Our Leadership

Our Leadership Team is comprised of inspiring individuals, who nurture and transform through their strong guidance and direction. They embody the school's Vision, Mission, and Values. Our leaders are actively engaged in the daily school operations, and deeply involved in the academic and pastoral development of each student, ensuring and enhancing our rigorous quality of education and holistic approach to a child’s growth.

Ms Tran Hanh An

CEO AND FOUNDER

In establishing Hoi An International School (HAIS), my goal was not to open a profitable business. I wanted to build a school not only for my own children but also for the community. A school where I knew children living in Hoi An could have an opportunity for a good education and experience joy every morning when they went to school. HAIS aims for an open education; balancing between developing academic and life skills, awakening the creative energy and joy within each child.

The HAIS educational programmes of study balance international educational strengths with Vietnamese cultural values, creating harmony in global education. In Hoi An, HAIS is a cosy, friendly, and open-minded school. I want to be able to connect and create an environment where everyone from parents to students can talk and share with each other every time they meet. Moreover, HAIS is not only a school but also a home and a community that connects friends all over Vietnam and the world, gathering together with the same educational vision, sharing of knowledge and spreading love, sustainability and a happy development of children.

Sincerely,

Tran Hanh An

CEO AND FOUNDER

principal

Dear parents, students, families and friends of Hoi An International School,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to our school website.

At Hoi An International School, our mission is to ‘nurture and meet the individual needs of our students in a supportive, community-minded and responsible environment’. We are an inclusive community that aims to inspire, motivate and challenge while being firmly committed to the academic and personal growth of all students.

Students learn best in a safe and caring environment which caters for individual differences and challenges each student to reach their potential. Small class sizes are imperative to enable teachers to keep on top of the needs of each student and to ensure that academic growth and personal wellbeing is being maintained. Such approaches to learning are essential if each student is to achieve at levels that are commensurate with ability and grow into reflective, creative and responsible global citizens.

In addition to learning in the classroom, there is a myriad of opportunities on offer at HAIS, and students are encouraged to participate in these. We promote a balanced lifestyle that allows time for learning but also for participation in sport and Extracurricular Activities and most importantly time to relax with family and friends.

Research has highlighted that the effective mastery of social and emotional competencies is associated not only with greater wellbeing, but also a better performance at school. Therefore, supporting the wellbeing of each of our students is central to who we are, and we work together with families to assist students in achieving their personal best in all that they do. It is the encouragement of adventure and play that builds creativity and imagination, develops social skills, improves physical and social/emotional wellbeing and builds a child’s sense of confidence and independence.

At HAIS, we also focus on developing, in all our students, an unshakable social conscience with the capacity to make sound ethical decisions. We value the relationships we have developed with our families and the wider community and will continue working to further enhance constructive partnerships with our families and friends, regional charities, local and international schools and local businesses.

I am very proud to be the Principal of Hoi An International School where we genuinely believe that each of our students has a unique gift to share with the world.

I encourage you to make contact to see what we can offer you and your family.

Sincerely,

Mr Brett Macdouall

PRINCIPAL

Bilingual Principal

Mr Balint Kocsis

International Vice Principal

HAIS has shown a resilient and persevering attitude during this past year and our hard work has shown great benefits. We had our first IGCSE candidate complete his exams with excellent results and we are preparing our next cohort for their IGCSE exams this year. We have now completed a makeover of our secondary school with a new, state-of-the-art science lab, a spacious, naturally well-lit art studio, and a brand new combined drama studio and music room which can be transformed into a mini theatre. While we have encountered challenging times, HAIS has consistently risen to each challenge and continues to grow and improve.

I hold a strong belief that no child is unteachable, provided the proper structure and support. I am a strong believer in supporting literacy in all our children, from Early Years and Primary all the way through our Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary. I am excited to report that we have a structure and support system at HAIS that ensures a seamless educational transition from one stage of a child’s learning to the next. At HAIS, all sectors are working together to develop each child’s academic potential to its fullest. HAIS has invested in and is developing several programs this year to help us collect and measure data to ensure we understand each child’s strengths, which we can further nurture, and each child’s weaknesses, which we can help them overcome. We embrace a ‘One School, One Team’ approach and we are always working with our teachers to enhance the relevant skills and strategies to help and teach any child from any background. I am excited to be working with a strong team of like-minded educators who will help ensure we are helping our students to achieve their highest capability. We, at HAIS, are focused on two things: Doing things right and doing the right things.

We welcome you to HAIS to join us in transforming your child’s world!

Mr Balint Kocsis

INTERNATIONAL VICE PRINCIPAL

Bilingual Vice Principal

Ms Kelsie Lawson

Head of Administration

For the past few years, I have visited Hoi An and been reminded of my small hometown in the United States. I dreamed of having the opportunity to move to Hoi An and looked on with envy as colleagues and friends moved to this area. HAIS has now fulfilled my dream!

I am honoured to represent Hoi An International School as the Head of Administration. HAIS is truly a place where students are nurtured and encouraged to be the best version of themselves possible.

Ever since working in Student Affairs at my university, I knew that I wanted to continue working in education, but I knew that I needed more experience before I could truly take on a role such as Head of Administration for any school, let alone a school as forward thinking and student-centred as HAIS. After earning an MBA, I spent five years working as a mathematics teacher in Hanoi in two different private schools. This experience, coupled with my degree and college working experience, allows me to understand HAIS from an administrative standpoint, as well as from a teaching perspective.

Working in administration, ‘behind the scenes’ creates the opportunity to support both the students and teachers, providing them with the tools to succeed at HAIS and in their futures. I am thrilled to work with my administration team to continue to grow and build upon HAIS’ mission and values.

Sincerely,