Helping Boys Shine at School (K-12)
A professional learning webinar with Maggie Dent
Sign up now to watch this webinar whenever you like.
A special event for ECEs, teachers and other education professionals
Data and educational research consistently show that boys in the Western world are struggling more than girls on the schooling journey. Girls are more likely to be developmentally ready for school than boys, they consistently outperform boys particularly in literacy and numeracy, and they are more likely to complete tertiary education.
Low literacy is highly prevalent among boys in juvenile justice and men in prison. Boys continue to be suspended at far higher rates than girls (even in kindy!), are more likely to disengage and dropout, and the gaps in their achievement that are apparent in Year 3 persist right through to Year 9. Around 80% of discipline problems in schools involve boys, as do up to 70% of diagnosed learning difficulties.
While we know that most males in western societies go on to have better pay and consistency in the workforce, if we really want to overcome gender inequalities in society at large – and shift unhelpful cultural and social norms – education is key.
This webinar is all about bringing back hope and enthusiasm into our schools so that all students, including our boys, can thrive and shine.
Drawing from her own experience as a former high-school teacher and counsellor, and mother of four sons, author and educator, Maggie will:
→ Explore the challenges of transitioning to big school
→ Look at key drivers for building self-worth at school
→ Highlight some key differences in brain processing and memory
→ Look at the role of relational safety and connection in the classroom
→ Look at the impact of technology and the weakening of active play in the decline in boys’ behaviour and achievement
→ Explore ways to change poor behaviour – discipline vs punishment
→ Look at the ‘man code’ and how it can influence our expectations of boys at school
→ Explore how we can make our schools more boy-friendly, without compromising girls’ learning
→ Address boy disengagement and motivation (and fidgeting/not listening, being rough/bored/distracted)
→ Look at how we can support boys to better handle loss, failure and muck-ups without shaming them
→ Explore solutions and innovations that re-engage disengaged lads (without adding to teachers’ workloads)
Get access
This professional learning experience aims to be thought-provoking, validating, funny and inspiring.
The webinar was recorded live and is now presented as a ~1.5 hour video with an audio-only version also available if you prefer to listen on-the-go. Once you sign up you will receive access to the participant area where you'll get lifetime access to the content, plus all the additional resources.
Free gifts included...
Everyone who registers will receive a copy of Maggie’s eBook Some Things About Boys plus 2 free audio tracks you can use with students, Beach Bliss and Creating Success
Plus...
As a handy reference, you'll also receive a PDF handout with notes and links to further information and resources. A certificate of completion is available for you to download after the class.
About Maggie
Commonly known as the ‘queen of common sense’, Maggie Dent has become one of Australia's favourite parenting authors, educators and podcasters. She has a background in teaching and counselling, and a particular interest in the early years, adolescence and resilience.
Maggie is the author of 10 major books, including the bestselling Mothering Our Boys, From Boys to Men, Girlhood and Help Me Help My Teen. Maggie hosts The Good Enough Dad podcast and also hosted the award-winning ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. In 2025, she also starred in the genre-bending ABC TV series, The Role of a Lifetime.
Maggie is a dedicated advocate to quietly changing lives in our families and communities. She is a founding member of the Ctrl+Shft online safety coalition. Maggie is the mother of four sons and a very grateful grandmother.
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