MS Activities & Events

Building Community in the MS Through Fun and Active Engagement

In the Middle School we believe that a rigorous academic program needs to be complimented by meaningful and engaging activities and events. Middle School is meant to be a fun time in a child's life, where they explore many different topics and interests while building strong connections and bonds with their peers through value-added interactions. Throughout the year the Middle School hosts numerous, diverse activities to allow students opportunities to engage with their peers in a variety of ways while experiencing that personal development that is so characteristic of middle school life.

Each of our MS activities and events is designed to not only challenge students to be Best for the World but also foster joy, respect, a spirit of collaboration, inclusivity, and confidence. Please explore below for some examples of these enhancements to life in the Middle School.

Jumpstart Day

During quarter one each year, the MS gathers all students and faculty together for a day of community building called "Jumpstart Day". This day enables us to spend time bonding and building trust between members of our Advisory classes, our Volcano groups and our grade levels. Through a multitude of challenges, games, school-wide picnics and a social this day makes our community a stronger unit, setting a great tone for the rest of the school year.

Socials

Each semester a Middle School 'Social' is held. These events are optional and occur in the evening, around Halloween and Valentine's Day. Social events include many options in which students may engage with their peers. There is always a dance, a movie, board games, a photo booth, and sometimes there will even be a haunted house or sumo wrestling!

Extended Study Project (ESP)

The Extended Study Program (ESP) takes all Grade 6, 7 and 8 students on an unforgettable Indonesian learning experience. The program includes one week of travel during the second semester of each year, and is connected to our school curriculum. ESP focuses on connecting students to our host country's culture, making curriculum learned in the classroom come to life, and further exploring and emphasising our environmental stewardship commitments in a real-world setting. You can learn more about our ESP program on our official ESP website.

Competitions and Special Trips

From Mathcounts and World Scholars Cup competitions to festivals like SABI, AMIS and ISTA, MS students have a lot of opportunities to grow in their passions while meeting new friends from all around the world.

Environment Day/Earth Day

Environment Day and Earth Day are big celebrations in the MS! Each semester we make sure to take a day to revisit our commitment to be best for the world, reflecting on how well we've been doing, and what we can do better moving forward. Sustainable living through our "Choose to Refuse Single Use" campaign is a cornerstone of the MS community. Visit our Environmental Stewardship page to learn more about our work to be better stewards of our planet.

MADNESS

MADNESS days happen at the end of each quarter, and are a key part of the JIS MS experience. Every student and faculty member belongs to a Volcano group and during MADNESS days the whole school participates in challenging activities to try and earn points for their volcano. Learn more about our MS house system here.

Bali Stage Assemblies

Each week, the entire MS community gathers at our beloved Bali Stage for a Friday morning, student-led assembly. These assemblies keep our community connecting, enabling us to share passion projects, communicate important information, and have a lot of fun with each other. When leaving the JIS community, Dragons often site Bali Stage as the part of Middle School they will look back on the most fondly. You can find recordings of our virtual Bali Stage assemblies (during online learning) on our MS Naga News website.

UN Day

Uniting Nations Day is an annual affair that has us celebrating the strength in our cultural diversity, and learning more about each other's traditions. It is truly a highlight of the year, especially the international food fair!

And Much More!

There are many more activities and events that happen throughout the school year. Too many to list! Scroll through the slideshow to the left for a small window into life in the MS.