2024 Senior School Student Leadership Conference

Leadership Advisors and student leaders are invited to the CAIS Senior School Student Leadership Conference from April 17-21, 2024 at Bishop’s College School, Sherbrooke, QC.

The 2024 CAIS Senior School Leadership Conference designed to:

• build students’ knowledge and understanding of themselves as leaders, 
• develop leadership competencies and understanding of leadership dispositions,
• help student leaders collaborate effectively to turn ideas into action and,
• have fun along the way! 

Established in 1836 in Quebec, Canada, Bishop’s College School (BCS) is a co-educational International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. With a campus bordered by farmland and rolling hills on one side and by the city of Sherbrooke on the other, BCS is a small, welcoming community and a “home away from home” to students from 40 + different countries. We create a caring community of learning and development where cultures connect and individuals matter.

At BCS we pride ourselves on making sure the student voice is heard and that our students have actionable means to drive change within our school community. 

The conference will focus on the important role student leaders have in fostering togetherness and belonging in their school communities. Participants will explore and reflect on their individual capacity as leaders while recognizing, as Kurt Hahn said, “[that] there is more in us than we know.” Student delegates will have the opportunity to further examine and elaborate on these themes through keynote speakers, workshops, and activities held throughout the conference. 

Key elements of the longtime success of this conference are:

• Student-led - a BCS team of student directors is working hard to plan an experience “for student by students.”
• Small group structures (called pods) create opportunities for students to work in teams with purpose throughout their time together. They are led by host-school student leaders. 
• Keynote speakers, workshops related to the theme, and action items to bring home to your school’s context are all essential to the success of the conference.
• Active time outdoors and time spent getting to know the surrounding area(s) of the host school allow students and advisors to explore Canada. 
• Reflection activities and debrief “moments” are essential to foster personal leadership growth and to map out takeaways to bring back to your school.
• Advisor participation and supervision with students when applicable and advisor professional development sessions targeted to the needs of those attending in alignment with CAIS strategic priorities.

How to Participate:

Leadership Advisors are invited to select up to four students between grades 10-11.  

Participating schools typically send four students and two advisors to the Conference. While it is recommended that two advisors attend, participating schools may send one advisor if this is consistent with their school's practice and policies.

If there is room for additional students, Leadership Advisors will be notified after the registration deadline and given the opportunity to add students. 

Costs:

• Per student - $600
• Per Advisor/Chaperone - $600
   
• Conference fees include:
  • Program activities, meals, event swag, snacks, and daily ground transportation from Delta Hotel to Bishop’s College School. 
     
• Not included: 
  • Delta Marriott Hotel Accommodation (for both students and advisors):
  • Transportation from Montreal to Bishop’s College School. (Coordinated shuttles are a possibility. Details to come at a later date.) 
  • Any additional tour beyond the scope of the conference is up to the participating school to plan. 

Registration:

Please register by January 18, 2024. Individual names can be added at a later date.

REGISTER HERE

For additional questions, contact Hailey Francis, CAIS Event Planner and Strategist at hfrancis@cais.ca.