Welcome to the latest upgrade of our website! The Principal Post is a little late this week as we have been ironing out some technical issues. Going forward, the Principal Post will now be posted here fortnightly, along with news updates and a monthly blog. Click top right to change language.
Innovative is one of the Cambridge learner attributes and a highly valuable trait. Innovation drives humanity. It is the manifestation of our innate creativity, which Nusa Alam seeks to nurture in our students (as well as more broadly across all aspects of our infrastructure). Imagination, play, and unfettered inquiry underpin all academic subjects as well as socio-emotional development. So as our website evolves, so too does our journey as a school – curious, creative, and always looking for better ways to learn, grow, and share our story together.
As we launch this new window into Nusa Alam, we are graced with the words of Pak Mark, who, as one of the founders of the school 25 years ago, has accepted my invitation to pen a blog for this week with the theme of the 2025-2026 yearbook: Little Moments, Big Memories.
I invite you to explore other additions to the website.
Last week, we held our celebration of the Lunar New Year and it was filled with wonderful performances from our students and the amazingly acrobatic Barongsai troupe. These Barongsai left with tummies full of Angpao.
Also, we listened with delight to the story-telling of Ibu Grace as she related an old Chinese folk tale around the multiple meanings of 1. The final activity tested the students’ knowledge via the beautifully adorned trees. With the festival of delicious food afterward, I think we can all agree it was a wholesome and highly enjoyable event!
Thank you to everyone involved: parents, teachers, TAs, students, support staff, and guests. Job well done.
Welcoming the Month of Ramadhan at Nusa Alam
As we enter the fasting month, we are reminded of the deeper values at the heart of Ramadhan: reflection, compassion, self-discipline, and generosity. These principles align closely with the ethos of Nusa Alam, where we nurture not only academic growth but also empathy, character, and responsibility toward others.
Throughout this period, our community will come together through acts of charity, shared experiences, and quiet moments of reflection, all rooted in helping those less fortunate and strengthening our sense of togetherness. Ramadhan offers a valuable learning moment for our students – encouraging patience, gratitude, and mindfulness in ways that are lived, not just taught.
As the author George Saunders reminds us, kindness is less often found in grand gestures, but in the small, deliberate choices of everyday life. The “doing” of kindness can be difficult – requiring patience, empathy, and effort – yet it is through these ordinary acts that character is formed and compassion becomes action.
Notably, Lunar New Year, Lent, and Ramadhan fall within a similar period this year, highlighting the shared themes of reflection, renewal, and care for others across traditions. It is a quiet but powerful reminder of unity in diversity within our school community.
In this way, the fasting month becomes more than an observance – it becomes a lived expression of our values, marked by generosity, mindfulness, and a deep sense of community.
Likewise, as part of our commitment to cultural understanding and reflective practice, we will celebrate Nyepi on March 17th, the last day of school before the mid-semester break. This event will now take place every year.
The day will include a parent presentation on Nyepi traditions, making canang and pajengan together, and a shared yoga session to reflect the values of calmness and self-control. There will be an early dismissal on this day, and we sincerely apologise for the late addition to the school calendar.
We look forward to marking this occasion in a spirit of respect, mindfulness, and community. All families are warmly invited to join.
Senggigi Bus
We are currently exploring the introduction of a Senggigi school bus service to better support families in that area. A letter was sent home yesterday inviting interested families to register their interest, as this initiative will be coordinated in collaboration with school parents and the Parent Association (PA). Once we have a clear understanding of the numbers, we will be able to take the next steps in planning routes and logistics.
This venture is intended to make the school journey more efficient, reduce traffic around drop-off and pick-up times, and contribute positively to the environment. It is a practical, community-minded step that supports both convenience and sustainability.
Fewer cars on the road, calmer mornings, and a greener start to the day – surely a win for everyone!
Berugak
A new berugak has recently been donated to the school by Pak Rifky and has been installed in the parking area, providing a shaded spot for drivers, parents, and visitors to sit while waiting at school. Straddling concrete and grass, it sits somewhat comically at a slight tilt, but I’m sure it will find its feet and fit in just fine.
This charming pavilion has already become a welcome resting place – somewhere to pause, chat, and enjoy a moment of calm in the midst of the busy school day. Terima Kasih Pak Rifky!
We have recently begun using the Seneca learning app in Secondary to support independent study and subject revision. Seneca provides interactive, curriculum-aligned courses that break complex topics into manageable sections, using quizzes, spaced repetition, and instant feedback to strengthen knowledge retention.
For our students following the Cambridge curriculum, this is particularly valuable as it encourages regular review, reinforces key concepts, and promotes self-directed learning beyond the classroom. This is a valuable resource for teachers also; they are able to efficiently assign targeted tasks, and monitor student progress, allowing for more personalised and responsive instruction. In this way, Seneca supports not only academic progress, but also the development of reflective, responsible, and engaged learners.
How To Train Your Norgard
Ibu Susan, our Early Years and Lower Primary English teacher, recently introduced Year 2 students to the wonderfully imaginative story of Norgard. Carefully structured and cleverly paced, the story invites the children to listen attentively, follow precise instructions, and visualise details step by step. As the narrative unfolds, children must hold information in their minds, interpret clues, and think critically about how each new piece fits together.
The beauty of this resource lies in its subtle scaffolding. It strengthens listening comprehension, encourages careful sequencing, and fosters creativity as students construct meaning from guided description. At the same time, it builds patience, focus, and the confidence to trust the process – skills that extend far beyond English lessons. As the teacher later explains the thinking process of visualisation to the students so they learn something valuable about how their brains work. Amazing!
Year 2 parents, if they have not told you already, ask your children about Norgard and what made the experience so memorable. Other parents may enjoy finding the story online and reading it together at home – it’s a delightful way to spark curiosity and conversation.
