Life is a Sport

Why and how to raise “sporty” children “Kids today.” It’s such a timeless and all-encompassing phrase, used over the span of generations to denote the way that things and people change over time, and the ways in which those changes are reflected in our youngsters. One commonly held perception of children in the new millennium is that they’re too distracted by technology to bother to play … Read more

Positive Outlook

Preparing for the first day of school Whether your child is entering international kindergarten or a local school, they are moving into a transformative and important time in their educational lives. A child’s first day of school can be emotional in more ways than one. The child might be crying, the parent may be emotional, … Read more

Beyond Academic Excellence, We Develop Character

The great news for the international school sector is that the demand for qualified international education is becoming increasingly accessible to families in Asia. Many institutions are being celebrated for their Western-style teaching, student diversity and vibrant learning environments. To tackle the question of why international schools are so popular recently— especially in Ho Chi … Read more

We Are Accredited

International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) is fully accredited by two of the most prestigious international accreditation agencies in the world: the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), effective since July 2018. In a process that has taken 18 months, this is a moment to celebrate a … Read more

Experience The Difference

It is a responsibility that some parents may find daunting: finding the right school for their child. We speak with Ms. Nhung Nguyen, Head of Admissions at International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) to hear some of the common challenges and questions parents have when searching for a new school. Where do we start, there is too many choices? “The first thing to do … Read more

Camp it Up

Camp Asia is the coolest thing your kids can do during school holidays As summer is fast approaching, parents might be wondering what there is for children to do in Ho Chi Minh City during the summer holidays? Look no further, Camp Asia has arrived! Camp Asia is the leading holiday camp provider in Singapore and is launching in Vietnam from June 2018 through International School … Read more

I Second That Emotion

Emotional intelligence is critical to success in school and life Reading. Writing. ‘Rithmatic. These “three R’s” of education have been embraced as the pillars of education programs around the world. Often overlooked, however, is the necessity for a strong foundation of social-emotional learning that supports a child as he or she works work to excel … Read more

Page Turner – reading for pleasure, a door to our future

Young people who enjoy reading are five times as likely to read above the expected level compared with young people who do not enjoy reading at all. I found this particularly interesting because there are increasing stories in the media reporting there is a decline in reading frequency. As teachers, there is a growing concern that children are not reading enough, and parents … Read more

Judith Fox Visits Cognita Schools in Vietnam

International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC), International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) and International School Ho Chi Minh City – American Academy students joined for a morning talk with Judith Fox hosted at the ISHCMC campus. Judith Fox, the sister of Terry Fox was in the city for the annual Terry Fox Run. As one … Read more

Flipping the Classroom

The role of homework in student learning There has been much discussion lately about whether or not teachers should assign homework to their students. Many believe children should spend more time playing than doing homework. I agree that students should spend more time playing outside, but I also believe that homework can have a positive … Read more