Learning from books, growing through experience

Beyond enriching academic competitions, PennSchool also offers vibrant, hands-on learning opportunities for our #HomeOfTheEagles – from  Field Trips to inspiring activities during Book Week.

One experience is worth a hundred stories

Field Trips at PennSchool are more than just educational outings; they are special “outdoor classrooms” that provide #HomeOfTheEagles with opportunities to expand their knowledge, develop skills, and nurture curiosity about the world around them. Throughout November, our #HomeOfTheEagles explored a variety of meaningful destinations, capturing memorable and inspiring experiences that contribute to their journey of growth.

Students participated in “heritage journeys” to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, the Ao Dai Museum, the Independence Palace, and the Cu Chi Tunnels, exploring traditional culture, art movements, and historical values. At VinWonders, team-building activities helped Secondary School #HomeOfTheEagles develop collaboration and communication skills while creating unforgettable memories. For the Primary School, little #HomeOfTheEagles experienced real-life careers at Vietopia, helping them to inspire their creativity and nurture their early dreams. Additionally, they had the chance to explore the fascinating world of animals at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Through these experiences, #HomeOfTheEagles not only acquires new knowledge but also develops critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, and self-confidence in communication. The moments of excitement when exploring historical artifacts, the laughter in team games, or the joy when trying out career guidance activities are vivid proof of the value of learning from reality, when each activity becomes an opportunity to expand knowledge and nurture skills for students.

Exploring the world, one page at a time

Reading is not merely a skill; it is a journey of discovery and personal growth. Each page offers #HomeOfTheEagles the opportunity to better understand the world around them and themselves.

To cultivate a love of reading and inspire active learning, Book Week 2025 offered a variety of enriching experiences: from creative book cover design, book presentations and sharing, to the Book Debate competition, which sharpened critical thinking and presentation skills, as well as interactive sessions with authors in the “Making Friends with Books” program. 

In particular, PennSchool was honored to welcome parents to the Parent Book Reviews activity – a meaningful opportunity for them to introduce inspiring books that help students discover new ideas and perspectives. A representative parent from Grade 4 shared: “Attending the Reading Circle for my son’s class was a truly rewarding experience! I highly recommend that all parents take this opportunity. It’s an excellent way to engage with your child’s friends and gain a richer understanding of the classroom dynamic and the students’ knowledge level.

I’d also like to share two key points for parents: First, don’t just read the book straight through. The real magic lies in interaction. Second, keep asking questions! Use questions to prompt discussion, relate the story to their lives, and make them feel excited and involved. This interaction is what makes the Reading Circle so effective, ensuring that reading and the assigned book are not a chore, but an exciting adventure for the children. I look forward to doing it again!”

These interactive experiences help students cultivate a passion for learning, develop emotional intelligence, foster creativity and focus, and build empathy and a spirit of sharing knowledge. Each page of a book and each discussion session can become valuable assets, not only contributing to the growth of each student but also promoting the spirit of spreading knowledge in the community.

Field Trips and Book Week 2025 activities provide #HomeOfTheEagles with essential knowledge and skills, while also nurturing future leaders through care, guidance, and the ambition to reach higher. These experiences are a vivid testament to PennSchool’s holistic, inspiring, and richly diverse educational vision, where students explore, grow, and confidently step into the world.