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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
The International German School wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024.
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.
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 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.
During the Christmas market, our IGS community had the opportunity to welcome some of the girls from the Suoi Sao orphanage. For the first time, the girls visited the city and our school. It is a great honour for us to enjoy their wonderful traditional dancing performance. The girls were very happy to perform in front of the audience. As a Christmas present, the students from classes 10 to 12 raised money for the orphanage.
Before the TET holiday, the students will visit them at the Orphanage again.
On behalf of the IGS team, we sincerely wish you a Merry Christmas filled with joy and love.
Reading Day
Reading day is not just for the little ones!
On December 13th, The IGS students had a special task in their Advent calendar – reading aloud to others.
Based on International Reading Day, a reading day also takes place at the IGS every year, which appeals to both older and younger people. There are different constellations: for example, the secondary school reads to the primary school, the primary school to the preschool, but the teachers also read to our students outside of normal lessons.
Beautiful moments arise especially when the little ones suddenly turn the tables: the picture book is quickly snatched away, the story is told by a child and the young person listens to the imaginative story.
Reading day places equal value on all of our school’s languages and stories and poems were read out today in German, English, Vietnamese and French. A big thank you goes out to all readers!
As an alternative to the scientifically focused IJSO day, students in classes 5 – 9 who were interested in sports had the option of participating in a sports day. Like the big sports day at the end of the last school year, this took place on the grounds of the SSA Sports Center. The approximately 35 participating students were allowed to independently divide themselves into four groups and then competed against each other in various sports.
It was particularly nice to see that our students can cooperate very well across classes. The school looks forward to continued participation in sporting events in the future.
At the conclusion of the current year 2023, Class 3 spent a shared movie night at school. The Christmas film ‘Klaus’ was watched in a cosy atmosphere in the classroom. Thanks to contributions from home, there was a diverse selection of snacks and finger foods during the movie.
In addition, the children could enjoy home-made popcorn eaten from their own from self-crafted bags.
It was a lovely class-internal conclusion before the upcoming Christmas holidays!”
On Monday the Pirates (Class 5) went on a trip to the Spin and Gogh pottery. There the children had the opportunity to create small works of art with their own hands. The pottery-making process was accompanied and supported by professional potters.
In addition to the tactile experience of pottery, the excursion was also considered a team event. Together, the Pirates created their own Advent calendar made of clay. Each child also designed their own cup – for themselves or to be given as a gift.
We celebrate Christmas with bunnies, foxes and bears
In the last week before the Christmas holidays, the children, parents and educators met again for their group Christmas parties to end 2024 together.
The parents provided a large buffet with all sorts of Christmas delicacies and were rewarded by their children with a Christmas play, Christmas carols or small homemade gifts.
This year, the parents of the kindergarten rehearsed a little play themselves and surprised the children with the story “There is a knock at Wanja’s in the night”. The children’s eyes were wide and they were much more happy to experience the well-known story of the rabbit, fox and bear, how they find shelter with Vanya during a terrible snowstorm.
Now everyone is looking forward to a Merry Christmas with their families and a wonderful start to 2024.
We, the educators of the U6 area, would like to thank all parents for their trust and good cooperation in 2023 and wish you a peaceful pre-Christmas period, a peaceful Christmas and a happy new year.
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.
DSD II Examinations for Oral Communication (MK)
This year, the students of Class 11 underwent the language examination for the German Language Diploma (DSD) by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. The oral examinations for the German Language Diploma II took place on December 5th and 6th. We are delighted with the excellent results achieved by our students, who obtained the required points to reach a C1 language proficiency level in this part of the examination.
We are very proud of our examinees and eagerly await the results of the written assessments!
Advent Surprises
On the first of December, the live Advent calendar of the IGS opened its first door – the school choir sang the first Christmas songs for the IGS family. Meanwhile, it has become an IGS tradition in December that the door of our live Advent calendar is opened daily – behind it, there are small surprises for children and adults.
