Category: Uncategorized

Riding to Victory

October 31st, 2025

My Unforgettable Horse Show Experience

By: Tubagus Radian Ariditya Daendra – 5A

Last weekend was one of the most unforgettable moments in my horse-riding journey. I joined the Jawa Barat Classic, a big competition that had both show jumping and dressage events. In the jumping section, I joined the Under-14 team category with 60 cm jumps, and for dressage, I joined the Preliminary German U18 class. It wasn’t just a regular event – it was an optimum time competition, which means riders must finish as close as possible to 64.00 seconds. The pressure was high, but I felt really excited too! This event was also a qualification round for Juara Nasional, which means if I do well, I can represent another province in Indonesia.

My team’s name was Sadulur, and there were three of us. Before the competition started, we walked around the course together, checking every jump and planning our rhythm carefully. The arena was full of energy – the sound of horses running, people cheering, and everyone focusing on their rides. When it was my turn, I took a deep breath, trusted my horse, and followed our plan.

Our teamwork really paid off! I finished with a time of 64.05 seconds, just 0.05 seconds away from the perfect time. My teammates got 63.59 seconds and 67.43 seconds. The best two times were averaged, and our final score was 63.82 seconds – almost perfect! When the announcer said, “First place goes to U14 Team Sadulur!” we all shouted and jumped with joy. I felt so proud and happy!

I also joined some individual events. In the Preliminary German U18 Dressage, I didn’t win, but I learned a lot about being gentle, balanced, and working in harmony with my horse. I also joined three jumping classes – 30 cm U18, 40 cm U18, and 50 cm U18. I placed 9thin the 40 cm class, while in the others, I didn’t place, but every round helped me improve and understand my horse better.

The Jawa Barat Classic was more than just a competition – it was an experience full of lessons and memories. I learned that horse riding is not only about winning medals, but also about patience, trust, and teamwork with your horse. Winning first place in the team event and qualifying for the Juara Nasional made me even more motivated to train harder and do my best in the next challenge.
Grade 5 Student Council Elections

October 29th, 2025

By: Ayla Madina Zulkarnain – 5A

Last week, Grade 5 students had the exciting opportunity to vote for their student council representatives. Ten nominees were selected, Kazuma, Vihaan, Soyi, Ayla, Devanch, Athaya, Aisha, Connor, Josh, and Carter. The voting was in the Grade 5 foyer, and everyone had to choose five names on a ballot paper. It was a fun event for everyone, it also included the BINUS SPIRIT values. The student council have been announced and are planning to make school more enjoyable.

Before the voting began, each nominee gave a speech in front of the grade. The speeches were a serious one but some had funny phrases, many students shared ways to improve the school. Some promised to be good leaders, while others shared interesting ways to make school more fun. Everyone tried their best to show they were ready for the role.

Even though it was fun, many of the nominees felt nervous for the results. I, one of the nominees, was nervous after giving my speech but I always reminded myself to be confidenr and trust myself. We all supported each other with cheering to make them less nervous, even if they didn’t win. Some felt disappointed, while others were very excited when the now Student Council members were called.

Ms. Priyanka, Mr. James, Ms. Grace, and Ms. Wienda helped with the voting. After counting all the votes, they announced the five students that was chosen the most to represent Grade 5 on the student council. the representatives are Ayla (me), Carter, Kazuma, Vihaan, and Josh. They will work together into making the activities more exciting.

The student council already had an investiture assembly and will have meetings to plan ideas throughout the year. They may also help organize grade level assemblies. It was a great experience for all students to learn more about leadership, voting, and supporting others. We are all excited to see what the student council will do next! 🙂
Binus Got Talent!

October 27th, 2025

By: Soyi – 5A

Binus’s annual talent show is a wonderful event that showcases talented students in both the visual and performing arts. About four to five weeks before voting day, Ms. Tanti and Ms. Claudya inform all the students about the upcoming show so everyone has a chance to participate. This year, Anin sang “I See the Light,” Athaya danced to “Jellyous,” and I performed “Concerto in A Minor” on the violin for the performing arts section.

