From leading flagship events like the Christmas BISzaar and Spring Fair, to showing gratitude to our teachers with potluck lunches and special gifts, and raising outstanding donations for our community partners, they have strengthened our bonds and deepened our collective impact.
A warm welcome to our BIS community
Starting a new school, and especially moving to a new country, can be extremely challenging, but for our new families, they are welcomed into our community from the get-go. From mingling with parents on coffee mornings and social events, to our PTG-led city bus tour, where new families have a chance to explore the local neighbourhood and beyond, newcomers quickly gain a sense of place. Guided by some of our more “local” parents, these tours are a chance to pick up tips, discover favourite spots for coffee, lunch, activities for children, and shopping, and learn where to find all the essentials.
Our Class Representatives also play a vital role in helping new families feel at home. This year, 97% of Primary classes were represented by a volunteer parent, offering support, sharing information, and acting as a bridge between home and school. Their friendly guidance helps parents feel connected, informed, and part of something special.
Building Community
More than just welcoming new families, our Parent Teacher Groups make sure every member of our community feels supported, appreciated, and included, and that we all have plenty of fun along the way. On Teacher’s Day, over 100 parents from each campus prepared and donated delicious dishes for our Teacher’s Potluck, a heartfelt way to say thank you for their dedication. Our Vietnamese facility team is also honoured each year with Lucky Money during Tet, presented at a beautiful Tet Tea accompanied by student performances.
The PTG also brings joy to our students throughout the year, from Primary discos that let children dance off the term’s energy, to the Year 6 end of year Party, and the Transition Quiz evening that helps our Primary students get ready for Secondary. Alongside these, there are numerous social events for parents and teachers to mingle, from relaxed coffee mornings on campus to evening gatherings at local restaurants.
And of course, they are behind some of our most memorable flagship events. The Christmas BISzaar, led by our Secondary PTG and BIS Staff was a festive spectacular with 122 vendors, 10 activity stalls, and 130 raffle prizes, attracting 1,800 visitors from both BIS and the wider community, and raising 200 million VND for our community partners. The Spring Fair, run by our Primary PTG, welcomed 1,700 visitors with 44 activities and 13 food vendors, raising an incredible 276 million VND to support Mai Tam House of Hope.
This year also saw the launch of a brand-new event: Outdoor Movie Night. Held on the Junior Field, families curled up on beanbags and picnic blankets under the night sky, enjoying great food from multiple vendors and a relaxed evening together. With over 1,300 attendees, it’s sure to become a new BIS flagship event.
Each of these events is the result of months of planning and collaboration between PTG volunteers, our Heads of Campus and many other members of BIS staff including Ms Hunter Deems, our Senior Receptionist and Parent Liasion who works closely with PTG to ensure every event runs smoothly.
Each one reminds us that we are part of something bigger: a school community that knows how to celebrate, connect, and care for one another. As PTG member Ivy so perfectly put it: “There are probably millions of parent teacher groups, but only one extraordinary PTG BIS HCMC! Not only because they are the best (and busiest) bunch – sometimes I wonder if they ever sleep – but also the most dedicated, innovative human beings who care and love our community to the next level. We are so blessed to have you all!”
Supporting our local community
Caring goes far beyond our school walls. Our students, staff, and parents all play a part in giving back to the many community partners we are proud to support. Ms. Tracey Brownrigg, our Whole School Community Manager & Co-Curricular Coordinator, fosters partnerships with our community partners, making it possible for the BIS community at large to give back to those who have few resources. Because of her vital experience, Ms. Brownrigg can educate and inform the PTG where the need is the greatest.
This year, PTG-led events raised over 440 million VND (approximately USD $16,800) across both campuses. These funds have made a real difference:
● Providing relief for those affected by the Myanmar earthquake and Typhoon Yagi.
● Funding a new fire escape and safety doors at Mai Tam House of Hope, ensuring the safety of children living with HIV.
● Giving every child at Thien Phuoc Foster Home a personalised embroidered T-shirt for their Christmas party, and making essential renovations possible, from new flooring and bathroom fixtures to a solar water heater system and upgraded electrical and lighting.
● Supplying 60 pairs of trainers for children at Binh An and Binh Trieu centres. We also saw the results of last year’s fundraising for Thuy’s Dream Foundation come to life, with over $13,000 USD supporting children in Vietnam living with cancer.
None of this would be possible without the dedication, creativity, and generosity of our PTG and the support of our staff. Together, they have turned events into life-changing opportunities for those who need it most.
Building a sustainable community
That same spirit of care also shapes how we look after the environment we all share. Sustainability is woven into so much of what our PTG does. Alongside our PTG our Parent Uniform Upcycling Team transforms preloved BIS uniforms into beautiful, functional products, raising funds for our community partners while reducing waste. This year alone, the team collected over 2,000 uniforms, upcycled more than half, and raised vital funds for causes including Typhoon Yagi relief. Alongside this, our Preloved Fair, Ao Dai and costume sales, and book swaps give items a second life, reduce landfill, and raise money for those in need. These initiatives show our students that small changes can have a big impact for both our community and our planet.
Celebrating our international community
With over 55 nationalities at BIS HCMC, our PTG members play a vital role in bringing our cultures to life. Each year, they elect Country Representatives who gather groups of parents to cook, create, and share during our Primary International Week and Secondary International Day Global Cafés, events many call the highlight of the year. From beautifully designed cultural booths to tables overflowing with homemade dishes, and cultural workshops, these celebrations are a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. And when the food is packed away and students head back to class, the fun continues, with parents of all backgrounds joining together for Bollywood and Latin dancing, a joyful reflection of the vibrant melting pot that is BIS HCMC.
Our PTG doesn’t just contribute to these events, they embody the pride, unity, and friendship that make our international community so special.
Looking ahead
As we reflect on the past year, our Parent Teacher Groups are more than volunteers, they are the heartbeat of BIS HCMC. Through their energy, generosity, and creativity, they have welcomed families, built friendships, celebrated our cultures, cared for our planet, and made a real difference for those in need.
To every parent who has given their time, shared their skills, or lent their voice to our PTG this year, thank you. You have helped turn our school into a community where everyone belongs, and where our collective impact reaches far beyond our gates.
Our Parent Teacher Group works hand-in-hand with staff to help make our school community the vibrant, welcoming place it is. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Hunter Deems, Tracey Brownrigg, and all our Heads of Campuses for their time, energy, and dedication in collaborating so closely with the PTG. Your support makes a real and lasting difference. We’d also like to say a heartfelt thank you to the PTG members who are moving on this year: Ms Lily, Timea, Julia, and Buelah in Primary, and Ms Charu, Eun-Mi, Gayatri, Phuong Anh, Sonia, and Tracey in Secondary. Your time, effort, and spirit have left a lasting mark on our community.
As Gayatri, who has been part of the PTG for the past seven years, shared: “Being part of the PTG for the past seven years has been an incredibly enriching experience. I’ve learned so much—about collaboration, school systems, event planning, and how to support our children’s learning journeys more effectively. One of the greatest gifts has been the friendships I’ve made across cultures and backgrounds, which have truly broadened my perspective. It’s been a meaningful chapter in my life that I’ll always cherish.”
For our returning members and those planning to join this incredible group in the year ahead, we can’t wait to see what we will achieve together next.
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