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ParentandStudentHandbook

GreenShootsInternationalSchool–ParentandStudentHandbook(2016-17)1


TableofContents1 ImportantInformation................................................................................................4

AboutGreenShoots...................................................................................................................4AboutYou..................................................................................................................................4

2 AboutGreenShoots....................................................................................................5PhilosophyandMission..............................................................................................................5AccreditationandInternationalNetworks..................................................................................5

3 LearningatGreenShoots............................................................................................7AdmissionandStudentPlacement.............................................................................................7AttendanceandAbsence............................................................................................................7

Student Absence..............................................................................................................................7Late Arrival and Unauthorised Absence...........................................................................................7Remaining on Campus During School Hours..................................................................................8Parental Absence.............................................................................................................................8

WithdrawalFromtheSchool......................................................................................................8YearGroups................................................................................................................................8Curriculum..................................................................................................................................9

Kindergarten...................................................................................................................................9Primary and Secondary School.........................................................................................................9

Bookwork.................................................................................................................................10Homework................................................................................................................................11AssessmentandParent-TeacherConferences...........................................................................11

Little Shoots..................................................................................................................................11Early Years Foundation Stage........................................................................................................12Key Stages One and Two..............................................................................................................12Secondary 1 and 2 (Key Stage 3 and 4)...........................................................................................12

LearningSupport(LS)................................................................................................................12EnglishforAcademicPurposes(EAP)........................................................................................12PlagiarismandCheating...........................................................................................................13UseofICT.................................................................................................................................13Co-CurricularActivities.............................................................................................................13

Field Trips.....................................................................................................................................13Extra Curricular Activities and Weekend Workshops.....................................................................14Community Projects......................................................................................................................14

4 LifeonCampus..........................................................................................................15PreparingforSchool.................................................................................................................15

What to Wear................................................................................................................................15Sun Safety.....................................................................................................................................15Student Supplies............................................................................................................................16Birthdays.......................................................................................................................................16

ArrivalandDeparture...............................................................................................................16Arrival and Departure Procedure...................................................................................................16Late Pick Up.................................................................................................................................17


Road Safety...................................................................................................................................17Bicycles and Motorbikes................................................................................................................17Cars and Taxis...............................................................................................................................17School Bus....................................................................................................................................17Storms and Floods........................................................................................................................18

PersonalItems..........................................................................................................................18Lockers and Storage Drawers........................................................................................................18Lost and Found.............................................................................................................................19

CampusSafety..........................................................................................................................19Visitors..........................................................................................................................................19Wheeled Toys................................................................................................................................19Dangerous Items...........................................................................................................................19Emergency Drills / Fire and Evacuation........................................................................................19

5 StudentWelfare........................................................................................................20Meals.......................................................................................................................................20AppropriateBehaviour.............................................................................................................20

Students’ Rights and Responsibilities.............................................................................................20Bullying.........................................................................................................................................21Displays of Affection.....................................................................................................................21

HealthandMedication.............................................................................................................22Medical and Vaccination Records..................................................................................................22Allergies, Asthma and Long-term Illnesses.....................................................................................22Fitness for Sport and Other Activities............................................................................................23Medication....................................................................................................................................23Medical Emergencies.....................................................................................................................23Health Insurance...........................................................................................................................23

StudentCounselling..................................................................................................................24

6 ParentsandtheSchool..............................................................................................25GettingInvolved.......................................................................................................................25Communication........................................................................................................................25

How You Can Reach Us................................................................................................................25How We Will Reach You...............................................................................................................25

PrivacyandDataProtection.....................................................................................................26Your Privacy.................................................................................................................................26The School’s Privacy.....................................................................................................................26

Complaints...............................................................................................................................26

7 Appendices................................................................................................................27Appendix1:School Calendar 2014-15.......................................................................................27Appendix2:How To Find Us..................................................................................................28Da Nang..................................................................................................................................29Appendix3:Forms and Agreements........................................................................................30


1 ImportantInformation

AboutGreenShoots Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary

school (Hoi An) Kindergarten (Da Nang)

Location 414/7 Cua Dai Road

Cam Chau, Hoi An

Quang Nam

21-23 My An 24

Ngu Hanh Son

Da Nang

Telephone

+84 (0) 510 392 4954 +84 (0) 511 655 8552

General Email

[email protected]

School Year August 22, 2016 – June 16, 2017

Principal Sue-Lyn Ryan [email protected]

School Hours

7:45am – 8:30 am (Optional Before School Care service for children up to KS1)

8.30am – 3.30pm

3:30pm – 5pm (Optional After School Care service for children up to KS1)

8.30am – 3.30pm

Students are not allowed on either campus prior to 8.15am or after 3.45pm unless attending an Extra Curricular activity or other Green Shoots organised event.

AboutYouIt is extremely important that we have your phone number(s), in case of emergency, and email address, for all electronic communications. Please ensure that Green Shoots has your most up-to-date contact information. Email to [email protected].


2 AboutGreenShoots

PhilosophyandMissionGreen Shoots works to instil a sense of equity, respect, and intercultural understanding in our students to guide and support them in this increasingly global world. Through community projects, Green Shoots students take these values out of the classroom and into the community. As a school with a strong environmental ethos, Green Shoots also provides its students with a thorough understanding of our responsibilities to this planet and the need to nurture and protect its resources. We are not affiliated with any religious, political or social organization, and educate our students to understand and respect a range of philosophies and viewpoints. Our methods of teaching and learning are based on the following principles:

• Encouragement of every child to meet his or her greatest potential

• Personal responsibility and integrity

• Intercultural understanding

• Celebration of difference

• Mutual respect

• Compassion and service within the community

• Respect for the environment

• Leading others by example Teachers at Green Shoots want our students to achieve their goals and we aim to provide a challenging and stimulating education. We support, acknowledge and respect children as individuals, as thinkers and as learners with an independent role to play in their futures and that of the world they live in. We also foster strong relationships between the school, the children, their families and the community, and we seek to make a positive impact on the world around us. When students leave Green Shoots, we expect them to be:

• Confident in meeting educational challenges

• Compassionate, free from prejudice, and generous to those around them

• Responsible and engaged members of the wider community

• Sensitive to the earth’s need for care

• Self-motivated, confident, and willing to test each new boundary Green Shoots asks all members of its community – staff, students, and their families – to:

• Avoid judgement based on age, colour, sex, sexual orientation, or any of the other glorious differences that should unite us

• Develop and maintain a strong sense of justice and integrity when dealing with others

• Support those less fortunate than ourselves through our everyday actions and, where possible, larger endeavours

• Respect and protect the physical environment and encourage others to do the same

• Aim as high as our individual abilities allow, while remaining alert to our limits and remembering that other people’s strengths and interests may differ from our own

AccreditationandInternationalNetworksGreen Shoots is a member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), which is affiliated with the UK’s Independent Schools Council: an organisation of over 1,200 high-quality schools in the UK and around the world. We are also a member of Fieldwork Education, provider of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC).


Both organisations offer our school access to a broad range of teaching resources, large global professional networks, and training opportunities for our teachers and managers. In addition, COBIS offers parents a guarantee that Green Shoots has met or exceeded all of its quality standards with regard to: teaching and learning, staff qualifications and experience, and school management, governance and policies.

Green Shoots is currently working with Cambridge International Exams (CIE) to gain accreditation by the UK-based body that administers and assesses the secondary-level Checkpoint and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curricula and exams. We expect this to happen during this academic year.

Green Shoots has developed strategic partnerships with a number of other international schools, including:

• Members of the United World College movement (in particular, the United World College of Southeast Asia in Singapore)

• Zurich International School in Switzerland • Canggu International School in Bali, and • Renaissance International School in Ho Chi Minh City

These partnerships offer Green Shoots’ staff and students access to:

• International student exchanges and staff development opportunities • Professional advice and expertise for Green Shoots management, and • Teaching resources and collaboration with other schools.


