2023 IBSC Annual Conference

What Sort of a Man?
Do our boys’ school liberal traditions of open discourse, relational learning, and education of the whole child across a broad landscape continue to prepare boys best for the opportunities and responsibilities of the times? Join the IBSC executive director to learn more and engage in conversation on current issues facing boys, boys’ schools, and heads of school.
Presenter: Tom Batty, IBSC
Room: Staffroom

Presentation

Working Dramatically in a Bicultural Space with Multicultural Students
The positive privileging of Indigenous voice and presence in our classrooms has become a key concern of educators in settler-colonizer nations such as Canada, Australia, and Aotearoa New Zealand. Get introduced to a process in a unique New Zealand context where you can explore, manipulate, and ultimately create new texts with and for our students.
Presenter: Nick Brown, Westlake Boys High School (New Zealand)
Appeals to: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: L5

Mastering the Metaverse: Virtual Reality in the Classroom
From virtual field trips to building apps, immersive experiences using virtual reality create a more innovative and competent classroom. Explore methods for implementation, management, and delivery of these impactful learning experiences for both students and faculty alike. Join this hands-on experience to gain the tools and instruction to dive into the metaverse using Oculus Quest 2!
Presenters: Kendall Murphy and Kurt Tholking, St. Mark's School of Texas (United States)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Openground

Presentation

Balancing the Principles of Curriculum Design
Discuss how Dylan Wiliam’s principles for effective curriculum design (2013) produce a curriculum that leads to better student learning. See how expert curriculum designers' decisions hold all these principles in balance with each other. Draw on interviews with expert curriculum designers and explore the lessons from cognitive psychology.
Presenter: John Etty, Auckland Grammar School (New Zealand)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: L1

Handout

Don’t Forget Movement! Motivating Young Readers Through Multisensory Instruction
It’s a boy’s dream—reading lessons designed with movement in mind! Reading instruction often places the greatest emphasis on visual and auditory processes, but our teachers have found movement is an essential element to building confident, skilled readers. Come discover the impact multisensory instruction can have on young readers. Let’s make our boys’ dreams come true.
Presenters: Laura Glenn and Linda Winchester, Presbyterian Day School (United States)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: L3

Inspiring Boys to Solve the World's Problems with Novels
Novels serve as useful tools to inspire boys to learn more about the global community. Discover novels that inspire boys to solve the world's problems through research, design, action, and reflection. Learn about the Design Thinking process that enables boys to think big and overcome obstacles that prevent great ideas from becoming a reality.
Presenter: LaShanda Lawrence, St. Paul's School for Boys (United States)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12), Middle School (Ages 12-15)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: L8

Research-Based Practices in the Elementary Classroom
Meeting students’ needs and helping each boy reach his potential in this post-pandemic era has presented more challenges than at any other recent time. Using research-based practices and progress monitoring (curriculum-based monitoring) in both reading and math can provide the tools to help educate and prepare our lower school boys.
Presenters: Jackie Vigilante, Kat Greenberg, and Lauren Hull, Fairfield Country Day School (United States)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: L2

The Challenges and Rewards of Implementing a Holistic Curriculum
The Christ's College Diploma—a major curriculum change—launched in 2022. This two-year program for boys in Years 10 and 11 offers many innovative academic courses and also includes awards for achievements outside the classroom that reflect a boy's character development. Learn about the challenges and rewards that teachers and leaders can use in your own change process.
Presenters: Nicole Billante and Garth Wynne, Christ's College (New Zealand)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: G13

Presentation

New Crossroads: A Praxis Approach to Educating Boys
Despite much global attention, the education of boys remains a concern. While the emphasis of this concern varies, perspectives generally fall into two categories: practical and theoretical. Drawing on the work of Jacques Maritain and leading school practices, examine a distinctive praxis framework for boys' education to support self-reflection and school action.
Presenter: Michael Fellin, Crescent School (Canada)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: G12

It’s Not About Me, It’s About We—Creating Effective Student Leadership Teams
Everybody wants the badge, but not everybody wants to lead. Leadership is challenging and not always well defined—and the goals can be murky. Let us help you develop your vision for student leadership, give you strategies to implement a successful pathway to leadership, and create resources to support your leaders.
Presenters: Delanie Lewis and Andrew Lardner, St. Margaret's Berwick Grammar (Australia)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: G14

Presentation

Refining Character with Nature
Nature immersion has a profound impact on well-being, creativity, brain function, and mood, yet research indicates children spend less time in nature. Come learn about a research-based model of outdoor education implemented at The King’s School and learnings from an investigation into leading United Kingdom schools and examine approaches to assessing the impact on character development.
Presenter: Peter Allison, The King's School (Australia)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: L10

Presentation

The World Is Falling Apart—School-Based Relationships Help Boys Survive Stress
Recent events have created an unsettled environment resulting in emotional and behavioral issues that interfere with boys’ academic and social progress. Boys’ schools know that boys need strong relationships to succeed and neuroscience has reinforced these observations. Join us to gain supporting information and encouragement to share successful strategies.
Presenter: Abigail James, Piedmont Virginia Community College
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: L6

Handout

Thriving Boys? The Excellence in South African Boys' Schools Project
Drawing on four years of continuing research in schools across South Africa, explore findings about what boys experience, how they learn to become men of good character, and which roles teachers do (and do not) play on the pathway to excellence. Reflect on your own school and connect with others keen to learn more about the secret world of boys.
Presenters: Phil Cummins, a School for tomorrow. / Alphacrucis College; Chris Luman, Maritzburg College (South Africa)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: L7

Presentation