Student Welfare

Respectful Relationships 

It is no accident that AIS is known for the respectful interaction between students and teachers at school. Lessons in mindfulness in Primary School, and in cyber safety and appropriate relationships in Secondary School home room classes, are a few of the specific student welfare classes time-tabled for every year group across AIS to ensure age-specific learning is delivered to support AIS students in their character development. With the support of staff, students build the social capital necessary to grow into emotionally intelligent leaders in their communities. The entire programme is designed to help students make good choices in life and so build respect. 

AIS Staff Support

In AIS’ Kindergarten and Primary School, class teachers are responsible for taking care of students and are the first contact for children and their parents regarding any concerns that may arise. These members of staff are supported by the Principal and Deputy Principal of the Kindergarten and Primary School and have been trained to handle personal matters with sensitivity. 
 
On the Secondary School campus, Homeroom teachers provide the core support for our students and parents. They are supported by Student Welfare Coordinators, the Head of Senior School, and ultimately, the Secondary School Deputy Principal and Deputy Executive Principal.

House System 

There are four Houses at AIS – Sphinx, Griffin, Phoenix, and Pegasus. Throughout AIS, students are allocated to one of these Houses for sporting and cultural activities, amongst other competitive events. House-based programmes provide additional ways for learners to build relationships with other pupils across the school. Just as in families, there is a clear expectation that older students will always care for their younger peers. 

Kindergarten and Primary School 

In AIS’s Kindergarten and Primary School, class teachers are the first point of contact for parents as they provide support and care for each child’s individual needs each day. 

Each Kindergarten and Primary School class also has a Vietnamese Support Teacher to assist students. The teachers’ and support teachers’ dedication, care and compassion for the children helps build trust, integrity, and honesty. This also helps in developing positive relationships with other adults during their time at AIS. Should the need arise, teachers are supported by the Head of Primary and Deputy Head of Principal of the Primary School and Kindergarten. These senior members of staff are responsible to the Executive Principal for both student welfare, and the educational programmes in the Primary School and Kindergarten across the Thao Dien and Thu Thiem campuses. 

Primary School students also have access to the school counsellor, while those with additional needs may require a special support teacher. Older children in Primary School classes are often involved in buddy programs with their younger peers. 

 

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Lower Secondary School 

AIS is very conscious of the incredible diversity of students within the lower secondary school student body, with the often vastly different stages of physical, emotional, and mental development. The school aims to nurture students in a rapidly changing and uncertain world. 

Students are cared for through horizontal (year level) homerooms, with a Homeroom teacher being the first point of contact for parents. Homeroom teachers play a critical role in assisting with the smooth transition of students into the early secondary years. These teachers are also supported by student welfare coordinators for each year level, along with the Deputy Head of Secondary (and Head of Secondary School) for serious matters. 

All students in Years 7 – 11 have both formal and informal student care sessions with their Homeroom teacher. Discussions are based on themes such as cyber safety, intercultural respect, study habits, organisation, resolving conflict, strengthening support networks, good decision-making and developing quality friendships. Learning to build emotional resilience is an important aspect of student welfare in Years 7 - 11. Students also have access to the school counsellor, while students with significant additional needs may require a special support teacher. 

 

Senior School 

In AIS’s Senior School (Years 12-13), homeroom classes are arranged vertically so that senior school students can work together through the IB Diploma Programme. As in other sections of the school, a homeroom teacher has responsibility for student welfare of the homeroom and acts as the first point of contact for parents and students.

Homeroom teaching staff are supported by student welfare coordinators for Year 12 and Year 13. If an issue arises that may require extra assistance, the IBDP Coordinator, the Deputy Head of Secondary, and the Head of Secondary, are also available to help. In addition, AIS has its own onsite school counsellor to offer support whenever necessary, and the school always looks to maintain relationships with suitably qualified external professionals, such as educational and social/ emotional psychologists, to whom a student or family can be referred. 

Students in Senior School are placed in a vertical homeroom. This is an equal mix of Year 12 - 13 students in each homeroom. This group meets daily, under the guidance of their homeroom teacher and all students in the Senior School have both formal and informal student care sessions with their homeroom teacher. 

To support them through the two years of rigorous study that is required to pass the IB Diploma, senior school students also have their own dedicated area for private study and rest. This space is located near student welfare coordinators so they can easily access help if needed.