3 LearningatGreenShootsAdmissionandStudentPlacementGreen Shoots accepts all students whom we believe will benefit from our academic programme, provided there is space in the appropriate grade. If space is limited, siblings of existing students will be given priority and other prospective students will be placed on a waiting list on a first-come-first-served basis using the submission date of a complete application form and all associated documentation.

To apply to Green Shoots, each student must submit the documents listed in Appendix 3. All applications must be completed in full. If the required information is not available or you need guidance on how to proceed, please contact our administrative officers for help. On completion of the application process and arrival at the school, all new students will be assessed and placed in the grade appropriate to their ability. While in most instances this will be the grade that corresponds with their age, some students may be placed in a higher or lower grade.

While we endeavour to meet the needs of all families who approach us with a view to joining our school, admission to Green Shoots may be denied for any of the following reasons:

• Insufficient English proficiency or an inability/unwillingness to attend English for Academic Purposed (EAP) classes requested by the school and provided by its sister language school, GLC

• Learning difficulties requiring expertise beyond the capacity of the school • A history of disciplinary problems or involvement with drugs, alcohol or other substances, or • Other reasons as determined by the school

AttendanceandAbsenceStudent Absence Green Shoots’ instructional programme is based on the premise that students will attend school every teaching day unless unwell or absent for exceptional reasons such as a family emergency. This is especially important for children in the primary and secondary programmes. Daily class attendance is a condition for fulfilling class requirements, completing individual and group course work and assignments, and ensuring progression through the school. Barring exceptional circumstances, to complete each primary school year a student must attend school for at least 85% of the instructional days over the school year (153 of the total 180 instructional days). Secondary students must attend at least 90% of all instructional days (162 of the total 180 instructional days). Promotion to the next year will be subject to review if a student has been absent for more than the allowed number of days in any academic year and if these absences are deemed by the school to have negatively impacted the student’s ability to progress.

A daily register of absence will be taken by the teacher in charge. Upon returning to school following an extended medical absence (more than two school days), please provide the school with a note from a doctor or other medical authority.

If your child is going to be absent from school, please inform the school administrator or your child’s teacher as soon as possible and give adequate warning if your child will be away for an extended period of time. If appropriate, the school will grant Exceptional Leave. While our teachers will indicate the work that will be covered during the absent period, it is the student’s responsibility to make up missed work.

Late Arrival and Unauthorised Absence Primary and secondary school students who arrive after 8:30am must enter via the office gate, and provide a reason for their late arrival to staff and collect a late slip to take to their teacher. No student is permitted to absent him- or herself from school without prior approval from a parent and teacher. If a student is consistently late or fails to attend classes without first receiving authorisation, disciplinary action will be taken. For our primary students, three late arrivals will result in an email home to parents and five late arrivals will result in a meeting. For our secondary students, three late arrivals will result in an email home to parents and five late arrivals will result in a detention and a letter sent home to parents.


Remaining on Campus During School Hours Students are not permitted to leave the campus during school hours, unless for a medical appointment, illness or an emergency, or by prior arrangement with the School Principal and notification from the parents/guardians. Students under the age of 11 years old will not be permitted to leave the campus unaccompanied at the end of the school day unless prior written permission has been given using a Student Release Form signed by a parent or guardian.

Parental Absence When both parents are away from home at any given time, please inform the school and give the name(s) and contact details of the person or people who will care for your child(ren) in your absence.

WithdrawalFromtheSchoolA student leaving the school must ensure that all outstanding fees have been paid in full and all books and equipment returned. School reports and transcripts will be released only once these processes are complete and a School Release Form has been signed by the School Principal. Students withdrawing from the school before the end of the academic year will, if due, receive a refund in accordance with our Fee Policy.

YearGroupsGreen Shoots offers the British Curriculum and uses the British system to group students into academic years. The below table gives a child’s age and UK ‘year’ (grade), comparisons with some other international schooling systems, the curriculum stage each academic year falls within, and the campus on which your child will study as he or she progresses through the school.

Age Grade by country

Curriculum Stage UK Intl, US,

Australia France Singapore Korea

1 Pre-school n.a. n.a. n.a. Nursery 1 Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

2 Pre-school n.a n.a. n.a. Nursery 2

3 Nursery (Discovery) PS Pre-nursery K’garten 1

4 Reception K’garten MS Nursery K’garten 2

5 Year 1 K’garten GS K’garten 1 K’garten 3 Key Stage 1 (KS1) 6 Year 2 Grade 1 CP K’garten 2 K’garten 4

7 Year 3 Grade 2 CE1 Primary 1 Primary 1

Key Stage 2 (KS2)

8 Year 4 Grade 3 CE2 Primary 2 Primary 2

9 Year 5 Grade 4 CM1 Primary 3 Primary 3

10 Year 6 Grade 5 CM2 Primary 4 Primary 4

11 Year 7 Grade 6 6ieme Primary 5 Primary 5 Key Stage 3 (Checkpoint, Secondary 1)

12 Year 8 Grade 7 5ieme Primary 6 Primary 6

13 Year 9 Grade 8 4ieme Secondary 1 Secondary 1

14 Year 10 Grade 9 3ieme Secondary 2 Secondary 2 Key Stage 4 (IGCSE, Secondary 2) 15 Year 11 Grade 10 Seconde Secondary 3 Secondary 3

16 Year 12 Grade 11 Première Secondary 4 High Sch. 1 IB Diploma Programme (not yet offered at GS) 17 Year 13 Grade 12 Terminale Secondary 5 High Sch. 2


CurriculumGreen Shoots is committed to providing a curriculum that allows each child to grow to his or her fullest potential. The different curriculum stages offered by the school are listed in the table above and detailed below. Please note that the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is not yet offered by Green Shoots but is planned for the future.

Kindergarten At Green Shoots International Kindergarten we build learning around play. Play is the child’s natural medium of learning, growth and socialisation and our teachers use this to plan experiences and opportunities based on every child’s needs and interests. At the kindergarten, we take elements from the Reggio Emelia approach to early childhood education and both Steiner and Montessori philosophies. We view each child as an individual and focus on building their individuality through opportunities for growth at school. Maintaining the basic principles of respect, responsibility and community, we create for the children an environment in which they can safely explore their world and develop a curiosity and excitement about learning.

For our youngest learners (up to five years old), we follow the United Kingdom’s Early Years Foundation Stage, and during this stage we focus on each child’s uniqueness and individuality, preparing them for the more formal schooling by building on their innate strengths and boosting their confidence. Little Shoots This playgroup is offered on our Hoi An campus to children from 18 months to 3 years (turning 4 during that academic year) and is designed to guide children toward entry into formal schooling at four years of age. Green Shoots offers a seamless transition from Little Shoots into the full International programme.

The Little Shoots playgroup is run by bilingual Vietnamese staff who have been comprehensively trained by our International Green Shoots’ teachers in Western early childcare methods. The playgroup focuses on informal play-based activities prepared for the whole group. Little Shoots offers families who wish to see their children’s language and social skills develop in a combined Vietnamese and English-language early childhood option, within a safe and stimulating environment.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) The EYFS framework promotes teaching and learning to ensure children’s school readiness and gives children a broad range of knowledge and skills that create the foundation for later progression through school and life. Learning is planned around the needs and interests of each child and is reviewed regularly. The EYFS also seeks to develop strong partnerships between teachers and parents. It focuses on seven areas of learning and development. The three Prime Areas are: 1/ Personal, Social and Emotional Development, 2/ Physical Development, and 3/ Communication and Language. The four Specific Areas are: 1/ Literacy, 2/ Maths, 3/ Understanding the World, and 4/ Expressive Arts and Design.

