AGIS Conference 2026 Potsdam: Full Schedule

Working Together To Support Learning

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8:30am CEST

Welcome Coffee

Friday September 18, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am CEST

Exhibitor Area

Friday September 18, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am CEST
Exhibitor Area

9:00am CEST

Admissions Working Group

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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Old and new Admissions and Marketing colleagues are welcome to attend. Here are the topics for 2026:
- Admissions as a profession: office work split; our role in the times of advancing technology and changes in communication
- Events and marketing: enrolment trends, virtual information sessions, new student/family support
- Statistical reports and the systems that create them
- Re-enrolment and timelines
- Alumni Management

Speakers

Jana Jazic

Admissions Manager, Bonn International School

Admissions Manager

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.235 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

9:00am CEST

AGIS DEIJ Working Group: Stronger together

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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In accordance with AGIS’ Policy handbook, every AGIS school is asked to commit to DEIJ-values and together as an AGIS community we can accelerate progress in this area by building communal solidarity. Each AGIS school is strongly encouraged to send at least two representatives to this pre-conference event.

As outlined in AGIS’ Policy Handbook:

“We at the Association of German International Schools (AGIS) are rooted in values-driven representation. We will develop an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Germany community, to better meet the needs and aspirations of our students, their families, and communities. We are committed to improving the cultural security and responsiveness of our workforce and ensuring that culturally diverse people are well-represented and supported at all levels across German international schools.”

The AGIS DEIJ working group meets in-person annually during the pre-conference day to put these claims into action by leveraging our collective expertise, supporting each other and contextualising how DEIJ-values can underpin all aspects of our schools’ ecosystems.

This year’s meet-up will reflect on student and staff experiences of mutual support and collective action, and/or the lack thereof.

We will explore collective actions that have made efforts to uphold the dignity of all intersectional identities during polarizing and politically tense times in Germany, Western Europe and across the globe.

Speakers

Kristina Pennell-Götze

X, Berlin Brandenburg International School

Angeline Aow

Advancing Learning Lead, Berlin International School

Advancing Learning Lead (Strategic Initiatives)

La Mor

Deputy Head of School, Bavarian International School

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.22 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

9:00am CEST

AGIS DP Chemistry Teachers Roundtable

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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Join fellow DP Chemistry educators for an engaging and interactive workshop designed to enhance teaching and learning across the course. We will share valuable resources, practical strategies, and insights for effective course implementation, including approaches to the Internal Assessment (IA). Participants will have the opportunity to discuss challenges and successes in their classrooms, explore innovative teaching techniques, and collaborate on ideas to support student understanding and engagement. Whether you’re refining your IA guidance or integrating new topics into your teaching, this session offers a supportive space to exchange experiences, ask questions, and gain actionable tools to enrich your DP Chemistry program. Come ready to collaborate, learn, and leave with fresh ideas to bring back to your students.

The structure of the full-day workshop is as follows:
09:30-10:00 Welcome Coffee
10:00-12:00 Implementation of the Course - How we organise the course? How we develop the skills? How we integrate core into Chemistry?
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-15:00 Working on the IA - How we structure the IA? How we structure the SOW? Discussion of IA ideas.
15:00-15:30 Coffee Break
15:30-17:00 Sharing Best Practices and Final Questions

Speakers

Darren Hornell

Personal Project Coordinator and MYP/DP Chemistry Teacher, Berlin Brandenburg International School

Personal Project Coordinator and MYP/DP Chemistry Teacher

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.227 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

9:00am CEST

AGIS Finances & Accounting Working Group

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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We would like to revive the accountants' round table. This working group is intended to serve as an exchange for all accountants. New legal developments and their implementation within the schools will be discussed. Furthermore, different processes and challenges of the accounting departments of the different international schools will be reviewed.

Speakers

Anne Winkler

Manager of Finances & Accounting at LIS, Leipzig International School

I am Anne, Manager of Finances & Accounting at Leipzig International School.

