The Thunder Bolt

Here at Concordia International School Hanoi, we believe that education is about so much more than just textbooks and tests. While academic excellence is part of our identity, we also place immense value on nurturing the whole child – and that includes building strong character. It's something that truly sets our international school apart, from our littlest Preschoolers all the way up to our graduating High School Seniors. Today, we're absolutely thrilled to share some heartwarming news from our Elementary School that perfectly embodies this commitment: the launch of our brand new monthly "Kindness Awards"!
You see, two of our school's core values are Community and Service, and these aren't just words to us. They're woven into the very fabric of our curriculum and daily interactions. We believe that by fostering these values from a young age, we're helping to shape not just successful students, but compassionate and responsible global citizens.

Building Character, Grade by Grade

Our approach to character building in the Elementary School is incredibly intentional, evolving with our students as they grow. It's a journey that starts with the basics and blossoms into a deeper understanding of themselves and their impact on the world.

In the lower Elementary grades, you'll often hear our teachers guiding students on the importance of sharing with one another. Whether it's toys in the play corner, art supplies, or even ideas during group time, these early lessons lay the groundwork for understanding the joy of giving and the benefits of cooperation. We also focus on helping our younger students notice and pay attention to people in need. It might be a classmate who looks a little sad, or a friend who needs help picking up scattered crayons. These small observations are the first steps towards developing empathy and a desire to help. And, of course, learning to be in-tune with their own emotions is crucial. Understanding what makes them happy, sad, or frustrated helps them navigate their inner world and, in turn, better understand others.

As our students move into the upper Elementary grades, these foundational skills are built upon and expanded. The concept of sharing transforms into more complex lessons on collaboration. They learn to work together on projects, bounce ideas off each other, and understand that diverse perspectives make for stronger outcomes. Noticing those in need evolves into actively learning how to take service action in a responsible and effective way. This could involve organizing a small fundraiser for a local charity or finding ways to support their school community. It's about empowering them to make a real life difference. And the self-awareness of their own emotions matures into a profound capacity for empathy towards others. They learn to truly step into someone else's shoes, understand different viewpoints, and offer genuine support and understanding.

Recognizing Our Kindest Hearts

This is where our new Kindness Awards come in! Every month, we will be celebrating individual students in every grade level who truly go above and beyond in demonstrating kindness, helpfulness, and respect. These are the students who are intentionally living out our school values in their thoughts and actions, inspiring those around them.

Imagine the joy on a child's face when they are recognized for helping a friend, for showing understanding, or for simply being a consistently positive presence in the classroom. These awards aren't about being perfect; they're about recognizing the effort and genuine spirit of goodness that our students possess. It's a chance to shine a spotlight on those quiet acts of compassion that often go unnoticed but make such a huge difference to our school community.

Here are some real examples from our first Kindness Awards winners:

• Duc Long in Reception chose to help friends who were struggling with their work instead of choosing to play.
• Henry in Grade 2 cleaned up a mess left by others and organized the station so that it would be ready for other students to use.
• Youjoo in Grade 4 led her table team with patience, compassion, and inclusivity.

We believe that by highlighting these wonderful examples, we not only celebrate the individual student but also inspire their peers to embody these same qualities. It creates a positive ripple effect throughout the entire Elementary School, reinforcing the idea that being kind is cool, being respectful is valued, and being loving is truly celebrated.