Primary School Key Stage One (KS1) and Key Stage 2(KS2) Green Shoots students follow the British National Curriculum, which builds upon the EYFS programme and it further develops language, literacy and numeracy skills and promotes the enjoyment of, and a commitment to, learning across the curriculum. The core subjects at Green Shoots International School are English, Mathematics and Science. The Science, History and Geography curricula are enhanced by the use of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), which is a comprehensive programme with a clear process of learning and with specific learning goals for every subject, for personal learning and for international mindedness. This provides our students with a strong emphasis on learning by doing, so the children are exposed to many ‘hands on’ activities, along with some enquiry-based learning which develops skills in questioning, investigating and discovering. The IPC fosters global citizenship through learning opportunities within thematic-based units where the students learn about different cultures, societies and practices around the world. At Green Shoots, we deepen our understanding of the world around us as we include Vietnamese language and cultural studies


in our primary school to build connections within the Hoi An community in which we live. While our school philosophy remains non-aligned with religious affiliation, Green Shoots’ students are exposed to a holistic approach to learning about some belief systems through different areas of the curriculum such as history or cultural studies. Students also develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of Art & Design, Music & Drama, Information and Communication Technology, Design & Technology, Health and Physical Education, and Personal, Social and Health Education through a combination of the UK National Curriculum and the IPC. The primary curriculum at Green Shoots enables our students to become successful learners who enjoy learning, reflect upon their progress and learn the value of striving for personal best. They are respected as individuals and our small class sizes allow for a differentiated learning programme which fosters confidence and enables our students to become risk-takers. In learning to live healthy and balanced lives, our students grow into responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.

Secondary School Secondary: Cambridge Checkpoint and IGCSE The Cambridge International Secondary programme is offered to Green Shoots International School secondary students. The programme is divided into two parts: Years 7, 8 & 9 complete the Cambridge Secondary 1 (CS1) Checkpoint followed by Year 10 & 11 students completing the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) The full programme culminates in a well-rounded, internationally recognised Secondary education certificate. .

Cambridge Secondary 1 students study three core subjects (English, maths and science) and the CS1 curriculum is tailored specifically to meet the needs of early Secondary students and prepare them for their IGCSEs. Foundation subjects follow the UK National Curriculum Key-stage 3 standards and objectives and include Information Communication Technology (ICT), Art & Design, Music & Drama, Health & Physical Education and Vietnamese Language. IGCSE students complete 7 core subjects:

• English (first or second language) • Maths (Core or Extended) • Coordinated Sciences (double award covering Biology, Chemistry & Physics) • Global Perspectives • Environmental Management • Information Communication Technology

Non-core subjects:

• Foreign Language (IGCSE or School-based assessment) • Health & Physical Education (School-based assessment)

The Green Shoots core curriculum meets the requirements for students to achieve their IGCSE certificate. Students may elect to study additional IGCSE subjects independently, with subject choices varying from year to year.

BookworkStudents are encouraged to take pride in their work and to this end the following expectations are made of all primary and secondary school students:

• Each written assignment begins with a date and title and is presented neatly and legibly.


• Notebooks and workbooks should be clearly labelled with the student’s name, class group, and the subject to which the book relates.

• Doodling and scribbling are not appropriate in any book provided by Green Shoots or used by students during their course of study at Green Shoots.

• All photocopied worksheets should be kept in a named folder or portfolio.

HomeworkHomework is an integral part of the learning process as it helps children develop valuable skills such as time management, organisational skills, and self-directed learning. However, at Green Shoots we believe that homework should be limited in duration, particularly for our younger students whose out-of-school hours should instead focus primarily around play. Homework may consist of: completing work not finished during class, assignments designed to reinforce classroom learning, reading, revision for tests, and preparing project work.

Each student from KS2 and up is issued with a homework planner in which he or she is expected to record homework assignments and their due dates. This planner should be taken home and can be referenced by parents assisting with homework. Homework will be set according to the below guidelines for each age group:

• EYFS (Reception year only) and KS1: Maximum 10 minutes per night. Homework may be assigned on a weekly basis to consolidate concepts introduced in class during that week. Home readers will also be issued to match each child’s current reading level

• KS2 (from 7 to 8 years old): up to 20 minutes/night • KS2 (from 9 to 10 years old): up to 40 minutes/night • KS3 (Secondary 1, from 11 to 13 years old): up to 1 hour/night • KS4 (IGCSE, from 14 to 16 years old): up to 1 hour/subject/week

Limited homework may be set over weekends, short breaks and the winter and spring holidays, but not over the summer break, with the exception of our IGCSE students, who may be required to do revision during the summer break. Homework should be submitted in full and on time, and failure to do so will be recorded by teachers and may impact a student’s grade for that subject. From KS2 onward, missed homework will be made up during morning break or lunchtime. Students are responsible for the completion of homework set during an absence from school. Parents can help with homework in the following ways:

• Motivating and supporting your child to develop organizational skills and build priorities. • Creating a dedicated and appropriate space, with the necessary resources, in which your child can

study. • Ensuring that he or she has had a snack and some rest after school before beginning homework. • Establishing a regular time each day for homework so that it becomes part of each student’s daily

routine. • Offering support and encouragement at all times, and practical assistance when necessary. • Communicating to the teacher if the child is struggling with the level of the homework

AssessmentandParent-TeacherConferences

Little Shoots The Little Shoots programme is a non-curriculum, play-based programme and children enrolled in this class are not formally assessed and do not receive report cards or online assessment updates. Parents may discuss their child’s progress with the Little Shoots teacher at any time but no formal academic assessment will be provided.


Early Years Foundation Stage Ongoing formative assessment is performed through regular observation and information is shared with parents through informal daily interactions, the secure online reporting system Orbit, as well as more formal discussions as and if needed or requested by parents. At the end of the EYFS programme, parents of children enrolled in our full International Programme will receive a written report outlining their child(ren)’s achievements in relation to the EYFS Learning Goals. Biannual Parent/Teacher meetings are also offered.

Key Stages One and Two Our students are tested against standards established by the British government and their progress shared with parents through biannual Parent-Teacher meetings and written reports. Our multi-age class groups allow us to set each child’s goals appropriately, pushing those ready for a new challenge in some subject areas and supporting those finding learning difficult in others.

Secondary 1 and 2 (Key Stage 3 and 4) In all subjects, Cambridge testing criteria are rigorously applied. Students are tested both internally by the school and, in Secondary 2, externally by examiners in Cambridge. Final exams lead to an internationally recognised and respected certificate of secondary education. Reports and Conferences All primary and secondary students are issued with biannual report cards giving both subject-specific grades and an assessment of each child’s learning progress, social development and other relevant aspects of his or her education at Green Shoots. Parent-Teacher Conferences are offered biannually. Throughout the year there will be opportunities for student-led presentations, usually at the end of a curriculum topic or project. Parents may sometimes be invited to join these. There are formal Parent-Teacher Conferences in the middle of the year and at the end of the year following the issuance of report cards. These are designed to give teachers the opportunity to answer parents’ questions, report on progress, and address concerns. If issues arise during the year that need to be addressed before the next scheduled conference, either a parent or a teacher may request an additional meeting to discuss such issues.

LearningSupport(LS)Green Shoots offers additional learning support to primary and secondary school students who have been identified by their teacher as requiring additional support in order to succeed within their class group. The decision to include a student in a Learning Support programme is made by the school, not the parents, although parents will be involved in discussions regarding how their child’s individual needs can best be met by the school.

