Secondary Newsletter 26 – March 5, 2021
Timely Reminders
CAS Corner by Anton Asen
Service as Action Update
BaliMUN IX Is In The Books….
Counselor
University Counseling
World Of Theatre Spotlight – Charlie Hart
Timely Reminders:
The Power of Language
The issue of students in the secondary using offensive language has, unfortunately, come to our attention. While students are not using poor language in school settings, we have learned that some students have been using offensive language in social situations. This has been brought to our attention by brave classmates who want our BIS community to be better – I applaud these efforts and know you do as well. Standing up for what is right takes courage and strength of character. Those attributes help to define our community. Please have conversations with your child about the appropriate use of language and highlight that some words are never ok regardless of the situation. Thank you for helping us to calibrate vocabularies.
Emboldened through technology
The use of technology sometimes makes us feel somewhat removed or even cloaked. I can assure you that on the other side of the snapchat or instagram the receiver does not feel that way – but rather angry, upset, sad and hurt. Thank you for refocusing your actions and interactions to positive outcomes, connecting with your peers for good.
Confidential Reporting Form
I would like to remind Secondary students about our safety first form at bit.ly/BISReferralForm, which allows you to report issues and concerns that you have experienced yourself or witnessed. The form results in information shared with Ms. Gibbons and myself. We will then look into the issue to the best of our abilities.
Learning only occurs when students feel safe. Thank you for helping our secondary school remain a safe and positive learning environment for all.
CAS Corner by Anton Asen
Scholars of Sustenance (food drive)
During the food drive which was hosted by STUCO, we aimed at donating food products towards the foundation (Scholars of Sustenance). During the activity, STUCO made a list of items that can be donated to support the foundation in its aims of minimizing hunger in Bali’s communities. This brings into the first Learning Outcome that was looked at and it demonstrates engagement with issues of global significance, this is because of the aim of helping an issue that has a significant impact on the Bali community. The other Learning Outcome that was focused on was recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions this is because aiming at the use of single-use plastic bags will cause other issues and seeing that we help one issue but will contribute to another issue in the long run, makes me question what other ways can we help to distribute the food products without creating more waste as a byproduct. After doing this activity it helped me to reflect on the struggles the local people are facing and what ways we can help them as an international school.
Service as Action Update
Our MYP students continued working on their Service as Action experiences. Some have already held an event at school, while others are still working towards their action plan. Hopefully, you participated in the BIS Movathon or the BAWA & Little Steps Matter Drive in December or donated for the Panti Manuela Orphanage until today! And you must have read last week about the masks donated to Taman Bacaan!
We currently have nine groups working with various organizations in Bali and also doing some actions at school. Get ready because, after the break, there will be new events to participate in!
Ask your child what group they belong to, and support them on their journey to becoming “globally-minded, confident learners” that work “to reach their utmost potential in an active, creative, and respectful learning community.”
The last time you read from the perspective of grade 6 and 7 students, now you can ‘hear’ the voices of some of the MYP Leaders of the projects and other upper-MYP students. Enjoy!
Lindi Mayasari Loekstad (Grade 8)
Pet Guardians – BAWA & Little Steps Matter
Goals:
To learn about how to help stray and abandoned animals around Bali as well as learning more on how to work collaboratively as a team.
Reflection:
In our recent meeting with BAWA, we were discussing finishing up the website (specifically the front page) and beginning to only give access to chief editors.
- We worked collaboratively on finishing up the website, such as the home page and editing things to make the website look nicer.
- I’m developing international-mindedness while helping with the website by learning more about BAWA and learning more on how to help stray animals.
- I am learning initiative & planning by trying to contribute with my ideas on what to add and change to our BAWA webpage.
Caspia Nadapdap (Grade 9)
Kupu – Kupu Foundation
Goals:
- To assist in improving the livelihoods of the disabled community during a global pandemic by providing the resources they need to better support themselves.
- To provide worksheets for the children of the Kupu-Kupu Foundation in order for them to learn more during this pandemic.
Reflection:
As a group, we are moving on to thinking about donations and book sales. We have decided to do a book sale of the books that are no longer needed by the Foundation and where the funds we receive will go to the Kupu-Kupu Foundation. I have joined the poster-making group where we will all make individual posters to advertise the book sale but, we have to come up with a basic idea together. This activity will enable the Kupu-Kupu Foundation to have more money available in order to properly fund themselves while also discarding materials and books that they no longer need. We worked together as a group to designate roles for everyone in order to complete the task in a more time-efficient manner.
