A learning and co-working space, The Bridge, is dedicated to sustainability, change-making, and personal growth. Sitting neatly within the School’s mission of being A Community of Learners, Making Our World Sustainable, the vision for The Bridge, was to add another element to the School’s ecosystem of learning and learners. Students, local neighbours, visiting educators, tour guests, staff, teachers and parents make-up a vibrant community of learners. With programs, projects and places to connect, evolving for all.

Green School parents attend the talk at the Bridge

“Parents send their kids to Green School and then say, ‘I wish I could have gone a to a school like this,’” says Carol Da Riva, Manager of The Bridge.

Green School Bali, by design, is a place that stimulates the senses. Immersed in nature, with intentional architecture that supports ‘out of the box’ thinking, the campus and the culture of the School is fresh and entrepreneurial. The Bridge allows parents to tap into the energy of the School and the intentional design of the campus to activate their own personal passion projects, professional and personal learning and enterprise initiatives.

In typical Green School fashion, Carol and her team recycled a trash recycling center to build The Bridge. They sourced bamboo and other materials for sustainable furniture. Now, parents hold meetings while sitting on couches upholstered with upcycled jeans. They type away on chairs and tables made from used tires; and they read under mason jar light fixtures.

Carol Da Riva, Manager of the Bridge, with her team.

“There’s a professional atmosphere in a beautiful space that is insulated from the other activities around the school campus,” says Chris Thompson, a parent to two Green School students, former Director and, General Manager of Green School, and former director of Hubud, co-working space in Ubud.

“This is a safe space to explore new ideas,” says Chris. “It’s a place where parents can look for ways to help the world, or they can pivot in their careers to something that appeals to the heart and the head and they’ll have a network to support them, to coach them, and to challenge them.

Chris Thompson, a Green School parent, former Director and, General Manager of Green School, and former director of Hubud, co-working space in Ubud.

With a community that represents 35 different nationalities and a vast array of professional, artistic and entrepreneurial talent residing in the School’s parent body, the opportunity to workshop ideas and projects to peers is rich and rewarding.  

“We facilitate synchronicity,” says Ibu Carol, which echoes the magic behind MIT’s infamous Building 20, where informal chats between engineers, economists, and linguists incubated some of the 20th centuries most notable ideas. “Listening to different thoughts and solutions from somebody who thinks in a different way from you and then adding those into your own life is true learning.”   

The Bridge’s network of accomplished professionals working side-by-side, encouraging new endeavors, and helping each other is only one way The Bridge differs from other co-working spaces in Bali. Yes, it satisfies the paradoxical desire to work independently while also enjoying the company of colleagues, but it provides much more than just a fast Internet connection and guidance on setting up a business.

Talks and workshops at the Bridge explore a various topic of interests

Learning is what’s paramount at The Bridge.  Daily talks, workshops, and projects are open to the entire community.  People can explore new interests, learn new skills, and challenge themselves to become changemakers. Offerings align with Green School’s compass model, where each value corresponds to a cardinal direction—Nature, Economics, Society, and Wellness. Talks may focus on techniques to bring the principles of permaculture into your life, how to promote joy through cooking and eating, or how to bridge the cultural divide between the International and Balinese communities.

In the one month since The Bridge has opened, it’s near capacity, at 90 memberships. , but looking to keep growing. “The place is abuzz with energy and the sense of possibility,” says Chris Thompson. “That’s what happens when you start to look for meaning in how you spend your time and energy.”

Learn more about the Bridge here: http://thebridge.www.greenschool.org/

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We are looking forward to welcoming new families in January. Please spread the word and encourage your friends and colleagues to attend our weekly webinars to learn more about Green School. With the completion of our new buildings, we have more seats available in Primary School.

Prospective families interested to attend our Weekly Webinar  are encouraged to sign up. Lastly, watch below, a video we made a couple of months ago about our new primary school classrooms.

Related News:

Back to school with the new Green School classrooms

A praying mantis, a grasshopper and an ant walk into a school

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Sweania with GS Art Teacher, Jen Buchanan, who is supporting her in Perth next month

I am Sweania Betzeba Delisa and this is my story: I am 15 years old Indonesian athlete, from Kerobokan, Bali in Indonesia.  I have loved swimming ever since I was 2 years old. We have a simple family life and I’m currently living with my dad and sister. My dad is a musician and because of this I was lucky to be able to go to school at 3 years of age because my father became the music teacher in the children’s school where I got enrolled in. This is where he met my step mom, Mama Asih.

