recruitment handbook · 10 school day the school operates a northern hemisphere academic calendar...

RECRUITMENTHANDBOOK

2019 - 2020

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WHO WE ARE

School History

School Description

School Location

Mission and Vision

BECOME AN ISHCMC EDUCATOR

Organizational Structure

School Size and Enrollment

Conditions of Employment

LIVING IN HO CHI MINH CITY

TEACHER TESTIMONIALS

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Contents

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WHO

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Who We Are

School HistoryAt ISHCMC, we are extremely proud to have been the first international school in HCMC with the longest history of gradu-ating students to high profile universities around the world.

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2018

ISHCMC, previously known as International Grammar School, opens in District 3.

International Grammar School’s second campus opens in District 3.

International Grammar School is renamed “International School Ho Chi Minh City” and moves to its current location in District 2.

ISHCMC is granted approval to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

ISHCMC receives accreditation from ECIS, now known as CIS.

ISHCMC graduates its first class of IBDP students.

ISHCMC’s District 3 campus expands to include Early Explorers and Kindergarten students.

Junior School students move to the An Phu campus. New School building and library is built.

ISHCMC receives accreditation from NEASC and is now accredited by two of the mostrenowned international accreditation organizations worldwide.

A new Administration building, a Multi-Purpose Room and Gymnasium is completed.

ISHCMC joins the Cognita Schools Group, a family of over 60 schools worldwide.

New facilities are added that include: science laboratories, music rooms, a gymnasium, a 25-meter swimming pool and new play areas.

The Early Explorer and Kindergarten areas are expanded and refurbished.

Refurbished Grade 4 and Studio 5 wing opened

The award-winning Primary Library and Grade 1 areas are unveiled.

ISHCMC’s innovative new Secondary Campus opens in January. The Primary Campus is refurbished to include new areas -art spaces, music practice rooms, indoor play area, indoor canteen, food technology, Fab Lab, Grade 2 and KG areas.

In December, ISHCMC celebrates its 25th anniversary and its status as the first international schoolin Ho Chi Minh City.

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School DescriptionISHCMC is a non-denominational, co-educational and multicultural international school with over 50 nationalities represented within the student body. Teaching in the English medium, ISHCMC is the first and oldest school in Ho Chi Minh City to provide all three International Baccalaureate Programmes – the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP) – for all of our students.

The physical facilities of the campuses include a variety of learning spaces, indoor gymnasiums, multipurpose rooms, two 25 meter swimming pools, two artificial grass outdoor pitches and covered and uncovered hard surface play and sports areas. There are also science labs, multiple makerspaces and design rooms, food tech rooms and a Fab Lab, performing arts spaces including a theater and Black Box studio, two Information & Media Centers (Libraries), music suites including a recording studio and practice rooms, multiple art rooms, health clinics, an adventure playground, and a specialized early year area.

School LocationISHCMC is situated in a desirable suburb of Ho Chi Minh City in District 2. The School is approximately 10 kilometers from the center of Ho Chi Minh City – about a 20 - 30 minute taxi ride. The Primary campus is within walking distance of major serviced apartment complexes, shops, cafés and restaurants in the An Phu area, The Secondary campus is located 10 minutes from the Primary campus. It is close to the Saigon Bridge and also conveniently located within the Thao Dien neighborhood. It is nestled in a quiet area location between the Saigon River and the main highway, next to the Thao Dien Market, and very close to the main residential areas of Thao Dien and Tran Nao.

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MissionAs an IB World School, ISHCMC constructs a Culture of Achievement in an environment where students are energized, engaged and empowered to become active participants in their communities.

VisionISHCMC’s vision is to be widely recognized as a school that nurtures a creative and collaborative learning environment in which students and teachers seek to achieve beyond their goals, flourish as individuals, display compassion, embrace challenge, take principled action on local and global issues and enjoy being part of their community.

ValuesAt ISHCMC we value:

• Individual learners• Creative and inquiring thinkers• Learning beyond the classroom• International mindedness• Reflection and goal-setting• Collaboration and connectivity• Environmental sustainability• Healthy and mindful choices• Honest and principled actions

Teachers are expected to commit to this Mission and to model the School’s values and attitudes in energizing, engaging and empowering all students. They are expected to use inquiry as their primary teaching methodology and to implement the “Learner Profiles” of the IB Programme. They are also expected to adhere to their job descriptions, to plan collaboratively in teams and to contribute towards common goals for School improvement.

An important element of the School is an emphasis on the development of the whole child, and each teacher assumes responsibility for pastoral care, supervision duties and after school activities. In fulfilling our Mission, teachers earnestly support an extensive range of field trips and activities. The ability, interest and commitment in offering extracurricular activities in physical education, outdoor pursuits, art, music, drama and community service are important qualities sought in teaching candidates.

Who We Are

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BECO

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Become an ISHCMC Educator

Organizational StructureISHCMC is a member of Cognita, a leading international schools group, encompassing 69 schools across three continents. Cognita schools are located in Brazil, Chile, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. The group employs some 7,000 teaching and support staff in the care and education of approximately 40,000 students from age 1 to 18 years.

