IBSC Ideas Lab
Professional Conversations for Heads of Boys’ Schools in Asia and Australasia
Starting March 10, 2026
IBSC Ideas Lab invites heads of boys’ schools in Asia and Australasia to connect virtually using Zoom. Limited to 14 participants plus the facilitator, this IBSC Ideas Lab includes three one-hour sessions for participants to discuss relevant topics.
Designed as an interactive exchange among colleagues, IBSC Ideas Lab engages dedicated educators who learn and grow together. Before each session, participants engage with relevant resources to provide a foundation for discussions. Together we surface fresh ideas and build mutual support structures and enduring professional friendships.
Available exclusively to IBSC member schools, first-time participants who can commit to joining all three sessions get preference in registration to support the success of each small group. No more than two participants from one school may register for an IBSC Ideas Lab.
In the spirit of open dialogue and collaboration, IBSC Ideas Labs are not recorded, allowing participants the freedom to express themselves openly and share their experiences candidly.
Who Should Attend?
Heads of boys’ schools in Asia and Australasia
Format
IBSC Ideas Lab attendees participate in three scheduled one-hour calls using Zoom. Ross Featherston, headmaster of Brighton Grammar School (Australia), facilitates each session.
Conversation Topics
Conversation 1
Tuesday, March 10, 9:00 AM GST, 10:30 IST, 1:00 PM AWST & HKT, 4:00 PM AEDT, 6:00 PM NZDT
The AI Imperative
60 minutes
As leaders, how do we strategically incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into our schools without losing the essence of our mission? How can we ensure that our institutions are not merely adapting to AI but also leading the way—preparing our boys to be ethical innovators, critical thinkers, and compassionate leaders in an AI-driven world?
Participate in an open discussion with your peers about one of the most important challenges and opportunities in education today. This session highlights the head's role in promoting a whole-school AI strategy. Share your experiences and learn from fellow heads about integrating AI across all areas, from improving teaching and learning in the classroom to streamlining school operations and personalizing student support. Let us work together to explore how to uphold our core values while equipping our boys with the skills and ethical principles needed to succeed.
Conversation 2
Tuesday, March 17, 9:00 AM GST, 10:30 IST, 1:00 PM AWST & HKT, 4:00 PM AEDT, 6:00 PM NZDT
Leading with Purpose and Vision
60 minutes
In an increasingly competitive landscape, how does your school's unique story cut through the noise? How do we as heads transform our mission from a statement on a plaque into a lived reality for every student, staff member, parent, and alumnus?
Engage in a dynamic discussion with fellow school heads about the art and science of leading with vision. Explore effective strategies for articulating and embedding your school's distinct mission and values throughout the community. Share your insights on inspiring collective commitment from diverse stakeholders—including boards, faculty, and families—and learn how your peers are leveraging a purpose-driven narrative to guide strategic development, foster a powerful sense of belonging, and ensure their schools flourish for years to come.
Conversation 3
Wednesday, March 25, 9:00 AM GST, 10:30 IST, 1:00 PM AWST & HKT, 4:00 PM AEDT, 6:00 PM NZDT
Wellness, Resilience, and the Modern Boy
60 minutes
How do we build a school culture where boys’ well-being is the foundation for their success, not an afterthought? As we confront the complex mental health challenges facing our students, how can we proactively shape the narrative of healthy masculinity, cultivating young men of character, empathy, and resilience?
Join this vital conversation to share and learn about the most effective whole-school approaches to student wellness. Move beyond isolated programs to discuss creating genuinely supportive environments where boys feel seen, heard, and valued. Engage with your peers on fostering emotional intelligence, tackling mental health stigmas, and implementing sustainable strategies that build resilient, ethically responsible men. Take this opportunity to collaboratively learn how our schools can lead in defining and developing well-rounded, compassionate young men prepared for a rapidly changing world.
Registration
IBSC member rate: US $180
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend, you must cancel your registration in writing by emailing IBSC@theibsc.org by February 24, 2026. IBSC will refund 90% of registration fees if a written request is received via email by this date. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after this date. Schools seeking to register an alternate to replace a participant unable to attend should contact IBSC@theibsc.org.
Please note: Watch your email for login information for this IBSC Ideas Lab by March 3, 2026. If you registered later than this date, watch for login information within 24 hours.
Participation certificates: Participants present for all three conversations will receive a certificate of participation within two weeks of the final session.
Facilitator
Ross Featherston
Ross Featherston is the eighth headmaster of Brighton Grammar School (Australia), appointed in 2014. With a background in teaching and leadership across several prominent independent schools, he brings deep expertise in both curriculum and student well-being. Featherston has led the development of BGS’s Positive Masculinity framework and co-authored published research in this field. Under his leadership the school has embraced a bold strategic vision, with student well-being and character development placed at its heart.