Yuto Hirai (Grade 10)
Green Team
Goals:
In this year’s Green Team, we have three main topics and areas of concern we want to cover; That is the idea of sustainability, issues relating to the coronavirus as well as reducing the food waste in our community. In a time where we are worried about a global pandemic, we strive to think about issues that are still prevalent in our community while still staying within the guidelines and staying safe. These activities would be done through many different forms of media that invite the community and group around us to speak up about the issues in our community and make Bali Island School an even better place.
Reflection:
What we did in this class was first we try to find videos online or even little posters online of ideas that we may be able to implement into school. The idea that I came up with is to use PET bottles that have been used for gardening. The way you can make that is Step 1: Cut a 1.5L plastic bottle in half. Puncture three holes approximately one inch apart at the top of the bottle that will serve as drainage for your plant. I thought that this can be good for school image to other schools because we’re using the stuff that we always just throw away really effectively.
Nadia Winkler & Amelie von Harrach (Grade 9)
Panti Manuela Orphanage
Goals :
Our activity aim is to provide toys, books, pens, clothes, food, and money or the orphanage so they can enjoy these things that will improve their learning and entertainment there. We also aim to raise as much awareness as we can to this orphanage in particular and recommend other people to help with this orphanage as well.
Reflections
- Amelie’s Latest Reflection:
During the last week, we have been working on the donation. Last MYP Hour, we worked on writing emails to the secretaries, the librarian, and the students to inform them about the donation. We set up the donation at school at the beginning of the week, and we are planning to check it at the end of the week. We are going to keep the box there for people to bring things until around two weeks. Then we are planning on bringing it to the orphanage. With this activity, we are developing international-mindedness through our engagement in the activity; this is a student-initiated activity, and we are considering the ethical implications of our actions. - Nadia’s Latest Reflection:
So far in the Panti Manuela Orphanage SA Group, Amelie and I have initiated a donation box fundraiser. We sent out an email and posted the news on the daily bulletin to spread the word about our donation box. We decided to do this because we feel that our community around us is capable of helping us provide the Panti Manuela Orphanage with their needs in the situation they’re in right now. This action of ours will help them deeply as all the items donated will be brought to the orphanage by us. Through doing this, I’ve also learned to understand how important it is to help people. Especially those that are in need right now because of the current pandemic. This donation box will last for two weeks; then we will go to the orphanage and bring them the donations.
Josiah Wong (Grade 9)
Ocean Gardeners
Goals :
Help out the ocean, cleaning the ocean, and making sure to fix the corals that are bleached and damaged.
Reflection :
During term 3, the Ocean Gardeners team made some additional progress. Due to the DP students busy with EE and other factors, mostly MYP students have been working together. Due to the absence of DP students, I volunteered to be the MYP leader. This is very much a new challenge because I have never been a leader for an SA activity. I developed my leadership skills, starting the meetings, ending the meetings, asking the group questions, leading the meeting as a whole. We worked together collaboratively coming up with ideas to raise awareness and research about coral reefs as a whole to develop international-mindedness through global engagement and understanding. We came up with many ideas and landed on an idea to make a video for the rest of the secondary. That video right now is in progress, I am the editor of that video. We are working collaboratively as everyone is involved in the video. The video will be posted in the secondary bulletin for other secondary students to watch and to really understand the overall problem we have in our world about coral reefs.
Ralvian Woodhouse (Grade 9)
Pet Guardians – BIS Paws
Goals:
Be in contact with the organizations we try to help and contact the BIS community to ask for help, such as helping dogs around the BIS community and if we could keep the injured or stray dogs there to give them time to heal.
Reflection:
Throughout the two terms of Pet guardians, I volunteered as the group leader. At the start of the semester, we had a student who volunteered but as they were at the DP level, they never had the chance to swing by. So our supervisor, Mr. Andrews, asked if anyone would like to volunteer for the group leader; as everyone was hesitant and tentative, I volunteered for both terms and have taken leadership for all meetings and tasking people on what to do and when it should be done.
