MSHS NEWS

MSHS

MYP UPDATE

Written by Mr. Daniele

I would like to take this opportunity to share our recent, wonderfully successful event organised by Ms Elma and the Grade 8 Hoops for Hope initiative. The event welcomed members of the Jakarta Swift Wheelchair Sports Club, who shared their journeys of resilience, determination, and achievement.

Through engaging stories and an interactive session, students gained firsthand insight into adaptive sports while challenging their own perceptions of limitation and success. The experience fostered a deeper sense of empathy and inclusivity, encouraging students to reflect on their own mindset and approach to challenges.

This initiative beautifully highlighted the caring and knowledgeable attributes of the IB Learner Profile. Our students not only expanded their understanding of perseverance and equity but also demonstrated compassion and respect in their interactions.

Hoops for Hope reminded us all that success is not defined by limitation, but by mindset, determination, and the courage to act.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Written by Ms. Vera

Grade 6 ELA

For their final novel, The Cay, a story of friendship and adventure, students explored the text through Popcorn Reading. To deepen understanding, they brought each chapter to life using Freeze Frame Drama.

In groups, students created a “frozen picture” of a key moment (no talking). When tapped, they came alive to deliver lines using facial expressions and body language.

The most creative and clear performance was recognised. This activity helped students better understand the story while expressing ideas in a fun and creative way.

Grade 9 EAL
In a small class setting, students focused on improving their writing skills.

For their individual task, they continued a story ending using descriptive details. After writing, students worked together on an Error Hunt, identifying common mistakes such as incorrect tenses, sentence fragments, and missing punctuation.

This collaborative activity helped students strengthen accuracy and develop greater awareness of their writing.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Billy

A structured scientific debate helps grade 11 environmental systems and societies (ESS) students develop essential approaches to learning (ATL) skills while deepening their understanding of environmental issues, both past and present. Through debating topics like the Green Revolution, students practise critical thinking by analysing different perspectives and weighing evidence. They learn communication skills as they clearly present arguments and respond to opposing views. Research skills are strengthened when students gather reliable data to support their claims. Listening is equally important, as students must carefully evaluate others’ arguments before forming a fair judgement. Collaboration and social skills also develop as team members organise ideas and build coherent cases together. Most importantly, debates train students to conclude thoughtfully by considering both pros and cons, rather than making one-sided decisions. This process not only improves academic skills but also builds awareness of real-world environmental challenges and responsible decision-making.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Adil 

The active phase is currently focused on Grades 8, 10, and 12, where all efforts have been directed toward intensive exam preparation. Students have been practising past papers and strengthening problem-solving techniques under timed conditions.

Grade 6 Additional Mathematics students have begun a project creating 3D models of buildings as part of their unit on volume and surface area of 3D shapes. They are applying mathematical formulas to real-world architectural design, calculating the volume and surface area of structures they design themselves.

Grade 7 students are actively preparing for their upcoming test on Probability, exploring concepts such as sample space and theoretical probability. Following the test, a project on Statistics awaits them, where they will collect and analyse real data.

Grade 9 Additional Mathematics students have been developing their trigonometry skills, working with sine, cosine, and tangent ratios, and beginning to explore non-right-angled triangle applications such as the sine rule and cosine rule.

Finally, results from recent Mathematics Olympiads are expected very soon. Please stay tuned for updates — we will announce the results as soon as they are released.

CHINESE DEPARTMENT

Written by Ms. Yuan

The IBDP Chinese B exam will take place on May 5–6. As students enter the final stretch, there are some highlights for the exams:

In terms of exam preparation, students are advised to focus on the five core themes (identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organisation, and sharing the planet) and familiarise themselves with the formats of emails, blogs, argumentative essays, and other text types. Daily timed writing and listening practice is recommended. Candidates should also prepare their admission tickets, valid ID, and necessary stationery while ensuring adequate sleep.

Regarding exam priorities: For Paper 1 (writing), students must read prompts carefully, maintain clear structure, and pay attention to word count requirements (SL: 300–480 characters; HL: 540–720 characters), avoiding off-topic responses and format errors. For Paper 2 (listening and reading), students should preview questions before listening, pay attention to transition words, and for the reading section, locate answers in the text after reviewing the questions. Time management is crucial. In addition, appropriate references to Chinese cultural elements are encouraged but must be relevant to the prompt.

Best wishes to all candidates for outstanding results!

INDONESIAN DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Ahmad

Celebrating Creativity in Grade 11 Indonesian B: Exploring 11 Patriot

The Grade 11 Indonesian B students demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and creativity as they created and presented their projects on the novel 11 Patriot by Andrea Hirata. Guided by the learning objective of composing and delivering a literary presentation in a creative and engaging manner, students designed visually appealing slides that showcased their understanding of the novel. Each presentation was carefully structured, covering the title, identity of the novel, summary of the story, characters and characterisation, setting, conflict, climax, and moral lesson. To enhance engagement, every slide featured meaningful illustrations that brought the story to life.

