MSHS NEWS

MSHS

MSHS Update

Written by Mr. Rob

World Teachers’ Day is held annually on 5 October (so we celebrated in our Thursday assembly because it falls on a weekend this year!) to celebrate all teachers around the globe. It commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, which sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers, and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions. World Teachers’ Day has been celebrated since 1994. 

It is a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education but also to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally.  

Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future by nurturing students and driving educational progress. However, to fully harness their potential, it's crucial that their voices are heard and valued in the decision-making processes that affect their profession. The 2024 celebrations will focus on "Valuing teacher voices: towards a new social contract for education", underscoring the urgency of calling for and attending to teachers' voices to address their challenges but, most importantly, to acknowledge and benefit from the expert knowledge and input that they bring to education. (Source - UNESCO LINK)

Thank you to our Student Council Executives who were able to lead a wonderful assembly and to the Grade Level Representatives for collecting amazing video content to share a world of thanks to our amazing teachers at SWA. They have a lot of great ideas as to what we value about good teachers and how they have a positive impact on the lives of their students. Thank you MSHS Teachers for being the heart and soul of SWA!

MYP UPDATE

Written by Mr. Haoken

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to Term 2! We hope your child is excited for the new learning experiences ahead. As we begin this term, I would like to share some important information regarding the upcoming Semester 1 exams for Grades 6-10. As part of the Middle Years Programme (MYP), assessments are designed to cover all four MYP criteria (A, B, C, and D) throughout the semester to ensure a balanced evaluation of student performance.

Here are the key details:

1. Grades 6-9 Semester 1 Exams:

   • Exams as a form of summative assessment  will cover both Term 1 and Term 2 content.

   • Focus will be on MYP criteria.

   • Revision Week: 18 - 22 November 2024 (no new material or assessments).

   • Exam Week: 25 - 29 November 2024.

2. Grade 10 Full Mock Exams::

   • Mock exams will cover content from Grade 9 and both terms of Grade 10 IGCSE.

   • Revision Period: 15 - 19 November 2024.

   • Mock Exam Period: 20 - 29 November 2024.

Detailed information and exam timetables will be shared in the next Infobyte. We appreciate your continued support in helping your child prepare for these assessments.

DP UPDATE

Written by Ms. Marta

Welcome to Term 2! This is a busy time for our Diploma Programme students as Grade 11 prepares for end-of-semester exams and Grade 12 gears up for mock exams, both taking place at the end of November. The intensity of the workload requires students to plan carefully and manage their time responsibly to avoid last-minute pressure.

Semester 1 Examination Timetable:

G11  SE  :  25 - 29 November 2024

G12 Mock: 20 - 29 November 2024

We also have some exciting celebrations ahead, including United Nations Day on 24 October. It's a perfect reminder of the global perspectives we embrace. I encourage students to make the most of their lessons, stay engaged, and keep working toward their goals. Let’s make this term productive and meaningful!

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Written by Ms. Aleksandra

World Scholar’s Cup in Bangkok: A Journey of Knowledge and Friendship

From 5 to 12 September, our school proudly participated in the World Scholar’s Cup (WSC) ‘Reimagining the Present’ in Bangkok, where both Senior (Erica, Ernesto, Katherine, Christopher, Viktoriia)  and Junior (Joy, Marco) teams competed in a series of academic challenges. This prestigious event not only tested their knowledge but also fostered creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking. 

Students were engaged in debates, collaborative writing, and challenging quizzes, but the WSC is more than competition — it’s about building global connections. Our students made lasting friendships with peers from around the world, learning to appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives. Participating in the WSC boosted their confidence in their academic abilities and gave them the chance to be proud of their knowledge. Additionally, they experienced the richness of Bangkok through sightseeing and cultural exploration, making the trip both educational and adventurous.

The WSC allowed our students to grow intellectually and socially, teaching them the value of knowledge, collaboration, and global awareness — skills that will serve them well in the future.

SCIENC​​E AND DESIGN DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Billy and Mr. Rajesh

Slide Presentations: Building Essential Skills for Success

Grade 10 chemistry students selected a science topic, created slides, and presented content that had to fulfil criteria outlined in the rubrics, such as readability, organisation, content accuracy, oral presentation skills, graphics, spelling, and grammar. When preparing slides, students engage in critical thinking, deciding what content is relevant and how to organise it logically to communicate key concepts. This process challenges them to gather information from various sources, strengthening their research skills.

