Dear Parents

I hope you have had a good week and enjoyed hearing about the students on EOTC this week. These opportunities support children to develop resilience, build new friendships and appreciate what they have. There have been so many opportunities during the week for the students to participate in service as action and become advocates for others. From teaching a class to learning about hydroponic cultivation, from trying out klangsah to building tents there has been ample opportunity for all students to learn more about their capabilities. As well as trying new things and developing new skills our students have been able to appreciate more of Bali. 

Bali is a truly beautiful place and we can all do our part to keep it that way. The recent restaurant fire in Seminyak has highlighted the problems of “helium or floating balloons”. Many of these are filled with hydrogen not helium and are highly explosive and therefore very dangerous. As such we will not be using these at any school events and kindly request that you do not bring them onto campus for birthdays or any other occasions. Unfortunately there are no safe alternatives to helium so please don’t take the risk with your children and families. 

Whilst campus has been quiet without Grades 4-12 the learning has been continuing. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for a great first month. It is never easy navigating change and they have coped admirably with a new timetable, new leadership and new procedures. Acting in loco parentis during trips is a huge responsibility and I am proud to be part of a community that still values these opportunities and sees staff volunteer their time beyond school hours. If you think back to your own school days, you probably do not remember the text books and lessons but you do remember the kindness of specific teachers! 

We hope your children share their week with you and are able to reflect on what they have experienced and feel about their time away. True social and emotional growth is not about listing the experiences, it shapes how we view ourselves, connect with others, and handle life's challenges. So once your child is clean and fed, open the conversation differently, move away from “what did you do?” to “how did you help someone else on the trip?”, “tell me about a moment you felt brave”, or “what advice would you give a student going on this trip next year?”. Children can be incredibly insightful when asked the right questions. 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend

Best wishes

Dr Heather

Head of School

Newsletter Feedback

We changed the format of our newsletter this year and we would be keen to hear about your experience and to receive your feedback. We want to make sure the newsletter serves your needs.  Please take a couple of minutes to complete this survey. 

Many thanks 

Dr Heather

Calendar Reminder
Please note Friday 11th September is a Professional Development day for staff. School will not be open for students. School reopens to students on Monday 14th September. 

Message from HR 

Bali International Hospital (BIH) to provide healthcare benefits for our entire school community!

Through this collaboration, all teachers, staff, and family members of registered Bali Island School students are eligible for a special 10% discount on total treatment costs at Bali International Hospital.

Discount Terms & Conditions:

• Main Requirement: Must present an active, official ID card issued by Bali Island School upon registration.

• Exclusions: The 10% discount does not apply to doctor fees, consignment items (such as implants and single-use medical devices), blood transfusions, or payments settled using insurance coverage.

We hope this partnership provides convenience and added health benefits to our entire Bali Island School family.

Sanur, September 2026

40 Years of BIS — and Still Growing Together

Happy 40th Anniversary, Bali Island School! 

This year is a very special one for all of us at BIS as we celebrate 40 years since the school first opened its doors in 1986.

BIS started with a small community, a small group of students and teachers, and a big vision for international education in Bali. Over the years, the school has continued to grow and change. More families have joined our community, our programmes and facilities have developed, and generations of students have passed through our doors.

Dear Parents, Caregivers, and Educators,

Living in a close-knit international school community on an island offers our children unique gifts: strong bonds, intercultural experiences, and a beautiful environment to grow up in. At the same time, navigating adolescence in an overseas environment can bring distinct challenges. Transitions, distance from extended family, academic pressures, and the complex process of self-discovery can sometimes weigh heavily on our young people.

As a community, one of the most powerful things we can do for our teenagers is to create a culture of psychological safety, a culture where no student feels alone, and where asking for help is recognized as a brave, normal part of growing up.

September is a crucial time across the globe to reflect on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness. However, effective prevention isn't a one-off campaign; it is an ongoing, everyday commitment to connection, active listening, and community care. 

Understanding the Teen Mind: The Power of Connection

During adolescence, the brain undergoes massive restructuring. Teenagers feel emotions intensely, seek independence, and are deeply sensitive to social dynamics. When facing overwhelming stress, loss, or feelings of isolation, young people don't always have the developmental tools to see beyond their current distress.

Suicide prevention in schools isn't just about crisis intervention; it begins long before a crisis occurs. It starts by building Self-Awareness, Emotional Regulation, and Strong Relational Networks. Research consistently shows that having even one trusted adult, a parent, teacher, counselor, or coach who listens without immediate judgment can be a life-saving protective factor for a young person.

What We Can Do as a Community

1. Break the Silence and Normalize Hard Conversations

Talking openly about mental health and suicide does not put ideas into a teenager's head. In fact, it does the exact opposite: it lowers anxiety, reduces shame, and opens the door for a struggling teenager to say, "I am not okay."

2. Watch for Subtle Changes in Behavior

Distress in teenagers doesn't always look like sadness. It can manifest as:

• • Sudden withdrawal from friends, sports, or family activities.

  • Drastic changes in sleep, eating habits, or academic effort.

  • Uncharacteristic irritability, risk-taking, or sudden emotional outbursts.

  • Statements of hopelessness or feeling like a "burden" to others.

3. Practice Active, Non-Judgmental Listening

When a teenager expresses deep distress or frustration, our natural instinct as adults is often to fix the problem immediately or give optimistic advice. Often, what they need most first is validation: "I hear how hard this is for you right now, and I am here with you."

4. Strengthen Our Safety Net Together

Educators, parents, and school support staff must work in partnership. If you notice a change in your child or one of their peers at home, reach out to our Wellbeing Team. If we notice changes at school, we will reach out to you. Prevention works best when the home and school environments are in continuous, open dialogue.

Our School Commitment

At our school, the emotional well-being and safety of our students is at the heart of everything we do. Through our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, 1:1 counseling support, and restorative community spaces, we are dedicated to ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and supported. 

We encourage you to take time this week to check in with your teenagers not about their grades or homework, but simply about how their heart and mind are feeling. 

Together, we can ensure that every young person in our island community knows that no matter how dark a moment may seem, there is always support, hope, and a community ready to walk alongside them. 

Carla Ramírez

K-G8 / SEL & Wellbeing Counselor 

cramirez@baliis.net

For parents and educators who want more information, please follow the links to trusted suicide-prevention resources included: 

Emergency: 

BIMC Hospital Sanur (24/7 Medical & Emergency Services): Located right in Sanur for immediate medical or psychiatric crisis evaluation.

Emergency Call: +62 361 761263 / +62 361 271168

Our local crisis helpline:

https://bisahelpline.org/about-us-2/ 

Trusted Reading & Guides for Parents & Educators:

Child Mind Institute: Suicide Prevention & Warning Signs: Practical, evidence-based guides on how to talk to adolescents about mental health and recognize distress.

https://childmind.org/ 

The Trevor Project: Resources for Youth Wellbeing: Comprehensive tools for parents on building supportive environments and emotional safety for teens.

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/