SMP

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

Bekasi – March 2024, The Project-Based Learning (PjBL) activity for Al Siddiq International Secondary School pupils this time involved learning how to make candles from used cooking oil waste. The activity, held on Thursday, 14 March 2024, carried the theme “Live Green, Stay Lean.” By using used cooking oil as the main ingredient for candle-making, pupils learned how to help protect the environment through recycling. During the project, both male and female pupils created their own candle products under the supervision of their teachers. Additional materials such as colouring were used to make the candles look attractive, and fragrance was added to remove any residual smell from the used oil. Other materials included wicks, ice cream sticks, and glass containers for moulding the candles. Each pupil then brought home their finished candle to be used when needed. This project provided valuable experience and broadened the pupils’ scientific and practical knowledge. [Ed.]By ESTY INDRASWARIANI, S.Sos