MSHS
Written by Mr. Alex Nenes
Welcome to Infobyte #11 and Term 3!
This term will be filled with exciting experiences and valuable opportunities for personal and academic growth. The months of January and February promise to be particularly thrilling for MSHS students, with a lineup of events that includes Career Day, participation in Model United Nations (MUN) in Malaysia, FLL competition in the Philippines, the visit of PKU students to SWA, engaging assemblies, and more.
While we eagerly anticipate these upcoming activities, it's crucial to underscore the importance of responsible mobile phone use during the academic term. In today's digital age, mobile phones have become part of our daily lives, offering connectivity, information, and entertainment at our fingertips. However, their presence can also pose challenges to the educational process if not used responsibly.
Mobile phones, when misused, can be significant distractions in the learning environment. Text messages, social media notifications, and mobile apps can divert attention away from lessons, impeding the concentration and focus necessary for effective learning. As we navigate through Term 3, let's collectively commit to using our mobile devices responsibly and mindfully.
As we embrace the excitement of Term 3, let's harness the power of technology responsibly. By being mindful of our mobile phone usage, we can maximise our educational experiences and fully participate in the diverse opportunities that lie ahead. Together, let's make the most of this term, supporting each other in our academic endeavours and personal growth.
DP Update
Written by Ms. Marta Bobiatynska
As we step into the promising corridors of 2024, we can't help but reflect on the incredible journey our International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) students have embarked upon. The new year brings with it a sense of anticipation and determination as we gear up for the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead.
For our graduating Grade 12 students, 2024 is a pivotal year marked by crucial deadlines and milestones. The upcoming months will see them navigating through IB exams, a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. As they make decisions about their university choices, we are excited to witness the diverse paths they will carve for themselves, armed with the skills and knowledge cultivated during their time in the IBDP.
Meanwhile, our Grade 11 students are at the starting line of their own IBDP journey. In the coming months, they will begin the earnest work towards internal assessments, extended essays, and various academic pursuits that will shape their educational experience. The choices they make now will lay the foundation for a successful and fulfilling IBDP experience.
As a community, we stand united in our commitment to nurturing the intellectual and personal growth of our students. The collaborative efforts of students, teachers, and parents are integral to the success of our IBDP community. Together, we look forward to supporting each other and celebrating the achievements, big and small, that will undoubtedly unfold in the coming months.
Here's to a year filled with growth, learning, and accomplishments! We are confident that 2024 will be a year to remember for our IBDP students, and we eagerly anticipate the shared journey ahead.
STUCO Sports Day
Written by Mr. Alex
The annual MSHS Sports Day at Sinarmas World Academy recently took place, showcasing a vibrant display of athleticism, camaraderie, and sportsmanship among the students. The event featured a diverse array of games, catering to various interests and talents.
Basketball
The basketball court was abuzz with energy as teams competed fiercely, dribbling, shooting, and defending with enthusiasm. The matches were not only a test of skill but also highlighted the importance of teamwork and strategy.
Soccer
On the SWA football field, soccer enthusiasts displayed their agility and finesse. The matches were intense yet filled with moments of impressive footwork and well-executed passes, drawing cheers from the spectators.
Ultimate Frisbee
The Ultimate Frisbee games were a testament to precision and coordination. Players swiftly manoeuvred across the field, showcasing their throwing and catching abilities in this dynamic and fast-paced sport.
Badminton
Indoors, the badminton courts witnessed thrilling rallies and swift movements as players engaged in singles and doubles matches. The agility and speed displayed by the participants were commendable.
Volleyball
The volleyball games were a highlight, with teams showcasing their skills in spiking, serving, and blocking. The matches were a perfect blend of strategy and athleticism, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
Minor Games
Adding a touch of fun and inclusivity, parlour games were organised, fostering a sense of community and enjoyment among the participants. These games allowed everyone to join in, irrespective of their sporting expertise.
The Sports Day was not merely about competition; it was a celebration of sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy competition. Participants demonstrated respect for their opponents, cheering each other on and displaying exemplary behaviour throughout the event.
The event concluded with a sense of achievement and camaraderie, fostering a spirit of sportsmanship and unity among the students. The MSHS Sports Day was indeed a testament to the school's commitment to holistic development and the promotion of a healthy, active lifestyle among its students.
MSHS Holiday Concert
Written by Mr. Freddy
The Holiday Concert is the greatest opportunity of the year to make a positive impact in the community through Music and Performing Arts. The Music of the Holiday Season is inescapable, the choral singing and the musical are important parts of the December experience although it’s often crammed between the hectic rehearsals and the semester exam preparation where our students learn how to develop their time management and organisational skills.
Our MSHS Holiday Concert 2023 provided not only music production but also a fundraising opportunity that involved collaboration between all CAS/SA Groups. In celebration of the Holiday and World Children’s Day, our talented MSHS Youth weaving tales of optimism through a musical performance with the title “Chase Your Dreams: Do You Wanna Build A Snowman?” as part of the charity program’s main theme: Youth of Hope. This is the result of the hard work of all MSHS students organized by Timbre and STUCO.
