What an inspiring few days it was at the International School Monaco Conference on 9th and 10th January. Full of learning ,connection, and a celebration of what truly matters in education
I was so grateful to Abigail Furey and Vipula Sharma for their exceptional organisation and care ,from our first Zoom conversations to the beautiful final celebration dinner. Eery aspect from lanyards to room arrangements, timings, tech support, and the calm, professional flow, was thoughtfully considered
I was also so happy to share “Why Play Matters” and an “Introduction to Positive Playtimes” to a room full of international teachers. The training room overlooked the sea, probably one of the most magnificent views I’ve had at a conference in a long time and the setting was as uplifting as the conversations we had.
Inspiring Keynotes
The keynote sessions were equally powerful:
- James Nottingham led a thought-provoking workshop on The Learning Pit, particularly his exploration of self-efficacy versus self-esteem. It reinforced a truth we know well in play, learning, and wellbeing: progress matters more than performance.
- Kimberley Wilson’s keynote on Feeding Your Brain blended research with real-world application. Her message was clear: small daily choices matter, from blueberries to 85% dark chocolate—a reminder that livingness counts!
Connecting with Educators
It was a joy to meet so many inspiring educators and speakers, including Russel Tarr, Patricia Hubert, Hywel Roberts, Patrick Renouf, James Myklebust-Hampshire, and many others. Everyone was deeply committed to creating learning environments where children and young people can truly thrive.
I met a wonderful educator – Patrick Renouf, who became my travel buddy after meeting on the plane. His passion for making numeracy accessible and enjoyable for every child was inspiring, and we had a lot of fun exploring Monte Carlo together!
We even headed off mid conference for a fun lunch on Monaco beach, which was very special!
Leaving Inspired
I left Monaco feeling inspired, deeply grateful, and already reflecting on how this learning will shape my next steps. The ideas shared about Positive Playtimes will continue to support happier, more harmonious school communities internationally and that’s exciting.
I also apprecaited everyone at ISM for their warmth, enthusiasm, and openness. It was a privilege to share the space with them, and I look forward to seeing how their school implements Positive Playtimesl I’ve already started to hear about the children playing more games in Monaco!!
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