The International Schools Network

This discussion, sponsored by Zegal, focuses on the critical topic of compliance and risk management within an international school setting, spotlighting the different technological tools that active practitioners at schools based in Singapore have used in their own settings to streamline processes.

Key themes:

• Practical ways to leverage technology in international schools to save human processing time and improve administrative efficiency.
• Challenges and lessons learned to ensure schools keep up to date with technological advancements more broadly.
• How to enhance student and staff experiences through tools and technologies implemented in school settings.
• Future challenges in risk management for international schools.

Experts:

1. Kasturi Thangayah - Head of Admissions at Global Indian International School

2. Karla Cienfuegos - Director of Teaching and Learning, International Community School (Singapore)

3. Dan Walker - Commercial Director at Zegal

Our partner, the International Curriculum Association, sponsors this conversation on the role of Social Emotional Learning in international schools to develop students understanding of themselves and others.

Key themes

• Defining Social Emotional Learning, why it's important for schools to establish clear SEL in their curriculum offering.
• Effective strategies for integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into various subject areas within the curriculum.
• Assessing and monitoring students' social-emotional development effectively.
• Ways in which educators can foster a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that promotes students' social-emotional growth.
• The role parents and caregivers play in supporting SEL initiatives, and how can educators collaborate with them to reinforce SEL skills outside of the classroom.

Guests

• Landon Seigler, M.Ed - Middle School Principal | Designated Safeguarding Lead at East-West International School, Cambodia. Representative for the International Curriculum Association
• Donovan Robus, Head of SEL & Student Support Service at Hsinchu International School
• Jonno Melia - Deputy Principal Pastoral & Wellbeing and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Brighton College
• Corneila Weiner, School Principal at Dubai Arabian American Private School
• Martin Boother, Senior Leader at GEMS Metropole School

In this event, four exceptional and innovative international leaders share their insights on what is needed to take the first steps into leadership. They highlight skills, barriers, strategies and challenges in middle and senior leadership. A must-watch for all aspiring leaders.

Guests

Glen Radojkovich: Director of Education, Dubai - Taaleem

Nicki Williams: Director of Charter Schools at Taleem

Philip Stainton: Deputy Head Teacher. COBIS Peer Accreditor. Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.

Matt Hall: Director and Lead Coach at Making Stuff Better

Key themes

• Recoginising potential; first steps into leadership
• Barriers to leadership; self-belief and knowing your strengths
• Developing a culture of effective leadership
• Future Leadship Literacies

In this discussion, sponsored by our founding partner, Chameleon PDE, our expert practitioners reflect on the pressing topic of cultural dissonance within international schools.

Key themes

• Recognising cultural dissonance among students in international schools and the strategies educators use to foster greater empathy among students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• How educators can collaborate with families and communities to support students to navigate their place in an international context.
• How to promote culturally responsive teaching practices that acknowledge and celebrate the diverse cultural perspectives and experiences of students.
• How to best support young people to successfully transition to Higher Education where their everyday experiences and cultures may be vastly different.

Guests

• Indu Bedi - Head of Senior School at HeadStart International School
• Ross Moore - Assistant Principal: Safeguarding + Operations at Dar Al Marefa Private School - Dubai
• Ellen Johnston - University & Career Counselor at International School Dhaka
• Angela Milliken-Tull - Managing Director at Chameleon PDE

International Schools Network is a free, online network for international educators and leaders to share insights and best practice. We provide opportunities to publish work and/or feature in panel discussions.

Register for your membership here: https://isn.education/

In this discussion, sponsored by our partners at The Day, we explore how to create an environment where difficult and sensitive topics can be discussed, and the importance of this for young people.

Key themes

• The importance of creating space to address sensitive topics, and misconceptions.
• How to approach conversations about sensitive topics with young people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Effective strategies and techniques to create a safe and supportive environment for young people to express their thoughts, and feelings, on sensitive subjects.
• How to garner parental support, including in more traditional cultural settings.
• Examples of successful approaches and initiatives used in schools to encourage critical thinking and constructive dialogue among young people.
• How to ensure that discussions remain respectful and do not perpetuate harm or discrimination.

Guests

1. Richard Addis - Founder & CEO of The Day News & Media

2. Yasir Abrar - Deputy Headteacher at Nord Anglia International School Dubai

3. Stephanie Fedorowicz - Deputy Principal at St. Joseph’s Institution International Malaysia

4. Alexis Graves - Vice Principal and Head of Inclusion, Maplewood Canadian International School

In this discussion, we explore Maths anxiety and trauma and the innovative new approaches to Mathematics pedagogy that address these issues, framing Mathematics as a subject for everybody.