Since its inception in 2004, Cognita has successfully built a group of outstanding schools where no two are the same; each Cognita school retains its own unique ethos and offers a curriculum and range of services tailored to meet the needs of local parents. Like all Cognita schools, ISHCMC’s foundations rest upon empowered school leaders, committed teachers and students who are enthusiastic learners.

ISHCMC has its own Board of Management which has established a long term strategic plan for the School to maintain and build upon ISHCMC’s already high standards and reputation in Vietnam. School Administration Management responsibilities at ISHCMC are shared by its Senior Leadership Team.

The Head of School - Mr. Adrian Watts, is British and joined ISHCMC in 2013. Adrian was appointed to this position in August 2015. The Deputy Head of School, Mr. Douglas Balzer, is Australian and joined ISHCMC in 2018 from another Cognita school, AIS in Singapore. Also on the Senior Leadership team are two Principals: Primary Principal – Mr. Kurtis Peterson, a Canadian who has previously worked in Uganda, China, Peru and Colombia; and Secondary Principal – Mr. Phil Rogers, an Australian who has many years experience in international education and the IB programs.

Each Principal is supported by a management team which assists with the coordination of his section. In the Primary school Ms. Lianne Kalapaca is the Primary School Vice Principal; Ms. Tania Mansfield is the IB PYP Coordinator for the Upper Primary School and Ms. Nancy Snyder is the IB PYP Coordinator for the Lower Primary School. In the Secondary School Mr. Brad Augustine, Vice Principal; Ms. Teresa Foard, IB DP Coordinator; Mr. Simon Scoones, IB MYP Coordinator; and Ms. Jane Barrowcliff, Projects Coordinator, make up the Secondary School management team. Mr. Matt Gollins is the Athletics and Activities Director for the whole School.

School Size and EnrollmentNumber of StudentsAs of September 2018, there were approximately 1,300 students enrolled with 665 students in our Primary School (Early Explorers 2 through Studio 5) and 625 students in Secondary School (Grade 6 through Grade 12). Class sizes are capped at a maximum of 22 students in Primary and 23 students in Secondary.

School StaffISHCMC employs 145 expatriate staff and 168 Vietnamese teaching assistants and administrative staff. There is a balanced range of young, seasoned and veteran teachers with average teaching experience of 11 years. We intentionally hire a range of different nationalities, ages, and genders. ISHCMC teachers are currently from Australia (21%), the United States (20%), Great Britain (19%), Canada (17%), New Zealand (3%) and elsewhere (20%). The current average length of stay is 4-5 years.

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School DayThe School operates a northern hemisphere academic calendar from mid-August to mid-June. The ISHCMC school year is divided into two semesters and four terms for assessment purposes. The school year provides a minimum 180 days of instruction.

In the Primary School, all students begin their day at 8.15am. Our youngest students, Early Explorers 2 and 3 finish at 11.30am, if attending for half a day. The full day class for Early Explorers 2 and 3 runs until 1.45pm. Early Explorers 4, Kindergarten and Grade 1 finish their school day at 2.45pm. Grade 2 - Studio 5 finish the school day at 3.05pm.

All Secondary School Grades (6 - 12) are in session from 8.50am to 3.55pm. The School timetable is based on a 10-day cycle, where each day has a letter assigned from A through J.

Primary teaching staff are required to be at school at 7.15am each Monday and Thursday and 7.30am on other days. The teacher’s day concludes at 4.00pm, unless staff are involved in activities or extracurricular commitments. Secondary teaching staff have flexible start and finish times based on their collaborative meetings and after school commitments.

Contact TimeThe Secondary School day is divided into four 75-minute periods. The Primary School day is divided into eight 40-minute periods.

Teachers are required to attend whole school faculty meetings on Thursday mornings which support professional development and collaboration.

Bilingual Academic AssistantsAll classrooms in the Primary School have access to a full-time bilingual (Vietnamese and English) teaching assistant. Secondary School has bilingual specialist assistants.

Professional Development OpportunitiesAmple opportunities are available for all ISHCMC teaching staff to pursue Professional Development activities. Opportunities include our own conference (3E), specialists brought in to capacitate staff, IB requirements, and in-house workshops.

Accreditation StatusIn 1997, ISHCMC was granted full accreditation status by the Council of International School (CIS) (formerly ECIS). ISHCMC was first authorized to offer the IBDP in 1998, followed by the PYP in 2001 and the MYP in 2004.

In October 2018, ISHCMC completed the re-accreditation process for CIS and the IB evaluation in a combined visit. ISHCMC is also an active member of the East Asian Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS).

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CurriculumISHCMC is continually refining its curriculum to provide an internationally designed model for concurrency in learning for mobile and transient students, while maintaining an appreciation of the School’s local environment.