What surprises will there be this year? I’ll only reveal this much – they will be musical, sporty, scientific, and delicious!
The IGS wishes everyone a contemplative Advent season!
Dear Wonderful Families
My global journey to spread joy and share sweet treats has left me feeling a bit worn out, so I’ll keep this note brief. It’s been an absolute joy to meet countless kind-hearted children this year. I’m genuinely impressed by the goodness I’ve witnessed—a testament, perhaps, to parents doing an exceptional job in guiding their little ones.
Whether it’s the water, the food, or the magic of love, something special is happening. To all the amazing children and their families, I wish you days filled with laughter, peace, and all the wondrous things this festive season brings.
May your Christmas sparkle with joy and be blessed with magical moments.
Warmest wishes
Nikolaus
We took a trip to Snowtown this week as part of the Whale and Giraffe cross-class knowledge lesson.
After the students in classes 1 and 2 dealt extensively with the topic of weather over the last few weeks and also got to know different forms of precipitation such as snow, it was time to combine theory and practice. In Snowtown the children had the chance to see and touch snow. Of course, it was also a great strengthening of the community bonds.
We are already looking forward to the next cross-class topics!
School Outing:to Dang Minh Quang Buddhist Institute
Just a short drive from school, Class 5 has a chance to visit Dang Minh Quang Buddhist Institute – located right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh city. Our school trips offer great chances for the IGS students to be immersed in the local culture in so many ways; this time we experienced religion and its effect on local people.
The peaceful atmosphere here makes it an ideal place for everyone to heal and relax from the hustle of the city. We spent a good afternoon visiting the huge golden Buddha statue, learned to practice meditating, played with the penguins and had an amazing view point over the crowded city.
It was definitely a memorable afternoon to all of us! 
Save the date
Since the boys’ soccer team has been training regularly for the past school year, and playing games against other schools, a girls’ team has also been growing. Now we are proud to announce that the first test match will take place on January 20, 2024.
The opponent will be the girls’ team from Atletico Saigon. The exact time and venue will be announced later. As with the boys’ games, we are of course hoping for a lot of support for the girls and are looking forward to the first endurance test.
Coding AG Starting in January 2024
At the start of the new year 2024, we will once again be offering a Coding AG.
From January 8th, 2024, students will have the opportunity to take part in various programs to participate.
Algorithmics has a specially developed 10-week course especially tailored for our students.
Each session includes a group discussion, exploration and support for the
students, developing their own website or working game.
Due to excellent behaviour and eager participation in NaWi lessons, Class 7 earned a trip to the Suoi Tien amusement park. On Thursday, October 23rd, 2023, the entire class spent the morning riding exciting rides, catching fish and admiring real crocodiles. After the initial excitement, we were hungry, so a visit to the Vietnamese restaurant was just the thing. Before we knew it, afternoon arrived followed by the return journey; time flies when you are having a lot of fun.
The link between cinema and language is inevitable, plays a significant role in shaping the cultural identity of a country. This was first hand experienced by some students of Class 9 during their excursion to the German Film Festival in Ho Chi Minh City, co-organised by the Goethe-Institut.
With the clear objective of intertwining German cinema and the beauty of the German language, our students delved into the captivating world of a selected German film. This insight not only offered cinematic delights but also facilitated an authentic encounter with the German language.
The return of Class 9 was marked by newfound knowledge about German cinema and language. We are confident that this excursion not only sparked an interest in German culture, but also bolstered enthusiasm for the German language. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved!
Traditionally, Vietnamese Teachers’ Day is celebrated on November 20th. This year, the Vietnamese Language department, in cooperation with the librarian, organized a wall newspaper competition for classes 6 – 12.
“During the process of designing the Teachers’ Day posters, we were able to show our creativity, strengthen our collaboration and thank our teachers.”
“We would like to wish all teachers and staff a happy Teacher’s Day again!”
Class 10
