Quarterly Update
Learning Centre Activities: Garden Guardians and Wellness Adventures
In September and October, our learning centres explored the theme of Garden Guardians, immersing students in the fascinating world of plants. A standout project during this unit involved learning about composting and planting seeds in creatively upcycled single-use cups. Through this hands-on activity, students not only gained insights into permaculture and sustainable gardening techniques but also experienced the joy of watching their seeds sprout for the very first time.
Building on this momentum, November saw our learning facilitators introduce the next learning unit: Adventure in Wellness. This unit focuses on uncovering the "superpowers" of a healthy lifestyle, encouraging students to embrace wellness through engaging activities and discoveries.
World Clean Up Day
Every year, we proudly celebrate World Clean Up Day with our students and the broader community. This year’s event was a great success, with a turnout of 208 students, 166 parents, 18 local stakeholders, and 4 Learning Centre alumni volunteering to help organise and implement the activities. For the day's activities we also collaborated with Seven Clean Seas, an international organisation dedicated to removing 10,000,000 kg of plastic from our oceans by 2025. Together, we achieved an impressive milestone: 1,400 kg of trash collected across all Learning Centre locations! Watch the highlights video here.
Workshops with Evolve School of Performing Arts
This quarter, we were thrilled to welcome our partners, Evolve School of Performing Arts from Singapore, to Bintan for two musical drama sessions with students from our Learning Centres.
The first session, held in September, was themed “Discovering the Secret of Plants.” Students embraced roles such as farmers, seeds, and natural elements like the sun and water, making it easier to understand what plants need to grow. This interactive approach brought learning to life for 102 students and 52 parents from the Sialang, Pengudang, and Panglong Learning Centres, turning the session into an enjoyable and educational experience.
In November, the theme shifted to “Healthy Lifestyle,” where students explored aspects of balanced living through drama, including healthy eating, proper sleep, physical activity, and mental well-being. This session involved 101 students, 79 parents, and 3 alumni from the Air Glubi, Tenggel, and Kelong Learning Centres.
By aligning the workshop themes with current lessons, we were able to make the learning experience meaningful and engaging. These sessions encouraged students to collaborate, express themselves and connect their learning to real-life scenarios.
Local Teacher Training in Bintan
Following the signing of our MoU with the Bintan Education Agency, we proudly hosted two Local Teacher Training (LTT) sessions this quarter, focusing on advancing education in the region. The first session, held in October, delved into the Kurikulum Merdeka - the new national curriculum which is being rolled out. Attended by 38 enthusiastic teachers from various schools, the training offered practical strategies and insights to align teaching and assessment methods with the curriculum framework.
The second session, in November, was conducted through the lens of Proyek Penguatan Profil Pelajar Pancasila, a project-based learning approach aimed at strengthening the character and competencies of Indonesian students. With 50 participants in attendance, this dynamic workshop explored project design, thematic exploration, and hands-on implementation strategies. Teachers collaborated in groups to create project workflows and develop assessment rubrics, culminating in presentations and discussions.
Young Alumni Event
We recently hosted an event for young Alumni of our Learning Centers, where 35 enthusiastic middle and high school students gathered for a workshop on preparing themselves for a bright future. This session aimed to equip our students with the motivation and tools they need to make the most of their school years and plan ahead for what lies beyond.
We were honored to welcome two exceptional speakers: Ibu Linda, the General Manager of Yayasan Peduli Kepulauan Riau, and Asti, a cultural advocate, lecturer, and documentary film director. They shared invaluable insights about staying motivated, maintaining a positive attitude, and actively seeking opportunities to keep creating and growing. Ibu Linda and Asti encouraged our students to never stop exploring and to embrace challenges with enthusiasm.
Reconnecting with the Alumni of the Local Teacher Training program
At the end of November, we hosted a special event for the alumni of our Local Teacher Training sessions. The event was themed “From Local Hero to National Innovator” and aimed to inspire attendees by showcasing the possibilities and opportunities within a career in education.
The day began with an engaging ice-breaking session led by Gontor, which energised participants and set the tone for a warm and interactive atmosphere. The session continued with a keynote speech by Pak Satria August, a YPKI Board Member and former Dean and Lecturer from the Education Faculty at Maritim Raja Ali Haji University. Pak Satria shared invaluable insights into the transformative journey of local educators and their potential to create innovative impact on a national scale.
Team Offsite
This quarter, our Bintan team stepped away from the daily routine to enjoy a refreshing day of team-building and connection. It was a day filled with laughter, challenges, and shared moments - an opportunity to strengthen our bonds, recharge our energy, and reconnect with ourselves and each other.
