MS HS NEWS

MSHS
Written by Mr. Alex Nenes

Welcome to Infobyte #14! 

This Infobyte comes full of exciting news and activities. It sounds like there have been a lot of exciting events and achievements at MSHS over the past two weeks. Congratulations to the SPIKE Volleyball Team on the 2nd place finish in the volleyball tournament! It's great to hear that the MYP Personal Project Exhibition went well, with parents and visitors from other schools in attendance. It's also wonderful that G9 and G10 students had the opportunity to visit other schools and see their Personal Project Exhibitions last week, and that G11 VA students were able to visit a Visual Arts Exhibition in an IB school nearby. 

The Canadian Computing Challenge also sounds like an interesting event, which went well and had a good number of participants from SWA. It's also great to hear that DP 2 students have started their mocks. Finally, I'm sure the upcoming TEDxYouth@SWA event will be a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their ideas and engage with the wider community. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to hearing more about the school's future accomplishments! 

Please enjoy all the updates and news we have shared with you in this Infobyte.

MYP UPDATE

Written by Mr. Haoken

Please see the notices and reminders for the coming few weeks of Term 3:

MYP Personal Project Exhibition, 17 February 2023

The Personal Project (PP) Exhibition was truly a remarkable event that showcased the talent and hard work of our students. The hall was filled with excitement as visitors explored the various projects and interacted with the students. The range of projects on display was truly impressive, including topics such as sustainable energy, biomedical, astrophysics, textile, coding, AI, and artistic expressions. 

One of the highlights of the exhibition was the student presentations, where they shared their journey of discovery and explained their projects in detail. It was inspiring to see how much the students had learned and grown through the process of self-directed inquiry. The PP also provided a platform for the students to showcase their skills in communication, organisation, and collaboration. The PP exhibitions drew in a diverse array of enthusiastic visitors, including IB world schools from Jakarta, bright-eyed youngsters from our ES, as well as Grade 6-9 students, parents, staff, and teachers. And let's not forget about Grade 10 students, who received a plethora of valuable feedback that is sure to help them excel!

Overall, the PP Exhibition was a testament to the hard work and dedication of our G10 students and the success of the MYP program. The students should be proud of their achievements and the impact they have made through their projects. It was an inspiring event that showcased the incredible potential of our young leaders and their ability to make a positive impact on the world.

Grade 8 Checkpoint  Mock Examination

Grade 8 Cambridge Checkpoint Mock Examinations will take place from 13 - 15 March 2023 during the last weeks of Term 3. 

Grade 10 IGCSE Mock Examination

Grade 10 IGCSE Mock Examinations will take place from 6 - 17  March 2023 during the last two weeks of Term 3. Details have been shared with the parents. 

Service as Action (SA)

Service as Action continues into Terms 3 and 4 and we are excited to see student project work that is developing. Please take a moment to review the SA Handbook for guidelines and regulations.

DP UPDATE

Written by Ms. Andrea Bozzetti

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is a rigorous educational program that prepares students for higher education and beyond. As DP students strive to achieve academic excellence, it is crucial to recognize the importance of their overall wellbeing. A healthy mind and body are essential to their success, and maintaining good wellbeing can help them manage stress, improve their focus, and foster positive relationships. In fact, the IB recognizes the importance of wellbeing and has incorporated it into the program's core philosophy. DP students are encouraged to develop a balanced lifestyle and are given opportunities to engage in physical activity, creative expression, and community service. By prioritizing their wellbeing, DP students can not only excel academically but also lead fulfilling lives.

DP students interacting and exchanging experiences during Home Room time.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Written by Mr. Kevin

Novel and short story study

Students in Grades 7, 9, and 11 in the English department have been actively engaging with short stories and novels during Term 3. Reading literature has numerous benefits for students, both academically and personally. When students read these works, they must analyze the plot, characters, and themes. This process of close reading helps students develop critical thinking skills and enhances their ability to analyse and interpret complex ideas. Additionally, it can help to expand students' vocabulary and improve their writing skills.

