Indonesia Expat recently had a chat with Brenton Hall, the School Adviser at Australian Independent School (AIS Indonesia), as the latter discussed the school’s accomplishments throughout this year, plans for next year, and how to ignite joy among the students during the holidays.
AIS Indonesia has accomplished a lot this year, with many exciting plans planned during this holiday season as well as in the upcoming year. Australian native Brenton Hall, currently serving as the School Adviser at the Australian Independent School (AIS Indonesia), discussed, among many things, his responsibilities as the School Adviser for one of the most prominent international schools in the country. He discussed how AIS Indonesia educates its students about religious diversity and tolerance, the exciting projects to come, and why faith, friendships, and connections become the crucial key to channelling the holiday cheer.
Hi, Brenton! Let’s start with your background a bit. What can you tell us about yourself?
I’m from Adelaide, Australia, where I began my teaching career in the late 1970s, working in both city and country schools, including time as a School Counsellor and school leader. My overseas experience, though, began in Flores, Indonesia, where I worked as a Literacy Adviser on an AusAID-funded programme to support Primary Education reforms in the region. When this programme finished in 2007, I was appointed Head of High School at the Jakarta campus of the Australian Independent School (AIS Indonesia). Here, I was fortunate to lead both the High School and the Primary School before being appointed Principal of all AIS Indonesia campuses (Bali, Jakarta, and Balikpapan)
In 2020, I joined the Australian International School Bangkok as the Director, and this year, I returned to Jakarta as the School Adviser at AIS Indonesia. In my spare time, I am an avid sports fan following AFL and cricket, and I also enjoy travelling with my family.
Can you tell us a little bit about your responsibilities as the School Adviser at AIS Indonesia?
My major role is to work with the Principal of the AIS Jakarta campus and the Principal of the AIS Bali campus by providing advice and support so that our strategic intent is realised and we remain the school that the Board wants it to be, which is a premium, high-quality international school that truly cares for its students. This involves providing advice as well as on-the-ground assistance with strategic planning, staffing, programmes, funding, partnerships with parents, and policies.
Now that the year 2025 is coming to an end, how would you assess and evaluate the accomplishments made by AIS Indonesia thus far—both at the AIS Jakarta campus and the AIS Bali campus? Furthermore, which one of those accomplishments would you say is the most crucial one?
To put it in bullet points, this year thus far, AIS Indonesia has:
- Completed new buildings in Bali, renovated our North Campus, and installed a new playground at the AIS Jakarta campus. These projects provide significant, very well-equipped, modern teaching and specialist spaces. Our campuses are already beautiful and well-resourced, and these spaces complement this;
- Invested in our STEAM (robotics, coding, AI, AR, and VR) programme, including funding support for hardware purchase, facilities provision, staff training, and extra staffing in this area. It will become a programme next year that will be up with the very best;
- Restructured our Learning Support programme so that it can provide excellent service to both our students and their parents;
- Conducted school musicals at both the AIS Jakarta campus (Mary Poppins Jr.) and the AIS Bali campus (Matilda Jr.) that were, for me personally, a highlight. These musicals really showcased our talented students, as well as taught them new skills and confidence;
- Introduced the Academy of Entrepreneurs programme for Years 10 and 11.
These, however, are just some of our accomplishments. That said, as we do every year, we have also conducted many wonderful events such as Indonesian Day, International Week, ANZAC Day, swimming and athletics carnivals, interschool sports, Charity Walkathon, sending our joint Bali/Jakarta team to the AISA Games in Hong Kong, Taipans Cup, Arts Night, Talent Night, and our upcoming Christmas Bazaar.
That makes a perfect segue to my next question. Since the holiday season is coming up, is there any particular special event taking place in the month of December that you can reveal to us?
We will conduct our Christmas Bazaar in December in Jakarta. There will be musical performances, food and drink, and lots of things to buy for Christmas. It is a wonderful event led by our Parents and Friends, with lots of support from our parent groups as well.