Children with Special Education Needs are those who require additional support from the school in order to overcome cognitive, emotional, physical, or other difficulties that impair their ability to make full use of the facilities and staffing provided to their age appropriate class group.

Learning support is offered at an additional fee and is sometimes a temporary measure designed to overcome a specific learning barrier. It is planned, designed, and offered to meet each individual child’s needs. Support is halted once the student has passed through the barrier and is able to continue learning without extra assistance at the appropriate level. The rate for these services, based on the type of support required, will be discussed with parents during the decision making process.

EnglishforAcademicPurposes(EAP)An out-of-school EAP programme can be offered by Green Shoots’ sister language school, GLC, to non-native English speakers requiring additional English classes in order to acquire the language skills needed to study within an English-medium classroom. The school decides whether or not a child requires EAP support, based on individual English-language assessment, and classes are offered in addition to the regular curriculum and may be outside of school hours. Programmes are tailored to meet individual


needs in consultation with each student and his or her parents. The cost of EAP support is not included in the Tuition Fee and is borne additionally by the family.

PlagiarismandCheatingPlagiarism is defined as presenting someone else’s work as your own. The use of other people’s work is acceptable, and often encouraged in higher grades, but the work must be fully acknowledged and referenced. On major assignments secondary school students are required to keep copies of all notes, concept maps, plans and drafts in case concern over possible plagiarism arises that requires investigation.Cheating during a test or exam is defined as copying answers from another student, passing of notes between students (paper or electronic) and the unauthorized use of calculators, mobile phones or other devices.

If a student is found to have engaged in either of the above activities he or she shall receive a grade of ‘0’ for the assignment or exam and his or her parent(s) will be notified. Persistent transgression may result in suspension or expulsion (see our Behaviour Policy for more information).

UseofICTGreen Shoots campuses provide students in our International Programme with access to desktop computers should they require it, and we offer campus-wide wifi. These services are offered as an educational tool and privilege, not a right, and must not be abused. Teachers use appropriate material on the Internet to support their teaching programme. Information technology is an integral part of our curriculum, helping students develop research skills as well as critical thinking and problem solving. A Computer Lab on the Hoi An campus offers a bank of 6 computers, and a stock of iPads are available for use in the classroom to enhance ICT lessons and other curriculum areas. IGCSE students are required to provide their own laptop: parents can opt to purchase one through the school or provide one that meets school specs. Students are taught how to use the computing tools at their disposal effectively and appropriately and are expected to use the equipment provided with care and consideration. Where a student is deemed to be using the equipment inappropriately, disciplinary action will be taken. Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to:

• Misuse of equipment or intentional damage • Downloading inappropriate material or accessing inappropriate websites • Sending inappropriate emails or messages to others • Uploading inappropriate material • Any other behaviour that the school deems inappropriate or damaging to its equipment, staff,

students, or reputation All primary and secondary students and their parents must sign and return a Technology Use Agreement. Please also see our ICT Policy for more information.

Co-CurricularActivities

Field Trips Overnight field trips and daytime excursions form an integral part of the school programme, particularly for primary and secondary school students. Kindergarten students will not take overnight trips. Such trips involve all members of the class and may require prior preparation and follow-up evaluation or project completion. Each trip is planned to provide opportunities for the development of qualities such as leadership, independence, self-esteem and perseverance and to link with the curriculum where relevant. Notice (of one week for day trips and three weeks for overnight trips), and a detailed costing, will be given prior to any planned event and parents must give their written consent, via an Overnight Trip Consent Form or email correspondence, before their child can attend. If you do not wish your child to attend a school trip that has been planned as part of the school’s curriculum, or fail to provide the


necessary consent in a timely manner, the school cannot guarantee to provide an alternative educational programme for your child(ren) for the duration of the trip. Parents may attend these outings if by school invitation or as a volunteer if the school requests additional adult support. All overnight trips and some day trips must be funded by the parents and are not covered by the school’s annual tuition fee.

Parental permission for their child/ren to attend a trip may come in the form of a permission slip signed and returned to the school either in hard format or e-format. Verbal permission is not sufficient to allow a student to attend an out-of-school trip. Parents may also choose to sign the Umbrella Consent Form providing automatic permission for excursions, for the duration of the academic year, between the hours of 8am and 4pm, excluding excursions that involve water or other high risk activities. Consent may still be withdrawn by the parent for any particular excursion by responding to the email detailing the trip. Umbrella Consent Forms will be sent home at the beginning of each academic year, or provided upon enrolment.

Extra Curricula Activities and Weekend Workshops Green Shoots offers a range of before and after school sporting and other activities in which students from Reception and above may participate. A list of these activities will be shared with parents as they become available and students will be asked to sign up on a term-by-term basis. Weekend Workshops may also be arranged with a member of staff or an outside instructor and may be opened up to other members of the community in addition to Green Shoots students. Such out-of-school activities are charged in addition to the annual tuition fee.

Community Projects In line with the Green Shoots ethos, our school is committed to supporting the wider community through a variety of projects. Previously, we donated $3,000 to Action For The City, a local charity that used the money to build a Green Community Centre in Hoi An’s Cam Thanh district. We have also begun to raise funds for a Community Garden Project designed by our KS2 and IGCSE students. Last year, our Key Stage 2 children conducted a food drive when learning about service in the community. As a student-led project, the students decided to collect food and donate it personally to Children’s Hope in Action (CHIA) in time for the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet). The Secondary students gave their time and energy to the Cam Kim Community Kindergarten by clearing and preparing the grounds and helping to create a safe environment for outdoor play. They also worked in the kindergarten's food garden, preparing garden beds and planting seedlings that would be used in healthy lunches for the students. If you would like to help us develop this project further please get in touch.


4 LifeonCampus

Green Shoots’ Hoi An campus caters for students from 18 months to 16 years of age. Our Danang kindergarten campus caters for students from 18 months to 6 years of age. Currently all campuses are established on long-term lease properties that have undergone renovation in line with our green ethos, as well as to ensure the safety and comfort of all students and staff. Plans are underway for a permanent campus to be purpose-built where the modern digital world will meet traditional architecture and renewable energy systems. The school is expected to remain in its current locations for two to three years, while plans for the new campus are developed.

PreparingforSchool

What to Wear Green Shoots does not expect students to wear a uniform daily, although we do ask that clothes should not be torn or dirty unless an activity requiring old clothes (such as messy art) is planned. Students should wear practical clothing that allows for both comfort and the freedom to be involved in various activities throughout the day. T-shirts with inappropriate or culturally offensive slogans, that are cut above the navel, or that have thin spaghetti-style straps may not be worn. Singlets that have low cut armholes are also not to be worn on campus. When wearing shorts, students should ensure they provide adequate coverage for modesty. Undergarments should not be visible. For Kindergarten students, please ensure there are adequate changes of clothing (and nappies if required) in your child’s school bag, and check daily to see if they need to be replaced after soiling. All students are required to have a hat (which can be kept at school or brought in each day). In all campuses, shoes are removed on entering the classroom. Students wishing to wear shoes in their classroom must bring to school a pair of indoor slippers or light shoes that can be left at the school and worn only when inside. Green Shoots T–shirts are available for sale and may be worn to school. To ensure easy identification by teachers when off school grounds, these must be worn when on an excursion. Primary and secondary school students are required to wear Green Shoots sports shirts and shorts for sports activities and closed-toe sport shoes with good support should be worn for sports where appropriate (all outdoor sports except swimming). As a rule, and in the interest of safety, students at Green Shoots may not wear jewellery. Exceptions to this rule include:

• Pierced ears are allowed, but dangling earrings are not (earrings must be studs or sleepers only), • Plain rings may be worn, but rings that may catch or pull may not, • Simple necklaces/chains or bracelets may be worn if they are not considered a health hazard, but

must be removed if requested by a staff member or during sporting activities. Body piercing (with the exception of ear piercing) and tattooing or other kinds or permanent body marking by students is strictly forbidden. Staff with such decoration should be aware of student and community sensitivities and display or cover their decorations accordingly.

