* Schoolyard

As the early morning sunlight set in, the festive mood has permeated the atmosphere of our shared home HN – Ams. There seemed to be sunlight in eyes, in smiles of innocence and on the cheeks of the youths. Laughter and cheerful stories of the early week filled the schoolyard as charming girls receive the gifts, bouquets and wishes from the boys.

Today, as the bell rings, without hesitation the entire student body attended assembly with excellent punctuation and order. The flag rising and salute commenced in an orderly and somewhat cheerful manner, with the highlight when two excellent female students from the class of 12 Literature raised the national colours. This is an immense pride for the females in general and HN-Ams’ girls in particular

Following the flag raising, teacher Ho Quoc Viet, on behalf of the Board of Management and the entire school’s male staff, teacher and student body addressed a speech and presented ceremonial bouquets to female teachers, staffs and students. These heartfelt and sincere gestures deeply touched female teachers, staffs and students. On behalf of female teachers, staffs and students, teacher Le Thi Oanh and Nguyen Thi Ninh expressed great joy, gratitude and well-meaning wishes for their colleagues and students.

*Classrooms

This Oct 20, female members of all classes enjoy a pleasant and surprising experience made possible by their male classmates. Students try their best to find a unique approach to this in order that their female teachers and friends are pleasantly surprised: 12P2 boys carried out a clandestine decoration operation to arouse curiosity, 10A1 boys decorated the classroom with dozens of colourful balloons, 10V boys went with an ornate chalkboard drawing and flowers. In general, this year has seen traditional gifts such as roses, cards and cakes enjoying their common status as Women’s Day presents.

10A1 boys’ Oct 20 celebration has been referred to as ‘Net Café day’, since in the course of the 2-week preparation, the ‘conspirators’ had to covertly refer to their actions as ‘going to net cafés’. Unlike natural sciences’ classes, English class’ boys are outnumbered by their female friends – 28 girls to 13 boys – yet they did not fail to surprise their friends. Unlike on normal days, the C301 classroom was lit fully by 0630, and by 0700, windows were adorned with colourful balloons and desks were juxtaposed to make room for activities. After assembly, the boys performed multiple songs, short scores and routines alongside with an adorable finale in which home-made cakes and flowers are offered to the deeply touched 10A1 girls.

It might be said that on female-centred celebrations like Oct 20 or March 8, the Literature class would be the most disadvantaged, for their roster are constantly lacking in males, with a low rate of 2 – 5 individuals per admission year. Let us all join in the Oct 20 celebrations of 10V to see their preparations for this day.

First on our visit was 10V. The Oct 20 celebration of 10V (adm. 2014 – grad. 2017) was truly special. The class is no exception: only two males are present, and the duo are responsible for the quest to organise a celebration for the 39 girls. That morning, the two arrived early, prepared two large bouquets for their teachers

 (Sweet messages from English class's boys)

The amazing and happiness are given to the girls by the boys

The romantic present from the boys

So that was the literature class, but how about math? We can confirm immediately, that to them, every day is 20/10 – women’s day. As we all know, because there are not many girls in Math class, the boys always act like true gentlemen. Today wasn’t an exception. Songs sounded much sweeter when performed by the class’ boys, roses smelled beautifully, and the smiles on the girls’ faces have never been so bright. Joy filled the air and lit up the faces of every girl in Math class.

We also paid a stop at I.T, Chinese, French and Russian class… and even the junior high. Although all students at this time of the year are busy preparing for scholarship interviews, the city’s gifted students exam, exciting class trips, not to mention the significant amount of homework, the boys never fail to organise an intimate celebration for the girls in their classes, along with sincere wishes and blossoming bouquets.

Women’s day has ended but it sure has left us with many unforgettable memories. Us girls – the ones to receive the childlike yet adorable affection from the boys of HN-Ams – would like to send back to you all a thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

On behaf of the webmaster team, we would also like to address our most sincere congratulations and wishes to teacher Le Thi Oanh, Secretary of CPV Representatives, Headmistress of School, teacher Duong Tu Anh – Deputy Headmistress of School; female teachers and staffs. We wish you good health, satisfaction and success.

On this occasion, we at the webmaster team would also wish you the warmest of wishes to you – loveable girls of HN – Ams. We wish you a meaningful day, and hope that you will continue to excel as a valuable member of HN – Ams in our way, and in your unique ways. Happy National Women’s Day!

  Authors: Hà Trang and reporters from website HN - Ams

Translator: Minh Duc A1 13-16