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 attrack guests to visit their booth
Batik Squad attract the guests to visit their booth
Alana and Adzka impressed the crowd by their explaination
Alana and Adzka impressed the crowd by their explanation
Stand by and be ready for exhibition time
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

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Summer Camp Taruwara—Weeks of Endless Creativity and Unforgettable Moment
UncategorisedGeneral News 20 Apr 2026

Summer Camp Taruwara—Weeks of Endless Creativity and Unforgettable Moment

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.

Celebrating Indonesian Culture on Output Day: The Beautiful Indonesia Group at Taruwara Primary School
Project Student 19 Jun 2024

Celebrating Indonesian Culture on Output Day: The Beautiful Indonesia Group at Taruwara Primary School

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

Growing in Harmony, Thriving in Connection:     A Heartwarming Anniversary Celebration
General News 24 Nov 2025

Growing in Harmony, Thriving in Connection: A Heartwarming Anniversary Celebration

On Friday, 24 October 2025, the school ground of Rumah Kecil and Taruwara filled with laughter, color, and community spirit as we celebrated two special milestones: Rumah Kecil’s 11th anniversary and Taruwara’s 5th anniversary. With the theme “Growing in Harmony, Thriving in Connection,” the event beautifully reflected how our families, children, and team grow stronger together each year. A Market Filled With Creativity, Collaboration, and Heart This year’s anniversary celebration took the form of a vibrant bazaar-style event that brought together students, teachers, and families. The enthusiasm from parents greatly exceeded our expectations—more than 150 tickets were sold, even though preparation time was short. Their support created an energetic, joyful atmosphere throughout the day. Games Booth Face Painting Pooth MC by Miss Widy & Ms Dwi The school ground was filled with booths from both Rumah Kecil and Taruwara communities. Parents contributed beautifully curated stalls, while our school kitchen booth served homemade food that sold out quickly. Our kindergarten students also proudly presented their Little Garden Café project, selling seeds, burritos, and handmade crafts from scrap paper. Taruwara Primary students showcased their learning through impressive project booths, including natural skincare, science booth, bird shelter booth, green projects, garden booth, arts exhibitions, school menu ideas, and more. Each booth reflected the children’s learning journey and their ability to apply knowledge creatively and responsibly. We also had a special collaboration booth with Smile Foundation, where our school donated as part of our anniversary contribution. This partnership added a meaningful social impact to our celebration, reminding everyone of the importance of giving back, and also became an opportunity to share kindness through donations. Little Garden Cafe's Team Burito's team teacher and student in action excited parents came to support their kids Performances That Warmed Every Heart The stage became a place of joy as children and teachers presented dance and singing performances that truly enlivened the day. There was a touching singing moment that moved the audience, as well as fun dance performances that brought energy and excitement into the crowd. Many parents were deeply proud watching their children confidently present their projects and creations. Taruwara teacher's performance. Beautiful performance from taruwara student. Teacher's acoutic performance school kitchen project run by kids and teacher selling cookie jar. Wonderful dance performance from Taruwara kids. Throughout the event, families enjoyed playing games, creating clay crafts, exploring booths, and savoring food that sold out within hours. The atmosphere felt warm and genuine—parents celebrating their children, children laughing with friends and enjoying the event, and teachers proudly supporting every little moment. Gratitude to Our Sponsors We extend our warmest thanks to our generous sponsors who supported our door prize giveaways: Septy Bakes, Alam Zempol, Hakata Bali, Tabikobo Travel, Salon Pure, Bali Neem, Goddess Bakery, Salon Jegeg Bali, Puamana Sanur, La Lina Café, Hikaria by Timedoor, Bali Babe, Hutan Hujan, Bali Deli, Bukit Sausage, Bloodnbone.com, and Siki Bali. Their contributions helped make the event even more exciting and memorable. Growing Together as a Community This anniversary celebration reminded us that connection, collaboration, and shared joy are what make our school community strong. As we continue to grow together, we remain grateful for the trust, support, and togetherness that shape our journey—today and in the years to come. As we reflect on this joyful anniversary event, we are reminded that every shared moment—whether preparing a booth, cheering during a performance, or supporting a child’s small act of courage—strengthens the bond within our school community. Events like this are more than celebrations; they are opportunities for families, teachers, and children to connect in meaningful ways. The laughter, creativity, and collective effort displayed throughout the day showed how powerful community support can be in shaping a positive learning environment. Moving forward, we hope to continue creating spaces where children feel encouraged to explore, families feel welcomed, and everyone feels they are part of something growing and meaningful.