ISSUE NO.14 / 2023
Wolf Pack THE
The A CG S c h o o l Ja ka r ta
I nte ra c t ive N ews lette r
Selamat Hari Guru Today, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible educators as we kick off Teachers’ Appreciation Day in anticipation of tomorrow’s Hari Guru Nasional! A big thank you to all the parents who have supported this special event, providing a delicious lunch for our entire school community. Your generosity adds an extra layer of warmth to our celebration! Let’s continue to cherish and honour the dedication of our teachers who shape the minds of tomorrow.
Principal Message from the
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,
Myles D’Airelle
Welcome to Term 2 at ACG School Jakarta! As we embark on this new term, it’s a pleasure to greet our dedicated students, supportive parents, and our exceptional team of educators and staff. We are all part of this journey, where each day is a step towards achieving our vision of becoming a hub of creative, innovative problem solvers and leaders who confidently embrace the myriad challenges and opportunities of the world. This term, our calendar is brimming with engaging and inspiring events, designed to foster the holistic development of our students and strengthen our community ties. Let’s take a glimpse into what Term 2 has in store for us: •
Parent Coffee Mornings: We are excited to reintroduce our Parent Coffee Mornings, a platform for parents to connect, share experiences, and engage in meaningful conversations about education and child development. These sessions are not just social gatherings but an opportunity to build a robust support system for our children. We believe that parental involvement is crucial in shaping the educational journey of our students, and these coffee mornings are a testament to our commitment to partnership and community building.
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Teacher Appreciation Day: An essential aspect of our school’s ethos is recognizing and valuing the hard work and dedication of our teachers. This term, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Day, an occasion to express our gratitude and respect for our educators. Our teachers are the backbone of our learning community, tirelessly working to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for our students. It was a beautiful moment to come together as a community to show them how much their efforts mean to us and our children.
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Upcoming Events: Term 2 is packed with a variety of events that cater to the diverse interests and talents of our students. From academic competitions to sports events, arts exhibitions to technology workshops, there’s something for everyone. These events are not just platforms for showcasing talent but are integral in promoting our values of innovation, entrepreneurship, and responsible citizenship.
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Community Engagement: As a school, we are deeply committed to making a positive impact both locally and globally. This term, we will be involved in several community service projects, encouraging our students to look beyond themselves and contribute to the wellbeing of others. These initiatives are crucial in fostering empathy, respect for diversity, and a sense of responsibility towards our environment and society.
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November Newsletter
Principal Message from the
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Continuous Learning: At ACG School Jakarta, learning never stops. Our teachers are constantly updating their skills and knowledge to provide the best educational experience. We encourage our students to be curious, ask questions, and explore new ideas, fostering a love for lifelong learning.
As we move forward in this term, let’s embrace these opportunities with enthusiasm and a shared commitment to excellence. Together, we can ensure that our students not only excel academically but also grow as responsible, caring, and open-minded individuals ready to make a difference in the world. Looking forward to an exciting and fulfilling Term 2!Warm regards, Myles D’Airelle Principal
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Vice Principal Message from the
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,
Selda Mansur
As we approach the end of Semester 1 and prepare to welcome the New Year, I would like to share one of the ways we support diverse student needs and how we welcome new students into our community, as our relationships with others contribute to our well-being. Semester 1, our kindergarten students inquired into how “Awareness of self and others helps people gain a sense of belonging.” They are now more aware of their rights, as well as responsibilities in friendships and relationships in general, such as the right to have friends.
As one of our kindergarten students says, most people feel shy in a new environment. To facilitate our students’ relationship building skills, we have a buddy system in our primary school. For the students who serve as buddy to a new student, it is an experience in taking action to make life pleasant for another person. It is one example of how “We apply a student-focused approach that encourages children to be open-minded, responsible and caring towards others.” Designed to increase social interaction, our peer buddy system supports new students’ orientation. On their first day at school, each new student is assigned a volunteer buddy, who befriends them during their first days at school, makes it easier to understand details of the school day, and helps them form new friendships. We asked some buddies to share their reflections with us. You can watch this video to hear our students talking about their buddy experiences: https://msteams.link/UJ2Q I hope you enjoyed reading about one of the ways we “support our diverse community of learners in their academic and personal endeavours.” 4 | ACG JKT
November Newsletter
Coordinator
Message from IB Diploma
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,
Kieran Pascoe
I hope that everyone is doing well and I’d like to share some updates on the progress of our International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) classes here at ACG Jakarta School. Year 13 - Our Year 13 students are nearing the completion of their Extended Essays, which is excellent news. The teacher supervisors have been working hard with their students, with the guidance of Ms. Arti, the EE Coordinator. Recently, Ms. Arti arranged the EE Sprint, where students and supervisors worked on a Saturday at school to work on their essays. This event really assisted in their progress and I’d like to thank everyone for their support. I feel it really shows our staff and students’ dedication by working on this in their own time. We wish all students the best of luck embarking on their Internal Assessments. It’s important that they plan and work productively during their school hours and at home to stay on track with their deadlines. We are supporting all students in this. I advise all parents and guardians to make an appointment with all their DP teachers and myself to discuss your child’s progress. Year 13 have also been actively preparing for their TOK (Theory of Knowledge) Exhibitions, a crucial part of their intellectual growth, and we look forward to seeing their thought-provoking presentations. Year 12 - Meanwhile, our Year 12 students have enthusiastically embraced the start of their CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service) projects, demonstrating their commitment to personal growth and community engagement. They are adapting to the challenges and responsibilities of their senior program, showcasing their determination to succeed. We would also like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our students who recently participated in the ASAC Volleyball trip in Thailand. Their outstanding performance and sportsmanship exemplify the values we hold dear at ACG Jakarta School. We are immensely proud of the accomplishments of our IBDP students and the dedication they show in their academic and extracurricular pursuits. As they continue to excel and grow, we have no doubt that they will make a positive impact on our school community and beyond.
Regards, Kieran Pascoe IBDP Coordinator
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A community of entrepreneurial and compassionate learners Removing barriers to learning and understanding: Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
“Inclusion is an ongoing process that aims to increase access and engagement in learning for all students by identifying and removing barriers. This can only be successfully achieved in a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, support and problem solving.” The IB guide to inclusive education: a resource for whole school development, Updated November 2019 One of the requirements of being an IB World School is that “The school secures access to an IB education for the broadest possible range of students”, and that “The school implements, communicates and regularly reviews an inclusion policy that creates cultures that support all students to reach their full potential.” Programme standards and practices, Updated April 2022 In line with this expectation, “Our school recognises that all students have individual needs in learning, social, behavioural and emotional development. Students attending our school, regardless of background, culture and ability, should be supported to meet their full potential. Informed and effective curriculum differentiation is the result of the school’s cycle of observation, assessment, planning and review. The school aims to implement a variety of pedagogical approaches to maximise the achievement of all students. These kinds of arrangements apply to all children and are not part of special educational provision. Careful consideration of the school’s ethos and the learning environment can help prevent some special educational needs from arising and minimise others. Differentiation of learning helps ACG School Jakarta to meet the learning needs of all children. Children’s learning difficulties may manifest as a result of difficulties within the child and/or a school’s practices. Teachers’ planning is flexible to recognise the needs of all children as individuals and ensure progression, relevance and differentiation. Providing effective learning opportunities for all students offer three key principles for inclusion: •
setting suitable learning challenges;
•
responding to student’s diverse needs;
• overcoming potential learning and assessment barriers for individuals or groups of students. The decision to accept a new student with special educational needs, or the decision to request an existing family to find an alternative educational institution for their child with special educational needs, is made by the school Principal.” https://www.jakarta.acgedu.com/ education/learning-support
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November Newsletter
A committment to learning: Professional Development of Teachers We are committed to giving our staff access to the latest teaching methods to ensure we remain at the forefront of international education. Learning, for us, is a continuous process and central to our career plans, which is why our teachers receive opportunities for ongoing professional development to enhance the essential traits, technical knowledge, and leadership skills needed to fulfil their roles to the best of their ability and successfully progress in their careers. To this end, throughout the academic year, our teachers have Professional Development days in school, and participate in online and face-to-face training events organized by leading institutions and networks such as the International Baccalaureate and Educare. As a requirement of being an authorized IB World School, each of our teachers undergoes rigorous official IB training, which also includes opportunities to network with teachers from other IB Schools. We also have opportunities to connect and collaborate with our colleagues at other Inspired schools around the world. In November, we participated in two such events organized by IB Dunia, which is a support network run by, and for, schools implementing IB Programmes within Indonesia. This network aims to provide opportunities for professional collaboration and development for IB schools in Indonesia.
Our Vice Principal and PYP Coordinator Ms Selda Mansur presented a workshop titled “Agency and collaboration: Learning with and from each other” at the IB PYP Dunia Network PYPC Meeting which was held in North Jakarta Intercultural School on 10 November 2023. She talked about our buddy system for new students in the primary, details of which you can find in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_o_bmgQu4s
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A committment to learning: Professional Development of Teachers
On 18 November 2023, a group of our PYP and DP teachers participated in the IB Dunia Conference in Tzu Chi School. Organized with the support of IB Asia Pacific regional office, this annual event is an opportunity for teachers from all three IB programmes to meet and learn from one another. Our teachers enjoyed learning with and from other IB teachers in Indonesia. Two of our teachers also shared their expertise and experience at this conference.Ms Eny Rayahu presented a session titled ”Photojournalism analysis for essay writing”, details of which you can find in this newslette
Ms Selda Mansur shared her reflections from our ongoing ACG School Jakarta IB PYP-DP Evaluation experience with school administrators from around Indonesia in a session titled “The aftermath: Pains and joys of leading a post-pandemic IB Evaluation self-study process”.
