SCHOOL CAMP TO SHAPE FUTURE LEADERS

Saturday February 14th 2026

Al Azhar 55 successfully held its annual School Camp on February 13–14, 2026, bringing together 112 students from Grades 4 and 5, accompanied by 20 dedicated teachers. Carrying the theme “Growing Independent Learners, Shaping Future Leaders, Inspiring Creative Thinkers,” the two-day program was filled with meaningful experiences that fostered independence, teamwork, and creativity.

The camp officially began on Friday afternoon after Jumu’ah prayer with an opening assembly. The inauguration was led by Vice Principal Mr. Aldian, who set an encouraging tone for the activities ahead.

One of the first highlights was the Master Chef competition, where students worked in groups to create sandwiches—an activity that strengthened collaboration, creativity, and time-management skills. This was followed by Master Craft, a team challenge that required students to build innovative creations using simple materials, testing their problem-solving abilities and teamwork. Students also took part in a capacity-building session featuring seven game stations, each designed to develop leadership, communication skills, creativity, and independence.

As evening approached, the camp became even more memorable. Students learned basic map-making skills and participated in a gift-exchange activity that fostered friendship and apprecia

on. The night concluded with a warm and lively bonfire session, creating moments of joy and togetherness that will be remembered for years to come.

On Saturday morning, after Fajr prayer, students joined a community walk around the neighborhood before gathering for the closing ceremony. The announcement of competition winners and the distribution of prizes filled the atmosphere with pride and excitement, as students celebrated their achievements together.

Through this school camp, students not only enjoyed fun and engaging activities but also developed essential life skills—building confidence, strengthening friendships, and creating lasting memories along the way.

(by Ms Riyanti)

Testimony

Prof. Dra. Hj. Suwarsih Madya, M.A., Ph.D.

Amidst the globalized situation which poses challenges of which one is a possible threat to identity, yet provides ample opportunities to excel for those who possess the prerequisites, we need to equip our children as the continuing generation with necessary competencies—affective, cognitive, psychomotor and interactive. In other words, we need to help them grow and develop into total persons and this can be achieved through the whole-child development approach which ensures the development of all potentials. In addition to this is the need for developing some competence which enables the children to communicate globally. All of this will ensure that the children will develop their citizenships both at the national and global levels. How can this ideal development be realized?

If you want to find out about how efforts are made to develop children’s whole potentials, you can come to SD Islam Al Azhar 55 Yogyakarta. Here you can see how the four-year old school has grown fast due to the stakeholders’ trust to send their children to study here. With only 54 children in the first year, this school now has 185 students. These students are educated to respect and preserve the social-cultural environment by learning the local language (Javanese, including the script) and arts (dance). Simultaneously, they certainly learn the national language (Bahasa Indonesia) and national content, which is unquestionable since it is compulsory, and English, which has now become a global lingua franca; thus, a prerequisite for successful global communication. More importantly, children in this school also learn to practise their religion consistently. So, in this school children’s identity is rooted in the local culture, with nationalism and global awareness being inherently developed together with reliogiosity.

Does the whole-child development approach at SD Islam Al Azhar still give room for children to excel? In my belief, when all their potentials are developed, children will have a greater chance to excel and I can see the truth in my belief in this primary school. In the last two years, the students have made great achievements in various competitions held at the local and national levels–gold medals in English, math and science competitions (national), silver and bronze medals in IT competitions (national), silver and bronze medals at colouring and swimming competitions (local) to mention some.

In conclusion, SD Islam Al Azhar has given evidence of the right efforts of true education to develop both intelligence and character.

Prof. DR. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr. Sc.

Testimoni Sebagai Orang tua menyekolahkan anak Di Al-Azhar 55

Sudah menjadi kewajiban bagi orang tua untuk memberikan pendidikan yang terbaik bagi putra putrinya. Tantangan untuk mendidik anak di Era Global dan Digital pun semakin besar, kita tidak bisa lagi membendung segala perubahan yang begitu cepat terjadi, dan harus mempersiapkan anak-anak supaya bisa survive dan sholeh/sholehah tentunya. Saat ini dunia bagaikan kampung, dimana tidak ada batas-batas untuk melakukan transaksi kehidupan, untuk itu anak harus bisa berkomunikasi dengan bahasa universal sebagai modal utama. Disamping itu, pendidikah Ahlak dan Aqidah harus diberikan secara dini sebagai dasar anak dalam menghadapi gejolak gelombang kehidupan. Atas pertimbangan tersebutlah, kami selaku orang tua memilih untuk menyekolahkan putra kami tercinta Hikari di Sekolah Islam, yang menggunakan dua bahasa pengantar, yaitu Al-Azhar 55.

Prof. DR. Budi S.Daryono, M.Agr. Sc.