For the visual arts section, students don’t vote; instead, the visual arts teachers do. This year’s winners were Anin and me for the performing arts, and May for the visual arts. What happens after voting? Well, after we vote between September 15–19, we usually get the results one to two weeks later. The winners then prepare for the final day, where all of them perform live. For the visual arts side, the winners either create a new artwork or present their original piece, which is showcased by the teachers. In addition, the artists are interviewed and asked questions about their artwork.

As voting day drew near, you could feel the nervousness among all the contestants. This year, there were two video performances from Anin and me and one live performance by Athaya. We started with Anin, whose melodious and majestic voice filled the room as she sang “I See the Light.” Next, it was my turn. The audience listened attentively to the rich, phenomenal sound of my violin piece. Finally came the last performance, Athaya’s incredible dance to “Jellyous.” As the music played, her arms and legs moved as fast as lightning. When the song ended, she caught her breath and gracefully walked back. Then, we took out our devices and voted for the two performers we were most excited to see on stage!

Overall, this year’s talent show was a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their skills and be recognized for their hard work. It gave everyone a platform to share what makes them special, whether through singing, dancing, or playing an instrument. The event also inspired others to be courageous and try something new in the future.

Watching all the performances reminded us that everyone has their own unique talents waiting to be discovered. Most importantly, the talent show brought our school community closer together, filling the day with excitement, encouragement, and joy. It truly showed that when we share our talents, we not only celebrate ourselves but also inspire others to chase their dreams.
Grade 3’s Field Trip to Godong Ijo

August 15th, 2024

By: Alisha

On August 7, 2024, my class visited Godong Ijo, a place full of plants and animals. The trip was exciting because we got to learn outside our classroom.

At Godong Ijo, we learned how to plant and care for plants so they can be healthy. The staff there showed us the importance of giving plants water, sunlight, and the right kind of soil for them to grow.

We also learned about animals. We discovered that they need special places to live and protect themselves from danger, like how a lizard can lose its tail to escape a predator.

Our field trip experiences were all related to our central idea for the first unit of inquiry, which is “Over time, living things need to adapt in order to survive.” This field trip helped us understand this better because we saw how plants and animals have special ways to stay alive.

We had a fantastic time at Godong Ijo. I hope we get to go on another field trip soon!
Commemorating Heroes’ Day

April 15th, 2024

By: Monica Santi

BINUS SCHOOL Simprug held an inter-school competition to commemorate Heroes’ Day, titled “PUSAKA” The event, which took place at BINUS SCHOOL Simprug last November 17, was attended by various state and private schools. Elementary, middle, and high school students participated in the competition.

BINUS SCHOOL Simprug teachers, parents, and staff attended the opening ceremony of PUSAKA. The opening ceremony was marked by singing the Indonesia Raya song and reciting Pancasila.

In his speech, BINUS SCHOOL Simprug principal Mr. Isaac Koh reminded us that on Heroes’ Day, we commemorate a national hero named Bung Tomo, who was born and raised in a humble family.

Mr. Isaac encouraged us to reflect on and be inspired by the struggles and sacrifices of Bung Tomo. “Regardless of our age and our background, we can become heroes in our own right. We have the power to make positive impacts on the lives of others,” Mr. Isaac said.

After Mr. Isaac’s speech, grade 1 and 2 students sang the Soleram song from Riau.

During the event, we also had a special speech from Rania Yamin, BINUS alumni and great granddaughter of national hero Muhammad Yamin. Rania shared what she was like to be the great-granddaughter of a hero. Rania felt that she had a responsibility to maintain her grandfather’s good name, and she studied hard to make her dreams come true.

