| Izah Azahari |
JERUDONG International School (JIS) celebrated its annual International Day yesterday, which saw the participation of His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah.
The International Day celebration began with a parade by JIS Junior School students dressed in their national costumes followed by an assembly at the Arts Centre Foyer.
Participation in dressing up in their national costumes for International Day required students to donate a minimum of BND2 to start their own ‘Teaspoons of Change’, where all money raised on International Day will be donated to charities supported by the school.
JIS has contributed both money and hands-on service to worthwhile causes as it has made a significant difference to the children involved.
JIS students enjoyed trying food from different countries organised by parents of JIS Junior School to further celebrate the cultural diversity, while JIS senior students enjoyed a variety of food from London Kebab, Sugar & Spice, Fratini’s, The Acai Bar, Magnum, Kyna Ice Cream, The Currypuff Factory, Smarter Cookies, The Potato Habit, and Tasconi’s Pizza.
The school’s music department, meanwhile, organised an International Day performance for students from Year 4 to Year 13 with the theme ‘Music from around the World’ performed by 81 JIS senior students.
The International Day performances showcased a culturally diverse list of songs, where this year saw a Gamelan group from the Indonesian Embassy in Brunei Darussalam perform.
Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Dr Sujatmiko was also present to enjoy the performances, warmly greeted by the student audience.
Music included Bengawan Solo performed by the Jazz Band and N’kosi Sikeleli Africa by the Senior Choir. The students were also entertained by the school’s Orchestra, Years 7 and 8 Choir, String Ensemble, Senior Choir and the Angklung Ensemble.
JIS welcomes 1,650 students from 55 nationalities daily; being an international community with a Bruneian heart, International Day is an opportunity to encourage students to develop as a global community and celebrate each other’s nationalities, cultures, customs and languages.
This year, International Week focussed on the theme ‘Teaspoons of Change’ and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the week, senior students participated in a range of lunchtime special activities such as the Great Geography International Quiz, a student lecture focussing on poverty, SDGs and international integration.