SMP

Bekasi, 5 October 2024 – SMP Al-Siddiq International School held a Free Trial Class programme for prospective students for the 2024/2025 academic year. This programme aimed to provide future students with first-hand experience of the interactive learning methods implemented at the international-based school. During the Free Trial Class, students had the opportunity to take part in lessons such as Bahasa Indonesia and Civics, delivered through interactive and practical approaches. Participants also experienced a friendly and inclusive school environment, equipped with modern facilities that support active learning. They were guided by experienced teachers who helped nurture both their academic potential and personal character. The programme was designed to offer a fun and engaging learning experience. “We want to give parents and prospective students a real picture of how the learning system at SMP Al-Siddiq focuses on developing 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and communication,” said the Headmaster, Mr Yusuf Yudhana, S.Pd. In addition to the trial lessons, participants were invited to join a Q&A session with teachers and current students of SMP Al-Siddiq. This provided an opportunity to better understand the school’s vision and mission, which balance academic excellence with spiritual and character education. Registration for the Free Trial Class is open to Year 6 primary school students or equivalent, and can be done through the school’s official administration channels or by visiting the school office directly. “Through this programme, we hope parents and students can experience first-hand the quality of education we offer before deciding to enrol,” added Mr Yusuf Yudhana, S.Pd. With a supportive environment and an international standard curriculum, SMP Al-Siddiq remains committed to providing the best education for every student—both in academic achievement and in nurturing strong Islamic character. By : Bagus Asri Wibawa, B.A., LL.B.

Bekasi, 2 October 2024 – Two Year 7 students of Al Siddiq International Secondary School, Alina Khansa Arshiya and Celia Lutfiatunnisa Afifah Hamdani, were selected to participate in the Qur’an Memorisation Scholarship (Beasiswa Tahfidz Qur’an) selection programme, a prestigious initiative organised by the Department of Education of Bekasi City. They will compete with hundreds of other participants from various junior high schools across Bekasi. The selection event took place at Alun-Alun Kota Bekasi. The Qur’an Memorisation Scholarship aims to support outstanding students in memorising the Qur’an while also deepening their understanding and application of Qur’anic values in daily life. In addition, the programme seeks to nurture a young generation with strong integrity, spirituality, and noble character, so they can become role models within their schools, families, and communities. The Head of Al Siddiq International Secondary School, Mr. Yusuf Yudhana, S.Pd, expressed his pride in the achievement of both students. “We are very proud of the accomplishments of Alina Khansa Arshiya and Celia Lutfiatunnisa Afifah Hamdani. Their selection for the Qur’an Memorisation Scholarship is clear evidence of their dedication to memorising and practising the Qur’an. This is not merely an academic achievement but also a reflection of the excellent character we continue to cultivate at Al-Siddiq International Junior High School. We hope they perform well in the selection process and achieve the best possible results. May their efforts inspire other students to continue excelling, both academically and spiritually.” This Qur’an Memorisation Scholarship selection marks the first step for Alina and Celia in realising their aspiration to become hafidzah who contribute to spreading goodness and Qur’anic values in society. The selection committee also hopes that this programme will further encourage students across Bekasi City to continue memorising the Qur’an and deepening their religious knowledge. By : Bagus Asri Wibawa, B.A., LL.B.

Al Siddiq International secondary school successfully held the Mid-Semester Report distribution for the first term on Friday, 27 September 2024. This event marked an important moment for both students and parents to evaluate the learning progress achieved during the first half of the semester. The Principal of SMP Al-Siddiq, Mr. Yusuf Yudhana, stated that the RTS serves as an opportunity for students to assess their academic achievements and identify areas for improvement in preparation for the remainder of the semester. “We hope that the RTS results will motivate students to continue improving their performance and achieving the goals they have set,” he said. The report distribution began at 1:00 p.m., attended by parents who received direct updates on their children’s progress from the class teachers. Each homeroom teacher presented the academic achievements and attitudes of students across all subjects that were assessed during the Mid-Semester Summative Assessment (STS), conducted from 9–13 September 2024. The subjects included Mathematics, Bahasa Indonesia, English, Arabic, ICT, Islamic Studies, Physical Education, Civics, Social Studies, and Science. Parents expressed their satisfaction with the structured and transparent reporting system. “Through this meeting, we can better understand our children’s learning progress and determine how we can support them at home,” said one parent. Beyond being an academic evaluation tool, the RTS also served as a moment of reflection for students to assess their own learning outcomes. The school provided additional guidance for students whose grades were below standard, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to improve and strengthen their understanding of the material. Teachers and students agreed that the report serves as a stepping stone towards greater achievements at the end of the semester. “We hope this evaluation fosters renewed enthusiasm for learning. Every student has the chance to improve their results in the future,” said Ms Wafda, one of the teachers. With the enthusiasm and motivation sparked by the report distribution, SMP Al-Siddiq International School hopes that all students will continue to maximise their potential as they prepare for the upcoming end-of-semester examinations. By : Bagus Asri Wibawa, B.A., LL.B.