ISHCMC offers all three International Baccalaureate Programmes. The IB Programme is a comprehensive, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning which develops the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills needed to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Teachers use their collective, wide- ranging experiences to continually allow a successful program to run.

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) operates for students age 2 (Early Explorers 2) to 11 (Studio 5). In the Secondary School, coursework for Grades 6 -10 (students age 12 - 15) is based on the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). Grades 11 and 12 (students age 16 - 18 years) undertake the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP or DP). The IB DP is the final certification for students at ISHCMC. It is an academically challenging and balanced program of education with final examinations that prepare students for university and life beyond. The curriculum is taught using AERO standards. MAP testing is also conducted twice a year for Grades 3-10.

Additional BenefitsAdditional ISHCMC educational benefits and developments:

• ISHCMC is well-resourced with imported materials from UK, USA and Australia to support the delivery of the curriculum. The School places an emphasis on the integration of technologies.

• The School offers a 1:1 laptop program in the Secondary School, 1:1 tablets in Grade 5 and 1:1 iPads in Grades 3 and 4.

• Mandarin and Spanish are taught in Grades 1 - 12. French is offered in Grades 6 - 12. Mother tongue study is encouraged within a range of flexible options.

• A successful completion of Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) in Grades 6 - 12 is one of the requirements for obtaining the MYP Certificate and the IB Diploma from ISHCMC. There are a wide range of options available for students with teachers acting as supervisors.

• Multimedia facilities are available to staff and students in the form of video and digital cameras and iPads. Support is available from our specialist IT integration staff in Primary and Secondary.

• Field trips for Grades 3 - 12 are an essential component of the ISHCMC curriculum and all teaching staff are required to attend at least one trip a year.

• ISHCMC participates in the ASEAN Sports and Athletics Conference (ASAC), Saigon International Schools Athletics Conference (SISAC), South East Asia Sports and Athletics Conference (SEASAC), and a range of Model United Nations (MUN), STEAM and Drama conferences across South-East Asia throughout the school year.

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Conditions of EmploymentWork PermitAccording to the Labor Laws of Vietnam, foreigners working in Vietnam must obtain a work permit prior to their arrival in Vietnam; and the employment is subject to the satisfaction of other pre-employment checks, including criminal background check, medical check, and reference check It is important to review each section below carefully. Any mistakes, even small ones, can cause delays in the process (and, in rare cases, this may lead to the denial of a work permit), so these procedures are considered to be extremely important.

Your IdentityYou must ensure that your name in your current passport matches your name on all your other documents exactly. Names in Vietnam are often very similar, so it is important that documents match exactly. If there are any differences in spelling, initials, whole names or name changes, even small, you will need to show that all your documents relate to you. You will be required to show supporting documentation.

Your QualificationsThe Vietnamese government will grant a Work Permit only to foreign teachers who hold a Bachelor’s Degree and/or a Master of Education in Education. If your University degree is not in education, then a Diploma or Certificate of Teaching should be enclosed accordingly.

Your Good CharacterA criminal/police record check must be done in the country where you now reside. It is assumed you have been living in one place for the past six months, but if this is not the case, please ask for guidance from our Human Resources Department. The police record must be signed by that country Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese Embassy or a Consulate official who can testify that it is genuine.

In addition to the above, each expatriate school employee at ISHCMC must undergo a screening test administered by an organization called Avvanz. This company will look into your previous history to ensure that there are no criminal convictions.

Your HealthA health certificate or medical report is required as part of the application dossier for a work permit in Vietnam. It should be completed and stamped by a hospital or a reliable medical center, notarized by that country’s Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese Embassy or a Consulate official who can testify that it is genuine.

Notarization and LegalizationAll of the above mentioned documents (declaration letters of different names, teaching/education qualifications, criminal/police record check and medical certificate) must be properly notarized by authorities of the country where the documents were issued, then authenticated by the country Foreign Affairs and finally legalized by Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in that country. It should be noted that the wording used for authenticating documents may be different from country to country. In particular, “notarization” is used for Australia; “legalize” and “apostille” are used for UK and USA; “authentication” is used for Canada.

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Become an ISHCMC EducatorIn general, there are two steps for each document – one (authentication/notarization) from the government representative of the country and one from the Vietnamese Consulate/Embassy (legalization) in the same country where the first notarization is obtained.

Your specific requirements will depend on your citizenship, country of qualification and current country of residence. Therefore please follow the advice of the Vietnamese Consulate/Embassy in the first instance, and if you have further questions, please email the ISHCMC Human Resources department for assistance: Ms. Bich Le, HR Assistant Manager at [email protected].

Please ensure that you keep original copies of the receipts for costs of your work permit document notarization and legalization process, as you will be reimbursed for the fees later.

It should also be highlighted that the process for a work permit assessment in Vietnam normally takes at least 20 working days from the date of lodging all required documents to DoLISA (Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs).

Significantly, the work permit is a required document for the Customs clearance of your unaccompanied personal effects, and for your residence permit in Vietnam. Therefore, we suggest that all these required documents for your work permit application be completed and forwarded to the ISHCMC Human Resources department as early as possible, and no later than the middle of June.