Recently during our SA, we have been focusing on helping this one specific dog near the south car park. We noticed that he was starving, had skin diseases, and was not at all in a good state. So we took it upon ourselves to get help from a dog-specific clinic to take care of the dog and treat it. This helped the group and specifically me to see how leaving a dog on the street, untreated, can lead to them suffering and can even die. As of now, the SA group is planning and brainstorming ideas for fundraising so we are able to repay the clinic for taking care of the dog, which was the best we could do, as we are online. We also received videos and pictures from the clinic as we are planning on making a little documentary on the process and what good helping and saving a dog can do, which will hopefully educate and inspire others to do the same. Spreading awareness through the video can also show others how leaving a dog on the street or just leaving a dog without help can affect their life; I also understand that if I take action on a stray dog, I can save its life.
Uliana Tatarintceva (Grade 10)
BIS Permaculture Garden
Goals:
The goal of this project is to transform the space behind the new field into an organic and sustainable permaculture garden using the principles of permaculture as a guide. To educate students at our school about gardening and to build and strengthen our bis community, by also cooking and selling our produce.
Reflection:
As school is still closed, but there is nothing else to plan, our group under the leadership of Manon moved on into actually learning all the needed information about gardening and planting. This term we did some research on components of the soil, that are needed for different types of plants, and about seedlings and propagation, and even tried to make some seedlings of our own.
I realized that growing stuff is not my strength at all, often plants that I grow, or propagate die horrible and miserable. And it’s not even because I neglect to look after them; sometimes it just happens because of the weather, or my little brother, or infection (like fungi that formats in the soil or water in a hot climate.) Right now, I’m trying again to make a seedling of bell pepper. I’m trying out some new techniques, so maybe that will help me grow in this area.
I worked collaboratively with our group to discuss what we learned, to better remember the material learned, and also to motivate each other and share our progress.
Of course, I also practiced presence in action because I had to keep going with trying to grow something, even if it was hard and disappointing.
Sophia Hadijono (Grade 9)
Pet Guardians – Villa Kitty
Goals:
To show people that there is a positive way to care for both cats and kittens and there are benefits in having cats in the home.
Reflection:
On 18th February 2021’s pet guardian class, we continued to add to the website. I decided to fix the donations page because there wasn’t an actual place you could donate to, so I took the villa kitty donations site and pasted that into the document. I undertook challenges that develop new skills by learning how to use the link feature on google sites. I have considered the ethical implications of my action by helping my group with the donations page as they really struggled and I found an easier solution and if someone wanted to donate money they have an option of donating money through the actual villa kitty website.
Amieca Joustra (Grade 10)
SOS Food Drive
Goals:
Our goal with this group would be to assist Scholars of Sustenance in creating a long-term support system for the vulnerable and malnourished in Bali through the events of food rescue, food drives, and community donations.
Reflection:
Second meeting: 28 January 2021
Today we discussed some more ideas and possibilities for ideas we could take action on soon as we have been informed that online schooling would be extended. At first, we looked at our online idea event of doing the ‘’clean your plate’’ challenge but we would like to figure out ways on how we could actually be benefiting SOS with this mission rather than just doing an activity that already exists. We looked at more communication channels to use for the promotion of our ideas, and we came up with:
- SOS Official website and Instagram
- BIS Official Facebook and Instagram
- Daily Bulletin and Enews
- PTA & BIS Marketing Team
- Student Council Social Media
- Ibu Aurora from designs Team
- Possibly making our own official social media (but this might not be crucial as we have other communication channels available.)
Due to the dilemma of not benefiting SOS through the online challenge, we think we should start off with promoting and introducing SOS and our SA group through a video campaign. Through this video, we could:
- Promote the SOS Main Mission
- Actions SOS has taken to achieve the mission.
- Find out how BIS has helped so far
- What our SA group is planning to do to help and support them
Basic Plan of Action and Timeline: Complete the video in 2-3 weeks from 4 February.
Amieca: Communications between Hunter from SOS and meeting with the team for next MYP Hour meeting (4 Feb)
Charlotte: Create a general storyboard for campaign ideas.
BaliMUN IX Is In The Books….
The 9th Annual Bali Model United Nations conference is in the books and all things considered went extremely well. Being relegated to online platforms this year was nobody’s preference, but the core mission of engaging in current events, collaborating on solutions, gaining confidence in a working environment and public speaking and overall having fun still was achieved. With almost no technical problems, engaged delegates and a long day of debate, the event was clearly a success by any metric. Below, our 8 delegates give their short reflections on the day and their experience in general in relation to their committee topics of addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education and low-income communities, promoting the right to privacy in online platforms, and creating measure to reduce the impact of climate change on the global economy.
It was my first experience at the MUN conference meet. I was a delegate for this year’s MUN because there was Covid 19. I was nervous because I didn’t use to talk in front of a lot of people but during the conference, the Chair helped me to talk about my opinion of other people’s resolutions. I think it was a good and useful experience for me. I wanna try MUN again next time.
– Se Bin An, Grade 7
This was my first time participating in a BaliMUN conference, and as with other events that occurred this past year, it was held virtually. Personally, I found that the online nature of the conference put a slight damper on the whole social aspect of the experience. Though we were able to chat and collaborate with each other through digital means, I still found myself missing the enthralling atmosphere of a room that only a heated in-person debate could create. Regardless, sizzling tensions still managed to find their way into our zoom call and I found it to be an exhilarating experience to witness delegates discuss our topic with such passion (for the most part. awkward silences were a thing too).
– Zildji Ismadyanputri, Grade 11
This year’s Bali MUN has been extremely different from other MUN’s that I have participated in. This online MUN came with certain challenges as the interaction between delegates is not as natural as it would be in a physical setting. However, I enjoyed this MUN because it gave me the opportunity to meet with students from other schools in Bali, and I have become friends with 2 people I met during the conference. This year’s MUN has taught me that in order to move forward with any plan, all group members must participate and work together. At the start, it was very difficult to have other group members talking as the online setting made it slightly awkward but, once the conversation started, it felt like a normal MUN. My groups’ resolution was passed for the SOCHUM committee regarding the Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on education. I will always remember the dedication and cooperation my group made in order for our resolution to be chosen. This year’s MUN has definitely been different, but, that’s what made it very memorable.
-Caspia Nadapdap, Grade 9
BaliMUN was a great experience. I learned new things such as we are not allowed to use personal pronouns and use “this delegate” or “ the delegate of _____”. As a delegate, I had to make position papers and an opening speech for each topic. Originally we were supposed to be a Paige, but since it was online we got to be a delegate. Honestly, during MUN I was a nervous wreck but seeing other delegates speaking helped me kind of want to speak up. Overall I personally thought doing MUN was a great experience and I am going to look forward to being a delegate in next year’s MUN.
-Seo-Yeon Bang, Grade 6
MUN was a really interesting experience for me and would look good in the future.
It was really fun hearing other delegates debate about topics and also contributing when lobbying, although I think that I could’ve contributed more in general to debates/amendments and shared my opinion.I think that MUN is a great experience for middle school students as long as they have time and are not overwhelmed.
-Aqvila Wilson, Grade 6
Bali MUN 2021 was unlike any other MUN conference I have attended before. Everything was online; from passing ‘notes’ to other delegates, to making resolutions in only about 4 hours. Although everything was online, the debates were still very interesting and stimulating. There wasn’t a point in the conference where I found myself bored of the debates and amendments. This MUN was also all held and done in just one day, which is very unusual. Even though it was a very short MUN, all delegates still had the chance to get their point across and debate for their resolution. Surprisingly, even after being a little tired of everything being online for almost a year, I would definitely join another online MUN conference as it turned out to be very enjoyable and memorable.
-Nadia Winkler, Grade 9
This year’s Bali MUN was fun (sort of) given that I have never been to an MUN conference before and had no experience whatsoever. It was hard to think of what to say in the “fruitful” debate and eventually, I had the floor and had nothing to say. Collaborating with other delegates in an unmoderated caucus was easy if the conversation kept going and eventually we ended up with a perfect resolution. From my proposed solutions from my position paper, I think 2 or 3 ended up as sub-clauses for the final resolution and my group’s resolution ended up being passed. We also did a good job at stopping the other group’s resolution from being passed even though it was fine. I had fun in MUN listening to other delegates debate and share their ideas, and now that I have some MUN experience I might want to join another MUN session in the future.
-James Eddy, Grade 6
When I first signed up for MUN, I assumed that I will be starting as a page since this is my first time but Mr Marshall informed us that because of the whole online situation of BaliMUN, we’re straight to being delegates. At first, I felt intimidated by the responsibilities of an actual MUN delegate but Mr. Marshall helped us prepare for the conference like helping us write our position papers and opening speeches. I also received feedback for these documents from Mr Marshall and other BIS MUN delegates. The peer feedback was especially helpful for me since some of my fellow delegates have previous MUN experience and I felt more confident with my preparations since they were checked by those who have experienced MUN before.
