Mirella Pandjaitan
Mar 03, 2026
Inspirational. Proud. Motivated.
These three words best describe a momentous start to the school week at the British School Jakarta (BSJ). The day was thick and oppressive, yet through the sombre clouds, the sun broke through in hopeful glimmers, like a whispered promise, considering how storms lashed down lately. Fortune favoured members of the school attending the tree planting and time capsule activities at BSJ's very own evolving eco-village.
“Today, we buried a time capsule that carries not just a document but a turning point. Inside, it sets out our ten-year Wellbeing Strategy, a strategy and intentional future designed together with our community, not for it. Students, staff, and parents came together to imagine what a culture of wellbeing could truly be at BSJ over a 12-month period,” shared Andrea Downie, the Head of Wellbeing at BSJ.
The time capsule contains BSJ's detailed wellbeing strategy, student reflections on what wellbeing means to them, visual representations of BSJ’s definition of wellbeing, artefacts designed by Nara, a year 13 BSJ student, and the shared dreams of the BSJ community. Many of those collective dreams, according to Downie, are already coming to fruition.
Wellbeing, in BSJ's lens
Perceptions of wellbeing from the past had been fragile and misunderstood. Common in Indonesia, stigma around mental health was present, and previous misconceptions had left scars. With renewed and clear intention, BSJ has set a deliberate and ambitious vision to not only focus on academics but to ensure the definition of success also means thriving students.
In 2024, when Downie joined the school, a core team of 70 staff as the drivers was formed and then came more than a strategy; it became a movement. “Strategy should not sit as a piece of paper or book and instead needs to move from paper to people, from document to DNA, and be woven into the daily life of the community,” said Downie. It is also infused into BSJ’s other three strategic pillars, creating, for the first time, a fully integrated ten-year plan built from the ground up, with staff breathing a future focussed long term view.
In May 2024, all staff voices were heard, and aspirations were given form. Downie led a full-day Appreciative Inquiry with over 450 staff, followed by sessions with parents, workshops with students, and focus groups across the school. Every voice was invited to contribute to a shared vision, now captured in a striking visual, an artwork that preserves the collective dreams and reflects a community committed to creating a thriving culture for years to come. One vision stood out clearly: an eco-village, a sustainable garden where students and staff could learn, connect, and thrive together.
This space bloomed from the collective dreams of BSJ's staff. The shared vision was brought alive by BSJ’s campus team, Weni, a Board of Governors, and Petty Elliott, a renowned Indonesian chef and consultant. Currently, the garden stands as living proof of what can be achieved when a community dares to believe and create together.
Turning a bright idea into lasting impact
“I hope other students are encouraged to follow their passions, share their ideas, and take initiative,” said Nara regarding her chosen word, inspiring. “When we act on something we care about, it has the power to motivate others, create a ripple effect, and help our whole community thrive.”
Nara is a thriving Year 13 student who's fiercely passionate about wellbeing and the vision of the school, with her involvement commencing in 2025 when she first encountered the ideas behind it in the school's assemblies. Listening to the research and thinking shared around wellbeing was genuinely inspiring for Nara and quickly connected with Ms Downie, giving up her own time to support the vision to come to life.
“Growing up, wellbeing and mental health were often treated as something separate, which was only addressed once there was a problem. If you needed support, you were sent to a counsellor, given a label, and that label normally came with a stigma,” she recalled.
Our proactive approach to empowering wellbeing, according to Nara, entirely shifts the focus. Instead of responding only when an issue arises, it supports everyone’s wellbeing from the start. “That felt incredibly powerful to me, and I knew I wanted to be involved and contribute in any way I could.”
She admitted that teachers and staff are such an essential part of this process; wellbeing only works when everyone is supported together. In ten years, she believes opening the time capsule would allow reflection on growth—not just as students, but as a whole community.
A blooming tree acts as a symbol of nurture
Nara envisioned the beginning of this wellbeing strategy in a manner that felt symbolic and meaningful by placing a tree at the heart of the eco-village, and chose one to symbolise the school’s wellbeing model. “The tree represents our ten-year wellbeing journey, something we are nurturing now, with the belief that over time it will strengthen students’ mindsets, resilience, and overall wellbeing,” she shared.
That vision sparked careful reflection around the choice of tree, its fruit, the soil conditions, and the symbolism of nurture. BSJ's compound stretches across expansive green grounds dotted with lush, vibrant spaces; however, the eco-village proved to be the most natural home for a Pomelo tree, which now stands as a marker of the school’s wellbeing philosophy and long-term strategy.