Mama Asih mom was very supportive for my swimming quest and I really wanted to become an athlete since I was 7 years old. I knew it was impossible because my parents cannot afford the expenses for the training but with my step mom’s help and my cousin Billy’s efforts in coaching me since that time, I became a child athlete at 9 years of age. This is when trainers named Rizal and Andy discovered my potential. They invited me to join their swimming club and I practiced with them together with other members – who became my good friends.

Sometimes there have been hardships and it was embarrassing not having much, like when I lost my new goggles from the giant waves! I cried a lot thinking that I could never buy another one. To my surprise, my friend Mega, generously bought me even better swimming goggles in time for my very first national swimming competition!

My swimming performance progresses from one medal to another until I have to compete outside of Bali on board a truck because obviously, we can’t afford air fares! This happened repeatedly but I really did not mind – and the time has come to bring honour to Indonesia by competing in the International arena. Of course, I cannot get to another country without boarding a plane.

Ready To Take On The World

For a while I kept having recurring knee injuries.  We met a Korean doctor and I was able to get the treatment for free. He said I was actually injured due to lack of nutrition. The Bali Aqua Stars team came to know about it and helped me with my diet. I was cured.

Just when my swimming career took off, one of the saddest event in my life happened. Mama Asih suddenly died because of heart attack. Mama Asih had been very supportive to me and I can’t be who am I now without her help. She loved me very much and she worked very hard to get me through my swimming competitions. Even after her teaching retirement, she did a small buying and selling business just to pay my financial needs. She would even sell her personal stuff just for a ticket to a swimming pool!  I was able to practice swimming everyday because of her sacrifice.

No matter how difficult it was to lose my greatest supporter, I still want to continue to chase my dreams on a higher lever. This will be my tribute to Mama Asih for being there for me from the start of my career to the national and international competitions that I was able to participate in. I did not know how hard it was for her to accompany me to my workouts with her illness – but I will not put her determination into waste. I know, that she is still with us in spirit as I continue living life to the fullest with my father and sister. I kind of remember the times when I did not have a mom around – and it seems like it’s happening again but Mama Asih’s example will always be in my heart and thoughts. To live without her is really unimaginable.

Soon after Mama Asih’s demise, my grandfather who is always keeping me updated with swimming competitions happening here and overseas also died. This was another painful event in my life but despite of that, I struggled to make him and Mama Asih my inspirations because they are my heroes! It is enough for me thinking that they are happy for me – wherever they are now.

Soon my luck changed when I met a Yoga and Surfing coach called Nadi. I went on to win a number of gold medals in competitions in Jakarta.  By 2013 I was beginning to get some sponsorship but I needed more support from my school. I really wanted at an international school but my parents had no money.

I also began competing in triathlons but there was no way I could win because I only had a mountain bike. A Singaporean woman called, Joni Wong, came to the rescue with a bike and soon SOLEMEN found out about me and became a sponsor. I became a winner in category under 19^th at Bali International Triathlon.

Competing in Triathlon

In 2014, I got many places in Acquathon and Ironman events with the help of the Chieppa family, but then came the help I needed more than anything.  The Conradson Family from Queensland gave me the contact I needed to come to Green School.

I am a now a local scholar at Green School so I finally have the support to get a good education while I swim.

Woooww … It is now 2015 and I realise a lot has happened in the past few years. Sometimes life feels like it is just about problems and the sad things that have happened but Green School has brought so much fun into my life.

So my goal in 2015 is to work more hard to get more achievements. Thanks to some of the Green School teachers and the Green School, who are sponsoring me, I am going to get to represent Asia and race the Australian swimmers at the All Stars Challenge in April.  For this, I’m very grateful. Big thanks to Jen Buchanan and her family. The parents of Ibu Jen, The Green School art teacher, are going to be my family for 3 days in Perth, Australia.

I am happy this dream become true.

Sweania’s dream comes true at GS

The post Local Scholar Swims Into The World appeared first on Green School Bali.

IT is not only students that come to learn here at the Green School. A number of Green School parents were recently privy to a talk by Laura-Doe Harris on how to talk to children about sex.

Her informative, tips-based approach covered more than the basic how, why and when to talk with children about sexuality, but also went into detail on how handle issues such as sexism in the media and internet porn.

Laura Doe has decades of experience as a sex-educator and throughout the presentation she reiterated that parents truly are one of the biggest influences on how children perceive sexuality and how this then influences their later sexual experiences.

