ISSUE NO.13 / 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
A Scary First Day of Term 2 What better way to kick off the new term than with a spooktacular Halloween celebration at ACG School Jakarta! Our students brought their creativity to the forefront, dressing up in fantastic costumes to mark their first day back to school. The Halloween spirit was alive as we gathered for a special assembly filled with treats, not tricks.
Principal Message from the
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,
Myles D’Airelle
As we transition from the dry season into the onset of the wet season here in Jakarta, we find ourselves at the close of an enriching and productive Term 1 at ACG School Jakarta. Our journey through this term has been marked by a kaleidoscope of learning experiences, aligning with our mission to cultivate open-minded, responsible, and caring learners. The shift in seasons metaphorically mirrors the growth and transformation witnessed in our students. Their eagerness to explore, inquire, and delve into the world around them has been remarkable. This term, we have seen our students engage deeply with our academic programs, preparing them not just for academic success, but for the myriad opportunities life offers. In the realms of science and mathematics, our students have shown exceptional curiosity and innovation. The hands-on experiments and problem-solving sessions in biology, chemistry, and mathematics have not only enhanced their understanding but have also nurtured their ability to think critically and creatively. Our commitment to holistic education has been further exemplified through the integration of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge programs. These programs have provided a framework for our students to develop both intellectually and personally, fostering skills that are essential for global citizenship. This term, we also celebrated creativity and cultural diversity, aligning with our vision to respect and understand various cultures and traditions. Our students have actively participated in projects and activities that highlight indigenous cultures and environmental awareness, promoting a sense of responsibility towards our local and global communities. As we move into the wet season, it’s a time for renewal and reflection. We are incredibly proud of the progress our students have made and are excited to see them continue to grow as innovative problem solvers and entrepreneurial spirits. Their journey is a testament to our collective effort as a school community in supporting each student to excel in their area of interest and make a meaningful difference in the world. As we look forward to Term 2, we anticipate more opportunities for learning, growth, and community engagement. Let us continue to encourage our students to take responsibility, act courageously, and exhibit leadership, both in and out of the classroom. Here’s to a fruitful and inspiring new term ahead! Warm regards, Myles D’Airelle Principal
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October Newsletter
Vice Principal Message from the
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,
Selda Mansur
At ACG Jakarta, educators aim to support our diverse community of learners in their academic and personal endeavours. We apply a student-focused approach that encourages children to be open-minded, responsible and caring towards others. Students enquire into the world around them through academic programmes that prepare them for life’s opportunities and gain a deep understanding of their environment while developing respect for their immediate and broader communities. We foster strong values in each member of our student community, and as a result, children actively strive to make a difference locally and globally. Our mission is supported by the curriculum frameworks we use. For example, “The IB develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through education that builds intercultural understanding and respect.” https://ibo.org/about-the-ib/mission/ “We must foster young people as “agents of change”. Curriculum and pedagogy should inspire learners, as global citizens, to make a difference and contribute to society. We must promote the importance of “principled action” in terms of making responsible choices and exploring the ethical dimension of decisions to act or not to act. Students must be encouraged to explore global and local issues in a way that empowers them to be not just aware, but engaged. They must be encouraged to explore their own agency—what they themselves can do to make the change we need. (Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate, 2021, https://ibo.org/news/news-aboutthe-ib/developing-the-climate-citizens-of-tomorrow/ To that end, our Primary teachers have been exploring connections between our Programme of Inquiry and the UN SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) (SDGs) and UN CRC (UN Convention on Rights Of A Child). For example, please see if you can detect a connection to Sustainable Development Goal # 11 (sustainable cities and communities) in these ACG School Jakarta Programme of inquiry units: Central idea for the Year 3 “Where we are in place and time” unit: “All countries have special features that distinguish them from one to another. ” Please see the student display on the left for an example of a student brainstorming session.
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Vice Principal Message from the
The conceptual understandings developed in the Y3 unit, expand in Year 4 with a “How the world works’ unit which focuses on the central idea “Many factors are considered when designing structures.” with a line of inquiry “How buildings impact the environment”. Then in Year 5, students focus on “Characteristics of past civilisations, the major contributions of past civilizations to today’s society, and why civilizations have changed over time” in the “where we are in place and time’ unit of inquiy with this central idea: ‘Past civilisations are reflected in the modern world.” One of the six Transdisciplinary Themes, which students explore through the Programme of Inquiry in each year of the PYP, is: Sharing the planet: An inquiry into rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution. All this awareness-raising approach is exptected to encourage agency, sometimes transpiring as action that is initiated and guided by teacher(s), and eventually bringing about studentinitiated and led action. And, as a culmination of their PYP studies, each Year 6 student creates their own “Sharing the planet” unit to carry out a research with support from their mentors (adults in the school community), take action and share their findings and reflections in what is called PYPX (PYP Exhibition), which will take place at the end of April 2024 in this academic year. I hope you enjoyed reading about how our curriculum encourages children to “actively strive to make a difference locally and globally”. Please join our Coffee Morning for parents on Monday 13 November, at 8.30, Arkanine Coffe, Pejaten, where our Academic Leadership Team will be happy to answer any questions regarding our academic programmes as well as daily implementation. Kind regards, Selda Mansur Vice-Principal and PYP Coordinator
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October 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 One of the IB Programme Standards is Leadership and governance (0201), which is further defined in these practises: Leadership 4: The school implements and reviews systems and processes to improve the operation and sustainability of its IB programme(s). (0201-04) Leadership 4.4: The school ensures that students and legal guardians are informed of the general characteristics of relevant programme(s) and how the school implements them. (0201-04-0400) A representative group of parents of IB PYP and DP students joined us on 1 November to brainstorm on our IB Evaluation process. Following the discussions, we made the language of the Self-study questionnaire more accessible to parents who may find the language of the IB too academic, especially when they read an IB text in English.
