TISSL to conduct international conference for heads of school in November

From left: TISSL PR and Communications Secretary /Wycherley International School Gampaha Principal Chrishanthi Wickrama Arachchi, TISSL Treasurer/Asian International School Principal Harshana Perera, TISSL Chairperson/ Alethea International School Executive Director Kumari Hapugalle Perera, TISSL General Secretary/ Leeds International Schools Co-ordinating Principal Malithi Jayatissa, TISSL and Founder Chairperson/ Gateway College Chairman Dr. Harsha Alles

From left: TISSL Treasurer/Asian International School Principal Harshana Perera, TISSL Chairperson/ Alethea International School Executive Director Kumari Hapugalle Perera, Pearson Edexcel Asia Regional Director Premila Paulraj

From left: TISSL Treasurer/Asian International School Principal Harshana Perera, TISSL Chairperson/ Alethea International School Executive Director Kumari Hapugalle Perera, Cambridge Assessment International Examination Country Manager Panchalika Kulatunga, Cambridge University Press Country Manager Samson Premkanath

• Themed ‘Leading and Learning in Turbulent Times’
  
   

The International Schools of Sri Lanka (TISSL), the association of the premier international schools in Sri Lanka, will be conducting the Annual International Conference for heads of schools from 22 to 24 November at Marriot Resort and Spa Hotel, Weligama, under the theme ‘Leading and Learning in Turbulent Times’.

TISSL, formed in 2003, brings together the heads of the foremost international schools in Sri Lanka to serve the impetus of upscaling and elevating the education system to keep up with global education standards. TISSL also focuses on exchanging innovative teaching and learning methodologies practiced among member schools and increasing collaboration within schools for mutual benefit. 

Through this highly relevant theme in the local context, the TISSL Annual Conference 2019 will focus on turbulence that may occur as a result of both external and internal factors, be it natural disasters, acts of terrorism, other issues such as changes technological and geo-political landscape, or internal factors such as significant changes in company strategy or deteriorating performance etc. 

“As such how to lead and learn as a leader; specifically, the importance of the leader’s role in maintaining stability in times of crisis, motivating and inspiring others during such times will be areas we will focus at the conference,” stated TISSL Chairperson/ Alethea International School Executive Director Kumari Hapugalle Perera.

“This year’s conference is the seventh annual international conference. The annual conference was initiated in the year 2013 with the participation of the heads and decision makers of member international schools, non-member international schools, state schools and private schools in the region,” she added.

TISSL and Founder Chairperson/ Gateway College Chairman Dr. Harsha Alles stated that, “The goal of the TISSL group is to foster unity, to promote quality education and to network with the Ministry of Education. The annual conference is an ideal platform to cater to all those roles. All 24 member school chains within the group cater to approximately 50,000 students island-wide and around 95% are Sri Lankan students. There are around 10,000 schools in Sri Lanka (local/Government) but only about 70 have an actual demand for admissions. Admission to TISSL schools, however, is fairly difficult. This alone shows that we are doing something right. Together, we desire to improve quality, maintain standards and be a part of the Sri Lankan system, rather than remaining as a separate entity.”

The TISSL Annual Conference is organised by the Chairperson Kumari Hapugalle Perera, General Secretary Malithi Jayatissa, Treasurer Harshana Perera, and PR and Communications Secretary Chrishanthi Wickrama Arachchi, with the support of Dr. Kumari Grero and Dr. Harsha Alles as Executive Committee members of the TISSL Association, as well as other members from the TISSL Conference Organising Committee.

This year’s conference will feature four eminent foreign speakers from around the world, in keeping with TISSL commitment to bringing global best practices of world-class education to Sri Lankan classrooms. 

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) School of Education Principal Lecturer and Head of Education Partnerships Dr. Phil Kirkman will be sponsored by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations together with Cambridge University Press. Having previously served as the Deputy Head of Education and Social Care, he also manages the development of the ARU teacher education portfolio, leads the MBA in Educational Leadership and Management, and supervises doctoral projects. Prior to his work at ARU, Phil worked at the University of Cambridge, UK, where he managed several postgraduate teacher education courses alongside research and international educational development work.

Oxford University Press speaker Kostadinos Lekanides, author of ‘Extended Essay’ and contributing author for TOK Kosta, is currently an Assistant Head Teacher, Head of IB Programs and TOK Co-ordinator at Jumeirah English Speaking School in Dubai. He has been teaching for over 17 years in countries as culturally diverse as Japan, Australia and currently the UAE. In addition to teaching, he is very experienced in assessment and has been a workshop leader for the Theory of Knowledge, International Mindedness and Extended Essays for IBICUS. He has also written the Extended Essay Companion Guide and co-authored the Theory of Knowledge Skills and Practice Book published by Oxford University Press.

Pearson Edexcel’s speaker, Pearson Global Market New Product and Solutions Vice President Ujjwal Singh, is focused on driving Pearson’s growth through scalable and sustainable innovation. Having an innate passion for technology and a deep desire to shape a new future for education, Ujjwal has been instrumental in the conceptualisation of new product ideas like MyPedia, MePro and MyInsights, and has filed for two patents, one in India and the other in the US. He offers entrepreneurial stamina and wisdom to drive bottom-line growth and apply ethical principles to make a significant difference, inspire stakeholders to peak performance and build businesses. An alumnus of IIM Bangalore, Ujjwal has avid interest in exploring ‘individualised learning’ through the medium of technology interfaces, and enjoys sharing product and innovation processes during talks at institutions like TEDx, IIM-Calcutta, and Amity among others. Coxless Crew team member Natalia Cohen is an Inspirational Speaker and Mindset Coach brought in by the British Council. With 15 years’ experience of living and working in over 60 countries, Natalia Cohen has chosen to follow an unusual and fascinating path. Her broad range of professional experience within the travel industry includes adventure tour leading, operations management, teaching/training, volunteer and project co-ordination, as well as working within the Super Yacht industry and Eco-lodge management, running a remote Safari lodge in Tanzania. Natalia and the crew completed this challenge in January 2016, setting two world records and gaining an international following. The expedition was not only a challenge of extreme conditions and perseverance but also a journey within to better understand the strength of human spirit, the importance of being aligned with your values, developing mental resilience, the diversity within a team and enjoying the journey.

The Gold Sponsors of this event are Cambridge Assessment International Examinations together with Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press and Pearson Edexcel, who will each host an international speaker to address the conference based on the theme. In addition, British Council has joined as a Silver Sponsor while providing a distinguish speaker for the event. The other Silver Sponsors are Horizon Campus Business Management School, Jeya Book Centre, Monash University, Nations Trust Bank, Prime Business Solutions, Star Publishing, Softlogic Life Insurance PLC and South Asian Technologies. Furthermore, Create Labs Singapore and St. Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School Australia will also join hands as Bronze Sponsors for the event.

The TISSL EXCO has also decided to implement Kumari Hapugalle Perera’s idea to present TISSL’s Lifetime Achievement Award for the first time, to recognise dedicated educators who have altered the course of education in Sri Lanka. She went on to state, “The only way to take a country to the next level of progress and development is by educating the youth and enlightening the path via imparting insights. The responsibility of educating society is undertaken by dedicated teachers who act as mentors. This award is intended to honour outstanding personalities in education who have dedicated their lives to the enhancement of schools in Sri Lanka with their pioneering spirit, demonstrated innovation and selfless dedication.” This event is opened to all heads of schools from sectional heads upwards and other educational partners. Those interested in attending this event may contact TISSL via [email protected].