In this light, it was made clear that having honest yet age appropriate conversations from an early age onwards is a protective measure and not a sexualizing act. As Laura puts it: “it is silence that is truly dangerous”.

Parents left motivated and encouraged, full of know-how on how to better continue (or perhaps begin) their own conversations with their children regarding sex and sexuality.

*     *     *

Below is an extract from Laura’s presentation:

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By Coralie Tyler

I’ve been watching America’s Next Top Model since I was a little girl. To me it was amazing, electrifying and intriguing. But my absolute favourite part of each show were the parts which featured Tyra Banks.

I also remember watching some of the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion shows with her featured in them. Every time she appeared on the screen, she was dominant, commanding, beautiful and charismatic. I thought she was awesome. I thought she was the Queen of theGlamazons.

So when I was told that I’d get to tour the school with Tyra, I was super excited.

When I initially saw Tyra, I thought I was dreaming. My fan-girling was spilling over into
my normal demeanor, while my inner child was repeatedly gasping. I couldn’t believe it. She was actually there.

Thankfully, I wasn’t the only one mentally pulling myself together in the middle of my star struck moment. Everyone was gasping and geeking out as they were pulling out their cameras. You could hear random camera flicks and gasping and witness camera flashes as she arrived.

America’s Next Top Model, Tyra, joined Green School’s parent and board member, Nadya Hutagulung – formerly the host of Asia’s Next Top Model, for the tour (front right)

During the notably female-dominant tour, everyone wanted to stand next to her and ask her every question that flew across our minds. We all spoke, we all chatted and we all laughed with her.

At one point, she spoke about her modeling career in Paris and her venture into television production with her show. It was inspiring to hear her story. Tyra really worked her bum off to be the woman she is today.

Tyra was sweet and friendly and mellow and laid-back and also pretty funny at times. Every time one of us had to leave, she always hugged us goodbye.

As she answered my questions, I could feel my eyes glimmer like those of an anime character. At some point during the tour, we stopped by the classroom where the Kul-Kul connection holds its afterschool English classes. One of my friends was teaching in the classroom. I waved at her and she waved back. Tyra also waved at her. As my friend waved back, you could see the same “sparkle” I could feel in my eyes earlier.

At the end of the tour, Tyra had a mini “editorial” with the remains of the tour (including myself). It was awesome.

As she left, I still felt as if it was an unbelievable dream. In fact, I’m still figuring out the realism of the experience as I’m writing this article and it might just continue as you read this sentence.

The post Banking on Tyra appeared first on Green School Bali.

By Sophie Moeller

Ripcurl Global’s Chief Executive, The editor of Surftime Magazine, a National Geographic photographer, a prominent Australian surfboard shaper, 16 Green School kids and a bunch of their parents and teachers, what’s not to love about a surfing trip to G-Land, Java, with a crew like that?

The crew in their Ripcurl tees supplied by CEO, Pete Matthews, bottom right

It was daybreak when we boarded the G-Land Explorer for the two and a half hour high speed boat trip to Grajagan National Park in Java, home to one of the top 10 surf breaks on the planet.

Our surfboards had gone ahead the day before and would be waiting for us at Joyo’s Surf Camp situated right in front of the infamous reef.

As we approached Kongs, the deepest and biggest of the surf spot’s four breaks, and then Money-trees, Speedies and Launchpad there was a collective “Okay got it; this place IS epic” process going on within the boat.

The energy coming off the ocean as the waves pulled like threads across the reef was palpable. And we were only looking at them from behind.

The sight was nothing new to Pete Matthews, Ripcurl’s leading man in Asia, but none of us really knew how the concept for the long weekend was going to work out.

The high school Wave Academy kids were going to transform his Ripcurl blank into a ridable board by long weekend’s end.

Elle and Lily prepare the blank

The school’s beloved music teacher, Paul Davidson, had been hatching a plan to get his mate, Glen Mcneil in Australia, to come over and teach the kids how to shape the boards since the beginning of the year.

Freelance photographer, Tom Shultz, was now with us to record how it was done. A day later, Matt George, arrived to inspire our kids to come up with the words for a Surftime Magazine feature article on the process.

Hello! When does that ever happen in real life at school?

Well, it did happen. Our high school surfers made the board and under the tutelage of Matt George, the whole group will have their story published in the January edition of Surftime.

The school’s surf program has built up to a whole new level says Colin Cuit, Green School’s sports teacher and surf coach.