Melanie Gangloff,

Deputy Manager of Finances & Accounting at LIS, Leipzig International School

To be added later

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.245 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Administrative staff
Subject Design

9:00am CEST

AGIS Home- and Multilingual Learning Coordinators Working Group Conference

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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How can international schools meaningfully support students in maintaining, valuing, and developing their home or identity languages? This open working‑group session invites all educators involved in Home Language / Mother Tongue / Identity Language Learning to connect, share, and build together.

In this workshop, participants will:

Exchange best practices and resources for identity‑affirming language learning
Explore approaches to integrating home language development into PYP and MYP pathways, featuring presentations from BBIS and FIS about their curriculum
Discuss the role of AI in supporting multilingual literacy and how emerging tools can enhance identity‑language programs

Speakers

Tanja Connemann

Multilingual Learning Coordinator; German and Multimedia Journalism Teacher, Munich International School

Multilingual Learning Coordinator; German and Multimedia Journalism Teacher

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.217 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

9:00am CEST

AGIS Humanities Working Group Pre-conference

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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The session is designed to bring secondary school humanities teachers to grow the working group and collaborate on issues and changes that impact humanities. Participants will share examples of best practice in planning, teaching, assessment and collaboration.

The structure of the full-day session should be based on the following timeline:
08:30-9:00 Welcome Coffee
9:00-12:45 Morning Session

Feedback on the past year
Updates on developments
Finalisation of the agenda

Break

Roundtable: first impressions of the new IB EE syllabus
Roundtable: MYP planning and resource sharing

12:45-13:45 Lunch
13:00-15:45 Afternoon Session

Subject-specific breakouts
Cross school and cross curricular field work and field trip planning

break

The city as a classroom: using Potsdam as an example of teaching various humanities disciplines
Final decisions on the focus for the school year 2026 - 27

*please schedule additional breaks as needed

Speakers

Justin Sands

History Teacher, Leipzig International School

To be added later

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.222 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Secondary/Middle Learners aged 11-16; Diploma Learners 17-18
Subject Humanities

9:00am CEST

AGIS Librarians Working Group: Best practices in school libraries

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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Join us for a day of connection and creativity at the AGIS librarians’ pre-conference! This event is all about bringing school librarians together to share ideas, experiences, and challenges unique to our international school settings. Many of us work solo in our schools, so this is a wonderful chance to exchange stories, pick up fresh ideas, and be inspired by one another. Come ready to chat, collaborate in small groups, and take home new strategies to help your students thrive.

Draft schedule (subject to change!)
10:00 - 10:15
Welcome
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch
10:15 - 10:30
Ice Breakers
13:30 - 14:30
Success Stories
10:30 - 11:00
New Tools
14:30 - 15:30
Breakout Groups
11:00 - 11:30
Book Sources
15:30 - 16:30
Book Talks
11:30 - 12:30
Challenges
16:30 - 17:00
Wrap Up

Session Outcome(s)

Connect and build community – Meet other AGIS librarians and strengthen our professional network. Together, we can turn isolation into collaboration and support.
Share ideas and best practices– Exchange tips, resources, and experiences on everything from library management and literacy programs to sparking student curiosity.
Solve challenges – Explore real-world issues faced in international school libraries and uncover creative solutions through lively group discussions.
Be inspired – Pick up new ideas for using technology, promoting reading, curating collections, and linking the library to the curriculum.
Grow professionally & confidently – Engage in meaningful conversations that boost confidence and reaffirm the impact of our work.
Collaborate across schools – Open doors to future partnerships, joint projects, and shared initiatives—like the Sora eBook Consortium or Battle of the Books collaborations.

Speakers

Elaine Smith

Librarian, Extended Essay Coordinator, Franconian International School

Librarian and Extended Essay Coordinator

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.237 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary

9:00am CEST

AGIS Mathematics Working Group – Annual Preconference (Secondary)

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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Session 1- Introductions, Inquiry Slam and Round Table Discussion
In this first session we look at a variety of activities that serve to promote problem solving, critical thinking, application of math in the real world, technology integration and global perspective. These tasks can be used in multiple areas of the mathematics program in secondary, can be incorporated into curricular frameworks such as IB, IGCSE. The activity will be followed by a round table discussion to address topics specific to our working graoup including, but not limited to best practice, differentiation, ATL’s, specific program items, resource sharing, the new EE protocols and ways to promote collaboration among the Working Group Members.

