2021 IBSC Virtual Conference

Schedule for June 15
Hosted by the IBSC Africa Region

4:00 - 5:30 PM SAST

(10:00 - 11:30 AM EDT)

Opening Student Performance

Bishops Diocesan College (South Africa) and Maritzburg College (South Africa)

Task Force Update

Recognizing, Acknowledging, and Addressing Inequities in the Lives of Young Men of Color Task Force
Hear from members of the task force about their work as IBSC seeks to build antiracist schools that embrace all intersectionalities of each boy’s identity and create greater access and care for boys of color within member schools worldwide.

Moderated by Jack Pannell, IBSC Board of Trustees, and founder and executive director, Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys (United States)

Panelists: David Ferguson, IBSC Board of Trustees, and headmaster, Westlake Boys' High School (New Zealand); Jakes Fredericks, head of school, St. Stithians Boys' Preparatory School (South Africa)

Welcome and Introduction

Tony Reeler, IBSC vice chair, Africa, IBSC Board of Trustees, and principal, Bishops Diocesan College (South Africa)

Keynote Address
The Six Virtues of Masculinity
Featuring Craig Wilkinson

Bestselling South African author, award-winning social entrepreneur, sought-after inspirational speaker, and dad coach Craig Wilkinson speaks about equipping men to be great fathers and leaders. Wilkinson is the founder of Father a Nation, a nonprofit organization that restores men to true masculinity and authentic fatherhood. He believes that if we can heal men, we can heal the world.

Panel Conversation on Positive Masculinity

Join IBSC leaders from South Africa to dive into the topic of positive masculinity.

Moderated by Chris Luman, IBSC Board of Trustees, and headmaster, Maritzburg College (South Africa)

Panelists: Andri Barnes, principal, Glenwood High School (South Africa); Jakes Fredericks, head of school, St. Stithians Boys' Preparatory School (South Africa); Allan Magubane, deputy headmaster: transformation and community engagement, St. John's College (South Africa); and Shaun Simpson, headmaster, Rondebosch Boys' High School (South Africa)

Workshops

Following the general session, you may select a 30-minute workshop to attend from the list below. In the event app, simply select which workshop room you want to enter.

You may download workshop materials from any presenter who shares them with us by clicking the link under the workshop description.

Blending Curriculum and Student Leadership to Create Better Future Leaders
Come see how combining an innovative post-16 curriculum model and a sophisticated student leadership program create a learning community that benefits our boys and the whole school. Find out how one school has blended academic learning, personal growth, and leadership development for senior boys.
Presenters: David Atkinson and Dan Colquhoun, Dr. Challoner’s Grammar School (United Kingdom)
Grade Levels: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)

Creating a Professional Competency Model to Transform School Culture
For boys to thrive and connect, teachers and leaders need the professional competencies to go on the learning journey with—and for—them. Join this interactive workshop to explore why competencies such as emotional intelligence, growth mindset, and courageous communication are important, and learn the best way to create a robust competency model for staff and school leaders in 21^st century schools for boys.
Presenter: Lara Koretsky, Crescent School (Canada)
Grade Levels: All

Going Beyond “I’m Fine:” Creating an Environment Where Boys Open Up
Statistics show 82% of boys have heard their behavior described as “acting like a girl” when expressing themselves. Learn strategies for teaching emotional literacy, managing emotions, and asking for help as a skill. Use these ideas to build a culture where boys have the emotional literacy skills and safety to go beyond “I’m fine” and begin to open up.
Presenter: Rosa Tutor, St. Dominic School (United States)
Grade Levels: All

Returning to Our Strengths: How Boys’ Schools Promote Meaningful Wellness
Boys’ schools often focus on academic development, though we now recognize the importance of wellness for academic and personal development. We face two main challenges in delivering wellness curricula: existing demands on student time and an idea of masculinity that undermines wellness. In spite of these challenges, we believe our schools are well-positioned to improve wellness in our students.
Presenters: John Morse and Eileen Breeze, Saint John’s High School (United States); Susan McCrory, Roxbury Latin School (United States); Michael Nicholoson, Xaverian Brothers High School (United States)
Grade Levels: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)

The Role of Mentoring from a Leadership Perspective
Effective mentorship and role-modelling can have a positive effect in building men of hope and integrity; men who can think ahead, plan efficiently, and take accountability for their actions; men of character; men whose values equip them to make good decisions and improve the lives of those around them. Mentorship provieds an essential relationship to implement in the education of our learners.
Presenter: Chris Luman, Maritzburg College (South Africa)
Grade Levels: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)

Single-Sex Schools in a Multigender World: Transgender Students at Boys' Schools
While girls’ schools have been encountering trans students for several years, boys’ schools are just beginning to tackle these new challenges. Building on research and consultation with over 100 single-sex schools across the globe, we examine how boys' schools can respond to the changing gender landscape while staying true to mission and responsive to all stakeholders.
Presenter: Julie Mencher, MSW (United States)
Grade Levels: All

“Solve It” Labs Within Communities Prepare Students for an Uncertain World
The creation and use of a facility named a “Solve It” laboratory let boys try out and build things so they are future fit. A symbiotic relationship with disadvantaged schools can develop the skills of creativity, contributing to and developing community skills, collaboration, and critical thinking. Boys could patent designs, thus becoming entrepreneurs and facilitating job creation.
Presenter: Glynnis Moore, St. Alban’s College (South Africa)
Grade Levels: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)

Supporting the Anxious Boy to Reduce Work Refusal
Define symptoms and behaviors related to students experiencing high levels of anxiety. Use case studies to explore various symptoms and behaviors that can hinder academic performance, especially low work completion, variable attendance, and active social disengagement. Gain specific strategies to support boys in their agency to be an independent learner.
Presenters: Caroline Miller Dengler, Jackie Villet, and Brad Bernstein, St. Paul’s School for Boys (United States)
Grade Levels: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)

Teaching Young Boys How to Debate in the Science Classroom
Learn how to teach boys to construct logical arguments and debate successfully around issues pertinent to science curriculum in the lower school, as well as how to use these same techniques in many different subject areas. Debate helps boys gain valuable insights into their roles in a community and how they might become responsible leaders.
Presenter: Rebecca Kurson, Collegiate School (United States)
Grade Levels: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12), Middle School (Ages 12-15)