2024 IBSC Annual Conference

Building a Culture of Academic Integrity
Given the challenges students face in upholding rigorous academic standards and the ease of cheating facilitated by technology, creating a student culture of academic integrity has never been more important. A whole-school approach including administration, teachers, students, and parents is needed to foster a culture in which honesty is valued more than high marks.
Presenters: Diane Mulligan, Eileen Dwyer, and William White, Saint John's High School (United States)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Biology Research Lab, Biology and Chemistry Schools

Workshop Resources

Clearing Space for Pleasure Reading: Strategies to Connect Boys with Books
Rates of free reading among boys continue to decline, making new interventions essential. Discuss three types of pleasure readers: die-hard readers, “if I have time” readers, and reluctant readers. Learn our effective strategies for reaching each category, discuss school partnership opportunities, and collaboratively brainstorm additional methods for engaging reluctant readers.
Presenters: David Hegarty and Paige Wallace, Belmont Hill School (United States)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: New Schools 3

Presentation

Cultivating Change: Supporting Women on the Path to Leadership in Boys' Schools
Aspiring female leaders in boys’ schools, join us for a moderated panel discussion focused on career pathways and the positive role of mentorship on the journey to senior leadership. Consider the “confidence gap” and the best ways we can empower and support women who seek promotion, so we can grow the network of female senior leaders in IBSC schools.  
Presenters: Hannah Fox, Harrow School (United Kingdom); Sally-Anne Huang, St. Paul’s School (United Kingdom); Shonique Alexander, Gilman School (United States); Jill Berry, author and retired head; Deborah Madden, King Edward VI School (United Kingdom)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Old Music Schools

Workshop Resources

Designing for Depth: Creating Deeper Learning Through Human-Centered Design
Explore the transformative power of human-centered design in learning. Using a six-part framework, discover how to integrate an interdisciplinary and human-centered approach to elevate teaching and learning. Leave equipped to craft impactful learning experiences that prepare students for challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing world.
Presenters: Nate Kraai, Matt Ward, and Jill MacKinnon, The Fenn School (United States)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12), Middle School (Ages 12-15)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Modern Languages Schools 6

Handout
Presentation

Facilitating Belonging: Building Microcultures Outside the Classroom
Feeling like you belong at a boys' school—specially one with a large student populations—can be difficult for many. Not every boy is a star athlete, high-achieving scholar, or popular student. How does a school facilitate microcultures where more boys can find "their people," take part of something larger than themselves, and feel connected and engaged in their school community?
Presenters: Win Bassett and Gracie Bassett, Montgomery Bell Academy (United States)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Chemistry Lab 7, Biology and Chemistry Schools

Presentation
Handout

Headship, Heritage, and High Performance: The Journey of Two New Headmasters (PK–6)
Effective school leadership affects student outcomes, culture, and systems. During transition new heads must interrogate current practices, acknowledge the history, and prepare for the future. New heads must understand the DNA of their school, build trust, and prepare the community for the next chapter. New heads must also learn to manage the pressure that comes from such expectations.
Presenters: Tom Savill, Scotch College (VIC) (Australia); Adam Larby, The King's School (Australia)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Chemistry Research Lab, Biology and Chemistry Schools

Leading from the Middle
Let courage be thy test—walking the walk as you inspire middle leaders. How could you develop the leadership potential of your staff while embodying the unique character of your school and retaining this intellectual property for future aspiring leaders? Join us for insights into how you can implement and adapt a successful model of middle leadership professional development into your boys’ school community.
Presenters: Kelly Easton and Jude Arbuthnot, Westlake Boys High School (New Zealand)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Biology Lab 6, Biology and Chemistry Schools

Presentation

The Neuroscience of Adolescent Brain Changes 
Constant chatter around the complexity of our adolescents focuses on high anxiety, mental health, anger, and risky behavior. While these factors have existed for adolescents throughout time, it seems they have escalated in our modern world. Join us to work through the major neurological and biological changes that occur during adolescence and overlay this with the impact of modern practices.
Presenters: Matt Diener, Resero Group; Kathryn Berkett, Engage
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Modern Languages Schools 9

Presentation

School-Wide Approach to Supporting Executive Functioning
Learn how a middle school for boys creates systems and strategies to support the executive functioning skills of its students. From organizational and note-taking skills to time management and emotional regulation, schools can create environments for students' brains to grow. Start with an understanding ofthe early adolescent brain and move into whole-school strategies of support.
Presenter: Will Murphy, Seven Hills School (United States)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: New Schools 1