Entry VisasForeigners who come to work in Vietnam cannot enter Vietnam without a working visa or a temporary business travel visa organized by the school HR for the initial employment. The School will organize your first entry visa to Vietnam. Your visa will be a 3-month multiple-entry visa based on your employment at ISHCMC and will be used for the first few months of your employment. It will need to be renewed once you are officially granted a work permit. Please note that Vietnam Immigration laws do not recognize de-facto spouses as dependents.

You will need to provide to us a photocopy of all pages of your current valid passport and the passports of all your dependents (that is, all family members who intend to reside in Vietnam), as well as the location or city where there is a Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate from which you can collect your first entry visa, and the expected date for collection. The School will initiate official visa paperwork with the Immigration Department in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. When the official paperwork is completed, the Human Resources department will email a letter to you informing you of your visa reference number. Once you receive this letter, you must immediately contact the applicable Vietnamese Embassy/Consulate to complete other paperwork required for your entry visa. You may be able to obtain this entry visa through a courier with a prepaid return courier envelope.

Many countries do not have a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. In this case, the School will arrange to have your visa processed at the Vietnamese Embassy in another country.

Please ensure that you keep original copies of the receipts for all costs of your visa processing, as you will be reimbursed for visa fees later. It is also recommended that you keep some passport size photos of each family member in the unlikely event that Customs or Immigration officials request these at entry.

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Air TicketsThe contractual air ticket entitlement for ISHCMC teachers is a one-way economy fare from your home of record, or the country where you currently reside, to Ho Chi Minh City at the beginning of the contract and a return flight at the end of the contract. Additionally return flights to the agreed home base will be provided on an annual basis. The School obtains quotations of these flights to determine an appropriate airline and fare. The School will organize flights and pay the School’s approved travel agents or airlines directly. You will need to request a booking for these tickets as soon as possible and no later than by the end of April to ensure that a booking can be made. The School will select the airline and routing based on price and availability.

Once your arrival details are known, you should inform the HR Assistant Manager (Ms. Bich Le) at [email protected]. vn, so that transportation from the airport can be arranged.

ArrivalWhen arriving into Ho Chi Minh City, at the Tan Son Nhat airport, if you have unaccompanied personal effects, please be sure to inform the Immigration official and ask her/him for an “Arrival– Departure Declaration” form, noting the Customs Declaration section. This form must be stamped by the Customs Official before leaving the airport.

A designated School representative will meet you in the Arrivals area of the airport (outside) and escort you to the Riverside Apartments or to School. When you arrive, you will be given a “welcome bag” with all necessary information e.g. handbooks, orientation program, forms.

Teacher OrientationNew teachers for the 2019-2020 school year must arrive in Ho Chi Minh City by around 20th July. On these dates, you will be expected to be at your temporary accommodation at Riverside Apartments (53 Vo Truong Toan Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City) and be ready to commence orientation activities in early August.

The School will pay the cost of your temporary accommodation, plus approximately VND4,000,000 for meals, for maximum 7 nights from the date of your arrival. These amounts will be settled and paid directly by the School to Riverside and The Blu Restaurant at Riverside.

We strongly advise all new teachers to arrive around 20th July in order to organize your accommodation, and to gain an understanding of your new surroundings. Many teachers have reported that it takes a few days to get used to the climate and the time differences. For some, arriving early is helpful to search for the perfect permanent housing. This can be a lengthy process, particularly when there might be additional time needed for contract negotiations and for renovations to be completed. Arriving early will also give you the opportunity to interview household staff.

The first day of work for returning and new teachers is around 31st July. The first day of class is likely to be 7th August. During the weeks before School commences, new teachers will receive further information and all teachers will have time to set up their classrooms.

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Packing and Shipping

Relocation CompanyThe School makes all logistic arrangements from Ho Chi Minh City with one relocation company. This company packs and ships, via air or sea, all your belongings to Ho Chi Minh City from the country of origin. The shipping company currently appointed is Logical Moves (www.logicalmoves.net). Logical Moves has either offices or agent relationships in most of the cities from which teachers will be relocating to ISHCMC. When arrangements have been made with the relocation company regarding your shipment, the instructions for contacting the company in your location will be sent to you via email.Shipping AllowanceISHCMC provides all teachers with an unaccompanied sea-freight door-to-door shipment of personal effects at the beginning of the initial employment contract. The maximum amount for a single teacher is 41,750,000VND, and 62,625,000VND for a teaching couple. At the end of the final employment contract, ISHCMC will pay a maximum shipment cost of 62,625,000VND for a single teacher and 93,938,000VND for a teaching couple. The School will be billed directly by the shipping company, so teachers should not be called upon to pre-pay any shipping, packing services, packing materials, ground transfer or clearance charges, as all such costs (except for insurance) are covered by the School (unless the shipping allowance stipulated in the signed offer letter is exceeded). The shipping allowance represents the total shipping entitlement for all items (personal, household and professional items). The relocation company in your home country or country of residence will assist you in estimating what you can ship within your allowance.