Moreover, students need to think creatively about how to present their information visually, using design elements like images, GIFs, stickers, video clips, charts, and text, which enhances their media literacy. Through slide presentations, students improve their communication skills, learning to explain content clearly and concisely to their audience and respond to questions. This activity builds confidence and public speaking skills, crucial for effective communication.

Students also need to manage their time efficiently to prepare content, rehearse, and meet deadlines, which promotes self-management. In collaborative presentations, students develop teamwork and interpersonal skills by sharing responsibilities and working towards a common goal. Ultimately, slide presentations foster a well-rounded skill set that aligns with approaches to learning, focusing on research, communication, social skills, and self-management, all of which are essential for students’ academic and personal growth.

MYP Design Year 4: Exploring Data Storage, Transmission, and Security

In term 1, our Grade 9 students in MYP Digital Design explored key topics that revealed how data is stored, transmitted, and protected. With a focus on the Key Concept of Communication, they learned how data like text, sound, and images are represented digitally, as well as how compression makes sharing this data more efficient. Through the Global Context of Scientific and Technical Innovation, students uncovered the importance of secure data transmission using methods of error detection and encryption. Alongside these technical skills, they also developed their Research, Critical Thinking, and Digital Literacy ATL skills, which will help them become responsible digital citizens in our interconnected world. This foundation in data and technology prepared them to tackle real-world challenges and understand the crucial role of innovation in shaping our everyday lives.

MYP Year 5 Digital Design – Term 2 Unit on Software Types and Interrupts

As we begin Term 2 in Digital Design for MYP Year 5, we’re diving into an exciting unit on Types of Software and Interrupts. In this unit, students explore the interplay between hardware, firmware, and operating systems, understanding how they work together to run application software. The unit covers the essential role of the bootloader (firmware) in initializing hardware, enabling the operating system to function effectively. Students will also learn about interrupts—signals that alert the operating system to immediate tasks, such as hardware interrupts from keyboard actions or software interrupts like division by zero errors. Through our key concept of Systems, related concept of Function, and global context of Scientific and Technical Innovation, students will analyze how software manages complex operations. Our Statement of Inquiry, "Software systems must efficiently manage interrupts to ensure stable and responsive operations," emphasizes how interrupt management is critical in achieving smooth functionality. This unit prepares students to understand the architecture and responsiveness required in digital systems, bridging classroom learning with real-world technology applications.

IBDP Year 1 Computer Science: GUI Application Development with NetBeans and MySQL

In Term 2, our Grade 11 Computer Science students are diving into the world of GUI (Graphical User Interface) Application Development, using NetBeans JFrame Forms and the Java Development Kit (JDK). Through this unit, students will develop practical skills in designing user-friendly interfaces while gaining hands-on experience with backend integration, using MySQL to manage and retrieve data. This comprehensive approach to application development not only familiarises students with essential programming concepts but also prepares them for their Internal Assessment. By creating fully functional applications, they gain the ability to showcase problem-solving skills, design efficient interfaces, and work with databases. These skills are invaluable for their IA projects, as they reflect real-world application scenarios, enabling students to effectively demonstrate their technical and analytical abilities in their final projects.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Written by  Ms. Olive 

Grade 8 Math Class Investigates Heights Using Clinometers

Grade 8 international students had an exciting hands-on project that combined mathematics, engineering, and real-world problem-solving. The project? Building and using clinometers—simple devices used to measure the height of tall objects by applying mathematical concepts like trigonometry and the Pythagorean theorem. These young mathematicians took on the role of investigators, exploring how angles, triangles, and distances are connected in our everyday lives.

Equipped with protractors, straws, and string, the students worked in teams to construct their own clinometers from scratch. They then ventured outside, using their homemade tools to measure the heights of various objects around the school—trees, basketball ring height, and buildings. By calculating angles of elevation and applying trigonometric ratios, they demonstrated how math is more than just numbers on paper; it’s a tool for solving real-world problems.

