MSHS NEWS

MSHS 

MYP UPDATE

Written by Mr. Daniele

Last week, our community showcased the very best of the IB spirit as our Grade 9 and Grade 10 students stepped confidently into their roles as ambassadors for their elective courses. Working collaboratively with their teachers, our students helped design engaging booths that reflected both the depth of our programme and the shared commitment behind it. Their presentations were delivered with genuine enthusiasm, sparking curiosity and excitement among all prospective students.

Our ambassadors embodied key attributes of the IB Learner Profile: they were communicators, sharing their experiences clearly and confidently; inquirers, eager to explore and explain the possibilities within each subject; and caring, as they supported younger students in making informed choices. Their collaboration showed them to be open-minded, valuing different ideas, and principled, taking responsibility for their roles and showcasing their learning with pride.

We extend heartfelt appreciation to all students and teachers whose teamwork made this event such a meaningful success. 

IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME UPDATE

Written by Dr. Haoken

Grade 12 Mock Exams & Milestones - Parent/Guardian Update

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Our Grade 12 cohort has made an excellent start to the Diploma Programme Year 2. Completed to date: the 4,000-word Extended Essay (EE), the TOK Exhibition commentary/report, and the TOK Essay. Students are now moving with purpose into Internal Assessments (IA) and structured exam preparation.

The Mock Examinations run 18–28 November 2025, with 12–17 November dedicated to Revision Week. This mock series mirrors IB assessment conditions and is designed to better prepare students for the May 2026 examinations. Please note, we will also hold a second mock examination series in late February 2026, providing another evidence-based checkpoint and targeted feedback cycle.

You can be confident in their momentum. Teachers are providing targeted feedback and past-paper practice, while we emphasise academic integrity, reflective goal-setting, and balance - key elements of the IB learner profile. At home, a calm routine of steady study blocks, good sleep, and healthy meals is the best support. After the mocks, we will share results and a clear, individualized plan to guide the final stretch to May.

Grade 11 Semester 1 Examinations - Parent/Guardian Update

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Our Grade 11 (DP1) Semester 1 examinations will run 24–28 November 2025, with 17–21 November dedicated to Revision Week. The detailed timetable has been shared with families.

Alongside preparing for these papers, students have begun their core DP milestones: they have started Extended Essay (EE) research - framing focused research questions, building initial literature reviews, and recording entries in the Researcher’s Reflection Space - and they have commenced their TOK Exhibition work by selecting prompts, curating objects, and drafting commentaries. These experiences strengthen Approaches to Learning - research, thinking, communication, and especially self-management - and set a strong foundation for DP2.

When students do not have a scheduled paper, they are expected to use time productively at school for revision, reflection, and consultations; teachers will be available during their regular schedules to guide and support. You can best help by encouraging a balanced routine: steady study blocks, good sleep, healthy meals, and brief movement breaks. Please ensure punctual arrival on exam days with the required materials. After the exam period, teachers will share feedback and strategies to focus on the next phase of learning.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Kevin

Exploring Stories and Strengthening Skills in English

This term, students across the MYP and DP English programmes have been deeply engaged in developing their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. In the MYP, classes have been immersed in novel studies—exploring characters, themes, and historical contexts while connecting literature to personal and global issues. In the DP, students have been refining their analytical writing and preparing for upcoming assessments through focused practice on commentary and comparative analysis.

As the semester draws to a close, our learners are preparing for their semester exams, revisiting key texts and concepts, and consolidating their understanding of literary form and purpose. To help students perform their best, the English Department encourages a few simple but powerful strategies:

• Review actively: Summarise each text in your own words to check comprehension.

• Plan before writing: Organised ideas lead to clearer, more convincing essays.

• Read beyond the surface: Look for patterns, motifs, and authorial choices that shape meaning.

• Rest and recharge: A calm mind supports clearer thinking during exams.
  
  

We are proud of our students’ growth—their curiosity, creativity, and dedication continue to shine through every discussion and essay. 

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Billy

Grade 6 students recently conducted a Science experiment titled “Making Compost” as part of Topic 3.5: The Decomposers. The activity demonstrated how kitchen waste can be recycled into a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer called eco-enzyme.

Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi break down kitchen and garden waste into a brown, soil-like substance called compost. Adding compost to soil restores nutrients, helping plants grow stronger and healthier.

Using fruit peels, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells, sugar, and rice water, students created their own compost mixture while learning about sustainability and natural recycling. The activity also developed key MYP ATL skills including critical thinking, research, and teamwork.

Through this experiment, students discovered how science can turn everyday waste into something wonderful for both plants and the planet!

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Adilet

Grade12 students are finishing the final topics of the Mathematics AA HL course. Recently, they have been revising Locus in geometry and exploring how it relates to the Locus of imaginary numbers on the Argand diagram. This connection shows how different parts of mathematics link together to form one logical system.

Now that all topics have been covered, students are moving on to full revision and exam preparation. Over the coming weeks, they will review essential concepts, practise past papers, and strengthen their problem-solving skills. Teachers encourage everyone to make good use of this time, ask questions, and work steadily towards the final goal.

The end of the course is a big achievement, and confidence will grow with every revision session. We wish all our Mathematics AA HL students the very best of luck in their upcoming final exams!

CHINESE DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Charles

Watching a meaningful movie can greatly enrich the language learning experience. In their recent Chinese lessons, Grade 9 students explored how to write a movie review — an engaging exercise that develops comprehension, critical thinking, and expressive writing skills. They watched The Captain (2019), a film inspired by the true story of the Sichuan Airlines incident. Students were deeply moved by the characters’ bravery and determination, as well as the film’s gripping narrative. This project not only strengthened their vocabulary and grammar but also gave them the opportunity to share their reflections and opinions in the target language. 

Meanwhile, Grade 7 students have been focusing on improving their reading comprehension and writing skills over the past week as they prepare for their Semester 1 final exam.

INDONESIAN DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Ahmad

Grade 10 Indonesian Language Acquisition: Cooking Up Culture!

Our Grade 10 Indonesian Language Acquisition students recently showcased their speaking and creative skills in a delicious way! For their summative speaking assessment, the students prepared traditional Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng, martabak manis, es buah, and many more mouthwatering delights.

Not only did they cook the dishes themselves, but they also documented the entire process through photos and videos, which they presented beautifully using Google Slides or Canva. During their presentations, students described the cooking steps, shared fun facts about the dishes, and expressed their personal reflections. The activity was a wonderful blend of language learning, culture, and creativity. Everyone had fun, learned new vocabulary, and gained a deeper appreciation for Indonesian cuisine. 

Selamat kepada semua siswa atas kerja keras dan semangatnya!

INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Gregory 

Grade 10 Global Perspectives students have been incredibly busy as they finished their individual reports for their future IGCSE submission. Many of the students struggled with some of the more technical aspects of the report, such as following a recognisable format when doing in-text citations. They also had to get used to evaluating the resources they used in their reports, which most of them are still learning to do. Most students formulated challenging research questions, so this particular report kept them especially busy. Combined with all the other summative assessments that were scheduled, it made for a very tight term. Fortunately, Halloween provided a welcome break from academics. The girls embraced the opportunity and made the most of the occasion. 

MUSIC

Written by Mr. Freddy 

Our MYP Music students proudly showcased their Music projects during the Halloween Assembly, presented in collaboration with STUCO and TIMBRE Music. The musical skit, “Alice in the Haunted Land,” highlighted creativity, teamwork, and performance skills as students embraced both musical and theatrical elements.

Each level delivered a meaningful performance with musical and cultural depth. Grade 6 performed “Proud Corazón” from Coco, celebrating Mexico’s Día de los Muertos while singing and playing ukulele, accompanied by Hyeon Woo on guitar. Grade 7 energised the audience with the nostalgic Ghostbusters theme, featuring kolintang, hulusi, violin, percussion, with Ricky and Nathan (G10) on electric guitar and bass. The Grades 8 & 9 combined in a choir ensemble to perform the majestic yet spooky Alice in Wonderland theme.

This musical skit served as a milestone for the new generation of TIMBRE students, who also took responsibility for directing, stage crew work, lighting, sound, props, and creative design. Thank you for the special performances by Equinox Band and OneTake. We thank all musicians, dancers, and especially STUCO for this incredible opportunity.

VISUAL ARTS

Written by Ms. Jeanie

G9 IGCSE Art students are currently focused on portraiture. They began by learning single-line contour drawing techniques, first by drawing their own hands, and then by capturing “expressive” faces of their classmates. Students then chose complex emotions (beyond simple "happy" or "sad") to connect with their initial drawings, selecting one drawing as the base for their main artwork. Next, students explored ideas to communicate their chosen emotion through imagery, symbols, colour, and line, creating patterns and textures. These A4 drawings, made with oil pastels, were used as a base for creating monoprints, a process students learned through peer support following a teacher demonstration. After evaluating their use of line and space, G9 students will learn the linocut print process. The print exploration will be finalised using a variety of ink and paper colours to fully express their chosen emotion in different ways. Students are asked to bring in  A4 paper in various colours for this final stage. 

UGC

Subject Choice Workshop & Fair for Grade 8

This week our school has successfully hosted a subject choice workshop that focuses on SDS Holland results, subject choices and how parents can be involved in the process. The meeting provided a comprehensive overview of the various subjects available for Grade 8 students, including core subjects and elective courses. Emphasis was placed on the importance of balancing academic interests with future career aspirations. As students navigate this critical stage, the combined efforts of parents, teachers and counsellors will ensure they are well-prepared for their BEST Pathways® journey in SWA.