Brain Breaks – Adam Sahib ISS Stuttgart

Session 2 – Promoting Inquiry in the Mathematics Classroom
In this session we will look at activities that invite students to explore mathematical content in multiple perspectives and apply to real world contexts. This is relevant to teachers of MYP, IGCSE and equivalent, as well as IBDP programs.

Session 3 – Technology Integration and/or Mathematics Competitions
In this session participants have the choice of engaging with real world tasks solved through the use of dynamic software (GeoGebra/Desmos, GDC, Sheets) or with math competition problems that link multiple areas of math content. These tasks can be used with students in the secondary to promote problem solving, resilience and inquiry.

Speakers

Bryan Landmann

Head of Mathematics Secondary - ToK Teacher, Franconian International School

Math Department Head and EAL Coordinator

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.219 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Secondary / Diploma learners aged 17-18
Subject Mathematics
global Y

9:00am CEST

College Counsellors Working Group Pre-Conference

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

0.241

The CC meeting at the AGIS conference is an essential part of our lives as College Counselors in Germany. It is the place where we plan higher education tours, share success stories, and learn new strategies to navigate the inconsistent university application system in Germany. During this meeting, we discuss the needs of our students and schools, and we invite experts to fill knowledge gaps or to bring our knowledge up to date. It is an interesting and productive meeting that plays an important role in our work at the start of every academic year.

As every year – the detailed plan of our Septemeber Agenda and the Guest Speakers will be confirmed at our Spring meeting. It will roughly follow this structure:
08:30 - 9:00 Welcome Coffee
9:00 - 9:30 Introduction of new counsellors to the AGIS CC group
9:30 - 11:30 AGIS Fairs - Evaluation & Strategies for Moving Forward
March Fair Planning
11:30 - 12:45 Latest Developments in University Counselling - Trends and Updates
12:45 - 13:30 Lunch
13:30 - 15:00 Presentations on Admissions in Different Countries
15:00 - 15:45 Planning of Spring Conference / Brainstorming / A.O.B.

Speakers

Rita Miller

Higher Education Counsellor, Berlin International School

Carin Dsouza

Academic and University Counsellor, International School Hannover Region

To be added

Dejana Petričić

Head of University and Career Counseling, Berlin Metropolitan School

To be added

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.241 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Secondary / Diploma learners aged 17-18

9:00am CEST

Drama in the Classroom: A Creative Teaching Workshop

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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As Fred Rogers said, “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.”
This highly interactive workshop equips educators with practical, classroom-ready strategies for integrating drama into everyday learning. Through hands-on activities—including storytelling, puppetry, improvisation, and theatre games—participants will explore how the performing arts strengthen comprehension, emergent literacy, and social-emotional development. Educators will actively engage in creative play to develop techniques that foster focus, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. The session connects drama-based learning directly to curriculum outcomes, offering adaptable lesson applications that make learning dynamic and inclusive. Participants will leave with concrete tools to help students express ideas confidently, expand language skills, and deepen understanding across subject areas. No prior theatre experience is required—only a willingness to play, explore, and rediscover the power of imagination in education.

Speakers

Clayton Doherty

MYP/IB DRAMA and Media Communications TEACHER, International School of Hamburg

Clayton’s career ranges from Early Childhood Education as an artist for the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning through the Arts, Washington D.C. to conducting seminars, workshops and corporate training throughout the United States, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Australia, New Zealand... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.221 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

9:00am CEST

EAL Working Group Pre-Conference

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

0.245

This pre-conference aims to continue the development of a support network among EAL teachers in AGIS schools, building on the foundations in last year’s AGIS preconference and the monthly online meetings. It will offer the platform to exchange effective practices, strategies, resources and systems that enhance support for our English language learners and teachers. EAL working group members will contribute to shaping the topics and sessions featured at the AGIS Pre-Conference 2026.