Friday, 27 September 2024 – SMP Al-Siddiq International School once again held its regular Tausiyah Dinniyah and MsFit and Cares programmes as part of the school’s student character development initiative. The event took place in the multifunction room and was attended by all students and teachers. The programme began at 7:00 a.m., starting with Dhuha prayer and collective remembrance (dhikr), followed by Tausiyah Dinniyah for the male students and MsFit and Cares for the female students. During the tausiyah, students were encouraged to deepen their understanding of Islamic values. This session carried the theme “Muslim Youth at a Crossroads”, delivered by Ustadz Haris, who shared moral messages relevant to the students’ everyday lives. He also encouraged them to draw closer to Allah and to engage actively in positive and beneficial activities. In a separate session, the school conducted the MsFit programme specifically for the female students. This session was themed “Learning from the Spirit of Salman Al-Farisi”, aimed at motivating students to pursue knowledge with dedication and enthusiasm. The speaker, Ms Hamidah, highlighted how Salman Al-Farisi’s unwavering determination and perseverance in seeking knowledge could serve as an inspiring example for today’s young generation. “We should emulate his tireless spirit in the pursuit of knowledge while maintaining noble character,” she said. Through the Tausiyah Dinniyah programme, SMP Al-Siddiq International School remains committed to fostering a balanced educational environment that strengthens both spirituality and intellectual growth. The programme received positive responses from both students and teachers. Several students expressed that the tausiyah sessions helped them understand how to apply Islamic values in their daily lives, particularly amid the challenges of modernisation. Meanwhile, female students participating in MsFit and Cares felt more inspired to study diligently. This initiative represents a concrete effort by SMP Al-Siddiq to build students’ character and spiritual awareness. By integrating Islamic values into the teaching and learning process, the school not only strives for academic excellence but also nurtures students to become individuals of strong moral integrity and responsibility. It is hoped that through such programmes, students will grow into a generation that is not only intellectually capable but also spiritually grounded and morally upright — ready to face future challenges with confidence and integrity. By : Bagus Asri Wibawa, B.A., LL.B

On Friday, 20 September 2024, Al Siddiq International Secondary School received a visit from the local health centre (Puskesmas) team for a health screening programme aimed at both students and teachers. This activity formed part of the school’s health initiative, designed to ensure that all members of the school community maintain optimal physical well-being. The health check-up covered several aspects, including body weight and height measurements, blood pressure checks, dental examinations, and general health assessments. In addition, the medical team provided health education on topics such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, personal hygiene, and the importance of regular exercise. The Principal of Al Siddiq International Secondary School, Mr Yusuf Yudhana, warmly welcomed the programme, stating: “Health is a vital asset for both students and teachers. Through regular medical check-ups like this, we hope to maintain the overall well-being of our school community and create a better learning environment.” In addition to the students, teachers also participated in health screenings, including blood sugar tests and HIV screening. These are essential to ensure that educators remain in good health, given their crucial role in daily teaching and learning. One of the teachers, Mr Umair, shared, “This activity is very beneficial, especially for us teachers who are often busy with lessons. Sometimes we overlook our health, so this check-up helps us pay more attention to our physical condition.” Students showed great enthusiasm during the event, particularly during the health education sessions. Bagas, a Year 8 student, commented, “I was really happy to be checked by the doctor. We learned a lot about how important it is to take care of our health, especially as we prepare for exams.” The programme is expected to be conducted regularly as a preventive effort to maintain the health of all school members. The visit from the Puskesmas also highlighted the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and healthcare providers in fostering a healthy environment that supports students’ overall development.By Bagus Asri Wibawa, B.A., LL.B

