Teacherexchange's Blog

A touch of Indonesian Culture in St.Leonard’s College Primary Assembly

teacherexchange — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:00:46 +0000

On Monday 2. 10 PM (Melbourne Time) we joined the Primary assembly (Prepatory until Grade 4) in Multipurpose Hall. Carolyn Tudor- the Deputy head of Primary and also as PYP co – ordinator here at St. Leonard College – showed us where it was held. She also helped me how to link my laptop to the multipurpose screen. It was a big screen attached to the wall (similar to what we have at Sekolah Global Jaya- SGJ). While Tessa was dressing up a pair of students from Grade one, I prepared the laptop and everything for Indonesian culture’s presentation. Few minutes later I saw students came in . Then assembly began at the right time. The students played some musical instruments such as violins and piano. After that we had our turns. We started our presentation by showing them video clip about our school. Then I talked and showed pictures about Minang Kabau (West Sumatra culture). I also demonstrated how to put on traditional dress with the help from a female student from Prep. Tessa introduced the Betawi traditional costume from Jakarta to the students. Then she played the Betawi song called “Surilang” from Benyamin S. – the legendary Betawi singer. At the end we helped to give the award to the students. They had very interesting awards – a bit different to what we had at Global Jaya. They had student’s photo on it. They are given award based on the learning area, such as music, sport, mathematics, literacy, languages, library,etc. We had fun in that assembly and we felt very welcome by all everyone here.

Morning session in St Leonard’s College

teacherexchange — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:10:33 +0000

It’s Monday morning, waking up very early (in Jakarta’s time). I was dressed up in my shocking pink Kebaya None. It was stiil quiet when Jane and I arrived in school. Carolyn (PYP Coordinator) welcome us warmly. I joined Reno and Bernadette, and we were intoduced to all teachers and staff in the Primary section.

At 8.20, we went to the satff room for a short briefing of the upcoming events throughout the week and also other important issues. Then when the school started, we joined Jane and Bernadette in their classrooms. This morning, I was in Prep Class. I saw moms taking their children in, and they supervised their children unpack the bags, return the reading folders. I also saw one parent sat with her child and assist her draw and read. Some parents came to meet and greet Jane, and talked about their children in a very friendly way.

Then parents left when Jane started the lesson. She first introduced me as an exchanged teacher from Sekolah Global Jaya. She talked about her experience when she did the programme and visited us in Jakarta. Then she talked about where I come from. She took the globe and talked about the location of Jakarta on the map.

Afterward, she did an activity called TTYPA (Turn To Your Partner And… you can talk about anything here) and she asked the students to talk about their experience during the Community Fair Day that the school held last Saturday. Jane’s classroom was really beautiful and alive! Everyone was actively involved and she paid attention to every single kid in her classroom.

Carolyn then picked me up in the classroom and took Reno and I on a school tour..

Our first day in Melbourne

teacherexchange — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:50:46 +0000

After the sacrry Saturday afternoon, the heavy rain that almost flooded Jakarta yesterday, we finally arrived in Melbourne around 8 AM Melbourne time. We were so lucky to have a nice flight, nice meals on the plane. Arriving at the airport, we were separated at the declaration area. It took us about almost an hour to finish all the declaration procedure. I tried to find Reno but she dissapeared. Oh – oh! However, relieved to be allowed to bring all my “oleh-oleh”, I went outside. It was crowded outside. I was lucky to find Reno amongst the crowd. Apparently, she had not met Carolyn and Jane too. So we went to the information area to announce Jane’s name (hmm.. what a problem solver!) Then out of the crowd, we saw two Aussie ladies with very friendly smile approaching us both.

They were Carolyn Tudor and Jane Lukaitis! They said they did not recognize us because they thought we would go out ogether. What a funny thing!

Jane and Carolyn took us for a city tour afterward. We went to see the beach in St Kilda then had brunch there. It was really lovely! The beach was also beautiful. Some access to the beah was closed because they are having the grandprix. Along the coast, people were walking with their dogs, jogging, sightseeing with their family. There was a group of young children from a swimming club that was having a life safety practice activity at the beach too. It was so crowded at that time.

Then we went to Jane’s house which is very pretty to refresh ourselves. We said goodbye to Carolyn because she was leaving. After lunch, Jane took us by car to another tour to the city. We went to see the Shrine (reminded us of MONAS), the City Arts Gallery, the Victorian Barrack, the Sunday market. Apparently, there was a Thai Culture exhibition held in the city. There was Thai boxing and other cultural shows from the country.

Jane parked her car somewhere and we took the tram to the city. It was fun! After that we went for dinner at Bernadette’s house. It was the first time we met Bernadette. She cooked for us. It was also lovely!

Reno stayed with Bernadette while I stayed with Jane and her family. Before Jane and I went home, we stopped by at the supermarket because she wanted to make me a special breakfast. How fun!

Anyway, tomorrow will be our frst day meeting everybody in school. Reno is going to present her cultural powerpoint presentation about Minangkabau culture, while I am going to put on my Kebaya None Betawi from the morning and go to school in it. Then we are going to dress up a couple of primary students in Baju Abang None for the assembly and play some Benyamin S’songs as their backgroundwhen doing the fashion show. Sounds .. very cultural!

teacherexchange — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:32:05 +0000

Hi everyone…

We have just finished with SLC today and everybody has left school. This is the craziest week ever!!! Here we are, struggling with our blog.

We’ll be leaving Jakarta tommorrow’s night to Melbourne Australia. We haven’t packed yet, but all of school stuff already in the pocket,hahaha phew!!

Australia….here we come!!!!!!!