I was nervous at the start of the conference since I didn’t really know the specifics of MUN conferences but I slowly got the hang of it. I even had one proposed amendment approved by the whole committee. Debating with other delegates from other schools was also really fun. The reason I joined MUN was mainly because I love debating and my experience of debating in MUN certainly met expectations, I even learned how to improve my debating skills by getting asked tricky and unexpected questions from other delegates.
Even though I did not experience the full MUN experience due to the social restrictions brought by the pandemic, I still had a fun time. I’ve read that “you can only learn how MUN conferences work through experiencing it” and now I wholeheartedly believe that. Even though I was somewhat clueless before the conference, I slowly learned how conferences work through the process and I think this confidence will surely help me for the next possible MUN conference.
-Portia Tagalo
Counselor
In Health, all MYP students are taking part in the .b course created by Mindfulness in School Project. I was trained to run this course by Amy Burke and Kevin Hawkins of MindWell. This program teaches students simple mindfulness strategies, while also introducing them to helpful CBT and Positive Psychology tools for well-being. Students take part in 8 lessons focusing on shifting focus, letting the mind be curious, recognizing worry, staying in the moment (not past or future), moving mindfully, noticing thought traffic of the mind, befriending the difficult, and taking in the good. Each student has access to mindfulness exercises to practice at home. As they learned in the first lesson, with exercise the brain can change, much as our muscles can. Ask your teen to share a breathing exercise or show you how to eat mindfully.
University Counseling
Upcoming International ACT Test Date & Deadline
Fairs
Webifairs | Explore Universities Around the World
Summer Programs
Summer Internships for age 12-14
Summer Internships for age 15-18
Washington University in St. Louis | Pre-College Summer Programs
Summer Discovery | Summer 2021 Program
USC School of Cinematic Arts Summer Program (Deadline June 18)
Pre-college Summer Program at Paris College of Art
Imperial College London | Global Summer School
Summer Institutes at Drexel University
Stanford SEWSS Scholars Program by CSDGC at Stanford University
Parsons Paris Fashion & Luxury | Online Courses for High Schoolers that Love Fashion
Scholarships
List of Scholarships for International Students
For Women with a STEM Degree Looking for a Scholarship to Study for a Master’s in STEM
Opportunity for a Scholarship from Seton Hall University by Sharing a Unique Business Idea
University of York | International Scholarship for Indonesian Students (Deadline Mar 22)
Norwich University | STEM Scholarship Program (Deadline Mar 25)
Everett Community College |Scholarships for International Students
Scholarship Guide for Saint Leo University
Virtual Events
Pitzer College virtual visit opportunities
Medicine Work Experience by Dr OJ’s Surgery | Live Every Saturday in Feb
St. John’s University | Virtual Spotlight Events
Japan University Consortium Webinar- International Students Talk (Mar 5)
Study in the UK – International Month (Mar 8 – 12)
Study in the USA Webinar for East Asia (Mar 10)
Saint Leo University | Look at Leo Admitted Student Day (Mar 12)
RICE University Research
PwC, the Virtual Insight Week (deadline Mar 14)
Performance and Performance Design at Wimbledon College of Arts (Mar 11)
University of East London | International Student Open Days (Mar 17)
Dutch Research Universities Consortium (DRU) View (Mar 20)
The New School’s Junior Preview Days Event Series (Mar 25)
University of Southampton | Guidance for University Entry 2021
Trinity College Dublin Webinar Series
University Application
Carl Benz School Application Portal is Now Open (April 30)
Webster University is accepting applications for Fall 2021 (Deadline June 15)
NUCB | Calling all applicants for September 2021
Applying to Seton Hall University
Resources
Bridge U showcases by career topic – open to students and parents
BridgeU 15 questions to ask when choosing a university
Guide for International University Admissions
BridgeU Supporting your child through the application process (G12 should have shortlists completed and should be moving from shortlists to applications.)
BridgeU tips for parents of 2021
BridgeU tips for parents of 2022
World Of Theatre Spotlight – Charlie Hart
While exploring world theatre traditions, Grade 11 DP Theatre students have done a phenomenal job practically experimenting with the performance convention – how to use the body through dance, choreography, and stylized movements to reinforce the story, forward the plot, strengthen the characters and create a certain atmosphere.
Check out Charlie’s great work exploring Bob Fosse’s signature style and the classic elements of musical theatre performance convention. “The energy doesn’t end at the hands. I want such intensity that it feels like light is streaming from every finger.”
— Bob Fosse
