UNIS Hanoi - Annual Report 2009-2010

Annual Report 2009-2010 United Nations International School Hanoi

Year of Astronomy 2009

2 UNIS Annual Report 2009-2010

Contents

Message from the Head of School .................................................. 3

Message from the Board of Directors ............................................. 4

UNIS Philosophy .............................................................................. 5

Accreditation/Affiliation .................................................................. 5

Student Population ......................................................................... 6

Faculty Information ......................................................................... 8

Student Learning, PSAT/SAT Results ............................................. 10

Student Learning, ISA Results........................................................ 11

Student Learning, PISA Data ......................................................... 12

IB Diploma Results ......................................................................... 14

University Acceptances ................................................................. 15

Self-Study Results .......................................................................... 16

Co-Curricular Activities (CAS) ........................................................ 17

Co-Curricular Activities (MRISA and ASA) ..................................... 18

SCO, Community Education, Music Academy ............................... 19

3 UNIS Annual Report 2009-2010 UNIS Annual Report 2009-2010 3

Message from the Head of School It is with pleasure that I present to you this Annual Report for 2009-2010. This is the second year of the new format for this report, and we hope it continues to inform you about our school with relevant statistical data and to update you regarding our progress as a school during 2009-2010. We have more comparative data to share this year and we hope this will build in the coming years. For example, while students are turning over at about the same rate, it was pleasing to note that faculty longevity has slightly increased from last year. This means that teachers are staying longer and this continuity is good for the school. You will find this and other interesting statistical data inside. One of our achievements last year which is worthy of note is the continuation of our accreditation for another full term of ten years. The details of this process and what this means are contained inside, but it is a significant accomplishment and one that makes us proud. We place a high value on continuous improvement as our school grows and develops. We hope you enjoy reviewing the information inside, and that it gives a sense of who we are and the progress we are making as we strive to go from good to great. Respectfully,

Dr. Chip Barder


Message from the Board of Directors On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to share with you the 2009-2010 Annual Report. One of the most important achievements last year was to obtain full re-accreditation by the Council of International Schools and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The board compliments the Head of School for his leadership and is grateful to the students, faculty, and administration who showed great commitment to completing the self-study. This Report also includes the remarkable achievements of our IB Diploma students. The board appreciates the faculty and administration’s contribution in achieving these results and thank them for their outstanding efforts. The UNIS Hanoi Board of Directors is committed to fulfilling the mission of the school. We do this by hiring the best possible Head of School and by creating the conditions that enable the Head to establish and maintain the highest quality, most stimulating and diverse learning environment for our students that reflects the ideals and principles of the United Nations. We are also committed to being responsive to our parent community by practicing good and transparent governance, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and planning for the future and long term viability of the school. We feel honored and privileged to have been given this responsibility, and are pleased to present this picture of our school for your review.

Sincerely,

Sarah Garner Chair of the Board of Directors (2010-2011)

UNIS Hanoi is a not-for-profit private school that is governed by a Board of Directors (BoD). The Board is the policy-

making body of the school, responsible for governance of the school and the appointment of the Head of School. The

BoD is composed of nine board members, of whom four are elected by parents, three are appointed by the United

Nations Resident Representative, and two are appointed by the parent-elected directors and UN-appointed directors.

Parent-Elected Members Sarah Garner, Vice Chairperson

Michael Iademarco, Secretary

Jim Packard-Winkler

Barry Knaggs

United Nations Appointed Edith Morch-Binnema, Chairperson

Vanessa de Mestre

Rafael Ramirez

Board Appointed Preben Hjortlund

Kim Ik Hwan

Ex-Officio Members Dr Chip Barder, Head of School

Chris Vincent, MSHS Principal

Bob Horton, ES Principal

David King, Business Manager

John Cushing, Faculty Representative

Board Assistant Pam Rickard


UNIS Philosophy

Mission Statement Our mission is to encourage students to be independent, lifelong learners who strive for excellence and become responsible stewards of our global society and natural environment, achieved within a supportive community that values diversity and through a programme reflecting the ideals and principles of the United Nations.

Guiding Principles The United Nations principles as applied to the school are to: Promote peaceful solutions to problems Develop friendly relations among children and adults of different nationalities. Promote cooperation in problem solving in economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian matters. Encourage respect for fundamental freedoms and equality for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or

religion.