Sun Safety Kindergarten Classes Outdoor play is usually limited to the hours prior to 10am and after 2pm. Parents who wish their child to have sunscreen for morning play activity should apply it before their child is brought to school. Staff will apply sunscreen to children if provided by the parents, and if they will be engaging in outdoor activities during the hours of 10am to 2pm. Children should bring to, or leave at, school a full-brimmed sun hat for outside play each day. If they do not have their own hat they must wear one provided by the school or remain in covered play spaces. Primary and Secondary Students


In the interests of sun safety, we have a ‘No Hat, No Play’ policy. During any outdoor activities (including lunch and play breaks) all students and staff are required to wear hats. We recommend a full brimmed hat for the best protection and have school hats available for purchase if required. Children are to supply their own sunscreen which can be left in the school lockers for use at breaks and other times as required. They will be reminded by staff to apply when appropriate. If a student forgets their hat, then play breaks on that day will be limited to shaded or inside spaces. If a student does not have a hat on an allocated sports lesson day, then one may be provided by the school to ensure the student does not miss the lesson.

Student Supplies The school will provide students with workbooks and textbooks. Students are expected to take good care of their learning tools and must replace any lost or damaged materials issued by the school. A well-stocked pencil case should be provided by the parent(s) of each KS2 and Secondary student and should include items such as: pens, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, metric ruler, geometry set, and art supplies such as coloured pens and pencils. Secondary school students should also have a scientific calculator.

Birthdays We invite students to celebrate their birthday in school with a cake or other small treat(s) to be shared with students in their class group and within the classroom setting. Parents may also attend these celebrations. Siblings enrolled in a different class may join their brother or sister to enjoy a birthday cake with his or her classmates.

Please note that the school does not allow major birthday celebrations and gifts, party bags, and other birthday treats should not be brought into school or shared during school hours. If you would like to distribute invitations to other students at the school, please ask your child’s teacher for assistance. In order to spare the feelings of children who are not invited, we do not allow children to distribute invitations directly to fellow students.

If you would like your child to have a cake at school on his or her birthday but are unable to bring one, Green Shoots can organise a cake for your child at your expense if requested at least one day in advance.

ArrivalandDeparture

Arrival and Departure Procedure Hoi An Campus Students at the Hoi An Campus may arrive at school between 8.15am and 8:30am. If your child (or one of your children) is enrolled in a kindergarten class, entrance is via the kindergarten gate. Please ensure that all bikes are parked in front of the fence at the kindergarten building (see Appendix 2) and the primary gate and fence are kept clear for the buses. Primary and secondary siblings must walk through to the Lotus field where they will be supervised until class begins and you can remain at the kindergarten with your kindergarten-aged child in the outdoor play area until 8.45am.

Primary/secondary students arriving prior to 8.15am are required to sit in the courtyard of the office until dismissed to the Lotus Field by a staff member. From 8.15am all students enter via the secondary gate and should remain in the Lotus Field area unttil collected by their class teacher. Unless enrolled in an Extra Curricula Activity after school, all students must leave the campus by 3:45pm. These students may arrive and leave unattended, although those under the age of 11may do so only after written permission (A Student Release Form) signed by both parent(s) or guardian(s) has been received by the school.

Pick up time begins at 3:15pm for kindergarten students. As with morning drop-off procedures, we kindly request you ensure your motorbike is parked near the kindergarten gate as the primary gate is reserved for our school bus parking. Primary and secondary siblings being collected in addition to a kindergarten student, will walk through to the kindergarten area at 3:30pm.


Primary and secondary pick-up is from 3:30pm-3:45pm at the secondary gate (near the Lotus Field). This gate will not be unlocked until 3.30pm so as so as to minimise any disruption to the students' learning time. Danang Campus Arrival at the Da Nang Kindergarten Campus are permitted from 8:15am, although accompanying adult(s) must remain on campus with their child(ren) until 8:30am and are invited to come and play during that time in the front yard. Pick up is from 3.15pm-3.30pm. Kindergarten students must always be accompanied to school by a parent, guardian, or other authorised adult, unless travelling by the school bus.

Late Arrivals/Pick Up Arrivals after 8.30am will be through the office gate only. Students in primary or secondary classes are required to collect a late slip from the office, to be given to the class teacher. As the kindergarten gate is locked at 8.45, late arrivals for kindergarten only, may continue through this gate until it is locked. If a parent or guardian is unavoidably delayed when collecting a student from school, he or she should contact the school at their earliest convenience to make staff aware that they will be late and to inform the school what time they can be expected. If a parent or guardian is late and we have not heard from you, we will attempt to contact you first and then the adult(s) listed as your child’s emergency contact. The school has a late-pick-up fee of VND100,000 per 15 minutes after the end of school and these fees, if applied, will be billed at the end of each month. In the event of an emergency, when a parent may need to verbally inform the school that a person unknown to the school will collect their child, a member of staff will ask for some form of identification which will be copied and placed in the student’s records. This is not intended to offend, simply to protect the child. As noted above, students who travel to and from our Hoi An campus independently must not remain on campus after 3.45pm.

Road Safety Care must be taken on the roads, especially within the immediate vicinity of campuses when arriving and leaving school. Patience and consideration for other students and parents are requested at peak times. Parents must ensure that students who ride alone to and from school are prepared with basic road safety awareness.

Bicycles and Motorbikes Helmets should be worn at all times by anyone travelling by bicycle or motorbike. Care must also be taken with young children riding as pillion passengers on bicycles or motorbikes and if necessary a proper harness must be fitted to ensure your child’s safety. Parent motorbikes must be parked outside the school grounds while bicycles may be walked in. Student bicycles should be left in the bike park near the school’s entrance (See Appendix 2). This will be unlocked from 8 am to 8:30 am and from 3:30 pm to 4 pm. At all other times it will be closed and padlocked to protect staff and student property.

Cars and Taxis Please ensure that all drivers slow down well before arriving at the school and do not stop or park directly in front of the school as this limits pedestrian access. If driving your own car, please do not leave the engine running after parking. No kindergarten student or primary school student from 7 to 11 years old may arrive or depart by taxi unaccompanied unless, in the case of primary students, his or her parent(s) have given prior written permission using a Student Release Form.

School Bus It is important that you get your child(ren) ready for the school bus on time and are at the appropriate pick up and drop off point promptly. If a student is running late it affects all students travelling by bus. If a student is not at the pick-up point when the bus arrives in the morning, the bus supervisor will telephone/text the parent and the bus will wait up to two minutes, after which it will move on to its next


pick up point or, if at the last stop, to the school. If a parent or designated carer is not at the bus stop to collect their child(ren) at drop off time, the bus supervisor will telephone/text the parent and the bus will wait up to two minutes, after which it will continue to the next stop and will return to that bus stop en route back to the school on completion of the full bus route. Children who travel on the school bus should be given the right of way on arrival at school to allow the bus supervisor and driver to ensure that all children are safely off the bus or secured in their seats before driving home. All students will be dropped directly outside the campus gate. On our buses, each seat is fitted with either safety belts or safety harnesses for younger children. The bus supervisor can be contacted by phone in case of emergency or absence. To simplify communication, all issues relating to attendance/absence or delays for bus travel should be communicated directly to the bus supervisor, either in person or by phone, not via the school administrator or other member of staff. If you have any concerns over the bus, you may in the first instance, directly mention this to the bus supervisor and then to Admin if you feel further follow up is required.

