Celebrating Boys with IBSC’s Tom Batty

At St. Dominic School our commitment to understanding and supporting the unique ways boys learn guides everything we do. This week, that commitment was strengthened by a visit with Tom Batty, the Executive Director of the International Boys' Schools Coalition (IBSC). Mr. Batty spent the day learning about our program and sharing insights from leading boys’ schools around the world.

A champion for boys’ education, Mr. Batty has spent 32 years working in boys’ schools across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. In his role at IBSC, Mr. Batty helps connect dedicated educators worldwide who are committed to advancing the overall learning experience for young men.

During his visit on November 17, he had an opportunity to speak with all our K-6 boys during Greet the Week. He discussed the importance of standing up for the right thing even when it comes at a personal cost and reminded the boys that brotherhood is best when it recognizes and cares for all its members.  He stopped by classrooms on the Lower School and Junior High hallways, and ended the morning at a luncheon with the SDS teachers where he shared stories, experiences, and discussed challenges all schools have recently faced, including COVID, access to technology, and navigating AI.

Monday evening Mr. Batty spoke with parents about the journey of parenting boys and how to understand and celebrate them. He emphasized the importance of helping them to be their authentic selves and encouraging their interests. He acknowledged the challenges of educating and parenting in our ever-changing world and offered some approaches that do/do not work with boys.  

During his presentation Mr. Batty shared results of a recent IBSC survey of boys worldwide that revealed the following four points about boys:

• Boys must believe that you have faith in their abilities and capacity to succeed.
• Boys need to have confidence in the abilities of the adults who are teaching and guiding them.
• Boys need to know that adults will listen to and act upon what students say “works for them.”
• Boys report that relationships with the adults teaching and guiding them is key.

“It was a truly enjoyable experience introducing Mr. Batty to our school community, and I can say that we’ve already benefited from his support, insights, and perspective,” said SDS Dean Jefferson Brant. “His passion for both the academic and social-emotional well-being of boys was evident. He offered inspiration and affirmation for the important work that is taking place every day at St. Dominic School."

St. Dominic School is a member of the IBSC and several of our teachers have attended IBSC conferences over the years. The IBSC is composed of 270 boys’ schools around the world-private, religious, and public/government-run. Their vision is to be the leading voice worldwide in best education practices for boys and they actively support the professional growth of those who work with boys.