Speakers

Courtenay Comiskey

Secondary EAL / I&S, Grade 6 Lead Teacher, Leipzig International School

to be added later

Mirjam Strauss-Paris

to be added later, Munich International School

To be added later

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.245 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Language Learning

9:00am CEST

Evidence-based, Explicit teaching of Executive Function and Study Skills for IB Students

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

0.214

The explicit teaching of Executive Function (EF) skills such as planning, goal-setting, memory, flexible thinking and self-regulation, builds the foundation of effective Study Skills and makes rigorous inquiry accessible to all IB students. In this workshop, participants will connect the International Baccalaureate (IB) pedagogical framework with explicit instruction of Executive Function (EF) and Study Skills. By aligning these we further empower students with the skills to move towards true Autonomy, Agency and Engagement. Participants will leave the workshop with the necessary resources to implement Executive Function explicit instruction into their daily practice.

08:30-9:00 Welcome Coffee
9:00-12:45 First Session
Overview of evidence for the explicit teaching of Executive Function skills, with emphasis on Executive Function Skills as the foundation for study skills;
Model, discuss and develop explicit teaching strategies of Executive Function Skills, with a focus on Emotional Regulation.
12:45-13:45 Lunch
13:00-15:45 Second Session
Traditional study skills, with a foundation in EF skills, as the bedrock of lifelong learning.
Teaching and learning methodologies for guiding students on how to incorporate emerging technologies and AI within study skills.
Aligning Executive Function with ATL Approaches to Learning and IB Learner Profile attributes

Discussion: establishing a European Executive Function & Study Skills Working Group which could meet annually at AGIS

Speakers

Lise Fines

EAL and LS Team Lead and Learning Support Teacher, Bonn International School

EAL and LS Team Lead and Learning Support Teacher

Geena George

Upper Primary Team Lead and Grade 5 Teacher, Bonn International School

Upper Primary Team Lead and Grade 5 Teacher

Dr. Reece Wartenberg

Founding Director, LearnFire

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.214 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Whole school
Subject Transdisciplinary

9:00am CEST

Facility Managers Working Group: Introduction to CAFM (Computer Aided Facility Management) software & Comparison of providers and AI integration

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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The facility manager, once known as the 'professional in the basement', is now also an accomplished IT specialist and an increasingly important figure. To achieve this, we need pragmatic solutions with clear structures that enable fast, transparent workflows and work process protocols. This can be achieved more efficiently with the introduction of CAFM software, which offers unprecedented transparency and speed.
Structure:
08:30-9:00 Welcome Coffee
9:00-12:45 Morning Session
12:45-13:45 Lunch
13:00-15:45 Afternoon Session

Speakers

Arek Warchala

Site Manager, International School Hannover Region

To be added

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.239 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Administrative staff
Subject Well-being

9:00am CEST

Fostering Creativity in the Visual Arts

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

0.215

Visual Arts is often a very difficult subject to teach, as either the teacher does not feel they are ‘artistic’ enough to teach it, or we end up making honest mistakes that end up putting kids off art and thinking creatively for good. I have heard many stories from adults about how an art teacher or teacher made one comment that completely turned them off from art, or were just so demotivated by the ‘talented’ kids around them and the expectations of what they were expected to do. This session will bring this topic to the table and maybe open ourselves up more, in order that our kids maintain their natural artistic creativity and joy for the subject. Also to create a space where ideas can be shared and taken back to schools.

As this has been part of my Visual Arts development plan this year, there will be a small introduction into what has been found so far, opening up to reflections and observations from the group.

From there, some examples will be shared from experience that have worked, both from our school and from others. Time will be set aside at the end to partake in an art activity (or a couple) ourselves to put us in the shoes of our students.

