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Driving sustainability in Brunei and beyond
Driving sustainability in Brunei and beyond
Driving sustainability in Brunei
and beyond
Holistic development through sport
At Jerudong International School (JIS) in Brunei, making a difference starts with small, yet significant steps. This idea, known as “Teaspoons of Change,” is about students starting their “Change-makers of tomorrow” role to create a lasting impact within both local and global communities.
“JIS continues to develop confident, capable problem solvers who understand their impact on the planet and recognise that the decisions they make, as designers and as consumers, can contribute positively to a more sustainable future,” says Gary England, Head of Design & Technology and Recycling Hub Lead.
JIS may be an international school, but it’s driven by the same Bruneian heart that is guiding the nation towards a greener economy. When students exhibit one of the school's aims, they earn a “Polio Point,” and when they earn a set of 6, the school matches each set with a US$1 donation to UNICEF.
To put this in perspective: the community typically collects over 10,000 points yearly. That’s the kind of impact JIS students make.
private schools
Top100
World’s
acres of world-class facilities
120
countries represented
45+
in the Asia Pacific region
Top15
At JIS, sustainability streams through every course, every resource and every facility, and students are the ones taking the lead. This is a big feat, one that has not gone unnoticed – the school has long maintained the Global Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, the most prestigious accorded to schools that follow at least three themes of a Seven Step Framework.
JIS often goes one step further. In fact, many of its eco-initiatives were the first of their kind within the community. For example, JIS was the first school to conduct a major solar installation in Brunei, which modelled environmentally conscious behaviour towards both the students and the wider community.
Read more on JIS’s eco-friendly movements below:
Cultivating changemakers
A 10,000-square-metre reforested space, home to the Forest School and student-led projects in rewilding, food cultivation, eco-art, and more.
A marine conservation and education initiative that specifically centres on the restoration of coral reefs.
A student-led initiative where all 16 Senior Houses collaborate with each other to weave sustainable practices into daily life.
A project built by Year 5 students to cultivate herbs and educate the community on different types of plants.
Sustainability in the JIS curriculum
The STEAM curriculum at JIS — spanning science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics — includes Eco Sub Themes, which are linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, student-selected and committed to addressing the climate crisis: Biodiversity & Nature, Energy, Marine & Coast and Waste & Litter.
Here, students challenge themselves to find green solutions to real, global issues. In Year 9, for example, they designed solutions to address the global e-waste challenge and presented their work at a university-hosted STEAM conference.
The STEAM curriculum at JIS — spanning science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics — includes Eco Sub Themes, which are linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, student-selected and committed to addressing the climate crisis: Biodiversity & Nature, Energy, Marine & Coast and Waste & Litter.
Here, students challenge themselves to find green solutions to real, global issues. In Year 9, for example, they designed solutions to address the global e-waste challenge and presented their work at a university-hosted STEAM conference.
Sustainability in the JIS curriculum
Linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Eco Sub Themes at JIS are designed to address the climate emergency. They’re embedded into the STEAM curriculum — which spans science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — and mapped across four different student-selected project areas: Biodiversity & Nature, Energy, Marine & Coast and Waste & Litter.
Here, students challenge themselves to find green solutions to real, global issues. In Year 9, for example, they designed solutions to address the global e-waste challenge and presented their work at a university-hosted STEAM conference.
Just like that, eco-initiatives often take students beyond classroom settings. Just recently, they participated in the FOBISIA Student Sustainability Conference 2026 in Bangkok, where they joined keynote talks, workshops, and student-led initiatives. The school arranged a TerraCycle Foundation activity while in the Thai capital as well, where students helped remove 964 kilogrammes of waste from the Lat Phrao Canal and learnt about plastic pollution during the process.
New recycling initiative, national impact
A new addition to the Design and Technology Department, the Recycling Hub addresses the country’s lack of facilities to extend the lifecycle of waste materials. Here, students learn to operate various machines, including a plastic shredder, an injection moulding machine, and an extrusion machine, all capable of processing different types of plastic.
This is where creative design and sustainability meets.
Year 7 students will begin to explore waste as a design context. They’ll apply the 6Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle, repair, refuse, rethink) to develop more sustainable products and work directly with recycled plastic extruded beams — plastic waste materials that are melted and reformed — in their creations, ensuring sustainability is experienced through practical designing.
In one A Level project, a Year 13 student used extruded High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) beams, created from approximately 15,000 bottle tops, to construct a bench for the school’s Visitor Centre. It incorporates a bottle top collection feature, which further demonstrates a circular economy.