Reading literature can also help students develop empathy and understanding for others, as many works of fiction explore themes of human nature, relationships, and social issues. It can provide a sense of escapism and relaxation that can be beneficial for mental health and wellbeing. Literature can provide a means of escape and allow students to explore new worlds and interesting characters.

In conclusion, reading short stories and novels is an incredibly valuable activity for students in Grades 7, 9, and 11. It can improve their academic skills, promote empathy and understanding, and provide a sense of relaxation and escapism. We encourage students to continue reading and engaging with literature both in and out of the classroom.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Benjamin

Grade 9 Chemistry: Electrolysis and its applications   

Grade 9 students attempted to split compounds back into their respective elements by using electricity through electrolysis methods.  Through these experiments, students gained more hands-on experience and visualized reactivity series better in order to predict the product outcome at each electrode, namely anode and cathode. The video below showed the production of hydrogen and oxygen gas by electrolysis of water.

Some students went through the extra miles to test on the effect of voltage on the rate of electroplating, a method in which reactive metals such as iron is protected by coating a layer of less reactive metal such as silver or copper in order for the item to last longer, typically used for keys. Audric went beyond the syllabus and performed an experiment on electrowinning, an application of electrolysis. 

Set-up of electrolysis(left), set-up of electroplating process(middle) and water electrolysis video(right)

Open-inquiry experiment: Testing the physical and chemical properties of alkali metals. 

Grade 10 students planned and implemented their method to test for properties of alkali metals.  The picture below shows Jing Xiong and Shivam conducting the electrical conductivity test for sodium metal.  To their surprise, the metal was not conductive in the beginning.  Through several attempts and failures, they succeeded to test the high conductivity of sodium by cutting the metal apart.  They concluded sodium has been oxidised by the air and water of the atmosphere after some exposure time.  Hence, they needed to be cut fresh to confirm their electrical conductivity.  They also checked the resistance value of the sodium metal.

Besides, the students checked on the hardness of the metal which is as soft as cake, flame test and reactivity with water.  Lastly, students drew equations based on observations such as fizzing, pop sound when sodium burst into flame to conclude on the reaction that happened.

SWA Makers Club

Written by Mr. Ciaran

The SWA Maker’s Club has returned for Semester 2. In our weekly sessions, we learn about how to construct and program a variety of devices using electronics (usually Arduino) before applying these skills in a practical context in the form of major projects. One of the more exciting sessions occurred on the afternoon of Friday, January 20th, when Le, Zachary, Aradhya, and Audric combined to create an exciting treasure hunt for the other members of the club. The treasure hunt included three Arduino puzzles (two of which were completely constructed by Audric), as well as a variety of colourful characters and sequences devised by Le, Zachary, and Aradhya.

The treasure hunt represents a stepping stone towards a much greater challenge- an Escape room. The Makers have been planning their next adventure for the SWA community since 2020, and by developing treasure hunt makers, develop many skills which will be crucial as they undertake this challenge in term 4. Special thanks to old-time Makers Ben and Hayden (G12), who made surprise cameo appearances during the treasure hunt.

Last week, the Makers learnt to construct an old favorite- the dual ultrasonic puzzle. Players need to hold their hands steady at precisely the right distance from each of the two sensors, which will cause the LCD to present a secret message. Footage of some of the completed devices as well as a tutorial showing how you can construct your own version of the device can be found below.

A reminder to parents of Makers students that since we will be using the workshop in coming weeks, students should bring their toolkits and plastic safety glasses for the first three sessions in February. Later this term, the Makers will be constructing their very own ‘Otto’ robot, using an Arduino nano, and 3D printed components. Parents of Makers students are reminded that some components will need to be purchased for this activity (please email Mr. Ciaran or Mr. Firdaus for details). 

The Makers meet every Friday at 3 pm, all students from Grades 7 through to 12 are welcome (younger students are encouraged to try the Micro:bits club on Tuesdays). 