The charity concert was started with a duet from Maxi and Nathan presenting “Angel” in English and Latin. Followed by the Opening Choir from Grades 8, 9, and 10 students singing “Thankful” from Josh Groban in SATB format conducted by Ms. Cecilia, one of our beloved parents. The musical involved a lot of singing, ensembles, and dance performances with the great acting skills of the Timbre members as the main cast. The story was written originally by Chelsea and Jessie with all the creative ideas coming from all Timbre execs and members. In the production, the Grade 6 students sang a jazzy song “Marshmallow World” while playing ukulele together as a class. The Grade 7 students performed a medley of traditional Christmas songs in an ensemble format using traditional percussion and wind instruments from Asia. The Grade 8 students performed a ukulele and guitar ensemble presenting old-time country music “We Go Together”. The MSHS Strings Club featuring Ms. Klara presented the main theme song “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman” at the beginning of the drama. It’s all combined with many performances from the Timbre members with amazing repertoire such as “First Love” by Nikka Costa, “Jardin d’Hiver” in French and Portuguese, “Fly Me To The Moon” with Ernesto as the saxophonist, “O Holy Night” in oriental format with guitar and guzheng, and many other musical songs. The OneTake Dance Club also enlivened the production with an energetic KPop dance style.
After the musical production, the joy of the concert continued with many fun activities and charity programs. Working together with Ms. Elma, all the CAS/SA groups worked together with Timbre and STUCO held a fundraising event and also an auction conducted by Mr. Kevin. All the donations will be sent to Sekolah Kami kids to help build a better education environment for them. It won’t be complete without the hard work of the Arts Department led by Mr. Alan who provided the stage decoration and organized the joyful fashion show competition with the theme “Christmas Childhood Memories”. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed and supported the Holiday Concert 2023 especially the main casts, backstage crews, operators, all students, teachers, and parents. May we bring the spirit of joy and optimism with a positive mind through the new year, Happy New Year!
English Department
Written by Ms. Katherine
In our Grade 6 English class, students are embarking on an exciting Interdisciplinary Unit, connecting with the subject of Individuals and Societies, on Utopias. Having explored the definitions of 'Utopia' and 'Dystopia,' students delved into envisioning their ideal worlds through mind mapping and thoughtful discussions inspired by a short video. This collaborative unit encourages pairs to work together, fostering creativity and critical thinking as they explore the realms of utopian and dystopian visions. Get ready for an imaginative exploration of students' ideal societies!
Is he sleeping? No! Yejun is thinking of his ideal Utopia.
Taeseong and Vincent busy with their ideas
Indonesian Department
Written by Mr. Ahmad
To enhance their understanding of Indonesian Literature, G12 Indonesian B students have engaged in the analysis of compound words and idiomatic expressions found in the novels "11 Patriot" by Andrea Hirata and "5 Cm" by Donny Dhirgantoro. As part of the preparation for their Individual Oral Presentation, students presented several compound words and idiomatic expressions they discovered, demonstrating their understanding of the meanings and usage within authentic contexts.
Through these presentations, students not only identified these words but also analyzed how they are used in sentences, showed connections to everyday life and exhibited creativity in delivering the information. Therefore, this activity not only helps students improve their language skills but also allows them to explore the richness of the Indonesian language and culture contained within these compound words and idiomatic expressions.
Individuals & Societies Department
Written by Ms. Katherine
In our exciting new unit on 'Countries and Control,' Grade 7 students are diving into the fascinating history of the United States' development and foreign policies since 1919. Kicking off with the Roaring Twenties, this journey explores the dynamic interplay between nations and the impact of historical events on societies. From the jazz-filled streets of the 1920s to the complex geopolitical landscape of today, our students are gaining valuable insights into the forces that have shaped our world. Moving through the decades they will finish looking at the United States involvement in the Vietnam War.
Eager Beaver Justin, Grade 7
Rutger and Emilio, Grade 7
Sharing ideas - Justin, Rutger, Emilio, Grade 7
Music
Written by Mr. Freddy
One of the challenging projects in Term 2 for the Grade 7 MYP2 Music students was composing Christmassy music. d to develop their creative thinking skills to produce ideas for making original melodies and accompaniments with characteristics that are suitable for the Christmas season. They learned to analyse the important factors of how to make music characteristics sound Christmassy from the scale, chord progression, and even the choice of instruments. They worked together in groups to plan their goal of the projects, the artistic intention, process development record, production, organizing schedule, and evaluation process. They were allowed to work using instruments and digital apps to support their creation. The software they used were GarageBand and Flat.io apps, and they also used the MIDI keyboard provided by SWA as the hardware support. Below are some samples of their products.
Visual Arts
Written by Mr. Alan
MSHS Holiday Concert 2023
14 December 2023, one of the big events in Sinarmas World Academy, MSHS Holiday Concert with the Christmas theme. In the D-day event, MSHS Visual Art contributed 3 activities that were magically presented - The warmth and delightful Christmas stage decoration props, "The MSHS Eco Artists In Action" where the visual art students from grade 6 - grade 12 used recycling materials such as plastic, glass bottles, and gallon container transformed into Christmas decorative arts, and lastly was the student's fashion show catwalks contest “Childhood Memories”. And we are honoured to have ESMOD fashion lecturers to be the judges. Here are some snapshots: