MSHS NEWS

MSHS

MYP UPDATE

Written by Mr. Daniele

This week’s Peace Day celebrations served as an inspiring reminder of the global citizens we strive to be. Our students came together with creativity and collaboration to share messages of peace—demonstrating that small acts can ripple into meaningful change. As we reflect on this event, we should take a moment to remember the IB Learner Profile, which guides us in becoming caring, open-minded, and principled individuals. These attributes were not only present but celebrated throughout the day. May the spirit of Peace Day continue to shape our actions, strengthening our community’s commitment to international mindedness and a peaceful planet.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Greg

Grades 7–10 have been quite busy over the past few weeks, completing the Reading and Writing criteria of their assessments. 

During the same week, they also celebrated Literacy Day, which featured a poetry recital skit organized by Timbre. The performance included three of our Grade 8 ELA students—Jordan, Taeseong, and MJ—as well as three of our Grade 7 ELA students—Bella, Angel, and Daphne—who are all new to performing but brought great enthusiasm to the stage. They were also joined by the rest of the students of TIMBRE for a musical number.

Literacy Day also featured a Spelling Bee for Grades 6–8, which proved more demanding than most spelling competitions. The contest reached its climax with two of our younger students, Vincent (Grade 8) and Keenand (Grade 7), battling for the title. In the end, Keenand emerged as the winner, showing that younger students can be just as formidable as their upperclassmen. 

Soon, they will depart for their WWW trips and will hopefully be inspired to write about something based on those experiences.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Written by Ms. Dana

Discovering Iron Content in supplements through Redox Titration

Our Grade 12 Chemistry students recently carried out a core practical experiment to measure the amount of iron in iron tablets using redox titration. This hands-on activity gave students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge while practicing the accuracy and patience needed in real laboratory work.

The experiment showed students how chemistry connects directly to daily life. Iron tablets are often taken to prevent anemia, especially by teenagers, women, and athletes. By calculating the actual iron content of the tablets, students saw how chemistry ensures that the supplements people buy are both effective and safe. The practical reinforced chemistry’s real-world relevance: iron deficiency remains a global health concern, and ensuring supplements contain the correct dosage is essential for wellbeing.

Beyond science, this activity helped students strengthen teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills. This experience not only deepened scientific understanding but also nurtured well-rounded learners prepared to connect their studies to everyday life.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Written by Ms. Elma

Grade 8 Additional Maths Link Patterns, Meaning, and the Real World

In Term 1, the Grade 8 Additional Maths class explores core ideas that prepare them for advanced mathematics. Their work with curves begins with an investigation of quadratics as perfect squares and learning what ‘completing’ them means. Students discover that a single concept can be expressed algebraically, graphically, and in words.

They also learn the significance of inequalities (limits, thresholds, and comparisons) that appear throughout their daily life: in time, money, health, and even life lessons such as “Happiness is greater when gratitude exceeds expectations.”

The study of powers extends to fractional exponents, revealing their deep connection to roots. A root may be seen as the foundation of a number, while an exponent represents its ascent, showing that to ‘raise to a power’ and to ‘extract a root’ are two harmonised actions. 

G8 Mathematics emerges as both practical and philosophical, inviting us to recognise patterns and meaning in the world around us.

CHINESE DEPARTMENT

Written by Ms. Wang

Mid-Autumn Festival Activities in MSHS Chinese Classes

The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals in Chinese culture. To help our students learn more about this celebration and to experience it in meaningful ways, the MSHS Chinese Department has prepared a series of hands-on classroom activities across grade levels.

Activity Highlights by Grade:

• Grade 6 – Designing Mid-Autumn Festival Posters

• Grade 7 – Designing Mid-Autumn Festival Posters

• Grade 8 –Origami

• Grade 9 – Chinese Calligraphy

• Grade 10 – Chinese Calligraphy

Through these activities, students will express their creativity while also deepening their understanding of Chinese traditions. From colourful posters and festive origami to elegant calligraphy, each grade will engage with the Mid-Autumn Festival in unique and enriching ways.

We look forward to celebrating together and sharing the joy of this festival with our school community.

KOREAN DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Lee 

Our Grade 8 Korean class, with just three students, recently held a presentation session that highlighted both language learning and communication skills. Each student prepared a topic in Korean—ranging from personal reflections to cultural themes—and presented it to their peers and teacher.

The intimate setting of the class created a warm and supportive atmosphere. Students had the chance to practice not only speaking in Korean but also listening carefully, asking meaningful questions, and giving constructive feedback to one another. This close interaction helped them grow in confidence and fluency, while also building respect and collaboration within the group.

What made this activity especially meaningful was the way each student’s voice could be heard and valued. The presentations became an opportunity for authentic expression and for connecting their Korean learning to real-life contexts. We are proud of our Grade 8 Korean class for their enthusiasm and steady progress, and we look forward to seeing how they continue to develop as confident speakers and learners.

INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Leo

Year 7 students present how Globalisation Affected the World

Our Year 7 students recently explored the theme “How Globalisation Affected the World”. The project highlighted how global connections bring both opportunities and challenges across language, sport, fashion, gaming, business, and culture.

Working as investigators and communicators, students researched reliable sources before transforming their findings into lively performances such as debates, news broadcasts, company meetings, and talk shows. Each group also produced visual products—infographics, posters, collages, and timelines—to support their work.

Highlights included a debate on English versus endangered languages, a sports news broadcast showcasing global fan culture, and a fashion company meeting addressing working conditions and profits. Other groups explored the pros and cons of gaming, the rise of transnational corporations such as Starbucks and McDonald’s, and the balance between local traditions and global tourism.

