Telunas Island MS Festival

At an ISTA festival, creative work is shaped through the connection of ideas, place, and practice, guided by the ISTA Ensemble Method and Festival Framework.

Each festival is connected through a shared Global Challenge. For 2026–2027, Rooted & Reimagined invites young people to explore how we honour the roots that shape us while imagining new futures.

At Telunas, students live and work together throughout the experience, allowing ideas to develop continuously across the day in response to their surroundings, their ensemble, and the evolving creative process.

Working as an ensemble, students respond to this provocation through a guiding story that shapes their creative exploration. They learn with and from one another, testing ideas in practice, reflecting, and refining their work as it develops.

This process influences what is made, how ensembles collaborate, and how ideas are expressed, resulting in a learning experience that is creative, connected, and deeply human, fostering confidence and a stronger sense of self and others.

Each ISTA festival includes a shared cultural experience that connects students to the host location and provides real-world inspiration for the work they create together.

At Telunas, this experience is lived continuously rather than experienced as a single visit or excursion. From the moment students begin their journey to the island, they are immersed in the environment that surrounds them.

The island becomes part of the creative process, where the rhythm of the waves, the movement of the wind, and the sounds of the surrounding landscape shape what students create. These are not observed from a distance but encountered directly, shaping how students respond, collaborate, and develop their work.

Through this experience, learners develop a strong sense of place and connection.

Take a look at this beautiful island festival location:

About the Telunas Centre

The Telunas Centre is an experienced outdoor education provider that works with international schools to deliver residential learning experiences in Indonesia. Their team has supported school groups for many years, with a strong focus on safety, care, and meaningful learning.

Learn more about their programmes here: www.telunascenter.com

ISTA festivals are led by a diverse team of professional artists from around the world, including theatre-makers, performers, directors, and educators. They bring a wide range of cultural perspectives and creative practices, guiding students through the process of making original work. As facilitators, they support, challenge, and inspire each ensemble, helping young people develop their ideas, take creative risks, and shape work that is unique to their experience.

Artist teams are shared in the event Information Pack, which is sent to participating schools in the lead-up to the event.

While students take part in the festival, accompanying educators engage in a dedicated specialist workshop led by one of the ISTA artists. This session supports their own professional development, offering time to explore theatre practice, reconnect with creative process, and take away practical ideas for the classroom or rehearsal space. Workshop leader and session information will be confirmed closer to the event.

Educators also take part in a collaborative session focused on sharing practice, ideas, and resources, creating space for dialogue and exchange within a global community of arts educators.

Booking secures a place at an ISTA Festival event by estimating the number of participants and paying a deposit.

Registration finalises participant details, ensuring accurate event planning, catering, and transportation.

Click here for a helpful guide on how ISTA’s booking and registration work.

Booking

Opens: 9:00 am UK time on Thursday 30 April 2026 for members and Monday 1 June 2026 for non-members.

Closes: 11:59 pm UK time on Thursday 12 November 2026.

Before booking, ensure your trip is viable by checking:

• Travel restrictions and visa requirements
• Parental approvals
• School authorisation

At the time of booking, organisations must provide:

• Total number of students
• Total number of educators
• Lead educator chaperone contact details

Please review the ISTA Event Terms & Conditions, including cancellation policies, before booking.

Note: Each school group may register up to 3 chaperones. This is due to accommodation capacity at Telunas Island Beach Resort.

Deposit & Confirmation

Upon booking, you will receive an invoice for a 50% deposit based on the number of students booked. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable and secures your reservation. Bookings are fully confirmed once the deposit is received within 30 days.

Bookings are made through an ISTA website account. Your booking confirmation and registration link will appear in the profile of the person who submitted the booking. If a colleague booked on your behalf, the registration form may sit under their account.

Invoices are sent to the email address provided at the time of booking. Your place is reserved, subject to payment in line with our booking terms.

If you need to make changes to your booking, please email booking@istaglobal.org.

Registration

Opens: 9:00 am UK time on Thursday 30 April 2026 and Monday 1 June 2026 for non-members.

Closes: 11:59 pm UK time on Thursday 19 November 2026.

Once registration opens, schools that have confirmed their students should register as soon as possible. All registrations must be completed by Thursday 19 November 2026 to finalise event logistics.

At the time of registration, organisations must provide:

• Finalised participant details
• Travel information

Changes in Student Numbers

Student numbers may change between the original booking and final registration. If your numbers change, please inform the Event Manager as soon as possible so we can adjust event planning accordingly.

ISTA plans each event based on the numbers provided at the time of booking. This includes scheduling artists, securing tickets for the cultural experience, and allocating places for other schools. Early updates allow us to manage availability and offer spaces where possible.

Final participant numbers must be confirmed during registration. Changes in numbers may affect deposits and final invoices. Please see the Payment Process section for full details.

Waitlist

If the event reaches capacity, it will be marked “Waitlist”. If you wish to be added to the waitlist:

1. Click the Waitlist button on the event page
2. Enter the requested information
3. Spaces will be offered in the order in which waitlist requests are received.

ISTA festivals follow a two-step automated payment process:

Step 1: Deposit Payment at Booking

• Upon booking, you will be required to pay a 50% deposit immediately.
• This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable and confirms your reservation.
• Bookings will only be secured once the deposit payment is successfully processed.

All payments and cancellations are subject to ISTA Event Terms & Conditions.

Step 2: Remaining Balance Upon Registration Closure

• Once registration closes, organisations will be automatically invoiced for the remaining 50% of registration fees, plus any applicable surcharges, based on the final number of students registered.

Changes in Student Numbers

• Fewer students than booked: Deposits for students who do not attend will be forfeited. (e.g. If you book 15 students but only 10 attend, the deposit for the 5 who do not attend will not be refunded.)
• Additional students: A 50% deposit per added student will be invoiced at the time of the increase.

On-Site Festival Schedule (on Telunas Island)

• Start: 4:00pm Thursday 28 January 2027
• End: 1:30pm Sunday 31 January 2027

Please note: This schedule reflects the on-island festival programme only. Travel to and from Telunas is coordinated as a group via Singapore and is based on fixed ferry and boat schedules.

Important:

• The festival is designed as a complete experience. Participants are expected to attend in full, from arrival in Singapore through to final departure.
• All travel to and from Telunas is coordinated around group transfers. Travel plans must align with the full festival programme.
• Overseas participants must arrive in Singapore the day before the festival begins in order to join the scheduled transfer to the island. Late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
• At the end of the festival, all participants return to Singapore together. This journey may be affected by weather conditions, so schools must allow sufficient time when booking onward travel and avoid tight connections.
• Early departures from the island are not possible.

Exception:

Schools that have arranged additional experience days directly with the Telunas Centre may organise travel separately from the festival’s group schedule. Additional experience days must be arranged in advance. Please see the Add-on Experiences section for more details.

Please refer to the Travel Information below before booking travel.

Click here to explore a sample ISTA Telunas Festival Schedule

Buffet Style Meals

All meals and snacks from arrival on Thursday evening through departure on Sunday afternoon are provided at the venue.

Balanced meals will be served three times daily during the event.

Telunas staff can accommodate dietary requirements and allergies, but these must be communicated in advance during registration.

Please note that Telunas is a remote island location. Dietary requests made on arrival cannot be guaranteed.

Packing List

A detailed packing list is available here.

Information Pack

A detailed digital programme will be shared two weeks prior to the event, outlining schedules, artist biographies, and key event information.

Important Communication Information

ISTA business days are Monday to Friday, and we aim to respond to all emails within three business days.

ISTA staff do not monitor emails on weekends (Saturday & Sunday) or public holidays. If a staff member is working at an event, response times may be longer than usual.

Travel FAQs

How does travel to Telunas work?

All participants travel together as a group from Singapore to Telunas via ferry. This travel is coordinated by ISTA and is included in the festival fees.

The only exception is for schools that have arranged additional experience days directly with the Telunas Centre.

Do we need to stay overnight in Singapore?

All overseas participants must arrive in Singapore the evening before the festival begins in order to join the group transfer the following day.

Can participants leave early or arrive late?

For participants attending the festival only, no. The festival and all travel to and from Telunas are designed as a complete group experience, and all participants must travel on the scheduled ferry and boat transfers.

These transfers run at fixed times and cannot be adjusted. If a group misses the scheduled ferry, we cannot guarantee alternative arrangements, so late arrivals and early departures cannot be accommodated.

The only exception is for schools that have arranged additional experience days directly with the Telunas Centre. In these cases, travel may be organised separately, either arriving before the festival or departing after it has finished.

Additional days must be arranged in advance with the Telunas Centre.

Schools must allow sufficient time in their travel plans to account for delays.

Health and Safety FAQs

What connectivity can participants expect during the festival?

Participants will have access to WiFi and mobile service while in Singapore and during parts of the journey through Indonesia.

On Telunas Island, WiFi is not available to students. As a result, parents should not expect regular or direct contact with their child during this portion of the experience.

Teachers and chaperones will have access to the internet while on the island to remain in contact with their school and parent communities. In case of an emergency, teachers and schools will be in direct contact with Telunas staff, and communication will be coordinated as needed.

Teachers/chaperones should ensure they have an appropriate international data plan that covers both Singapore and Indonesia, and that it is activated before travel. SIM cards and additional data services are not available for purchase once on the island.

What if a student has dietary requirements or allergies?

Dietary requirements and allergies can be accommodated, but must be provided in advance through the registration process (10 weeks prior to the event).

Telunas is a remote island location. If requirements are not shared in advance, we may not be able to accommodate them during the festival.

What medical support is available on the island?

There is an on-site nurse available throughout the festival, supported by Telunas staff trained in first aid and emergency response.

For minor illnesses or injuries, students will be treated on the island. The nearest clinic is approximately 20 minutes away by boat.

For more serious medical needs, students may be transferred to Batam or, if required, Singapore for hospital care.

Teachers will be informed and involved in all decisions regarding student care.

What safety measures are in place at Telunas?

Telunas staff will provide a full safety briefing on arrival, and all participants are expected to follow these guidelines at all times.

Key expectations include:

• Use the buddy system when swimming or exploring
• Follow staff guidance in all areas of the site
• Only swim when supervised by a responsible adult
• Wear appropriate footwear in the sea
• Wear life jackets during boat travel

How are swimming activities supervised?

All swimming activities take place in a supervised environment under the oversight of responsible teachers/chaperones and Telunas staff. There are no dedicated lifeguards on site.

Students are only permitted to swim when appropriate supervision is in place and must follow all safety guidelines, including using the buddy system and wearing appropriate footwear.

As the festival takes place in a beach environment, it is strongly recommended that at least one accompanying adult from each school has lifeguarding qualifications.

Lifeguards are not provided by ISTA or Telunas Beach Resort, so schools should take this into account when selecting their chaperones.

What should teachers prepare in advance?

Teachers should ensure:

• All travel documents and visas are in place
• Dietary and medical needs are submitted in advance
• They have sufficient international data to remain contactable in Singapore and Indonesia
• They bring hard copies of insurance information and a basic first aid kit.