Learning Never Stops – Teacher In-Service Days at Taruwara

While our students enjoy their school holidays, learning continues at Taruwara.

At the end of every semester, we dedicate several days to what we call our Teacher In-Service Days. These are special days when our teachers step away from the classroom and become learners themselves.

During this time, our teachers participate in a variety of professional development workshops and training sessions. They also work together to prepare lesson plans, learning materials, and classroom activities for the upcoming semester, ensuring that every child receives meaningful and engaging learning experiences from the very first day back at school.

At the same time, our maintenance team is hard at work behind the scenes. They repair playground equipment, maintain classrooms, and improve our school facilities so that our students can return to a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment. As a holistic school, we believe that education begins with educators who never stop learning. Professional development is not something we do once or twice a year—it is an ongoing part of our school culture. Throughout the year, our teachers regularly participate in workshops, collaborative discussions, classroom observations, and training sessions.

These opportunities help our teachers deepen their understanding of Taruwara’s educational philosophy and continue growing as educators. They learn not only what to teach, but also how to connect with each child, support their emotional wellbeing, encourage their curiosity, and create learning experiences that nurture the whole child. At Taruwara, we believe that when teachers continue to grow, children thrive. Every workshop, every discussion, and every moment of reflection is an investment in the future of our students. Because the best learning happens when teachers are learning too.

More To Read

The Journey of Fabulous Batik Group in Output Day at Taruwara Primary
Project Student • 03 Apr 2024

The Journey of Fabulous Batik Group in Output Day at Taruwara Primary

In the beginning, the decision to introduce batik making was inspired by the students' familiarity with batik as one of Indonesia's iconic art forms. Far from showing any resistance, the students eagerly contributed ideas, suggesting patterns could be applied to various media such as cups, sculptures, and more. Ultimately, the decision was made to work with fabric, aiming to immerse the students in the rich culture of batik within the fashion industry. Throughout the preparation process, we encountered numerous challenges. One significant hurdle was the realization that, while our students were familiar with batik as a final product, they had never been exposed to the batik-making process itself, nor were they aware of its historical significance and utility. Another obstacle was the frequent misselection of materials, from choosing the right type of fabric to finding the ideal wax that was absorbent and melted efficiently. By the seventh week, we invited an expert from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts in Denpasar, who illuminated our path by clarifying the suitable types of fabric and wax, and even suggested the use of electric canting. This advice proved invaluable for our students' learning experience in the lead-up to the grand Output Day. The nine-week preparation process was not just about creating batik; it was an extensive learning journey. Pak Nanda, the teacher guiding the Fabulous Batik group, along with Pak Samuel, provided an educational environment that encouraged learning from mistakes. This approach allowed students to discover the correct steps to prevent future errors. Pak Nanda emphasized that these lessons were universal, extending beyond the classroom. The ultimate motivator for the students was the possibility of selling their beautiful batik creations. The process, collaborative brainstorming, and the outcomes served as critical learning tools for the students in preparation for Output Day. Another key aspect was learning how to communicate and teach the batik-making process to parents and visitors at the Fabulous Batik Group booth. Furthermore, the experience of presenting in front of their peers played a significant role in their learning journey. What filled us with pride was watching the students improvise their speeches, setting aside the cue cards provided to them. Over weeks of preparation, these points became habitual, showcasing the students' growing confidence and autonomy. In the end, Pak Nanda and Pak Samuel hope to further tailor the program to each student's passion, making it easier for them to explain and present their work and to attract external visitors, potentially leading to participation in larger exhibitions. This journey with batik has not just been about learning a traditional craft; it has been a transformative experience for our students, teaching them about culture, creativity, and the power of perseverance. The Fabulous Batik project at Taruwara Primary has shown us all how art can inspire, educate, and unite. Everyone is busy preparing their booth Get a short briefing from the teachers before the gate open Batik Squad attract the guests to visit their booth Alana and Adzka impressed the crowd by their explanation Stand by and be ready for the exhibition time Our first two guests are very excited This is how we teach our guests how to use canting for making batik sketch Hot wax in a pan with warning sign. We don't want our guests to get hurt like we had in trainings

The 2nd Output Day (22 February, 2024)
General News • 19 Mar 2024

The 2nd Output Day (22 February, 2024)

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

Bazaar “Fun Market” Project
Project Student • 18 Apr 2023

Bazaar “Fun Market” Project

We start the first term of the Academic Year 2022-2023 by having projects inspired by students. The project itself is inspired by students playing house with cardboard and teachers pick up on that and expand the ideas for year-long projects. We decided to do camping and related this project to our school events and subjects. Hence the Bazaar Project, our school has its birthday in September and we start planning to contribute to the bazaar event by selling some stuff in order to raise some money for the camping. For the bazaar, students were divided into 3 different groups that will prepare their own stands. The groups are green stands, healthy food stands, and art stands. Students were doing mind maps from the beginning, so they know the connection between each subject and why they need to learn certain topics. Students were really involved from the beginning, during preparation, and on the day. They had a lot of discussions and made decisions themselves. We see a lot of beautiful collaboration between students during preparation and they work their hardest to make this event go smoothly.  Before the bazaar, students learned about measurement, time, and money. These topics are to equip students during the bazaar since some of them are in charge of being the cashier. In Science class, students learned about hygiene and healthy food. Students learned about it and built the menu themselves for the healthy food stand. In Art class, students had the chance to make something from clay and some made some drawings. Overall, students were very involved and excited to have the bazaar. We have had great support from parents during this event and almost everyone participates. For the Green stand, we had a big donation from one of our parents and it is one of the most successful stands. At the end of the bazaar, all stands were able to collect almost Rp. 3.000.000 to support our camping project. Students were really happy with the experience and they worked really hard to count the money themselves.  Next, we are going to prepare for our Camping project. Students may divide into 3 different groups according to the 5 main subjects we have, such as English, Science, Math, Art, and Thematic. They will learn all the necessary topics to support them during camping. We are excited to create great memories on our school grounds through this camping project! Stay tuned for our next project! Documentation: Fun market without fun games is not fun Primary children prepared small craft to be sell at the event The children are tasked with preparing orders with the assistance of their teachers. We invited the Bali Smile Foundation to liven up our event Fun Market vibes We also had face painting stand Green stand's team Parents bought something from art & craft stand Healthy Food stand's team