Shaping the Future: De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah Hosts Groundbreaking Boys' Education Conference

In a significant stride towards advancing boys' education, De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah recently hosted an innovative conference that brought together educators, industry experts, and sports personalities. The Boys’ Education Professional Development Conference, held in late July, at the College's Caringbah campus, explored contemporary approaches to nurturing young men in educational settings.

The conference attracted educators from Sydney Catholic Schools and beyond, providing a platform for sharing best practices and discussing pertinent issues in boys' education. Throughout the day, attendees engaged in collaborative discussions, workshops, and keynote sessions, all aimed at enhancing the educational experience for young men.

Peter Buxton, Principal of De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah, played a vital role in the event, delivering the closing address. His remarks underscored the conference's importance in shaping the future of boys' education and highlighted the valuable insights gained from the day's proceedings. The gathering allowed educators to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and develop strategies to better support boys in their academic and personal growth.

Attendees were treated to compelling keynote addresses from notable figures. Dr. John Best, a renowned sports and exercise medicine physician, shared his expertise on the developmental, social, and cultural considerations for young males. His talk, "What do young men need and how are young men needed in their world now and into the future?" explored the multifaceted aspects of male health and well-being.

Adding a unique perspective to the conference were Australian rugby league internationals Aaron Woods and Chris Lawrence. They shared their personal journeys, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs they experienced as students and professional athletes. Their session, "How to get buy-in from your sporting stars to support a positive school culture?" provided practical strategies for educators to engage with student-athletes effectively.

The afternoon featured a series of workshops covering various topics crucial to boys' education. Attendees could attend two workshops from the following selection:

1. Leveraging AI to enhance learning

2. Exploring masculinity through a broad liberal education lens

3. Implementing an Auspicious Life Wellbeing and Learning Framework

4. Engaging boys in Creative and Performing Arts/Music

5. Applying cricket principles to behaviour management strategies

6. Fostering spiritual curiosity through social justice immersions

7. Envisioning the future of boys' education

8. Empowering young people through MyLife Design

These workshops provided attendees practical tools and innovative ideas to implement in their respective educational settings. The conference underscores De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah's commitment to being at the forefront of boys' education. As the only all-boys school in the Sutherland Shire, the college has recently expanded to include Years 7-12, positioning itself as a leader in tailored education for young men.

As educators and experts departed the conference, there was a palpable sense of optimism about the future of boys' education. The event provided a wealth of knowledge and strategies and reinforced the importance of continual innovation and collaboration in educational practices.

The success of this conference at De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah sets a new benchmark for discussions on boys' education, promising a bright future for the young men who will benefit from these insights and strategies in the years to come.