08:30-9:00 Welcome Coffee
9:00-12:45 Morning Session:
9 - 10:30 - Research findings presentation
10:45 - 12:45 - Sharing obstacles and analysing solutions. - split into divisions. EY, Primary and Secondary. Discussion topics, group work and share.
12:45-13:45 Lunch
13:00-15:45 Afternoon Session: get hands dirty. Sampling of selection of art activities and follow up discussion and reflection/take aways. (split into division or interest areas)

Speakers

Natalie Murray

Secondary Visual Arts Teacher, Metropolitan School Frankfurt

Secondary Visual Arts Teacher

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.215 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

9:00am CEST

From Alignment to Action: Collaborative Leadership in the PYP

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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Participants (PYP Coordinators) will engage in dialogue and joint planning around key areas such as transdisciplinary learning, learner agency, assessment, and inclusion, while examining how aligned vision translates into consistent, high-quality PYP practice. The round table provides dedicated time and structure for coordinators to learn from one another, share challenges and successes, and co-construct strategies that are responsive to their unique school contexts.

Speakers

Ashlee Krantz

PYP Coordinator, International School Augsburg

Carolyn Henry

Lower School Vice Principal & PYP Coordinator, International School of Ulm / Neu-Ulm

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.233 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Early Years Learners aged 3-6, Elementary/Primary Learners 6-11, Administrative staff
Subject Transdisciplinary
global Y

9:00am CEST

From Bricks to Bytes: Designing Innovation in International Schools with LEGO® Serious Play® and AI

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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What happens when creative, hands-on thinking meets the power of artificial intelligence?

This immersive full-day workshop brings together LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP) and Google AI tools such as Gemini, NotebookLM, and Google Vids to help educators explore challenges and imagine new possibilities for learning in international schools.

Participants will begin the day using LEGO® Serious Play® to build models that represent their perspectives on meaningful learning, innovation, and the evolving role of technology in education. Through storytelling and shared reflection, these models help surface both opportunities and barriers facing international school communities.

Building on these insights, participants will explore how AI tools can support research, idea generation, synthesis, and communication. Using these tools, educators will extend their thinking and experiment with new ways of developing and communicating ideas.

In the afternoon, participants return to LEGO® Serious Play® to build refined models that represent future possibilities for learning, leadership, and innovation. The workshop concludes with reflection and the creation of a simple digital artifact that participants can take back to their schools to continue the conversation with colleagues.

Blending creativity, technology, and collaborative design thinking, this session offers educators a powerful space to explore complex challenges and consider new approaches to innovation in international school environments.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

Use LEGO® Serious Play® to explore and visualize beliefs, challenges, and opportunities related to innovation and learning in international school contexts.
Apply Google AI tools (Gemini, NotebookLM, Google Vids) to extend ideas, prototype solutions, generate insights, and support change-focused workflows.
Experience a blended analog–digital design process that models how hands-on and AI-supported thinking can coexist in modern pedagogy.
Develop actionable prototypes or future-focused concepts that can be implemented or piloted in their schools.
Strengthen their capacity for collaborative leadership, creative problem-solving, and reflective practice across diverse, global learning environments.

Speakers

James Stark

ES Technology and Innovation Coordinator, Frankfurt International School

Jamie Stark is an experienced international educator and innovation leader, currently serving as the Elementary Technology & Innovation Coordinator at Frankfurt International School in Germany. With nearly two decades of teaching and leadership experience, he is recognized for his expertise... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.225 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators; Administrative staff
Subject Design; Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)
about <br>

9:00am CEST

From Voice to Action: Building Student Agency Through Student Action Teams

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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Student Action Teams are a structured initiative designed to move student voice beyond expression and into meaningful, informed action. The work begins by exploring the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a shared framework for understanding global challenges and imagining how we can contribute to making the world a better place. From there, students connect these global goals to our ISH beliefs and values, grounding big ideas in their own school context. Using systems thinking, students identify real issues within the school community, explore who is affected, what factors influence the issue, and how different parts of the system interact before designing any action. The initiative is not only about taking action. It intentionally develops essential soft skills such as collaboration, communication, empathy, leadership, problem solving, and self regulation. Students learn to listen to multiple perspectives, manage disagreement, reflect on impact, and adapt their thinking as they learn. Adult mentors support the process without taking ownership, allowing students to experience authentic agency within clear structures. This session provides a practical, transferable framework that schools can adapt to develop their own Student Action Teams, supporting student agency, wellbeing, and values driven action in diverse contexts.

