MSHS NEWS

MSHS

MSHS Update

Written by Mr. Robert T

Student Leadership in the MSHS

One critical element to an International Baccalaureate education is providing the student body with the AGENCY that they deserve, which is defined as ‘a sense of control that they feel in their life, their capacity to influence their own thoughts and behaviour and have faith in their ability to handle a wide range of tasks and situations’. Another simpler way to view this concept is that the students have ownership, voice and choice in their educational environment.

MYP UPDATE

Written by Mr. Haoken

Dear Grades 6 - 10  parents and guardians

I am pleased to share some exciting updates from our Middle Years Programme (MYP) at SWA. As part of our commitment to providing a holistic education that fosters critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving, two key elements of our curriculum, the Interdisciplinary Units (IDUs) and the Personal Project, are well underway.

Interdisciplinary Units (IDUs): Learning Across Disciplines

Our IDUs offer students in Grades 6-10 a unique opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills from different subject areas to tackle complex, authentic issues. This approach not only allows them to explore topics from multiple perspectives but also develops critical cognitive skills such as:

1. Perspective-taking: Encouraging students to understand problems through various viewpoints, promoting empathy and open-mindedness.

2. Organising knowledge: Helping students connect and organise their understanding across disciplines, enhancing creative problem-solving.

3. Integrating insights: Enabling students to merge knowledge from different subjects to gain a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the world.

4. Communicating interdisciplinary understanding: Equipping students with the ability to express how different disciplines come together to provide solutions to real-world issues.

For this academic year, students will engage in IDUs on global themes such as environmental sustainability, social justice, and technological innovation. We believe this approach mirrors the IB’s mission to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are prepared to make a positive impact in their communities.

Grade 10 Personal Project

Our current Grade 10 students have just started their Personal Project journey and recently completed the planning phase. They are now moving forward with their exciting explorations of new skills and personal passions. This self-directed inquiry is an integral part of their learning and growth as they work towards creating a meaningful product.

Reflecting on last year’s cohort, we are proud to announce that the results from the 2024 Personal Projects were outstanding, with 100% of students completing their projects and many achieving top scores. Their work demonstrated exceptional creativity, research, and perseverance, making it a shining example of what our students can achieve.

Looking ahead, we invite you to the Personal Project Exhibition on 14 February 2025, where our current students will proudly showcase their work.

We’re incredibly proud of both our past and present students’ efforts and look forward to celebrating their ongoing successes!

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Written by Ms. Katherine

Grade 9 students are currently reading the well-known play A Streetcar Named Desire. They are enjoying the experience and engaging deeply with the story. To enhance their understanding, we also watched the film adaptation in class, alongside reading it aloud. It is a fast-moving play with lots of action. The play explores various important themes, including mental health, power dynamics, and social class. We encourage further discussions at home to support their learning journey.

SCIENC​​E AND DESIGN DEPARTMENT

Unveiling Nature's Secrets: A Hands-On Flower Dissection Adventure!

Written by Mr. Billy

In the world of science, there’s nothing quite like getting your hands dirty—especially when it involves dissecting flowers! Flower dissection is a fun and hands-on way to explore the inner workings of plants and understand the intricate beauty of nature.

The students of grade 8A carefully examined each part of a flower, from the delicate petals to the hidden reproductive structures like the stamen and carpel. By peeling away layers, the students unlocked the secrets of pollination, seed formation, and plant reproduction. Each slice and discovery brings a deeper appreciation for the complexity of even the simplest-looking flowers.

During this exciting activity, the students also studied the weight of the flower, the weight of the petals, the number of the petals, and the height of the styles between flower species. Interesting results were found, for example, it was found that the red carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) flower has an unusual number of petals when compared to other flowers which is quite fascinating; the hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) flower has a tall style. Flowers with taller styles often need to attract specific pollinators like butterflies or birds, while shorter styles might cater to bees or smaller insects. 