Our bus routes are decided by the school and may be altered at any time to meet the changing needs of families using the service. Any changes to the route will be announced at least two weeks in advance. While we pledge to place bus stops as close as possible to each family’s home, Green Shoots cannot promise door-to-door pick ups and drop offs. Where this is possible, families with very young children will be given priority over those with older children. The up-to-date bus route is shared via email with families using the service and can be requested at any time from the school. In the interests of safety, children travelling on the school bus must:

• Wear seat belts and remain seated whilst the bus is in motion, • Behave appropriately according to school rules and expectations, and • Obey the instructions of the driver and supervisor.

Storms and Floods Green Shoots will alert parents by text message at or before 7:45am if, due to severe storms or flooding, the school will not operate on a given day. If an earlier prediction of severe weather is possible, text messages will be set out the night before any temporary closure. The decision to close the school will be made based on the need to ensure the safety of all students and staff. In the case of flooding, we will also take into consideration campus accessibility and the ability of staff to travel from their homes to school in order to fully care for your children. Please see our Policy Handbook section on Fire Safety, Emergency, and Evacuation for more information.

PersonalItems

Lockers and Storage Drawers All campuses are equipped with individual storage areas for your child(ren)’s belongings whilst they are at school (drawers or bag hooks in the kindergarten and lockers in the primary and secondary school). The school does not have around-the–clock security and these storage areas should not been used for overnight storage of valuable items. The school takes no responsibility for the loss of items left overnight or through weekends and holidays. Primary and secondary students are expected to keep their storage areas clean and neat. Kindergarten children will be encouraged to do the same and will be assisted by our staff. Valuable Items Personal items with sentimental value should not be brought into the school in case of loss or damage, and cash and jewellery should be kept to a minimum. Expensive toys, cameras, fake weapons, and pets may only be bought to school for educational purposes (‘show and tell’, project-related presentations, etc.) and with the prior permission of a member of staff.


At the kindergarten, children are encouraged not to bring valuable items to school. If they choose to do so, these items should be left in their locker. If they wish to bring them out to play, children are reminded that toys should be shared and that sharing may result in damage to the item in question. They are given a choice of whether to keep the item in a secure place or to share and take responsibility for any ensuing damage. Fake weapons are not allowed for any purposes on our campuses. Primary and secondary school students may bring a mobile phone to school but it should be switched off and stored in the student’s locker whilst in class and only be used in case of emergencies or after school. Laptops, iPads and other electronic computing devices may be brought to school at the discretion of the student, but may be used only with a teacher’s permission. Green Shoots is not responsible for the loss, damage, or theft of any valuable items bought onto school grounds by students.

Lost and Found The school asks parents to clearly label all items bought to school by their child. Items that are found by students or staff members should be turned in to the school administrator. Any unclaimed items remaining at the end of each academic year will be displayed for reclamation. Any that remain unclaimed will be donated to a charity of the school’s choice.

CampusSafety

Visitors We welcome guests and visitors at Green Shoots. However, in the interests of safety, visits to either campus during the hours of 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, must be pre-arranged with the Campus Head. All visitors, other than parents/guardian’s and close relatives, must fill in the Visitors’ Book on arrival and departure, located in the Office of our Hoi An Campus and the downstairs room of our Da Nang campus. Former students or friends of current students wishing to visit during school hours are limited to one full day as long as their presence does not interfere with the school’s academic programme. This must be pre-arranged with the Principal. Unless there is a scheduled school activity, parents and students are not allowed on campus outside normal school hours unless by prior arrangement with the Principal.

Wheeled Toys In the interest of safety, skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, rip sticks, radio-controlled toys/models and other fast-moving wheeled toys and sports equipment are not allowed on any Green Shoots campus.

Dangerous Items Alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, weapons, cigarette lighters, matches, fire crackers/fireworks and any other item(s) deemed by the school to be potentially addictive, dangerous, or disruptive are not permitted at any time on school grounds. Students bringing these items into a Green Shoots campus will be disciplined in line with the provisions of our Behaviour Management policy.

Emergency Drills / Fire and Evacuation Emergency drills are scheduled and conducted during the year. Your child(ren)’s teacher will give specific instructions to each class group. Each classroom has an evacuation floor plan posted near the door and each campus has a designated meeting point at which staff and students must gather in the case of an emergency. All visitors to either campus must comply with instructions given by our staff during an emergency. For more information, please see our Policy Handbook section on Fire Safety, Emergency, and Evacuation.


5 StudentWelfare

MealsThe school provides healthy snacks and a full lunch based on a three-week rotational menu, which changes with the seasons. All meals are free of MSG and we work hard to source natural alternatives to artificial colours and flavours. Where possible, the school uses free-range eggs and organic vegetables. Our yoghurt and many of our dips and sauces are homemade using only fresh ingredients. Green Shoots’ menu is sent out to parents via email and posted on our webpage. You may also request a copy from the school.

Green Shoot campuses are not nut-free, so please inform the school should your child have an allergy to nuts or any other foods. Our enrolment form provides space for you to do so. We do provide vegetarian options and a gluten-free option suitable for those with gluten sensitivities. Severe gluten allergies cannot be catered for with all meals. If you child has dietary issues, please schedule a time to discuss with a member of staff.

Meal Kindergarten Classes Primary Classes Secondary Classes

Morning snack 10am – 10.30am 10.30am – 11:00am 10.40am – 11:00am

Lunch 11.30am – 12pm

12.45pm – 1.45pm 1pm – 2pm

Afternoon snack 3.00pm – 3:15pm N.A. N.A.

AppropriateBehaviour

Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Our expectations of appropriate behaviour are high and must be shared by parents if the school is to function well. Upon enrolment, we ask all parents and guardians to sign the enrolment from, acknowledging acceptance of and agreement to the Parent-School Agreement in which both parties promise to uphold these standards and help students learn to do the same.

We understand that each child is different and will respond to the individual needs of our students in the most appropriate manner possible. However, where the needs or demands of one student or family conflict with the best interests of the school or school community as a whole Green Shoots will, in the interests of equity, focus on the needs of the majority. If a student or parent feels they have been unjustly treated, a complaint may be filed using the complaints procedure outlined in our Complaints Policy. Green Shoots’ students have the right to:

• Feel safe, valued, and free from prejudice, and • Learn without hindrance

In return for these rights, they must:

• Respect and value others with the same level of courtesy they expect to receive, and • Care for their school grounds and property

Green Shoots is committed to providing everyone with a safe, caring and supportive environment and has developed a Behaviour Management policy to help ensure this. Appropriate behaviour is encouraged through positive reinforcement and praise, and inappropriate behaviour dealt with according to the seven steps laid out in our policy. It applies:

• Within school grounds, • While students are travelling to or from school,


• On school outings and trips, and • Outside school if there is an obvious link between the student and the school and the student’s

behaviour is likely to reflect directly upon the school. The following table offers examples of appropriate behaviour.

In the Playground In the Classroom Outside School • Play fair, play safe and invite

others into games. • Share and take turns. • Speak nicely to each other. • Be a good winner and a

good loser. • Encourage each other. • Apologise when someone is

hurt, intentionally or unintentionally.

• Keep play area clean and tidy.

• Listen to instructions.

• Show good manners and respect for others.

• Solve problems together. • Listen to others and to

teachers’ instructions. • Be organised and prepared

for learning. • Contribute ideas and

opinions. • Retain an open mind. • Keep the classroom tidy. • Take pride in your work.

The behaviour of students off campus is the responsibility of the individual student and his or her parents. However, students must be aware that they represent the school in the community and should conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times.