Both practical and symbolic, a Pomelo tree was chosen for its resilience to withstand the increasingly harsh seasons, with the promise that in ten years’ time it will bear fruit for future students. Around the newly planted tree are smaller citrus trees, which represent the elements of BSJ's wellbeing model that surround and support the whole.
Even the soil and fertiliser are notably symbolic. They reflect the idea of growth as a cycle: students who begin their journey in the early years eventually become Year 13s, and then make way for the next generation. In many ways, this setting mirrors the model itself—the central idea of wellbeing, supported by interconnected elements that help it thrive.
A vision to create an entire learning space and ecosystem is in the works. The garden remains open, with plans to grow its educational role in the coming year as development on a structured program or curriculum around the space until it transforms into a living classroom. And the excitement around its future is palpable.
A legacy that will endure
The morning was meaningful beyond planting a tree for Downie. ‘Doing’ is naturally highly focused in schools—planning, implementing, moving forward—but there is barely time to stop, reflect and celebrate. This moment allowed members of BSJ to pause and acknowledge the collective effort behind this work, and to mark its true distinctiveness.
“Wellbeing, in our view, is not one pillar among many. It’s the foundation beneath everything. It permeates learning and teaching, sustainability, leadership, and governance,” highlighted Downie. The gestures may appear small at first, a tree being planted, a time capsule sealed, thoughtful symbols carefully placed—but together they represent intention, care, and a shared commitment to the future. “Without wellbeing, learning cannot flourish. Without care for people and the planet, communities cannot thrive.”
Downie expressed how her heart swelled with pride, reflecting on all that had come to life this morning. “Deep pride in our students, especially those like Nara who act intentionally and initiate change. Pride in a community that listens, cares and collaborates,” she continued. ‘Motivated’ sprang to Downie's mind as well. The motivation to keep going, to keep building, and to continue placing wellbeing at the heart of everything BSJ does and who we are.
Downie carefully acknowledged that student wellbeing and mental health are among the most significant challenges facing young people globally today, and for this reason, we talk about ‘whole-being’ as opposed to wellbeing alone, because this work extends far beyond the individual. It’s about the culture we create, the environment we design, how learning is cultivated, and how we show up for one another every day. Everyone who steps onto our campus—teachers, operations staff, parents, gardeners, cleaners contribute to creating the conditions that allow our young people to thrive,” explained Downie.
A decade to go
BSJ's commitment to accountability is evident in their partnership with the University of Melbourne by implementing a systems-informed wellbeing measurement tool, ensuring that the actions and strategies are both well-intended and effective.
Each year, their ten-year strategy is supported by a clear action plan. This includes expanded mental health first aid training for staff and students, a fully embedded restorative approach to behaviour, and a wellbeing scope and sequence from early years through to Year 13. Their next focus is on integrating wellbeing intentions across all areas of learning, starting in their newly designed middle years.
Nara pointed out that having her teachers and peers around her who support this work has also been incredible. Etching their words and encouragement, as well as seeing their belief, has immensely aided her power through tough times, especially during exams. Nara, who was in the middle of her Year 13 DP exams when she put time aside to commit to this initiative, something close to her heart, shared that being reminded that no one is alone and support is always within reach makes a huge difference, as was her exposure to the infographics and resources from the wellbeing direction the school is invested in. “Honestly, it kept me grounded when the pressure felt overwhelming,” she added. All students should access the Wellbeing by Design resource, and parents should be involved, too. With that guidance and understanding, students can truly thrive, even in moments of stress.
BSJ values a community-driven approach where everyone feels heard, and where ideas—no matter where they come from—can help others thrive. “If something inspires you, follow it. Student voice matters, and real change happens when students and staff collaborate rather than working against or in isolation,” she revealed.
The tree planting and time capsule exist because people were willing to listen, support, and build something together. Nara is excited to open the capsule when the time arrives, as she finds it deeply rewarding to see that her idea could leave a lasting benefit for future students.
Monday, 26th January 2026, marks not just the planting of a tree, but the grounding of a shared vision for the next decade. BSJ is committed to realising its ambition: to become the world's leading school in creating genuine conditions for young people to thrive, as well as inspiring other schools across Indonesia and beyond. “I hope there is a deep sense of accomplishment in those who have been invested in and help bring this vision to life,” emphasised Downie. I don’t think there is a single person who doesn’t believe that the wellbeing, mental health and happiness of young people is paramount.“When this capsule is opened in a decade’s time, may it remind us not just of what we planned but of what is most important and who we chose to become.”
As a final gesture, Nara, who has been working on a project for the past six months, offered a token of appreciation, a small silver coin with an imprint of the wellbeing model and BSJ school mascot, Buster, watering the tree to everyone, acknowledging the collective effort that made this moment possible.
