Description

Hello listeners! Welcome to another episode of the Thriving Matters Podcast. It is such a privilege to share this conversation with you because we are joined by one of Australia's most thriving educators, Andrea, who is currently doing absolutely amazing work as the Head of Well-being at the British School Jakarta (BSJ) in Indonesia.

Andrea is truly an ordinary girl doing extraordinary things in life and work, and today we’re diving deep into what it really means to build a whole culture of well-being—not just for students, but for the entire village.

The Science of Thriving

We often hear the words "wellness" and "well-being" used interchangeably, but Andrea brings us back to well-being science. This isn't just about transient happiness; it’s a scientifically informed, robust approach to how people feel good and function well. It’s about building a psychological toolkit that sets students up for success long after they leave the school gates.

The BSJ Blueprint: A 10-Year Vision

What’s happening at British School Jakarta is nothing short of incredible. Andrea has curated a 10-year strategic direction called the BSJ Blueprint for Well-being.

• It’s Co-designed: This wasn’t a top-down approach. Over 70 staff volunteered their time to join students and parents in "appreciative inquiries" and design days to define what well-being means in their specific Indonesian context.
• Starting Early: They aren't waiting until the teenage years to start this work; they begin with two-year-olds in kindergarten, building personal and social capabilities from the very start.
• Systems Change, Not a Program: This isn’t a "tick-box" initiative; it’s a systems change piece that infiltrates every area of school life, from maths and science to the very buildings themselves.

Education, AI, and the Human Connection

We had a fascinating chat about the future. While AI is set to automate many processes and help with "lower-order" thinking, it can never replace Emotional Intelligence (EQ) or the need for human connection. Andrea argues that as technology advances, learner agency—giving students voice, choice, and the ability to find meaning and purpose—becomes even more fundamental.

Practical Strategies for Your Toolkit

Andrea shared two beautiful strategies that we can all use in our daily lives:

1. Protecting Strategic Space: When you feel bogged down by "email fatigue" or the busyness of life, take a walk and intentionally notice. Ask yourself: "What am I accepting now that I wouldn't have accepted before?".
2. Adaptability Over Resilience: While resilience is an outcome of having resources, adaptability is a skill we can teach. It involves challenging and adjusting your emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses in stressful moments. Next time your heart rate rises, try reframing the situation—turn that anxiety into an acknowledgement of how much you care.

Final Thoughts from the Village

Whether it’s the 44 green acres of the BSJ campus or the eco-village and tree-planting ceremonies led by passionate students like Nara, well-being at BSJ is a lived experience.

Andrea reminds us that this work isn't an overnight quick fix; it’s an investment. It requires listening to the community and stripping back the "extra" initiatives to focus on what is most important.

If you want to learn more, you can find Andrea on LinkedIn or visit the British School Jakarta website to see their well-being model in action.

Remember, listeners, you are precious, and your thriving matters.

Go gently. See you next episode!.

To Connect with Andrea:

LI: linkedin.com/in/andrea-downie-b4244746

URL: https://www.bsj.sch.id/

EMAIL: andrea@projectthrive.com.au

To Connect with Carrie:

LI: linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet

URL: carriebenedet.com 

Email: carolinebenedet2@gmail.com