MSHS NEWS

Welcome to the MSHS section of InfoByte #14!

Written by Mr. Alex

I want to start by extending my appreciation to all members of our vibrant community. This week has been incredibly dynamic, filled with enriching events such as the Australian University fair, the Personal Project Exhibition, the G11 Extended Essay showcase, and the celebration of the Chinese New Year Assembly as well as the visit of our Grade 9 students to Tunas Muda School's Personal Project Exhibition. Our Roboknights, SWA’s robotics team, represented us beautifully in the Philippines last weekend. Let's also look forward to the upcoming World Book Day celebrations. This annual event offers us an opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading and the power of storytelling.

All these events exemplify our commitment to collaboration and shared responsibility within our school community. At SWA, each person's contribution, whether big or small, plays a crucial role in our collective growth and success. By working together, supporting one another, and embracing our shared responsibilities, we create an environment where everyone can thrive and excel.

Let's continue to foster this spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility as we journey forward, making our school community an even more vibrant and inclusive place for all. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our shared vision of excellence.

DP Update

Written by Ms. Marta

Free IELTS Practice Test/Mock Exam for Grade 11 students

Date: 28 February 2024 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm

All SWA Grade 11 students will have the unique opportunity to take a full IELTS practice test provided by the creators of the IELTS, IDP.  The mock test will be carried out by the IDP itself under exact testing conditions to help prepare the students for the real test which most will have to take for the university applications. It is thus a preliminary “dress rehearsal” of the IELTS, which allows students to be exposed to the test in a low-risk way as the scores are not seen by colleges and universities.  Students take the exam the same way they would the full IELTS, therefore getting a taste of testing conditions. The score can help students decide whether they should take the IELTS in the future, or look for other options, such as the TOEFL or Duolingo.

Additionally, once students receive their results in 3-4 weeks, IDP will offer a free IELTS clinic to help students prepare for the test.

English Department

Written by Mr. Alex

Grade 11 English B class is currently working on their first piece of literature, the book The Circle by Dave Eggers, which portrays the story of a young woman’s rise through an innovative tech company called "The Circle" whose power begins to threaten the foundations of democratic institutions. 

Against the backdrop of a coming-of-age story about a young woman's journey from college to the working world, the novel was an international bestseller that examines issues including surveillance, privacy, and how technology can interfere with our lives. Eggers, who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for The Circle. 

The theme of the English B course studied is Experiences and it relates to how we interact with technology and the influence of social media in our daily lives. As one of the class projects, students created brochures to raise awareness on the importance of reading.

Science And Design Department

Written by Mr. Rahul

Grade 7

Term 3 has brought in a lot of adventures for Grade 7, where they are undergoing a series of projects, especially in sciences where they are involved in a 2-week long project of creating a pin-hole camera, which is a device that harnesses the power of light to capture images and preserve moments in time. Unlike traditional cameras with lenses and complex mechanisms, the pinhole camera relies on a simple principle. After constructing the pin-hole camera using very basic stuff available like empty pringle boxes, rough cardboard, or other frugal stuff, they are now experimenting with different apertures, distances, and light conditions, and gaining invaluable insights into the principles of optics and photography.

As they reflect on their journey through the pinhole camera project and the broader study of light and optics, they take pride in their newfound understanding of the natural world. By embracing curiosity, inquiry, and exploration, they are not only unlocking the mysteries of science but also enriching their experiences as lifelong learners and stewards of knowledge.

Grade 9

It is Term 3 and grade 9 has been progressing as usual doing a blend of cambridge rigour with creative-myp approach. They have successfully completed the summative Cri BC and are still exploring the topic of waves by doing a number of online simulation based activities along with hands-on experiments from time to time. Recently to explore the topic of ‘Waves’ , they have performed an experiment to investigate the speed of water waves vs depth of water, using water tray, metre rule and stopwatch, they thoroughly enjoy their journey in ib-myp where each one of them is an active learner, participating to make the best use of their skills, they embrace the challenges, seize the opportunities, and unleash their potential to become compassionate, knowledgeable, and principled individuals who will make a positive impact on the world. 

Grade 10

Grade 10 has been under revision phase this term, where they are practising theory questions along with hands-on practical sessions. Sometimes keeping the fun in the rigour of preparing for Cambridge examinations, they try to paint and create wonderful revision posters. Some effective revision activities in physics lessons include concept mapping, flashcards, practise past questions,peer teaching, summarising and paraphrasing,self-assessment, reflection, teacher feedback and support.

