Secondary Division- 3- Day MPLS Completed

By : Ms Mega Prisay Sidabutar

Last 21 July, Saint Nicholas school embraced the new academic year by holding the  Masa Pengenalan Lingkungan Sekolah (MPLS) online with the theme: Be smart and be productive during online learning. This activity lasted for 3 days; from the 21st to the 23rd of July.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has not improved this year, the Ministry of Education has called for the implementation of the school orientation day (MPLS) at the beginning of the Academic year 2021-2022 adjusting to the pandemic conditions and complying with an emergency public activity restriction or Pemberlakuan Pembatasan Kegiatan Masyarakat (PPKM). The appeal served as a benchmark for the preparation of the online MPLS activities among  all schools in Indonesia, Saint Nicholas School included.

For 3 days since July 21, 2021, Saint Nicholas School Secondary division conducts MPLS or School orientation days with various activities. This activity was attended by every class from grades 7-12 and was held online through Zoom from 7.30 am until 11.30 am.

On first day of the MPLS, an opening ceremony was conducted and were led by Mr. Soleman as the government principal. Mr. Asa’aro Lahagu as the Principal of Secondary Division gave the opening remarks and at the same time introduced all the staff, teaching and non-teaching, for this new academic year. After that Ms Erma, the Director of Operations, explained the school’s Vision and Mission. It was then followed by Mr Alfons, the Secondary Disciplinarian, who explained the rules and regulations implemented during the home-based learning. The tools and learning platforms used during online learning such as GCR and AIMSIS were discusses by Ms Friska. The PIC’s facilitated a Kahoot virtual game to break the monotony of the activity. Three winners were named after the game. A meeting between the class-teachers and the students ended the first day of the MPLS.

The second day began with a welcoming devotion for new students led by the worship team and a sermon by Mr. Horasman Munte. Mr. Munte centered his message on the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25”1-13) which supports the theme for the MPLS. Mr Munte advised students to be like wise girls who are always ready and prepare things better. The morning exercises which was led by Mr Kenny, the new SNS PE teacher, followed after the devotion. Teachers and students alike participated in the morning exercise.

One of the highlights of the second day was the seminar entitled “Be smart and productive with Gadgets”. The seminar was delivered by the invited guest speaker, Ms. Yasinta Indrianti,M.Psi,. Ms Yasinta emphasized the importance of being wise in using gadgets by avoiding addiction to gadgets and maximizing the use of gadgets in a positive way in everyday life. The second day ended with the presentation of the dangers of drugs and electric cigarettes facilitated by Ms. Meita, the  Chemistry teacher. The Grade 12 Science presented a video about the dangers of narcotics to wrap up the presentation.

On the last day of the MPLS, Mr Kriston Nainggolan, the Secondary Vice-Principal, discussed the the assessment system and effective learning style. After that, Mr Nicova discussed the health protocol emphasising on how to stay clean and healthy amidst the ongoing pandemic. This activity was then followed by the a quick activity of making a short video on how to wash hands and use masks properly and correctly. The students were enthusiastic enough to able to submit the videos within the fifteen-minute limit.

Next, Mr Yohannes as overseer also read and gave appreciation to the students participation in the social media campaign which was presented to to the students during the first day of the MPLS. The social media campaign was created by the committee to engage all the students to the MPLS. The use of twibbon is to increase and attract students’ interest so that the MPLS becomes lively.

After the appreciation, a compiled students’ hydroponic videos were presented. The videos were the output of a student’s from the virtual field trip last semester. The event continued with virtual games hosted by the Student Council (also known as OSIS) where the students enthusiastically participated.

Lastly, a seminar on “Teenagers and Challenges for the Students” was presented by Ms. Flora, the student Counselor. Before MPLS officially ended, the MC read the winners of the competitions done for 3 days. The event ended with a closing ceremony and it was closed with a short speech from the MPLS committee chairman and the school principal. Through this series of events, it is hoped that students will be more enthusiastic, active, smart and productive in participating during home based learning in this new academic year.