2025 IBSC Annual Conference

Belonging, Collaboration, and Help-Seeking Interventions: Supporting Boys’ Growth
Join us to examine the strategies for fostering stronger teacher-student interactions, positive peer relationships, and emotional well-being. Explore relational learning and school interventions that empower help-seeking behaviors among our boys. While many well-being concerns continue to go unreported, a Better Together approach could hold the answers.
Presenters: Anthony Taranto and John Donaldson, Melbourne Grammar School (Australia)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Hamilton Chapel Lower-Level Classroom

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Handout

Building Research Culture in Boys’ Schools Through Partnerships
As schools increasingly consider creating research lead roles and research centers, how can partnerships with other schools and universities help build research culture? Join us to draw on the wider literature to situate the approaches taken at our school to growing a culture of professional curiosity and inquiry and focus on initiatives designed to enhance connection.
Presenters: Kimberley Pressick-Kilborn and Timothy Bowden, Trinity Grammar School, NSW (Australia)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Science Center S6

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Collaboration: What Does It Mean to Do It Well?
“Let's set up a meeting to discuss this.” If this sentence fills you with dread, you may be one of those people who has had a negative experience with collaboration. Join us to draw on research to help you consider how collaboration can work in your own context. Work together with colleagues in this hands-on, interactive workshop.
Presenters: Douglas Broadbent, Shore School (Australia); Heidi Broadbent, Trinity Grammar School (Australia)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Science Center S8

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The First Hundred Days: Establishing a Culture for Flourishing
The establishment phase of a school’s intake year provides a never-to-be-repeated opportunity to introduce the cultural norms that will shape the lasting behaviors of a cohort. Alongside authentic reflections of missteps and their humbling consequences, explore processes to develop an inclusive and high-performing culture that unifies students, staff, and parents with a common purpose.
Presenter: Samuel Lobascher, Brisbane Grammar School (Australia)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Morse M7

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Worksheet

Peer Power: An Analysis of an All-Boys Middle School Advisory
According to students what middle school advisory practices are actually the best? Join us to share the results of a 2023–24 qualitative study examining eighth grade boys’ perspectives of their advisory groups at Belmont Hill School. By combining existing best practices with our data, discover examples you can implement in your own advisory program.
Presenters: Paul DiResta and Celine Pak, Belmont Hill School (United States)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Prenatt Music Center P12

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The Manhood Project
Join us to help young men move beyond harmful behaviors and stereotypes of the 4Bs (booze, bedroom, bravado, bling) to embrace the 4Cs (courage, compassion, community, character). Get highlights of school programs that challenge societal pressures, share impactful stories, and foster healthier definitions of manhood, guiding students to develop positive language and core values.
Presenter: Clark Wight, The St. Paul's Schools (United States)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Science Center S10

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Handout

Moving from Machismo to Masculinity
Machismo, often associated with traditional notions of male dominance, emotional suppression, and rigid gender roles, remains a pervasive cultural force in many societies. Join us to discuss a means of transitioning to a more contemporary definition of masculinity, embracing empathy, compassion, and moral fiber.
Presenter: Saurav Sinha, Mayo College (India)
Appeals to: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Science Center S5

Special Interest Group Promoting Reading Cultures in Boys’ Schools
Research shows reading offers a proven pathway to academic success and global citizenship, yet boys are reading less. Over two years, a global group of educators has taken up the challenge of keeping boys engaged by examining the decline and collaboratively trying new ways to bring them back to reading. Join us to share the reasons for the decline and what schools can do to address it.
Presenters: Melissa Ramon, St. Andrew's College (Canada); Lisa Weldon, Crescent School (Canada)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: William H. Byrnes Library Lab Classroom

Enhancing Outcomes Through Strategic Operational Planning in Boys' Sports
Join us to delve into developing effective operational strategies for boys' sports programs. Learn how strategic planning can enhance student outcomes and program deliverables. Through interactive sessions ideal for educators, coaches, and administrators aiming to drive success in boys' sports, gain practical tools for goal setting, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.
Presenter: Wesley Dunne, The King's School (Australia)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Science Center S2

From Vision to Implementation: Linking Strategic Direction to Student Impact
Join us to delve into the appreciative inquiry process used to devise a new strategic direction. Explore an inclusive change implementation process that catalyzes stakeholder involvement to bring a new vision to life. Then examine innovative approaches to curriculum born from the strategic direction that focus on design thinking, collaboration, and character.
Presenters: Matthew Robertson, Vicky Cowell, Angus McVey, and Chris Pittman, Knox Grammar School (Australia)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Dining Hall Annex

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Strategic Direction

Leveraging Relational Teaching Practices
We all know the importance of relational teaching in boys' education, but can we define the skills, habits, and dispositions excellent relational teachers possess? Join us to highlight Fenn's recent efforts to create a Portrait of a Fenn Educator and shed light on how schools can identify and prioritize relational teaching practices that resonate with their institution.
Presenters: Dave Irwin and Kate Wade, The Fenn school (United States)
Appeals to: All Ages
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Melvoin Academic Center A29

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Brain-Based Learning: Professional Development That Promotes MBE Strategies
Explore a four-year model of training faculty in brain-based research to affirm and enhance effective teaching utilizing a research-informed approach. Join us to outline the step-by-step process of onboarding faculty, establishing vocabulary, and generating a culture of professional engagement and accountability that leads to the practical application of mind, brain, and education (MBE) science.
Presenters: Stephen Dacey, Garrett Bowers, and Michael Nicholson, Xaverian Brothers High School (United States)
Appeals to: Middle School (Ages 12-15), Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Bolles Makerspace

Workshop Materials

Embracing AI as Educators: A Faculty-First Approach to AI Integration
As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms industries, how can schools prepare faculty to engage with it meaningfully? Presbyterian Day School launched a yearlong AI initiative to help educators explore, test, and assess AI tools before integrating them into student learning. Our faculty-first approach prioritizes professional exploration—educators read, experiment, and discuss AI’s implications. Join us to share insights from our journey.
Presenters: Brad Sewell, Jason Hewer, and Elizabeth Oakes, Presbyterian Day School (United States)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School
Knowledge Level: New to the topic
Room: Melvoin Academic Center A26

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Experiential Opportunity Program: Impact on Secondary Students
Join us to learn about the development of an extracurricular, experiential, on- and off-campus internship program. Hear highlights of the most impactful and transformative student journeys over the past eight years and the necessary collaboration with various departments within the school community (alumni, development, college counseling, parents’ association).
Presenter: Cristina Pinton, Avon Old Farms School (United States)
Appeals to: Upper/Senior School (Ages 15-19)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Prenatt Music Center P9

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Handout

Unlocking Curiosity: Inquiry-Based Learning to Foster Growth in Boys’ Education
Inquiry-based learning (IBL) empowers boys to become active and reflective learners, cultivating curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Join us to explore the potential of IBL in developing skills, values, a sense of belonging, and leadership in boys. Review practical examples, engage in group activities, and leave equipped to implement meaningful inquiries.
Presenter: Sean Creamer, St. Peter's Boys' Prep School (South Africa)
Appeals to: Lower/Primary School (Ages 5-12), Middle School (Ages 12-15)
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Room: Science Center S3

Workshop Resources