Exploring Boys' Education

In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys' Education Podcast, educators, researchers, and school leaders from around the world reflect on what boys actually need from the institutions that shape them. Across season 7, three themes emerge from the conversations: the environments schools create, the inner lives boys conceal, and the adults who choose to pay attention. IBSC Exploring Boys' Education...

In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys' Education Podcast, Bruce Collins revisits a year of IBSC online programming, pulling together the ideas that ran through session after session. Three themes emerge from the year: connection as the foundation of boys' development, the digital world boys now navigate, and the case for boys' schools as the institutions best built to respond to both. Tune in...

In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys' Education Podcast, Anna-Louise Simpson, head of Wadhurst at Melbourne Grammar School (Australia), and Kerry Oldman, middle school executive director and acting deputy principal at Melbourne Girls' Grammar School, discuss what genuine, sustained coed collaboration between neighboring single-gender schools can look like. Just 700 meters apart, the two scho...

In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys' Education Podcast, writer and Towson University lecturer Andrew Reiner discusses the "1.0 script" of masculinity and what genuine resilience looks like for boys today. Drawing on his extensive research and interviews with students globally, Reiner explores the hidden emotional landscape boys navigate and the chasm between their public personas and privat...

In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys' Education Podcast, Chris Ekron challenges the win-at-all-costs culture that still dominates many boys' school sports programs. The Playbook Ed cofounder and former head of sports performance at Bishops Diocesan College (South Africa) draws on his PhD research and Paul Wylleman's four-pillar model of student-athlete development to make the case for redefi...

In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast, Pathos Consulting Group President Evan Harris details the complex and rapidly evolving world of deepfakes. An expert on emerging AI risks in schools, Harris moves beyond the headlines of digital abuse to reveal how the realm of synthetic media is fundamentally altering the way boys interact with reality, consent, and each other. Discov...

In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast, join Headmaster Chris Post and the leadership team from the Boys' Latin School of Maryland (United States) as they discuss their approach to creating a boy-friendly school. Sparked by the insights of social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, the school implemented a bold door-to-door cell phone ban and re-imagined daily schedules to prioriti...

In this episode of IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast, explore the landmark IBSC Global Research Report, Building Agency Among Classroom and Co-Curricular Teachers to Support Boys’ Well-Being. Hear directly from University of New South Wales Professor Andrew Martin who illuminates findings from the research he conducted with more than 17,500 boys. Professor Martin reaches beyond theory to pinp...

In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast, hear from the 2025 IBSC Action Research Award winner Melinda Bargwanna about her inspiring project at Trinity Grammar School (Australia). For her winning project, she guided junior school boys as they designed and built a biodiversity pond, creating a powerful sense of community and belonging in the process. Discover how this hands-on...

In this special episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast, tune in to a curated collection of the most important insights generated throughout a year of professional development programs and conversations with leading educators and experts. The world changing at such a rapid pace forces us to reexamine the very nature of how and why we educate boys. This episode synthesizes a year of l...

In this episode of IBSC Exploring Boys Education Podcast, explore student well-being with Tracy Mackenzie from St. Andrew's College, South Africa. Mackenzie shares her school's wellness program, built on fostering boys' safety, long-term well-being habits, and crucial self-awareness. Discover how St. Andrew's champions a collaborative, holistic approach, moving beyond silos to integrate a diverse...

In this episode of IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast, join the urgent conversation surrounding boys in the digital age, sparked by the impactful Netflix series Adolescence. Head of School John Botti from The Browning School (United States) offers insights on navigating this complex landscape. Originally highlighted in his Head of School Blogpost, Botti discusses the unique challenges boys fac...

In this episode of IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast, delve into the growing concern about online gambling and sports betting in the education of boys. Saul Malek shares his personal experience and insights into the prevalence of online gambling and its impact on boys. He discusses the unique challenges boys face, the vulnerabilities that make them susceptible, and the proactive steps boys’ s...

In this episode of IBSC Exploring Boys' Education, journey to the fascinating intersection of technology and boys' brain development with Kathryn Berkett from Engage Training in New Zealand. Using firsthand experience and valuable insights, Berkett illuminates the challenges and potential consequences of excessive technology pose for boys. Explore the neuroscience behind technology addiction and t...

In this episode of IBSC Exploring Boys' Education, investigate the complex world of the “manosphere” and its potential influence on young men. Tanya Zalar and Philip Gaydon from St. Paul's School (United Kingdom) share insights on cultivating strong character in boys through a values-based approach to education. They shed light on the concerning aspects of the manosphere and its recruitment narrat...

In this two-part episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast, explore the crucial role the relationship between teacher and student plays in boys' education. Hosts of the IBSC Special Interest Group on Relational Learning Peter Coutis from Hale School (Australia) and Sandra Boyes from Crescent School (Canada) discuss the significance of relational learning, impact of teacher-student conn...

In this two-part episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast, explore the crucial role the relationship between teacher and student plays in boys' education. Hosts of the IBSC Special Interest Group on Relational Learning Peter Coutis from Hale School (Australia) and Sandra Boyes from Crescent School (Canada) discuss the significance of relational learning, impact of teacher-student conn...

In the latest episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast, journey to St. John's Educational Trust in Zimbabwe to explore the world of child-centered education for young boys. Janine Harvey, head of the St. John's Early Childhood Development Centre, shares insights on creating a vibrant and engaging learning environment specifically designed for boys. Uncover the power of play-based lear...

The latest episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education Podcast highlights the work of the IBSC Special Interest Group on Libraries—Reading Culture. Since May 2023, two dozen colleagues from IBSC member schools across continents have focused on discovering different ways boys’ schools can motivate boys to embrace a strong reading culture. The group committed to five different research realms: rea...

This special bonus segment showcases additional highlights from the 2023-2024 IBSC Action Research projects, featuring inspiring educators who delve deeper into the promotion of healthy masculinity. Carla Boniolo of Westlake Boys High School (New Zealand), Huw Blood of The Shore School (Australia), Kendall Murphy of St. Mark’s School of Texas (United States), Sarah Moss Holland of Marcellin Colleg...

In the latest episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education podcast, Laura Sabo, Luke Rawle, and Erna Goodier explore promoting healthy masculinity beyond the classroom. Sabo of St. Christopher's School (United States) and Rawle of Toowoomba Grammar School (Australia) offer highlights from the 2023-24 IBSC Action Research project. Goodier of St. Andrews College (South Africa) shares her groundbrea...

In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys' Education podcast, join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Author and HP Education Ambassador for Australasia Brett Salakas shares his insights on the purpose of schools, the unique skills teachers bring to the classroom, and how AI can both support and potentially transform education. Delve in...

Explore the transformative power of sports in shaping boys' lives. In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys' Education podcast, Chester Koyana of Sport for Lives, Chris Kingsley of Hilton College (South Africa), and Chris Oldnall of Pretoria Boys’ High School (South Africa) offer insight into how sports can unlock generosity and empathy in boys. Discover how playing for a purpose can teach boys...

Discover how Susan Hassall, outgoing headmaster of Hamilton Boys' High School (New Zealand), has worked to create an environment where boys can thrive and grow into the men the world needs. In this episode of the IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education podcast, she shares her philosophy of leadership—emphasizing authenticity, courage, and the importance of a shared vision. Hassall reveals how the concept o...

This bonus segment of Season 5, Episode 5, explores the unique challenges and opportunities of fostering well-being in boys' boarding environments. In this segment Bott and Robinson emphasize the need to use every moment of residential life to build relationships and encourage healthy norms. IBSC Exploring Boys’ Education music composed and performed by Tom DiGiovanni. IBSC