Mirella Pandjaitan
Feb 23, 2026
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 brief, 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,” shared Andrea Downie, the Head of Wellbeing at BSJ.
“And so we plant this time capsule here in soil shaped by shared vision with care, and courage.”
The time capsule contains BSJ's full 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. Trust had been tested, buy-in was limited, stigma around mental health was present, and previous experiences had left their scars. With new leadership, BSJ is going from strength to strength with intention.
Out of that effort of a core team of 70 staff, came more than a strategy; it became a movement. “Wellbeing should not sit as a strategy but 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 2025, these 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 culture of wellbeing 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, captured during a school-wide session with 450 educators in 2024. The shared vision of BSJ’s campus team, Weni on the Board of Governors, and Petty Elliott, a renowned Indonesian chef and consultant, brought this dream to life. 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 speak up, 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 Year 13 student who's fiercely passionate about wellbeing, 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.
“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.
The initiative, according to Nara, entirely shifted the focus. Instead of responding only when an issue arises, it aimed to support 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 reckoned 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, possibly symbolising 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 grounds dotted with lush, verdant 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 eventually integrate the garden into learning 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 beyond planting a tree for Downie. ‘Doing’ is highly focused in schools—planning, implementing, moving forward—but there is barely time to celebrate. This moment allowed members of BSJ to pause, to 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. “Pride in our students, especially those like Nara who initiate change. Pride in a community that listens and collaborates,” she continued. ‘Motivation’ 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.
She noted that shaping BSJ's wellbeing strategy ought to be intentional and deeply relevant to context, not simply adopting a program that worked elsewhere. Her previous encounters with hundreds of schools around the world revealed how such initiatives were launched with the best of intentions but ultimately failed to create meaningful impact. Especially acknowledging that student wellbeing and mental health are among the most significant challenges facing young people globally nowadays.
That strategy was co-designed with BSJ's community, not driven by a single voice. Over the course of a year, 70 volunteers formed a core team across the school who met monthly, explored wellbeing science together, and spent time deeply understanding the lived experience of the BSJ students and staff. Eventually, a ten-year pathway was formed known as Wellbeing by Design, a blueprint for both human experience and systems—one that clearly articulates the purpose, reasons, goals, and measures.
“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 environments we design, how learning happens, and how we show up for one another every day. Everyone who steps onto our campus—teachers, operations staff, gardeners, cleaners—contributes to the conditions that allow 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 the world’s first systems-informed wellbeing measurement tool, ensuring that the actions and strategies are both well-intended and effective.
Downie conveyed that connection is at the heart of wellbeing. Children desire to feel seen, heard, and valued. Academic achievement matters, but it cannot stand alone. “When we work together to reduce stigma, foster belonging, and nurture the whole child, we give young people the foundations they need to thrive—well beyond school,” she added.
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, particularly in the middle years.
Nara pointed out that having her teachers and peers around her has been incredible. Etching their words and encouragement, as well as seeing their support, has immensely aided her power through tough times, especially during exams. 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 initiatives. “Honestly, it kept me grounded when the pressure felt overwhelming,” she added. Other students are empowered to access the Wellbeing by Design resources, 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 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 efforts 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 the conditions for young people to thrive, as well as inspiring other schools through partnerships, professional learning, and collaboration, targeting schools across Indonesia and beyond. “I hope there is a deep sense of accomplishment in the impact this work has had,” emphasised Downie. “When this capsule is opened in a decade’s time, may it remind us not just of what we planned but of who we chose to become.”
As a final gesture, Nara—who has been working quietly on a project for the past six months—offered a token of appreciation to everyone involved, acknowledging the collective effort that made this moment possible.
