2023 IBSC Annual Conference

Five Strategies to Achieve Your Dreams! Study Principles to Empower Boys
Our school wanted to determine what the latest research showed about how our students should best prepare for exams. We partnered with the University of Queensland Science of Learning Research Centre to survey students so we could understand what they currently did, determine what the research advised, and develop a plan to embed this in the language and culture of the school.
Presenters: Damien Coman and Mason Hellyer, St. Joseph's College Gregory Terrace (Australia)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: L6

How Do Master Relational Teachers Sustain and Repair Relationships with Boys?
Teachers may think that repairing relationships is beyond their limits or impossible due to factors outside the classroom. By investigating perspectives and approaches from master relational teachers in PK-8 grade, we discover a limitless capacity to assess situations and select relational gestures that foster the supportive relationships needed for successful learning.
Presenter: Victoria Gilbert, Saint David's School (United States)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12), Middle School (Ages 12-15)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: L7

ScotsX: Reinventing Education for Middle-Years Boys
Building on years of research and innovation at The Scots College, we launched ScotsX in 2023. To create a parallel “school within a school” for 20 Year 8 boys, we developed ideas from a team of expert adults to redesign learning without the fixed mindset of “what school should be.” Hear about the design journey, evidence of impact, and lessons for leading innovation with greater connection, choice, and challenge for boys.
Presenters: Hugh Chilton, Jeff Mann, Brittany Shapcott, and Adam Morelli, The Scots College (Australia)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: G12

Strategic Sustainability: Four Vignettes of Eco-Action
We aim to nourish hope for boys navigating an uncertain ecological future. We increasingly model our pedagogies on environmental responsibility, reciprocity, and regeneration, as described so essentially in Braiding Sweetgrass (Kimmerer, 2013). As we evolve into a sustainable elementary school that strives to participate in reconciliation, we are amplifying our strategic eco-actions.
Presenters: Anna Villanueva, Rick Parsons, and Drew Gulyas, The Sterling Hall School (Canada)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12), Middle School (Ages 12-15)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: L8

Transforming Teacher Practice Through Action Research
Since 2005, the IBSC Action Research Program has impacted the work of more than 475 educators in member schools around the globe. Join us to learn about action research and the IBSC Action Research Program structure. Hear from the leadership team and past researchers about their experiences and the positive change action research has made to their practice.
Presenters: Kori Brown, The Haverford School (United States); Trish Cislak, Crescent School (Canada); Polly Higgins, King Edward's School (United Kingdom); Janetta Lien, The Browning School (United States); Luke Rawle, Toowoomba Grammar School (Australia); Laura Sabo, St. Christophers School (United States); Di Laycock (Australia)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: G14

Transformational Leadership
Review the acclaimed iLead approach created by the John Maxwell Foundation in collaboration with educators to prepare the next generation of effective leaders. This curriculum is implemented in school systems in several countries free of charge. A peer-to-peer learning model enables students to present to their classmates and become effective leaders.
Presenters: Barry McAlister and Laura McAlister, Montgomery Bell Academy (United States)
Appeals to: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: G13

Comfort Equals Concentration
We all do it. If we feel uncomfortable when seated, we struggle to concentrate, fidget, and lose focus. The right chair can make a world of difference, especially in learning environments. Furnware measured 20,000 students, studied their classroom behavior, and created a world-first dynamic chair that offers the right support without restricting blood flow, keeping students comfortable.
Presenter: Matt Diener, Furnware
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Advanced
Room: L10

Further Directions in Positive Masculinity
Positive masculinity proves essential to enabling young people to form a healthy sense of gender identity. Explore new research focused on taking a strengths-based approach to masculinity formation for boys and young men. Get key take-aways and uncover processes you can implement in your school.
Presenters: Ray Swann and Ross Featherston, Brighton Grammar School (Australia)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: L3

Knowing, Showing, and Growing Respectful Relationships
What does it mean to foster respectful relationships in boys’ education with purpose and action? Explore how the education principles associated with respectful relationships lead to positive actions and dialogue in the learning environment and broader community. Investigate the process of a data-driven project that equips young men to know, show, and grow respectful relationships.
Presenters: Nathan Ahearne and Sarah Mahar, Marist College Canberra (Australia)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: L2

To Whom Much Is Given
Hear about our journey to develop a character formation program that provides students with a way of learning from and responding to the tangible needs in their wider community. Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourouka ora ai te iwi. (With your basket and my basket, the people will thrive).
Presenters: Reuben Hardie and Jarred Wilson, Saint Kentigern Boys' School (New Zealand)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: L1