IBSC Conference inspires reflection and forward motion

Each year, a cohort of Trinity staff head to the International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC) Annual Conference, to connect with other educators in boys’ schools, learn from educators across the world, share Trinity’s knowledge and bring new ideas back home. 

2026 was no different as Headmaster Tim Bowden, Ms Mikaela Janes, and Mr Benjamin Street packed their bags for the conference, held this year at St Sithian’s School in Johannesburg, South Africa at the tail-end of June. 

The theme this year was ‘Sukuma, Uye Phambili: Rise Up, Walk Forward’, one that Ms Janes says reinforced the importance of reflection and continual growth for teachers and leaders in a boys’ school. 

“As our boys adapt and change, so must we to ensure that their academic, social, and emotional needs are being met,” she says. 

“Reflecting on my first six months as the Prep School’s Head of Academic Care, the theme encouraged me to continue moving forward with joy, confidence, and purpose. It challenged me to be creative and innovative, while remaining responsive to the evolving needs of the boys in our care.” 

The timing of this year’s IBSC Conference was particularly poignant, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising – a powerful moment in South Africa’s history when the black youth of South Africa marched against the imposition of Afrikaans to replace education in their mother tongue, or in English, a proposition that would limit their futures.  

The opening night of the conference featured Seth Sandile Mazibuko, who was the youngest leader of the South African Students’ Organisation, which planned the Soweto Uprising and march in June 1976. 

“Hearing him speak of his time on Robben Island – alongside Nelson Mandela – and listen to his unwavering belief in the power of education was both humbling and inspiring,” says Ms Janes. “Not only did his story bring history to life but it also reminded me of what a joy and privilege it is to teach the boys at Trinity. 

“His message reinforced the unique opportunity we have as educators to help grow good men and reminded us that the impact of our work extends beyond the four walls of a classroom.” 

Ms Janes attended the 2025 IBSC Conference as she embarked on her own Action Research Project, and this year it was time for her to present her findings on the question: ‘How do play-based scenarios develop emotion regulation in 7-year-old boys?’

She says that the opportunity to share her research with educators across the world was a major highlight of the event. 

“While each project was specifically tailored to address the needs of boys within differing school contexts, the rigour and depth of research made for valuable professional learning.”

Ms Janes’ experience is one that Mr Benjamin Street can look forward to as he starts his own Action Research journey. 

With his Action Research cohort focusing on the topic ‘Future Frontiers: Fostering Boys’ Learning in the Forward-Thinking Classroom’, Mr Street says he was expecting many of his peers to hone in on how AI is changing the learning experience, but he was happy to be proven wrong. 

“Instead, many of us are focusing on the ‘soft skills’ that students need to step into a world where our humanity is highly valued,” he says. “Spaces like the care profession where boys are already underrepresented – are we preparing them in this way?” 

His own Action Research project will consider the question: ‘How do reflective thinking logs enhance critical thinking dispositions of Year 9 boys?’ 

Each year, students undertake a historical inquiry project where they investigate any part of the past they’re interested in. Throughout this process, Mr Street will be providing structured reflective logs with the hope that it will see students transforming their approach to how they engage with history and use it to shape their critical thinking disposition. 

While he stands at the very beginning of this project, Mr Street says he’s excited to see where the research leads him and to use the experience at this year’s IBSC Conference as a firm foundation to begin. 

“[The conference] is a great opportunity to connect with a peer network where we’re all concerned about preparing boys for the future.” 

Mr Bowden continues to serve as a Trustee of the IBSC. The annual meeting of Trustees, which preceded the Conference, was a valuable opportunity to consider the challenges and opportunities that are encountered by single-sex boys’ schools, both in Australia and around the world.

Next year, Trinity’s cohort won’t have to travel quite so far to learn, connect, and collaborate with other boys’ educators – the 2027 IBSC Conference will be held in Sydney, hosted by The Scots College and is likely to be attended by many familiar faces.