Structure of the day:

Morning Session. Foundations and Shared Understanding

Session 1. Setting the Why and the Big Picture
• Welcome and purpose of the day
• Why student agency matters now
• Overview of 21st century skills with a focus on agency, collaboration, and ethical action
• Introduction to the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a global framework for action
• Connecting global goals to school values and beliefs
• Reflection activity. Where do we already see student voice and where does it stop
Session 2. Systems Thinking in Practice
• What systems thinking looks like in a school context
• Moving from quick fixes to understanding root causes
• Mapping school based systems. Who is involved, who is impacted, where decisions sit
• Examples from Student Action Teams in practice
• Guided discussion. What systems exist in your own school that students could meaningfully engage with

Afternoon Session. From Thinking to Action

Session 3. Designing Student Action Teams
• Structure and purpose of Student Action Teams
• Adult role as mentor not owner
• Teaching soft skills alongside action
• Using systems thinking to design responsible action
• Case study walkthrough
Session 4. Action Planning Using the Iceberg Model
• Introduction to the Iceberg Model as a systems thinking tool
• Starting below the surface. Identifying school beliefs and assumptions about student agency as the mental model
• Exploring how these beliefs show up in patterns, structures, and daily practices in participants’ schools
• Connecting mental models to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and school values
• Using the Iceberg Model to design a Student Action Team structure that is intentional, ethical, and sustainable
• Clarifying adult roles, student roles, and decision making boundaries
• Drafting a Student Action Team action plan grounded in beliefs, not just activities
• Sharing plans, peer feedback, and reflection
• Identifying clear next steps to take back to school

Speakers

Tracey Rabbitts

EY/JS Assistant Principal- Grade 2 Homeroom Teacher, International School of Hamburg

Tracey Rabbitts is an experienced primary educator and school leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to early childhood development, instructional excellence, and data-informed teaching. She completed her Bachelor of Arts with Honours and Qualified Teacher Status at Bath Spa... Read More →

Maha Frangieh

EY/JS Principal, International School of Hamburg

Maha Frangieh is an experienced international school leader and currently serves as Early Years and Junior School Principal in Hamburg. She holds a Doctorate in Education, with her research focusing on international mindedness and how schools intentionally nurture global citizenship... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.24 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

9:00am CEST

Growing Effective Student Leaders in Schools

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

0.231

The workshop is structured around the core skill sections presented in the book Leadership for Teens: 25 Key Life Skills Everyone Should Master, by Cox, translating leadership principles into practical strategies.
Part One: Common Leadership Themes
Part one introduces participants to foundational leadership skills that shape student self-leadership and growth. Attendees will engage in reflective activities that build student self-awareness, clarify values, strengthen responsibility, and develop a leadership mindset. The workshop explores emotional intelligence, managing reactions, and building resilience. Emphasis is placed on effective communication and overcoming leadership obstacles, where the focus is on helping students understand that leadership begins with managing themselves, their choices, and responses to challenges.
Part Two: Leveraging the Impacts of Leadership
Part two focuses on applying leadership skills to create positive outcomes. Teachers learn strategies to help students make thoughtful decisions, solve problems independently, and take initiative. The session will focus on how to help students create a team, manage time, handle criticism and resolve conflict. These are all skills needed to strengthen collaboration, responsibility, and contribution within the school community.

09:00-09:30: Welcome Coffee - Icebreaker
09:30-11:00 Part one: Common Leadership Themes

Identifying Core Beliefs
Emotional Intelligence
Confidence as a leader

11:00-11:30: Coffee break
11:30-12:45: Part one: Common Leadership Themes continued

Communication
Overcoming Leadership Obstacles

12:30-13:30 Lunch
13:30-15:00 Part two: Leveraging the Impacts of Leadership

How to create a team
Time management
How to handle criticism
Resolving conflict

15:00-15:30 Coffee Break
15:30-17:00 End of day wrap-up: Annual meeting Student Leadership and Agency Work Group

Creating a mission and value set for the Student Agency and Leadership working group.
Feedback on the Young Leaders Conference (gr4-5) and Aspiring Leaders Conference (gr6-8) 2026
Discussion: Future Leaders Conference (gr9-12)

Speakers

Leigh Krueger

Secondary School Assistant Principal - Academic, Metropolitan School Frankfurt

Secondary School Assistant Principal - Academic

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.231 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

9:00am CEST

MYP Coordinators’ Working Group

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

0.246

This session marks the first face-to-face gathering of AGIS MYP Coordinators at an AGIS conference in several years. It is primarily designed as an opportunity to reconnect our professional community and facilitate meaningful networking, with an agenda shaped by participants ahead of the day.

