The first IB World School in Ho Chi Minh City accredited to offer all three International Baccalaureate programs, ISHCMC is celebrating 25 years of learning as the most established school in the Ho Chi Minh City.
ISHCMC is also a member of the global Cognita family of schools. Cognita is an extraordinary group of diverse yet connected schools joining forces in an inspiring world of education with one common purpose of building self-belief and empowering individuals to succeed.
Adrian Watts, the Head of the School, offers over 30 years’ of experience in the International Baccalaureate. He pursued his Bachelor’s degree in Economics, History, and Sociology from Durham University. He worked as the Deputy Head and Director of Academic studies at New International School of Thailand (NIST) in Bangkok. Watts also earned the honor of being the Head of Secondary School and Deputy Director at International College of Spain in Madrid.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.
“People are not that much willing to use that Einstein’s quote against education”, states Adrian Watts. “But it is insane”, Watts continues, “to keep doing the same tests and expecting a different result at the end of it – a great deal of people are starting to get frustrated with this, including employers and universities around the world.”
There is a clear determination from Watts and ISHCMC not to exacerbate the well-documented negative impact of traditional educational norms that are long outdated in this modern, constantly evolving era.
“Our fast changing world demands that students are critical thinkers and able to communicate, connect and collaborate effectively with others. Schools need to be producing students who are resilient and creative innovators who will become the entrepreneurs and employers for a sustainable world”, Adrian proclaims.
Tech-enriched Learning Environment
At ISHCMC, technology is used to add value for its learners. Students’ natural enthusiasm for technology keeps them engaged in the classroom and allows them to take control of their learning.
By developing pedagogically-driven uses of technology, the students of the school not only benefit academically but are much more tech-savvy and are better prepared for the future. All students in the Early Year’s programs have access to such technologies in the classroom. The school has a 1:1 iPad program in Grades 3 and 4 and a 1:1 laptop program from Grade 5 to Grade 12. ISHCMC students are preparing for using technology in the real world through a school wide e-safety program referring Common Sense Media curriculum.
Part of ISHCMC’s Sustainability program, the school has created gardens, designed and managed by the students, where they learn about different plant and food types and even grow ingredients for the kitchen. In ISHCMC’s design labs, there are 3D printers and other cutting edge equipment, so that students can create their own inventions and display models to show how they would work. Another technological initiative has been experimenting with plastic shredders, with the goal to eventually collect plastic for recycling and convert to feed into the 3D printers, thereby re-using plastic to create new products. Again, this is all student-led and provides them with fantastic skills for the future.
ISHCMC initiates a progressive approach to Pedagogy delivered in modern learning environments. The new Secondary campus, opened in 2018, boasts Vietnam’s first Innovation Center, 350 seater theater, award winning Media and Information Center, 8-lane swimming pool, air purification throughout and much more. The Technology Integration Specialists working in the Primary and Secondary School allow ISHCMC a helping hand in enhancing the IB curriculum facilitated through technology. Nevertheless, all ISHCMC students participate in daily mindfulness sessions, as a result of which students feel more balanced and become capable of recognizing and handling their emotions better.
Where Care elevates Knowledge
By 1997, ISHCMC had brought in international accreditation and became the first school in the country to have students pursuing the International Baccalaureate route, from primary years onwards. Again, this was leading the way by bringing in accreditors from outside Vietnam to establish ISHCMC as a recognized international school. These were landmark moments to open up the whole market for international schools in Saigon and Vietnam, and shows that ISHCMC has always been a pioneer that takes education to newer heights.