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School holidays are the most awaited time for children—especially the long mid-year break, which is usually the longest holiday in their school calendar. After going through daily academic routines, children sometimes need a short pause to recharge and prevent prolonged stress. That’s why it is very important for parents to help make their children’s holidays more meaningful and enjoyable. Here are five exciting activities that parents can do together with their children: Backyard camping can be a fun and educational holiday experience for children. Through this activity, parents can teach many things—from knowledge about stars and planets to other natural wonders. All you need is a tent, a big blanket, some hot chocolate, and a full day of exciting family camping in the yard. The zoo is always a popular holiday destination. It allows children to explore and observe various animals directly. Nowadays, zoos are also more accessible as many are located within city centers. Alternatively, visiting a museum can be a great choice. Many modern museums now provide interactive activities, allowing children to learn new knowledge and discover interesting facts in a fun way. During the holidays, encourage children to go cycling, either in the morning or afternoon around the neighborhood or in a nearby park. Cycling offers many benefits: it helps build muscle strength, boosts confidence, increases happiness, enhances social skills, and improves motor coordination. Invite children to spend time gardening—especially if you have flowers or vegetable plants at home. This activity not only helps children understand nature and the environment but also allows them to explore new things, such as discovering insects living in the soil. Ball games can significantly improve children’s motor skills, as they involve hand-eye coordination and timing—both essential in child development. In addition, playing ball also teaches children teamwork, collaboration, and healthy competitiveness. Parents can encourage children to play in the yard or join them in a fun game. All of these activities can be done together during the school holidays. By engaging in such activities, children not only enjoy their free time but also remain physically active, which supports their growth and development throughout the holiday season.

Al Siddiq International applies an effective bilingual education system designed to prepare students for the challenges of global competition. English and Arabic serve as the two primary languages taught at the school, with a strong emphasis on developing language skills that support both academic needs and everyday communication. English is taught intensively, both in academic contexts and in general conversation, enabling students to become accustomed to communicating in this international language. Meanwhile, Arabic is also taught as an essential part of religious education, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of Qur’anic texts and Islamic teachings. In addition, Al Siddiq International fosters students’ entrepreneurial spirit through various entrepreneurship programs. These initiatives aim to cultivate creativity, innovation, and independence among students. They are guided in developing critical thinking skills and in managing simple business ventures. Environmental awareness is also a core focus of the school, supported by a range of activities that instill values of care and responsibility for the environment. Through its combination of bilingual education, entrepreneurship, and environmental consciousness, Al Siddiq International prepares its students to become highly competitive individuals who are also committed to sustainability in the future.

Tempe is known as a traditional food native to Indonesia. It has existed since the 16th century in Java, and Indonesia remains one of the world’s largest producers of tempe. Beyond being a staple side dish served with rice, tempe is also processed into a wide variety of snacks and souvenirs unique to certain regions. In applying the Project Based Learning (PBL) model, projects for the secondary school unit are naturally more complex than those for primary pupils. This semester, the very first project for Al Siddiq International’s Year 7 students was to produce their own tempe – starting from preparing the raw ingredients, managing the process through to completion, and finally tasting the result. Given tempe’s close connection with the daily lives of Indonesians, many were curious: how is tempe actually made? As it turns out, the process is not as complicated as one might imagine. This was precisely the experience of Al Siddiq International’s secondary students, who carried out each stage within their groups – from washing the soybeans, boiling and drying them, to storing them in containers for the fermentation process. Why, then, the emphasis on “Tempe à la Al Siddiq” in the title above? Is there any significant difference between ordinary tempe and the one produced by Al Siddiq’s Year 7 students? Indeed, there is. The uniqueness lies in the addition of flowers and leaves to the soybeans. Butterfly pea flowers, rose petals, moringa leaves, and nori (seaweed) were all incorporated as complementary ingredients. And what was the outcome? Alhamdulillah, the entire tempe-making process went smoothly and successfully. The tempe had a more fragrant aroma and a distinct flavour, enriched by the combination of nori and moringa leaves. At the end of the PBL project, students were required to present both the process and the finished product. Through this experience, it is hoped that in the future pupils may be able to develop unique tempe creations with commercial value.