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MSHS
MYP UPDATE
Written by Mr. Daniele
As we come to the end of a wonderful term, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our entire community for all that has made these past weeks so memorable.
One of the important attributes of the IB Learner Profile is Reflective. As we look back on our accomplishments and adventures, we can see the many achievements celebrated in our classrooms, on the fields, on the stage and throughout our community. Each of these moments gives us an opportunity to pause, appreciate how far we have come and consider what we might do next.
Reflection is not simply about looking back; it helps us prepare to move forward. As we celebrate what we have achieved this term, let us also use these experiences to challenge ourselves, continue growing and strive to reach our full potential.
Thank you for a fantastic term. Have a wonderful break, everyone, and I look forward to seeing you all next term when we shall do it all again, only better!
Project Limitless and Steps for Wheels committees are doing an amazing job once again raising funds and awareness for Jakarta Swift!
Young Chefs showing us what it’s like to create and collaborate in the kitchen!!
The House of Paus takes home the first-ever Literacy Day Championship Trophy!
Inquiring minds want to know!
DP UPDATE
Written by Dr. Haoken
Students Celebrated Peace Through Creativity, Reflection and Action (CAS) – On 15 September 2026, Sinarmas World Academy celebrated International Peace Day under the inspiring theme, “Peaceful Co-existence: Nurturing Nature, Uniting Nations.” Students from Grades 1 to 12 came together to explore what peace meant, how it was practised every day, and how each person could contribute to a more respectful, caring and sustainable community.
Across the school, students transformed ideas into colourful displays, paper creations, artworks and personal reflections. Younger students created collaborative pieces that represented kindness, friendship, nature and unity, while students in the MYP/DP School developed more detailed artistic responses connected to empathy, fairness, respect, safety and environmental responsibility. The celebration held particular significance for students in the IB Diploma Programme, especially Grades 11 and 12. Their involvement extended beyond creating artwork; it connected directly with the central elements of the IB Diploma Programme.
Grade 11 and Grade 12 students considered how different perspectives, cultural experiences and ethical beliefs shaped people’s understanding of peace. They explored questions about whether peace had meant simply the absence of conflict or whether it had also involved justice, inclusion, environmental care and the courage to understand viewpoints different from their own. During the activity, DP students participated in an interactive activity that encouraged them to connect the theme with their own experiences and responsibilities. They reflected on how everyday choices, including the way they communicated, responded to disagreement, included others and cared for the environment, had influenced the culture of their school and wider community.
Their participation also strengthened the IB value of international-mindedness. Students recognised that peaceful coexistence had required more than celebrating differences; it had involved learning from those differences and appreciating the shared responsibilities that connected people across nations and cultures. Special thanks went to our amazing Arts teacher, Ms. Jeanie, whose creativity, dedication and hard work brought the entire celebration together.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Written by Mr. Leo
Finding Their Voice Through Digital Portfolios
This week, our EAL learners took an important step in developing their writing skills by creating personal profiles for their Digital Language Portfolios. They planned, drafted and revised their work, focusing on clear sentence structure, accurate grammar, suitable vocabulary and well-connected ideas. Each learner wrote about their background, interests, strengths, English-learning challenges, goals and future ambitions.
After completing their writing, the students transformed their profiles into creative posters. This allowed them to combine language learning with visual design while presenting their identities with confidence. Their portfolios will continue to collect drafts, feedback and reflections, providing visible evidence of progress. Through this process, students are learning that strong writing develops through planning, practice, feedback and thoughtful revision.
CHINESE DEPARTMENT
Written by Mr. Andy
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, MSHS students in Chinese class have been exploring this traditional Chinese festival through creative activities. Students created Mid-Autumn Festival-themed posters, Chinese calligraphy works, and paper-cutting artworks to demonstrate their understanding of the festival and its cultural traditions.
Through these activities, students had the opportunity to develop their creativity while learning about different aspects of Chinese culture. They also practiced their Chinese language skills and expressed their ideas through art. The students showed great enthusiasm, creativity, and effort throughout the project. This meaningful experience helped them gain a deeper appreciation of the traditions and cultural values of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
INDONESIAN DEPARTMENT
Written by Ms. Stephanie
MYP 2 Indonesian Language Acquisition students explored the world through a meaningful inquiry-based learning experience combining research, writing, creativity, and speaking. Representing countries including China, India, South Korea, Hong Kong, Scotland, Russia, and the USA, students researched their country’s top five popular travel destinations.
They then developed their writing skills by identifying and selecting relevant information for a travel brochure. Guided questions supported students in selecting relevant content and organising their ideas. Students independently designed their brochures from scratch, applying Indonesian vocabulary and language structures in an authentic context.
The project concluded with presentations, where students promoted their selected destinations and encouraged their classmates to visit their countries.
Through this project, students practised Indonesian in an authentic context while developing the ATL skills, cultural awareness, student agency, and confidence in using Indonesian for a real-world purpose.
INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES DEPARTMENT
Written by Mr. Grant
Students in Grade 8, Individuals and Society (I&S), truly enjoyed presenting about a very interesting, and ironically enough, very familiar topic – that of volcanoes.
Students cited the fact that one of the things they enjoyed the most about the class this term, upon their reflection of the class, was presenting, and how presenting improved their confidence immensely.
Here are a select few of the groups who presented about their chosen volcano of interest.
Students in Grade 8 I&S also focused on other natural hazards this term and even linked the response that governments have and the types of government in relationship to particular hazards.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Written by Mr. Freddy
This term, MYP 2 Music students are developing piano skills through a Rock 'n' Roll unit. Building on last year's basics, they're now exploring how rhythm, chords, patterns, and playing techniques shape rock 'n' roll's distinctive sound. Differentiated tasks let students work at their own level — from melodies and blocked chords to more advanced piano parts.
These keyboard skills also lay the groundwork for future work with MIDI keyboards and digital music, helping students turn creative ideas into arrangements. The same skills carry over into ensemble playing: students are now preparing a Halloween ensemble performance, bringing their individual keyboard abilities together to create music as a team.
VISUAL ARTS
Written by Ms. Jeanie
“Peaceful Coexistence" Art Exhibition
Students from Grades 9 through 12 worked inside and outside the classroom to create artworks for the September 15th “Peaceful Coexistence" Art Exhibition, which coincided with International Peace Day. The “Peaceful Coexistence" prompt was intended to help students broaden their themes. Grade 9 students, along with several Grade 10 and 11 students, focused on creating multimedia self-portraits. The portraits were made using an etching process based on photographs. Students practised etching by choosing an artwork for inspiration and recreating parts of it using lines. They then transferred this practice to their own pieces. The backgrounds of the artworks communicated what “peace” means to each student; some featured beaches, while others showed places connected to their curiosity, like the hall of a mediaeval castle. Other students focused on broader concepts of peace. For example, one Grade 10 student focused on how asthma and poor air quality disrupt peace, while another highlighted the lack of peace experienced by animals caused by habitat loss. A Grade 12 student focused on the impulsive purchasing of consumerism by juxtaposing an assemblage of old receipts, shopping bags, and discarded packaging into her multimedia artwork. Consumer waste from fast fashion was the focus of another Grade 10 project, which used fabric as an essential element to represent textile waste. Finally, the display was set up by Grade 12 art students in preparation for their own exhibitions later this year.
🎓 LASALLE College of the Arts Presentation
What: University Programmes & Portfolio Info Session
When: Wednesday, 30 September 2026 @ 11:30 AM (Jakarta Time)
Where: Room DT 306
Who: Open to all Grade 9–12 students.
Note: If you are not currently taking an art class but wish to attend, please contact Ms. Jeanie to reserve your spot.
MSHS International Day of Peace Collaborative Display
Grade 6–12 homeroom classes worked together to create a collaborative display for the International Day of Peace. Guided by the Sustainable Development Goals, the project focused on the theme "Peaceful Co-existence: Nurturing Nature, Uniting Nations". Using a variety of symbols, each grade level wrote responses to a specific prompt:
Grade 6 created origami sea creatures to highlight the loss of ocean habitats due to river plastic pollution.
Grade 7 used ginkgo leaves—symbolising stability and peace—as a starting point to explore how they could support fragile ecosystems.
Grade 8 discussed how to contribute to the well-being of others by creating a sunflower that represents a bright, shared direction.
Grade 9 focused on mindful consumption, creating concentric circles of sea creatures to represent identity and cooperation.
Grade 10 reflected on reducing water pollution by collaboratively showing how different bodies of water, representing separate nations, all merge into a single, shared ocean.
Grades 11 and 12 co-created a "Tree of Life" to represent our planet. Grade 11 students wrote about conserving habitats while building sustainable future cities within the roots, while Grade 12 students added leaves and flowers, detailing how they plan to promote global fairness, human rights, and economic stability in their future careers.
UGC
Written by Ms. Rachel
Last week we were thrilled to welcome to SAW the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) for an information session with G9 in their BEST Pathways lesson. SCAD is famous for its connections to STEM industries, such as NASA, BMW, Google and Deloitte, to name but a few, as creative students are in high demand from these employers. The session allowed the students to understand more about interdisciplinary learning models at specialist colleges such as SCAD, in addition to the importance of industry connections and internships.
The G10-12 students were also treated to a mini US-focused fair, the first of the term. These opportunities allow for 1:1 conversations and encourage students to explore the environment along with the uniqueness of each institution rather than focusing on the name itself. The students impressed the representatives with their thoughtful questions and engagement – well done to all of them for making the reps' visit to SWA memorable! Next week on Thursday, 1 October 2026, we have our largest fairs, with the UK Russell Group visiting from 11.15 to 12.30 and the SWA Global University Fair in the afternoon from 3.00 to 4.00 pm for parents.
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