Reimagining Boys' Education

This landmark event - the first of its kind in Australia since 2019 and the first ever in Western Australia - gathered educators passionate about boys' education from across Australia and New Zealand. Here's what we learned about fostering purpose and identity in our young men.

Purpose and Identity: The Heart of Boys' Education

The conference theme, "Purpose and Identity: Leadership and learning for social-emotional and academic wellbeing in boys," resonated deeply with our School's mission. Over two enriching days, we explored strategies to boost boys' resilience, self-esteem and interpersonal relationships—all crucial elements in developing young men who approach life with curiosity, compassion and courage.

Inspirational Leadership Lessons from Shakespeare's Henry V

Keynote speaker Ben Walden, an international speaker with a background in Shakespearean theatre, delivered a compelling presentation drawing leadership lessons from Henry V. His message that "imagination is more important than knowledge" in our rapidly changing world reinforced our commitment to nurturing creativity alongside academic excellence.

Walden introduced four leadership archetypes that we found particularly relevant to both staff development and student leadership programs:

• The visionary innovator (Medicine Woman)
• The emotionally intelligent connector (Great Mother/Father)
• The action-focused achiever (Warrior/Amazon)
• The strategic, grounded leader (Good King/Queen)

What struck us most was Walden's insight that effective leadership requires balance—understanding both our strengths and the "shadow sides" of our leadership styles that emerge when pushed to extremes.

Relationships: The Foundation of Effective Boys' Education

Dr Peter Coutis, Deputy Headmaster at Hale School, crystallised what many educators know intuitively: "Boys learn their teachers before their subjects." His workshop on teaching as a relational craft highlighted how connection forms the very medium through which successful learning occurs—not merely a contributor to it.

This research-backed approach resonates with our School's philosophy of knowing each boy well. Coutis outlined practical "relational gestures" that effective teachers of boys employ:

• Reaching out to meet individual needs
• Demonstrating subject mastery
• Maintaining appropriately high standards
• Responding to boys' personal interests
• Finding common ground
• Managing opposition skillfully
• Revealing appropriate vulnerability

Research-Backed Approaches to Boys' Wellbeing

Professor Andrew Martin from the University of New South Wales presented groundbreaking findings from a major IBSC international research project surveying over 17,000 boys. The research focussed on six educational supports that significantly impact boys' wellbeing, with "positive belief in students" and "relational support" emerging as the most powerful.

This confirms what we strive for daily at our School—creating an environment where boys know they are valued, capable and supported. As one teacher in Martin's study expressed, effective education happens when we get to know students both in and outside the classroom "as a learner, affording educators an opportunity to connect in multi-dimensional ways."

Student Voice and Agency

One of the most inspiring sessions featured students discussing their approaches to empowering student voice. Their student-led committees covering everything from academic wellbeing to service learning demonstrated how authentic student participation can transform school culture.

Initiatives led by students showed particularly impressive results because they were genuinely student-driven. This reinforced our commitment to developing leadership opportunities that give our boys real agency and responsibility.

Practical Classroom Strategies

Dr Mark Dowley's session on classroom management provided practical frameworks for creating orderly learning environments—essential for both teacher retention and student success. His emphasis on teaching behaviour as curriculum, using structured routines and fostering belonging aligns perfectly with our approach to effective classroom management and pastoral care.

We were particularly interested in Dowley's techniques for gaining and maintaining attention in an age where students face unprecedented distractions from technology and reduced sleep.

Innovative Models in Boys' Education

Several workshops showcased cutting-edge approaches to boys' education. Hugh Chilton's presentation on ScotsX—an experimental "school-within-a-school" for Year 8 boys at The Scots College in Sydney—demonstrated how connection, challenge and choice create an environment where boys thrive.

We also gained valuable insights from Hale School's Year 7 Transition Program, which integrates teaching, learning and wellbeing initiatives during this crucial year. Their approach to limiting smart technologies and social media access sparked important discussions about digital wellbeing that we'll be continuing back at our School.

Moving Forward Together

The conference reinforced that effective boys' education isn't about finding a single solution but rather about creating a tapestry of approaches that work together to support the whole boy. As Tom Batty, Executive Director of the IBSC, reminded us, leadership in education is about "bringing to bear all levers of influence to advantage best the desired outcomes in changing times."

Following great conferences and professional development opportunities, we return to our School energised with new ideas, validated in many of our current approaches, and connected to a broader community of educators dedicated to boys' education. Most importantly, we're reminded of education's true purpose - not merely academic achievement but developing young men of character who will make meaningful contributions to society.

As we implement these insights, we look forward to sharing our journey with our School community and continuing the conversation about how we can best serve the boys in our care.

The International Boys' Schools Coalition connects and equips schools specialising in the education of boys, operating to advance the education of boys worldwide.