MSHS NEWS

MSHS

Written by Mr. Alex

Welcome to Infobyte #20!

As the school year draws to a close, our Grade 12 students have successfully completed their IB Exams, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey. Graduation rehearsals have begun, and we are eagerly preparing for a beautiful and memorable graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievements. This ceremony will not only honour their hard work and dedication but also mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their lives.

Last week, homeroom classes utilised assembly time to engage in various wellbeing activities, fostering a sense of community and fun among students and staff. One of the highlights was Twins Day, where students and teachers dressed up in matching outfits, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere throughout the school. These activities not only provided a much-needed break from the rigours of academic work but also strengthened the bonds within our school community.

As we look forward to the end of the school year, we also want to wish our Grade 6 to 9 and Grade 11 students the best of luck in their upcoming semester exams. Their hard work and perseverance throughout the year have been commendable, and we are confident they will perform exceptionally well. Remember to stay focused, keep a positive mindset, and give your best effort in these final assessments.

Overall, this has been a year of growth, learning, and community building, and we are incredibly proud of all our students and staff for their resilience and achievements. Let's continue to support each other as we approach the finish line of this school year.

DP UPDATE

Written by Ms. Marta

We are excited to share some important updates as we wrap up the school year.

Firstly, we are pleased to announce that our students have successfully completed the May IB exams. This marks a significant achievement, and we are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication. Now, we eagerly await the results, which will be released in July. Let's all keep our fingers crossed for outstanding outcomes!

In the meantime, we have several key events to look forward to. On 29 May, we will be bidding farewell to our Grade 12 students during a special ceremony. This is a momentous occasion, marking the end of their high school journey and the beginning of new adventures. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

For our Grade 11 students, the final exam period is approaching. These exams will take place from 24 May to 31 May. It is a crucial time for them, and we encourage all students to stay focused, study diligently, and give their best effort. We are confident in their ability to succeed.

Additionally, we have some key events coming up in June. On 6 June, we will be holding the TOK Exhibition, followed by the Group 4 Project, starting on 7 June.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our students and wish everyone the best of luck in their upcoming exams and projects.

English Department

Written by Mr. Alex

This term, the Grade 11 English B class concentrated on enhancing both receptive and productive skills, which are crucial for comprehensive language proficiency skills and include activities involving reading, and writing. The overarching theme for the syllabus was "Human Ingenuity," allowing students to explore various aspects of human creativity and innovation through articles, literature and other media. 

Discussions and assignments revolved around how human ingenuity shapes our world around us and impacts various aspects of life. The syllabus covered several engaging and relevant topics, including the overuse of the internet, the influence of gadgets and social media on attention span, and various scientific breakthroughs.

These topics were explored through a range of texts and media, encouraging students to critically analyse and discuss the implications of technological advancements and scientific discoveries on society. Throughout the term, students exhibited a high level of seriousness and dedication to their studies, which was evident in their participation in class discussions, completion of assignments, and overall engagement with the class activities. They are definitely prepared for their end of year examinations.

Chinese Department

Written by Mr. Charles

G7 CLA phase 1-3 - Empowering each other through the journey of learning Chinese characters

Students engage in a collaborative review of a Chinese reading task centred on the Robot Nurse and the Covid situation within a hospital. Together, they decipher and interpret the text, pooling their insights and knowledge. Subsequently, they transition into preparing for their oral assessment, honing their paraphrasing skills to effectively convey the essence of the text. Through this dynamic process of teamwork and individual refinement, they not only deepen their understanding of the material but also sharpen their linguistic proficiency in both comprehension and expression.

Individuals & Societies Department

Written by Ms. Renu and Mr. Greg

In our Grade 11 Economics class, students are diligently practicing Paper 2 style questions to enhance their analytical and evaluative skills. This practice is crucial for developing their ability to apply economic theories to real-world scenarios and to articulate well-structured arguments.

Paper 2 questions typically involve data response and extended response questions that require students to analyse given information, evaluate economic policies, and provide in-depth explanations. 