Accreditation/Affiliation The School is a member of International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) and authorised to deliver all three IB programmes. UNIS is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). It is a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS), European Council of International Schools (ECIS), and East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS). The school is affiliated with the Mekong River International Schools Association (MRISA) with which the school conducts cultural and sports exchanges throughout the year, both on campus and at other schools in the region.


Student Population

894 students enrolled in school with the majority of grade levels at full capacity. The student body continued to increase as a Grade 2 class was added this year.

The UNIS student body is very diverse with 54 first nationalities. Students are able to learn about their host country from the Vietnamese students and in turn, teach each other about the parts of the world they are from or have lived in, before coming to Hanoi. UNIS maintains a cultural diversity cap at 20% per nationality, which makes the campus truly an international learning environment.

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

16.0%

18.0%

Student Country of Origin

Percentage 2007 Percentage 2008 Percentage 2009

62 64

73 72

65 66 66 66 68 66 6560

5348

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

PreK/D K G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 G8 G9 G10 G11 G12

Number of Students by Grade(as of Sep 2009 - Total 894 students)


The estimate average length of study for students at UNIS as of September 2009 including 193 new students is 2.4 years. The length of stay for students increased even with the addition of 22 new students in grade 2. Student movement is usually due to a parent’s change in employment. Most diplomatic posts are three years. United Nations and Non-governmental posts range between three and five years. With more commercial businesses moving into the Hanoi area, the number of students from employers continues to grow.

270

205

154

104

50 44 3519

3 7 2 10

50

100

150

200

250

300

0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12

Years at UNIS(as of Sep 2009)

Number of Students (total 894)

755

792

850

894

650

700

750

800

850

900

950

2006 2007 2008 2009

Number of Students

Number of Students


Faculty Information

Teachers who come to UNIS often have a high regard for community service and see UNIS as a nice combination of UN principles, action and service. Community service is a way for teachers to get involved at the community level and learn more about their host country. Teachers are drawn to the school’s strong reputation as one of the few schools in the region that encompasses the IB program for all grades. UNIS was the first school in Southeast Asia to be authorised to offer all three IB programmes: PYP, MYP and DP.

The percentage of teachers at UNIS who make up the faculty reflects the teaching profession worldwide with almost twice as many females in the field than males. The faculty is composed of singles, couples, and families with children. The teachers are one of the key components to providing our students with the best education possible. After identifying the highest quality candidate, diversity and balance are the targets when recruiting new faculty.

Female65%

Male35%

Number of Faculty by Gender(2009-2010)

Couples67%

Single Female

24%

Single Male9%

Breakdown of Status(2009-2010)


Twenty-eight new teachers were hired to replace vacancies and fill new positions. As UNIS student population continues to expand the number of faculty members will increase. Teacher turnover is part of international schools worldwide. UNIS looks for caring, creative, and dynamic teachers to make a well rounded faculty.

The estimate average length of service of faculty is 3.4 years year including twenty eight new teachers. Teacher longevity plays an important role in the stability of the school and we are pleased that this number increased from last year’s 3.1.

UNIS strongly believes in professional development for all staff. Faculty take part in regional PYP, MYP and DP workshops throughout the year. Faculty also build on their own areas of interest and education which they bring back to the school to share with their colleagues.

B.A./B.S./B.Ed

72%

M.A./M.S./M.Ed26%

Ph.D.2%

Faculty Qualification(2009-2010)

12

25

41

2313

2 5

0

20

40

60

5 andunder

6 - 10 11 - 15 16 - 20 21 - 25 26 - 30 31 andover

Years Employed in Education

(2009-2010)

Number of Teachers (Total 121)

2833

20

11 10 84 7

0

10

20

30

40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 andover

Years at UNIS (2009-2010)

Number of Faculty (Total 121)


Student Learning

PSAT/SAT Result Every year college bound students from around the world take part in standardized tests. The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) provides practice for the SAT. It also allows students the opportunity to apply to scholarship programs. Students are able to look at their strengths and weaknesses. The SAT measures skills needed for academic success in college. Students applying to universities and colleges in North America and other regions may require the SAT for admission purposes. The test assesses how well test takers analyze and solve problems.


