July 09, 2025

Andrea Downie: How do we design school systems that prioritise people and wellbeing?

49 minutes

Andrea Downie is a systems leader, educator, and wellbeing expert who has worked collaboratively with hundreds of schools and organisations around the world on the application of wellbeing science, education redesign and systems leadership. Andrea is currently the Head of Wellbeing on the Board of Executive at British School Jakarta and also an Honorary Fellow of the Centre for Wellbeing Science at the University of Melbourne.

Andrea was the co-founder of Project Thrive®. An organisation started in Australia focusing on systems and wellbeing science design, and has been invited to share her work as a keynote speaker at conferences across 5 continents.

Previously, Andrea has taught and held leadership positions in primary education, consulted in secondary schools, taught and guest lectured in tertiary education, worked in TAFE education systems, across all sectors: state, private and independent. Her 18 years of experience in education spans the international system. Her experience, knowledge and action research has given her insight into some of education's greatest strengths and, importantly, opportunities for growth.

She has implemented long term theory of change processes with well over 100 education leaders and designed, facilitated and hosted numerous overseas immersions with principals. Her work with leaders and schools has been published to provide school networks, local and state governments with key principles and processes for developing wellbeing and educational capabilities across communities.

Her on-the-ground experience teaching in both primary schools and at a university level, along with previously held leadership positions in wellbeing, learning enhancement, technology, gifted education and as a deputy principal, has significantly shaped what she brings to education today. Andrea has also worked as a National Activation Manager in a Fortune 500 corporation and grew up in family businesses, giving her solid foundations and a strong understanding of the dynamic and complex nature of business operations.

Andrea is passionate about making education the best and most desirable system in the world, where wellbeing, authentic learning and personal growth for all students and staff are at the forefront.

Here are some of the wellbeing resources from British School Jakarta:

https://www.bsj.sch.id/wellbeing/defining-wellbeing#slide1

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By Mathew Green