Shipping InsuranceYou may elect to purchase insurance for your shipment at your own cost. The relocation company will be able to advise you if you wish to insure your goods and will organize the paperwork if you wish to take up this option. Insurance is based on the declared replacement value of your goods.

As noted previously, a valid work permit is required for Customs clearance, your shipment may not arrive before School commences. This is another reason to complete your work permit application as early as possible.

Housing AllowanceOverseas hired teachers are provided with a monthly housing allowance of 31,313,000VND for a single teacher and 46,969,000VND for a married teaching couple, which is paid together with the monthly salary. Teachers are responsible for their accommodation arrangements with appropriate support from the estate agents and School’s Human Resources department. The value of the housing allowance is subject to tax in Vietnam, tax shall be the responsibility of the employee. The school will send additional advice and guidance to assist in your house search, prior to your arrival.

Settling-in AllowanceIn addition to the week of temporary accommodation at Riverside Apartments (located adjacent to the School), newly hired overseas teachers will also be provided with a lump-sum settling-in allowance of 20,875,000VND per single teacher and 31,313,000VND per teaching couple. These amounts are taxable to the employee. The settling-in allowance will be paid in cash on the first day of Orientation Week and the equivalent tax will be deducted in the first month salary. The allowance is for the purchase of items such as curtains, rugs or any other miscellaneous household items that new arrivals commonly need in order to set-up their households. These items are available locally for very reasonable prices.

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SalaryAll teacher salaries at ISHCMC are stipulated in gross terms before Personal Income Tax (PIT) is calculated. Employees will be responsible for the payment of Personal Income Tax, and withholding for the PIT applies on a monthly basis.

Placement on the salary scale is determined according to relevant years of appropriate teaching experience. Each step equates to a fully completed year of teaching or equivalent relevant experience. It is expected that a teacher has a minimum of two (2) full years of experience to enter the school on Step 3. The maximum entry is Step 9. The salary scale will be reviewed regularly by the School’s Board of Management in consultation with the Head of School. All salary, allowances, and benefits will be paid and taxed in Vietnamese Dong as per the laws of Vietnam. At the present time, an employee may opt to have the salary or a portion of the salary deposited into their bank account in USD or exchanged at a rate agreed between the bank and the school on a monthly basis.

Advancement to the next incremental step on the salary scale is not automatic and will be subject to a satisfactory performance evaluation by the Head of School or his delegate. Any increase in salary will take place once per year to coincide with the academic year (effective as from August 1st in each year).

Staff Categories an Salary Steps

Annual Basic GrossSalary 2018-19

Intern Year 1 - Step 1 702,800,000

Intern Year 2 - Step 2 761,900,000

Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 3 923,600,000

Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 4 987,500,000

Qualified Teaching Staff - Step 5 1,017,200,000














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TaxationAll salary, allowances, benefits and bonuses (if applicable) paid to the employee are stated as gross amounts, before the calculations and deductions of Personal Income Tax (PIT) in accordance with the Tax Laws of Viet- nam. The date for determining taxable income shall be at the date on which the employer pays the salary to the employee, which is monthly.

The table below shows the current PIT rates on total gross income, which includes salary, allowances, benefits and bonuses (if applicable):

Tax BracketPortion of Annual Assessable Income

(million VND)Tax Rate

(%)

1 Up to 60 5

2 Over 60 to 120 10

3 Over 120 to 216 15

4 Over 216 to 384 20

5 Over 384 to 624 25

6 Over 624 to 960 30

7 Over 960 35

Example PIT Calculation (Simplified)In reality, the tax calculation is more complex than that set out above and the elements of tax relief applied under government legislation, the 26.9% demonstrated would be around the maximum that any individual on the salary scale would pay.

Responsibility AllowancesSalaries for a number of positions are supplemented with responsibility allowances. These are taxable cash amounts paid to teachers who take on major additional responsibilities which cannot be adequately compensated for with reduced teaching loads.

State Compulsory Health InsuranceUnder Vietnamese law, an expatriate employee is required to contribute 1.5% of his/her monthly basic gross salary to the State compulsory health insurance fund, However, with a current annual cap of 27,800,000 VND stipulated by the Government, an amount of 417,000 VND per month will be deducted from each expat employee’s monthly salary accordingly. The cap for making contribution to the State compulsory health insurance is normally adjusted by the Government every year.

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Medical InsurancePrivate non-compulsory medical insurance is provided to all expatriate employees and their recognized dependents, to coincide with the employment period stated in the employment contract, or other specific start date requested by the Head of School. This is an international cover (excluding the United States of America). The following gives an idea of the approximate costs depending upon the teacher’s personal situation:

• Single teacher: approximately $1,983.29 per year.• Single teacher with a trailing spouse only or teaching couple: approximately $3,966.58 per year.• Single teacher with dependent children: approximately $3,768.25 per year.• Single teacher with a trailing spouse and dependent children: approximately $5,354.88 per year.