Throughout the project, the Grade 8 students exhibited two key attributes of the IB Learner Profile: Inquirers and Thinkers. As inquirers, they showed curiosity and a desire to understand how mathematics applies to the world around them. From building their clinometers to solving measurement challenges, their investigative spirit drove the project forward. As thinkers, they demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills, applying mathematical concepts creatively and analyzing how their findings could be used in fields like architecture, engineering, and construction.

This clinometer project was not only a valuable learning experience but also a powerful reminder that math is everywhere.

CHINESE DEPARTMENT

Written by Ms. Yuan

Students in the 6th Grade CLA 4-6 class will focus on improving their reading comprehension and writing skills in the second term. In reading comprehension, students will encounter a variety of questions and Chinese characters, and they will need to answer corresponding questions based on the content of the passages. In writing, through the study of a large number of new vocabulary words and sentence-making exercises, students will be required to use the newly learned words and sentence structures to complete a practical writing assignment. Below are some examples of the students' writing exercises.

INDONESIAN DEPARTMENT
Written by Mr. Ahmad

Grade 9 Indonesian Class Explores Healthy Cooking

As part of their inquiry into healthy lifestyles, the Grade 9 Indonesian class recently participated in a cooking activity. They prepared nutritious dishes, including kimbab, matcha tea, and veggie sandwiches. Students learned about the benefits of each ingredient, enjoying the process of rolling kimbab with colorful vegetables and lean proteins. They also discovered the antioxidants in matcha tea and experimented with various spreads and fresh vegetables in their sandwiches. This hands-on experience not only taught practical cooking skills but also inspired students to embrace healthier eating habits at home!

INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES DEPARTMENT
Written by Mr. Aleks Marchev

The last week before the Term 1 break, the Grade 9 Individuals and Societies students successfully published their reports titled "Being an Economic Minister for a Day," which is part of their ongoing exploration of the unit Rise and Fall of Empires. The unit aims to help students understand how economic decisions and strategies play a critical role in the rise, maintenance, and decline of empires throughout history. Through this project, students took on the role of an economic minister for a hypothetical empire, analysing and implementing economic policies to either bolster or stabilize the empire's economy. Specific attention was paid to the importance of taxation and tax policies as a source of sustainable growth for any country.

This is a group conclusion that students reached, which highlights their deeper understanding of this topic:

Overall through this activity, the students displayed impressive engagement with the content and applied economic concepts creatively. I was especially pleased with the level of detail in their analyses and the thoughtful connections they made to historical examples. Overall, this activity helped students grasp the significant role economics plays in shaping the trajectory of empires.

MUSIC

Written by Mr. Freddy

The Grade 8 Music students explored percussion music through a collaborative djembe cover performance. Before starting the project, students conducted research on the history and significance of percussion, recognizing its roots as one of the earliest forms of music. Working in small groups, they planned and created rhythmic patterns for their chosen songs, learning how song selection influenced the complexity of their arrangement. They employed differentiation to balance skill levels, assigning simpler but essential rhythms to less experienced members while more advanced students tackled complex patterns. The students mastered the three basic djembe techniques (bass, tone, and slap) and learned to notate these rhythms using Flat.io, experiencing the challenges of percussion notation. The project emphasized that creating rhythm is not just about beats but about harmony, planning, and synchronization.

Though the arrangements were not advanced or complex, the focus was on the learning process and the progress each student made. The students showcased their work not only in class but also during a casual Wednesday Lunch Acoustic Session in the school cafeteria, where they performed for the broader school community. The relaxed atmosphere allowed both performers and the audience to enjoy the music freely, enabling students to express their creativity without pressure. The experience highlighted that growth and teamwork were more important than the final result, celebrating their progress, creativity, and confidence in a supportive environment.

Physical and Health Education
Written by Mr. Sean

The Physical Education Department has been buzzing with energy and enthusiasm this term, with students from various grade levels diving into a wide range of activities designed to build their skills, teamwork, and creativity.

The Grade 6 students have been introduced to the fundamentals of volleyball. They are currently focusing on learning the basic rules of the game while practicing essential skills such as passing, serving, and setting. Their growing understanding of the sport is laying a strong foundation for future competitions and more advanced gameplay.

In Grade 7, the emphasis is on collaboration and conflict resolution. Students are participating in various activities that challenge them to work together and navigate disagreements on their own. By fostering a sense of responsibility and communication, these lessons are helping them develop critical life skills that extend beyond the gym.

Meanwhile, the Grade 8 class has been having a blast with fitness games, with one of the highlights being the chaotic yet entertaining game of Massive Kickball Dodgeball. This combination of two popular games has not only kept students physically active but has also encouraged quick thinking, agility, and plenty of laughter.

The Grade 9 students have been flexing their creative muscles through a fitness game called Fresher. This game requires a mix of strategy, physical fitness, and innovation, and it has been exciting to see the unique approaches students are bringing to each challenge. Their enthusiasm for the game has been infectious, motivating everyone to think outside the box.

Lastly, the Grade 10 students are preparing for a Sports Management task that involves running in-class mini tournaments. They are organizing competitions in badminton, basketball, dodgeball, and volleyball, taking on roles such as referees, coaches, and managers. This experience is providing them with valuable leadership skills and a deeper understanding of what it takes to manage sports events.

Overall, it has been a vibrant and successful term, with students across all grades enjoying their time in Physical Education class. Their enthusiasm continues to shine through in every activity!

VISUAL ARTS
Written by Ms. Jeanie

Drawing from primary sources has been a focus in Grade 9 IGCSE  Art class. Students practised with charcoal, which was a new art media for many  students, then created a sketch  of the Peace Garden. One student commented that it was easier to draw from observation rather than a photo, which is an important observation because drawing from observation allows the viewer better understanding of shapes, forms and values. Students next learned about the art-making practices of Georgia O’Keefe by discussing her large scale flower paintings. Grade 9 students then created their own expressive watercolour painting. based on direct observation.

PSD

Written by Ms. Lindi

Growing up as a teenager is the most challenging part of an individual’s life as they grow towards adulthood. In the process of growing, teenagers need to deal with changes in their physical, emotional, and social lives. To help our students deal with the challenging periods, the “Teens Development in The Digital World” workshop was held on 30 September 2024. 

This workshop aimed to provide our students with knowledge and skills regarding sexual health, relationships and personal wellbeing. As social media and digital world have been a huge influence in their development, starting this year we integrate the knowledge of teenage development with behaviours in the digital world.

As one of the practices for the students to think critically and use their conscience, students were given a challenge to choose their decisions on issues related to peer pressure. Students were also given the opportunity to differentiate between the expected and unexpected behaviours in relationship issues. Engaging activities allowed the students to ask sensitive questions or to share thoughts, in a safe environment. We believe that equipping students with accurate information is vital for their development and wellbeing.

UGC

Written by Mr. Stan

Upcoming fairs and Uni Visits:

Study in Canada Fair 27 October 1-6 pm @ Shangri-La

See poster below for info

General Uni Application deadlines to note:

PSAT Testing for Grade 10 and 11

SWA students in Grades 10 and 11 will be able to take the College Board's PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) on 22 October 2024 The PSAT constitutes an important part of the student’s path towards successful university applications and admissions in Grade 12 and we therefore strongly recommend that students take the test. Taking the PSAT is important for your child for the following reasons:

• A preliminary “dress rehearsal” of the SAT, this allows students to be exposed to the SAT in a low-risk way as the scores of the PSAT are not seen by colleges and universities. Students take the exam the same way they would the SAT, therefore getting a taste of testing conditions

• The PSAT predicts/projects what the student's SAT score range is likely to be, allowing the student and UGC to use this predicted score in planning for the best university paths/options for the student

• The PSAT score can help students decide whether they should take the SAT in the future, or look for other options, at a much lower cost than the actual SAT

• The PSAT score report provides the UGC, parents, and students with real data to use in the first individual College Action plan meetings in Grade 11

• Access to free, personalised SAT Practice through Khan Academy®. If students link their CollegeBoard and Khan Academy accounts, they will get free, personalised SAT practice recommendations based on their actual performance on the PSAT/NMSQT

• Identifies skills for improvement. The score report gives students comprehensive feedback on their test performance, allowing them to see which questions they answered incorrectly and which academic skills they should focus on

• Provides online college and career planning tools to spark college-going aspirations and introduce students to opportunities available after high school

Date: 22 October at 8 am

Grade 10 MBTI  

Date: 24 October 2024

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator is a powerful personality assessment that helps students further hone in on their future career choices in time for their IBDP Subject Choices.