The meeting took place in a warm climate with the presence of the Director of Hanoi Education and Training Department professor Nguyen Huu Do, the management board of Hanoi – Amsterdam High School, the teachers in charge of the Chemistry team, the form teacher of class 12H1 and the two most gifted students of the team Pham Mai Phuong and Pham Ngan Giang (from class 12H1).

As acknowledged, all selected team joining international contests of Hanoi – Amsterdam High School have always gained great achievements, for example the Golden medals in International Junior Science Olympiad IJSO, International Physics Olympiads IPho, etc. What is special is that among the students joining international contests this year, the majority are the ones in 11^th grade with some of the most honorable achievements. This year, Hanoi – Amsterdam participates in the competitions with two students representing the females of the school and comprising a half of the team selecting among 64 provinces throughout the country. These students are the motivations of learning for students in Hanoi – Amsterdam High School in particular and Vietnamese students in general.

In the meeting, on behalf of Hanoi Department of Education and Training, professor Nguyen Huu Do expressed his trust and praised the efforts and achievements of the school and the two students. He also said a few words of support and encouragement to the students, fostering them to get ready and be confident to perform their best so that they could bring the prize and honor back to the school and the country.

(Professor Nguyen Huu Do – outside on the left with gifted students of the city; Pham Mai Phuong and Pham Ngan Giang are the 2^nd and the 5^th students from the left

Professor Le Thi Oanh, principal of Hanoi – Amsterdam High School, on behalf of the school committee, gave the students and their families meaningful presents with the hope that they would be at ease to perform their best to live up to schools and parents’ expectations and follow the country’s glorious tradition of learning.

Also in the meeting, Pham Mai Phuong and Pham Ngan Giang, two out of four members of the team shared a few words about their thoughts and feelings: “We would like to send our most sincere thanks to the teachers who have always been by our side, provided us with the knowledge and guided us through the journey. We also want to thank our families for always caring for us and giving us the best conditions for learning. We promise to try our best to achieve the best results in the upcoming competition.”

As acknowledged, last year our Chemistry team got into the top ten of the result rank of ICho. This year, with the careful preparations and the great potential of the students, we have the right to hope for great achievements from our selected team, especially when the team has two outstanding students Pham Mai Phuong and Pham Ngan Giang.

Again, we wish our Chemistry team great achievements in the International Chemistry Olympiad. We hope you will be calm, confident and keep your mind clear to perform the best of your ability and follow our country’s glorious tradition of learning. It’s you who give us the most motivation and stimulus to strive for the better in our path of learning. We will keep our fingers cross for you; let’s join hands to prepare for Hanoi – Amsterdam’s 30^th ceremony.

Reporter: Ha Tran French 2 12 – 15

Translator: Tran Mai Anh Eng1 13 - 16