It should be noted that the School reserves the right to change insurance providers at any time. Employees may not be covered by the insurance company for loss or/and injury in cases where they are in violation of local laws, e.g. driving a motorbike without a driving license or helmet.

Upon completion of employment with the School, medical insurance coverage will be terminated on the date of contract completion (normally 27st July), or date of early termination, whichever is earlier.

ISHCMC Dress CodeTeachers, Academic Assistants, Teaching Assistants and the Business Support TeamVietnam is a conservative country and ISHCMC serves a multicultural community. We expect our teachers and support staff dress professionally and appropriately for all occasions. Given the warm weather we experience there are also some guidelines as the appropriate type of clothing and footwear.

With the obvious exception of PE and swimming staff*, professional attire should be worn by teaching staff, academic assistants, teaching assistants and business management team members. The following should be used as a guide to the minimum criteria for determining dress:

Ladies should dress professionally and conservatively, avoiding see-through fabrics, low necklines or tops with shoestring straps. Shorts or skirts should be no shorter than just above the knees. Shoes should be smart and clean and sandals should have a strap. Flip-flops should not be worn due to safety requirements

Gentlemen should wear a smart short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirt with a collar that could hold a tie. It should be tucked into the trousers; an exception would be house days when house shirts should be worn. Long, smart trousers should be worn with smart clean shoes (canvas shoes or sports shoes are not appropriate).

To maintain respect for Vietnam’s culture and in a professional workplace all staff should remove visible body piercings (except unobtrusive nose studs and earrings) and tattoos should be covered.

All teachers, academic assistants, teaching assistants and academic business staff should avoid wearing t-shirts, jeans, running shoes or other casual wear during the work day. Logos on shirts should be discrete and should not advertise any particular organization or event. ISHCMC logos are acceptable.

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Formal and Public occasions (e.g. graduation ceremonies, parent conferences, or when leading workshops at conferences).

• Male staff should wear a business shirt, a tie, jacket, and business trousers.• Females should be dressed in business clothing.

It is recognized that there will be occasions, or particular days when staff will engage in activities whichwill require more practical clothing for the task at hand, such as field trips or ‘play activities’ with students. Likewise, if staff are unsure of the requirements they should discuss the matter with their Principal. If there are occasions when staff are asked to dress more appropriately then the decision should be accepted with good grace.

It is worth noting that larger sized clothes and shoes can be more difficult to source easily in Vietnam.“ Business attire” should be worn by the PE staff at all formal occasions.

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LIVI

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Vietnam is a developing country but is not, by any standards, underdeveloped. Infrastructure, in terms of roads, telecommunications and electricity, are well developed and reliable. There has been, and will continue to be, an increase in the availability of consumer goods and imported food stuffs, with a number of new supermarkets, shopping malls and cinemas showing English-language films. Everything needed for daily living, household, and school is becoming more and more widely available, and there is an increasing number of leisure opportunities, such as fitness clubs and sporting facilities, restaurants and bars, cultural events and nearby resorts.

All of this said, you should not expect daily life to function the same way as in your home country, or even the country you are leaving. Vietnam has its own way of doing things, some of which will be a blessing to youand some of which will cause frustration. A sense of humor, much patience and a consciousness that youare in Vietnam as a guest are all recommended. You can see a Vietnam in transformation by watching this video ‘Welcome to Vietnam’ www.youtube.com/watch?v=flTcrOns02I, and this link www.insider-journeys.com/blog-articles/welcome-to-vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, was formerly known as the “Pearl of the Orient”, with a population of around ten million people, including approximately 60,000 expatriates. Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and an important commercial hub and regional seaport. With its tropical climate, a cosmopolitan population and a mixture of shopping malls and markets, it’s an easy choice of home away from home for many expats. The city offers a fast-paced lifestyle within a culture steeped in history. The contrast is perhaps most evident in the juxtaposition of French-colonial architecture with high-rise buildings and skyscrapers, as well as in the traditional markets across the road from busy shopping centres selling the latest in designer goods.

While Ho Chi Minh City is the financial capital of Vietnam, the cost of living will not burn a hole in an expat’s pocket. Local goods are cheap and, while imported Western goods are more expensive, they are readily available.

There are ways of becoming connected to the local Vietnamese community, notably by participatingin community service activities through the school, Charitable groups or other activities. The expatriate community is an active one, with many opportunities for socializing, playing sport, becoming involved in community work, or even joining a drama group or a band.

More information about Ho Chi Minh City can be found in The Word HCMC Magazine at www.wordhcmc.com and Asia Life Magazine at www.asialifemagazine.com.

LanguageMost words in Vietnamese are only three or four letters long, making the language appear easy. The stumbling blocks, however, are the six tones that can give a word different meanings e.g. “cam” means orange, don’t, flirt, nice, hold, feel, and sick depending on the pronunciation. Vietnamese people greatly appreciate any attempts to learn their language and will engage easily in simple conversations, with varying degrees of success! They also like to practice their English with any and all foreigners. When all else fails, the Vietnamese are adept at non-verbal communication and this can be a very helpful skill for expatriates to also learn.