ISA With an open enrolment policy and a concept driven, inquiry based curriculum, UNIS understands the desire to know how UNIS students match-up to the rest of world on academic progress. For that reason each year, all our Grade 3 to Grade 9 students go through a battery of tests offered by the Australian Board of Educational Research (ACER). Their International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) is specifically designed for international school students. In October 2009 over 25,000 students from 112 international schools in 48 countries participated in the ISA. Every student completes four assessments, in Mathematical Literacy, Reading and two genres of writing; Narrative (A) and Expository (B). The results below give a comparative illustration of how well UNIS students are doing when compared against other international school students:

The writing assessments attempt to capture competency with structure, content, spelling and vocabulary.

The ISA ‘scale scores’ presented in the tables above allow UNIS to take a further crucial ‘snap shot’ against a wider audience.

The math test measures quantity (number and measurements), shape and space (geometry), uncertainty (estimation and data probability) and change and relationship (algebra).

The reading test measures retrieval of information, interpretation, reflection and evaluation.


The ISA scales for Mathematical Literacy and Reading are based on those developed for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD’s) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). In the two learning areas or “domains” surveyed in PISA, the average proficiency of 15-year-old students in OECD countries is set, and periodically reset, at 500, with a standard deviation of 100. By using ISA tests and scale scores, we can compare UNIS students at 15 years old (usually Grade 9) with average performance in a range of different countries.


PISA data is collected on a 3 year cycle, the most recent information being from 2006 when 57 industrialized countries contributed a total of over 400,000 students to the data collection. Once more UNIS can feel assured that as UNIS students mature through our system they are well placed to take a leading role in their home countries:


IB Diploma Results The school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. This programme is a two year, pre-university programme of studies culminating in external examination/moderation. Successful candidates receive IB Certificates for passes in individual subject areas. The Diploma proves the student has undergone a thorough education in a broad range of subject areas.

The figure above shows that since 2005, there has been a steady increase in the percentage of students attempting the full diploma (from 56% to 95%). However, the average score for diploma students has remained very consistent. This indicates that the policy of encouraging all students to attempt the full diploma has succeeded in raising expectations for students and the students meeting the challenge.

5.69 5.55

4.95 4.96 4.81

5.545.545.19

4.78

4.214.54 4.55

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Group 1Language

A1

Group 2Language

A2,B, AB

Group 3Humanities

Group 4Sciences

Group 5Maths

Group 6Arts

UNIS Hanoi and Global Average Scores by Subject Group

UNIS

Global

35 33 3440

35 35 33 35 34 33

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Year

Graph 3: % of students taking full diploma and average score

% of Graduates Who WereIB Diploma Candidates

Average Score/45


University Acceptances - Class of 2010 Belgium École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Visuels de la Cambre

Canada University of British Columbia University of Victoria

Finland Guard Jaeger Regiment

France Ecole Camondo

Germany Albert Ludwigs Universitat Freiburg

Malaysia Monash University

Netherlands Amsterdam University College Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam Hotelschool The Hague RSM Erasmus University College Maastricht

South Korea Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology Yonsei University

Sweden University of Stockholm

Switzerland Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne Glion Institute of Higher Education Swiss Hotel Management School

Thailand Kasetsart University

United Kingdom Bangor University Cardiff University Edinburgh Napier University Keele University Lancaster University Leicester College Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts London College of Fashion – University of Arts London New Castle University The American University of Richmond The Arts University College at Bournemouth University College Falmouth University of Birmingham University of Brighton University of Central Lancashire University of Creative Arts University of Edinburgh University of Glasgow University of Kent Canterbury University of Leeds University of Leicester University of Northumbria University of Southampton University of Sussex University of the Arts London University of York

United States Babson College Boston College Bowdoin College California State University, Sacramento College of Southern Maryland CUNY Baruch College CUNY Hunter College Drexel University Emerson College Emory University Florida Institute of Technology Georgia Institute of Technology Indiana University – Bloomington Iowa State University Lawrence University Lehigh University Lewis and Clark College Michigan University New York University Northwestern University Pace University Penn State University Pittsburg University Purdue University Saint Johns University, Queens Seattle University SUNY Binghamton SUNY Buffalo SUNY Stony Brook Syracuse University Tampa University Temple University Texas A&M University Tufts University University of California – Berkeley University of California – Davis University of California – Irvine University of California – Los Angeles University of California- Santa Barbara University of Chicago University of Denver University of East Anglia University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign University of Kansas University of Kentucky University of Miami University of Michigan University of Nebraska Lincoln University of Oregon University of Rochester University of Southern California University of Texas, Austin University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin Madison US Coast Guard Academy Washington University of St. Louis

