Holiday Camp Adventures at Taruwara: Where Fun Meets Learning

On a vibrant Output Day at Taruwara Primary School, the campus was buzzing with excitement as students and parents gathered to celebrate the culmination of weeks of hard work. This special day is an exhibition where our students showcase their projects, reflecting the diverse and immersive learning experiences they’ve engaged in throughout the term. This year, one of the standout groups was the Beautiful Indonesia Group, dedicated to celebrating and sharing the rich heritage of Indonesian traditional games. Under the enthusiastic guidance of Ms. Ima and assisted by Pak Alex, the Beautiful Indonesia Group embarked on a 13-week journey to explore, create, and present three traditional Indonesian games: “kite making”, “bakiak”, and “congklak”. These games were carefully chosen not just for their cultural significance but also for their educational value and the joy they bring to children. The process began with introducing the students to these games and gathering their feedback. This collaborative approach ensured that the students were not only participants but also contributors to the project’s direction. Kite Making Workshop: Engaging Parents and Students Alike One of the highlights of Output Day was the kite-making workshop, which was open to all guests, including parents from Taruwara and Rumah Kecil. Kite making was selected because it is a relatively simple and quick process that the students had mastered over the weeks. The workshop was a hands-on activity where participants could construct their own kites using basic materials such as bamboo sticks, paper, and string. The simplicity of the kite-making process allowed students to confidently lead and instruct, demonstrating their newly acquired skills and knowledge. This activity not only connected the students with a beloved childhood pastime but also provided an opportunity to apply principles from their Math and Social Studies classes, such as geometry in kite design and understanding the cultural significance of kites in Indonesian festivals. Exhibiting Bakiak and Congklak: Showcasing Creativity and Collaboration In addition to the kite-making workshop, the students showcased two other traditional games: bakiak and congklak. The preparation for these games involved a lot of creativity and teamwork. Bakiak, a traditional Indonesian game that involves teams walking in unison on wooden clogs, was enhanced with a suggestion from a student, Adrian, to cover the clogs with fabric for better comfort and visual appeal. This idea not only improved the design but also demonstrated how student input was valued and integrated into the project. For the congklak game, the students crafted boards using sustainable materials, reflecting the school’s commitment to eco-friendly practices. The preparation for this game took place in the weeks leading up to Output Day, allowing ample time for the students to refine their work and ensure that their creations were both functional and aesthetically pleasing. These exhibitions provided a platform for students to share their cultural heritage and the skills they developed, from crafting to strategic thinking involved in playing congklak. Conclusion: A Celebration of Culture and Learning Output Day at Taruwara Primary School was a resounding success, especially for the Beautiful Indonesia Group. Through their dedication to showcasing traditional games, the students not only deepened their understanding of Indonesian culture but also honed essential skills in collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. The kite-making workshop and the exhibits of bakiak and congklak were more than just displays; they were embodiments of the students’ hard work, passion, and the supportive learning environment at Taruwara. As we reflect on this day, we celebrate the rich tapestry of learning that connects our students to their heritage and to each other. Dante, Martina, and Charlie explained how we can play with the congklak Ms. Ima led the kite making workshop Our guests played congklak for the first time The eager faces in line can't wait to try our handmade bakiak

