During the week from March 5th to 9th, the SWA school community showcased the rich cultural diversity of our school community. This is always an important event on our calendar as we recognize and celebrate the important role that Mother Tongue plays in language learning within an international school setting. The week introduced the languages and cultures within our school community through food, music, dance and storytelling as we enjoyed watching teachers’, students, and family members showcase their creative talents.

On the second day of Mother Tongue week we began our Book Week celebrations with “Storytelling Day”.  We were very fortunate to have kind and lovely volunteers from different parts of the world. Our EY/ES students had a wonderful time listening to stories in several languages including French, Dutch, Chinese, and Korean. A special thank you is extended to our Grade 11 student Nahyeon and other members of the SWA community including Mr. Li, Mr. Luke, Ms. Karen and Ms. Khun Aey for spending time with our children.

On Thursday we linked Mother Tongue with Book Week under the universal theme of ‘One World Many Stories’ with students, friends and family members sharing stories in their mother tongue. This was followed on Friday with our International Food Fair. The partnership with the PTA in bringing this annual event alive for the students and their families is always challenging as we try to reinvent ourselves differently each year. This year we had over ten different countries represented all selling a variety of foods ranging from pancakes, kimchi, pavlova, and Thai curries to name just a few.

The international lunch concluded with a cultural concert that showcased the talents within our school community. Not to be deterred by a sudden sun shower we moved indoors to witness a wonderful musical celebration. Performers included: Jason and Yoyo who warmed up the crowd with their soft vocals and piano skills, Grade 4 students performed an Indonesian traditional dance. Nahyeon again choreographed the Grade 9 students as they performed a wonderful original version of the Korean fan dance. The Grade 9 Indonesian students performed a street dance “Poco Poco” from Manado that really excited the crowd. Under the expert guidance of Ms Alison, the School Rock band performed two songs they have been practicing for the battle of the bands competition including “Welcome to Black Parade”.

Finally, many thanks need to given to students, members of the PTA, parent community, and teaching staff for the enthusiastic support they provided in making Mother Tongue Week 2012 the wonderful celebration that it was. We look forward to continually recognizing the importance of and valuing the role of mother tongue in international education and we hope that everyone enjoyed the celebrations and we welcome your participation to get involved in the organizing for Mother Tongue week 2013.

Student quotes:

“ Mother Tongue week is important because language is part of our history. When language starts our history begins!”
Ardy

“ It is important to understand each other’s countries and culture.”
Sumi

How would you feel if Greece was kicked out of the Euro Zone? Or if Iran continued with it’s aggressive nuclear program? Believe it or not, the UN delegates have the power to decide and debate upon these issues. Or… at least the Model United Nations (MUN) delegates do.

On the 10th-11th February 2012, the fifth annual SEASAC MUN was held at the British International School, Jakarta. Bringing along 19 students, this year marked the second year of SWA’s involvement in the conference.

In terms of preparation, delegates from SWA previously attended two local MUN conferences. One of which was held in Sekolah Pelita Harapan (SPH), and another one in Bina Nusantara School, Simprug (BINUS). Two months prior to the conference, students were assigned into a country and a committee.

Overall there were more than 200 students from 22 schools spread all over Asia Pacific, including Thailand, Myanmar, Hong Kong, and Malaysia who gathered for the 2012 MUN Conference. All participants were assigned to represent more than 60 diverse countries, and then divided into 8 distinctive committees.

Throughout both days, participants passionately wrote resolutions, gave speeches for and against a resolution, raised points of clarification, inquired on points of information, and made amendments, in relation to the resolutions topics within each committees. This year’s topics covered a wide range of global issues, ranging from the topic of slave labor in multi-national corporations to the issue of the European Union debt – which might be the most severe economical crisis this decade.

Now, this is where the conference got even trickier! While deliberating upon these topics, delegates could not express their personal thoughts – they had to convey their country’s opinion. Furthermore, every conversation during discussions was all done in third person – much like writing an essay!

All in all, SEASAC MUN was an extremely valuable and exciting experience for all the delegates.

“MUN has allowed me to grow and try out new things! I started to embrace and build upon my ability to debate and think individually.” – Jae Seung Lee

“It was such a memorable conference! And I’m happy that I made a lot of new friends.” – Aziza Diah

“MUN helped me gain confidence to speak in front of people. Joining the conference with more than 200 people made me nervous and excited at the same time. Researching for the conference was challenging but the debate itself was a great experience!” – Min Hyung Kim

“MUN was definitely a wonderful experience for me. It opens the minds of the young to look into the world in a more realistic perspective, and solve problems with much more plausible solutions.” – Chelsie Lin

Finally, this experience wouldn’t have been as awe-inspiring if it weren’t for our motivational MUN counselor, Mr. Kenny!

We would also like to extend our thank you to Mr. Tony, for chaperoning during the conference.

In addition, congratulations to Albert Witanto, Andersen Kosasih, Angghina Khansa, Aziza Diah, Bianca Siregar, Carissa Faye, Chelsie Lin, Cheng-Han Hsieh, Christy Zakarias, Danny Sudarsono, Elena Lie, Jae Seung Lee, Jane Karina, Nadia Cherestella, Min Hyung Kim, Peter Gunawan, Stacy Lin, Uno Susanto, and Won Jun Kong, who actively engaged in the fifth annual SEASAC MUN!

The concept of MUN cannot be simply expressed in words. As Mr. Kenny often says, “MUN is learning by doing.” Which is why, it’s never too late for YOU to join us for next year’s MUN conferences! To actually represent a country, is never too mainstream!

Christy Zakarias – Grade 9
(Delegate of Malaysia, Economic and Social Council – ECOSOC)

As you may know, SWA/JWA has a special relationship with OCAO – Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council of PRC (also known as the China Overseas Exchange Association). They have provided SWA/JWA excellent Chinese teachers since 2010. On 22 February, the Minister of OCAO visited SWA. Madam Li Haifeng was very impressed with our school, staff, and students. She expressed her desire to continuously support SWA/JWA Chinese Studies initiatives, ranging from recruiting excellent teachers, teaching materials to culture exchange programs.

OCAO would like to help organize summer programs for SWA/JWA.  We are pleased to inform you that we are exploring the possibilities of organizing summer Chinese program for our SWA and wider community. OCAO will help select excellent teachers to come and run the summer program at SWA/JWA. This proposed summer program will aim to further enhance students’ Chinese listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, as well as their understanding and appreciation of Chinese Culture. A letter will go out soon to ask for parents’ intention of enrollment. We strongly suggest you reserve a space for your child as early as possible.