ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Written by Mr. Daniele
As students prepare for their exams with focus and determination, the English Department has infused creativity into their routine through drama activities. Exploring plays and performing scenes has brought literature to life, offering a refreshing balance between exam preparation and creativity while building confidence and collaboration.
G11 Debate whether the idea of beauty is universal and transcends time or is relative and shaped by the media.
G12 Cassio pleads with Desdemona that she might help him return to Othello’s favour.
G8: The career tribute from Distirict 2 is celebrated for winning The Hunger Games.
CHINESE DEPARTMENT
Written by Mr. Charles
Calligraphy EX
福如东海、寿比南山。Beautiful strokes and heartfelt wishes! One of our talented students created a special Chinese calligraphy piece, sending birthday blessings to her grandfather.
Another one wrote "谁言寸草心,报得三春晖", a well-known line expressing deep gratitude toward parents. It comes from the poem by Tang dynasty poet, Meng Jiao. The poem reflects the love and sacrifice of a mother, comparing her to the warm sun that nurtures without expecting anything in return.
INDONESIAN DEPARTMENT
Written by Ms. Stephanie
Indonesian Language Acquisition Class for Years 6–9
Creating an Autobiography Using Recycled Cardboard
In the Indonesian Language Acquisition class for students in Grade 6 to 9, a project to create autobiographies using recycled cardboard turned into an exciting and engaging activity. This project aims not only to develop language skills but also to introduce creative ways of reusing materials from their surroundings. Additionally, it encourages students to share stories about themselves while enhancing their vocabulary and understanding of Indonesian grammar.
Steps in Creating the Autobiography
First, students are encouraged to gather used cardboard from their homes or nearby areas. This recycled cardboard is then transformed into their personal autobiography books. They learn how to design and present information using pieces of cardboard, printed or hand-drawn illustrations, and various decorative elements of their choice. Each autobiography is unique and personal, reflecting the creativity and culture of each student.
During the creation process, teachers guide students in writing their autobiographies. They are encouraged to write about themselves in Indonesian, covering basic information such as full name, place and date of birth, hobbies, dreams, favourites, cultural traits, and national identity. Each part of the autobiography helps students master sentence structures in Indonesian and introduces them to a range of new vocabulary.
Practising Communication Skills Through Presentations
Once the autobiographies are completed, students present their work to the class. This presentation session is another enjoyable and valuable aspect of the project. As they share their stories, students practise speaking confidently and communicating effectively in Indonesian. They learn to express themselves clearly, respond to questions from their classmates, and appreciate one another’s cultural traits.
Through this project, students not only improve their Indonesian language skills but also foster creativity, confidence, environmental awareness, and a sense of national pride. The excitement of creating something personal, sharing it, and discovering new words and phrases makes this project a memorable and enriching learning experience.
MUSIC
Written by Mr. Freddy
This year’s Halloween musical brought chills and thrills with an unforgettable lineup from our MYP students, in collaboration with Timbre. The festivities began with a delightful saxophone solo by Ernesto, who played Que Sera Sera as the choir entered, casting an enchanting spell over the audience. As the Grade 8–10 choir transitioned into the eerie Ballad of the Witch from Agatha, the mood shifted from joyful to haunting, setting the stage for the spine-tingling performances to come.
The highlight of the assembly came with Timbre’s chilling musical skit, featuring Abyasa’s first-ever lead role alongside Qiara in a duet that left the audience with goosebumps. Abyasa’s performance was impressive, showcasing his growth in singing and stage presence after a lot of preparation with all the supportive Timbre members. Yesslyn and Chloe added a spooky Japanese song about a haunted doll, delivering a theatrical and creepy act that kept everyone on edge.
Our MYP 1 students joined the fun with their spooky twist on Spooky Scary Skeletons. Dressed as skeletons, they sang and played the ukulele, glowing in the dark, showcasing their skills and creativity in a lively class project aligned with their unit. Through this piece, they developed new ukulele skills, adding the tricky E7 chord into this minor-key song, and building confidence with strong and clear vocals.
The MYP 2 students took on Halloween Medley with dramatic flair, skillfully handling key modulations and a complex 5/4 time signature that added an odd and mysterious rhythm to their singing and kulintang ensemble. Despite a microphone issue, they showed impressive professionalism, staying calm and projecting confidently.
MYP 3 joined the Grade 9 and 10 choir for an SATB rendition of Ballad of the Witch that demanded expressive singing and thematic depth, and while the students faced initial nervousness, they gradually pushed past these barriers. Despite having to juggle rehearsals with the SWA Cup games and other commitments, it was a valuable experience and lesson in patience, adaptability, and team dynamics. The show was wrapped up by the Grade 9 Band and Grade 10 Dance Club, who energised the audience with a spooky and upbeat number. Altogether, it was an eerie, exciting Halloween show that demonstrated the talents and teamwork of our MYP students.
Physical and Health Education
Written by Mr. Sean
Grades 11 and 12: Self-Directed Learning through CAS
In Grades 11 and 12, the HPE program aligns with the IB Diploma Programme’s Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) component, emphasising self-directed learning. Grade 11 boys focused on basketball, while the girls honed their badminton skills, managing their progress independently. In Grade 12, students balanced their focus across volleyball, soccer, badminton, and fitness training, taking responsibility for their personal development. This autonomy allowed them to set goals, reflect on progress, and build habits for lifelong fitness and leadership
Grade 10: Sports Management in Action
Grade 10 students explored the multifaceted world of sports management by organising and running in-class tournaments for various sports, including frisbee, dodgeball, volleyball, and basketball. This unit gave students hands-on experience in planning, coordination, and leadership while emphasising the importance of fair play and team dynamics. The tournaments showcased their organisational and interpersonal skills, allowing them to understand the complexities behind successful sporting events.
Grade 9: Mastering Invasion Games
In the Grade 9 invasion games unit, students delved into the principles of attacking and defending through games like futsal, frisbee, handball, and basketball. This unit was a perfect blend of physical activity and strategic thinking, teaching students to anticipate opponent moves, create scoring opportunities, and work cohesively as a team. Reflection played a pivotal role, encouraging students to assess their performance and improve their tactics.
Grade 8: Soccer and Team Strategies
For Grade 8, the focus was on soccer and futsal, with an emphasis on skill development and team strategies. Students honed their technical skills while learning to execute team plays effectively. The unit highlighted the importance of collaboration, communication, and strategic decision-making on the field.
Grades 6 and 7: Volleyball and Teamwork
Grades 6 and 7 took to the volleyball court, where they concentrated on mastering fundamental skills and understanding the value of teamwork and communication. These classes encouraged students to rely on one another, fostering a sense of trust and unity.
SWA’s PHE program continues to empower students with skills that extend beyond the classroom, promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and reflective learning. Term 2 was a testament to the program’s commitment to developing well-rounded individuals through sports and education
VISUAL ARTS
Written by Ms. Jeanie
IGCSE Art students learned to brainstorm ideas using the Sustainability Compass, then created artworks that communicated a chosen social realism idea. Grade 9 IGCSE students learned about using value and texture by incorporating a mythical creature into their composition that incorporated linear perspective to show deep space. Students are now creating expressive prints and learning the linoleum block printing techniques.
Grade 10 IGCSE students manipulated formal qualities and deep space techniques to communicate their chosen idea where they practised and used value and texture to show a sense of place. Many students are using these artworks as a starting point for the IGCSE Component 1 that they are completing this term.
UGC
Written by Mr. Stan