MSHS NEWS

MSHS

Written by Mr. Alex

Welcome to Infobyte #06, your trusted source of information and updates from our school community. 

First and foremost, I’d like to extend the best wishes to all the students and teachers joining the 2023 WWW (Week Without Walls) trips. These journeys offer unique opportunities for personal growth, cultural exploration, and learning beyond the classroom. May your experiences be enriching, and may you return with a wealth of memories and knowledge. 

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a significant cultural event celebrated by many around the world. I’d like to extend my congratulations to the Chinese Department for organising a memorable Mid-Autumn Celebration Assembly. Your efforts in sharing these cultural traditions are truly commendable.

Our school spirit shines brightly in the achievements of our students. I am proud to acknowledge and congratulate those who participated in the soccer tournament on 30 September. SWA was represented by 2 teams: U16 and U14. Your dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship exemplify the values we hold dear. Keep striving for excellence, and remember that every effort counts!

We have our Parent-Teacher Conferences scheduled for 6 October. These conferences are an invaluable opportunity for you to engage with your child's teachers, gain insights into their academic progress, and address any questions or concerns you may have. You can make your appointments in Fiori, our user-friendly online booking platform. Your active involvement is crucial in fostering a collaborative and supportive learning environment for your child, and we are looking forward to constructive discussions. 

As we approach the term break, I hope that each of you takes some well-deserved time to relax, rejuvenate, and spend quality moments with loved ones. Whether you have exciting plans or simply intend to unwind, make the most of this break

Infobyte #06 presents you with several examples of achievements and unity of our school community. I look forward to sharing more stories and updates in the future. Stay tuned, stay inspired, and always remember that your dedication and passion make our school shine.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable term break!

MSHS STUCO Elections

Written by Mr. Alex

We are thrilled to announce the results of the SWA MSHS Student Council elections for the upcoming academic year 2023-2024. After a spirited campaign and enthusiastic participation from our student body, the votes have been tallied, and we are excited to introduce the newly elected Student Council Executive Team:

Advisors: Ms. Lindi and Mr. Alex

We extend our congratulations to these talented and dedicated students who have been chosen to lead our student council and we have every confidence that they will do an outstanding job in representing the interests and aspirations of our student body.

We also want to extend our appreciation to all the candidates who participated in this election. Your willingness to step up and take an active role in our school community is commendable. Each one of you contributed to the vibrant and democratic process that makes our school great.

As we move forward into the academic year 2023-2024, we call upon the entire student body and the wider school community to fully support our Student Council Executive Team. Together, we can achieve remarkable things and make our school an even better place for everyone.

Let's rally behind our elected leaders and work collaboratively to ensure a successful and memorable academic year ahead. Your involvement and enthusiasm will be crucial in shaping the future of SWA MSHS.

Once again, congratulations to our newly elected Student Council members, and thank you to all candidates for your passion and dedication to our school community.

Here's to a fantastic year ahead!

MYP Update
Written by Mr. Haoken

1. Term 1 Parent-Teacher Conferences 

Term 1 Reports was collected at SWA on 5 October 2023 via a drive-thru method. The subsequent Parent-Teacher Conference on 6 October 2023 is of paramount importance. Engaging in one-on-one sessions with subject teachers provides a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into your child's progress and areas of improvement. These individualised discussions foster a collaborative approach to enhancing your child's educational journey. Bookings for these invaluable sessions can be made through the SAP Fiori account, with both online and offline options available. To ensure comprehensive discussions, each session will be kept to a maximum of 15 minutes. As you attend the Parent-Teacher Conference, we encourage you to delve into the four key MYP assessment criteria and explore how you can bolster support from home. Here's a breakdown to guide your discussions:

Regularly check ManageBac for upcoming Summative Assessments. Engaging with your child about summative assessments weekly and discussing the results after they're published fosters a sense of responsibility and helps track academic progress. By familiarising yourself with these objectives, you can provide more targeted support and enrich your child's learning journey.

2.  WWW Trip and Non-WWW Trip Activities

These trips, while being an adventure, were closely aligned with the IB's Service as Action, allowing students to contribute meaningfully to the communities. Furthermore, each journey was an exercise in international-mindedness, helping students appreciate diverse cultures while recognizing the interconnectedness of our global community. 