More than a research task, this project encouraged teamwork, empathy, and critical thinking. Students learnt that globalisation is not simply “good” or “bad” but a complex process shaping our daily lives in powerful ways.

MUSIC

Written by Mr. Freddy

This term, Grade 7 MYP 2 Music students studied Rock ’n’ Roll and the evolution of rock music. Working in groups, they researched and presented on the history, characteristics, famous songs, and musicians of rock. They explored the musical features that define the genre, including 7th chords, bass lines, and instrumental roles, gaining both theoretical and practical understanding. As an application, the class is learning the rock classic “Rock Around the Clock” on piano, preparing it for their summative performance.

Beyond playing, students developed essential ensemble skills such as teamwork, empathy, and cooperation, reflecting IB collaborative and affective skills. For their whole-class project, they are preparing a medley for the Mid-Autumn Festival performance on October 2, titled “My Best Friend is the Moon Rabbit.” The ensemble features Kolintang (melody and chord groups in arpeggio and rhythm), strings (violin, guzheng), Chinese wind (hulusi), and percussion, blending cultures with artistic intention.

VISUAL ARTS

Written by Ms. Jeanie

Exploring the Studio Habits of Mind at SWA

SWA students engaged in the 8 Studio Habits of the Mind while pursuing Visual Arts through the MYP, IGCSE, and IB Visual Art curricula. The Studio Habits of the Mind is a framework that encourages students to develop their own creative and critical thinking skills with the goal of transferring these skills to other areas of learning.

PHE Department

Written by Mr. Sean

In MYP Physical and Health Education, students began the semester with a goal-setting activity for their fitness tests. All students from Grade 6 to 10 completed numerous fitness assessments, including the sit-and-reach test for flexibility, the beep test for cardiovascular endurance, the sit-ups test for muscular endurance, and the standing broad jump for power. Grade 6 students set SMART goals to improve their fitness scores and then designed and planned a low-intensity circuit to develop their chosen components of fitness.

The MYP PHE program requires an aesthetic movement routine. Students learned about fitness, dance, aerobics, and yoga, and applied their knowledge and skills through their creative aesthetic movement routines. The Grades 7–9 students worked in small groups to plan, design, and create a movement video of their routine. Meanwhile, the Grade 10 class planned and performed a flash-mob-style routine at the assembly.

UGC

Grade 8

Grade 8 students are currently being introduced to the Self-Directed Search (SDS) Holland assessment, which is based on the RIASEC model. This test helps them understand their interests and personality traits in relation to possible future career paths. By doing so, students can start exploring their strengths and interests and consider how these align with their academic and future career goals. The assessment will be taken on Monday, 29 September 2025 during school hours.

Grade 9

Grade 9 students are currently being introduced to different summer programs which go beyond university-based opportunities. They are learning about the different options available, including taking online/offline courses, volunteering, doing internships and working on a personal project. This session is designed to help them make the most of their summer by engaging in activities that support both their personal growth and future aspirations. This is all part of their High School 4-year action plan.

G10

Grade 10 students are currently working on two meaningful projects. As a group project, they are designing posters that explain different university majors to help them better understand various academic pathways. For their individual project, each student is interviewing an elder at home to gain valuable insights that can help navigate their future educational and career paths. Additionally, they have also created their BridgeU accounts to take the MBTI assessments, which will help them with their IBDP subject choices later this semester.

They will also be taking the PSAT in October and are reminded that the deadline for PSAT test registration and payment is on Friday, 26 September 2025. 

G11

In Grade 11, students are reminded that the deadline for PSAT test registration and payment is on Friday, 26 September 2025. 

Grade 12

Grade 12 students have been using BridgeU for their university application process. BridgeU is a platform that helps students research universities, manage applications, and match their strengths with suitable programs. They are also working on their essay and personal statement drafts for their different applications.

SAT Test Schedule & ACT Test Schedule

TOEFL Test Schedule

The test is available at times set by the individual centre.

IELTS Test Schedule

The test is available at times set by the individual centre.

Upcoming University Visit

SWA is pleased to announce these upcoming university visits in October 2025.

SWA University Fair 2025 

Date: Wednesday, 1 October 2025

Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Participating universities:

1. The University of Melbourne - Australia

2. The University of Edinburgh - Scotland, UK

3. Adelaide University - Australia

4. HULT International Business School - Multiple Location - USA (Boston), UK (London) and UAE (Dubai)

5. Manchester Metropolitan University - UK

6. Tokyo International University - Japan

7. Robert Gordon University - Scotland, UK

8. The University of Hong Kong

9. Monash University - Australia

10. Campus Spain - Spain

11. Universitas Pelita Harapan - Indonesia

12. NYU Abu Dhabi - UAE

13. BINUS ASO - Indonesia

14. Curtin University - Australia

15. SUNY Korea - South Korea

16. NAFA and UAS - Singapore

17. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) - Japan

18. City University of Hong Kong - Hong Kong

19. BINUS University - Indonesia

20. Singapore Institute of Management - Singapore

21. Canadian Education International -  Canada

Times Higher Education Mini University Fair

Date: Monday, 13 October 2025

Time: 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Participating Universities:

1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Singapore

2. Bahçeşehir University - Turkey

3. Georgetown University Qatar - Qatar

4. City University of Macau - Macao 

5. Columbia University SPS - School of Professional Studies - United States

6. Dhurakij Pundit University - Thailand

7. ESCP Business School - France

8. Macao Polytechnic University - Macao

9. National University of Singapore - Singapore

10. New Jersey Institute of Technology - United States

11. Royal College of Art - United Kingdom

12. Savannah College of Art and Design - United States

13. Vin University - Vietnam