Italisized and bold denotes student’s school of attendance


Self-Study Results

UNIS believes in the importance of participating in external audits in order to demonstrate that we are committed towards achieving excellence in all that we do. Two of the accrediting organisations to which UNIS belongs are the Council of International Schools (CIS based in Europe) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC based in the United States). As a member of these two very highly respected organisations, UNIS hosts re-accreditation visits every five years, which involves a Visiting Team (made up of members from the two organisations) coming to visit our school. Last year UNIS underwent its most recent re-accreditation visit with CIS and WASC. Prior to the re-accreditation visit the school community (parents, students, faculty and board members) examined several key areas in the school and completed a year-long self-study. This was a rigorous process comparing our school and its programs to highly recognised International School standards. In November 2009 the Visiting Team from CIS/WASC came to the school to observe the school in action, conduct interviews and visit classrooms over a one week period. The Visiting Team submitted their report in December 2009 and results from the visit were made public in February 2010 when UNIS received full re-accreditation for ten years with a regular five year interim visit scheduled for 2014. The complete report from CIS/WASC is available to all members of the school community through the UNIS portal. The CIS and WASC Boards readily acknowledged the many positive features of the school. Some examples of the Visiting Team’s commendations for students were their high performance on the IB Diploma examinations and their commitment to local community service activities. The Administration and Staff were commended for the 1:1 tablet program, for their support of the Arts, for capitalizing on the cultural diversity of the school to enhance student learning, and for the rich and dynamic learning environment in the ECC. The Board was commended for providing high quality facilities and for its supportive, positive, trusting and respectful relationship with the Head of School. The Visiting Team recommended that the school look at ways to better meet the needs of Middle School students, ways to provide more time for faculty to do collaborative planning, peer observation and curricular review, and consider ways to establish a more articulated curriculum from Discovery to grade 12. The Visiting Team also recommended that the school consider enhancing counseling and learning needs support, that the school explore ways to allow more students to study their mother tongue, and that the faculty analyze the implementation of the technology plan to insure students’ needs are being met. It was recommended that a Campus Safety Committee be established and that a safety audit be conducted regularly to insure a safe and secure campus. All of the report recommendations were assimilated into UNIS’ Strategic Management Plan and are actualised in the school’s annual action plans. Through participation in these re-accreditation visits, UNIS demonstrates its commitment to continuous school improvement through meeting highly recognised International School standards. Ultimately these reviews help the school to create high quality learning experiences for all students.


Service Learning Elementary school Community and Service (Grades 6-10) Creativity, Action, Service (Grades 11-12)

CAS Programme Involvement Organizations and Activities

1,400 UNIS students, staff and community members participate 3,750 Vietnamese students and families benefit 22,100 hours of service performed during 2009-2010 school year Students find the experiences with the CAS programme to be one of the most beneficial experiences while at UNIS. Most students do more than the required numbers of hours service to fulfill their educational requirements. This school year the program of giving back to the community involved significant links for the Elementary curriculum. All students experience the joy of doing for others and interacting with the local community as a true positive to their learning. Students provide healthy snacks to the children and plan special activities in the areas of sports and arts. Throughout the year, students encourage the UNS community to donate clothes, toys and food which they sort and deliver to the different organisations. Students also focus on personal hygiene by providing dental care packages, soap and sham-poo. The ES and MS students collected items to create Tet gift bags for over 200 families to celebrate the new year.

CAS

All Middle and High School students are provided the opportunity to participate in activities that will benefit their local and global community. Students are also involved in activities directly interacting with the Vietnamese community.