The event continued with various competitions, namely oration, individual drawing, and group painting. For the oration competition, students had to choose national figures like Sukarno, Bung Tomo, Sutan Sjahrir, Muhammad Yamin and Sudirman. The theme of the drawing competition was “Indonesian heritage”.

The aims of PUSAKA are to build a high sense of nationalism, showcase the ability and potential of students who have talents and expertise in oratorical speech, art, dance, and music. In addition, the event aims to develop students’ creativity, artistic and language skills. Most importantly, PUSAKA is aimed at increasing awareness of the sacrifices of heroes in fighting for the independence of Indonesia.
A Wonderful Winter

March 18th, 2024

Tiffany Angelene Ariyanto

This year for the December break, my family and I went. To South Korea for our holiday. We went to Seoul and Busan (cities in South Korea). On our way to Korea, we transferred to Singapore first since we used Singapore airlines. I arrived in Singapore at 9pm and flew to Korea at 2:30 AM. On the plane I was so excited thinking about all the things I would do there, including seeing snow! I landed in Korea the next day and that’s when my journey began.

When I first walked outside the airport, I felt the cold winter breeze on my face. At the time we didn’t expect it to be this cold but we were totally mistaken! It was freezing cold, almost like if you were put in a human freezer. We ended up having to buy more clothing since we were freezing and very unprepared. After we got more clothing of course it was still cold but we were able to handle it better.

For the next few days, we went to so many places, we also bought a lot of stuff. We went to places like outlets, theme parks, restaurants, markets and malls. I had so much fun! My favorite part about Seoul was when I went to the theme park known as “Lotte World” However when I went on one of the rides, I just remembered how cold it would be but there’s no backing out now! And so, I thought it won’t be that bad right? Wrong! It was so cold to the fact I was shivering when I got off the ride.

I spent the last few days in Busan, and I have to say the ocean is amazing! My first day in Busan went great, I visited and rode a sky capsule which is like a slow 30-minute train ride in which you can view the ocean and some boats too. Next, I visited a food market which had foods to die for! ON the way back to the hotel, I stumbled upon a crazy bus driver that made us bounce all over the place, and to make it worse, the bus was full and people kept trying to squeeze in the bus! The next two days nothing really happened we just bought food from a nearby convenience store and stayed in the hotel to pack up. Then I came back to Jakarta

I’ve been to Korea twice now and it was not to disappoint! I love Korea and I was sad I had to go back to Jakarta but happy it all happened in the first place. I learned about their culture and language, one of the many things I learned is 안녕하세요 만나서 반가워요 which means “hello it’s nice to meet you”. If you’re looking for a chilly holiday destination, Korea’s got to be your number 1 choice!
Captivating Christmas

March 16th, 2024

Raphaella Callista Hendarson

Last December marked a truly captivating Christmas for my family and me in Jakarta. The festive spirit filled our home with vibrant decorations, setting the stage for a day filled with cherished moments and heartwarming traditions.

Our day began at 6:30 in the morning with a visit to my Grandma’s cemetery. Despite the early hour, the atmosphere in the car was lively as my sister and I engaged in games, turning the journey into a fun-filled adventure. Once we reached the cemetery, we prepared a heartfelt meal for Mak, my Grandma, consisting of veggies, rice, satay, fruits, noodles, fried chicken, and various cakes. Following this, we gathered for a respectful moment of prayer, reciting the Rosary and adorning her resting place with beautiful roses

Returning home, my sister and I embraced the tropical weather with a refreshing swim for about an hour. The post-swim hunger led us to a sumptuous lunch with the entire family. The feast was spectacular, featuring a delightful spread ranging from rice and soup to a delectable assortment of vegetables and meats. During lunch, we had a lovely conversation about the past year: what we did, accomplished, and experienced. I enjoyed listening to everyone’s stories because it’s something that we don’t do often.

