IBSC Ideas Lab

Professional Conversations for Assistant & Deputy Heads of Boys' Middle Schools 

IBSC ideas labStarting September 4, 2025

 

IBSC Ideas Lab invites deputy and assistant heads of boys’ middle schools 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 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?

Deputy and assistant heads of boys’ middle schools

Format

IBSC Ideas Lab attendees participate in three scheduled one-hour calls using Zoom. Anna-Louise Simpson, head of Wadhurst, Melbourne Grammar School’s (Australia) Years 7 and 8 campus, facilitates each session.

Conversation Topics

Conversation 1
Building Foundational Character in Middle School Boys
Thursday, September 4, 5:00 PM EDT, 10:00 PM BST, 11:00 PM SAST
Friday, September 5, 7:00 AM AEST, 9:00 AM NZST
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes

How do we, as school leaders, move beyond words on a poster and truly embed virtues like empathy, resilience, and integrity into the daily lives of middle school boys? In these critical, formative years, what does a character education framework look like in practice? As an assistant or deputy head, you are a primary architect of your school's culture, directly shaping the environment where boys learn what it means to be a good man.

Share your experiences and learn from your peers about the programs, practices, and conversations that have the greatest impact. Join this candid discussion to explore how to create a consistent and meaningful approach to character development that supports boys through the challenges of early adolescence and prepares them for the journey to high school and beyond.

Conversation 2
Forging Strong Parent Partnerships in the Middle Years
Thursday, September 11, 5:00 PM EDT, 10:00 PM BST, 11:00 PM SAST
Friday, September 12, 7:00 AM AEST, 9:00 AM NZST
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes

How do we effectively partner with parents during a time when their sons are actively seeking more independence? As a deputy or assistant head, you often navigate the most complex parent conversations. What are the most effective strategies for building trust and maintaining open lines of communication, providing guidance to families as they support their sons through the social and emotional shifts of middle school?

Engage in a dynamic conversation about this timeless leadership challenge. Collaboratively learn about initiatives and communication styles that foster a true partnership, respecting both the evolving family dynamic and boys’ growing autonomy. Take this opportunity to share what works in building a supportive alliance between home and school that helps boys thrive.

Conversation 3
Architects of the High School Transition
Thursday, September 18, 5:00 PM EDT, 10:00 PM BST, 11:00 PM SAST
Friday, September 19, 7:00 AM AEST, 9:00 AM NZST
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes

As a leader in your middle school, you are a key architect of your students' future success. How do you strategically prepare boys for the significant leap to high school? Beyond academic readiness, how do you equip them with the executive functioning skills, social maturity, and self-advocacy needed to navigate a more demanding environment with confidence? Your role is critical in building the bridge between the middle and upper school years.

Join a vital conversation with your peers who share this responsibility. Explore practical strategies for designing effective transition programs, aligning with high school colleagues, and guiding boys and their parents through this important milestone. Discuss how to ensure the move to high school is not an abrupt shock to boys but rather a smooth and successful continuation of their educational journey.

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 August 21, 2025. 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 August 28, 2025. 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

Anna-Louise SimpsonAnna-Louise Simpson

Experienced educator Anna-Louise Simpson has served as the head of Wadhurst at Melbourne Grammar School (Australia) since January 2022. Before her current role, she was the deputy head at Marymount International School in London from 2016–22. Her extensive leadership experience also includes senior positions at Haileybury in the United Kingdom and Mazenod College in Australia. In addition to her school leadership, Simpson has a strong academic background. She was a part-time teaching fellow in the Faculty of Education at Monash University and served as the chief and assistant chief assessor for the VCE International Studies/Global Politics examination for over a decade (2004–16). She has also authored and coauthored several VCE Global Politics textbooks.