It was also found that Chinese ixora (Ixora chinensis) flowers have light petals. Lighter petals may belong to flowers that rely on the wind for pollination, while heavier ones might be designed to protect delicate reproductive organs from rain or pests. Paper flowers (Bougainvillea glabra) have light flowers. Lighter flowers are more likely to rely on subtle movements, like swaying in the wind, to disperse pollen, while a heavier flower may need to ensure stability to accommodate its pollinators.

But beyond the science, the experience itself is thrilling! Dissecting a flower feels like solving a botanical puzzle, with each component offering clues about how plants grow, thrive, and contribute to ecosystems. It's an adventure that sparks curiosity, encourages observation, and fosters a new connection to the natural world.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Running Towards Knowledge: A Fun Way to Learn Average Speed

Written by Mr. Emerson

The Grade 7 International Mathematics students took their learning outside the classroom with an exhilarating activity designed to teach average speed through real-life experience. The event had students running a 200-meters track, stopping midway to solve questions, and then dashing back to complete their journey—all while keeping track of their times. The twist? They had to calculate their average speed for the entire round trip, not just their fastest sprint!

With the sun shining and the racecourse set, students grouped together and excitedly anticipated the challenge ahead. Each group had to not only showcase their physical stamina but also flex their problem-solving skills when they reached the midway question station.

The learning didn’t end at the finish line. After the race, students headed back to class to convert their experiences into graphs, visually representing the relationships between distance and time. Through this, they deepened their understanding of average speed and how time spent stationary affects overall performance.

Pictures of students in action, as well as their creative distance-time graphs, beautifully capture the energy and learning that took place during this dynamic lesson. These visuals show the excitement of the race and the thoughtful work that followed in the classroom.

G6 International Mathematics as Historians

Written by Ms. Olive 

Grade 6 students demonstrated their communication and research skills by sharing their findings on ancient number systems. They explored different civilizations, such as the Babylonian, Chinese, Greek, and Egyptian cultures, and discussed how these number systems were developed and used over time. The students engaged in lively exchanges, explaining how these systems were developed and how they still influence the modern world. Watch the video to see how engaged and enthusiastic the students were during this exciting exploration of ancient mathematics.

MUSIC

Written by Mr. Freddy

Grade 6 is a significant transition period as students adjust to the MYP Music curriculum, which offers a deeper and more structured approach to music education. In MYP 1, students not only enhance their knowledge and skills but also begin to explore creativity with greater independence and artistic intention. They develop important reflective and evaluative skills while collaborating on various projects, where communication and affective skills play a crucial role. Through these experiences, students learn to work together, express themselves artistically, and gain confidence in their musical abilities. The MYP Music program is particularly beneficial for students at this age, as it supports their growth in critical thinking, creativity, and emotional expression. It encourages them to explore music beyond what they previously knew, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the art form. 

This term, the focus is on mastering the concepts of orchestra and ensemble. They are reviewing their prior knowledge of orchestral instruments and Western notation while applying these concepts in both live ensemble performances and digital orchestration using technology. Students are also gaining an understanding of conducting, which adds another layer of complexity to their musical education. This term's practical summative project involves preparing a medley of Chinese songs, "Mo Li Hua" and "Wen Bie," in collaboration with the Chinese department for the Mid-Autumn Festival Assembly. Despite the limitations of available instruments, we have successfully arranged a simple Chinese ensemble using hulusi, gu zheng, and violin to evoke the ambience of Chinese oriental music. Their performance aims to convey the story of the moon goddess Chang'e and Hou Yi's enduring love and their farewell, symbolized by the pure white jasmine flower. This project not only allows them to apply their ensemble skills but also to communicate cultural values through their music.

Physical and Health Education

Written by Mr. Sean

Exciting Updates to Our PE Program!

Our Physical Education (PE) program is evolving, and we are thrilled to share some exciting new additions! One of the most significant changes this year is the introduction of an extra PE period for Grades 6-12. This means more opportunities for students to stay active, learn new skills, and improve their overall health and fitness. With this extra class, students are more engaged and excited about physical activity than ever before!

For Grades 6-10 in the Middle Years Programme (MYP), fitness testing is a key part of the curriculum. Students are learning about the components of fitness, including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition. Understanding these components is essential for developing lifelong healthy habits. As part of their learning, students are setting SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives—to track their fitness progress and achieve personal milestones.

