Autumn is always an exciting season at Hoi An International School. As the weather cools down, students can finally enjoy biking to school without breaking a sweat. But what makes the changing of seasons even more special is seeing how our school has evolved over the summer.
As we welcome everyone back to what might be the best season in Hoi An, let’s look at some of the new things you can discover at HAIS this term.
New HAIS Hub & Community Cafe
We are excited to announce the opening of our new canteen space linked to our HAIS main entrance. The large open area will also act as a community hub for parents and a place where students can host leadership meetings and display our Sharing Shop.
This new space will provide a comfortable and inviting environment for our students and the wider HAIS community to come together and connect. We look forward to seeing the many ways this space will be utilised throughout the year.
New Library
We all loved our old library at HAIS, but as our school has grown and we’ve acquired more books, it has been an important decision to move to a bigger space. That’s why we’re excited to announce the opening of our new library! It’s just as cute and inviting as the old one, but with the addition of a more useable loft, bean bags, a study area, and plenty of natural light. We can’t wait for students to explore this new space and discover all of the amazing books waiting for them.
New A Level Studio
We are pleased to announce that starting this term, the A Level Studio will be moving to the old library space. This space is perfect for our A Level students as it provides a lovely sanctuary for them to feel calm and focused while doing their integrated online and project-based or teacher guided learning.
The old library space offers plenty of natural light and a peaceful atmosphere, and is a conducive environment for our A Level students to learn and grow, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on their academic progress.
New Teachers
We are thrilled to welcome new teachers to HAIS this year, all of whom have brought with them zest and energy in their related fields and have come from far corners of the globe to enjoy wonderful Hoi An.
We are pleased to welcome our new French teacher, Helena Vanderdonck, who was a professional gymnast and once held the world record for the longest handstand! And for the plant lovers out there (most of us!), our secondary Humanities teacher Mr Darius, has a Bachelor’s in Ecology and loves to decorate his classroom with plants!
We have many new teachers so please look out for new faces on campus and welcome them to the school. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on our students’ learning experience.
New Subject – Drama!
We are excited to announce that HAIS is now offering Drama as a subject for the first time! With the addition of our new teacher, Ms Jennifer, who has over 23 years of experience directing stage performances, we believe that this new subject will bring a lot of value to our curriculum.
Drama is such an important subject in education as it allows students to explore their creative side and develop a range of skills, including public speaking, teamwork, and problem-solving. Through Drama, students will also be able to express themselves in new and exciting ways, building confidence and self-esteem.
Welcome, Ms Jennifer, and thank you for bringing your expertise and passion to HAIS!
New Kindy Area
We are thrilled to announce that our Kindy area has undergone a major renovation too over the summer. Our classrooms have been redesigned with bright and colourful decor to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for our youngest learners.
In addition to the newly renovated classrooms, we have also revamped our outdoor play zone where our Kindy students can run, play, and explore. The play zone includes a variety of equipment to promote gross motor skills. To complete the renovation, our hallways have been freshly painted with fun and colourful designs to create a lively and stimulating environment for our students.
New Language Centre
Over the summer, we also introduced a new Language Centre at HAIS to support children in the local Hoi An community. We believe that education is a right, not a privilege, and we are committed to breaking down barriers and supporting all children in their educational journey.
The Language Centre offers classes in the evenings and on weekends, making it accessible to children who may not be able to attend school during regular hours. Our experienced teachers provide instruction in both English and Vietnamese, with a focus on developing language skills and building confidence.
We are proud to offer this new programme as part of our commitment to serving our community and supporting all children in their educational journey.
