Leading Your International School

02/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this edition, and to all the writers who came before, for sharing your experiences so that other educators can learn from them. 🙏

Over the coming days and weeks well be taking the stories from this edition one at a time, so each has its own moment. I hope you'll find one that makes you smile, one that makes you think and perhaps one that you pass on to a colleague.

To read edition 10 of LYIS, click here:

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

12/09/2026

Our LYIS School visits are up and running again!

Our first visit of the school year to Guangzhou Huamei International School.

25/08/2026

If you're an international school librarian looking to:

🌟 Increase your impact across your school
🤝 Connect with like-minded professionals from around the world
🚀 Take the next step in your professional journey
📚 Develop your leadership confidence

Leading Your International School Library course is for you!

📍 Keystone Academy, Beijing
🗓 6–7 November 2026

We're delighted to be bringing the course to Keystone Academy, Beijing, where you'll join an inspiring community of librarians who are stepping forward as learning leaders and culture curators.

Secure your place here:
https://forms.gle/k6BM9tqhDbWA4evn7

18/08/2026

Our first-ever Leading Your International School Members Book Club is launching soon!

A HUGE thanks to our valued Member Nasreen Hassan.

To be a part of this and other member benefits, you can join LYIS here: https://forms.gle/qMw9zkMagtB11dK47

10/08/2026

In the Leading Your International School Principal’s Blog #175, John S. D. Devadoss, Director of Boarding, Raffles American School, Malaysia, writes about:

‘The Midnight Mission Statement of Residential Life’

This blog talks about the invisible, midnight world of international boarding schools, the raw, unscripted human moments that happen long after the classroom lights go out and the glossy prospectuses are put away.

While many know John as a dual Level 4 (ABSA & BSA) Boarding Practitioner, his life outside residential care is a vibrant mix of global adventures, community service, and energetic hobbies!

A seasoned traveler who has visited more than 40 countries (Venice remains his absolute favourite!), he also professionally holds a certification as an IATA International Travel Consultant from Geneva.

Guided by a deep calling to serve others, he is an ordained pastor dedicated to global children's ministry and has been an active Rotarian with a passion for community welfare. At the centre of his 30-year journey in international schools is his wife, Rebecca - an IBDP/AP Biology teacher and his steadfast pillar of support.

Fun Facts About John:

🍴John craves authentic Sri Lankan spicy food.

🪳He isn't afraid of snakes, but flying cockroaches will make him retreat.

♟️John keeps his energy high playing chess, squash, and cricket, cheering on rugby matches, or relaxing to his favourite music.

Oh, and if he looks familiar, it’s probably because he’s been mistaken for Indian movie stars in public - twice!

To read John’s upcoming blog and previous blogs, go to:
https://sl1nk.com/4iyjf9v

27/07/2026

No hierarchy.

No status games.

A really diverse group of people from different cultural backgrounds - mission and integrity bring us together.

Join 150+ international school leaders and educators who understand the complexity of your role because they live it too.

participants call it "community over conference”, and they mean it.

Join , find your people: https://forms.gle/yvPVuQYhUYhCptvA8

Canadian International School of Phnom Penh (CIS), March 12-14, 2027

22/07/2026

3 Days. 3 Levels. 1 Mission.

What does hashtag look like?

✅ Personal Mission – Clarifying your own leadership identity.
What does your mission integrity look like?

✅ School Mission – Closing the gap between stated values and daily practice. How do you embed integrity across your whole campus?

✅System Mission – Moving beyond your campus.
How do you sustain and advocate for mission integrity across the wider community?

Instead of another similar event, hashtag is building a movement for leaders who want to lead with mission integrity for a better future!

Join us at the Canadian International School of Phnom Penh (CIS) from 12–14 March 2027, where leadership practice meets mission integrity.

Secure your place:

https://forms.gle/EFgNRJfPPkA3oicc6

Tag a colleague who needs to be here!

20/07/2026

Amanda's experience says it better than we ever could.

If you're an international school librarian looking to:

🌟 Increase your impact across your school
🤝 Connect with like-minded professionals from around the world
🚀 Take the next step in your professional journey
📚 Develop your leadership confidence

Leading Your International School Library course is for you!

📍 Keystone Academy, Beijing
🗓 6–7 November 2026

We're delighted to be bringing the course to Keystone Academy, Beijing, where you'll join an inspiring community of librarians who are stepping forward as learning leaders and culture curators.

Secure your place here:
https://forms.gle/FGYjirjEFhv2YuYC8

13/07/2026

Join us in the upcoming Your International School Library course!

2-day In-Person Library Leadership Course, hosted by

📍Keystone Academy, Beijing | 6-7 November 2026

Following successful courses in Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, Strothoff International School Frankfurt, Dulwich College (Singapore), The International School @ ParkCity Kuala Lumpur, we're now delighted to welcome back Dr Sarah Pavey, a globally recognised library leadership expert with 25+ years of experience across all educational levels.

What you'll gain:

🔹 Strategies for creating dynamic, welcoming library spaces
🔹 Navigate the evolving digital landscape, including generative AI
🔹 Combat misinformation and strengthen information literacy
🔹 Practical tools to enhance student engagement and reading motivation
🔹 Connection with passionate library leaders from around the world

Whether you're new to library leadership or a seasoned professional, this immersive two-day course offers the confidence, knowledge, and community to reimagine your impact.

Do share with your colleague librarians who will benefit from this course.

Sign up now:
https://forms.gle/tWyUw1svEshiDhEM6

08/07/2026

You answered their questions. You just didn't answer their real ones.

Becoming an international school principal involves demonstrating the judgement, integrity, self-awareness and strategic leadership that boards, owners and governors are really looking for.

The reality is that international school leadership is complex. It demands far more than educational expertise alone. You'll navigate diverse cultures, lead through uncertainty, make difficult decisions, recruit exceptional people, build sustainable schools and inspire learning communities around a shared purpose.

That's why we created the LYIS-Q.

Our qualification goes way beyond preparation for your next interview and prepares you for the realities of international school leadership.

When you choose Leading Your International School, you're choosing to support our mission and 'Level up international school leadership'.

As an LYIS-Q participant, you'll gain:

✔ A global community of ambitious and supportive school leaders.
✔ Access to our international conference and leadership events.
✔ Mentoring and coaching from experienced international principals.
✔ Opportunities to contribute to research, publications and podcasts.
✔ Practical leadership experiences that stretch, challenge and accelerate your growth.
✔ A professional network that will continue to support you long after you've completed the qualification.

Leadership should never be in isolation, and the LYIS-Q brings with it the challenge, opportunities for reflection, ongoing opportunities for your leadership to flourish, alongside a community like no other.

If you're serious about becoming an international school principal, prepare for the responsibility.

Confidence comes from knowing you're ready for the questions they don't ask.

🔗 Apply today and take the next step in your leadership journey:

https://forms.gle/ERQzFLJrF3G6r9zp9