Especially for children of expatriates, the holiday season in Indonesia can be quite a unique experience, which can also serve as a teachable moment about religious diversity as well as tolerance. How will AIS Indonesia navigate educating its students—particularly the expatriate ones —about religious diversity and tolerance in the upcoming holiday season?
Indonesia is very much an Islamic nation. However, the Pancasila recognises six major religions. During the upcoming holiday season, the great majority of people will not celebrate Christmas. That said, major stores will display Christmas trees and decorations, play Christmas songs, and sell Christmas-themed merchandise. Moreover, hotels will have Christmas-themed buffets and host Christmas events. Muslims will not celebrate the festive season, but they accept it as a special time for non-Muslims.
At AIS Indonesia, we will hold Christmas events while also explaining to our students that we celebrate it to recognise the religious festival of a major world religion. The religious celebration doesn’t just stop at Christmas, though. We at AIS Indonesia, of course, also feature major Muslim events and celebrations, such as Hari Raya (Idul Fitri) and Eid al-Adha (Idul Adha).
Another topic that is still scarcely entering the conversation is homesickness, which can be quite devastating on a youth’s mental health. Has AIS Indonesia prepared any particular initiative to support and lift up the spirits of its expatriate students, as well as the students’ families, who cannot return to their respective countries of origin this December?
We have a well-established student support programme with our school counsellor as well as our Safeguard and Wellbeing Lead teacher. They are proactive and provide wonderful social, emotional support for students.
Considering the many ups and downs that have occurred in Indonesia throughout 2025 so far, finding holiday cheer this year might feel more challenging than ever. What pearls of wisdom or values does AIS Indonesia wish to instil in its students when it comes to finding joy in these uncertain times?
AIS Indonesia encourages our students to find holiday cheer and joy by looking to the support of family and friends, such as enjoying time together and connecting with wider family through electronic media. Friends play a major role as well, and it is not unusual for our High School students to stay on campus after school to socialise and support classmates playing in sports events and such. Inwardly, we teach optimism and resilience, as well as a positive mindset, through our Social Emotional programmes and Counselling Support programmes. Of course, following your faith can bring meaning and connection. Find joy in faith, friendships, and connections!
Can you tell our readers more about how AIS Indonesia integrates Indonesian culture into its Character and Service programmes?
AIS Indonesia integrates Indonesian culture into our Character and Service programmes by aligning the universal values of the Australian/IB curriculum with the foundational principles and local values of Indonesia. We want to ensure that expatriate students become responsible global citizens, which means they need to be respectful, knowledgeable, and empathetic members of the Indonesian community. The Indonesian values of mutual cooperation (gotong royong), teamwork, and collaboration are instilled through collaborative tasks and community service projects (especially those undertaken for CAS), which bring our students into contact with the community in a supportive context.
Additionally, AIS Indonesia believes very much in restorative practices, which align with the Indonesian value of peaceful conflict resolution and dialogue. We encourage our students to settle differences in this way and to respect the opinions of others.
Can you tease us a little bit about the plans or special projects that AIS Indonesia will commence for the year 2026?
To put it in bullet points once again, for next year, AIS Indonesia is planning to:
- Introduce the Initial Lit Literacy programme for Foundation to Year 2. This is a well-researched programme based on the science of reading and research from Macquarie University in Australia. It has proven results, and is the fastest-growing programme in schools in Australia;
- Introduce Psychology and Sports Science to our IB curriculum offering at the AIS Jakarta campus. The Bali campus already offers Sports Science;
- Conduct specialist STEM classes in our newly established Innovation Hub for all students from Foundation to Year 10 — both at the AIS Jakarta campus and at the AIS Bali campus;
- Conduct the University of New South Wales Foundation programme at the AIS Jakarta campus, with the aim being to provide an alternative university pathway;
- Host the AISA Games at the AIS Bali campus. This tournament will draw teams from Australian International Schools in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Malaysia, and Vietnam;
- Perform a High School theatre performance at the AIS Jakarta campus.