Ask any child who has been to one of our holiday camps what they remember most, and you'll get a different answer every time. One will tell you about the moment their clay bowl actually held water. Another will describe the exact shade of orange they mixed themselves. Someone else will say it was the campfire — the songs, the smell of smoke, the stars. And a few might just say, "I made a really good friend." That variety is exactly the point. At Taruwara, our holiday camp runs every term break and semester break throughout the year, and no two camps are ever the same. Each one comes with a fresh theme, a new set of activities, and a whole lot of room for something unexpected and wonderful to happen. A little bit of everything—on purpose Our holiday camp is open to children from toddler age all the way through primary school, so when we plan each camp, we think carefully about what makes a week truly worthwhile for a child — not just fun in the moment, but something they carry with them. Every activity is designed to be engaging and hands-on, but there's always something quietly being learnt: patience, creativity, curiosity, confidence, the ability to try something new without being afraid to get it wrong. Over the years, we've covered a wide range of themes. Here's a little taste of what camp life at Taruwara can look like: Art & craft Painting, clay, collage, origami, and fashion design — getting creative with whatever materials the theme calls for. Science experiments Mixing, measuring, watching things bubble and change — science that feels more like magic than a lesson. Cooking class Little hands in the kitchen, learning to follow a recipe, and the joy of eating something you made yourself. Coding & tech For primary students, fun introductions to coding through games, puzzles, and creative digital challenges. Give back, get out! Getting out into the community, caring for the environment, and understanding why it matters. Active & outdoors Fun PE activities and games out in our school yard — exploring nature, moving together, and burning off some energy along the way. We also love tying camp activities to special days on the calendar. Camps that fall around Nyepi celebrated with an ogoh-ogoh parade and other activities that also explored the meaning of stillness and gratitude. Christmas camps fill up with festive crafts, giving, and a generous dose of silly fun. Every cultural moment is an opportunity for children to learn something about the world they live in. The yard, the friendships, the freedom One thing that makes camp at Taruwara a little different is the space itself. Our large outdoor yard becomes the heart of camp life — a place where children run, play, breathe, and simply be kids. There's something about open space that loosens children up. Walls come down. A child who's shy in the classroom suddenly finds themselves in the middle of a game, laughing with someone they just met. And that happens a lot. Camp brings together children from different backgrounds, different ages, different everything — and somehow, within a day or two, they're inseparable. We've seen toddlers shadow older students like little shadows. We've seen primary kids take younger ones under their wing without being asked. Friendships form here that sometimes last well beyond the school year. "Every camp, the memorable moment is different. But there's always one. There's always a moment you didn't plan for that ends up being the best part of the week." March 2026: when the camp became an art gallery Our most recent camp, held on 23–27 March, was themed around art and craft, and it was every bit as colorful as it sounds. Students spent the week mixing paints, drawing the school landscape, hunting for natural materials, sculpting clay, folding origami, and on Thursday, designing and parading their own paper costumes in a full Fashion Show that had everyone cheering. By Friday afternoon, the school looked like a proper gallery. Every surface had something on it: clay pieces with careful painted details, nature collages, landscape paintings, origami figures. The children didn't want to leave — which is always a good sign. Whether it's a week of cooking, a day out in the community, an afternoon of outdoor games in our yard, or five days of paint and clay, what stays the same every single camp is the intention behind it. We want children to arrive curious and leave with something new: a skill, a memory, a friend, or simply the knowledge that trying new things is always worth it. Coming up next Summer Holiday Camp 2026 Starting on 23 June 2026 A new theme, new activities, and the same great energy. We'll be sharing more details soon — keep an on the school newsletter or ask at the front office. If your child has been asking about camp, this is the one not to miss.

After months of preparation, Output Day has finally arrived. This special event at Taruwara Primary School. Output Day is our school exhibition event that provides our students with the opportunity to showcase their learning experiences. Over the past three months, we have observed and assessed their interests and capacities, grouping them accordingly into five categories: Wonderful Batik, Beautiful Indonesia, Green & Science, Coding, and Craft Creation. Each group selected two to three students to present their projects on the main stage. However, in the case of Amazing Indonesia and Wonderful Batik booths, all students from these groups participated, with two students presenting at a time. The Fabulous Batik Group demonstrated the art of batik sketching under the guidance of our skilled students. Regardless of your prior experience in art, they were eager to assist with their warm smiles. They passionately shared the history of batik and showcased the intricate process of creating batik from scratch. The Amazing Indonesia Group captivated guests with their vibrant displays representing various aspects of Indonesian culture. From traditional games like kite flying and congklak to interactive demonstrations on how to craft these items, the group offered an immersive experience of Indonesia's rich heritage. Meanwhile, the Green & Science Class showcased environmentally friendly products crafted during the past three months. From organic fertilizers made from eggshells to scrubs and soap bars made from coffee grounds, they emphasized the importance of utilizing kitchen waste effectively. The Coding Group presented intriguing projects, including rocket and roller coaster simulators. Their innovative creations attracted a large crowd, offering guests an exciting journey through the realms of space and amusement parks. What most attract the crowd is Coding Group use Virtual Reality (VR) to gain guest's interaction and engagement. Lastly, the Craft Creation Group showcased a diverse range of projects, all crafted from cardboard. From solar panel illustrations to miniature houses and interactive games, the group demonstrated their creativity and ingenuity. We are immensely proud of our students' achievements, which underscore our commitment to project-based learning and leave a lasting impression on all who attended. Dante, our Grade-4 student take a spot as an MC Wonderful Batik Group is ready to guide you with their art sense Green and Science Group will explain how you can save the earth The "Amazing Indonesia Booth" received a lot of visitors who wanted to play The queue at the Coding Group to try our simulators Presentation from Craft Creation Group