MSHS NEWS

MSHS

STUCO

Written by Ms. Lindi

On 4 September 2025, Student Council (STUCO) Executive 2025-2026 was officially formed. We are proud to introduce our new leaders:

President       : Moreno Cruz Kasman G11

Vice President : Kimberlee Lynette Suryadinata G11

Secretary : Mutiara Sami Baecklandt G11

Treasurer : Julia Dirga G10

Congratulations to the STUCO Executive 2025-2026! The MSHS student body has placed its trust in you to represent, inspire and lead our community. We would also like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the STUCO Executive 2024-2025 for their hard work, dedication, and contributions throughout the year. 

Becoming part of STUCO is more than just the title. It is an opportunity to develop essential leadership skills such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving and decision-making. Through your role, you will learn to balance responsibility with empathy, listen to diverse voices, and work towards making a positive impact on the school community. We are all excited to see what you will achieve. Remember to lead with kindness, listen with an open mind, and always put the interests of your fellow students first.

MYP UPDATE

Written by Mr. Daniele 

This week we celebrated Literacy Day as our library came alive with students exploring books of personal interest and reading for enjoyment. In the IB Middle Years Programme, literacy is not confined to the classroom; it is cultivated as a habit of mind that empowers students to inquire, reflect, and connect with the world. The simple act of reading for pleasure nurtures curiosity, enriches our lexicons, and broadens intercultural understanding—key aims of the MYP. By fostering a love of reading, we prepare students to become knowledgeable, open-minded, and caring learners. Let us all take a moment this week, find a quiet place, and read…for enjoyment!

IBDP UPDATE

Written by Dr. Haoken

Dear Grade 12 Parents and Guardians,

Our seniors reached a key milestone with the first Extended Essay drafts submitted on 26 August. Through September they are refining arguments with supervisor feedback and preparing for the October final upload. 

Now, TOK, Theory of Knowledge, the course that makes teenagers question everything (nicely). Think of TOK as “How do we know what we think we know?” It’s not more facts; it’s about testing the quality of facts, methods, and judgments across different areas (science, history, arts, math, etc.). TOK, a.k.a. “Theory of Nope, That’s Not Evidence,” is the class that turns your teen into a friendly logic gremlin: you say, “Chocolate improves grades,” and they fire back, “Source? Sample size? Confounders? Replication?” In one minute they’ll cross-examine the method (“Was this a double-blind study or your cousin’s WhatsApp?”), flip perspectives (“A scientist wants data; a historian wants context; an artist wants meaning; a mathematician wants a proof”), and then politely declare, “We don’t know enough - yet.” It’s part detective show, part science lab, part debate club, and it ends with the world’s most responsible mic drop: “What would change my mind?”

The college application window opens in October/November, and this month is about steady progress and calm support at home. Please encourage your child to finalize their college list and check each university’s requirements and deadlines, draft and revise personal statements and supplemental essays. The most helpful home support is practical and light-touch: a quiet workspace, a weekly 30-minute planning check, and a reminder to balance applications with IB coursework, sleep, and well-being. 

Dear Grade 11 Parents and Guardians,

Our Grade 11 cohort has made a purposeful start to Term 1 and the excitement around new DP courses is palpable. Students have now chosen their Extended Essay subjects and supervisors, and in the coming weeks they will present their EE proposals to a panel of teachers for feedback and approval - a key step that turns interest into a focused research question and plan.

This is an excellent moment for students to explore their interests and commit to a passion project - whether in STEM, the arts, or sport - that can grow alongside the EE and CAS. For example, a student interested in STEM might run a “smart campus” energy mini-audit by placing simple plug-in meters at school/home, analysing the data in a basic spreadsheet or Python notebook, and drafting a one-page solar or conservation proposal. A student passionate about the arts could curate a small community exhibition - pairing original photographs or illustrations with short recorded interviews - to explore how visual storytelling shapes empathy, then reflect on the curation process. A sport-focused student might film training sessions on a phone, use free motion-analysis apps to study technique changes over four weeks, and write a brief report linking data to improved performance and injury prevention. 

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Written by Ms. Fiona

It was great to see how well students adapted to working online and to continue to work at such a high standard despite the challenges. 

