ACG School Jakarta March Newsletter

MARCH NEWSLETTER

EVENT OF THE MONTH Virtual School

In This Issue Virtual School Page 1

Message from the Principal Page 2

Message from the Vice PrincipalPrimary Page 3

Learning at ACG School Jakarta Page 4

Learner Profile of the Month Page 6

Farewell to Our Leaving Teachers We are very proud of our entire community with the temporary shift to a Virtual School. Creating an engaging virtual learning environment for our students was possible because we have teachers that are highly experienced in their specific areas. We also have supportive parents and students who have embraced this new learning experience and have worked with us to overcome challenges and experience real success.

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Whole School Information Page 12

A huge thank you to our students, parents and teachers for their enthusiasm and dedication towards online learning at this time.

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Message from the Principal Dear Parents and Caregivers, When we released our February newsletter, we were two days into our virtual school journey and I’m sure we were all trying to adjust as quickly as we could to a new way of teaching and learning. Although we seem to be heading into the peak of the Covid-19 outbreak here in Indonesia over the next few weeks, the school closures and subsequent restrictions globally and locally have provided us all with ample time to reflect on our work, our lives and how we are all managing with this global crisis.

The value of self-reflection is often underestimated, but true self-reflection can often be transformative, for the teacher, student and parent. Self-reflection can lead to positive benefits, including strengthening emotional intelligence, acting with integrity, being more confident and setting clear goals and challenges for the future.

Our Year 13 and 11 students have had some time to reflect on the past two years, and they have the opportunity to continue reflecting, as the International Baccalaureate and Cambridge Assessment International Examinations May/June examination sessions have now been cancelled. Their journey to this point in their school career has not been easy. They have all faced challenges along the way, but one critical element for their potential success will be their ability to show resilience during setbacks, adapt to change and keep going in the face of adversity.

As we reflect, announcing news about staff members leaving our community at the end of the school year is never an easy thing to do and our current circumstances make it even more difficult. We are obviously hoping that we will reopen the school before the end of the year and this will be especially important as we would like to acknowledge and celebrate the work and significant contributions made by our leaving staff members.

Sadly, the following expatriate staff members will be leaving ACG School Jakarta at the end of this academic year and will head off on their new adventures around the world. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their hard work, commitment and dedication to ACG School Jakarta and their students. We would also like to appreciate their professionalism and friendship during their time at ACG School Jakarta, and wish them all the very best.

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Jennifer Kesler

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Dave Brundage

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Mark Graham

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Karl Lo

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Marc Fortier

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Miriam Foster

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Gita Graham

We are very excited and pleased to announce that we will have a number of new teachers joining our school in 2020/2021. We have spent a considerable amount of time recruiting experienced and qualified educators with international school experience and look forward to welcoming them to our school in July 2020.

New Primary School Expatriate Staff for 2020/2021 •

Sarah Waldie

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Matt Knox

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Michael Windfohr-Byrne

New Secondary School Expatriate Staff for 2020/2021 •

Abraham Devis – Chemistry / Science Team Leader

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Olivia Owen – Visual Art

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David Campbell – English / TOK

We will endeavour to provide further details about the 2020-2021 academic year, new teachers and our new leadership structure in the next few weeks. However, for now, our focus is very much on supporting students, parents and teachers during this challenging period of virtual schooling.

Shawn Hutchinson Principal 2 | ACG JKT

March Newsletter

Message from the Vice Principal - Primary Dear Parents and Caregivers, What a wild month it’s been! With the shock and surprise of virtual school beginning the first week of March and running through the rest of the month, we have all been pushed out of our comfort zones and into a new way of learning. Our Learner Profile trait of the month, Open-minded, was definitely appropriate for this situation.

Students, parents, and teachers have all exhibited open-mindedness this month as they try new things, teach and learn in different ways, and communicate via online platforms.

I am extremely proud of the ACG School Jakarta community this month for their support and encouragement toward one another. We have all become more tech-savvy as we navigate this new world of online learning. Our patience has been tested as we encountered technological difficulties and frustrations with being confined to our homes. However, as we have become more comfortable with this new situation, we have exhibited more creativity and compassion for others.

My hope is that you continue to remain positive during this trying time, and above all else, stay safe and healthy.

Please reach out to me at Jennifer.kesler@acgedu.com if you have questions about virtual school or if you need any additional support.

Jennifer Kesler Vice Principal - Primary

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Learning at ACG School Jakarta Kindergarten From the moment we began our virtual schooling, both the parents and my superstar Kindergarteners worked incredibly hard on the activities and lesson ideas provided for them. The students blew me away with the quality of work they produced and showed themselves to be true, creative problem solvers when finding materials and resources to help them to complete their masterpieces. From dyeing rice and pasta for counting, creating and making their own character puppets, to making home-made weighing scales and addition machines, the students tackled everything with enthusiasm, effort and positivity. They have made progress, had fun and found enjoyment in their learning. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of their parents and family members. I sincerely thank you all!

Year 6 Action Hey everybody. This is a petition made by us, Eshal and Aahana from Year 6A, for our PYP Exhibition. This is part of our action for PYP Exhibition. We need to do something to stop animal cruelty and this is one opportunity for us to help. This petition is to let the tortoises, Shelly and Sheldon, return to their natural habitat where they will be much happier. We need to let them free so they will have a much bigger space to live in and they will be healthier. We know that everyone deserves to be free and that includes animals too. So please sign the petition HERE and help us in letting Shelly and Sheldon live an amazing life ahead. Thank you so much.

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Learning at ACG School Jakarta Ms Charlene’s Message Lockdown (Richard Hendrick)

So we pray and we remember that

Yes there is fear.

Yes there is fear.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is panic buying.

Yes there is isolation.

Yes there is sickness.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is even death.

Yes there is panic buying.

But,

But there does not have to be meanness.

They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise

Yes there is sickness.

You can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet The sky is no longer thick with fumes But blue and grey and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi People are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping their windows open so that those who are alone may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.

Today a young woman I know

But there does not have to be disease of the soul Yes there is even death.

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic The birds are singing again The sky is clearing, Spring is coming, And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul And though you may not be able to touch across the empty square, Sing.

is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighbourhood So that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way All over the world people are waking up to a new reality To how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To Love.

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Learning at ACG School Jakarta I would like take this opportunity to thank the school community for their care and concern for my well-being during my illness and as I waited for the results of testing. It was a very difficult and uncertain time for me, and I don’t think I would have been able to get through it without the incredible support from Shawn and the Academic Leadership Team and the NZ Embassy who fought hard for my care and my rights as a patient. I also had incredible support from my dance community, family and friends, as they tried to lift my spirits while I was being isolated in a government hospital for 2 weeks. Two weeks of not seeing daylight or sun was very difficult for me. My family and friends sent photos and videos of outside to help me get through it. Frustration at not having test results that I felt could have been made available in a matter of hours yet were only made available to me after one week, and I found out through the media first. My first concern was for the school community, which is why I commend the decision to close the school.

Once my results were revealed, I focused on my recovery and obtaining 2 negative results in order to be released.

I received excellent medical care, and the doctors and nurses were very kind, caring and professional. Their concern for me was to get well and build my immunity. I was extremely happy to finally be released after 13 days in isolation. The school management made sure I got home safely and have been supportive throughout my recovery, and I am grateful. I would also like to especially thank Year 3 teachers Carrie, Lia, Agatha, Rosa and Shinta for looking after my students and all 3B parents and students for being incredibly resilient while I have been away. I missed them all very much. Moving forward, I ask the school community to be vigilant about social distancing at this uncertain time and keep your immunity up. Keep yourselves healthy and safe.

The Consul of the NZ Embassy who had been my contact throughout my time in hospital shared a message to me that I would also like to share with you too (with her permission): Hi Charlene, good to hear from you and hope you are doing well?

I arrived back in Wellington on Tuesday pm and am now in self isolation for 14 days. I have thought of you often and the hard times you had to endure while in isolation. At least here we are allowed out for a walk, providing we keep well away from other people so plenty of fresh air and sunshine to appreciate.

I was picked up on arrival at Wellington airport because of my cough and cold and tested for Covid19. Fortunately I tested negative and had the result within 24 hours which again made me think of you and the stress you went through because of the not knowing.

Thank you too for sending through such a heartening message from the BBC. It almost made me cry as it felt so true and real in these hard times.

Kia Kaha Barbara

Learner Profile of the Month Thinkers According to the IB, Thinkers “exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions�.

Being a Thinker goes beyond knowing facts. A Thinker is able to critically apply the knowledge and experiences they have in new and unfamiliar situations.

Within our Virtual School, students are able to demonstrate this Learner Profile as they acquire knowledge through lessons and online interactions with others and make connections to prior learning.

Applying this knowledge critically and creatively to all facets of their learning will develop the Thinker in each student.

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Learning at ACG School Jakarta Lower Secondary Art Year 7 started their unit on still life drawing. They practiced their pencil skills and value scale using various pencil techniques. They also learned good tips on how to setup a still life and drew from observation. Year 8 students each made an infographic on an art movement and reviewed each other’s work. Year 9 students observed the different schemes of colour and explored different composition of using geometric and organic shapes.

