SES Blog
Week 13 and 14
Dear Parents,
If you have been hearing new tunes at home, it is because we are all excitedly preparing for our Peace performance. We cannot wait to welcome you next Thursday at 11:30am. Please plan to arrive at the Moonlight Chapel about five minutes before we begin, and remember to wait outside so our special door openers can greet you. Your presence is warmly anticipated.
In the classroom, the Reception children have been working diligently to strengthen their phonics skills. They have been learning to recognise the alphabets, blend sounds, build words, and some have even begun reading their books with growing confidence. The Nursery children have been enthusiastically engaging in Antarctica related activities in Practical Life and Sensorial. Creating a playdough map of Antarctica, dropping ‘white water’ droplets, and sifting ‘snow’ are just a few of the options available on the shelves.
Please keep in mind that, in Montessori, each child works on activities suited to their own level and pace. The examples above offer a general picture of what has been available this week, but they are not the only activities the children engage in.
Important Dates Semester 1
27 Nov : Montessori ‘Peace Performance’ 11:30 am
4 Dec: Frozen Jr School Production. Dismissal of all the children will be at 12 pm
12 Dec : School finishes 12 pm
13 Dec – 5 Jan : School Holidays
UNITS
In Week 13, the children were introduced to the captivating continent of Antarctica. We began by locating this remote region on the world map, helping students visualise its position at the southernmost point of the Earth. Together, we explored the lives of the scientists and explorers who have ventured there, discussing the important research they conduct and the reasons behind their work. This learning led to an engaging hands-on project in which the children constructed their own Antarctic Research Stations, demonstrating creativity and a growing understanding of life in extreme environments.
During the second week of our inquiry, the students investigated key facts about Antarctica’s climate, landscape, and surrounding oceans. They thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story Runaway Iceberg, which brought the icy landscape to life through imaginative storytelling. To consolidate their understanding, the children created their own story maps, by sequencing printed scenes or illustrating their own drawings. This activity allowed them to retell the narrative while expressing their comprehension in a visual and meaningful way.
Year 1 additional learning covered – Week13 and 14
Phonics
To identify sounds represented by more than one letter, for example /ch/, /th/, /qu/, /ng/, /ay/
Some children are beginning to learn about alternative sounds such as /ee/ can also be written with ‘ea’.
To use phonic knowledge to read decodable words. Reading and writing CVC words,words with adjacent vowel / consonants using sounds covered, words with double consonants such as bell, mess, mitt, back.
Language / Literacy – Reading. Guided Reading groups – Practising fluency of reading and gaining the confidence to recognise sounds and blend them to read words and sentences. Reading comprehension, to be able to answer direct questions about the book.
Language / Literacy– Grammar analysis
We are continuing to learn what a sentence is made of: an article, a noun,an adjective,a verb, a preposition, a conjunction.
These last two weeks, our focus has been on ‘verbs’ and ‘adjectives’. The children learned that verbs are ‘doing words’ (action words). ‘Adjectives’ are used to describe a noun. We built sentences and identified these parts of speech in various ways.
Maths –
Time
We learned to recognise the time to the hour and half hour.
Weight
The children used familiar language to describe mass, including heavy, light, less and more, heavier than, lighter than.
We measured and compared the weight of various objects using a weighing scale. The children recorded their findings on paper in a table form.
We also learned to use non-standard units of measurement. For example we used unifix cubes to measure the weight of an object. The pencil is equal to the weight of 2 unifix cubes.
Kind regards,
Montessori Team
Challenging Our Brains at Surabaya European School
In the bright and dynamic classrooms of Surabaya European School (SES), learning often takes unexpected and playful forms. Recently, students embarked on a series of activities under the theme Challenging Our Brains. What may look like simple games with colourful blocks and chopsticks actually carried deeper lessons in resilience, focus, and collaboration — all of which are at the heart of the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) approach to learning.
These challenges were not just about building towers or moving tiny cubes. They were about nurturing life skills that help students grow into confident, adaptable, and reflective learners. Each task encouraged students to engage their minds, practise patience, and support one another, showing how fun and meaningful learning can be.
A Well-Rounded Approach to Learning Through Challenges
The activities were carefully designed to develop a broad range of skills and personal goals:
- Problem-Solving and Creativity: Building tall, steady towers from colourful cubes pushed pupils to think critically, experiment, and find creative solutions to balance and stability.
- Focus and Perseverance: Using chopsticks to pick up small blocks tested fine motor skills and demanded concentration, control, and determination — important qualities for success in any subject.
- Collaboration and Communication: Working alongside classmates gave pupils the chance to share strategies, encourage one another, and celebrate teamwork.
- Resilience and Confidence: Each challenge reminded students that mistakes and setbacks are part of learning, helping students build the confidence to try again.
More Than Just Games: Living the IPC Personal Goals
The International Primary Curriculum highlights personal goals such as enquiry, adaptability, cooperation, respect, and resilience. These playful challenges were a clear reflection of those values in action. Students didn’t just complete activities — they embodied the IPC approach by asking questions, adapting strategies, cooperating with peers, and showing respect for one another’s efforts.
Through these experiences, SES students discovered that every challenge, big or small, is an opportunity to grow. They learned that success is not only about the end result but also about the journey of problem-solving, persistence, and teamwork.
Growing Beyond the Classroom
While these activities took place inside the classroom, the lessons stretched far beyond it. By challenging their brains in fun and engaging ways, SES students developed essential life skills that will guide them through future academic tasks and real-world challenges alike.
At Surabaya European School, Challenging Our Brains is more than a set of activities. It is a reminder of the school’s commitment to holistic education, where learning is active, values-driven, and always connected to the wider world. Through this approach, SES continues to empower its students to become reflective, resilient, and internationally minded students — ready to embrace challenges with confidence and creativity.
