EYES NEWS

EARLY YEARS

TODDLER - Mathematics

Written by Ms. Jill

Our Toddler class had an exciting week exploring the concept of “big” in Mathematics—and what a big adventure it was! The children were surprised with a giant delivery: a big box filled with big surprises inside. Their eyes lit up when they pulled out a giant teddy bear, which quickly became everyone’s cuddly friend. They also discovered some big insects, and with lots of courage, many of them reached out to touch and explore these giant critters.

The children didn’t just see “big”—they became big! With arms stretched out wide, they proudly showed just how big they could be. Music and movement made the learning even more joyful as they banged on a big drum and danced around a big circle to the lively “Pinocchio Song.” Smiles filled the room as they had a blast jumping in and out of the big circle on the floor. It was wonderful to see the children so engaged, having fun, and learning that “big” can be felt, touched, and experienced in so many ways.

Learning maths has never been this BIG of a fun time!

NURSERY - Music

Written by Ms. Melissa

Exploring Sounds and Body Percussion

This week in Nursery, the children have been busy exploring the world of sounds and music! They discovered that music isn’t only made with instruments—it can also come from their own bodies. Through clapping, stamping, tapping, and clicking, the children experimented with creating different rhythms and patterns. They also listened carefully to sounds around them and learned how to use their voices in playful and musical ways.

These fun activities help the children to:

• Develop their listening and concentration skills

• Build coordination by moving in time to a beat

• Grow in confidence when sharing sounds and rhythms with others

• Spark their creativity by experimenting with new ways to make music

The children truly enjoyed making music together, and we loved seeing their excitement as they discovered that their bodies are instruments too!

PRE-K - Chinese Language

Written by Ms. Bi Qin

🎉 PreK 幼儿中文课堂精彩回顾 🎉

   这个学期，孩子们学习了用中文简单地介绍自己和家庭成员，并认读了基础汉字，如：男孩、女孩、我爱爸爸、我爱妈妈。

   通过唱歌、跳舞、讲故事和玩橡皮泥等有趣的活动，孩子们在轻松愉快的氛围中探索中文，留下了美好的课堂记忆。

   在这样的环境中，他们不仅提升了中文的听、说、读、唱能力，还培养了自我表达和团队合作的意识，并在学习中收获了自信与热情！

This term, Pre-K children practiced introducing themselves and their family members in Chinese, while also recognizing basic characters such as boy, girl, I love Dad, I love Mom.

Through singing, dancing, storytelling, and playdough activities, the children explored Chinese in a fun and engaging way, building both language skills and joyful classroom memories.

In this lively environment, they strengthened their listening, speaking, reading, and singing abilities, developed self-expression and teamwork, and grew in confidence and excitement for learning Chinese!

K1 - Understanding the World

Written by Ms. Czarina

In our Understanding the World lessons, the K1 children had an exciting time learning all about themselves! They explored the different parts of the body and discovered how each one helps us — from using our eyes to see, our ears to hear, to using our hands to touch and play. Through lively songs, fun games, and interactive matching activities, the children eagerly shared what they knew and learned even more about their amazing bodies.

We also had a great time talking about healthy foods like crunchy fruits and colorful vegetables. The children learned how eating these foods helps them grow strong, stay active, and have the energy to play and learn every day. It was such a joyful and meaningful experience that encouraged the children to appreciate their bodies and understand the importance of making healthy choices.

K2 - Indonesian Language

Written by Ms. Yuyun

From Veggies to Fruits: Our “4 Sehat 5 Sempurna” Journey

In K2 class, the children had a wonderful time learning about “4 Sehat 5 Sempurna” (Balanced Nutrition) through fun, hands-on activities. They explored different raw ingredients such as leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, protein, and carbohydrates. The children were excited to see the real shapes of the food, smell their fresh aromas, and even feel their textures up close.

Each child also had the chance to try simple ways of preparing fruits and vegetables, like washing, peeling, or safely cutting with child-friendly tools. This experience not only helped them understand the importance of eating a balanced diet but also gave them the opportunity to practise independence and everyday life skills. Most importantly, the children discovered that healthy food is an important part of growing strong — and they are now even more eager to enjoy fruits and vegetables both at home and at school! 🌱🍎🥕

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Special Assembly with Ayden Haoken

Written by Ms. Kelly

How often do you meet someone who earns the chance to study at Harvard University, one of the world’s top institutions? Admission is not easy, but as we learned, it is also not impossible.

On Tuesday, 19 August 2025, we welcomed back Ayden Victory Haoken, our G12 graduate from AY 24–25, who was accepted into Harvard with a full-ride scholarship. He spoke to our Grade 3–5 students about his journey, struggles, and lessons learned along the way.

Ayden joined SWA in Grade 3, when he was not yet fluent in English. He shared how he often felt behind, but instead of giving up, he sought help, practiced daily, and gradually built confidence. His story showed that perseverance, curiosity, and consistent effort are far more important than instant success.