We sent the official Bahasa Indonesia, Chinese, Japanese and Korean translations of the IB Programme Standards and Practices (PSP), and automatic translations into the same language of other texts, along with the Self-study questionnaire. Our teachers wrote brief explanations about each IB PSP category, to make the terminology easier to understand for a non-educator adult. Our meetings will continue on the following dates:
Join our Coffee Morning for parents on Monday 13 November, at 8.30, Arkanine Coffe, Pejaten. Our Academic Leadership Team will be happy to answer any questions regarding our academic programmes as well as daily implemeantation. If you would like to join the upcoming Self-study meetings, please contact our Head of Admissions & Registrar, Ms Mia Sari: mia.sari@acgedu.com In the next issue of the Wolf Pack newsletter, we will tell you more about what we do to remove barriers to learning and understanding for our students.
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October Newsletter
Year 3 Learning
This month, our enthusiastic Year 3 students are immersed in a dynamic learning journey focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities. The interdisciplinary approach of STEM education encourages students to explore the interconnectedness of these fields through hands-on projects and collaborative problem-solving.
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Year 4 Learning
In an engaging exploration of the human body, our Year 4 students are delving into the intricacies of human organs as part of their Unit of Inquiry (UOI). Throughout this immersive journey, students are not only learning about the structure and functions of various organs but are also embracing the opportunity to choose a specific organ for an in-depth study. The culminating activity for this unit involves each student crafting a presentation, eloquently detailing the complexities and significance of their chosen organ. This hands-on approach not only fosters a deeper understanding of biology but also hones their research and presentation skills. Our budding scientists are thriving in this experiential learning experience, gaining valuable insights into the marvels of the human body.
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October Newsletter
Year 5 & 6 Author Visit
Our school had the immense pleasure of hosting an exceptional guest – the talented author David O’Shea! David cativated our Year 5 and Year 6 students with his incredible storytelling skills and inspiring words. His books, tailored for 10-12-year-old readers, offer a unique experience, especially for our PYP school students. “Class of Nine” is just one of the gems in his collection, a must-read for those looking for an adventure-filled literary journey.
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CAS
Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) stand as integral pillars within the Diploma Programme (DP), providing a holistic framework for our students. In line with the philosophy of nurturing well-rounded individuals, our IB students actively engage in diverse CAS activities. From assuming coaching roles for our spirited football team, where leadership and teamwork take center stage, to extending a helping hand to the community by volunteering in nursing homes and animal shelters, these experiences offer a blend of creativity, physical activity, and impactful service. Through their chosen CAS endeavors, our students not only fulfill the DP requirements but also embody the ethos of compassionate and responsible global citizenship.
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October Newsletter
PTC
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our amazing parents, dedicated teachers, and enthusiastic students for making our first Parent-Teacher-Student Conference of the academic year a resounding success! he strong partnership between parents, teachers, and students makes every academic journey T exceptional. our active involvement and commitment to your child’s education are truly inspiring, and we’re Y excited about the journey ahead.
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Phonic workshop
An enriching Phonics and Reading Workshop recently unfolded for our bright young learners in Year 1, 2, and 3, expertly guided by the dedicated Ms. Julia. The workshop aimed at nurturing foundational literacy skills, focusing on the art of decoding words and developing a love for reading. Through engaging activities, interactive sessions, and tailored exercises, Ms. Julia created a vibrant learning environment where our students could explore the world of phonics with enthusiasm. The workshop not only reinforced essential reading techniques but also fostered a passion for storytelling, laying a robust foundation for a lifelong journey into the magical realm of literature. We are delighted to witness our young readers embark on this exciting adventure with newfound skills and a zest for the written word.
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October Newsletter
Batik Day
Selamat Hari Batik Nasional! We celebrated this special day yesterday with our students and staff donning beautiful batik attire. Our primary teacher, Ms. Julia, led an engaging batikmaking workshop for the students, while parents had their creative session led by one of our parents, Mrs Icus. It was a day filled with art, culture, and vibrant batik designs!
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If you have any questions about admissions, please contact: Ms Mia Sari (Mia.Sari@acgedu.com) T: +62 21 2978 0200 | E: acgjkt@acgedu.com | M: +62 816 297 800 | ACG JKT Jati Barat (Taman Margasatwa) No 19, Jati Padang, Pasar Minggu, South November Newsletter Jl 24 Warung Jakarta
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