Before the session, coordinators will be invited to identify their most pressing challenges and opportunities, ensuring our time together is relevant, practical, and grounded in the realities of our specific school contexts.

We anticipate that discussions will draw on one or more of the following topics:

Enhanced MYP: information, implications, and transition in the context of limited resources
AI: guidelines, policies, impact on academic integrity and assessment design
Balancing rigour and inclusive access in light of changing student population demographics
Enhancing cross-programme transition (PYP to MYP, MYP to DP)

The session aims to generate shared strategies and resources that coordinators can take back and use directly in their school contexts.

The structure of the full-day session will be based on the following timeline:

08:30-9:00 Welcome Coffee

9:00-12:45 Morning Session

12:45-13:45 Lunch

13:00-15:45 Afternoon Session

Speakers

Linda Pizzarello

MYP Coordinator and Assistant Head, International School Hannover Region

To be added

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.246 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Secondary/Middle Learners 11-16
Subject IBCore (TOK, EE, SA, CAS

9:00am CEST

NEASC 4Cs model

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

Full-Day Workshop, School organisation and infrastructure; Teaching pedagogy/methodology

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary (teaching pedagogy & Methodology)

9:00am CEST

Round Table Assistant Working Group

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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The round table aims to foster mutual exchange, collaboration, and the continuous professional and personal development of members of the working group across participating schools.
The Round Table will serve as a platform to: (a) promote professional and personal exchange among members of different schools, (b) encourage mutual support in educational, organizational, and cultural matters, (c) empower individual members through the sharing of best practices, (d) learn from and with one another in the spirit of global citizenship, (e) build and sustain a reliable network between schools, potentially including participants from partner schools.
The LIS motto “Learning to be a Citizen of the World” calls on us to look beyond our immediate environment and to view diversity as a source of enrichment. A Round Table provides the ideal setting: it creates space for open dialogue, reflection, and the exchange of diverse experiences and perspectives. Participants are encouraged to act with courage, take pride in shared accomplishments, and cultivate inclusivity as a guiding principle of daily school life.

Speakers

Nancy Bielz

Head of School Assistant, Leipzig International School

To be added later

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.253 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Administrative staff
Subject Design

9:00am CEST

School Counsellor Working Group Pre-Conference Meeting

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

0.247

Structure of the Day:
08:30-9:00 Welcome Coffee, Introductions.
9:00-12:45 Morning Session: Collaboration with Student Support Working Group (based on Engel's Biopsychosocial Model (1977) as a unifying framework to align counsellors, learning support teachers, school psychologist, nurses, progress leaders, and leadership across schools.
12:45-13:45 Lunch
13:00-14:30 Afternoon Session: Steve Gregory (BBIS): Positive Masculinity: update on the work so far (90 minutes).
14:30-15:00 Break
15:00-16:00 Amy Henry & Eric Bullock (Bonn): Communicating SC role in community & Counseling Handbook.
16:00-16:30 Reflection and wrap up the day

The School Counsellor Working Group will have an opportunity to meet and connect during the pre-conference. This session is for practising or qualified school counsellors only.

Speakers

Zoe Andrews

Whole School Mental Health Counsellor, International School of Hamburg

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.247 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Whole school

9:00am CEST

Service as Action, CAS, Service Learning and Community Engagement

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

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This day will delve deep into a variety of pedagogic and facilitator structures for increasing student agency, investigation strategies and strengthening student voice. We shall explore a number of school Sustainability Award schemes. There will be a chance to discuss strategies, share stories of practice and resources.

