WHOLE SCHOOL NEWS

Congratulations!

Penabur International Choir Festival 2024

From 9-14 September 2024, our Elementary School (ES) and Middle/Secondary School (MSHS) choirs participated in the Penabur International Choir Festival 2024, alongside over 100 choirs from around the world. The ES choir performed two moving pieces, "Whisper" and "Always Sing Your Song," while the MSHS choir delivered powerful renditions of "The Greatest Showman" and "Thankful." Despite being newly formed and consisting of many beginner singers, both choirs earned silver medals—a remarkable achievement that reflects their dedication, effort, and passion.

Rehearsing for a choir involves much more than simply learning the notes. Choir members must undergo a detailed process that includes warm-ups, vocal exercises, breathing techniques, and learning technical skills like proper mouth positioning to ensure the best sound. Even simple actions, such as how they breathe or position their mouths, play a critical role in producing a unified and beautiful choral sound. Developing these skills takes time, discipline, and attention to detail, which is why choir practice requires such lengthy and consistent rehearsal time. Creating a harmonious sound and building each member's musicality is a gradual process that demands patience and commitment.

Additionally, choir teaches essential communication skills, particularly the art of listening. In a choir, students don’t just focus on singing their own parts; they must also listen attentively to those around them. This helps them balance their voices with others, blend harmoniously, and ensure that the group performs as one. It fosters empathy and humility, as each singer learns that while their role is important, it must always complement the larger ensemble. This focus on active listening and teamwork helps build not only musical skills but also vital life skills.

Choral singing also requires discipline, which builds character. Every choir member must learn to focus for extended periods, control their emotions, and maintain consistency. These qualities are critical in rehearsals, where precision and attention are required to master difficult arrangements. Learning to be disciplined, organised, and committed to the group effort is a powerful character-building experience for young singers. Despite many choir members being beginners, they demonstrated tremendous growth through their perseverance and hard work.

The silver medals awarded to both choirs are a proud achievement, especially given the rigorous competition judged by experts from various countries. However, the true success lies in the process—the journey of developing musicality, communication, and discipline. Congratulations to the ES and MSHS choirs for their outstanding performances and for embodying perseverance, teamwork, and dedication!

Indonesia Open National Figure Skating Championship 2024

Congratulations, Jillian! We are thrilled to celebrate your incredible achievement at the Federasi Ice Skating Indonesia Championship held on 18-19 September 2024. Winning the Bronze Medal in the Advanced Novice category is a testament to your hard work, skill, and passion for the sport. Your dedication has truly shone through, and we couldn't be prouder of you!

Note: families with students in EYES and MSHS can come at either time. Please send an email to eyes_admin@swa-jkt.com or mshs_admin@swa-jkt.com for another appointment if you will not be able to pick up the report on the designated schedule.

Additionally, the Term 1 Parent-Teacher Conference is scheduled for Friday, 4 October 2024 in face-to-face format only. Parents can now book their PTC appointments through the SAP Fiori account. Please refer to the tutorials (information sheet and video) for guidance on the booking process and ensure your booking is made before Thursday, 3 October 2024 at 12:00 PM.

To accommodate more parents and ensure an effective day, teachers will meet with parents face-to-face based on the appointment scheduled in the SAP. Each meeting will be kept to a maximum of 15 minutes to ensure all parents are accommodated. Your punctuality is appreciated.