2026 IBSC Annual Conference

The Invisible Wins: Joy, Play, and Emotional Agency in Boys’ Schools
Discover how joy, play, and low-stakes creativity give boys the emotional safety to learn deeply, connect authentically, and develop agency. Explore the invisible wins that profoundly shape belonging, resilience, and flourishing in boys’ schools. Practical tools included.
Presenter: Mark Pickering, St. John's College (South Africa)
Appeal: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Life Sciences 4

The Power of Storytelling: Aligning Your School's Identity With Outcomes
A school's unique story defines its value. Storytelling and strong strategic planning are the most effective ways to articulate difference. Get mission-aligned storytelling tips and examples from Crescent School as we share illustrations of our institutionally historical capital and endowment campaigns to show the successful execution of mission-aligned initiatives.
Presenters: Michael Fellin and Jamie Lougheed, Crescent School (Canada)
Appeal: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Henning Block Lecture Theatre

Boys' Voices Rise Up, Alongside One of Our Sister Schools, to Be Counted
Our team listens to a range of boys' voices: voices of silence, of appreciation, of confusion, of fear, of competition, of ritual, of protest, and of misconduct. We partner with a sister school and compare girls' voices in response to the same experiences, considering how this study influences the potential to shift perspectives and create transformational thinking.
Presenters: Frank Rumboll, Urvasi Naidoo, and Ryan McCarthy, The Ridge School (South Africa)
Appeal: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Environmental Centre 4

Character in Action: A Collaborative Model of Character Education at Shore
Learn how explicit virtue teaching, authentic service-learning, and senior student-led reflection create a living culture of character. Share tools, scaffolds, and an adaptable road map to help your school empower students to pass the torch through action, mentoring, and service.
Presenter: Stuart McCormack, Shore School (Australia)
Appeal: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Life Sciences 2

A Difference Maker: Students Coaching Students
Training students to coach a younger peer builds better conversation skills in both. Boys learn to value and reflect on goals. They ask better questions and listen more actively. Learn to help them connect in an era when people are more distracted and the number of deep connections is declining (particularly for men). Being a coach provides boys with meaning and fosters positive leadership.
Presenter: Brent Brickhill, Brighton Grammar School (Australia)
Appeal: All Ages
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Life Sciences 3

How Learning Outdoors in Community Grows Well-Being, Engagement, and Deep Learning
Overall, boys are less engaged and perform worse than girls amid indoor classrooms not well suited for physical activity and risk-taking. On the other hand, learning outdoors is highly engaging and facilitates holistic growth, especially in residential community. Join us to hear about the benefits of outdoor learning and community living principles, including how you can incorporate these into your practice.
Presenters: Jeffrey Mann and Stuart Ward, The Scots College (Australia)
Appeal: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Life Sciences 1

Pedagogies for Examining Contemporary Issues Through Masculinity Studies
Explore how masculinity shapes global, social, and cultural issues and models classroom practices that build curiosity, critical thinking, and community. Experience Socratic dialogue, reflective journaling, and affinity-group strategies that support inclusive, student-centered learning.
Presenter: Jennifer Sweer, Selwyn House School (Canada)
Appeal: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Boys’ Preparatory 51

Restorative School Discipline
Discipline must comply with the provisions of the constitution. Compliance with the prescriptions of the constitution requires any approach to discipline to not only respect and protect constitutional rights but also promote and fulfill rights. Join us to define restorative discipline, cover the aims of discipline, and recognize the change in mindset teachers need to adapt.
Presenter: Reggie Govender, Northwood School (South Africa)
Appeal: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Environmental Centre 3

Transforming School Culture With a House System
Looking to strengthen your school culture and build a stronger sense of community? Do you want a meaningful way to celebrate positive student behavior that supports your school’s mission while reducing negative behaviors and office referrals? If so, come discover how implementing a house system can transform your school’s culture and create a more connected and motivated learning environment.
Presenter: Kate Lynch, The Boys' Latin School of Maryland (United States)
Appeal: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Boys’ Preparatory 47

Boost, Guide, Repeat: Coaching Teachers for Impact
Curious how teaching gets a boost in an all-boys school? Meet the instructional coach—a thought partner! Find out how a coach can help teachers strengthen instruction, spark collaboration, and navigate the challenges and energy of all-boys learning environments.
Presenters: Stephanie Brown and Tara Montague, Landon School (United States)
Appeal: All Ages
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Boys’ Preparatory 48

From Inquiry to Action: Building Staff Agency to Improve Boys’ Literacy Outcomes in One Year
Delve into a school-based, cross-faculty approach to improving boys’ literacy through structured communities of practice. In just one year, teachers collaboratively engaged with research, developed inquiries, implemented classroom strategies, and analyzed results, producing 12 research papers that demonstrate how sustained professional inquiry has improved literacy outcomes.
Presenter: Melissa Lang, St. Stanislaus' College Bathurst (Australia)
Appeal: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Boys’ Preparatory 62

Leading a Shift in Organizational Culture in Varying Contexts
Research from leading change at a school in Abu Dhabi aimed to shift the existing hierarchical and transactional leadership structure to a more distributed leadership style. Join us to discuss the impact of different leadership. Compare and contrast this organizational culture with those of other organizations, along with leading with emotional intelligence and grit.
Presenter: Roland Lacock, Highbury Preparatory School (South Africa)
Appeal: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Environmental Centre 2

Leading Through the Storm: From Strategic Visioning to Visible Excellence
Follow Dilworth School’s 7-year shift from crisis to excellence as we explore leadership lessons learned through challenging organizational change. 'Project Reset' moved the school from an adult-centric to a learner-centric culture. Uncover how a clear vision transforms the student experience and redefines excellence.
Presenter: Dan Reddiex, Dilworth School (New Zealand)
Appeal: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Boys’ Preparatory 57

Presentation

When Students Step Up: Equipping Boys to Seize Moral Moments and Adults to Listen
Boys often recognize moral moments before adults do, yet their courageous actions are frequently overlooked or minimized. Explore how schools can equip boys to act with integrity in difficult moments and create adult listening structures that honor their risk-taking and strengthen trust across the community.
Presenter: Naledi Semela, The Browning School (United States)
Appeal: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Boys’ Preparatory 56

Handout: Equipping Boys
Handout: Preparing the Conversation

Can You Speak Boy? Women Teaching Boys—Rise Up, Walk Forward!
As female educators, “girl” may be our first language, yet learning to “speak boy” is essential. Discover how genderlects, boys’ education research, and brain science inform practice and outcomes. Apply Harvard’s evidence-based Cultures of Thinking to enhance boys’ engagement by experiencing routines that ignite curiosity and spark deeper learning.
Presenter:  Kylie Bowra, St. Augustine's College—Sydney (Australia)
Appeal: All Ages
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Boys’ Preparatory 58

Curating What Counts: From the Right Data to AI-Supported Action
Leaders don’t need more numbers, they need the right ones. Find out how to curate high-signal data, craft narratives that motivate change, and use AI to support efficient problem-solving. Draw on learning and well-being, enrollment, and academic results to model a clear path from evidence to action that respects teacher time.
Presenter: Robert Aston, Marcellin College (Australia)
Appeal: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Environmental Centre 5