In an effort to enhance students’ English proficiency and broaden their international outlook, Al-Siddiq International Secondary School has launched a programme titled “Learning Beyond Borders.” The programme features a native speaker, Ms. Fatimah Az Zahra, from the United States, who has extensive experience in teaching English, particularly in Indonesia. Ms. Fatimah Az Zahra is an educator with over eight years of teaching experience in various educational institutions across Indonesia, including both formal schools and language centres. She is well known for her interactive and communicative teaching approach, which helps students feel more confident when speaking English. The programme aims to provide students with a deeper and more authentic language-learning experience, enabling them to master English skills comprehensively within a global context. The presence of a native speaker offers a unique learning opportunity, as students can interact directly with a natural English user, experience the dynamics of everyday conversation, and improve their pronunciation and listening comprehension in real time. This initiative aligns with the school’s mission to prepare students for global challenges in the modern era. “We believe that learning a language is not just about theory, but also about practice and real-life experience. By inviting a native speaker, our students can learn to communicate naturally and understand the cultural context embedded in the language,”said Mr. Yusuf Yudhana, Head of Al-Siddiq International Junior High School. Throughout the programme, students participated in various interactive activities, including conversations, Q&A sessions, and real-life English simulations. Through this approach, students not only improved their language skills but also gained greater confidence in communication. One of the students, Tama from Year 8, shared his enthusiasm: “I’m really happy to be able to speak directly with a native speaker. It gave me the chance to test my skills and learn how to speak more naturally.” With initiatives like this, Al-Siddiq International Secondary School continues to demonstrate its commitment to delivering high-quality, globally oriented education. It is hoped that through this valuable learning experience, students will further develop their English skills and be well-prepared to compete in an increasingly globalised world.By Bagus Asri Wibawa, B.A., LL.B

The Computer-Based National Assessment (ANBK) 2024 at SMP Al-Siddiq International School was conducted smoothly and in an orderly manner on 11–12 September 2024. The two-day assessment was participated in by 17 students, divided into two sessions — the first with 9 participants and the second with 8 participants. The implementation was supervised by invigilators from SMP Walisongo and also attended by a representative from the Bekasi City Education Office, Mr. Arif Abdurrahman, M.Pd. The ANBK aims to measure students’ literacy, numeracy, and character skills, as well as to evaluate the overall quality of learning within the school. The smooth and well-organised execution of the assessment reflects the school’s strong commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to improve educational quality through technology-based evaluation. The school worked closely with the organising committee to ensure that all technical and non-technical facilities—including computer equipment, internet connectivity, and health protocol implementation—were well-prepared and functioning properly. The Head of SMP Al-Siddiq International School, Mr. Yusuf Yudhana, S.Pd., stated that this year’s ANBK provided valuable insights into the school’s educational standards, which would later be reflected in the Education Quality Report. He expressed hope that the report results would be optimal, while acknowledging that there were still aspects to be improved, such as internet network stability. “In the future, we will continue making improvements as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education at SMP Al-Siddiq International School,” he said. The implementation of ANBK also received strong support from parents, who hoped that the results would reflect the progress and development of their children’s learning throughout their time at the school.By Bagus Asri Wibawa, B.A., LL.B

On Monday, 9 September 2024, SMP Al-Siddiq International School commenced the Mid-Semester Summative Assessment (STS) for the Odd Term, which continued until 13 September 2024. The STS serves as an essential part of the students’ learning evaluation for the first half of the semester. This evaluation is held every term to measure students’ understanding of the material covered and to provide both teachers and parents with insights into the students’ academic progress. The STS at SMP Al-Siddiq International School was conducted in the form of written examinations, covering material taught throughout the first half of the semester. The subjects tested included Mathematics, Bahasa Indonesia, English, Arabic, ICT, Islamic Studies, Physical Education, Civics (PPKn), Social Studies (IPS), and Science (IPA). The results of the STS will serve as one of the key considerations in determining students’ academic progression and eligibility for promotion or graduation at the end of the semester. The school upholds the motto, “Exams are for learning, not learning for exams.” Therefore, it is vital for students to prepare well before sitting for their tests. Teachers at SMP Al-Siddiq International School also provide guidance and support to help students better understand the material and approach the exams with confidence. The successful implementation of the STS reflects the school’s strong commitment to maintaining high educational standards. SMP Al-Siddiq International School continues to strive for excellence by adopting innovative, technology-based learning methods and by promoting a balanced approach that integrates academic achievement with character development. With this success, the school hopes to sustain and further enhance student performance in future assessments, including the major examinations held at the end of each term. [Red]By Bagus Asri Wibawa, B.A., LL.B