MSHS NEWS

MSHS

Written by Mr. Alex

Welcome to Infobyte #19!

First, let's celebrate the incredible engagement shown by our entire community during Kartini Day last week and a special shoutout goes to the Indonesian Department and all the teachers, particularly Ms. Yulia, who was wonderfully prepared students and acts for the assembly supported by Mr. Ahmad and Mr. Freddy. Their tireless efforts made the celebration truly memorable.

I would also like to commend the PKU elementary school delegation for their successful visit to SWA. Their presence enriched our school community, fostering a meaningful exchange of ideas and camaraderie.

A huge thank you goes to Ms. Elma and all the SA supervisors for presenting a powerful reflection assembly. Their dedication provided invaluable insights to our students. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Grade 8 teachers for their efforts in the interdisciplinary unit (IDU) and  assembly.

As we approach the upcoming semester exams, it's essential to focus on your academics while maintaining a healthy balance. Prioritise your well-being while striving for excellence.

And to our Grade 12 students, good luck on your final two weeks of exams! Your perseverance has led you to this milestone, and we're excited to celebrate your graduation ceremony on 29 May. Congratulations to you all!

Let’s continue this journey together with passion and dedication. The end of the year is already in sight with 5 more weeks to go!

Mangrove Plantation Update

It has been more than a year since SWA grade 7 and 9 students participated in mangrove conservation, located at Ketapang Urban Aquaculture, Tangerang.

Their journey, filled with discovery and purpose, not only nurtured the land but also cultivated a profound sense of environmental stewardship among the young minds.

This transformative experience stands as a testament to the power of education intertwined with hands-on engagement, fostering a future where sustainability thrives.

MSHS Kartini Day - 30 April 2024

Written by Indonesian Department

What a great, yet meaningful MSHS Kartini Day Assembly. Through performances of regional dances from Indonesia, such as the Saman Dance from Aceh, Kecak from Bali, and excerpts from dances from other regions in a Medley, the audience can broaden their horizons while enjoying the talents of SWA students.

Additionally, through the exchange of pantun (traditional Malay poetic form), skits combining two famous Indonesian films, Kartini and Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (What’s Up With Love), and monologues from a famous novel in Indonesia, Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Troops), it is hoped that not only will the audience enjoy these performances, but they will also further appreciate Indonesian literature.

The special feature of the day was that all students, including teachers and administrative staff, participated by wearing traditional costumes from various ethnic groups and provinces in Indonesia. The day certainly broadened everyone's understanding of Indonesia's richness, specifically its cultural diversity and clothing styles. Happy Kartini Day.

English Department

Written by Mr. Greg

Grade 9 ELA has just completed their assessment for the term which required a film and book review of “The Book Thief”. Despite this class always dreading any form of public speaking, the majority of presentations were well-rehearsed and effectively delivered.  They are currently exploring the world of William Shakespeare starting with “Romeo and Juliet” and appear to be taking an interest in the famous tragedy of two doomed teenage lovers.

Grade 6 ELA has also completed a recent assessment where the students had to present their own short stories for the class. The genres ranged from horror to adventure and the enthusiastic class embraced the opportunity to be creative and tell their stories. Grace and Theo even wrote two stories. Perhaps this class should organise a drama club for the future.

Mathematics Department

Written by Ms. Olive

G6 International Mathematics - Reflective

Grade 6 students are tasked with creating a visually appealing and meaningful company logo for a newly established Service Action company that provides various products/ services to the local community. The project will be successful if the logo effectively incorporates geometric concepts, shows mathematical understanding, and meaningfully represents the company.

Students created their first draft and asked teachers and students for feedback on how they could improve their design. Being reflective is a crucial IB learner attribute that can significantly contribute to the success of this project. By encouraging Grade 6 students to reflect on their initial logo designs and seek feedback, they can identify areas for improvement and make necessary revisions. This reflective process allows students to deepen their understanding of geometric concepts, enhance their mathematical skills, and ensure that the final logo is not only visually appealing but also meaningful and representative of the company's values and offerings.

And here are the final logos designed by the Grade 6 IMA student for their SA Company.

Chinese Department

Written by Ms. Yuan

G6 CLA phase 4-6 students staged a drama of "Borrowing Arrows with Thatched Boats" when studying the unit of Traditional Chinese Anecdotes. The idiom "Borrowing Arrows with Thatched Boats" means using ingenuity, relying on the manpower or financial resources of others to achieve one's own goals. This idiom originates from one of the Four Great Classical Novels, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", describing the story of Zhuge Liang borrowing arrows with a clever strategy. 

During the preparation of the drama, G6 CLA phase 4-6 students searched for video and picture materials, practised lines and speeches, and finally presented the first scene of the story without scripts. Their complete and vivid performance won the praise of teachers and classmates, and also made them more confident in speaking Chinese and telling Chinese stories.

Indonesian Department

Written by Mr. Ahmad

Exploring Cultural Diversity: Grade 8 Indonesian Language Acquisition Class Promotes Global Understanding through Poster Campaign

In today's interconnected world, understanding and appreciating cultural diversity is more important than ever. With this in mind, the Grade 8 Indonesian Language Acquisition Class embarked on a creative journey to promote cultural awareness and open-mindedness through a series of captivating posters.

The project began with research as students delved into the rich tapestry of cultures represented within their class. Armed with knowledge about different traditions, customs, and landmarks, they set out to design posters that would not only inform but also inspire their peers to embrace and appreciate the diversity around them.

One of the key objectives of the project was to cultivate open-mindedness among students. By exposing them to unfamiliar cultures in a visually engaging manner, the posters encouraged empathy, respect, and curiosity about the world beyond their own experiences. 

Music

Written by Mr. Freddy

In Grade 6 music, our MYP 1 students have delved into the captivating realm of Asian music through Indonesian and Japanese pentatonic scales. By comparing and contrasting these musical traditions, students discovered intriguing similarities and differences in interval formulas, enriching their understanding of cultural musical nuances.

Taking their exploration further, students collaborated to create original compositions that blend Indonesian and Japanese influences. Utilising tools like flat.io for digital composition and iMovie for multimedia presentations, they brought their musical visions to life while incorporating historical knowledge and authentic instrument selection.

This project not only nurtured musical creativity but also developed critical IB MYP Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills. Through reflection and journaling, students honed skills in communication, self-management, and critical thinking. Their journey highlights the transformative impact of music education in fostering cultural appreciation and creative expression among young musicians.

UGC

Written by Mr. Stan

University Acceptances

We wish to congratulate all of our students on their acceptances so far and wish them all the best as they continue to apply to other universities throughout the semester. Regular Decision acceptances should be received by April and acceptances to some universities in other countries may be received as late as July. This acceptance list will be updated as they come in.