Living in Ho Chi Minh City

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ClimateVietnam has a remarkably diverse climate due to its wide range of both latitudes and altitudes. The country’s weather is determined by two monsoons. There is a relatively dry winter monsoon, which affects mainly the northern part of Vietnam above Danang. It comes from the northeast between October and March. FromApril to October, the southwestern monsoon blows, bringing warm, damp weather to the whole country. The rainfall at this time is heavy and Ho Chi Minh City can have spectacular electrical storms. Ho Chi Minh City has a rather consistent average temperature of between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius. The hottest time of year is between February and April; the driest and most pleasant is from December through February.

TransportationTransportation is a big topic in Vietnam, and the art of simply crossing the street is a skill that expats need to learn swiftly. There are buses and bus routes around the city, but they are not fully accessible to Westerners unless they speak a little Vietnamese. Grab Vietnam offers both taxi and motorbike bookings. Taxis are cheap, provided you use a reputable company, and generally safe. There are also many “xe-om” drivers (drivers of motorbikes who offer to take people short distances for a small fee).

While the challenges and hazards of vehicle traffic in Ho Chi Minh City cannot be over emphasized, many teachers also opt for the independence of owning a bicycle or motorcycle for mobility. Transport to and from the school will be organized for you during the orientation period, but after this, you will likely find yourself on a bike or motorbike, or taking taxis which, are easily found outside most hotels apartments, restaurants and on the street.

Health and MedicalMedical facilities in Ho Chi Minh City are not the same as in developed countries. However, very adequate facilities for foreigners do exist, and are staffed with resident foreign doctors, and are within close vicinity to the School. The Franco Vietnamese (FV) Hospital (www.fvhospital.com) has outpatient and inpatient services in most specialties, including obstetrics. The Family Medical (www.vietnammedicalpractice.com) and Raffles Medical Center (www.rafflesmedicalgroup.com/international-clinics/locations/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city) are the go-to clinics for normal things doctors visits and prescriptions. There is a clinic near the School and others in the city. There are also alternative health care options in Ho Chi Minh City, with a number of reliable acupressure and acupuncture practitioners. In addition, there are many opportunities for meditation, yoga and other wellness and health-related practices.

Teachers (and any accompanying family members) should consider immunization against typhoid, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pre-rabies (a series of 3 injections), hepatitis A, and hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis (a series of 3 injections). It should be noted that the cost of all such immunizations is covered by the School’s medical insurance scheme, and for this reason, it is recommended that teachers obtain any necessary immunizations after arrival into Vietnam. Should you choose to obtain immunizations before you arrive, these will at your own expense.

Even though most medications are available over-the-counter at local pharmacies in Vietnam, you may wish to bring a supply of any prescription medications you need. You may be able to replace them here, but it is better to feel comfortable that you have what you are familiar with at the start of a new contract.

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Living in Ho Chi Minh City

ShoppingThough many shops in Ho Chi Minh City have fixed prices, bargaining is a way of life in and a custom that takes practice and patience. You will find the cost of locally produced food and goods to be quite inexpensive compared to costs in Western developed countries. Buying products of any kind which are imported from Western countries will add significantly to the amount you spend, but the convenience and pleasure of familiar or Western quality goods may outweigh the cost.

Many items are sold at higher prices to expatriates, so negotiation is a fact of life. It‘s possible to avoid these extra costs by asking your household helper or other local person to shop for you or with you.

In terms of food, you can buy everything you need for eating healthily in Ho Chi Minh City. The amount, variety and quality of goods which are locally available gets better every day. Expatriates can obtain goods through markets and supermarkets close to home, and a full list of such markets is available on The Word (www.wordhcmc.com) and AsiaLIFE magazines (www.asialifemagazine.com), mentioned above. Of particular note are the Mega Market located on the opposite side of the main highway from the School, which is a cash and carry store, An Phu – APSC Supermarket (720, An Dien, An Phu, District 2), which has a very large range of food, including imported food, and Nam An Market and Annam Market both of which are on Thao Dien Street and sell fresh produce and imported goods. Most food in supermarkets, small shops and even markets is fixed price.

Eating OutThere is a large choice of establishments for eating out in Ho Chi Minh City, from street food and simple cafes to more expensive upmarket restaurants. Street food is extremely inexpensive and a great way to experience the local culture, particularly if you are attending a “Bia Hoi” (your colleagues are sure to introduce you to this drinking experience shortly after your arrival!).

Good Vietnamese food is available in many restaurants around town, and favorites and new entries are listed in the magazines, along with many other restaurants catering to all tastes - from the cheap and cheerful to the fashionable restaurants and bars in downtown District 1. If you are currently living in a major North American, European, Australian or other developed city, you will find the prices very reasonable.

Imported wine continues to be of a slightly higher cost, but the variety continues to getter better all the time.