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
Written by Mr. Greg

THINK-PAIR-SHARE is the theme of this update…

The Maths Department is preparing for a Maths Extravaganza on 𝝅 Day (Pi Day is March 14th). Anticipate fun and challenging individual and team competitions for House Points.

As the MYP students prepare for the imminent IGCSE external exams, students are sharing their knowledge and understanding of the curriculum individually and in learning groups.  

Below are just a few of the Whiteboard Maths Wizards who have stood up to etch their problem solving skill for all to know.

CHINESE DEPARTMENT

Written by Ms. Yuan

G7 CLA 4-6 students are learning about Chinese Great Inventions. By Studying the text, students are able to understand the history of different inventions in ancient China, such as paper making, gunpowder, compass, and printing techniques. Students read the text at the school's Peace Garden to feel the wonderful nature and beautiful text. Students also express their feelings about those inventions by group discussions and individual presentations, which develop their critical thinking and reflection skills.

INDONESIAN/KOREAN DEPARTMENT
Written by Mr. Ahmad

Creating a Song for Global Issues: A Project to Practice Language Skills and Understand Idiomatic Expressions

Music has always been a powerful tool for language learning. It provides an opportunity for students to practice their language skills in a fun and engaging way.  Not only does this project help Grade 11 Indonesian B DP students to improve their language skills, but it also provides a platform for them to express their views on important global issues.

In addition to practicing their language skills, the students also have the opportunity to learn and understand idiomatic expressions. Creating a song for a global issue requires Indonesian B students to use a range of language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They choose a global issue that they are passionate about and then research the topic to gather information. This research involves reading articles, watching videos, and listening to speeches on the issue. Once the students gathered enough information, they began to write the lyrics for their song. Writing lyrics required these students to use their language skills to express their views on the global issue. They chose their words carefully and used appropriate grammar and sentence structure to convey their message effectively.

After the lyrics have been written, the students then practiced singing the song. This involved speaking and listening skills as they practiced the pronunciation and rhythm of the lyrics. By practicing singing the song, students were able to improve their pronunciation and intonation. By researching a global issue, writing lyrics, practicing singing, and studying the idiomatic expressions used in the song, students can improve their language proficiency and gain a better understanding of the world around them. This project not only helps students to develop their language skills, but it also encourages them to become more engaged and aware global citizens.

INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES DEPARTMENT
Written by Ms. Aleksandra

Interdisciplinary learning 

The topic covered for IDU in G8 that integrated I&S and Mathematics was related to Money Maths i.e. to Exploring financial decisions and climate change. The learning objective was to explore and understand from multiple perspectives how and why financial decisions are made in communities as well as to communicate knowledge and understanding of how and why financial decisions are made considering climate change.

The sub topics prepared and presented in groups were:  Climate Change by  Rachel (as the captain for the group), Hyunsung, and Beryl; Tourism by  Erica, William, and Jonathan; Natural Resources by Mutiara, Grant,  Gavin, and Alex, Re-Location of The Capital by Nadhira, Nathan, and Nicolas, Financial Centers by Ethel, Ernesto,  Maxi, and Sachin; Population Distribution by Jasmine, Christopher L. , and Reynaldo; and Education vs Medical Care by Kimberly, Moreno, and Keanu. The students did the research, generated the ideas, prepared for the presentation, rehearsed and presented at the Assembly on 26th January, 2023. Further on, they reflected on what it was that they knew and did not know before the project, the way they developed their learning, what they would do differently next time, how they communicated and collaborated. 

VISUAL ARTS

Written by Mr. Alan

IB DP VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITION VISITING - TUNAS MUDA SCHOOL

On February 17th morning, I and Ms. Andrea plus three DP1 students (Gabrel, K. Lalas and Sana) went to TUNAS MUDA SCHOOL visiting TMS DP final Visual Art Exhibition. We got to see some various interesting artworks done by the students. Our students made contact with the students about the process of this art exhibition. Ms Andrea and I had the opportunity to have a conversation with the art teacher and the DP coordinator. Here are some snapshots taken in the event: