The Thunder Bolt

Concordia International School Hanoi is a vibrant community of learners where every student feels valued and empowered. And nowhere is that more evident than in our Middle School and exemplified through the Thunder Way Awards!

Great schools don’t just educate students in the classroom, they also teach character building skills and life lessons. They empower students to look beyond themselves and to make a positive impact on the world. It's about the kindness shown on the playground, the sportsmanship displayed on the court, the helpful hand offered on a class trip, and the thoughtful questions asked during a lesson.

The Thunder Way Awards are our way of shining a spotlight on the amazing students and dedicated teachers in our Middle School who truly embody our school's core values: Student-Centered, Excellence, Community, and Service. These core values are critical to the identity of our school, they're the pillars of who we are and what we believe in.

What makes these awards unique is that they come from the heart of our community. Both teachers and students get to nominate their peers to be award winners. Whether it's a student noticing a classmate consistently going above and beyond to help others, or a teacher recognizing a student's incredible dedication to a project, all these observations feed into the nominations. And it's not just students getting the recognition – teachers can also be nominated for their outstanding commitment to our values too!

“Thunder Way Awards serve as a meaningful recognition of students and teachers who consistently exemplify our school’s core values. These behaviors highlight the very best of what it means to be part of our Middle School community at Concordia. The Thunder Way Awards allow us to celebrate individuals whose actions inspire all of us.” - Jon McDaniel, Middle School Principal 

We hold these special presentations once every quarter, which means there's always something exciting to look forward to! It's a fantastic way to keep these values at the forefront of our minds and to continually celebrate the positive impact individuals have on our school. Every quarter, we make sure that all grade levels are represented, so every Middle Schooler has the chance to be an award winner and be recognized for their wonderful efforts.

The Thunder Way Awards presentations are a highlight of our Middle School assemblies. There’s always a buzz of anticipation in the air as everyone waits to hear who our latest award recipients will be. As each winner's name is read aloud, a round of enthusiastic applause erupts. 

Our Middle School Principal personally presents each student and teacher with a special certificate, a tangible reminder of their outstanding efforts and contributions. It's not just about the certificate, of course; it's about the recognition from their peers and teachers, and the knowledge that their good deeds haven't gone unnoticed. 

The Thunder Way Awards offer a great way for the school to recognize and celebrate exemplary actions by our students. These actions are moments where real life transformation is happening, moments where relationships are built, moments where students showcase selflessness and compassion, and moments that make our school a truly special place for all to learn and grow.