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MSHS
Written by Mr. Alex
As the end of semester 1 gets closer, we get to an exciting part of our academic year with semester exams and several end-of-semester activities. Students are encouraged to start their preparations early for the exams, and after the end of the exams, enjoy a mix of educational and entertaining events to celebrate with their colleagues and friends, such as the MSHS STUCO Sports Day, Hour of Code, Holiday Concert and Exhibitions.
This week there will be a unique experience for middle school and high school students - a Fun Day during assembly time. Students will have the opportunity to engage in friendly sports competitions purely for fun. This initiative aims to unwind students, foster camaraderie, and infuse a sense of joy into the academic routine.
With all the different activities taking place at SWA and being a really dynamic learning community, it is important to focus on organisational and self-regulation skills, which becomes increasingly crucial. Whether creating a study schedule for exams or efficiently managing time during end-of-semester activities, these skills play a very important role in academic success and personal development. Students are encouraged to take advantage of available resources, seek guidance from teachers and counsellors and implement effective study techniques as well as time management.
A huge thank you goes out to all the MSHS parents who attended this month's coffee morning. Your presence and engagement contributed significantly to the sense of community at our school. These gatherings provide an invaluable opportunity for parents to connect, share experiences, and strengthen the bonds and partnership between our school and the community. Your involvement in your child's education is highly appreciated, and we look forward to more collaborative moments in the future.
Thank you for being an essential part of the MSHS family!
MYP Update
Written by Mr. Haoken
Dear Grade 6 - 10 Parents,
As we approach the conclusion of Term 2, we wish to share essential information about the upcoming semester one examination period for our IB MYP students. These exams provide our learners with a valuable opportunity to consolidate their understanding and demonstrate their achievements. Our primary focus is to ensure that each student has the best possible opportunity to prepare for and perform well in these examinations.
Grades 6-9: Exams will be summative, covering content from both Term 1 and Term 2. They will exclusively assess MYP Criteria. Please see the shared G6 - 9 assessment timetable for specific details.
Revision Week: 20 - 24 November 2023 (Please note: no new material will be introduced or assessed during this week).
G6 - 9 Semester 1 Exam Period: 27 November - 1 December 2023.
Grade 10: Students will sit for 'full mock exams,' which are summative over all of Grade 9, and Term 1 and Term 2 of Grade 10. These mock IGCSE exams cover a broader range of material compared to the exams for Grades 6-9. Please find attached information regarding Grade 10 Assessment Timetable.
Revision Period: 16 - 21 November 2023 (Again, no new content or assessments during this period).
G10 Semester 1 Exam (Mock Exam) Period: 22 November - 1 December 2023.
We would like to emphasize the importance of a balanced approach to revision. Please ensure adequate breaks, sleep, and maintain a healthy routine. Students’ wellbeing is paramount. Kindly support your child by ensuring a conducive environment for revision at home and being understanding of their needs during this pivotal period. Should you have any concerns or questions regarding the exams, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Our foremost priority is the success and well-being of our students.
DP Update
Written by Ms. Marta
As we approach the end of another term, I wanted to update you on the current academic activities within our International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Our end-of-term exams and mock exams are underway, signalling a period of intense focus and preparation for our students. During this time, there will be no regular classes, allowing our students to dedicate their full attention to revision. In particular, our Grade 12 students are urged to concentrate on their internal assessments and extended essays, crucial components of their IB journey.
To optimise their efforts, we encourage all students, especially those in Grade 12, to utilise the school's resources during days without exams. The campus remains open, providing a conducive environment for study, and teachers are available for individual meetings and consultations. We believe that this additional support can greatly enhance their academic progress.
In the midst of these academic endeavours, our Grade 10 students are in the process of finalising their subject choices for the IBDP next year. This is a pivotal step in their educational journey, and we urge them to approach it with the seriousness it deserves. Our team is here to provide the necessary support and guidance as they make these important decisions.
As we look ahead, the winter holidays are fast approaching. We hope that this break will provide everyone with the opportunity to recharge and spend quality time with family and friends. Thank you for your continued support, and we wish all our students the best of luck in their exams.
English Department
Written by Mr. Daniele
As the semester nears to an end, the level of excitement is gradually growing in anticipation of the last exams of 2024. The grade 10 and grade 11 students are the new kids on the block as they brace themselves for the never-seen-before IGCSE and IBDP exams.
G11 students demonstrate their keenness in class as exam dates approach (Ayden and Shivam take a more upstanding approach)
G10 boys at the front of the class feel confident addressing questions raised by the IGCSE exams.
Nicole and Almira (and a cat) volunteer at the whiteboard to explain and encourage more ambitious language choices.
Science and Design Department
Written by Mr. Rahul
Grade 7 Science
MYP-2 framework addresses holistically students' intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being. It provides enough opportunities for the students to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need in order to manage complexity and take responsible action for the future. One of the very important aspects of the MYP is its criteria through which it assesses its candidates, and it is solely based on inquiry and investigation where students get sufficient chance to explore the subject without rote learning and cramming the content. They pursued an experiment conducted in a safe environment in the lab where they inquired-design and further process-evaluated for the completion towards their summative assessment Cri BC.
They conducted an experiment based on Benedict’s solution through which they were able to examine the sugar content in various drinks, like Cola, Coffee, Coconut water, Sugar solution, and Distilled water among others, they also had an eye-opening when they found ample sugar content in the drink claiming to be non-sugary in the advertisements. These kinds of investigations surely bring them close to the path of becoming future scientists. Some glimpse of the student’s work and their enthusiasm can be seen in the photos below:
Grade 9 Physics
Grade 9 students have been progressing steadily towards their term goals, covering an ample amount of content as per Cambridge while focusing on the learning approach as per the IB-MYP framework. They have been really enthusiastic and participated in various class activities. The new students have also shown interest and contributed to the learning process. Apart from various hands-on experimental activities, they also got to experience face-to-face questionnaires by creating short presentations for their peers. Learning is much more elevated when peers can understand each other, and discuss in the most fruitful and constructive way possible and that happens when they share the same bond and for physics that bond is curiosity. Everyone is curious and asks a lot of questions within the peer group and to the teacher. Classroom discussions also help in furthering the process of individual understanding.
As Claude Levi-Strauss put it so:
“The scientific mind does not so much provide the right answers as asks the right questions.”
Grade 10 Physics
Grade 10 is already working on their last topic which is space physics,where they have been trying to learn the concepts through various class activities including hands-on activities and brainstorming sessions. For one of the activities they tried to simulate the orbits with the help of a thumb pin, pencil and string. It gives them pleasure to actually realise and compare the real scenario with what they simulate, because there is so much similarity.
They have also done revision activity where they have created formula and information posters. They have been very creative to come up with the most important portions from the chapter which they have included in the posters. Some have been very thorough and included many useful theory portions for the semester exams help.
Grade 11 Physics
In the IB DP1 Physics program, students undergo a transformative educational experience that extends beyond traditional learning. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity, challenging students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. A distinctive feature of the program is the incorporation of hands-on activities, particularly mechanical investigations.
Students engage in building simple to complex investigations, exploring projectile motion, and conducting collision experiments. These practical experiences not only reinforce theoretical knowledge but also foster a deep understanding of physics principles. The program aims to nurture well-rounded individuals who not only excel academically but also develop essential skills for future academic and professional success.
Through hands-on activities, students witness the direct application of physics principles, bridging the gap between theory and practice. From constructing investigations to experimenting with projectile motion and collisions, these activities offer a tangible and immersive exploration of physics concepts. The goal is to instil a problem-solving mindset, foster critical thinking, and unleash creativity among students, preparing them not just for assessments but for a future where their analytical and creative prowess will be valuable assets in diverse academic and professional pursuits.
Mathematics Department
Written by Ms. Olive
G6 International Mathematics - Mathmagician!
This term, Grade 6 IMA students turned into Math Wizards! Their math skills, mixed with a bit of algebra, turned regular math into something truly amazing.
They created two cool number tricks that surprised everyone. These tricks involved adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing numbers. What made them even cooler was the use of algebra – a kind of math magic – to explain why each step worked like magic. Watch the videos and try each student's magic tricks.
Math_Summative_Math_Magic_-_Jordan.movMJ_s_math_investigation.mp4Math_Algebra_tricks-_Madeline__Criteria_B_D_.mp4Batris_-_Math_Algebra_Tricks.movGrace Math 4K .movChinese Department
Written by Mr.Andy
In a recent Chinese class, students not only learned the names of various weather conditions in Chinese through studying weather but also actively participated in engaging dialogue practice.
At the beginning of the lesson, the teacher introduced different expressions for weather conditions in Chinese and showcased vivid weather images. By observing the pictures, students learned to describe various weather situations in Chinese, including sunny days, cloudy days, rainy days, snowy days, and more. This allowed them not only to acquire practical vocabulary but also to express weather situations fluently in their daily lives.
