David Williams taught at King Edward VII School in Johannesburg, where he was Head of English and coached rugby and cricket; and at Clifton College in Bristol, UK, where he taught Politics and Economics and coached the 1st XV. He was himself educated at King Edward’s and at Wits University. After teaching David went into broadcasting and journalism.

David is a former Deputy Editor of Financial Mail, where he previously served as Money & Investment editor (and still contributes a weekly rugby column), and is a former presenter and Deputy News and Sports Editor at Talk Radio 702. He has also presented the Classic Business show on Classic FM, and various sports and business programmes on M-Net and the SABC. His executive experience includes a five-year stint as Communications Manager at SA Breweries Ltd. He has written several books on sport and military history, and is in demand as a strategy consultant, conference speaker and facilitator.

Topic: The World of Adolescent Boys - What they need from the adults in their world.

The author of He’ll be OK, an engaging and clear-headed discussion about teenagers “on the bridge” from boyhood to manhood, Celia has spoken to hundreds and hundreds of professional and parent audiences in New Zealand and Australia. 

Some years ago, Celia was asked by New Zealand’s boys’ schools to do research for the Good Man Project, an inquiry into the role these schools might play in promoting responsible and fulfilling manhood. In the months that followed, Celia visited dozens of boys’ schools, and talked with over 180 classes of boys ranging from Grade 7 to graduation. Her down-to-earth and engaging manner – honed over many years as a counsellor and social worker –   won the boys’ trust, and they spoke their minds. The report on the Good Man Project led to He’ll be OK: Growing Gorgeous Boys into Good Men, a perennial bestseller in New Zealand and Australia, and recently published in the UK.

Told with warmth and humour, her book provides penetrating insight into the psychology of adolescent boys on such topics as their desire to live in the moment, the power of peer pressure or “horizontal learning”, risk-taking, and the need for boundaries and consequences. She offers grounded and sometimes provocative advice to mothers and fathers about their different roles.

Topic: ‘It’s a Boy.’

Abstract: Expect advice on the developmental, psychological, social, emotional, and academic lives of boys from infancy through the teen years. Michael Thompson will explore the many ways in which boys strive for masculinity and attempt to define themselves.

He has spoken at IBSC conferences and schools in the United States Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Dr. Thompson’s latest book, Homesick and Happy: How Time Away From Parents Can Help a Child Grow, was released this year. He and co-author, Dan Kindlon, wrote the New York Times best-selling book, Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys (Ballantine Books, 1999). He is the author of Speaking of Boys: Answers to the Most-Asked Questions about Raising Sons (Ballantine, 2000), and It’s a Boy!: Understanding Your Son’s Development from Birth to Eighteen (Ballantine, 2008). With co-authors Catherine O’Neill Grace and Larry Cohen, Ph.D., he wrote Best Friends/Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Worlds of Children (Ballantine, 2001) and Mom, They’re Teasing Me: Helping Your Child Solve Social Problems (Ballantine, 2002). The Pressured Child: Helping Your Child Achieve Success in School and in Life (with Teresa Barker, Ballantine, 2004) was written to help parents understand the complex journey of children through school, from Kindergarten through senior year. . He wrote, narrated and hosted a two-hour PBS documentary entitled "Raising Cain" that was broadcast in 2006.

Topic: Transitioning to University: New Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract: Universities are intent on increasing the diversity of their student bodies. This diversity is both international and local, race and class, culture
and language, intellectual and extramural. What can schools do to prepare their graduates better to complete and succeed at an institution like UCT?

He has published extensively on a variety of health topics over the years and as Vice Chancellor of UCT has built up an enviable reputation for courageously tackling issues head on. In his inaugural address in 2008, he boldly stated that ‘if you want to understand Africa, come to UCT.’ He expressed his plans to assist and promote innovative solutions to education in South African schools.

Dr Price is imminently suitable to present our opening keynote address.

Topic: 2025 and Beyond: The Skills Our Boys Will Need to Flourish

Kevin Sherman is an independent educational consultant specializing in innovative teaching strategies. From 1985 until 2001, he taught secondary English and History, and also served as Head of Department and Curriculum Advisor. Since 1990, he has trained teachers to use technology in their classroom work.

Prior to immigrating to South Africa, he volunteered at the National Department of Education, working on policy and programme monitoring and evaluation for the Teacher Development Directorate. From late 2009, Kevin served as the ICT-Integration Education Specialist at UCT’s Schools Development Unit. He consults widely with NGOs and schools to transform Southern African classrooms. Kevin earned two degrees from Stanford University: a B.A. in History and Psychology, and a Masters in Education. Recently, he earned the distinction of becoming a Google Certified Teacher.

Topic: Why an Entrepreneurial Mindset is Key to Shaping the Future

Through its highly researched learning programmes, it seeks to equip talented young individuals with the skills, attitudes and motivation to become successful high growth entrepreneurs.

Mr Farr achieved his Bachelor of Business Science (Finance) at the University of Cape Town and is a Chartered Financial Analyst, CA (SA). After completing his articles at Deloitte in Cape Town and Luxembourg, Anthony worked for Standard Bank in London for a number of years in the international corporate finance team.

One of his key achievements includes being the co-founder of the Starfish Greathearts Foundation, which now supports in excess of 20,000 children orphaned or affected by HIV.

Topic: Uncorking the wine of connection - A socio-cultural perspective.