We have just completed the second week of our first semester, and already there is plenty happening around Nusa Alam! From students achieving success in sporting competitions to academic milestones, new lunchtime initiatives and preparations for some exciting events, there is certainly no shortage of activity across the campus. It is always encouraging to see our students taking opportunities beyond their regular lessons, discovering new interests and challenging themselves in different ways. There is plenty to share this week, so let’s get started!
During the first week of term two, we held our Parent-Teacher Conferences for Primary and Secondary families. These meetings are an important opportunity for parents and teachers to talk about each student’s progress, not only in academic subjects but also in their personal development, relationships, confidence and growing independence.
School reports and assessment results can tell us a great deal, but they never tell the whole story. Teachers see students in the classroom and throughout the school day, while parents bring a different and equally valuable understanding of their children. When we share these perspectives, we build a fuller picture of how each student is doing and where they may need further encouragement or support.
These conversations are also an opportunity to recognise achievements, discuss challenges and agree on how school and home can work together to help children move forward. Progress is not always straightforward, and children develop at different rates, but a shared understanding between parents and teachers can make a real difference.
Thank you to all the families who took the time to meet with our teachers, and to our teaching staff for preparing for and participating in these conversations. A strong partnership between home and school is one of the most valuable things we can offer our students. When we communicate openly, listen to one another and keep the focus on what is best for each child, we give them the strongest possible foundation for continued learning and growth.
One of the great pleasures of being a Principal is hearing about the things our students get up to beyond the classroom. Whether they are competing in sport, taking on academic challenges or representing the school in new and unfamiliar settings, it is wonderful to see them pursuing their interests and discovering what they are capable of.
Jaya in Year 6 has certainly been keeping busy! He was part of the winning team at the Bintang Ampenan football tournament, adding another achievement to his growing list of football successes. Those who know Jaya will be well aware of his enthusiasm for the game, both at school and outside it, so it is lovely to see his dedication rewarded.
Jaya has also been putting his stamina to the test, running an impressive 7.5km. Jasmine in Year 5 and Jax in Year 2 also took part in a running competition, each completing 2.5km. Meanwhile, at the Mandalika Roller Skating Competition, Jasmine secured second place and Mia in Year 3 took third place.
These achievements are worth celebrating, not simply because of the positions our students earned, but because of the commitment, practice and determination involved. Taking part in competitions requires confidence and courage, and not every experience ends with a medal or trophy. At Nusa Alam, we want our students to develop a willingness to try, to persevere when things become difficult and to take pride in their own progress. Congratulations to Jaya, Jasmine, Jax and Mia!
We also have an academic achievement to celebrate. Alexa and Una, both Year 11 students, have recently been awarded the Cambridge International Certificate of Education (ICE), a proud moment for both students and for Sekolah Nusa Alam.
The Cambridge ICE recognises achievement across a range of subject areas, rewarding students who demonstrate breadth in their studies rather than focusing on a narrow selection of subjects. It represents sustained effort and commitment, and we are delighted to see Alexa and Una’s work recognised in this way.
Congratulations to both of them. We hope this achievement gives them confidence as they continue their academic journeys and take on the challenges ahead.
This week saw the start of our new Community Wellness Sessions, and it has been lovely to see different members of our community coming together to try something new, get active and have a little fun.
We began on Tuesday with a fitness session led by yours truly, followed by Pak Marwan’s yoga session on Thursday. Friday brought two more opportunities to get moving, with Pilates led by Ibu Diany and a futsal session that brought together teachers, support staff, students, parents and even members of the Acibara team!
What I particularly like about these sessions is that they give us a chance to connect in a different way. At school, we tend to meet in our usual roles: teachers teach, parents drop off and pick up their kids, and students come to learn. During these activities, those roles matter a little less. We can encourage one another, have a laugh, try something unfamiliar and enjoy being part of the same community.
Of course, there is the added benefit of doing something positive for our physical wellbeing. We don’t need to become elite athletes or fitness enthusiasts; sometimes, simply making time to move a little more and enjoy the company of others is enough.
I would like to thank everyone who has helped get these sessions started, particularly Pak Marwan and Ibu Diany, and everyone who has turned up to participate. I hope this is the beginning of a regular opportunity for our community to connect, have fun and get a little bit fitter together.
The front office sends out the google sign-up form every week so please register and come along for some much-deserved wellness!
This week, we introduced our new Inquiry Station on the second floor led by Pak Anky and giving students something different to explore during the second half of lunchtime. The idea is to provide practical mini-projects that challenge students to use their creativity, follow instructions, solve problems and make things from materials that might otherwise be thrown away.
We had plenty of interest during the first couple of days, although participation dropped later in the week. We are still finding the right format and working out how best to make the opportunity appealing and accessible to students. That is part of developing a new initiative: trying something, seeing how it works and making adjustments along the way.
The project challenge will change each week, giving students different tasks and opportunities to develop their skills. We are always looking for ways to provide experiences that allow our students to explore their interests, build confidence and develop their ability to approach a challenge thoughtfully. We look forward to seeing what they create in the weeks ahead!
At the end of Term 1, we said goodbye to our Early Years teacher, Ibu Nana, who left Nusa Alam to focus on her family.
Ibu Nana has been a much-loved member of our Early Years team, bringing care and commitment to her work with our youngest learners. Early Years education is such an important part of a child’s journey. It takes patience, warmth and a real understanding of how young children learn, grow and develop, and we are grateful for the contribution she has made to our school community.
On behalf of the Nusa Alam community, I would like to thank Ibu Nana for her work and dedication and wish her and her family all the very best for the future.
As announced at the end of Term 1, Ibu Erma will be leaving Nusa Alam at the end of this academic year, after eight years with the school.
Ibu Erma has been a strong and valued presence in our leadership team over the years. She has brought warmth and compassion to her role, while also taking on the important responsibility of maintaining our relationship with government offices and helping to build partnerships with other schools in the local area.
These connections are an important part of school life. They help us work more effectively with the wider community, create opportunities for our students and ensure that Nusa Alam remains connected to the educational landscape in Lombok and Indonesia.
Although we still have time together before her departure, I wanted to acknowledge Ibu Erma’s contribution and the many ways she has helped shape the school. She will be greatly missed, and we wish her every success and happiness in her future endeavours.
Helping our students prepare for life beyond Nusa Alam means giving them opportunities to look beyond the school gates and explore the possibilities ahead of them. This week, a group of our senior students visited the University of Mataram (UNRAM) to learn more about its International Class and the opportunities available through local higher education. It is encouraging to see our students beginning to investigate their future pathways and consider how their interests and ambitions might develop into further study and careers. Pak Agung has written the following account of their visit…
Education demands exposure to rigorous academic environments. This week, several senior students from Years 10 to 12 completed a strategic academic excursion to the University of Mataram (UNRAM). Supervised by Pak Agung and Ibu Lia, the delegation met with the UNRAM Officials from the Office of International Affairs and faculty members to analyze the International Class at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK). Our objective extends beyond a standard campus tour. We systematically benchmark local higher education pathways against international standards. By analyzing the operational framework and admission criteria of the UNRAM International Class, we equip our students to make calculated decisions regarding their future careers. Sekolah Nusa Alam remains committed to producing analytical, globally minded graduates. Assessing high-caliber domestic programs ensures our students recognize excellence locally while preparing to compete globally.
This Sunday, many of our Primary students will take part in the annual English 1 Spelling Bee in Mataram. Pak Neal has been busy preparing this enthusiastic group of young wordsmiths, and we are looking forward to seeing them put their skills to the test.
Spelling competitions demand more than a good memory. Students need to concentrate under pressure, listen carefully, trust their preparation and find the confidence to stand in front of an audience. For some, simply stepping up to the challenge is an achievement in itself.
At Nusa Alam, we want our students to approach challenges with confidence and courage, understanding that success is not defined solely by the final result. Every opportunity to try something new, learn from an experience and discover what we can do helps us grow.
I shall be there to cheer our students on, and I hope they enjoy the experience. Good luck to everyone taking part!
Next week, our Secondary students will have an exciting opportunity to take part in the ICESS conference in Mataram. Over the past few months, Ibu Beverly has been guiding a group of students as they prepare a presentation on the impact of artificial intelligence on students and their studies.
This is a particularly valuable experience because it takes students beyond the usual expectations of school assignments. They have been developing their research, organising their findings and preparing to present their work in an academic setting where research papers are subject to rigorous questioning and critique from fellow academics.
That process can be challenging, but learning to explain an argument, respond thoughtfully to questions and consider different perspectives is an important part of academic development. It encourages students to look more deeply at a topic, question their assumptions and become more confident in defending their ideas with evidence.
I am very grateful to Ibu Beverly for initiating this opportunity and providing the guidance needed to help our students prepare. It is an excellent example of how teachers can open doors to experiences that extend learning well beyond the classroom.
Parents are welcome to attend a practice presentation on Monday at 3.00pm in the examination room on the fourth floor. It will be a chance to see the work our students have been doing and offer them some encouragement before the conference.
I wish the students every success as they take this important next step in their learning.
Please be reminded that next Wednesday we will hold our second professional development session of the academic year for teaching staff. These sessions give our teachers time to reflect on their practice, learn together and consider how we can continue to improve the learning experience we provide for our students.
As a result, students will be dismissed early, at 11.50am. Please make the necessary arrangements for collection and transport.
Thank you, as always, for your support and understanding.
There is a great deal happening at Nusa Alam, and that is something worth celebrating. From students testing themselves in competitions to teachers creating new opportunities for learning, we continue to see our community developing in all sorts of ways.
Not every achievement comes with a certificate or a medal, and not every new initiative works perfectly from the outset. What matters is that we keep learning, keep trying and continue to create opportunities for our students to discover what they are capable of.
For those interested in how technology is shaping childhood and education, the third instalment of my blog series, Growing Up in a Digital World, is now available on the Nusa Alam website. I hope you will take a look and join me in reflecting on some of the challenges and opportunities facing young people as they grow up in an increasingly digital world.
I hope you enjoy the week ahead, and I look forward to seeing many of you at Halloween, the Spelling Bee and our students’ ICESS practice presentation.