Bullying At no time is bullying acceptable at Green Shoots. Bullying behaviours include (but are not limited to):

• Verbal or physical abuse, • The threat of verbal or physical abuse, • Online bullying via social networks or other sites where students or staff can be identified and

ridiculed or threatened, • Harassment based on age, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or other differences, and • Indirect bullying designed to damage a persons’ self-esteem or reputation using social exclusion,

practical jokes, the spreading of rumours, or other indirect means. Bullying, if found to exist, will be dealt with in accordance with our Behaviour Management Policy.

Displays of Affection In Vietnam public displays of affection between men and women, boys and girls, are deemed inappropriate and can be considered offensive. For this reason, and in consideration of our younger students, such displays by staff members or more mature students are not allowed on Green Shoots campuses. Green Shoots recognises that genuine feelings of affection may exist between students. However, students should refrain from inappropriate, intimate behaviours on campus or at school-related events and activities. Students are expected to show good taste and conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Lewd and/or inappropriate public displays of affection will not be tolerated and may result in a parent meeting and possible suspension if inappropriate behaviour continues after being warned.

We believe that for young children physical affection is an extremely positive force and we support appropriate forms of affection between staff and students in our kindergarten classes. Primary aged child(ren) may be hugged if they are distressed or to show a teacher’s pride and affection. School staff will not initiate physical contact with secondary students but may respond if approached by a child in need of comfort. For more information, please see our Physical Contact and Intervention Policy. If you wish our staff not to hug your child, or are unhappy with the physical contact your child is receiving please first follow up with your teacher and, if the issue is not resolved, contact the school through the procedures outlined in our Complaints Policy.


HealthandMedication

Medical and Vaccination Records Upon enrolment parents are required to provide an up-to-date vaccination record and details of any previous serious injuries or illnesses. It is your responsibility to keep your child(ren)’s medical record(s) updated and inform the school of any new vaccination received by the child or any medical condition that has developed since enrolment with us.

Allergies, Asthma and Long-term Illnesses Please ensure that your child(ren)’s Enrolment Form includes full information about any allergies suffered, and update the school as soon as possible should a new allergy develop. Any medication brought into school should be recorded on a Medication Form that should be lodged with your child(ren)’s teacher. Students suffering from asthma should bring an inhaler to school if one has been prescribed. This will be stored safely by their teacher and available for use if necessary. Any long-term illness or injury that is still relevant, must be recorded on a Pre-existing Injury/Illness Report Form upon enrolment with the school, along with instructions regarding any actions that should be taken by school in the case of an emergency.

Sickness and Medical Absence from School In order to prevent the spread of communicable illness between staff and students, a child must not be allowed to attend school if he or she develops a temperature of 38 degrees or higher. Children who have suffered from fever, vomiting or diarrhoea must be free from these illnesses for 24 hours without medication before returning to school even if they appear well or recovered. Equally, a child must not attend school if he or she shows symptoms of, or is diagnosed with, one of the following illnesses:

Illness Symptoms Excluded from school until:

Chicken pox Red rash/lesions, on trunk, generally unwell, temperature

At least one week after the eruption of the first lesion.

Conjunctivitis Red eye(s), itchiness, yellow or green discharge from eye(s) Discharge has ceased

Diarrhoea Loose stools, bloating, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever Symptoms end and 24 hours have passed.

Fifth disease (‘Slapped Cheek’) Bright red cheeks, unwell Until child is well.

Hand foot and mouth Generally unwell, fever, small red dot(s) found on hands feet or in mouth Child is well.

Head lice Itchy scalp, presence of nits or lice Fully treated

Hepatitis (A or B) Flu-like symptoms, possibly also jaundice, dark urine, light stools

Receipt of medical certificate to show recovery

Impetigo Fluid-filled blisters on body, arms and legs, or red sores on face Sores have healed

Measles Red rash all over body, high fever, coughing

At least five days after the appearance of the rash

Meningitis Muscle and/or joint pain, cold hands and feet, pale skin/blue lips, fever, neck pain

Receipt of medical certificate to confirm recovery

Mumps Swollen parotid glands (below ears), high fever, aches, loss of appetite Full recovery

Pneumonia Laboured breathing, chest pain, high fever, fatigue, wheezing Full recovery

Ringworm Ring-like rash on body or scalp, possibly itchy or flaky skin Appropriate treatment has begun

Rubella (German Measles)

Mild fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash spreading from face to body

At least five days after the appearance of the rash


Scabies Itching and rash often between fingers, on elbows, arm pits, neck Appropriate treatment has begun

Trachoma Itchy eyes, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain Appropriate treatment has begun

Whooping cough Sore throat, then coughing fits of 1-2 minutes and clear, sticky phlegm

Two weeks after the onset of illness and child is recovered.

Vomiting n.a. Symptoms end and 24 hours have passed

If a child develops a temperature of 38 degrees or higher, vomiting, diarrhoea or any other illness or infection, the school will contact the parent(s) and the child will be sent home with the parent or authorised adult.

Fitness for Sport and Other Activities Generally speaking, if a child is fit to attend school he or she is fit to participate in all activities, including sport and other physical activities. If you believe your child is fit to attend classes but not to participate in more strenuous school-time activities, please contact your child’s teacher to discuss the possibility of your child being excused from these activities.

Sport and other physical activities are an integral part of the curriculum and the decision to allow a student to absent themselves from such activities will be made by the teacher.

Medication Any child needing prescribed medication whilst at school must hand in the medicine and Medication Form completed and signed by their parent or authorised adult to the Office or their class teacher. This form is available on our website and from the school’s administrators and provides our staff with details of the medication, purpose and dosage required for your child so that staff can oversee administration. Students are not allowed to self-administer medication that has been prescribed by a doctor. Staff will sign the form with details of what was taken and when, and it will be retained by the office for our records.

Medical Emergencies If professional medical assistance is not deemed necessary, our staff will carry out basic first aid as required. See our Policy Handbook, Section 1, for further details.

Upon enrolment all parents are asked to provide an emergency contact (other than the parent/guardian) and preferred doctor/hospital information, and it is the responsibility of the parent(s) to ensure that this information is kept up to date. In the unlikely event of a serious accident that cannot be dealt with on campus, a student will be transported to the medical facility listed on his or her enrolment form for treatment and a parent, guardian or emergency contact person will be reached by telephone and asked to take charge of the student and his or her medical needs. If an accident or emergency occurs during a school trip or outing, the closest appropriate medical facility or emergency service provider will be reached by the member of staff in charge. Any fees incurred in the event of medical treatment not administered by the school shall be the responsibility of the parent.

Health Insurance Students are expected to have the necessary medical insurance through a personal or family policy and the details of this policy must be provided to the school through the Enrolment Form. If a student has no health insurance in place, Green Shoots can help you purchase basic accident and emergency coverage through local provider, Bao Viet. The cost of any such coverage is borne by the parent. While every effort will be made to keep your child safe from injury, the school is not liable for medical expenses incurred as a result of an accident or other medical incident on school grounds (whether during or outside of school hours) or during school outings and overnight trips.


StudentCounsellingGreen Shoots does not have a dedicated student counsellor, but teaching staff are encouraged to make themselves available to students wishing to discuss issues of concern and students should feel free to raise such issues with their teacher or another member of staff. Students who do so will be treated with respect and any information they share with confidentiality.

Our staff are not trained counsellors and will not attempt to help children deal with issues that require professional assistance or counselling. If our staff believe that a meeting is needed to discuss with parent(s) an issue raised by a student, they will first suggest such a meeting to the student and, if the student agrees to it, will contact the parent(s) to arrange a meeting. Only if the staff member believes a student’s health or welfare is in danger will our staff contact parents to discuss an issue without the student’s prior consent.

Although Green Shoots does not employ a counsellor, we have developed a working relationship with qualified expatriate counsellors working in and around Hoi An and Da Nang. Should you wish your child to see a counsellor, the school can help arrange a meeting.

