Scots hosts IBSC Australasia Teachers New to Boys' Schools Conference

The Scots Research Office had the privilege of hosting the 2nd Australasian International Boys' Schools Coalition Conference for Teachers New to Boys' Schools, Tuesday 11th - Thursday 13th April. Over thirty teachers from around Australia and New Zealand attended, spanning a range of teaching areas and levels of experience, but sharing a common commitment to excellence in educating boys. Keynote addresses were given by the likes of Dr John Best, former Wallabies physician, Professor John Fischetti, Dean of Education at the University of Newcastle, Dr Phil Cummins and our own Dr Tom Cerni. From the nature of transformational learning in the 21st century, to character development and formation, these addresses proffered the challenge not only know our boys but to also know the world that they are in.

Reflecting upon his experience of the Conference, Science teacher Nick Little commented “All of the keynote speakers were excellent but two stood out to me in particular. Dr Best talked about caring for boys in three areas: mind, body and spirit. In this way we should aim to teach boys holistically. Similarly, Dr Cummins spoke about the need to quantify and measure character development in children and adolescents. I had only imagined this as an abstract concept, but now am convicted of its value and importance for implementing holistic care programs in schools like ours, both now and in the future”.

Attendees also found plenty of time to discuss shared practice in stage-specific groups and participate in elective workshops on a range of issues, from classroom management to differentiation. You can access the keynote addresses and read more about the conference here.