Taking Trinity-based research to the world
Trinity Grammar School has now received final applications from Academic staff who are looking to engage in the International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC) Action Research Program in 2025-2026, where the theme for the cohort is: Foundations for Learning: Facilitating Boys’ Executive Function and Self-Regulation in the Classroom.
Since 2022, Trinity’s financial and organisational support has allowed four staff members to conduct action research.
At Trinity, personal growth isn’t just a value held for students’ learning, it applies to staff too. There are a number of research and professional development opportunities available for Academic staff, including Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) and University partnerships.
When it comes to the IBSC Action Research program, the process can get quite competitive. The opportunity is offered to all Academic staff across all of Trinity’s campuses, only one or two staff chosen to then enter into the application process with the IBSC. Only 40 participants are chosen from across the world each year.
“It’s a unique opportunity and quite a prestigious opportunity,” says Dr. Kimberley Pressick-Kilborn, Director of Research. “It really offers teachers an opportunity to grow professionally, explore the possibilities of research informing their own practice, and share their findings with others.”
Past participants have included Dr Rachel O’Brien, Ms Nadene O’Neill and Ms Leah Arthur. Their action research has covered areas like mentor relationships and servant leadership, connectedness conversations, and the influence of Indigenous practices on authenticity and connection – all in relation to positive masculinity, a key focus area for the IBSC.
Sharing the results of their action research is an essential part of the experience. Their research is conducted on site at Trinity before their findings are shared with those in attendance at the annual IBSC conference as well as through PLTs at Trinity and are often directly applied to the classroom here – and across the world – as a result.
As next year’s cohort develop their research questions, staff across Trinity are looking forward to the learning from findings that will benefit students directly, in the classroom and beyond.