Seas of Change: Supporting School Leaders in Navigating Change
To achieve our vision for our young people, one of our toughest roles as school leaders is to support our staff in feeling comfortable in the discomfort of change—while facing changes head-on. Gain support in navigating periods of whole-school change in a way that allows staff to feel a sense of security, as well as feeling valued and included.
Presenters: Aaron Columbus and Serena Lawrence, Wellington College (New Zealand)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Chemistry Lab 5, Biology and Chemistry Schools

Separating Learning from Politics in an Environment of Polarization and Rancor
Review the framework our task force of nine school heads, funded by The Edward E. Ford Foundation and Deerfield Academy, developed to respond to rising levels of polarization and partisan animosity.
Presenters: Lee Levison, Deerfield Academy E. E. Ford Grant Project; Byron Hulsey, Woodberry Forest School (United States)
Appeals to: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Modern Languages Schools 8

Framework
Framework FAQs

Set the Frame, Win the Game: Academic Engagement and Behavior
Delve into research on belonging and motivation, emphasising the pivotal role of enhancing boys' behavior in schools for better academic engagement and well-being. Through the +M framework, learn to transform performance and engagement, establish a high-performing academic culture, support learning diversity, enhance teacher practice, and measure behavioral changes using social network analysis.
Presenters: Ross Featherston and Ray Swann, Brighton Grammar School (Australia)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Biology Lab 1, Biology and Chemistry Schools

Shifting Learning Barriers Without the Learner Noticing
Leadership is about being able to identify barriers and then find effective ways to shift them in a productive way. Join us to run two experiments designed to show how easily barriers to progression can be constructed and then simple ways to shift them. This is an active session, but all you need is a functional thumb, two feet, and an open mind.
Presenter: Ray Laurenson, Southland Boys' High School (New Zealand)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: New Schools 2

Presentation Materials

Single-Sex Schools in a Multigender World: Responding to Transgender Students
The 21st century gender revolution poses complex challenges for boys’ schools around the inclusion of gender-exploring and transgender students and applicants. Building on the experiences of boys’ schools around the world, examine how we can respond to the changing gender landscape while staying true to mission and responsive to all stakeholders.
Presenters: Julie Mencher, consultant; John Botti, The Browning School (United States)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Modern Languages Schools 12

Julie Mencher Bio
Gender Diversity Resources for Single-Gender Schools
Gender Glossary

Sport, Mental Health, and Toxic Masculinity
There is nothing wrong with masculinity. Indeed, developing healthy masculinity is the goal of our schools. To create a powerful culture in which our boys can explore their masculinity, let’s examine where toxic behaviors start. Moving on, investigate the benefits to students of healthy lifestyles and the link to healthy masculinity. How can we effect powerful change?
Presenters: Sarah Burns and Dave Evans, Sandbach School (United Kingdom)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Modern Languages Schools 10

Presentation

Support the Whole Child—See the Family: Impacting Student Well-Being with Family Systems Thinking
The science is clear—relationships impact experiences of anxiety and stress. Shifting our lens to see family systems enhances our ability to help and develops a more robust partnership between family and school. Join us to see families and schools as living systems, observe relationship patterns at play, and develop strategies for supporting individuals in new ways of being amid these dynamics.
Presenter: Amie Post, The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland (United States)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Chemistry Lab 3, Biology and Chemistry Schools

Room: Sir Joseph Banks Lecture Theatre and Hamilton Hartridge Foyer, Biology and Chemistry Schools

Thrive Journal

When Discipline Meets Culture—An Immeasurable and Profound Impact
Creating a positive environment of discipline remains a challenge. But when discipline is viewed as a cultural necessity, the positive impact on any school is dramatic. Many problems are simply eliminated. How can a cultural approach turn the issues and complications associated with discipline into positive growth experiences?
Presenter: Hal Hannaford, Selwyn House School (Canada)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Biology Lab 3, Biology and Chemistry Schools

Workshop Resources

The Writer’s Notebook: Teaching Confident Composition in the Age of AI
In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), individual compositions can be handed off to a nonstudent entity. By utilizing a writer's notebook, boys can retain creative confidence in their own work. This notebook serves as the catalyst for individual classroom workshops where the instructor and the student can ask questions and inspire each other toward higher-level writing.
Presenter: Michael Carr, Delbarton School (United States)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Biology Lab 5, Biology and Chemistry Schools