2023 CONCERT: CAMPAIGN THAT CULTIVATES SKILLS

Thursday October 10th 2024

The end-of-year concert 2023 of Al Azhar 55 Primary School of Yogyakarta was more than just a performance. It was the culmination of hard work and preparation where students, collaborating with the teachers, honed their musical skills and refined their moves. This behind-the-scenes journey highlighted the commitment of all the performers. In addition to that, it helped develop motor skills and build collaboration and confidence as students were provided with an opportunity to conquer stage fright and leadership skills. No wonder the concert served as a platform for personal growth.

Themed “Stop Using Animals and Care for Them”, the concert was held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the Al Azhar Yogyakarta Hall where “circus shows” became the main highlight. Through the performance, students showed us how scary it was to tame wild animals and make them become adorable.They performed the best shows-from magic to the incredible animal shows, as well as what happened to those animals during the training process. Following them, there were a hundred people in different cities walking down the street to protest against this animal circus. These invaluable lessons extended beyond the realms of music, preparing students for the challenges they may face in their future endeavors.

The end-of-year concert has become a room of cherished memories for students, parents and teachers. It has established a tradition that is awaited every year, fostering a sense of community. Moreover, bringing the theme, it is a campaign to stop people from exploiting animals for circuses.

In conclusion, the end-of-year concert is not merely a musical. It is a celebration of the arts, a testament to the students’ journey, and a platform that transcends the boundaries of such a school event. As the curtains fall on another academic year, the echoes of the performance leave indelible imprints on the hearts and minds of all who participated and witnessed the magic unfold on stage.

(Miss Rusna)

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.