For the non-WWW Trip: Our MYP students embarked on a week full of enriching activities, starting with exciting board games that set the tone. Deep research sessions brought them closer to understanding International-Mindedness. Their Pyjama Picnic was a delightful break, and the logic puzzles ensured their minds stayed sharp. Collaborative discussions enriched their perspectives on global citizenship. The emotional journey of "The Pursuit of Happiness" proved to be the perfect ending, leaving them both moved and inspired

3.  Grade 10's Personal Project (PP) Progress

The PP is a unique opportunity for students to drive their own learning. Students select a topic or a subject they are passionate about, set clear objectives, and create a product or outcome. Our Grade 10 students successfully submitted their Personal Project Objective A Planning on 29 August 2023. They're now fully immersed in the next stage: PP Objective B Applying Skills. We're excited to see their projects come to fruition.

4.  Term 1 Break

Term 1 Vacation is scheduled from 9 - 15 October 2023, and Term 2 will commence on Monday, 16 October 2023.

Thank you for your active involvement throughout Term 1, particularly in grade-level discussions, transition meetings, and the ManageBac workshop. Your engagement greatly contributes to our collaborative educational journey. If you have any further questions or require clarification on any topic, please feel free to arrange a meeting with me: haoken_huoermaiti@swa-jkt.com

DP Update

Written by Ms. Marta

As we have approached the end of another enriching term at SWA, I would like to share some crucial updates and opportunities tailored specifically for our Grade 11 and Grade 12 students.

1. End of Term Summaries
   After this term, teachers will provide comprehensive end-of-term summaries during meetings with parents. These summaries offer valuable insights into your child's academic progress, strengths, and areas for potential improvement. We encourage you to review these summaries together with your child to set educational goals for the upcoming term.

2. Early University Applications
   For our Grade 12 students, the university application season is rapidly approaching. It is of utmost importance that you engage in open and productive discussions with your child about their university choices and assist them in preparing the necessary documents and applications. Our dedicated school counsellors are available to provide personalized guidance and support during this pivotal time.

3. School Trip to Lombok for Grade 11
   This week our Grade 11 students participate in a WWW trip to Lombok. This adventure promises cultural enrichment and personal growth, coupled with an extraordinary service opportunity. Embedded within this Lombok expedition is an incredible service opportunity. Our students will actively participate in community service initiatives that promise to leave a lasting, positive impact on the local community. These initiatives encompass sustainability projects, educational outreach, and community development, fostering empathy, leadership, and global citizenship among our students.

4. Dedicated Teachers with recent TOK workshop.
   Our dedicated team of teachers is committed to providing a world-class education to your children. We are proud to announce that our teachers have recently participated in comprehensive training in the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), an essential component of the IBDP curriculum. This training equipped them with the latest knowledge and methodologies to help your child excel in this critical subject.

5.  Continued Support from Parents

We value the strong partnership between parents and our school community. As we embark on this journey with your child, we seek your continued support and involvement. Your guidance and encouragement play a pivotal role in helping your child thrive academically and personally. Together, we can nurture well-rounded, globally aware young adults who are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future. 

English Department

Written by Mr. Gregory

As the students wrapped up their last assessments of the term, Grade 6 ELA students created and performed skits reflecting and recounting their experiences of doing speaking presentations in front of the class. Once again they had to flex their speaking muscles and seemed to embrace the challenge with gusto as they shared their strengths and weaknesses of the term through these self-deprecating performances. 

Grade 9 ELA also found some time to create and conduct their own surveys with regard to how much of their lives are preoccupied with electronic devices and/or social media. Their findings were refreshing as it appears that they all prioritise their real-life activities and friends over their online activities. 

Science And Design Department

Written by Mr. Aldrin

In today's tech-savvy world, learning to code is becoming increasingly important for young minds. Grade 6 students often begin their journey into the world of programming with basic concepts and languages. Recently, a group of Grade 6 students embarked on a delicious coding adventure by creating an order-taking Python program that allowed clients to place orders for items like cheeseburgers, hamburgers, and sodas. This project not only taught them about the fundamentals of programming but also helped them develop essential problem-solving skills.

The Grade 6 students' order-taking Python program was not just a coding exercise; it was a valuable learning experience that combined programming concepts with real-world scenarios. By using input, variables, and print statements, they created an interactive program that allowed clients to place orders for their favourite fast food items. Furthermore, the incorporation of mathematical computation reinforced the importance of math in programming. This project not only taught the students essential programming skills but also encouraged them to think critically and develop problem-solving abilities that will serve them well in the future. As they continue their programming journey, these young coders are well on their way to becoming skilled programmers and problem solvers.

Mathematics Department
Written by Mr. Emerson

Chinese Department
Written by Ms. Yuan

In the Term 1 summative assessment, G6-8 LA students completed their Art and Chinese assignments by creating Mid-Autumn Mooncake models and participating in a Chinese oral examination. In their Chinese assignment, students were required to introduce the Mid-Autumn Mooncake models they had created and answer questions related to the Mid-Autumn Festival. Students expressed themselves loudly, clearly, and fluently, presenting the story of the Mid-Autumn Festival, its traditional customs, and reflecting on their achievements and areas for improvement in making the Mid-Autumn Mooncake models.

Students also performed various programs at the Mid-Autumn Festival assembly, including choir performances, musical instrument recitals, dances, and calligraphy. These performances not only allowed students to gain an understanding of the Mid-Autumn culture but also improved their performance skills. It was a great demonstration of interdisciplinary learning between music and Chinese.

Indonesian/ Korean Department
Written by Ms. Yulia

In the 7th grade Indonesian Language and Literature class this term, the focus is on learning about the types of descriptive and narrative texts. Students learn that these two types of texts are closely related. Students learn how to describe something well and in detail, as well as how to describe characters and settings within a narrative text. They also study the elements of a narrative text further and learn to analyse them, in accordance with the context of this unit lesson, which is 'Orientation in Space and Time'. Students engage in learning activities both individually and in groups. In this unit, students learn to enhance their reading, responding, and communication skills, both orally and in writing. Students have already shown good engagement and effort in achieving the learning outcomes.

Individual & Society Department
Written by Ms. Aleksandra

Grade 9 - Thinking Skills 

In order to show the great importance of applying critical and creative thinking in learning processes for the purpose of achieving academic results, G9 students made inspirational videos to advise other students on how to choose a method of critical thinking to enhance their grades and make use of better thinking practices to proactively strengthen their performance at school - ''when studying, actively engage with the material, take notes, ask questions, and make connections between concepts, challenge the information you encounter and consider alternative perspectives''.

In our classes we talked about induction, deduction, premises, arguments, perception, criticism, perspective, analysis, evaluation, interpretation, problem solving, a ladder of inferences; we applied higher-order thinking in case studies, etc. 

Music
Written by Mr. Freddy

One of the term 1 MYP Music class projects is the Mid-Autumn performance as a collaborative project between Music and Chinese subjects. The goal of this project is to demonstrate the application of musical knowledge and skills through oriental music in various techniques and settings to promote and celebrate the happy Mid-Autumn Festival as one of the most famous cultural festivals in Asia. 

The Grade 6 students collaborate with 1Take Dance Club to play hulusi with digital music background as the accompaniment for 1Take dance choreography. The Grade 7 students worked together in a more complex ensemble that consisted of 2 parts kulintang, xylophone, hulusi and solo clarinet, accompanied by piano, drum, and electric bass to perform a new Mid Autumn Festival song. The Grade 8 students performed a choir and body percussion with specific arrangements in harmony. The Strings Club performed 2 Chinese songs featuring Grade 5 and Lynette with her artistic calligraphy demonstration. 

This project helps all the MYP students to develop their collaborative skills, communication in teams with better affective skills, artistic communication through musical language, time management in rehearsal strategy, and stronger musicianship. Below are some photos and videos during their preparation and rehearsals for the Mid-Autumn performance: 

All the Grade 8 students were exploring about percussions during Term 1 and they applied it through body percussion in their choir performance and they also created djembe cover in groups settings during Music class. Below is the video during their djembe practice session: 

Visual Arts

Written by Mr. Alan

In a few more days, we are going to close term one and move to term two. Here are visual art students who did their term one summative projects, Grade 8 making their native culture masks and Grade 9 making their mythology creature sculpture. Here are some snapshots:

Grade 8 - My Native Culture Mask

Grade 9 - My Mythology Creature Sculpture