Each grade focuses on a unique area of fitness. In Grades 6 and 7, students are exploring circuit training, where they rotate through different stations that target various muscle groups and fitness skills. They are developing endurance and strength through fun, low-intensity bodyweight exercises. Meanwhile, students in Grades 8-10 are diving into High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), which challenges them with bursts of intense activity followed by short rest periods. This advanced training method builds stamina and helps improve overall cardiovascular health.

The feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. They love having more PE classes and are excited to see improvements in their fitness levels. We’re so proud of their hard work and dedication!

PSD

Written by Mr. Danny

As part of their social-emotional learning: self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness, Grade 7 students have been learning about two important values: respect and inclusiveness. 

Respect means treating others the way you would like to be treated. It involves listening to others, valuing their opinions, and showing kindness, even when you might disagree. 

Inclusiveness means making sure everyone feels welcome, supported, and valued, no matter who they are or where they come from. It’s about creating an environment where people feel like they belong.

During class lessons, the students brainstormed and presented their ideas about ways of showing respect and being inclusive in school and their friendships. They discussed simple acts such as greeting classmates, listening when others are speaking, and offering help to anyone who seems left out or struggling.

These two values have a big impact on both relationships and learning. When students show respect and practice inclusiveness, it builds trust and helps create a positive learning environment where everyone feels safe to share their thoughts. By practising these values, Grade 7 students are not only becoming better learners but also better people, capable of managing their emotions and actions while creating a supportive and respectful community around them.

UGC

Written by Mr. Stan

Upcoming fairs and Uni Visits:

SWA University Fair 2 October at 1:30 - 4:00 pm

Universities from all around the world (Canada, UK, USA, Australia, Switzerland, Hong Kong and more!)  will gather at SWA to give students and parents the opportunity to find out more information directly from them.

Final list of participants and more detailed information will be emailed to parents shortly!

Times Higher Education Uni Fair 17 October at 8:00 am

20 universities from around the world will visit SWA as part of the South East Asia tour.

Study in Canada Fair 27 October at 1:00 - 6:00 pm at Shangri-La

See poster below for more information.

General Uni Application deadlines to note:

PSAT Testing for Grade 10 and 11

SWA students in Grades 10 and 11 will be able to take the College Board's PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) on 22 October 2024 The PSAT constitutes an important part of the student’s path towards successful university applications and admissions in Grade 12 and we therefore strongly recommend that students take the test. Taking the PSAT is important for your child for the following reasons:

• A preliminary “dress rehearsal” of the SAT, this allows students to be exposed to the SAT in a low-risk way as the scores of the PSAT are not seen by colleges and universities. Students take the exam the same way they would the SAT, therefore getting a taste of testing conditions

• The PSAT predicts/projects what the student's SAT score range is likely to be, allowing the student and UGC to use this predicted score in planning for the best university paths/options for the student

• The PSAT score can help students decide whether they should take the SAT in the future, or look for other options, at a much lower cost than the actual SAT

• The PSAT score report provides the UGC, parents, and students with real data to use in the first individual College Action plan meetings in Grade 11

• Access to free, personalised SAT Practice through Khan Academy®. If students link their CollegeBoard and Khan Academy accounts, they will get free, personalised SAT practice recommendations based on their actual performance on the PSAT/NMSQT

• Identifies skills for improvement. The score report gives students comprehensive feedback on their test performance, allowing them to see which questions they answered incorrectly and which academic skills they should focus on

• Provides online college and career planning tools to spark college-going aspirations and introduce students to opportunities available after high school

Date: 22 October 2024 at 8:00 am

Grade 8 SDS Holland Assessment 

Date: 30 September 2024

This vocational assessment helps student explore their future career pathways and then select their BEST pathway at SWA, informing their subject choices for IGCSE.

Grade 10 MBTI  

Date: 24 October 2024

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator is a powerful personality assessment that helps students further hone in on their future career choices in time for their IBDP Subject Choices.