Getting Away, Out and AboutThe social life in Ho Chi Minh City is varied. There is an array of social venues, bars and restaurants. There are opportunities to join sports clubs, interest groups and attend community events. Travel within Vietnam and South East Asia is very easy and affordable. Trips or weekends away can be organized through many local travel agents.

The School Social Committee is a fun and active group which organizes a variety of events each month. In the past, these have included activities such as paintballing, TGIF drinks, group meals and shopping trips. The Social Committee also organizes two big parties, one in December and the other at the end of the year.

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Teacher Testimonials

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Ho Chi Minh City and ISHCMC have been home to our family of five for the last seven years. Before the first day of school had even arrived in 2011, the ISHCMC community was welcoming and supportive. My children (ages 18, 14 and 10) have thrived in this community and have become true global citizens. Our family has enjoyed exploring much that Vietnam has to offer from it’s beautiful beaches, to mountain trekking and meeting the numerous ethnic tribes. The world is at your feet with an amazing selection of restaurants and nightlife in District 1. Professionally, I have been given the opportunity to try new approaches to education with permission to learn from failures, to work with amazing teams, and stay on the cutting edge of what is happening with the future of education. ISHCMC and Ho Chi Minh City have provided a wonderful “family away from family” for our family.

Ashley MorenoPrimary Teacher

My husband and I were so thrilled to join the ISHCMC community for the 2018-2019 school year. The relocation process was made much easier with

the support from HR and the ISHCMC staff with ample information about visas, housing options and temporary accommodation to give us time to settle.

Best of all, the school provided so many opportunities to connect with new and existing colleagues so we already felt part of the team before the students

started.

ISHCMC is a friendly and welcoming environment and the leadership team are very supportive. Every day, you are given the freedom to take risks. We are

encouraged to lead the way as educators and be role models to our students, trying new things, making mistakes and striving for success. Staff can get

involved in many activities and sports teams within the school community and also in the wider Ho Chi Minh City community. Whatever you’re into, there’s

something for you!

Thao Dien is a fantastic place to live. There are so many restaurants to try and everything is only a short walk, cycle or taxi ride away. With the generous

housing allowance, you can choose to live in a villa, house or apartment block; whatever suits your needs. Many of us live just a few minutes away from school by bike, but if you’d prefer to live further away, it’s very easy to get around! It’s a

fantastic place to live and work.

Emily HeysSecondary Teacher

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A year ago, my partner and I arrived for orientation. Kurtis, the Primary Principal, met us at the airport and ever since, we have felt welcome and

cared for at ISHCMC. The orientation itself was great, with many opportunities to develop friendships and meet new staff from all across the school.

HCMC is an exciting, dynamic place to live. The landscape is constantly evolving, with new restaurants, pubs and cafes opening all the time.

Thao Dien is like a village in the city: it is very easy to meet up with friends and there are a huge amount of opportunities nearby – you could do a different

activity almost every night and never get bored, rock climbing, football, yoga, rooftop cinema, pool, sewing and loads more.

Vietnam is a beautiful country with many highlights – Hoi An, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Sa Pa… the list goes on. It is easy to visit further afield too – Cambodia and Thailand are a cheap flight away and HCMC is well connected to the rest

of East Asia.

Last year I had the opportunity to visit the EARCOS conference with other members of my team. This was a very worthwhile experience and I

appreciated the encouragement to develop my own practice. At ISHCMC, teachers strive to challenge, push boundaries and innovate; making it is an

exciting place to work. I have learned a lot already during my time at ISHCMC

ISHCMC has a vibrancy that is an extension of the district and city in which it is placed. Coming here, all the way from South Africa, was a seamless transition – you feel welcomed before you even land on Vietnamese soil. Upon arrival, I was immediately exposed to a “work hard, and don’t forget to play” atmosphere. The lifestyle balance was better than I could have imagined, with work being challenging, progressive and exciting, and the play including a range of sports, socializing, and various community-based events – there is something for both my wife and I to enjoy on any given day of the week.

Staying in District 2 gives you a great chance to explore different cuisines, different cultures and make a diverse group of friends; friends who are family away from home. Within the school itself, you are always pushed to do your best, and trusted in your exploration of your own teaching and learning. I have been given opportunities to travel both locally and internationally to attend some of the best instances of professional development, one of which actually helped me discover my direction within teaching. Furthermore, after having poured myself into school life, I have been privileged to have worked with the adoption and implementation of a fiery House system, worked alongside some of the best student leaders on the School Representative Council, and mentored amazingly dedicated and passionate students through their IB endeavours. I could not recommend the ISHCMC environment more to any prospective teachers.

Stephen FlettPrimary Teacher

Dominic VerweySecondary Teacher

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Tel: +84 (28) 3898 9100

Fax: +84 (28) 3898 9382

Email: [email protected]

Primary Campus28 Vo Truong Toan St., An Phu Ward,D2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Secondary Campus1 Xuan Thuy St., Thao Dien Ward, D2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

www.ishcmc.com

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