Mathematics Department

Written by Ms. Olive

G6 International Mathematics - ATL Communication and Social Skills

Communication and social skills are essential for students to succeed academically and personally. These skills empower students to express ideas, build relationships, and solve problems.

In a recent project, these skills prepared students to address real-world issues. The Grade 6 students investigated water and energy consumption and gained practical experience in applying math concepts like linear equations. Working collaboratively, the students applied their knowledge of linear equations to model the data and identify trends, enabling them to make informed decisions about conservation strategies. Effective communication was vital throughout as students brainstormed ideas, discussed findings, and presented recommendations.

Below is the video of the Grade 6 students explaining linear equations, applying their concepts in investigating water and energy consumption, and exploring strategies to conserve water and energy, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Chinese Department

Written by Ms. Yuan

The Spring Festival Celebration of SWA in 2024 will be held in the school TD theatre on 23 February 2024, at 1:00 p.m. The theme of this celebration is "Crossing Time and Space to Celebrate the Spring Festival." This year, students from grades six to twelve will bring everyone a New Year's epic journey through time and space. Some will dance, some will sing, some will perform dramas, some will play drums, and some will play the piano. It can be said that each has shown their unique talents after several weeks of hard work. The students are so excited and have been performing better and better under the guidance of their teachers. Please stay tuned for the performance.

Indonesian Department

Written by Ms. Yulia

At the beginning of term 3, Grade 11 Indonesian Language and Literature students were introduced to their second literary work, called Domba - Domba Revolusi, a play from Bambang Soelarto. After learning half of the content of the drama, students carry out a peer teaching activity. The peer teaching activity in the Indonesian Language and Literature class involves students selecting a topic and presenting the material using slides. Each student chooses one of the four given topics related to character development, conflicts, and the relevance of themes in drama. For instance, they might opt to analyze the character development of the Adventurer from the beginning to the end of the story and its impact on the reader. Each student is allotted 30 minutes to explain their chosen topic, incorporating references from the drama script. The material to be presented includes the meaning of drama and the student's personal interpretation of the selected topic. Through this activity, students learn from their peers, deepen their understanding of Indonesian literature, and enhance their public speaking skills through the use of slides.

Individuals & Societies Department
Written by Ms. Renu

In the Grade 9 enterprise class, students dig into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, focusing particularly on understanding and managing risks inherent in business ventures. Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical application, students learn to identify and analyse risks using tools such as SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and PEST (Political, Economic, Social, Technological) analysis. 

By conducting these analyses, students gain insight into the internal and external factors that can impact a business's success or failure. Furthermore, students learn strategies for effectively managing risks, including risk mitigation, contingency planning, and adopting a proactive approach to problem-solving. This holistic approach equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence and resilience, laying a solid foundation for their future endeavours in business and beyond.

Music

Written by Mr. Freddy

Our Grade 6 MYP1 has been making waves with their interesting music performances all this time. With this opportunity, I would like to highlight one of their musical journeys that involved the exploration of instrumental and vocal harmony, specifically in the form of two-voice arrangements featuring soprano and alto parts as the most suitable range in their transition age as pre-teenagers. During the holiday concert, they showcased their talents in both ukulele playing and vocal harmonies. It’s a unique blend of skill and dedication that has captivated audiences with their remarkable musical abilities. In addition to developing their singing abilities, they have embraced the challenge of mastering the song with vocal and ukulele instruments and explored a simple swing jazz rhythmic pattern. 

As Grade 6 students, engaging in vocal music practice not only provides them with creative self-expression but also offers developmental benefits. As we all understand singing can help improve respiratory control, enhance vocal and auditory processing skills, and boost self-confidence and self-esteem. Performing in a group setting fosters a sense of belonging and supports social integration and emotional well-being. As they continue to grow their musicianship, they carry with them invaluable experiences through their developmental process, the lessons of discipline, self-control, and perseverance as parts of the transformative power of music.

SA/CAS

Written by Ms. Elma

Amidst the buzz of the PP Exhibition and the joyous atmosphere of CNY Celebrations, the G6 and G9 students showcased charming fundraising stalls, each offering a delightful array of treats to savour in between exploring the inspiring projects presented by the G10 students. From fun stickers to artisanal tea blends and mouthwatering Indian, Chinese and Indonesian snacks, the students poured their hearts into serving their eager customers. We are thrilled to share that nearly every stall enjoyed a quick sell-out, with some even within minutes of opening! Every contribution will significantly impact worthy causes, and we extend our appreciation to all for their invaluable support!