BUILDING STUDENT CULTURE

Students are at the center of every decision at SJA Jeju Middle School. Our first priority is to have a student culture that reflects our mission. We want our Middle School students to demonstrate Character by being kind towards all, demonstrate Inquiry through their approach to learning, and create Community by growing into leaders who can build a better world. During the 2022-2023 school year, the SJA Jeju Middle School implemented new programs and practices to build and nurture a positive student culture.

On August 10th, the first day of school, the Middle School launched a House program. The six House identities celebrate aspects of Jeju while also highlighting habits of learning that are important for the s of our Middle School students. The House program fosters e relationships across grade levels and a stronger sense of ing to the school. Friendly House competitions are used to forge relationships within the House, deepen the understanding of rning habits, and reinforce positive behaviors such as speaking outside the classroom and wearing the full uniform. During assemblies, students sit together as a House. They are excused to have lunch in their Houses, which promotes eating together.

Middle School assemblies are another important place where student culture is built. By the end of the 2022-2023 year, the Middle School l have held forty assemblies. Each one is an opportunity to build ture. Student presentations and performances model excellence d collaboration. The growth and successes of our teams and clubs e celebrated. Another example of deliberate culture building at semblies is when Mr. King, the Assistant Principal, tells stories about dividual students chosen by their teachers (seventeen students so this year) for the Middle School Character/Community awards. It is tant for Middle School students to feel they have a safe and rtive environment in their school. They are more likely to take and challenge themselves within this environment. That also to a culture of participation in competitions outside the friendly es of SJA Jeju.

JA Jeju Middle School found new opportunities this year for students to shine while developing their interests

The Middle School

Robotics team competed in the National Tournament at the Gwacheon National Science Center on February 4th This was the tournament where all the middle school teams from around Korea gathered to compete Students traveled to Seoul International School on February 25th to compete in the National History Day Korea contest Working with their teacher Ms Lindsay, they submitted research projects that were evaluated by historians at the event Middle School students performed in the AMIS music festival in Bangkok on March 16th after being selected to play based on their auditions Another opportunity in April was the Model United Nations conference in Taipei SJA Jeju Middle School students will attend the conference as ambassadors trying to solve complex real-world problems Middle School teachers prepare students for these opportunities through high expectations, and the support students need to excel