2025 IBSC Annual Conference

Expanding the Role of Financial Aid Beyond Tuition in Boys' Schools
Regardless of your area of expertise, accept this challenge to consider how to ensure all students can fully participate at school regardless of their socioeconomic status. Get an overview of U.S. trends, gain insights from Belmont Hill’s experience expanding our financial aid program beyond tuition, and help your school move beyond access toward inclusion and belonging.
Presenters: Lawrence Lopez-Menzies and Aylin Flanagan, Belmont Hill School (United States); Mark Mitchell, National Association of Independent Schools
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Known and Loved: Building a Community of Care
We will explore how we have worked towards a more individualized approach for all in our community - boys and adults. In practice, this includes decisions based on what the person needs at that moment, not just what 'has always been done.' While not without challenges, we will talk about why we think it's important to strive for and ways you may be able to do it in your own school.
Presenters: Bryan Dunn and David Smith, The Roxbury Latin School (United States)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic

The Marksman Model: An Integrative and Collaborative Approach to Student Well-Being
The Marksman Wellness Center uses a unique multidisciplinary model to support boys' emotional, academic, and social well-being. Join us to explore how integrated, interdisciplinary collaboration, combined with comprehensive health and wellness education, enhances student outcomes. Gain ideas for fostering collaboration to improve student well-being at your school.
Presenters: Gabriela Reed, Julie Pechersky, and Eliza Rosenbloom, St. Mark's School of Texas (United States)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: New to the topic

Pulling Together, Not Bowling Alone
Loneliness is a growing issue for young males. Co-curricular activities offer a powerful antidote to this, providing both emotional skills and a social network based around participation in a shared interest. Using rowing and other activities as case studies, explore how school-run group activities can maximize their impact for both the student at school and also into their adult life.
Presenter: Tom Killick, St. Paul's School (United Kingdom)
Appeals to: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Supporting Student Transitions Through Coaching
Navigating the vast landscape of a large secondary school can be both a challenge and a reward; yet for some boys, a sense of disconnect may overshadow their experience. Recognizing the need to support student well-being during this critical time, some across-school teachers embarked on a mission to explore innovative solutions. Join us to hear all about it.
Presenter: Rachel Thornton, Whangarei Boys' High School (New Zealand)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Building a Positive Student Culture in a School for Boys
Excellent schools align culture with strategy and a clear set of graduate outcomes for the character of their boys. Explore one such journey through the lenses of the headmaster leading strategy; head of senior school implementing programs in bullying prevention, respectful relationships and healthy sexuality, and student leadership development; and researcher evaluating progress to date.
Presenters: Phil Cummins, a School for tomorrow; Anthony Micallef and Simon Conway, Brisbane Grammar School (Australia)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Measuring What Matters: Flourishing and Formation in Boys’ Schools
How can schools evaluate and foster student flourishing and character development? To address this question, The Scots College partnered with the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard and Research Schools International. Join us to share insights of our pioneering pilot study on social, emotional, and character capacities, both individually and institutionally.
Presenters: Robert Loe, Ian Lambert, and Ann Brewer, The Scots College (Australia); Tyler VanderWeele, Harvard University
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Using Mindfulness and the Brain in Elementary School
What do young learners know about how the brain works? Brain-based research and mindfulness can have a profound impact on young learners. Join us for research and curriculum guides to plan a similar unit at your school.
Presenter: Rebecca Kurson, Collegiate School (United States)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic

Young Men of Character Who Lead and Serve—A Character and Leadership Curriculum
Learn how University School uses its core values to develop and deliver a mission-based four-year curriculum highlighting the habits, skills, and values of a good student; identity and relationships; leadership and responsible decision-making; and community and social awareness.
Presenters: Betsy Hauptman Coy, Sean Grosz, Mitchell Strachan, and Lisa Ulery, University School (United States)
Appeals to: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic

Driving Excellence: A Teaching and Learning Manual for Boys’ Education
Join us to discover how Westlake Boys High School used a teaching and learning manual to rebuild a culture of excellence post-pandemic. See how structured guidelines and research-backed practices foster high expectations and collaboration in boys' education, providing a practical model for raising teaching standards and supporting student success.
Presenter: Becky O'Gram, Westlake Boys High School (New Zealand)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Experimental Neuroscience: Empowering Students to Design, Analyze, and Succeed
Experimental neuroscience, a senior-level course offered at Belmont Hill School, empowers students to take an active role in their education while cultivating a growth mindset. Gain insights into how we leveraged problem-based learning to create a dynamic, hands-on educational experience, specifically tailored for an all-male student population.
Presenter: Harry Goldberg, Belmont Hill School (United States)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Multilevel Safeguarding of Boys in Full Boarding
Join us to explore the challenges of safeguarding in a large and complex boarding school, which has a multilevel national and global presence.
Presenter: David Wendelken, Harrow School (United Kingdom)
Appeals to: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Advanced

Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers: Strategies for Women Working in Boys’ Schools
Taking a gender-sensitive approach in schools is vital to the development and retention of staff. Women face unique challenges for which there is not yet a rule book: classrooms impacted by misogyny, harassment, technology, and poor behavior. Join us to explore this contested space and gain evidence-informed strategies for schools and leaders to foster positive masculinity and inclusivity.
Presenters: Ingrid Howren, Kristen Molloy, and Ross Featherston, Brighton Grammar School (Australia)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic

Independent School Leadership Search Preparation
Experience an in-depth presentation and discussion regarding leadership searches in independent schools. If you are at all interested in enhancing paperwork and interview techniques, this is the place for you. Come away with all your questions answered.
Presenter: John Farber, Resource Group 175
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Reflections on Boys’ Schools Leadership: Looking Back and Forward
What wakes up school leaders in the middle of the night? How has that changed over IBSC’s 30 years? What might the future hold? For the last six years, two former presidents of IBSC have studied the pressure points school leaders feel. Join us to discuss these crucial issues with school leaders and all interested in exploring that path.
Presenters: Richard Melvoin and Vance Wilson, Strategic School Leadership
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Why Marketing, Communications, and Admissions Belong Together
The product might be education, but the income is invariably generated from enrollments, student fees, and fundraising. So why do so few schools embrace an integrated strategy to maximize performance, effectiveness, and efficiency? Join us to find out how you can benefit from the lessons we've learned over our combined 50 years of experience working with schools.
Presenters: Andrew Sculthorpe and Brad Entwistle, imageseven
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Advanced