Key themes:

• Traditional pedagogical approaches to Mathematics and resulting Maths anxiety and trauma.
• The importance of project-based learning and understanding the 'why?' in Mathematics.
• The role of assessment in Mathematics and the evolution of traditional assessments.

Guests:

Whitney Edmundson: Learning and Teaching Lead: Curriculum Maths and Individuals and Societies Raha KCC at Raha International School

Patrick Renoulf: Concept-Based Inquiry Educator, Concept-Based Curriculum Instructor & Workshop Leader at ICS Inter-Community School Zurich

Benjamin Steele: Mathematics Teacher at Rugby School Thailand

In this discussion, sponsored by our partner Polaris Outdoor, we speak with educators about the importance of experiential learning and the benefits of this for young people.

Key themes:

• What is experiential learning and how do different curriculums foster it.
• The benefits of experiential learning for critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strategies to successfully embed consequence awareness in the classroom.
• Differentiating experiential learning to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Guests:

1. Ben Goutennoire: Head of Student Wellbeing at the international school of London

2. Ben Dolbear: Deputy Head at Guildhouse School

3. Mat Jones: Head of Physical Education at TASIS The American School In England

4. Matthew Barnsley: previously senior leader at a number of schools in the UK, and now the founder of Polaris Outdoor

In this discussion, sponsored by our partners at The National College, we speak with three expert safeguarding practitioners on how to effectively support young people experiencing and/or carrying out child-on-child abuse.

The National College is the leading professional development platform for International Schools around the world, helping international schools drive up standards through access to high-quality courses and expert-led webinars for all roles. Today they are sponsoring our discussion about an issue in which they can provide real insight and support, ‘child-on-child abuse’.

Child-on-child abuse, the ‘physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse, and coercive control, exercised within young people’s relationships, including their intimate relationships, friendships and wider peer associations’, are all issues that international schools will grapple with. In this discussion, we aim to spotlight the signs and symptoms of child-on-child abuse and how schools can take proactive measures to safeguard their students and support their teaching and wider school community with clear policies and procedures.

Key themes:

• Common signs and/or symptoms of child-on-child abuse.
• Policies that international schools can dropt to successfully address child-on-child abuse.
• Supporting young people outside of the classroom.
• Resources and support networks available to assist students
• How to effectively collaborate with parents and caregivers
• How The National College #WakeUpWednesday campaigns can support educators
• Training and professional development opportunities available to support a whole school approach to issues such as child-on-child abuse.

Guest speakers:

Priya Mitchell: Independent International Safeguarding Consultant, CIS Accreditation Evaluator, Proud BSME Partner.

Hayley Wilson: Deputy Head of Senior School (Pastoral, Community and Wellbeing) at Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong.

Peter Lynch: Assistant Headteacher (Whole School)- Designated Safeguarding Lead & Head of Pupil Safety/FOBISIA Executive Safeguarding Commitee (Region C), Harrow International School, Beijing.

Jamie Ganley: Head of International Schools @ The National College.

In this discussion we explore the innovative work of Misk Schools to develop leadership and high performance learning for their students and their commitment to make this innovative approach available for other local Saudi schools.

Key Themes:

• The 2030 vision for Misk Schools is to be a top school for leadership.
• The development of High Performance Learning and how this has been rolled out in Misk Schools
• How Misk Schools recognises it's position of privilege and from this, is committed to its vision as a Beacon school.
• Preparing students for a rapidly developing world.
• Strategies to engage parents and the broader community in the educational journey of students.

In this discussion, we speak with four senior leaders about their experiences and the strategies they have found most useful for school development.

Key themes:

• Ultilising professional development to create a cohesive school vision and to invest in staff.
• Student centred-learning to develop a supportive and inclusive school community. The role of love in education.
• Reflective curriculum development to best serve all students.
• Strategic planning and leading authentically when starting a new headship in a new school.
• Key takeaways.

Guests:

• Christine Woods: Principal at The City School International, Sharjah
• Melanie Hitchcocks: Principal, British International School of Ljubljana
• Lauren Binnington: Director of Learning. M.Ed. MCCT.
• James Mattiace: Consultant BIG Questions Institute