Australian International School Saigon

Infobox school
name = Australian International School Saigon


image caption = AIS Saigon logo
established = 2006
type = Private
principal = Wendy Lindeman
colors = Blue, Orange and White
homepage = [http://www.aisvietnam.com]

The Australian International School Saigon opened in August 2006 as an academically selective Secondary school (Years 6 - 9) for the students from the international community in a campus situated in the center of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

In August 2007 the school has opened a Primary school (Kindergarten – Year 5) for expatriate children in quiet, landscaped villas in Thao Dien, situated in the heart of An Phu, a large residential expatriate community. Dynatots Pre school for children aged 3 and 4 years is also situated on the Primary campus. [http://www.aisvietnam.com]

AIS Saigon offers the Australian NSW Board of Studies curriculum for K -Year 10, and plans to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma for Years 11 and 12. Primary NSW curriculum taught at AIS Saigon integrates PYP principles into the teaching and learning programmes, and AISS has applied to be a Candidate school with the IBO to offer the PYP (Primary Years Programme) in K – 5.

Students sit for Australian national and international testing in literacy and numeracy, as well as in subjects where students have strengths and interest. A "gifted and talented" programme will be offered to children in the upper Primary and Secondary years, and an understanding of Vietnamese culture and people, and Global Studies will be core subjects to enhance an understanding of the expatriate child’s world.

AIS Saigon provides a unique, intelligent English language immersion programme to non-English speaking students, with teachers acutely aware of the needs of both ESL and native English speaking children.

Now there are about 180 students who are currently going to the school with about 20 teachers from different countries in the world.

chool hours

The Primary school day is from 7.50 am to 2.30 pm, with an optional after school programme from 3.00 to 4.00 pm. The Secondary school day is from 7.50 am to 3.00 pm.The school year is from mid August to June. [http://www.english-schools.org/vietnam/australian-international-school-saigon.html]

Teaching and Learning belief

Central to AIS Saigon is the child. It is the child s learning process and development into a well rounded, confident individual who is encouraged to aspire to his or her potential that is at the core of our work with children. AIS Saigon is committed to educate young people to become confident, responsible, empowered and internationally minded global citizens who are excited by learning and embrace challenges with a belief in their own ability. The Academic staff are predominantly Australian teachers who have many years teaching experience. They share a passion for working with international students and embrace living in Vietnam. A strong orientation programme is offered to students and their families, as the school is committed to supporting students through their transition to HCMC. We believe the potential for learning is enhanced when there is open dialogue between the home and school environment as such the school closely with parents. [http://www.english-schools.org/vietnam/australian-international-school-saigon.html] AIS teaches with the focus that all children will receive a strong academic foundation with skills, values, awareness and approaches to learning that will ignite an innate desire to be life-long learners. In doing so AIS aims to instill in children a belief in their own ability and a confidence to embrace the challenges of their changing world.

The teachers support the students to be :

; Responsible : understanding that each person has a responsibility to themselves and others, and that they take personal responsibility for their actions.; Principled : understanding values of integrity, honesty, sense of fairness and justice; Committed : appreciating that perseverance, effort and determination are rewarded by personal growth and achievement. ; Independent : moving towards less reliance on others towardsand taking an increasing responsibility for their learning and actions; setting and working towards goals, exercising initiative, expressing opinions and making considered decisions.; Curious : actively pursue knowledge about their school work and the world around them; inquiring and asking questions, problem-solving, seeking answers and developing skills to obtain answers.; Reflective : evaluating and making constructive self-judgments about their learning, which influences future learning through self confidence and a sense of ownership in their learning process.; Respectful : treating others with consideration, understanding and dignity ; Tolerant : acknowledging and respecting differences in others’ cultures, opinions, experiences and backgrounds.; Compassionate : showing sensitivity and responding to the needs and feelings of others.; Internationally minded : gaining an awareness and continued interest in the contemporary world, its people, societies, cultures, and environment. Intercultural and international understanding is profiled with an awareness of diversity and an understanding of both global challenges and celebrations.; Risk takers : having the confidence to extend themselves without fear of failure and self-assurance to explore beyond their comfort zone within; Flexible : being open-minded to others’ perspectives. To be listeners and consider different opinions, appreciating that others’ viewpoints may have value and be of significance.; Service : developing a personal commitment to actively making a difference in the lives of others and to appreciate that as global citizens with privilege comes responsibility to those less privileged.