Year 6 continued their studies of Neil Gaiman’s gothic novel ‘Coraline’ and began working on their summative task, which is an annotated book cover. This task incorporates the key aspects of the novel, whilst bringing in the studies that they have done this year into the media and its portrayal and marketing to children. 

Year 10 have been really enjoying their study of John Green’s novel ‘The Fault in our Stars’, which explores two star-crossed lovers, Hazel and Augustus, as they navigate cancer and confront issues of mortality. Whilst studying the novel, students have been developing their analytical writing skills and exploring new ways to construct logical arguments in formal writing. 

Meanwhile, Year 9 joined many thousands of previous readers in confirming that ‘Animal Farm’ is an unexpectedly and riveting must read for anyone interested in understanding the processes that underlie the establishment of an elitist, autocratic system of government. Orwell’s novella is an exploration of the Cold War realities of post World War II and students enjoyed researching the contextual information that supports a better understanding of the story. 

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Written by Ms. Aisha

In Computer Science class, 9th grade students studied the topic of number systems with interest. To make the process fun and understandable, they worked in groups to create poster guides dedicated to decimal, binary and hexadecimal systems.

Each team had to present the material in an accessible way for beginners: explain which numbers are included in the system and what is its basis. In addition, the guys included fun facts and examples of numbers, showing how the same value can be written in different ways.

The final part of the work was the presentation of their creative poster guides in front of classmates. The students both demonstrated their knowledge and practised collaborating. The students' work turned challenging topics into memorable posters, and the atmosphere of collaboration in the classroom made the learning process inspiring.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Emerson

Mathematics in Action

Some International Mathematics classes have been actively engaged in projects and investigations this term. These tasks are designed to be meaningful, connecting mathematics to real-life situations or exploring unfamiliar mathematical ideas with the aid of the graphic display calculator (GDC). Through these experiences, students not only applied their mathematical knowledge but also developed problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Below are some of the projects and investigations they worked on:

The Art of Data Representation: Grade 7 International Mathematics

Students explored various aspects of data presentation. They were tasked with presenting data that highlighted specific details, designing diagrams that would effectively appeal to particular audiences. In the process, they analysed different methods of displaying data, considered the ethical implications of representation, and developed a critical understanding of how to interpret graphs and diagrams. Some screenshots of their work are shown below, accompanied by explanations of their intended impact on the target audience.

Estimating the Height of the DT Building: Grade 8 International Mathematics

Another project students worked on was estimating the height of the DT Building using only a clinometer, metre stick, measuring tape, and a calculator, applying the mathematics of trigonometry. They planned the process themselves and developed suitable methods to determine the building’s height.

GDC and Paper 6 Investigation: Grade 9 International Mathematics

In this task, students were assigned to investigate the different types of mathematics that could be applied to solve the IGCSE International Mathematics Paper 6 Investigation. They also explored how the GDC can be effectively used as a tool to support their problem-solving process. The aim was for students not only to apply mathematical concepts but also to reflect on the efficiency and accuracy of using technology in tackling complex questions. Beside is a sample showing how the GDC can be used to determine the nth term of a quadratic sequence.

CHINESE DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Xia

Exploring Lu Xun: A Student Oral Presentation Embodying the Spirit of the IBDP

As a key component of the IBDP Language and Literature curriculum, students conducted oral presentations and literary research on Lu Xun, a pioneer of modern Chinese literature. This activity deeply embodied the core principles of the IBDP by connecting Lu Xun's works to global issues such as social justice, human rights, and cultural identity. Through critical analysis, students explored how Lu Xun's literature transcends time and geography to reveal themes such as class oppression, social exploitation, and the struggles of ordinary people.

In addition to in-depth analysis of Lu Xun's major works, focusing on literary techniques such as irony, symbolism, and stream of consciousness, students explored their relevance to contemporary social issues. Furthermore, the presentations explored Lu Xun's role as a cultural critic and his influence on global literary movements.

INDONESIAN DEPARTMENT

Written by. Ahmad

Celebrating Indonesia’s Independence Day with Traditional Games at SWA

On 23 August 2025, Sinarmas World Academy joyfully celebrated Indonesia’s Independence Day with a series of fun-filled traditional games organised by the Indonesian Department. The event brought together students, parents, and staff, creating a warm and energetic community spirit.

