SEKOLAH ISLAM ATHIRAH
The school is owned by Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, the Vice President of Indonesia. He was born on May 15, 1942, in Watampone, South Sulawesi. He used to be the 10th and the 12th Vice President of Indonesia. There are three branches of Sekolah Islam Athirah, the Sekolah Athirah I is located at Kajaolalido No. 22 Makassar, Sekolah Islam Athirah II is in Jalan Raya Baruga, Sektor Mahameru No. 26 Makassar and the Sekolah Athirah III is in Jalan Sungai Musi, Kelurahan Panyula, Kec. Tanete Riattang Timur, Bone.
Since 1984, the building of Athirah Islamic School stood firm. Starting from kindergarten to high school. The school was inaugurated exactly on April 24, 1984 ago and began operations in the 1985-1986 school year. A plot of land of 12,141 sqm on Kajaolalido road number 22 Makassar which was oriented to the establishment of the hotel, switched to the establishment of this school.
Given its history, this school stems from the strong desire of the figure of Mr. Hadji Kalla and his wife, Mrs. Hadjah Athirah to take an active role in advancing education. He cares and has a high commitment. Implementation was presented through the business group pioneered a foundation. His name, Hadji Kalla Islamic Education and Welfare Foundation as a CSR program on September 9, 1981. It was under the Foundation that a formal school was built under the name of the Athirah Islamic School, a school known to date.
This “Athirah” is taken from Mr. Hadji Kalla’s wife’s name which means “fragrant.” The naming is not merely a form of his affection to his wife, but the meaning of this name is also expected to be a spirit for the academic community of Athirah Islamic School. “Fragrant and fragrant is achievement and attitude.”
The presence of the school is welcomed by the community. Evidently, with the presentation of students who register as a civitas academica athirah which continues to increase from year to year. Hence, the board of the foundation did some expansion. Established the second Islamic Athirah School in 1999 in Bukit Baruga Makassar area, ranging from kindergarten to junior high school and in 2008, the high school unit began to operate. Then, the next follow the kindergarten units in the area Racing center.
Fourth expansion, Islamic schools athirah also choose Bone District as a school area. Established Athirah Islamic School Boarding School, Bone in 2011. In Bone, the school athirah has the characteristics and uniqueness of the system. Not the same as the existing school system in Makassar, the school athirah in bone is also using the boarding school system alias “diasramakan.” Students are recruited with a composition of 30% of the family’s economic backgrounds capable and self-financing while 70% of poor family economic background, with full scholarship from the foundation.
THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND PEDAGOGICAL CONTENTS
The basic concept of the Athirah Islamic School is characterized by Islam, national spirit, and global perspective. In the process of learning, this school seeks to establish a balance of emotional intelligence, intellectual and spiritual. The curriculum used is a national curriculum, but remains on Athirah’s characteristics. The programs created to process the Athirah Islamic School became an effective and central learning school.
The motto of the school is “Anggun, Unggul, Cerdas.” Meaning a “graceful” in attitude and Islamic behavior, “superior” in quality and achievement and “smart” in science and technology.
Achievements are built not only on the intracurricular region, but also in the extracurricular region. At the regional, national and international levels. Learning method developed adaptive to technology and the method of learning contemporary which liberate students with active learning approach.
OBSERVATIONS AND TEACHING PRACTICE
Before we go to the cooperating school in Athirah, we had our orientation first in our receiving university – Universitas Negeri Makassar on January 23, 2018 (Tuesday). Then the next day, we had our demo teaching first in preparation for our teaching practice in Athirah.
On January 25 (Thursday), we went to Athirah – Sekolah Islam Athirah, to meet the Principal and the faculty members of the school. After that, we used to go in Athirah for our observation of the school environment, and familiarization of the place. The next day, January 26 (Friday), it’s our second day of observation in Athirah. We met our cooperating teacher/ mentor teacher, Ma’am Nunung and introduce us to our students. Then, she gave us sample of the lesson plan that they are using in Athirah, and also gave us reference book for the preparation in our teaching practice. I’ve handled five classes, 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4 and 7-5, from Monday to Friday.
At first, I thought that I won’t be able to handle the class and it will be hard to teach, but I’m glad because I was able to do my task as a teacher. And my heart is filled with joy because my students are excited to meet and learn from me.
