The Inspirational Letter to Students from VAS Executive Chairman
HCMC, 4th September 2018
Dear beloved students!
A warm welcome to you all for the new school year 2018-2019! I am very happy knowing that you have celebrated an exhilarating first few days of the new school year in your new class and some in new schools. I hope that you have had a good and enjoyable summer and are ready to start a new and special journey at VAS - where I, our teachers and staff together with all of you will create precious new learning experiences and unforgettable memories for each of you.
Every August, I experience a mixed sense of emotions. When I put myself in the position of students, I know the regret when the summer is over but also remember the eagerness to start preparing for the new school year. Hence, we think about the new activities to help students have more fun, be creative and grow in maturity. When I return to the position of a parent, I consider the things that should be shared with students and parents. Wherever at school or home, we will together create a place where you can find encouragement, love and enjoy your childhood to the fullest whilst learning and becoming “the best you can be”.
Mr. Marcel van Miert – VAS Executive Chairman
"To the fullest" is not only an inspiring phrase but it also hides many challenges. Is it the deepest wish of every person, even at school age? All those A-scores, delightful trips, beloved friends, sparkling youth, dream jobs, happy families, colorful and meaningful life, is that what everyone thinks about? And to achieve some of those above, there are those who have to try hard every day and there are those for whom it comes more easily. I always wish VAS students to have a lot of luck as well as to be brave enough not to step back from yourself on the journey that needs effort and progress every day. So when obtaining any achievement, you will know how to respect yourselves, your faith, your companions, and your failures that combined will make you stronger.
I’d like to share with you one little interesting story. A family I know gathered watching a superhero movie. Their son asked his sister the reason why the actor in the film was not afraid of helping people despite, many other people running away. His sister replied, "He is scared but he promised to do it! You see those people, who believe in the right things, do things that others stay away from. It’s not that he has a special power, but because of the protection of knowing the right thing and the promise makes him become a hero." I was deeply impressed by what his sister said. Just the thought and attitude of a child can give us a lesson about the authenticity of a person, especially when they are called successful people.
Last year and the year before, I have brought up to you, national pride as a motivation and the spirit of “lead your life” as a guide, to help you become the person you want to be and have the life you wish for. This year I need to share about one of the basic values. It is honesty and integrity.
Choose honesty, and act truthfully to yourself and others. Choose integrity, stand for what you know is right, both for others and yourself. In any situation, I hope you understand that you are building your own image of one of the most respected values in our whole lives. A rich or famous person does not necessarily have all the respect, but the person with a high integrity has the respect of the whole community.
Please consider the weak, the vulnerable, different and more sensitive people, your fellow students, brothers, sisters, parents and friends. You know what is right when you stand up for those who are bullied or treated badly and you can be honest with yourself when you do the right thing!
It would be a big mistake if I did not mention the price of integrity. It is hard to stand up for yourself and the people around you. Only brave brains and hearts can overcome that price and cope with the doubt, temptation or glamour of a lie.
Please remember the core values that we at VAS try to pursue and know there will be trade-offs, risks and sorrows, but please still try to choose to face these because I believe it is a way to make things better for everyone. I am sure the right or wrong choices must happen to you too, and when choosing the light of truth, keep faith that it is the way to make a positive difference for those people and things you care for.
You are studying in an environment that promotes integrity because it is not only the fundamental value of VAS students but also adds courage to your future and future choices. These are best conceived whenever you choose honestly and true to yourself, however small but with great faith and a passionate heart. I will not dare to say that this is a perfect place to be, but we at VAS commit to empowering our students to cultivate their core values daily. I believe that way you can be the mirrors shining the way for our adult world without hesitations over honesty, worries over love and fears over what is right.
As the years go by, you all grow up and your social awareness is clearer, I hope that you have nurtured enough confidence in integrity and in courage in addition to all other core values to fulfill your wishes in the fullest way.
I would like to give thanks in advance to my beloved VAS students! When you spread positive values to people with open and carefree hearts, your teachers and I will be very happy, and you can be our "heroes" of the future!
I wish you a great school year full of energy and exciting experiences!
Warm regards,
Marcel van Miert
Executive Chairman - Vietnam Australia International School