9:00-11:00 Morning Session 1

Session 1:
Everything is connected to Everything Else (The Four Laws of Ecology by Barry Commoner )

We shall explore our school systems, strategies, share stories of practice and resources as a starting point to bring connection to the group.

We shall investigate Systems Thinking models that support the investigation aspect of the Solutionary Framework and the 5 stages of CAS within IPARD.

11:00-11:15 - Break

11:15-12:45
Session 2:
Dedicated time to investigating the process of reflection to track guide student development and workshop best practices for delivering Service as Action and CAS systems. We shall look at the developments of Service Learning and Community Engagement and building Service within the curriculum.

12:45-13:45 Lunch

13:45-15:00 Afternoon Session
Session 3:
A focus session on Education for Sustainable Development - how the Eco-Schools, Earth Charter and Schools for Earth can be integrated within curriculum, Service as Action, CAS and Service Learning as structured approach and benchmarking strategies.

15:00-15:45
Session 4:
Reflection Session with the Group

Speakers

Emma Morris

CAS coordinator, Bavarian International School

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
0.223 Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Secondary/Middle Learners aged 11-16; Diploma Learners 17-18; Administrative staff Elementary/Primary Learners aged 6-11 Language Learning Whole school for educators Well-being

9:00am CEST

Student Support Full-Day Conference: aligning student support practices through different frameworks, requirements towards student-centred approaches and biopsychosocial model

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

Lake View Room

This full-day workshop introduces the biopsychosocial model (Engel, 1977) as a unifying framework to align counsellors, learning support teachers, school psychologist, nurses, progress leaders, and leadership across. Participants will explore how biological (health, neurodevelopment), psychological (cognition, emotion, identity), and social (culture, family systems, peer context) factors intersect to influence learner agency, wellbeing, and academic access.
The workshop explicitly addresses how to plan within the school and support all stakeholders, integrate documentation requirements, access and inclusion arrangements, safeguarding expectations, and external accreditation standards of each country/region into one coherent process, through cross-divisional case analysis and systems mapping, participants will design aligned referral pathways, case meeting protocols, and documentation templates that meet multiple frameworks while maintaining a learner-centred approach and keep the standards regulated from both the educational and local frameworks.

The structure of the full-day session should be based on the following timeline:
08:30-9:00 Welcome Coffee
9:00-12:45 Morning Session
Holistic education
The biopsychosocial model (Engel, 1977) and ICD 11
Ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner) and developmental neuroscience
Mapping IB constructs (Learner Profile, ATL, agency, inclusion) onto biopsychosocial domains
From “support service” to “whole-school ecosystem”
12:45-13:45 Lunch
13:00-15:45 Afternoon Session
Sharing of resources and co-planning
Case studies

References
Engel, G. (1977). The biopsychosocial model. Science.
Bronfenbrenner, U. (Ecological systems theory).
Immordino-Yang, M. (Affective neuroscience and learning).
IB publications: Learning Diversity and Inclusion in IB Programmes, Access and Inclusion Policy, Approaches to Learning, and safeguarding guidance.

Speakers

Aristea Mastoraki

Head of Student Support, Berlin Metropolitan School

Placeholder - more to come soon!

Laura Beccherini

Head of Primary Student Support, Berlin Metropolitan School

Placeholder - more to come soon!

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST
Lake View Room Am Luftschiffhafen 1, 14471 Potsdam

Full-Day Workshop

Audience Whole school for educators
Subject Transdisciplinary

9:00am CEST

Working Group: Lower School German Teachers

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 3:45pm CEST

0.229

As a Working Group, we would like to use the opportunity at AGIS to have our annual in-person meeting for our working group. We continue to align our German Language & Literature/home language and our German Language Acquisition curricula for Lower School/ Primary School. We will continue to share assessments, materials and align them for a more coherent and consistent curriculum for German in Lower Schools/Primary in International Schools in Germany.

Morning
8:30 for Welcome and setting the scene
9:00 to 12:45 for updating each other on our current work on our curricular and implementing our agreements.
13:00 to 15:45 will be used for assessments comparing and aligning and materials share

Speakers