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November Newsletter
Year 3 Learning
Students in Year4’s math class have been gaining valuable skills in reading and plotting coordinates on a grid. They studied the x and y axis and cardinal directions like north, south, east, and west. With this foundation, students then applied their knowledge in a special collaborative project with our Year 3 students. The cross-grade teams embarked on an exciting scavenger hunt across the school grounds using compasses and coordinate clues. Following directional instructions with terms like “left,” “right,” and cardinal directions, students raced to locate specific spots to take fun selfie photos. Laughter filled the halls as the young mathematicians learned through hands-on engagement. Both educational and entertaining, this coordinate scavenger hunt reinforced key concepts like compass reading, map notation, and positional words. Students were enthused about math, working collectively, and getting to be active in applying their learning. The success of this initiative highlights the ingenuity and dedication of our talented faculty seeking new ways to bring math to life while building relationships between grade levels. Our students are gaining much more than mathematical skills; they are learning teamwork, communication, and problemsolving abilities useful well beyond the classroom.
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Year 6 Learning
Empowering creativity and entrepreneurship! Our Year 6 students transformed into budding entrepreneurs for their Market Day, a hands-on experience as part of their Unit of Inquiry. From homemade goodies to unique services, each stall showcases their ingenuity. The students not only crafted their products but also designed eye-catching promotional materials. Witnessing their innovation and teamwork is truly inspiring!
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November Newsletter
Mathematics
Several students from Y12 and Y13 participated in the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest from the University of Waterloo. Every Thursday after school our students practiced and prepared for the contest and on Thursday November 16, they sat for the two-hour long contest. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to have fun and develop their mathematical problemsolving skills. It is a bonus that the contest topics are very similar to the IB math curriculum, so by participating in the contest our students also strengthened their DP math skills!
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STEAM at NJIS
On Friday, November 24, 2023, ACG School Jakarta students went to North Jakarta International School to show their ingenuity and problem-solving skills in a thrilling STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) competition. The STEM competition aimed to immerse students in real-world challenges reflective of issues faced in Indonesia. The various STEM activities incorporated into the event were carefully designed to address problems such as volcanic eruptions, flooding, power outages, and urban planning – all pertinent issues in the Indonesian context. One of the standout challenges was the “Stop the Rolling Lava” activity, where students had to devise innovative solutions to prevent the spread of lava in a simulated volcanic eruption. This challenge not only tested their scientific knowledge but also required quick thinking and teamwork.
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November Newsletter
Celebrating Children’s Day
Coloring the day with compassion and creativity! Our students celebrated World Children’s Day by donning shades of blue, symbolizing unity and hope. From face painting to collecting donations, each stroke of color and every contribution counted. The funds raised will be dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of children in need. Thank you for joining us in spreading joy and making a difference!
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Teacher’s Appreciation Day
Today, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible educators as we kick off Teachers’ Appreciation Day in anticipation of tomorrow’s Hari Guru Nasional! A big thank you to all the parents who have supported this special event, providing a delicious lunch for our entire school community. Your generosity adds an extra layer of warmth to our celebration!
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November Newsletter
Ms. Eny Rahayu’s Inspiring Presentation at the IB Dunia Conference
We’re excited to share Ms. Eny Rahayu’s outstanding contribution at the recent IB Dunia Conference at Tzu Chi School, PIK. Her presentation, “Photojournalism Analysis for Essay Writing,” drew over 25 educators, showcasing innovative approaches to incorporating semiotics in analysing news images. Ms. Eny’s interactive session provided practical strategies for educators, emphasizing the importance of media literacy in today’s digital age. Her blend of theoretical insights and handson activities captivated the audience, demonstrating her expertise and passion in teaching. This event not only highlighted Ms. Rahayu’s pedagogical skills but also reinforced our commitment to innovative and rigorous education practices. We’re excited to share Ms. Eny Rahayu’s outstanding contribution at the recent IB Dunia Conference at Tzu Chi School, PIK. Her presentation, “Photojournalism Analysis for Essay Writing,” drew over 25 educators, showcasing innovative approaches to incorporating semiotics in analysing news images. Ms. Eny’s interactive session provided practical strategies for educators, emphasizing the importance of media literacy in today’s digital age. Her blend of theoretical insights and hands-on activities captivated the audience, demonstrating her expertise and passion in teaching. This event not only highlighted Ms. Rahayu’s pedagogical skills but also reinforced our commitment to innovative and rigorous education practices. November Newsletter
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Parents’ Coffee Morning
This month marked the inauguration of our first Parents’ Coffee Morning, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the parents who graced the occasion with their presence and support. This event serves as a valuable platform for parents to gather, share insights, and engage in discussions on how we can collectively support school events and initiatives. The positive energy and collaborative spirit were truly inspiring. To add a touch of variety, we plan to host this event every month at different cafes near the school, providing a change of scenery and fostering a stronger sense of community. Thank you once again to all the parents who participated, and we look forward to many more enriching gatherings ahead.
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November Newsletter
Open House
Big shoutout to all the fantastic prospective parents who joined us for our Saturday Open House! Your presence made it a lively and engaging event. Our school was excited as our enthusiastic student ambassadors took you on informative tours, showcasing our vibrant classrooms and facilities. We thank our student ambassadors for their warm hospitality and our academic team for making each interaction meaningful. We hope you feel the positive energy that defines our school community.
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