Following the introduction, students formed small groups for dialogue practice. Each group engaged in lively discussions based on the weather images provided by the teacher. During the dialogues, they utilized the Chinese weather vocabulary they had learned to describe different weather scenarios and simulated everyday conversations, such as asking about the weather or planning activities.
This speaking practice not only honed the students' oral communication skills but also encouraged a better understanding and application of the learned content. Students showcased a keen interest in Chinese learning within a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, demonstrating their enthusiasm for language acquisition.
Indonesian Department
Written by Ms. Yulia
Class 8 Indonesian Language and Literature in term 2 focuses on a unit about non-literary texts, expository and explanatory texts. Both types of texts can be quite challenging to understand if students work on them individually. With the diverse range of Indonesian language skills, students will find it easier to comprehend the forms and ways of writing these texts together. Therefore, students engage in flexible group activities, where those with higher language abilities collaborate with those who are still struggling. Through this approach, both students with differing levels of language proficiency can benefit.
On one hand, students can enhance their communication skills and understanding, while on the other, they can ask questions and express their difficulties more effectively to their peers. These activities are aimed at preparing them for their individual summative tasks, which involve writing expository and explanatory texts on topics provided by the teacher. This method highly engages the students and has proven to significantly improve their understanding of these topics.
Individuals And Society Department
Written by Ms. Renu
Grade 9 Enterprise
Enterprise involves decision taking. The students are working on a project where they showcase their product at the SWA16 event. They are coming up with ideas and solutions on their own to make their product better. Their main goal is to see how people react to their product, make it even better based on that feedback, and collect suggestions for further improvement.
They are brainstorming ideas independently to make their product more appealing. By watching how people react to it, they want to make changes that people will like. The students are determined to create a product that stands out and is liked by the people they are trying to sell it to. They keep working on it, getting feedback, and making it better to make sure it's a high-quality product that people will enjoy.
Music
Written by Mr. Freddy
Since the beginning of October, The Grade 6 MYP1 Music students have been practising playing kulintang together in two parts of the ensemble as their preparation for the Halloween performance. They performed a themed song of The Addam’s Family, the first group of them were playing the spooky melodic line while the other group played the bass and the chords. Their performance was presented in Trini Dewi Theatre during the Halloween assembly that was organized by STUCO on Tuesday, 31 October 2023.
Besides the Grade 6 students, the High School Choir students and the Strings Club also performed some spooky songs in their unique and creative settings. The High School Choir consisted of Grade 9 and 10 students who sang “Frozen” with a spooky ambience that surprised the audience and all of them had fun with that. The Strings Club amazed the audience with their collaboration in presenting a beautiful themed song from Harry Potter music.
Halloween 2023 Performances (Highlight).movVisual Arts
Written by Mr. Alan
Exploring Javanese and Borneo Motifs: Patterns Across Cultures
7th-grade students recently engaged in an art project centred on Javanese and Borneo motifs. Through research and creative exploration, they crafted their own artwork inspired by these cultural traditions. The resulting pieces showcased the students' interpretation of the motifs, reflecting their artistic growth and cultural appreciation. This project not only honed their artistic skills but also fostered a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and heritage. It served as a testament to the power of art in education, enriching the student's learning experience and broadening their worldview. Here are some snapshots:
SA/CAS
Written by Ms. Elma
Ultimate Frisbee
After a long several years, Ultimate Frisbee is finally back - our first session was hosted in GBK to participate in a HAT Tournament. Our members competed with other experienced ultimate players and experienced firsthand the stack system, the rotations in the zone, force, and hucks. It was an exhausting session but ultimately one that was rewarding.
In our first session, we started off with a big circle where we practised throwing and catching the frisbee. We then split off into two groups and competed against one another. Looking ahead, we're eagerly planning to extend an invitation to younger members, envisioning a vibrant continuity in our CAS endeavours. Our goal is not only to pass on the technical skills of frisbee but also to instil the values of leadership and teamwork that this activity embodies. Empowering the next generation to take the reins of our CAS activities is a testament to our commitment to sustainable growth and collective development. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the legacy of our frisbee CAS sessions will flourish, creating a lasting impact on our school community for years to come.
Project Limitless
Project Limitless, our CAS project, has been making substantial efforts to teach various subjects to students from other schools. With our team of students, we've worked to empower young children in less privileged areas with knowledge and skills. The progress we'= have seen in the 2 schools we teach have been very rewarding. Whether it's math, science, or recently even visual arts, Project Limitless is determined to broaden helping students reach their full potential. We are thrilled about the positive impact we've made in expanding educational opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and look forward to continuing our mission of boundless learning.