We offer our students from UKS2 and above a fact sheet giving information about online/email counselling and pointing them to sources of accurate information relating to issues of interest. By enrolling at Green Shoots you agree to allow your child/ren access to this information. We may also offer a confidential lunchtime Teen Time counselling service to students from UKS2 and above. Information pertaining to these sessions will be kept fully confidential, between counsellor and student, unless the student shows signs of self harm or suicidal tendencies, in which instance teachers, school managers, and parents will be informed immediately.

UKS2 and above will receive classes relating to sex, relationships, drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. We will tell you when these lessons are planned and if your child is in UKS2 you may request that they do not attend these sessions. For students in KS3 and above, the sessions are a compulsory part of the curriculum.

Our kindergarten, Key Stage 1 and lower Key Stage 2 classes run an annual body awareness and safety programme and information regarding this will be sent home prior to the event.


6 ParentsandtheSchool

GettingInvolvedGreen Shoots welcomes parental involvement in school activities, outings, fund raising and, when appropriate, the classroom. This can be arranged directly with your child(ren)’s teacher or through our parent group. Any parent wishing to become involved in a school activity is reminded to read the terms of our Adult Helpers Policy.

Communication

How You Can Reach Us Green Shoots values your input, ideas, and contributions, and parents can communicate with the school in a number of different ways.

If parents wish to discuss a specific aspect of their child(ren)’s education, please approach the appropriate member of faculty. If you expect the conversation to be brief, you may approach a teacher directly before or after teaching hours. However, if you anticipate a longer conversation, you should request a formal appointment at a time convenient to both parties. If he or she is unable to answer your question or deal with your request you may make an appointment to talk with the School Principal. For non-urgent enquiries and updates on your child’s overall academic progress and wellbeing at school, we offer parent-teacher meetings and report cards, as detailed in the Assessment section of this handbook. The date and time of meetings will be shared with parents at least one week in advance. Green Shoots encourages the further development of our Parent Group and welcomes any volunteers who might wish to take on this valuable role. The Parent Group is not run by the school, but by the parents, and provides an avenue through which parents can communicate with the school. The parent group will hold regular meetings and can raise suggestions, issues of concern, and other feedback with school management. Should you wish to share an idea directly with the school, rather than via the parent group, or make a suggestion relating to the provision of our educational services, you may email your thoughts to [email protected]. If your idea or suggestion requires change from the school we will:

1. Consider it in the context of existing school policies, procedures and philosophy. 2. If the idea is in line with the above and is potentially ‘practical’ given the school’s operational

constraints, an email will be sent to all parents asking whether they would like to vote on the issue.

• If a minimum of 51% of all parents respond to request a vote, it shall be arranged. • If a minimum of 51% of all parents proceed to vote and, of that, at least 51% vote in favour of

the proposed change (around 25% of the entire parent body), the change will be considered by Green Shoots management and the school’s Advisory Board.

The school does not guarantee that changes proposed by parents will be acted upon, but pledges that all those with majority support will be given serious consideration where no legal, administrative or practical constraint exists.

How We Will Reach You Most communication from the school, such as announcements or administrative updates, will be shared with parents via email using the [email protected] address. Please carefully read any emails you receive from this address, as they may contain important information about school events, policies, fees, and other issues the school needs to share with the entire parent body. Paper copies of this information will not be provided (unless a parent does not have email access and has indicated a preference for paper copies on the enrolment form) in order to reduce paper wastage. An emailed newsletter will be sent periodically to parents and the broader community sharing information about the school’s development, upcoming events and other issues of community interest.


The Green Shoots website offers general information about the school’s philosophy and curriculum, and contains specific information such as the school calendar, fees, policies and menu. A yearbook will be published annually and will be available for purchase.

PrivacyandDataProtection

Your Privacy Unless you have asked us not to do so via your Enrolment Form, Green Shoots will share your telephone and email information with other families in your child(ren)’s class in order to facilitate communication. This information is shared on the assumption that it will not be used to the detriment of those listed on it or to slander or otherwise damage the school or its reputation. Such actions will be interpreted as in breach of the Parent-School Agreement and may result in sanctions.

We will not share any other information about you or your child without your prior permission, unless required to do so by law.

The School’s Privacy All one-to-one correspondence between staff at the school and the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the school is made in confidence and may not be shared with others without explicit permission from the school. Information shared by a member of staff with a non-staff member, or gleaned by a parent or guardian when assisting or otherwise being involved with the school, is similarly protected by the Parent-School Agreement.

ComplaintsOn occasion, a parent may wish to contact the school to clarify an issue of concern or to file a complaint. Most complaints can be easily dealt with through direct communication with teaching staff or School Principal, or via the parent group. Any complaint filed via these routes will be fully documented by the School Principal and records kept of all conversations. The school will endeavour to resolve all complaints quickly and amicably. Where these systems do not suffice, the formal complaints procedures laid out in the Green Shoots Complaints Policy should be followed. Complaints that are not lodged using these procedures, are aired publically while the confidential procedure is underway, or are otherwise made in contravention of our Parent-School Agreement or Complaints Policy, will not be considered valid by the school and will not be pursued.


7 Appendices

Appendix1:School Calendar 2016-17

M T W T F S S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S

1 2 3 4 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31

31


1 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

30 31


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 31

31

Public Ho lidays * Scho o l Ho lidays Billable Quarte rs To tal Num be r o f Te aching Days : 181

Vietnames e National Day Autumn to Q1 to Q1

27-Jan 1-Feb-17 Lunar New Year (Tet) Winter to Q2 to Q2

Hung Vuong Annivers ary Day Spring 1 to Q3 to Q3

Vietnam Liberation Day Spring 2 to Q4 to Q4

International Labour Day Summer to Payment Due Dates Teacher profes s ional development (no s chool)

* Pleas e note that public holidays falling on a Saturday or Sunday w ill be carried to the preceeding or follow ing w eek by Green Shoots if s uch a change is announced.by the government of Vietnam

FEBRUARY

17-Jun-17

26-Jan-17

01-May-17

30-Apr-17

06-Apr-17

44 Teaching Days

46 Teaching Days

20-Aug-17

16-Apr-17

01-Feb-17 02-Feb-17

JANUARY

07-Apr-17

16-Jun-1717-Apr-1708-Apr-17

22-Aug-16

31-Oct-16

16-Oct-1602-Sep-16 08-Oct-16

02-Jan-1710-Dec-16

MAY

28-Oct-16

JUNE

AUGUST

DECEMBER

CALENDAR2016 - 2017

NOVEMBEROCTOBERSEPTEMBER

25-Jan-17

44 Teaching Days

47 Teaching Days

APRIL

AUGUSTJULY

MARCH


Appendix2:How To Find UsHoi An


Da Nang


Appendix3:Forms and AgreementsThe Enrolment Form should be completed and signed by each student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) upon enrolment with Green Shoots. Your child(ren) will not be eligible to join Green Shoots until the Enrolment form, Enrolment fee and copies of relevant documents below are completed and returned to the school.

• Copy of the student’s vaccination records and health insurance documentation.

• Copy of student’s passport or birth certificate. If the student has multiple passports, please provide a copy of each.

• Most recent school records (translated into English where applicable)

• Recent test scores in English, mathematics and science (where applicable)

• Medication Form (where applicable)

• Pre-existing Injury/Illness Report Form (where applicable)

• Umbrella Consent Form

When signing the enrolment form, be aware you are acknowledging and agreeing to all information in this Parent Student Handbook and the Policies and Important Documents Handbook. Any other forms required (eg Medication Form, Student Release Form) can be requested through the administration email, directly from staff on either campus, or downloaded from our website.