Nurturing Future Leaders
Mike Miller was inspired to join the world of education while he was training new talent in the financial consultancy industry. He discovered a penchant for imparting knowledge and helping others grow and develop. Now, as the head of school for Bali Island School, he shares his thoughts on the educational system with Asia Dreams.
Q: Bali Island School prides itself on its IB diploma programme. How would you describe what the International Baccalaureate is?
A: The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a very rigorous but rewarding two-year high school programme that precedes university entrance. Students who embark on the full diploma programme choose six subjects that are matched to their prospective career path, and that they wish to study further at university. What sets the IBDP apart from other programmes offered by other organisations is that the IBDP takes a more holistic approach to student development. For example, students must also partake in Theory of Knowledge (ToK), Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) and, finally, the Extended Essay (EE). It is widely accepted that because of these additional areas of study over and above the six academic subject areas that IBDP students are the best prepared for university studies.
Q: How familiar are you with the educational system in Indonesia and what do you think about it? Is there room for improvement?
A: I am new to Indonesia and Bali but have learned a lot about the Indonesian education system through close collaboration with my SPK (Satuan Pendidikan Kerjasama) Principal, Yunita. I’m aware that the Indonesian Education Minister, Nadiem Makariem, has just launched a new Independent Curriculum in February 2022 as part of Program Merdeka Belajar in Indonesia. I believe the curriculum focuses more on a student-centred approach, essential learning material and to the development of students’ character.
Schools also have authority in developing this curriculum and learning in accordance with the needs of the students. Learning is also carried out through project activities, while in the previous national curriculum, schools did not implement project-based learning. I believe this approach can provide broader opportunities for students to explore many different things to enrich and enhance their learning, and at the same time, provides a more empowered experience. So, for me, this is definitely a well-informed and astute decision designed to move Indonesian education forward.
Q: What is the most memorable/rewarding moment in your career?
A: For me, perhaps the most rewarding moment has been seeing the grit, determination, resilience and fight that students from all around the world put up during the pandemic. No one and nothing was going to take away their right to an education and their chosen career path. As an example, last year’s cohort at BIS graduated with an average of 34.19 points, with the world average being 32.00. Additionally, one of our students scored a perfect 45 out of 45 points. An incredible feat during online learning!
Q: What makes Bali an ideal (if not the best) place to raise a child?
A: For me, Bali is truly a majestic island with a plethora of activities to keep every child happy and stimulated. The climate obviously helps, in that you can spend a lot of time engaging in outdoor activities. In a world that is increasingly dependent on social media and tends to now spend more time indoors, this is a major plus point. The culture is rich, steeped in history, and the island is a very safe place to live. Due to the diversity of people living in Bali, children are provided with the chance to not only learn about local culture, but the cultures of other representative countries. The ability to learn from others and appreciate differing perspectives is a golden opportunity for children living here in Bali.
Q: As the Head of School of Bali Island School, you are the captain of the ship. What does it take to lead and inspire your students?
A: Being the leader of a school means that you are continually under the spotlight, 24/7, and constantly responsible. Therefore, being cognizant of this responsibility means that I have to model best practice and behaviour all the time. By this, I mean how I talk to people, how I respond, how I dress, how I treat my community. In other words, doing the right thing at all times will in itself inspire students. Being an inspirational leader is about serving the needs of others, not your own, and my leadership philosophy revolves around a quote from Ghandi who was quoted as saying, “The mark of a good leader is not how many followers you have, but how many leaders you create.” I try to continually inspire others by serving them and leading by example. I hope that I can inspire others to enter into leadership and serve others.
Bali Island School
