Service learning is an educational approach that combines learning objectives with community service in order to provide a pragmatic, progressive learning experience while meeting societal needs.

The concept of 'society' is fundamental to the International Primary Curriculum, and at BSJ, we facilitate meaningful connections between classroom learning, the local community, and the wider world. Our goal is to empower our students to become responsible global citizens who understand the impact of their actions on others.

Service learning is a critical part of this approach. Through our service projects, our students gain hands-on experience in making a positive impact on the world around them. 

Recent examples of our service learning projects include the following:

• Year 1 and 2 children at British School Jakarta (BSJ) have been fostering meaningful partnerships with students from Sekolah Bisa, a project initiated by BSJ's CAS (Creative, Action & Service) students in 2011. Engaging in their 'Magic Toymaker' topic, the children from Sekolah Bisa shared their skills, teaching our Year 1 and 2 students how to create remarkable kites. Furthermore, as they explored the Flower and Insects topic, the students collaborated on decorating pots and planting seeds to nurture something unique and special.

• Year 4 students at BSJ took part in a sponsored skipathon after learning about the heart in their ‘How Humans Work’ topic. They raised money for Yayasan Jantung Indonesia Foundation to support children with heart problems. They also learned about rainforests in their ‘Saving the World’ topic and linked with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. They created posters to show their understanding and raise awareness of the dangers that orangutans face.

• During the Year 5 residential, students at BSJ connected with a local village school. They shared songs, played games, and learned English and Indonesian together.

• In Year 6, our Champions for Change visited Sekolah Bisa to take on the role of teachers. The students organized their own fundraiser, raising money to support the children's education at Sekolah Bisa.

• BSJ's After School Activities Programme offers children the opportunity to learn about small things they can do to make a difference to the world and their community. For example, the children in our EcoClub have been busy designing eco-friendly shopping bags and thinking of ways to be more environmentally friendly around the school.

• Global Goals Explorers in Key Stage One offer students the opportunity to learn about Sustainable Development Goals and how they can support them. They collected health products such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and shampoo and supported the secondary CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) Project in producing many Health Packs for children.

• BSJ students invited Pak Adimas, Whole School Service and Community Officer, and CAS Project Assistant for BSJ, to visit their classroom to speak about the Sekolah Bisa Project. Sekolah Bisa (Indonesian for ‘a school that can’) was conceptualised by the IB students of BSJ as part of their CAS program to ensure an equality and inclusion for 25 unfortunate children around Bintaro area. Our students had the opportunity to learn about the school's design and activities, as well as its positive impact on the community.

BSJ students believe small things can make a difference and are always eager to start their next project!