animals, fairies, Buddhas and demons. Each story is a lesson in morality, behaviour, fairness, etc. However, they often carry elements of myth and fantasy.

During the library lessons in the past weeks, our secondary students completed the project “Vietnamese Fairy Tales” to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and customs through classic and popular fairy tales and they also designed some unique posters of their favourite books.

We are strengthening our team

Posted on17 Jan 2024

Team-building in Class 5

When I asked the class what they thought the term “teambuilding” meant, the pupils could answer straight away. After all, it’s about working as a team and strengthening trust among each other and to develop a “sense of unity”. Through trust exercises in groups of two or three, the pupils try to get involved with each other through various trust games. The prerequisite for this is to be allowed to move within a certain framework in terms of rules.
First and foremost, it’s about having fun and gathering both positive and supposedly negative experiences as a group, which can be reflected on together in a constant dialogue. What could perhaps have been done differently to achieve the goal? The students must be taught that each individual is an important part of the overall group.

Christmas Market at IGS

Posted on14 Dec 2023

As we approach the most magical time of the year, our school community gathered for an enchanting Nikolaus Concert that transported us into a winter wonderland of musical delight. The air was filled with the sweet strains of classic carols, and our hearts were warmed by the outstanding performances of our very own musical talents.
The concert featured timeless pieces such as the hauntingly beautiful Coventry Carol, the soul-soothing Zither Carol, the serene Stille Nacht, the delicate Es ist ein Ros entsprungen, and the awe-inspiring O Holy Night. Each note, carefully crafted and passionately played, echoed through the atrium of Villa H, creating an atmosphere of pure joy and holiday spirit.
Our talented musicians, Julian Nguyen and Viet Nguyen, took centre stage with their exceptional violin performances, captivating the audience with every bow stroke. 
The decorations, meticulously arranged by our dedicated volunteers, transformed the auditorium into a festive retreat. Twinkling lights, festive wreaths,created a cosy and welcoming ambiance. Who could forget the special guest in attendance? St. Nikolaus himself graced us with his presence, quietly taking a seat among the audience. It was heartwarming to see him enjoying the music, a reminder of the joy and togetherness that the holiday season brings.
During the intermission, our community came together to enjoy delicious snacks and drinks, sharing laughter and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Everyone was dressed in their festive best, adding an extra touch of elegance to this joyous occasion.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to making this event a resounding success. A special word goes out to the choir members for their hard work and dedication, and our musicians who worked so hard to make their performances memorable.
May the spirit of the season continue to inspire us all and bring warmth to our hearts.

STEM / MINT

Posted on14 Dec 2023

The International German School HCMC is proud to announce that on December 1, 2023, it was recognized and honored as an acknowledged STEM school (MINT freundliche Schule) by the Germany-based national initiative “MINT Zukunft schaffen”. This award has been granted to only a few German international schools so far and represents recognition of our commitment, achievements, and quality in the STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). It marks a significant milestone in our school’s history.
The IGS aims to offer the Bilingual International Baccalaureate (GIB), which sets high standards in mathematics and the natural science subjects of biology, chemistry, and physics. This award emphasizes the prime importance we place on STEM. Therefore, our central task is to support our students in this area as best as possible.

Currently, in the U6 area, we offer weekly early science classes. Upon entering primary school, our students are introduced to scientific and technical methods in general studies, which are deepened in secondary school. Additionally, we introduce information and communication technology (ICT) classes in primary school to prepare students for digitalized education.
In secondary school, we further intensify our STEM focus. Our students consistently take mathematics and all three natural sciences as main subjects from grades 5 to 10, supplemented by ICT education as a minor subject. Special highlights include the science learning landscapes in classes 5 and 6 and the research hours in classes 9 and 10. The latter allows students to develop a scientific examination of a given question and present the results in the form of findings, products, or other achievements. This research work serves as preparation for the GIB program. Additionally, a three-week laboratory internship is planned for class 10, where students will conduct practical experiments under the guidance of our biology, chemistry, and physics teachers, enhancing their laboratory skills.

This recognition as a STEM school confirms that we are on the right path to preparing our students for the demands of a constantly-evolving technological world. Moreover, it opens access to a network of other STEM schools, universities, companies, and institutions. This allows for the exchange of best practice, participation in joint projects, and the formation of close partnerships. Additionally, the IGS will benefit from additional resources such as training for teachers and learning materials through participation in the MINTMAX partner program.
We are proud of this recognition and look forward to continuing our efforts to provide excellent STEM education and support to our students.

Here is the link to the press release from “MINT Zukunft schaffen”:
https://mintzukunftschaffen.de/2023/12/05/auszeichnung-mint-freundliche-schulen-und-digitale-schulen-an-deutsche-schulen-im-ausland-2/ 

IJSO

Posted on14 Dec 2023

IJSO stands for International Junior Science Olympiad. It is a competition for students who are 15 years old or younger and have an interdisciplinary interest in biology, chemistry, and physics. It first took place in 2004 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Currently, about 50 nations regularly participate in this student Olympiad, and IGS has been involved for the sixth time.
The first round of this competition is the task round: These are experiments that can be done at home or at school. This year, IGS organised a project day for classes 5 to 9, where experiments were conducted, and observations and evaluations could be written down.
This year’s theme is all about gas. Making changes in the air visible, exploring the difference between sparkling water and tap water, and observing yeast at work.
A big kudos goes to our experimenters and many thanks to you, dear parents, for the preparation and support during the implementation. Everyone had a lot of fun with their friends performing experiments.
Those who successfully complete the first round move on to the second IJSO quiz round and then to the exam round. The fourth round takes place as a national final in Germany, and the final round is held at an international venue.

1 2 3 24