With “overwhelming support” from senior management and the wider school community, the Recycling Hub is expanding. They’re delivering workshops for other schools, showcasing their projects at events such as the Full STEAM Ahead launch at Seria Energy Lab.
As the Recycling Hub is expanding, students are already taking active steps towards a circular economy. They’ve created coasters, beams, rulers, and medals for school use.
As a Sustainability Prefect, Tan not only oversees progress or reminds students of their responsibility towards the environment, but also participates in a wide range of activities to model that behaviour. That includes in-school workshops, national-level volunteering services, and international conferences.
Most recently, Tan took part in the FOBISIA Student Sustainability Conference, where she presented the plastic recycling initiative at JIS, emphasising waste prevention and upcycling.
Nerissa Tan, Year 13
Hear from a student
2025-26 Sustainability Prefect
Back home, Tan had the opportunity to meet the director of the Department of Environment, Parks, and Recreation of Brunei. “We presented our initiative and discussed ideas on improving sustainability in Brunei,” she says. “Our school is working hard towards connecting with Brunei’s wider community, weaving the thread through shared efforts and responsibilities.”
“Furthermore, I worked in a team of young and inspiring students on generating innovative ideas and addressing issues that arise with international flights,” she says. “My team, ‘sustain-edge,’ developed a digital carbon calculator with the aim of fostering awareness of our carbon footprints.”
As a Sustainability Prefect, Tan not only oversees progress or reminds students of their responsibility towards the environment, but also participates in a wide range of activities to model that behaviour. That includes in-school workshops, national-level volunteering services, and international conferences.
Most recently, Tan took part in the FOBISIA Student Sustainability Conference, where she presented the plastic recycling initiative at JIS, emphasising waste prevention and upcycling.
Nerissa Tan, Year 13
Hear from a student
2025-26 Sustainability Prefect
Back home, Tan had the opportunity to meet the director of the Department of Environment, Parks, and Recreation of Brunei. “We presented our initiative and discussed ideas on improving sustainability in Brunei,” she says. “Our school is working hard towards connecting with Brunei’s wider community, weaving the thread through shared efforts and responsibilities.”
“Furthermore, I worked in a team of young and inspiring students on generating innovative ideas and addressing issues that arise with international flights,” she says. “My team, ‘sustain-edge,’ developed a digital carbon calculator with the aim of fostering awareness of our carbon footprints.”
Understanding that a well-rested mind and body are crucial for success, Shreya ensures that she gets enough sleep each night. She knows that without it, she won't be able to bring her full energy and focus to her studies at JIS.
9:00 P.M
Rolll call/ briefing, study time.
7:00 PM
Balancing academic responsibilities with personal time is essential for Shreya. She ensures to set aside time each day for activities that help her relax and de-stress, such as listening to music, chatting with her roommate, or watching something funny online.
5:45 P.M
Dinner at the school is a daily highlight, and it's not hard to see why. JIS offers many options to suit every dietary requirement. Boarders have a dedicated dining hall for their meals outside of school hours, including breakfast, dinner, and weekend meals.
5:15 P.M
Beyond academics, Shreya actively participates in JIS's co-curricular activities (CCAs). With over 300 options, from the Borneo Project and Debate Club to Diving, Model UN, Masterchef, Fencing, and subject-specific clubs like Chinese and Chemistry, there's truly something for everyone.
This year, Shreya shone in the Senior Musical "We Will Rock You!" while also participating in boxing. "The musical helped me grow as a creative person," she says. "Working with my friends and the teachers involved to bring the musical to life was a time in my life that I will never forget."
Although she wanted to join more CCAs, she had to prioritise her academics as a Sixth Former. "So I joined the Math and Psychology support sessions," she says. "But I don’t regret taking them, as those sessions helped me improve my grade quite a lot."
3:00 P.M - 4:30 P.M
As an IB student, Shreya has many classes to attend. She is particularly passionate about Psychology and Music. The first is fascinating and relevant, especially given the increasing focus on mental health awareness in recent years. As for music, she finds it a form of expression and relaxation.
"I had the opportunity to record my own original song called ‘Learn to Love’ and share it during the school’s Annual Music Review," she says. "The song was even played on the local radio station - KRISTALfm — which I was really proud of.
7:30 A.M
Shreya's morning routine is short and snappy. She showers, has breakfast, and leaves for her classes.
6:30 A.M
A day in the life of a boarding student at JIS
Shreya's morning routine is short and snappy. She showers, has breakfast, and leaves for her classes.