Through regular practice, students are learning to interpret data accurately, construct coherent arguments, and critically assess the impacts of various economic issues.

By working on these questions, students gain confidence in their ability to tackle complex problems and improve their exam techniques. This focused preparation is essential for their success in assessments and helps them develop a deeper understanding of economic concepts and their applications.

Grade 9 students have recently completed the first draft of their individual reports, a key component of the Global Perspectives course. The results were surprising as most students were quite passionate about the topics they tackled. They have begun reviewing and cleaning up their in-text citations, a feature which they still need to double check before working on their final drafts.  

They are currently taking a break from the individual reports to complete various mock exams as they prepare for their upcoming semester exams. They will be given various sources to analyse and answer questions. In addition they will need to take a position on a topic and support it with solid reasoning and evidence. Much of what they started this year will continue next academic year until the completion of the course. We wish them luck!

Music

Written by Mr. Freddy

Last Tuesday, 30 April, was a momentous occasion for MYP Music students as they showcased their talents at the SWA MSHS Kartini Day Assembly, collaborated with the Indonesian Department. They performed a poignant musical skit that highlighted the struggles of women before Indonesia's independence. The musical skit served as a tribute to women's empowerment, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in Indonesia's pre-independence era. 

During the assembly, we were also treated to a heartfelt performance by our parent choir of "Melati Suci", a touching Indonesian song composed by Guruh Soekarnoputra. This beautiful piece, inspired by the jasmine flower, holds deep significance in celebrating women's strength and resilience. We were immensely grateful for the dedication shown by the parent choir organised by SWA Parent Association. Their initiative and willingness to practise and perform not only inspired our students but also exemplified the values of perseverance and teamwork and presented professional choir performance.

With the guidance from Ms. Cecilia, one of our parents and a professional chorister, the parent choir delivered an exceptional performance. Ms. Cecilia, together with Mr. Freddy, meticulously arranged the vocal arrangement of "Melati Suci," enriching its musical depth. Mr. Freddy also accompanied the performance on the piano, adding a beautiful musical backdrop to the choir's rendition. Her mentorship helped in developing the parents' vocal skills and fostering a sense of community within the choir.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ms. Cecilia for her guidance and dedication to nurturing the parent choir's vocal talents. We are also deeply grateful to our parent choir members for their extraordinary initiative and teamwork. In addition to their vocal contributions, parents also volunteered as makeup artists, hair stylists, and costume arrangers for the choir. Some even provided snacks for the choir members, demonstrating their unwavering support and dedication.

Lastly, we express our gratitude to the Indonesian Department for providing an opportunity to showcase SWA community’s musical talents. This enriching experience has not only strengthened the bonds among parents and students but has also instilled a sense of camaraderie and mutual support. We look forward to more opportunities that harness the transformative musical experience to unite and inspire our school community.

Visual Arts

Written by Mr. Alan

Grade 7 Students Explore Linoleum Printmaking

In Grade 7, students are trying out linoleum printmaking. They're carving designs into linoleum blocks, applying ink, and printing their creations on paper. It's a hands-on activity where they're learning about art and expressing themselves creatively. Each print they make shows their hard work and imagination. This linoleum printmaking project is an exciting journey for them, encouraging them to discover their artistic talents and tell stories through their artwork. Here are some snapshots taken during the art lesson.

Grade 7 Students Inspired by Peking University Elementary Art Exhibition

Grade 7 students recently visited an art exhibition featuring the work of Peking University Elementary students. They were captivated by the vibrant displays of creativity, sparking insightful discussions and inspiring their own artistic endeavours. The visit not only enriched their understanding of art but also fostered cultural exchange and appreciation. As they returned to their own artwork, they carried with them the inspiration gained from this memorable experience. Here are some snapshots taken during the visit.

UGC

Written by Mr. Stan

Students who applied early to universities have started receiving their acceptance letters. We wish to congratulate all of our students on their acceptances so far and wish them all the best as they continue to apply to other universities throughout the semester. Regular Decision acceptances should be received by April and acceptances to some universities in other countries may be received as late as July. This acceptance list will be updated as they come in.