Riveria English
During the SA/CAS Fair and Launch at the onset of this term, we set up fundraising booths, seizing the opportunity to engage with our school community and support our initiatives. This event provided a vibrant platform for interaction, where we not only raised funds but also fostered a sense of collaboration among the members of Riveria English.
We have also embarked on a unique educational venture to MI TARBIYATUL ISLAMIYAH which lacks opportunities to learn English as Indonesia is the primary language of instruction at their elementary school. Our mission was to impart knowledge about animal/human body parts to the attentive grade 4-6 students, utilising English. It was an experience that brought forth both novelty and fatigue. The challenge of breaking down complex concepts into simple, coherent explanations was met with determination.
Despite the initial weariness, witnessing the students' eyes light up with understanding was gratifying. The sense of accomplishment as we successfully conveyed intricate ideas in an accessible manner was truly invigorating, inspiring us to continue refining our teaching techniques.
Overall, these experiences have enriched our sense of purpose and reaffirmed our commitment to community service with our own knowledge and skills. We look forward to more opportunities to share knowledge, confident in the transformative impact it can have on both ourselves and the eager minds we engage with.
Masterchef
Masterchef is a cooking CAS that encourages students to learn and experience a healthy lifestyle. In Term 1, we focused on Indonesian cuisine such as making nasi goreng, perkedel, and pisang goreng. We put them into different teams in order for them to experience what it’s like to make them. In Term 2, we are focusing more on korean cuisines and we made soy sauce tteokbokki for our first session. Everyone got the opportunity to experience korean dishes and the outcome of the dish was better than expected.
Timbre
Timbre, our CAS project, has been making progress in our Halloween performance preparations. As a group, we've been working tirelessly to create a captivating musical experience for our audience. From eerie arrangements of classic tunes to original compositions that channel the spirit of the season, our Halloween performance promises to be a fusion of talent and creativity.
Through collaboration and a shared love for music, we're excited to present a show that will leave a lasting impression and add a touch of enchantment to the Halloween festivities. Timbre is ready to take the stage, and we can't wait to share our hauntingly beautiful melodies with everyone.
TEDxYouth@SWA
TEDxYouth is a student lead CAS with the final goal of hosting the annual TEDxYouth in swa. The Executives are Charlotte (President) Jaeyi (Vice-President) Shivam (Treasurer). We started our daily meeting on September 1, 2023. In our annual meetings we discuss on different topics such as finding possible internal and external speakers, finding sponsorships, creating emails and proposals and further topics related to the planning of the actual event.
Pash4Fash
For those who are interested in fashion, you are in luck! Pash4Fash is the first fashion CAS group in SWA. Pash4Fash is a CAS Group where style meets sustainability practices. Our CAS group plans to collect students who are interested in fashion and pattern design to come together and go through a fashion journey of learning about how to use their creative thinking skills and encourage them to be open-minded in the fashion industry. Students will be able to collaborate and ascertain their IB learner profile and ATL skills such as creative thinking, open-mindedness, and risk-takers. We hope that by the end of the year, PASH4FASH will be able to host at least 2-3 student-led Fashion Shows at SWA.
Recently, PASH4FASH has collaborated with Project Limitless by doing a lesson-teaching session for SDN Dompu. Some of the activities that are done by the students are by drawing their own fashion designs.
Join us in redefining fashion by embracing conscious choices without compromising on style. Elevate your wardrobe and be a part of a community that believes in looking good while doing good. If you are interested in joining us, please fill out and submit this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1rFVV6QPgsIUp-cReu-TpwF61J7X_D9b4obkerVYymAI/edit
Fish=Fluffy
This year, we are opening up a new CAS called “Fish=Fluffy”. The name idea came from an incident during SA class at the end of G9 where Jing said that fish are fluffy.
This CAS project revolved around a crucial mission: to bolster wildlife conservation and rescue centres, vital bastions against animal extinctions and habitat deterioration. It offers students a vital lesson on the impact of habitat destruction and empowers them with actionable steps to aid wild animals. Immersed in this environment, students absorb lessons in animal conservation, potentially sparking lifelong advocacy. Through face-to-face encounters with these creatures, students develop a genuine love and empathy for animals in need. This personal connection serves as a catalyst for future endeavours, instilling a sense of responsibility and compassion. Ultimately, this project aims to inspire a legacy of conservation among students.
We have already managed to raise funds from our fundraising attempts during the SA/CAS Launch at the ES gym and the SWA 16th Anniversary Celebrations by selling crochet animals.
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