The following days was well spent and I really had a great and productive day. I had a wonderful experience because my students are participating and attentive in the class. Though there are cases that we have no class because the students are having their exams, so I just observed the flow of their exams and other school activities that excuses the whole class. But during my teaching days in Athirah, I’m always excited to meet my students and teach them. It seems like my students feel the same way, that’s why I’m happy.
The school have a complete facilities that serves all student’s needs. Every classroom has a fully air conditioned with audio-visual that is intended for teaching and learning process. Each student has their own desk and chair so that they can feel comfortable. The number of students each class is around 25-30 students, which is good for a better learning process. There is also a two canteen inside the school campus so that the students will no longer going out for lunch and snacks time. The school is also wifi zone so that the students and teachers can access to the internet right away for more effective e-learning. Thus, the school provides a well conducive learning environment. Before teaching, the teacher provides lesson plan as a guide for the teaching-learning process which is similar to our lesson plan in the Philippines, and also using of teaching methods and strategies that will lead for more effective and efficient teaching-learning process.
 |
| During my observation in class. |
 |
| Student's activity in the class |
 |
| My experience in Athirah as a Facilitator and Teaching Asssistant. |
 | ||
| At Sekolah Islam Athirah with my friend Chrissie during our Friday class.
|
SUMMARY, REFLECTION AND SUGGESTION
“EVERY NEW ADVENTURE COMES NEW LEARNING AND EXPERIENCE”
Teaching for me is one of the most interesting and challenging profession. Interesting because of the new learning, new journey and new experiences will come along. Challenging also because you have to give all your best shots in every teaching-learning process. “Learning start at the end of your comfort zone”, because sometimes we have to explore and experience new things to acquire more knowledge and improve ourselves.
My first week in Makassar Indonesia was very fascinating and spectacular. The people and city and captivates me because of the warmed welcome. The people are good and friendly, there are many amazing places in Indonesia. The place is also rich in natural resources like in the Philippines. The city is surrounded by the sea and there is a seaport near at the Pantai Lossari – one of the tourist destination in Makassar City.
My second week was full of amazing experiences, all I can say is…
“I’m in love with cities I’ve never been to and the people I’ve never met,” (Melody Troung).
“Teaching is more than imparting knowledge, it is inspiring CHANGE. LEARNING is more than absorbing facts, it is acquiring understanding, ”(Wiiliam Arthur Ward).
In my third week, it’s already the halfway to the end and the countdown starts…
“In learning, you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.” (Phil Collins)
“Kids don’t remember what you teach them. They remember what you are.” (Jim Henson)
And finally! The farewell… END of the quest, BEGINNING of the new chapter.
THIS IS THE MOMENT…NO GOODBYES, JUST SEE YOU AGAIN.
“The best and beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.”(Helen Keller).
“And then I realized that adventure is the best way to learn.”(Anonymous).
For the past weeks, days hours and minute of staying in Makassar, I’ve gained a lot of learnings not only new knowledge and skills but most especially happy and memorable moments with our buddies and co-participants as well. I’ve gained not only a buddy but a friend and a family as well. I feel blessed and thankful because I was able to meet wonderful people of Makassar Indonesia.
The SEA Teacher program of SEAMEO is very good opportunity to not only to showcase and share our cultures and traditions but also to allow us to gain more knowledge, skills and most especially to build a harmonious relationship like a family despite of diversity of language, races and cultures.
I can say that one month is not enough to fulfill all the task. I think it is better to give more time in teaching and learning process for self improvement and development of the pre-service teachers. Thus, it was an spectacular journey that I can be proud of, and it is something that I can apply to my future career as a teacher.
 |
| The time that we arrived at Makassar Airport with Buddy Syamsul and Professor Gufran, of UNM. |
 |
| Eating dinner after fetching us in the airport with our Buddies Syamsul, Sitti and Aisyah, together with Prof. Gufran and Dr, Yasser of Universitas Negeri Makassar. |
 |
| With my Pretty Buddies, Aisyah and Sitti. |
 |
| The 4th grade friendly and cute students of Athirah. |
 |
| Taken at Malino Higlands, with our Buddies during our field trip. |
 |
| With our co- SEA teacher participants from SMU and Ateneo De Naga. |
