Discovering God's world through Indonesian.

Year 7 students prepare for the “lomba makan krupuk” competition, where they attempt to eat a prawn cracker off a string in the fast time.

Learning a new language is so much more than memorising words—it's an invitation to step into another world. At Portside Christian College, Indonesian lessons offer students the chance to look beyond Adelaide and into the heart of one of our closest neighbours—Indonesia. As they explore its diverse people, cultures, languages, and natural wonders, students are reminded of the majesty of our Creator.

As Psalm 24:1 reminds us,“Tuhan yang empunya bumi serta segala isinya.”“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Yes, Indonesia is part of His beautiful creation!

Language in Action

Our Indonesian Curriculum includes a wide range of hands-on learning activities both in and out of the classroom as students deepen their understanding of the language and culture in meaningful, memorable ways.

Whether it was exploring jungles, preparing traditional Indonesian dishes, crafting herbal remedies, or enjoying an Indonesian-style picnic, each experience brought language to life. Students fly kites, order drinks from our very own juice bar, raise funds for endangered Indonesian wildlife, and engage in games traditionally played on Indonesian Independence Day.

A particular favourite? Our College’s version of the lomba makan krupuk—a hilarious cracker-eating race where students race to finish a prawn cracker hanging from a string without using their hands! Laughter, cheering, and a few sneaky cracker crumbs make this a fun and interactive way of learning.

Conversations that Count

Inside the classroom, our focus on speaking broadens students learning. Year 5 students create ‘chatterboxes’—a fun and interactive tool to practise conversational Indonesian with their classmates. These simple games create joyful moments where students build confidence and apply what they’ve learned.

Our goal is always to make language learning as real and relevant as possible. By simulating authentic situations, students are inspired to use their Indonesian in ways that matter—and their progress year after year is nothing short of inspiring.

A Celebration of Growth

It’s a joy to witness the commitment, curiosity, and courage of our Primary students as they learn Indonesian vocabulary and grammar—they have embraced a new culture with open hearts. And in doing so, they’ve taken another step toward becoming compassionate, globally-minded individuals.

Selamat anak-anak! Semangat!

Well done, students! Keep going—you’re doing wonderfully.