What made this project particularly impactful was the students’ ability to connect the themes of the novel with contemporary lifestyles. Through thoughtful discussions and personal reflections, they highlighted values such as perseverance, patriotism, and dedication, demonstrating the continued relevance of literature in today’s world. 

INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Leo

Discover the World Through MUN: SWA Students Shine at BSJ Conference 2026

Students from Sinarmas World Academy participated in the Model United Nations (MUN) conference at the British School Jakarta from 10–12 April 2026. MUN is an academic simulation where students represent countries, debate global issues, and work together to propose solutions through speeches, negotiations, and position papers.

During the event, delegates discussed real-world challenges in various committees, developing their confidence, communication, and critical thinking skills. A highlight of the conference was Richard (Grade 10), who received the Best Position Paper Award in the DISEC committee, recognising his strong research and well-structured arguments.

MUN is an excellent opportunity for students to step into the role of global leaders, collaborate with others, and gain a deeper understanding of international issues. We strongly encourage students to join future MUN conferences and experience the excitement of making their voice heard on global matters.

PHE DEPARTMENT

Written by Mr. Sean

MYP students are diving into their swimming unit with energy and excitement, setting goals and crafting plans to level up their swimming skills!

Grade 6 students are taking on an incredible challenge — blending cultural dance into their swimming lessons! They're unleashing their creativity to design stunning aesthetic movement routines inspired by cultural dances of their choice. From exploring dynamic movements and tempos to experimenting with levels both on land and in the water, these students are truly pushing boundaries!

Meanwhile, Grade 10 students wrapped up their MYP PHE classes in the best way possible — with thrilling games of dodgeball and capture the flag! Now, they're gearing up for the next big challenge: IGCSE exam preparation. You've got this, Grade 10 — best of luck!

MUSIC

Written by Mr. Freddy

On Tuesday, 21 April 2026, the spirit of Kartini Day came alive through a meaningful collaboration between Grade 9 and 10 students in a special choir performance of “Dekat di Hati.” Singing in Bahasa Indonesia, students embraced both musical and cultural learning, refining pronunciation, expression, and connection to the song’s message. 

Arranged in harmony, the choir demonstrated strong teamwork and musical awareness. Each section carried its role, blending voices into a rich, balanced sound while applying vocal techniques such as breath control, tone quality, and active listening.

For high school students, continuing in choir is essential. It builds discipline, confidence, collaboration, and emotional expression, while strengthening focus and resilience through consistent practice.

This performance reflected international-mindedness in action: students engaged with Indonesian language and culture through music, showing how art connects people across identities. More than a performance, it was a shared experience of unity, respect, and expression, echoing Kartini’s spirit through harmony and voice.

VISUAL ARTS

Written by Ms. Jeanie

G9 and G10 Exploring Etching in Visual Arts

Etching is a new medium for IGCSE students this year, utilising an etching press to bring their designs to life. Students began by using a variety of line techniques to create tonal values and textures within compositions based on their chosen prompts. Unlike traditional drawing, the etching process relies entirely on line work to build depth and detail. A black-and-white photograph can serve as an excellent starting point, which is particularly effective for students developing self-portraits.

The process begins with students scratching lines into a hard acrylic etching plate using a specialised needle tool. The density of these lines determines the darkness of the area: the more lines engraved, the deeper the tone. Once the engraving is complete, ink is applied to the plate, ensuring it settles into the recessed lines. The excess ink is then wiped from the flat surface of the plate to create contrast.

Students exercise their own artistic judgement to decide how much "surface tone" (ink left on the plate) to retain, ensuring that every print is unique. Finally, the plate is placed onto dampened watercolour paper and run through the press, which forces the paper into the grooves to pick up the ink.

Etching is a fantastic way for students to produce multiple editions of a single design. The process allows for further experimentation through the use of different coloured inks or by applying watercolour washes to the final print. Through ongoing contextual research and artwork investigation, students continue to discover new ways to manipulate and evolve this traditional printing method.

UGC

As we approach the break, students are encouraged to view the summer months not as a "pause" in learning, but as a strategic window to gain a competitive edge. By enrolling in online courses, students can explore interests, strengthen their university applications, and bridge any knowledge gaps before the new academic year. The goal is to help students maximise this time and allow them to return to the classroom with newfound confidence and a broader perspective on their future career paths.

To help students get started, they are recommended to explore these reputable global platforms:

• Coursera & edX: Ideal for students seeking certificates from Ivy League institutions and top global universities.

• Khan Academy: A platform for mastering core subjects like SAT Prep, Advanced Mathematics, and Science through structured, free lessons.

• Udemy: Excellent for practical, skill-based learning such as coding, graphic design, or video editing.