MS HS NEWS

WELCOME TO INFOBYTE #15!

Written by Mr. Alex Nenes 

Welcome to Infobyte #15 and to the month of march! We are fast approaching the end of Term 3 and soon we will be heading towards the end of one more academic year. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to the grade 10 students of our school for their successful personal project exhibition. This is a great achievement that showcased their hard work, dedication, and creativity. I am proud of the students for their innovative ideas. They have truly demonstrated that they have what it takes to be future leaders and innovators.

In addition, I would like to extend my congratulations to the grade 12 students for successfully completing their mock exams. This marks an important milestone in their academic journey and brings them one step closer to graduation. Their hard work and dedication will undoubtedly pay off in the future, and I wish them all the best as they continue to strive for academic excellence.

On the same note I would like to wish Grade 10 good luck on their mock exams, which are part of their preparation for their IGCSE Exams.

I would also like to acknowledge the success of the recent university fair. With over 50 universities in attendance, it was an amazing opportunity for our students to learn more about higher education options and to explore different career paths. I would like to thank all the organisers, volunteers, and participating universities for making the fair a success.

As we look forward to the upcoming Pi Day on March 15th, I want to wish the maths department good luck in the preparation and execution of this event. Pi Day is an important day in the mathematical calendar, and I have no doubt that the maths department will do an excellent job in organising activities that will help our students appreciate the importance of maths in our daily lives.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all the community members for supporting the recent TEDxYouth@SWA. It was a great success, and I am especially proud of our students for their thoughtful and inspiring talks. I would also like to thank all the faculty, business team, SWA management, volunteers, and participants for their hard work and dedication.

Once again, congratulations to all the students, teachers, and community members on these recent achievements. I look forward to seeing the continued success of SWA in the future.

In addition to congratulating the recent achievements of the SWA community, I would like to emphasise the importance of embracing technology integration in education. With the rapid pace of technological advancements, it is becoming increasingly important for educators to integrate technology into their teaching methods.

Technology can provide students with new and innovative ways of learning, allowing them to engage with subject matter in more interactive and dynamic ways. It also opens up new opportunities for collaboration, communication, and critical thinking, which are essential skills for success in the 21st century.

Therefore, I encourage all educators and students at SWA to embrace technology integration in their learning and teaching processes. By doing so, we can ensure that we are providing our students with the best possible education and preparing them for success in a rapidly changing world.

MYP UPDATE

Written by Mr. Haoken

1. MYP Assessments

It's an exciting time for education with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). We are keeping a close eye on the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT in our course and as IB teachers we want to make sure that our students are using them safely and ethically. The potential benefits of AI in education are enormous, including greater differentiation and personalization of learning. However, we are aware of the potential reliability and validity issues, as well as bias. To overcome these challenges, we want our students to develop critical literacy skills, which are essential for the future. We are also paying close attention to academic integrity concerns and making sure that students are using these tools responsibly. 

MYP assessment aims are designed to align with subject-group objectives and provide a comprehensive understanding of students' knowledge, skills, and understanding. By gathering information from a range of perspectives, MYP assessments use appropriate tasks that reflect the development of students within a subject. In addition, these assessments aim to provide evidence of student understanding through authentic performance, rather than the recall of factual knowledge alone. Our ultimate goal is to create a well-rounded assessment system that helps our students grow and succeed in their academic journey.

2. Personal Project (PP) Moderation

Following the successful Personal Project (PP) Exhibition on 17 February 2023, the Personal Project Moderation process will take place during the first two weeks of March 2023. This process will allow for a thorough evaluation of the student projects, ensuring that they meet the standards of the MYP programme. During this time, a team of experienced moderators will review the projects, providing feedback and suggestions for improvement. This process will help students to further develop their skills and knowledge, and prepare them for the final stages of the PP. The moderation process will also provide students with valuable insights into the next steps in their academic journey, and help them to identify areas for growth and improvement. Overall, the Personal Project Moderation process is an essential part of the MYP program, and will help to ensure that students receive the best possible education and support as they continue to grow and develop as young leaders.

3. Parents Coffee Morning  - MYP Assessment and AI

A coffee morning was held for the leadership team and parents in the ZhengHe building to discuss crucial topics in education on Wednesday, March 1st. The MYP focus was on assessment, the development of ATL (Approaches to Learning) skills, and the impact of AI tools.

In the ZhengHe building, on a Wednesday morn,

We gathered 'round for tea, our spirits reborn.

Teachers and parents, in conversation deep,

Discussing skills and tech, our students to keep.

As we talked of ATL skills, our minds engaged,

The importance of learning, to turn a new page.

To cultivate curiosity, creativity, and more,

And make our students ready for what's in store.

But talk soon turned to AI, and its implications,

The way it's changing our world, with its innovations.

We pondered the ethics, the risks, and rewards,

And how to prepare our kids for these digital boards.

And so we left, with minds renewed,

Our cups filled with tea, and our thoughts imbued.

With new ideas and insights, to take on the day,

Grateful for this time, in every single way.

(by ChatGPT)

4. MYP Service Action (SA) - Thursday, March 9th, 2023

It was wonderful to hear that the Grade 8 students had an opportunity to engage in a Service as Action (SA) activity. This was an important component of the IB MYP, which encouraged students to explore their roles in society and take action to make a positive difference in their communities. The SA activity involved a visit to Sekolah Kami, a school for children of scavengers located in Bekasi. This presented an exciting opportunity for the Grade 8 students to learn about the challenges faced by children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and to explore ways in which they could contribute to improving the lives of these children. The event was organised by the SA/CAS coordinator, Ms. Elma, and supported by teachers Ms. Michelle, Ms. Aleksandra, and Mr. Rajesh (being a professional photographer, he not only guided and mentored the students but also provided them with an opportunity to capture the essence of the Service as Action activity through his lens). The teachers played a crucial role in guiding the students throughout the activity, helping them to reflect on their experiences and identify ways in which they could take action to make a positive impact.

It's important to note that this SA activity was not just an opportunity for the students to give back to their community; it was also an educational and enjoyable experience. By engaging in hands-on service work, the students developed important skills such as empathy, teamwork, and leadership, which will serve them well in all areas of their lives. We looked forward to seeing the impact that the students made through their service work.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Written by Katherine Mitchell

The Peer Reading event, shown below, took place in school for World Book Day and was a wonderful tradition that was revived, which involved Grade 11 students reading to K2, Grade 1 and 2 students. This event was a great opportunity for the older students to share their love of reading with the younger ones, and for the younger students to look up to their older peers as role models. The event helped to foster a sense of community and a love of reading among students of different ages. While the event was not possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has now returned and future students can benefit from this enjoyable experience.

CHINESE DEPARTMENT
Written by Charles Rianto

Over the past few months, we have been learning about the basic strokes and techniques of traditional Chinese calligraphy. We focused on the importance of mindfulness and concentration in calligraphy. We discussed how to quiet the mind and focus on the present moment while writing, which can be a meditative and calming experience. In our most recent class, we have started to develop our own personal styles.

INDONESIAN/KOREAN DEPARTMENT
Written by Ms. Marcel

What we learn with pleasure we never forget. - Alfred Mercier

Learning can be fun if we can learn with pleasure. In the Grade 6 Indonesian Language Acquisition class, we learn vocabularies in a different way. The Indonesian Language is broad and varies in terms of its use and meaning. The students got a list of vocabularies or challenging words from the current theme and needed to find out the meaning in the dictionary. After that they find a sentence in any book they found and create their own sentences. They are learning and exploring the books at the same time. It helps them to gain their literacy awareness.

MUSIC

Written by Mr. Freddy

MYP Music and Timbre students working together to continue the Lunch Acoustic program, every Wednesday, twice a month starting this Term 3. The Lunch Acoustic program was paused during the pandemic and now we can continue the program during lunchtime. This program will help students to express their musical creativity in a casual formation and more relaxed, with more interaction with their friends during lunchtime. It develops their confidence and musical skills with a better performance attitude. When the students get used to performing more often in various settings, it will be easier for them to develop more creativity in bigger performances. At the same time, they also have fun by entertaining their friends and the school community during lunchtime.

VISUAL ARTS

Written by Mr. Alan

DP2 Visual Art Students, Zheng Ban and Keiko Gear Up for IB Submission this term 3.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is known for its rigorous and comprehensive assessment of student's knowledge and skills across a range of subjects. For DP2 Visual Art students Zheng Ban and Keiko, the next few weeks will be crucial as they prepare to submit their Process Portfolio and Comparative Study by March 7, followed by the final Submission to IBIS by March 10, which will be marked and moderated.

The Process Portfolio is a key component of the IB Visual Art course, as it documents students' artistic development and exploration of techniques and media over time. Zheng Ban and Keiko have been working on their portfolios throughout the two-year course, and have amassed an impressive collection of works that showcase their creativity, technical proficiency, and conceptual depth. From sketches and studies to final pieces, the portfolio is a testament to their dedication and passion for art.

The Comparative Study, on the other hand, is a critical analysis of artworks by different artists, chosen by the students based on their interests and research. Zheng Ban and Keiko have chosen to focus on contemporary artists who explore themes such as identity, culture, and memory in their work. By studying and comparing these artists' styles, techniques, and contexts, the students have gained a deeper understanding of the diverse ways in which art can communicate and provoke thought.

As the submission deadline approaches, Zheng Ban and Keiko are putting the finishing touches on their portfolios and studies, making sure that they meet the IB's high standards for quality and originality. They are also reflecting on the journey they have taken in the Visual Art course, and the skills and insights they have gained that will serve them well in their future endeavors.

We wish Zheng Ban and Keiko all the best in their IB submission and look forward to seeing their work continue to inspire and challenge us in the years to come. 

Here are snapshots of their works: