2023-24
See Where IBSC Executive Director Tom Batty Traveled
July 2023 - June 2024
July 1 – 4, 2024
IBSC Annual Conference
Harrow School
Harrow on the Hill, London, United Kingdom
Amidst glorious, elevated setting, and inspired by diversity of culture and school system, like and unlike minds of 600+ delegates explored, shared, and advanced the practices that work best for boys, buoyed by collegiality, laughter, and the odd late goal. Sincere thanks to Alastair Land, Charles Bailey, and the wonderful Harrow team.
June 18, 2024
Watford Grammar School for Boys
Watford, United Kingdom
Lovely summer’s evening in Hertfordshire for the privilege of presenting to the board and senior leadership team of Watford Grammar School for Boys on boys’ education and the growing place for originality. Successful evening led superbly by headmaster Ian Cooksey who had to pry himself away from his junior cricket team’s success over local rivals to coordinate events.
April 30, 2024
St. Paul's School
London, United Kingdom
Privileged to present to the board of St. Paul’s School on boys’ education in changing times, touching on the premise for boys’ education and boys’ schools, and key actions for the times ahead of ever-increasing technology. Wonderfully led by the board and head Sally-Anne Huang, with the contributions of St. Paul’s boys, formally and over lunch, a highlight.
April 23 – 24, 2024
Belmont Hill School
Belmont, Massachusetts, United States
A brief evening tour followed by a day amidst the infectious positive energy of the Belmont Hill boys and faculty. From the chord and angle theorems of geometry and the ethics involved in flying flags, via the arts of development and alumni relations and building canoes themed with the literature of Maine, to firming up plans for the 2025 IBSC Annual Conference and a late afternoon by the baseball diamond, this was an inspiring 24 hours at a wonderful school led impressively with grace and humor by Head of School Greg Schneider.
April 17 – 23, 2024
The Roxbury Latin School
West Roxbury, Massachusetts, United States
A fabulous few days in the inspiring Roxbury Latin community began with the privilege of addressing boys, faculty, and parents at their Cum Laude Investiture; took in outstanding history, geometry, algebra, and English classes and rich conversations with RL’s wonderful teachers; and culminated with a two-day gathering of boys’ school heads in candid, purposeful conversation. A remarkable experience at a remarkable school superbly led and infused by the infectious wit and purpose of former IBSC Board Chair Kerry Brennan, who steps down after 20 years in the RL head’s chair this July.
March 14 – 21, 2024
Hale School
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
A busy week of engagements kicked off with a live drivetime ABC radio interview with Nadia Mitsopoulos on the place for boys’ schools and current educational climate in Australia. Meetings with Hale staff, individually, in groups, and en masse, an introduction to a gathering of senior female leaders from local schools and a presentation to PSA heads and deputies were dispersed around a significant community forum event on Monday, March 18: Boys to men in a changing world: challenges, strategies and why it matters, at which I joined Hale Headmaster Dean Dell'Oro, developmental paediatrician, Dr. Nikki Panotidis, and AFL footballer Tom Barrass on a panel expertly mustered by media presenter and advisor Miriam Borthwick before an engaged audience of some 700. Hugely successful event reflecting all that comes from outstanding school leadership and a talented, committed staff. Thanks to Dean and all at Hale. Great school!
March 20, 2024
Wesley College
South Perth, Western Australia, Australia
In beautiful setting by the Swan River, grasping Head of Wesley Ross Barron’s kind invitation, I had opportunity to present to senior staff and board chair. The open, considered discussion spoke powerfully of clear direction and leadership and a staff committed to the boys in their care.
March 7 – 9, 2024
IBSC Southern Africa Conference
Hilton College
Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Opportunity to provide IBSC welcome and thanks and present at the start of a conference attracting 220 delegates.
Wow! There is something special afoot amongst boys’ school educators in this beautiful region of the world. Set in the inspiring calming grounds of Hilton College, from the moving laments of Hilton intern Teamhw Sbongujesu to the concluding song and poem of the uniquely gifted Puno Selesho, this was a remarkable gathering of insightful, committed educators. The openness that comes with comfort in skin allowed powerful stories to provide invitation for all to share and learn. A celebration of the unity and good of our schools and of what they contribute.
Sincere IBSC and personal thanks to Hilton Headmaster George Harris, conference director Kgomotso Motlogeloa and the Hilton team, and to all giving time and mind to workshops and presentations. It has been a privilege to be with you.