He also encouraged students to explore academics, arts, and extracurriculars, as these experiences helped him find his passions and strengths. Above all, Ayden reminded them that discipline and consistency—not talent alone—are what truly make the difference.

GRADE 1 - Mathematics

Written by Ms. Lance

100 Reasons to Love Maths!

Grade 1 students discovered 100 reasons to love maths during their special adventure in the Maths Room! With bright smiles and eager hands, they explored numbers in fun, creative ways that made counting all the way to 100 an exciting journey.

Armed with popsicle sticks, they bundled groups of ten, learning how ten ones can be traded for a new ten. With colourful unifix cubes, they stacked and snapped blocks to build numbers and clearly see the difference between tens and ones. On the abacus, sliding beads helped them practise counting by ones, fives, and tens, while at the balance pan, they compared numbers and discovered which side was “heavier” or “lighter.”

Along the way, the children uncovered fascinating number patterns—like how the ones repeat as the tens grow, and how skip counting makes reaching 100 faster. The Maths Room was filled with laughter and clapping, as everyone worked together towards their big goal.

The loudest cheer of all came when the class finally reached the magic number: 100! It wasn’t just about reaching the end, but about everything they discovered along the way—teamwork, problem-solving, and the joy of learning through play.

Our Grade 1 mathematicians truly showed us that there are at least 100 reasons to love maths—and they’ve only just begun their journey! 🎉

GRADE 2 - Chinese

Written by Mr. Andy and Mr.Ian

In the unit “My Clothes Are Too Small,” grade 2 foundation class students learned clothing vocabulary and practiced using it in simple dialogues. With pictures and character cards, they connected words to real life, actively joining Q&A and pair work. The activities built confidence, improved speaking and character recognition, and increased their interest in Chinese.

Time flies—it's already been two weeks since the school year began! Grade 2 HL students have gained so much in just two short weeks!

We have developed good study habits: listening attentively in class, actively participating, completing homework carefully after class, and practicing speaking Chinese more often.

GRADE 3 - Science

Written by Ms. Shirley

In Week 1, Grade 3 students were introduced to science and scientific inquiry. They carried out simple experiments, such as building towers using marshmallows and sticks, to understand the steps of scientific inquiry. Through this task, students asked questions, made predictions, tested their ideas, observed results, and recorded their findings, practicing each step of the process. By observing, measuring, and recording data, they built a strong foundation for hands-on scientific learning. The photos above show how each group responded to the challenge, demonstrating their understanding of the scientific inquiry steps.

In Week 2, students explored various science tools, learning their names, uses, and how to handle them correctly. They practiced using the tools in simple activities, gaining confidence in applying them to observe, measure, and record data accurately.

In Week 3, students explored the skeleton and muscles. They began by learning about exoskeletons and endoskeletons, then went out to the garden to find examples of exoskeletons in nature. Afterward, they created their own skeleton models, identifying each part and learning how the bones connect. To see their muscles in action, students joined in exercises and playground activities, noticing how muscles work in pairs to help them move.

GRADE 4 - Music

Written by Mr. Freddy

Music education is a lifelong journey that nurtures the holistic growth of every child—shaping intellect, creativity, and emotional depth. At the elementary level, music extends beyond singing and playing; it cultivates discipline, motor coordination, self-expression, and empathy. It also instills confidence, helping students find their voice and identity. At SWA, music is a collaborative experience where children learn not only technique but also the balance of listening, responding, and growing together as an ensemble.

This year, Grade 4 students are focusing on two instruments: the pianica and the hulusi. The pianica strengthens understanding of the keyboard, harmony, and scales, laying a foundation for future exploration of more advanced instruments. The hulusi challenges students to refine breath control, finger coordination, and attentive listening, sharpening both technical and expressive skills. Together, these instruments connect mind, body, and sound, while encouraging discipline, patience, and mutual respect.

Guided by the unit A World Filled with Love, students explore how tempo, dynamics, and phrasing shape emotion in music. Their preparation for the Mid-Autumn Festival, performing 玉盘-问月 (Yu Pan Wen Yue) with song, ensemble, and choreography, transforms music into a living expression of rhythm, teamwork, and heartfelt love for their families.

GRADE 5 - Arts

Written by Ms. Nora

In Art class, our Grade 5 students have been busy creating their very own Initials Art. Each student started by drawing the first letter of their name in the center of the page, then filled the surrounding space with creative patterns made from lines and basic shapes.

A big focus of this project has been on design choices. Some students experimented with color schemes, carefully selecting colors that complement one another to make their patterns pop. Others explored the beauty of black-and-white designs, discovering how contrast and balance can be just as striking as color.

Through this activity, students are strengthening important artistic skills such as attention to detail, patience, creative decision-making, and confidence in expressing their own ideas. It has been wonderful to see how each student approaches the task in their own unique way.