Excitement filled the air as students competed in classic Indonesian games such as tarik tambang (tug of war), enggrang segitiga (triangle stilts), bakiak (wooden clogs), sepak bola sarung (sarong soccer), makan kerupuk (cracker-eating contest), and lompat karung (sack race). Each game was not only entertaining but also a way to appreciate Indonesia’s cultural heritage while fostering teamwork and collaboration.

Adding to the joy, parents joined in the fun, enthusiastically taking part in the makan kerupuk and tug of war competitions. Laughter, cheers, and team spirit filled every corner of the campus, making it a memorable day for the entire SWA community.

This celebration was a true reminder of how tradition, togetherness, and school spirit can come together to create lasting memories — a wonderful way to honour Indonesia’s Independence Day.

INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES DEPARTMENT

Written by  Mr. Marchev

Over the past few weeks, the Individuals and Societies Department facilitated a project for Grade 9 Thinking Skills students, combining online and offline learning. This inquiry-based unit aimed to deepen their understanding of how cognitive biases—such as confirmation bias, anchoring bias, and availability heuristic—affect judgment and decision-making, fostering critical thinking and intercultural awareness.

Students engaged in collaborative activities and self-reflection, analysing real-world examples and conducting investigations using IB MYP vocabulary, including perspective, intercultural understanding, and ethical reasoning. They are to present their findings through videos or podcasts, demonstrating their ability to evaluate the impact of biases on societal issues through presentations, debates, and reflection journals.

This approach supported diverse learning styles and promoted active inquiry, aligning with IB MYP principles of interdisciplinary and student-centred learning. The project enriched students’ conceptual understanding, encouraging more discerning and empathetic analyses—key aspects of the IB Learner Profile. The pictures below highlight the enthusiasm and engagement demonstrated during this meaningful activity.

MUSIC

Written by Mr. Freddy

This term, Grade 6 students have been focusing on the foundations of music in the Unit Orchestra and Music Theory Foundation. They are learning to read notation on both treble and bass staves, understand accidentals, note values, rests, and major scales, as well as review instrument classification, musical forms, and textures. These skills are essential for understanding orchestral music and the language of music itself.

In the piano lab, students are applying this knowledge by practicing Lavender’s Blue. The keyboard provides a unique learning advantage, as it helps them see and hear both melody and accompaniment (chords and bass) at the same time—skills that will be vital for future composition, arranging, and MIDI music technology work. Students are also preparing for their individual piano test this term.

Beyond the keyboard, they are exploring ensemble work through wind and vocal unison. Their class project includes performing two Chinese songs, Kungfu Master and On the Moon Above, in both Chinese and English for the Mid-Autumn Festival on 2 October, connecting to the IB’s spirit of international mindedness and cultural appreciation.

UGC

PSAT:

Preliminary SAT test will be conducted on Monday, 20 October 2025. Students are encouraged to take the test for these benefits:

• Practise for the SAT: students will get to practise and be familiar with the SAT test format without the pressure of the SAT test.

• Benchmark for College Readiness: students will have the opportunity to improve any academic areas that needed improvement.

• Guidance for future planning: with the PSAT scores ready for students, school counselors can help guide students’ academic paths.

Deadline for registration: Monday, 15 September 2025

Date of test: Monday, 20 October 2025

Upcoming University Visit:

UnivAssist with their team of 8 US universities will pay a visit to Sinarmas World Academy. Details of the event is as follows:

Universities that will attend the event:

1. Lee University • U.S. 

2. Milwaukee School of Engineering • U.S. 

3. Pace University • U.S. 

4. St. John’s University • U.S. 

5. Stony Brook University • U.S. 

6. University of Connecticut • U.S. 

7. University of Houston–Clear Lake • U.S.

8. William Paterson University • U.S

Mindfulness

For the past two weeks, UGC in G9 and G10 has included mindfulness sessions. These sessions aim to help students detach from gadgets and develop a greater sense of awareness of their body and mind. This initiative is designed to promote mental well-being and encourage students to find balance amidst their busy routines.