March 6, 2024
Maritzburg College
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Keenly grasped Headmaster Chris Luman’s generous invitation to address an assembly and return to the joy of boys and staff gathered in good voice and common cause. Clear purpose and direction from strong, considered leadership present form ease of conversations and recognition of breadth in achievement to powerful rendition of No. 1 War Cry. Impressive stuff amidst lovely surrounds!
March 5, 2024
St. Stithian’s Boys’ College (morning and late afternoon)
Jeppe High School
Johannesburg, South Africa
Group meetings with staff and whole-staff presentations. Two wonderfully led school communities committed to the cause of nurturing purposeful kind young men and acting with considered intent in all they do. People who care and teach for the right reasons. Again, moved and humbled.
March 4, 2024
St. Alban’s College (morning)
Pretoria Boys’ High School (afternoon)
Pretoria, South Africa
Presented at two superbly led schools to staff of passion, commitment, and belief in the best tenets of education and all it can achieve for the boys in their care and their nation. Humbled by the deeply shared desire to empower compassionate young men with will and capacity to take control of their lives and contribute to a greater good.
February 28, 2024
Crescent School
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
A special day at Crescent! As part of their Men of Character series, I joined author and researcher Richard Reeves and clinical psychologist Michael Reichert on panels to address the theme, There’s Never Been a Greater Need: Why Boys’ Schools Matter Today More Than Ever, at separate gatherings of Crescent staff, other school leaders, and the broader Crescent and Toronto community. With Reeves setting the tone with his compelling evidenced-based call for action and Reichert providing professional expertise to both cause and remedy, I sought to bring the voice of educator and the place of schools, boys' education, and boys’ schools. Strong numbers, healthy participation, and continued progress were rewards for the wonderful vision of Crescent and the work of Headmaster Mike Fellin and Crescent Centre for Boys' Education Executive Director Sandra Boyes.
February 8, 2024
How to Educate Boys
Jointly Hosted by St. Paul’s School and Verulam School
Mercers’ Hall
London
United Kingdom
A thoughtful, purposeful conversation in an inspiring setting opening with boys from St .Paul’s and Verulam discussing their experience regarding current themes in boys’ education and followed by discussion with Master of St. Paul’s Sally-Anne Huang, Verulam Head Teacher Julie Richardson, and other guests with focus on actions as next steps in advancing work in boys’ schools. Great foundation, purpose, and momentum.
January 22, 2024
Reading School
Reading, Berkshire
United Kingdom
An inspiring afternoon discussing boys’ education and opportunities afforded by IBSC through global exchange of ideas and practice with CEO Ashley Robson, Headmaster Chris Evans, and the Senior Leadership Team. Lovely to see senior boys assisting local primary school students with their maths! Impressive chemistry department.
January 10, 2024
Town School for Boys
San Francisco, CA
United States
It was a real treat to spend time with Lorri Hamilton Durbin and the staff, boys, and community of Town School for Boys. As part of Town’s Julie Ashley Speaker Series, author and researcher Richard Reeves gave considered articulation of the challenges faced by boys and young men. In subsequent rich conversation with Reeves, the well-informed audience advocated the part boys’ schools play in best nurturing young men for healthy, purposeful lives and the pursuit of equity. Earlier highlights included an overview of Town’s exciting STEM program and opportunity to test heading skills in a basketball shootout with Town boys.
July 3 – 7, 2023
IBSC Annual Conference
Westlake Boys’ High School
Auckland, New Zealand
A magnificent IBSC gathering steeped in those things that define the relational premise of our craft empowered by warm collegiality, inspiring presenters, and profound Māori wisdom. Sincere thanks to David Ferguson and the Westlake team.
August 30, 2023
St. Paul’s School
London, United Kingdom
Start of a new school year and opportunity to share thoughts on boys’ education with all staff. Lovely morning with Sally-Anne Huang and the wonderful St. Paul’s staff, enriched by presence of Julie Richardson of Verulam School (United Kingdom) and St. Alban’s.
September 4, 2023
Aylesbury Grammar School
Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
Join with Mark Sturgeon and the outstanding Aylesbury Grammar teachers to present on boys’ education in these times as part of their start of school year preparations.
October 2, 2023
Brentford Football Club Training Ground
Hounslow, London, United Kingdom
Discussions with leaders of the Brentford FC Academy regarding the educational development of their academy members.
October 13, 2023
St. George’s School
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Insightful morning with David Young and Rick Parsons in glorious setting discussing current issues and opportunities in Canadian boys’ schools.
October 15 – 17, 2023
Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) Annual Heads and Chairs’ Conference
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Learning issues, individual and shared, of Canadian independent schools with opportunity to engage with Canadian boys’ school heads and chairs on matters in boys’ education.