The Wave Academy has been giving surfing lessons to the students for three years now and is a popular option for the Jalan Jalan off-site programme, run by the school on Wednesdays.

This year, the school has ramped up its surfing option a notch with the start of The High Performance sessions, which offers surfing four mornings a week with advice, coaching and guidance, to an elite group, who return to school to take part in the proficiency and thematic frames of the curriculum from recess each day.

High Performance surfer, Fin O’Shea

High Performance surfer, Wilfred Stewart

High Performance surfer, Josh

high performance surfer, Kai Young Lee

So it was a super keen bunch who rocked up at Joyos at 8am that first morning. By 9am the advanced surfers were taking on the reef break. For those not up to the undulating deep sea conditions, there was a convoy of trucks to take them to the intermediate break 20 mins north on the edge of the jungle at Tiger Tracks. The name needs no explanation. There are said to by tigers in the Grajagan National Park to this day. We took their word for it.

Tiger Tracks would offer up perfect swell for the majority of the kids over the next two days, while the dads and a handful of the GS teaching fraternity beat their chests alongside Peter Matthews back at Kongs.

A sunset fell on day two, the younger GS kids went out on the boat to get a taste of the midnight blue and smokey orange horizon that came into play at dusk out there in the ocean. The swell had picked up considerably and the “whoop whoops” were the only cries heard above the rumble of the waves that evening.

There was no one from the Green School group that evening not living utterly in the moment. Every sense was fresh and alive and experiencing something unique.

Sitting out the back of Kongs on the Gland Explorer speed boat watching Green School’s Carolina de Riva on her stand up paddle board seizing up the undulating moving carpet soon to form into a 10 foot wave was a truly and OMG memory.

“This woman is something else,” I thought to myself and then I noticed that even this experienced surfer girl was, excuse the pun “out of her depth.”

Within moments she had paddled back to the boat, where I was taking photos, and put her board back on the boat.

“There was no way, “ she said, “I gotta get back to Moneytrees, that’s too big.”

My heart was pumping as we sped away from the impact zone towards the other equally famous, but closer to shore wave, that constitutes one of G Lands four legendary breaks.

In that adrenalin filled moment, I got it, I had come away with the Green School surfers to somewhere really special, powerful; no wonder this surfing experience is the stuff of legends.

This is one cool jungle. More wild than the jungle surrounding Green School but just as distinctively Indonesian.

Surfer Girls

There were no late nights in G Land, everyone was too exhausted after a full day of exertion and exposure. What was wonderful was how the non-adult group, ranging in age from 2 to 17, all just jelled and enjoyed each other’s company.

Another highlight took place when the shaping began. Glen Mcneil comes from Crescent Head, on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. He’s been passionately making his custom GMS surfboards for local and visiting surfers for the past 30 years.

Glen Mcneil showing how it is done

Publicity shy Mcneil, shapes for Ellie Coffee, who is currently on the world circuit, but he is from the old school of surfboard making where everything was done by hand – a dying art form in the era of machine-made shaped boards.

The kids were utterly engaged as he took them through the process and an honor indeed to have giants of the surfing world, Pete Matthews and Matt George, looking on, not to mention having the process photographically documented by Tommy Shultz.

If making their own surfboard was not enough, the kids were then given a master class by George on how it you could describe the process in words.

“Surfers are a species on earth, a new species and we are equipped with skills you would not believe,” he told the kids.

“You are learning the noble art, of building surfboards in the jungle. You should be proud you have joined an elite group of people in this new world.”

Matt George and his master class

proudly showing off the finished product before it lets rip in the surf

“I am here to help you discover your voice…explain yourself to the world…create your own world…the way you treat people is the way the world is going to treat you…take charge of yourself…dream by day,” were George’s messages.

George dresses as a sort of surfing white samurai. Son of a navy pilot and school teacher, George was a pro-surfer in the 80s, has written and edited for most of the major surf mags in the world and, latterly, describes himself as a hard-core aid worker having surfed 15 jet-skis down Bourbon Street in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, not to mention delivered babies post the tsunami in the Phillipines as well as aid after the 2013 floods in Pakistan.

He’s also made a Hollywood movie, In God’s Hands. George described Surftime Magazine to the kids as as the voice of Indonesia. Amazing to think, with the help of Ripcurl, we were going to be contributing to it.

It might have started with a blank but look out for the colorful canvas our kids will have painted when their edition Surftime hit the stands.

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