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Learning at ACG School Jakarta Art

Year 10 and 11 students forming ideas for a finished piece, making studies and sketches

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Farewell to our leaving teachers Jennifer Kesler Ms Kesler’s contributions to the school over the past three years have been significant and none more than her work in successfully leading the primary team through the IB PYP 5 year evaluation. Her energy and passion for literacy development has been a strong part of her work. She has initiated improvements in the library, organised our hugely successful annual Literacy Week and has provided high-quality professional development, resources, support and inspiring ideas for our teachers. However, it will be her enthusiasm for dressing up (for any occasion) that we will miss the most. We wish Ms Kesler all the best as she heads to South Korea to take up a new leadership role at a leading IB boarding school for girls.

Dave Brundage Mr. Brundage has spent seven years at ACG School Jakarta and has been instrumental in developing our senior high school programme, leading the secondary school through IB DP authorisation and contributing in many other areas of the school including timetabling, university and college guidance, sports coaching, external Cambridge and IB DP examinations, leading the IBDP Retreat, and of course teaching and learning. He will see the second cohort of IB DP graduates from ACG School Jakarta head to universities and colleges around the world and will leave the secondary school in a much stronger position. His journey at ACG School Jakarta has seen him overcome personal and professional challenges and we wish him (and his wife Anisa) all the best as he moves to Thailand to take up a Head of Secondary position.

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Farewell to our leaving teachers Mark & Gita Graham Mr. Graham has taken on many roles at the school over the past four years including teaching English (both first and additional language) and Theory of Knowledge, and coaching football. He has also promoted writing through the annual trips to the Ubud Writer’s Festival.

Mrs Graham has worked at the school for the past three years in a variety of roles including teaching Visual Art across the whole school. Together with Leila, Leanna and Liam, we wish them all the very best as they head to Egypt to continue their international teaching careers.

Karl Lo Mr. Lo has worked collaboratively with his colleagues to improve the management and operations of the science labs and further develop the science curriculum.

His claim to fame at ACG School Jakarta would have to be setting off the fire alarm in the Science Lab during midyear and mock examinations. We wish him and his family all the very best in their next adventure.

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Farewell to our leaving teachers Marc Fortier Mr. Marc and his family will be heading to Canada after many years living and working in Indonesia. He has spent five years at ACG School Jakarta and has taught a number of year levels in the primary school. His contributions to school life extend well beyond the classroom as he has coordinated our after school programme, been heavily involved in sports at the primary level and promoted capoeira in and outside of the school. Like many primary teachers, he loves dressing up and participating in school-wide activities and events. We wish Mr. Marc and his family all the best as they travel and settle into their new lives in Canada.

Miriam Foster Ms Miriam has worked in the primary school for three years and has enthusiastically promoted student leadership through the coordination of Eco-Warriors and the student council.

She has also contributed to the staff wellness committee and has been involved in volunteer organisations outside of the school and will be missed by the wider international community in Jakarta. We wish Ms Miriam all the best as she heads to Cambodia to continue her international teaching career.

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Whole School Updates Parent Information Portal Please visit https://jakarta.acgedu.com/school-information/parent-essentials/ for updated information for parents and students.

Social Responsibility As a community of learners, we have the responsibility to model behaviours and actions that we want our students to display. We are committed to embracing the energy and events of our time to advance social change in the areas of environmental protection, animal welfare and disaster relief.

Parents as Learners Parents are encouraged to visit this section of our Information Portal to learn more about upcoming parent workshops and learning opportunities.

Uniforms: We now have an online uniform order system and would like to encourage parents to use this online service.

Payment can be made easily by bank transfer, credit card or cash.

Term Dates 2020-2021 Please find below the approved term dates for the 2020/2021 academic year.

New Teacher Orientation

Tuesday 28 July - Thursday 30 July 2020

TAs and STAs Return

Tuesday 28 July 2020

Full Staff Orientation

Monday 3 - Friday 7 August 2020

First Day of School 2020

Monday 10 August 2020

Term 1

Monday 10 August - Friday 9 October 2020

Term Break

Monday 12 - Friday 16 October 2020

Staff Only Days (required attendance for all staff)

Monday 19 October 2020

Term 2

Tuesday 20 October - Friday 11 December 2020

Winter Break

Monday 14 December 2020 - Friday 1 January 2021

Term 3

Monday 4 January - Wednesday 31 March 2021

Staff Only Days (required attendance for all staff)

Monday 15 February 2021

Term Break

Friday 2 April - Friday 9 April 2021

Term 4

Monday 12 April - Friday 18 June 2021

Eid al Fitr Holidays

Wednesday 12 May - Tuesday 18 May 2021

Disclaimer: National holidays are yet to be confirmed by the Indonesian Government. The information within the ACG School Calendar is, as far as possible, accurate and up-to-date at the time of publishing. ACG School Jakarta, however, reserves the right to make changes to the calendar during the academic year.

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