Also, the meeting witnessed the presence of alumni from Hanoi - Amsterdam Association: Mr Mai Thanh Ha, Amser 92-95, class of Physics; and Dr Chu Duc Hoang, Amser 96-99, class of Physics, both of whom had dedicated great support to all the clubs during the competition “Best club of 2021”.

The meeting commenced with the section “Concluding clubs’ activities during the school year 2020-2021”, presented by Tuong Ngan Ha, President of the club Ams Advisor. The section was divided into three main parts: General feedback for the year, outstanding activities hosted by different clubs, and limitations to be further refined.

“Generally speaking, the school year 2020-2021 has been an enthusiastic and exciting one for all 41 clubs from our school. Particularly, several clubs stand out with their appropriate and relevant activities that have received the Hanoian public’s attention, as well as variable channels of media. Moreover, they also contributed a great deal to the school as well as the community by organizing different events that fit in well with the ongoing pandemic situation.

In the past year, a plethora of meaningful activities distinguished themselves from the rest by receiving much attention from the public. In the sector of sports, honor for Hanoi - Amsterdam Basketball Team, and Hanoi - Amsterdam Football club; in the sector of arts, honor for Glee Ams, Hanoi - Amsterdam Art Team, The fashion club - Lamode, and The drama club - Life’s So Drama; in the sector of science, honor for GreenAms 6520 Robotics Team, and Society of Open Science, in the sector of Humanities honor for Ams Baking Club and Green Hanoi Ams; in the sector of academics, honor for Puzzles Ams - Debating and event organizing club, Hanoi - Amsterdam Model UN Association, and Ams Advisor.

Next came the orientation for the school year 2021-2022 by Ms. Phan Hong Anh, who sang praises to over 40 active clubs in the school contributing the image of intelligent, affable, proactive and cordial Amsers. Generally speaking, during the school year 2021-2022, all the clubs, whilst retaining the convention in co-curricular activities, initiated new add-ons to promote their meaningful activities for the time being, for the time of the unpredictable Covid-19 situation. Beside, Ms Phan Hong Anh put great emphasis on several operation regulations such as the time limits for extracurricular activities; teachers’ validation, as well as permission from the school’s Youth Union and Management Board, for events hosting… The students should simultaneously pay attention to balance the extra-curricular activities. so as not to wield a pernicious impact on learning.

The debriefing and awarding ceremony of the Excellent Club Competition for the school year 2020 - 2021 ensued. During the event, Mr Mai Thanh Ha - judges’ representative - shared: “I hope these activities will take place on a regular basis for you all to introspect all the activities of the year, for the school and alumni to recognize, evaluate and appreciate the values generated. Moreover, this is also a lesson that you all can reflect on and continue in the years ahead. It is your traditions, and also something that you can all take pride in!” Moreover, he also asserted that former Amser generations will always be by their juniors’ side on the pathway to realizing their plans and dreams of bringing the community more meaningful values.

The event ended with Mr Mai Thanh Ha’s introduction to an appreciable project by HAO Students Association: Amsers - Homecoming, one that had been planned for the Lunar New Year 2022. For Amsers, Ams is home, the way leading to Ams is also the way back home, so that during the time of new year, all generations can sit back and reflect on their growing journey in Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for the gifted.  

The meeting, short, yet intimate and cozy, is an opportunity for the 2020-2021 representatives from different clubs to befriend one another, as well as to acquaint themselves with teachers and alumni. Let’s hope that this meeting will lay the foundation for another year full of success and meaningful activities for all the clubs.

Journalist: To Ha Anh - Literature 2023

Translator: Le Trung Kien - English 2023