Welcome back to school following our mid-semester break. I hope the break provided families with a chance to rest, recharge, and spend time together. We are now well into the final term of the academic year – a period that brings both continued learning and a range of assessments across the school. There is a renewed sense of purpose on campus, and we look forward to seeing students re-engage with their studies and carry their efforts through to the end of the year. Outside of the classroom, our community will come together in school-wide events that showcase our talents, teamwork and spirit.
To begin this edition of the Principal Post, let’s first revisit the culminating event of last term – the Nyepi celebration.
Nyepi
On the last day of last term, we had the pleasure of celebrating Nyepi as a school community. It was a thoughtful and enriching occasion that gave our students the opportunity to learn more deeply about this important Balinese tradition.
Our sincere thanks go to our parents and teachers for their support in organising and presenting such a meaningful event. We are especially grateful to Ibu Dewi for sharing her knowledge and helping students understand the significance of Nyepi, and to Ibu Martina for guiding the yoga and mindfulness activities that captured the spirit of reflection and calm at the heart of the day. Students also enjoyed making canang, engaging hands-on with an important and beautiful cultural practice.
It was a wonderful celebration that not only deepened understanding, but also underlined our commitment to recognising and celebrating the rich local culture that surrounds us.
Sports Day
Our Sports Day on Friday was a lively and enjoyable celebration of energy, teamwork, and school spirit. Students took part in a wide range of events, competing both individually and in their Houses. From sprints, relay races, and obstacle courses to basketball, football, volleyball, and the ever-popular sack race, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
This year, the events were spread out across the full day, allowing for a more relaxed pace and giving spectators plenty of time to gather, cheer, and support their fellow House members. It was wonderful to see students fully engaged – competing with enthusiasm while demonstrating strong fair play and respect for one another. Events like these play an important role in shaping our school culture. They provide a space where the Cambridge learner attributes come to life – students showing confidence in competition, responsibility in teamwork, engagement in participation, and reflection in both success and challenge. Beyond who wins and who loses, it is these qualities that define the true value of the day.
In the end, Yellow House claimed victory once again, continuing their impressive run. Meanwhile, in a closely contested tug of war, the teachers gave it their all – but ultimately had to concede defeat to the parents, a result received with good humour… but we’ll be back next year!
In all schools, and particularly within the Cambridge framework, assessments are designed not simply to measure outcomes, but to support learning. They provide valuable insight into what students understand, how they think, and where further development is needed. Alongside ongoing classroom assessment, more formal assessments at key stages help ensure that students are progressing in line with international standards.
At Sekolah Nusa Alam, with the exception of Year 6 and Year 8 students, who sit Cambridge Checkpoint tests, other year levels in Primary and Lower Secondary complete school-based assessments using the Cambridge progression tests. In Upper Secondary, students in Year 10 and Year 11 sit for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations. Beyond this, students in Years 12 and 13 undertake Cambridge International AS and A Level examinations, which require deeper subject knowledge, independent thinking, and advanced analytical skills.
These assessments play an important role in guiding teaching, supporting student reflection, and preparing learners for the next stage of their education. Most importantly, they are one part of a broader picture – one that values growth, effort, and the development of confident, responsible, and reflective learners.
Year 2 students put on a wonderful performance this week, bringing to life their literacy learning in the form of the book Calvin Can’t Fly. The audience was largely made up of parents with some school staff able to join also. What we witnessed was both delightful and charming – the children were well-rehearsed and performed with charisma and teamwork, using props and costumes that added colour, humour, and a real sense of storytelling to the production. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed snacks and drinks, while parents learned more about the story in a lovely spirit of partnership between school and home.
Beyond the enjoyment of the performance, this was a meaningful example of learning in action. Through preparing and performing, students developed their reading comprehension, speaking and listening skills, and confidence in presenting to an audience. They also learned the importance of collaboration, timing, and expression – essential elements in both literacy and wider communication. Thank you to Ibu Susan and the Year 2 teachers for an inspiring lesson!
As part of the Unifrog programme, our Year 7 students recently took part in a series of mock job interviews, meeting with me to step into a more formal, real-world setting. Each student came prepared to speak about a chosen career pathway and respond to questions similar to those they may one day encounter in an actual interview.
While there were, understandably, a few nervous moments as students sat across from the Principal, these were balanced by growing confidence, thoughtful responses, and a willingness to engage seriously with the process. The students demonstrated an emerging sense of self-awareness – speaking about their interests, strengths, and aspirations with increasing clarity.
Experiences like this help bridge the gap between classroom learning and the wider world. They build communication skills, encourage reflection, and give students a valuable opportunity to practise presenting themselves with confidence and purpose. It was encouraging to see such maturity developing at this stage, and I look forward to continuing to support students as they explore their future pathways.
Our school continues to strengthen its collaboration with INOVASI, an education partnership programme that supports schools across Indonesia in improving teaching practice, learning resources, and student outcomes. INOVASI works closely with schools, local governments, and communities to develop practical, research-informed approaches to education – particularly in areas such as literacy, numeracy, and inclusive learning.
We were pleased to recently welcome representatives from INOVASI to our campus – Pak Afifuddin and Pak Ari, who generously gifted the school a set of 32 books for upper Primary students focused on climate science. Written in Bahasa Indonesia by local authors and illustrated by local artists, these books are the result of a year-long collaborative process. They explore environmental issues that are directly relevant to Indonesia and our region – from changing weather patterns to local ecosystems and sustainability challenges. This localised approach makes the content more meaningful and accessible for our Primary students, supporting both their scientific understanding and their literacy development in the national language.
This partnership also has a meaningful connection to our own school community. Pak Mark Heyward, one of the founders of Nusa Alam, has long been involved in education development work in Indonesia and played a central role in INOVASI. This shared vision helps ensure that our collaboration is grounded in both local understanding and educational best practice.
Looking ahead, we hope to continue building this relationship with INOVASI, while also strengthening connections with other local schools across Lombok. Through collaboration, shared learning, and community engagement, we can continue to enrich the educational experience for our students and contribute positively to the wider education landscape.
Our Yearbook Cover Competition is now underway, and students are invited to take part in this creative opportunity to represent the spirit of the school year. Posters are displayed around campus, and the competition is being actively promoted in homerooms and Visual Art classes by Ibu Ega, encouraging students to think deeply about the theme: Little Moments, Big Memories.
This theme invites students to reflect on the everyday experiences that shape school life – the small interactions, achievements, and shared moments that, over time, become lasting memories. Through their designs, students are encouraged to interpret this idea in their own unique way, using creativity, imagination, and personal expression.
The competition is a wonderful chance for students to showcase their artistic voice while contributing to a meaningful part of the school’s history. All submissions are due by 8th May, and we look forward to seeing the thoughtful and creative responses that emerge.
Bus Service
This week also heralded the first run of the Raja bus transporting students from Senggigi to school, picking up students along the way. Although Sekolah Nusa Alam does not run this bus, parents who wish to sign up can inform the front office staff, who will then relay them to our school parents who facilitate the bus service. Through this service, we aim to reduce traffic and provide parents with an alternative transport option.
Blog
Lastly, parents may wish to take a few moments to read this month’s blog over a morning coffee or an evening cup of cocoa. The blog provides a space for members of our school community to explore ideas around education and school life in a more open, reflective format.
This month, I have penned the article, focusing on the role of creativity in education – a subject close to my heart and one I believe is essential not only to personal growth, but to human progress more broadly. I hope you enjoy reading it and find something in it that resonates.
