Year 11

Learning happens beyond classroom

Everyone knows that the IB Diploma Programme prepares students to be ready for the future. As students gain knowledge through interaction with their teachers and friends in school, they are also expected to sharpen the saw by challenging themselves to many opportunities that are available to them.

I proudly share the stories of some of our Year 11 students, who have had the initiative to challenge themselves further through many competitions:

• InSeo Cho and Laura Jane have represented GJS Mitochondria (our school science club) in the British Biology Olympiad. InSeo was awarded gold medal from both the British Biology Olympiad and Intermediate Biology Olympiad, while Laura was awarded with a commended award from the British Biology Olympiad.

• Two of their friends also show great achievement in Thai MUN IX: Kemas Muhammad Hanif Arraddhin received honouralbe mention as historical special operations committee and Lee Eun So was awarded with honourable mention as historical crisis committee.

• As this article is written, seven of our students (Ardy, InSeo, Hanif, Dhira, Alicia, Faya and Hye Sung) are competing in Philadelphia as the finalists for Wharton Global High School Investment Competition.

According to one of the GJS University counselors, Bu Ingrid Sakul, it is important for Diploma students to challenge themselves through various activities and competitions because, “The IB encourages students to be risk-takers, knowledgeable, inquirers, thinkers and all of the other IB learner profiles. Through doing various activities and competitions, students will be able to apply the knowledge that they obtain in school and at the same time, they have the opportunity to improve their qualifications and self-management skills. This will not only benefit them as individuals but also increase their chance to compete in the university applications pool later on.”

But, isn't The Diploma program very hectic with deadlines? Is it worth "sacrificing" their time for something beyond school tasks? “In my opinion, it is not about sacrificing anything, it is about investing their time and energy to gain the experience and reap the benefits in the future. Of course, all kinds of investment will require good planning and mindful strategy to achieve a high success rate,” replied Bu Ingrid.

Several Year 11 students played basketball together. Let’s hope that the conducive situation lasts so that students can learn optimally again.