Blue Dragon

Dance for Life

Green Zoom

HFH (Habitat for Humanity)

KOTO (Know One Teach One)

Nhat Tan School

Operation Smile

East Meets West (Hoops for Heart)

Thuc Nghiem School

Thuy An Orphanage

SJ Vietnam

Tam Hiep Cancer Hospital

Peace Village

ENV (Education for Nature of Vietnam)

Donxa (Relief House in Co Loa)

Bo De Pagoda

SOS Orphanage

Direct Action

ECERP (Yen So Kindergarten)

GIN (Global Issues Network)

Education for All

Community Garden

Paper Recycling

English Teaching to Vietnamese Students

Sausage Sizzle Fundraising

UNIS Translator

Staff Assistant


Kindergarten to Grade 5 3 sessions per year 45 activities per session (average) 95% of students participate

Grades 6 to Grade 12 3 sessions per year 30 activities per session (average) 100% of students participate including MRISA and CAS

Co-Curricular Activities MRISA UNIS is a member of the Mekong River International School Association (MRISA). MRISA is an organization made up of

eight International Schools from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Throughout the school year, students

participate in a cultural exchange and several sports exchanges. The schedule for the exchanges of the academic year

of 2009-2010 is as follows:

Senior Volleyball Tournament at UNIS, November 2009 (Girls 4th, Boys 3rd)

Model THIMUN in Singapore, November 2009

Junior Basketball Tournament at NISC Cambodia, November 2009 (Girls 6th, Boys 5th)

Cultural Exchange at HIS Vietnam, January 2010

Junior Volleyball Tournament ISHMC Vietnam, January 2010 (Girls 5th, Boys 6th)

Senior Soccer Tournament at ISPP Cambodia, January 2010 (Girls 2nd, Boys 2nd)

Model United Nations at UNIS, February 2010

Senior Basketball Tournament at SSIS Vietnam, April 2010 (Girls 1st, Boys 1st)

Junior Soccer Tournament at UNIS, May 2010 (Girls 1st, Boys 1st)

115 students participated in

2 MUN events

1 Cultural Exchange

3 Junior Sport Tournaments

3 Senior Sport Tournaments

After School Activities (ASA) As part of building well-rounded students, UNIS provides a wide range of After School Activities for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. It provides students from all levels – beginners to advanced – with opportunities to try new activities or extend their skills in their areas of interest. It provides the school with an opportunity to prepare for performance events, such as drama and music activities, and prepare sporting teams for competitions. Overall, it gives our students a chance to mix with a range of other students from our diverse population. At UNIS, we see this as an important part of student life but it’s important to note that our activities are optional and some families may choose to achieve these goals in other community settings. It is important for students to select and attend those activities which they feel committed to as well as provide interests outside the academic setting.


School Community Organisation (SCO) The SCO had a very active and successful year. The SCO Committees did a wonderful job with the Glitz and Glamour Ball, Spring Fair, the Boutique, Snack Sales, the Book and Bake Sale and many more activities. The school appreciates the fundraising and hours of volunteer time the SCO contributes to the school.

ES Chair Kylie Aman MSHS Chair Philippa Wood ES Vice Chair Thuy Pham Treasurer Tammy Andersen Secretary Julia Terry

Community Education The UNIS Community Education Programme (ComEd) provides a great opportunity for everyone Hanoi to expand their knowledge, to meet people and bring the community together.

Over 1100 participants took part in the 107 ComEd classes. The programme is grateful to the 39 creative and energetic instructors from all over the world who brought their diverse talent and skills to learners of all ages.

This year, the programme witnessed a positive involvement from the Vietnamese community as two activities were instructed only in Vietnamese: Science Fun and Craft Fun for children.

The Saturday Basketball, Baseball and Soccer programmes bring together boys and girls throughout Hanoi to the UNIS campus to share their passion for sports.

450 players 7 coordinators 82 volunteer coaches

Music Academy

The UNIS Music Academy is a resource for all UNIS students, parents and staff to learn a new instrument or to train their voice or to improve their musical skills. Instructors are members of the Vietnamese Symphony Orchestra, professors from the Music University and local expatriates. 29 specialist teachers are available for voice, guitar,

woodwind, brass, percussion and string lessons 280 students Scholarship program for 14 Vietnamese students

from the Nhat Tan school Grade 4 and 5 Instrumental Music program in

conjunction with the classroom Music Curriculum program

UNIS Faculty and Staff 2008-2009 UNIS Faculty and Staff 2009-2010

United Nations International School Hanoi

Address Lac Long Quan Road Phu Thuong Ward Tay Ho District Hanoi, Vietnam

Postal Address GPO Box 313, Hanoi Vietnam

Telephone (84 4) 3758 1551

Fax (84 4) 3758 1542

Email [email protected]

Web Site www.unishanoi.org

Documents

UNIS Hanoi - Annual Report 2009-2010