After the satisfying meal, the focus shifted to the eagerly awaited moment of exchanging gifts. My sister, cousins, and I gathered to unwrap our presents while the adults continued their joyful conversations. The excitement in the air was palpable, and the unwrapping session lasted 45 minutes before we decided to extend the festivities by heading to my Uncle and Aunt’s house for more gift-opening surprises. The reactions to the presents were as diverse as the gifts themselves. From my sister’s “Wow, I can’t believe it” to my cousin’s delighted “Bagus banget” (meaning “Very beautiful” in Indonesian), each expression captured the joy and appreciation of the moment.

Reflecting on the day, I couldn’t help but feel immense gratitude for the opportunity to bond with my family. The mix of traditions made this Christmas truly special, from the heartfelt visit to Grandma’s cemetery to the lighthearted swim and the excitement of exchanging presents. It was a day of warmth, laughter, and shared memories I will treasure for years. This year’s Christmas was a captivating celebration of love, togetherness, and the enduring spirit of the holiday season.
Perfect family time

March 15th, 2024

By: David Elliaczar Tabernero

On the night of December 8th, my mom and I got on an airplane going straight to Manila in the Philippines. When we arrived, we went straight to our house in Cavite to take a rest and sleep, and we arrived early in the morning of December 9^th. When I woke up from my nap in the afternoon, we went to the nearest mall to gather groceries and eat. At night, some family and friends arrived, which we enjoyed.

The next day, on the 10th, my dad picked me up from Cavite as my mom had to go to Mindoro. I enjoyed my time there, as there was a big fluffy dog named Isko. On the 16^th morning, my uncle from America came back to the Philippines after 20 years! After they arrived, we went all around Manila, traveling and enjoying our time. On the 21st, we went to a hotel for one of my cousins’ 18^th birthday the next day. On the evening of the 22nd, we had a party in the hotel, celebrating and dancing around with the whole family.

On the 23rd, we were supposed to go to Batangas with them in an Airbnb for Christmas, but they did not like the Airbnb at all, so we spent all night attempting to figure out where to stay. In the end, most of my family decided to head back to Manila because we were all exhausted. On the morning of the 24th, a miracle happened, and they found a place to stay: my aunt’s house. We drove there as soon as possible, and we spent Christmas Eve there. We headed back to Manila on Christmas morning to play games and have fun with my family. Even though it was messy, we still enjoyed Christmas.

On the bright morning of the 26th, we went to an Italian-themed mall in Taguig, enjoying the architecture and design. Then on the 27th, we packed our items and set off to Baler, the birthplace of my dad and most of my aunts and uncles. We arrived at the beachfront hotel at night. In the morning, we gazed at the breathtaking view of the beaches.

Later that day, we went swimming in the pool, and I had so much fun in Baler. At 4 a.m. in the morning, my dad and I went back to Manila so my mom could pick me up to go to Mindoro. In Mindoro, I received the tragic news that my horse sadly passed away while I was in Indonesia. There I practiced my Tagalog skills, learning unfamiliar words like Bilnuran, Balintataw, and Panginain. We celebrated the new year in Mindoro with the family. I enjoyed Mindoro so much as I got to spend time with my mom’s side of the family.

I loved it very much, as I got to see some family members I had never seen and spend time with them. My dad’s side was complete after 20 years, so that was overly exciting for me. With this in mind, I wonder what the next Christmas and new year will hold for me.
Our visit to Bantar Gebang!

March 15th, 2024

By Makhira Gianita Syakira, 5B

Have you ever imagined going to a dumpsite? Well, my friends and I have! And let me tell you, this is the best Grade 5 field trip so far! This dumpsite is called Bantar Gebang, but what is Bantar Gebang? Bantar Gebang is the biggest landfill in Indonesia! This is the dumpsite for citizens from Jakarta and Kota Bekasi.

The activities there were super fun! Even though it was a bit smelly, we could still learn so much! The history of Bantar Gebang was explained to us, like when they started operations, and data from 2019 till now. We also visited the operations room where they picked up the trash with a machine!
My purpose for visiting this dumpsite was to know how big the trash issue in Indonesia is and how I can make an impactful change. I want to make a change because trash contaminates our soil, takes up a lot of space, causes water pollution and many other problems in Indonesia. Imagine how many more problems we would cause if this does not stop.

From the field trip, I learned that trash is a never-ending issue with so many consequences to the environment and us! Remember, the trash you throw never disappears, it will still be here and will end up in the landfill.
That is why I encourage you to start simple things and make a change. If not us, then who? Make a change and help us make a better earth for all!
The Exploration Expedition!

February 28th, 2024

By : Mataya N. Korompis

Once the school term break in December until January started, I didn’t go outside of Indonesia. I didn’t go to places like Japan, China, and other countries, but instead my family and I stayed home together. Usually, when I stay home for the holiday, I often just wake up late and do the ‘eat, sleep, repeat’ routine. Not very exciting. But for this Grade 5 break, I managed to enjoy it; to spend time with my family! Although I went to a lot of places in Indonesia, the most fun part was being able to spend time with my family, including my other relatives who I don’t get to see every day.

Firstly, the first major event in my holiday happened when my cousins, my cousins’ friends, and my aunt invited me to play at an indoor playground called ‘Edokko’ in a mall named Lippo Mall Puri. The place was very fun to play in. There was a ‘mountain’ that we could climb, a sand playing area, a lot of things to play with, in fact! Then, suddenly, while I was playing with my cousins, we spotted some mothers yelling out in

panic for their children to come. My nanny who also came was confused, so she asked what was wrong.

Several days after the blaze incident, my family, relatives, and I went on the new Whooshtrain to go to Bandung for a one-day trip. It was a very fun trip; the train was very clean and comfortable. The windows showed us an amazing view of the green parts of Indonesia, since we had to pass through it before arriving in Bandung. We had to take two trains; one that’s interior was designed like an airplane’s design, and another that was styled like the MRT bus. My family said things like, “Wauu…bagus sekali!” and “Ooh, lihat yang itu!” at the view. It was understandable; when you look out the train you can see a very beautiful view.

When we arrived in Bandung, I assumed that there was no difference. Bandung felt like Jakarta. It had lots of honking cars, lots of roads, and not as much green as there is in places like Bali. The fun part was that we got to ride in a car that was really, amazingly big so we could all fit in. First we went to a café and traveled around the city. After that we just went to eat. I ate fish at the restaurant and found it tasty, but it still didn’t exactly give me a clear insight on the differences between Jakarta and Bandung. When we went back home I was very tired; we walked a lot, spoke a lot, and had to arrange a lot of things so we would have a good trip. But it was fun, so I hope to experience a trip with my family again someday.

Finally, probably the last major event that happened in my holiday was going to a friend’s sister’s birthday party. We went to an indoor playground named Buumi in a mall called Plaza Senayan to celebrate. It was fun, but there were a lot of people I didn’t know there which then made me feel a bit awkward. I played around with myself for a while but then grew bored. But I was a bit scared to approach anyone and ask if they wanted to play in fear of rejection. I confided in my mom who told me to just enjoy myself and just ask. And I did and didn’t get rejected! I’m happy I asked, because if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have enjoyed the party as much as I hoped I would. After the party, we all relaxed a bit, and some ate ice cream. The ice cream was good, and the experience was great. I learned a lesson that day as well, so it was a nice experience.

I loved the trips I took. I spent time with friends and family and had a great vacation. I know that most holidays I spend will probably be spent outside of Indonesia instead of something like my vacation this term break, but someday, I’d like to have a holiday like this again. It helped me cool down and forget about working and school, so it really helped me! I recommend having a holiday like this. It won’t cost as much as a trip away from home would take, yet it still is more fun than most people think. Don’t judge a book by its’ cover, because sometimes it can be an amazing story.

Category: Uncategorized

My Unforgettable Horse Show Experience