The team offsite began with an energizing outbound activity, fostering teamwork among participants. This was followed by a focused two-hour session led by Ed Jenne, Chair of The Island Foundation, where the team engaged in meaningful discussions about program goals and strategies. In the afternoon, Ipeh, Executive Director of Yayasan Peduli Kepulauan Indonesia, facilitated a personal reflection session, offering a space for introspection and sharing insights. The day concluded with a lively evening featuring a barbecue dinner and, of course, some fun-filled karaoke.
Mid-Term Evaluation for the Learning for Sustainability Framework
This quarter we engaged independent consultants to undertake an external mid-term evaluation of our Learning for Sustainability program that we launched in 2021. This evaluation serves as a check-in and an opportunity to celebrate achievements, address challenges, and sharpen our focus as we progress through to the end of our five year strategy.
The evaluation was conducted through:
Interviews with 43 stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, and local leaders.
Group discussions with students to assess their learning experiences.
Pre- and post-tests to measure the impact of teacher training.
A systematic review using the Kirkpatrick model, assessing satisfaction, learning outcomes, behavioural changes, and long-term community impact.
Although it’s still early days since the launch of the Learning for Sustainability program, it was incredibly encouraging to have external evaluators recognise the impact our program is already having on students, teachers and the wider community. Some highlights from the report include:
Students are applying their lessons in real life, like reusing materials for crafts and supporting environmental cleanliness.
Parents view the Learning Centres as transformative for their children’s education, particularly in English, environmental awareness and communication skills.
At the Local Teacher Training workshops, there was significant knowledge growth in pre- and post-training tests.
Whilst a lot of the feedback was incredibly positive and reassuring, of course, there are areas we need to work on to ensure we are having the best possible impact on education systems in the Riau Islands. The concluding recommendations of the evaluation are helping us to plan our priorities and focus areas for the next few years ahead.
Child Safeguarding Training by Yayasan Berlian
The team took part in child safeguarding training aimed at enhancing understanding of children's rights and equipping them with tools to protect children from violence, exploitation, and neglect. The sessions covered essential topics such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, identifying risks and signs of abuse, anti-bullying strategies, and prevention approaches that actively involve children and the community. The team also learned proper procedures for reporting violations and providing psychological support for victims. The training emphasized the importance of collaboration between various stakeholders, including government agencies and NGOs, to activate comprehensive child safeguarding systems. Through interactive simulations and case studies, participants gained practical skills to address real-life situations effectively.
UWCSEA Visit
We recently welcomed a team from UWCSEA, Singapore, for a visit aimed at reconnecting and exploring potential cultural and historical exchanges between Bintan and Singapore through education. The delegation engaged with our facilitators and students, showing a deep interest in Bintan’s unique culture and discussing ways to create collaborative projects that foster cross-cultural understanding. A key aspect of the visit was receiving feedback from UWCSEA on our educational practices. Their constructive insights on enhancing student engagement and integrating local heritage into our curriculum will be invaluable as we continue to refine our programs and strengthen learning outcomes.
This visit marks an exciting step forward in building a bridge of knowledge between our communities. We are eager to develop projects that will unite Bintan and Singapore through education, culture, and sustainability, creating impactful experiences for students on both sides.
Case Study
Ibu Seliah & Ibu Ratna
Born on Lingga Senayang Island, Ibu Seliah, S.Pd has dedicated 27 years of her life to teaching since she began her career in 1997. Motivated by her passion for education, she actively conducts training for her colleagues, sharing the knowledge and experiences gained through our Teacher Training workshops which she attended in Lingga. Her outreach efforts aim to spread innovative methods, foster collaboration, and bring positive changes to schools, ultimately improving student learning outcomes. For Ibu Seliah, this is not only about sharing knowledge but also about refining her leadership, mentoring, and communication skills, which she hopes will contribute to her professional growth. Her vision is clear: to nurture Lingga's children into socially impactful individuals equipped with critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, alongside digital literacy for the modern era. As she says, "Spreading goodness through outreach creates an unforgettable legacy. Sharing knowledge doesn't diminish it—it makes it grow."
Similarly, Ibu Ratna, a teacher in Lingga, has been an educator for 13 years. Despite having never received in-person training on the Kurikulum Merdeka (the new national curriculum), she recently conducted an outreach session to her fellow teachers, sharing insights on how to implement this curriculum effectively. Ibu Ratna’s goal is to help her colleagues understand the concepts and learning strategies aligned with Kurikulum Merdeka, enabling them to create more impactful classroom experiences. Through this activity, she hopes to strengthen collaboration among educators and drive improvements in education quality for both schools and students. Reflecting her dedication, she shares her guiding principle: "Plant seeds of kindness, for they will bear the fruits of goodness."