A 12-year study has found that boys consistently perform better in an all boys’ school compared to boys in co-educational schools.
This was one of several interesting topics presented at the recent International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Conference in Auckland, New Zealand which I attended alongside three of my Toowoomba Grammar School colleagues – Mr Luke Rawle, Mr Dave Klan and Mrs Jessica Galbraith. We joined 600 leading educators from 15 countries around the world for the four-day conference, hosted by Westlake Boys High School, a school of 2600 boys.
The theme of the conference was Kia Moemoeā: Dream Beyond Limits. The event’s aim was to motivate boys’ educators to develop men of the future, encouraging boys to feel connected and engaged in their learning and with their community.
We were met with a wonderful and traditional Māori welcome that set the scene for a culture-rich conference. Keynote speakers and educators shared research and best practice to empower our boys to be thought leaders in wellbeing, technology, diverse learning environments, resilience and collaboration. Delegates discussed how we can positively impact boys’ education and develop connectedness and leadership in each student.
Results were shared of a 12-year longitudinal study in New Zealand comparing boys’ performance in a single sex school environment compared to boys in co-educational schools. The results consistently highlighted the better performance of boys when in all-boys’ schools. The study pointed to all boys’ schools and their culture, traditions, expectations, routines and pride for the school as reasons for the better performance.
A plethora of Conference workshops focussed on the Kia Moemoeā: Dream Beyond Limits theme, concentrating on one of the conference tracks:
- Effective Teaching Practices
- School Leadership
- Wellbeing and Healthy Communities
- Digital Engagement
- Cultural Responsiveness
Presenters in each workshop demonstrated best teaching practice in the broadest sense by stimulating discussion and providing tangible, effective examples to promote the education of boys and prepare them to face the challenges of tomorrow.
The conference provided us with a terrific opportunity to hold discussions with like-minded and motivated boys’ school leaders and educators, inspiring ideas to further improve our great schools.
- TGS Deputy Headmaster, Mr John Anderson
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