6:30 A.M
As an IB student, Shreya has many classes to attend. She is particularly passionate about Psychology and Music. The first is fascinating and relevant, especially given the increasing focus on mental health awareness in recent years. As for music, she finds it a form of expression and relaxation.
"I had the opportunity to record my own original song called ‘Learn to Love’ and share it during the school’s Annual Music Review," she says. "The song was even played on the local radio station - KRISTALfm — which I was really proud of.
7:30 A.M
Beyond academics, Shreya actively participates in JIS's co-curricular activities (CCAs). With over 300 options, from the Borneo Project and Debate Club to Diving, Model UN, Masterchef, Fencing, and subject-specific clubs like Chinese and Chemistry, there's truly something for everyone.
This year, Shreya shone in the Senior Musical "We Will Rock You!" while also participating in boxing. "The musical helped me grow as a creative person," she says. "Working with my friends and the teachers involved to bring the musical to life was a time in my life that I will never forget."
Although she wanted to join more CCAs, she had to prioritise her academics as a Sixth Former. "So I joined the Math and Psychology support sessions," she says. "But I don’t regret taking them, as those sessions helped me improve my grade quite a lot."
3:00 P.M - 4:30 P.M
Balancing academic responsibilities with personal time is essential for Shreya. She ensures to set aside time each day for activities that help her relax and de-stress, such as listening to music, chatting with her roommate, or watching something funny online.
5:45 P.M
Dinner at the school is a daily highlight, and it's not hard to see why. JIS offers many options to suit every dietary requirement. Boarders have a dedicated dining hall for their meals outside of school hours, including breakfast, dinner, and weekend meals.
5:15 P.M
Understanding that a well-rested mind and body are crucial for success, Shreya ensures that she gets enough sleep each night. She knows that without it, she won't be able to bring her full energy and focus to her studies at JIS.
9:00 P.M
Roll call/ briefing, study time.
7:00 PM
Balancing academic responsibilities with personal time is essential for Shreya. She ensures to set aside time each day for activities that help her relax and de-stress, such as listening to music, chatting with her roommate, or watching something funny online
6:30 A.M WAKE UP
Understanding that a well-rested mind and body are crucial for success, Shreya ensures that she gets enough sleep each night. She knows that without it, she won't be able to bring her full energy and focus to her studies at JIS.
7:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M CLASSES
6 AM
7 AM
8 AM
9 AM
10 AM
11 AM
12:00 - 2:00 PM
3 PM
4 PM
5 PM
5:30 PM
6 PM
6:30 PM
7 PM
7:30 PM
8 PM
8:30 PM
9:30 PM
9 PM
Shreya's morning routine is short and snappy. She showers, has breakfast, and leaves for her classes.
6.30A.M
As an IB student, Shreya has many classes to attend. She is particularly passionate about Psychology and Music. The first is fascinating and relevant, especially given the increasing focus on mental health awareness in recent years. As for music, she finds it a form of expression and relaxation.
"I had the opportunity to record my own original song called ‘Learn to Love’ and share it during the school’s Annual Music Review," she says. "The song was even played on the local radio station - KRISTALfm — which I was really proud of."
7.30 A.M
Beyond academics, Shreya actively participates in JIS's co-curricular activities (CCAs). With over 300 options, from the Borneo Project and Debate Club to Diving, Model UN, Masterchef, Fencing, and subject-specific clubs like Chinese and Chemistry, there's truly something for everyone.
This year, Shreya shone in the Senior Musical "We Will Rock You!" while also participating in boxing. "The musical helped me grow as a creative person," she says. "Working with my friends and the teachers involved to bring the musical to life was a time in my life that I will never forget."
Although she wanted to join more CCAs, she had to prioritise her academics as a Sixth Former. "So I joined the Math and Psychology support sessions," she says. "But I don’t regret taking them, as those sessions helped me improve my grade quite a lot."
3.00 P.M
Balancing academic responsibilities with personal time is essential for Shreya. She ensures to set aside time each day for activities that help her relax and de-stress, such as listening to music, chatting with her roommate, or watching something funny online.
5:45 PM
Rollcall/Briefing
6:25 PM
Understanding that a well-rested mind and body are crucial for success, Shreya ensures that she gets enough sleep each night. She knows that without it, she won't be able to bring her full energy and focus to her studies at JIS.
9.30 P.M
Get ready for next day
9:00 PM
Dinner at the school is a daily highlight, and it's not hard to see why. JIS offers many options to suit every dietary requirement. Boarders have a dedicated dining hall for their meals outside of school hours, including breakfast, dinner, and weekend meals.
5:15 PM
Study time
7:00 PM