Sponsored by
Leading in Times of Uncertainty
Online CPD Talk
Date: Thursday 11th December
Duration: 60 mins
Optional stay and chat: 30 mins​
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10:00 AM | United Kingdom | GMT +0
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11:00 AM | Central Europe | CET | GMT +1
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12:00 PM | Eastern Europe | EET |GMT +2
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1:00 PM | Gulf States | GST | GMT +4
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3:30 PM | India | IST | GMT +5:30
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5:00 PM | Thailand | ICT | GMT +7
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6:00 PM | China / Singapore | CST / SGT | GMT +8
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7:00 PM | Japan | JST | GMT +9
Certification of training and attendance sent to ISN members upon completion of event.
About this event
In today’s global landscape, international schools face challenges that reach far beyond the classroom. Shifting political contexts, economic pressures, and the ongoing work of building and sustaining strong reputations require school leaders to respond with resilience, adaptability, and clarity of vision.
Join us for a one-hour professional development session that explores what it means to lead through uncertainty. Our experts will focus on practical ways to cultivate stability, trust, and a sense of belonging for staff, students, and the wider school community.
Through case studies, reflective practice, and shared dialogue, participants will gain actionable tools and renewed confidence to navigate the unknown while inspiring those they lead.
This session is ideal for heads of school, senior leaders, and aspiring leaders committed to fostering resilience and belonging within their international school communities.
Participants are welcome to stay for an optional 30-minute extension featuring deeper discussion, Q&A, and opportunities to connect with fellow school leaders.
Our speakers
Abigail Alexis-Olubuyide
Head of Primary
The British School of Beijing
A Nord Anglia Education School
Abigail Alexis Olubuyide is an international headteacher known for her hands on, people centered leadership. Her experience across the UK, UAE, and China, from teaching assistant to headteacher, gives her a broad perspective that informs her work with students, staff, and the wider community.
Abigail is committed to developing the whole child and the whole team, ensuring high performance is possible for everyone through strong support and an inclusive school culture. She advocates for equitable practices that remove barriers to learning and believes professional growth and best practice must sit at the heart of every school.
A lifelong learner, Abigail holds qualifications in psychology, counselling, neuro linguistic programming, life coaching, and educational leadership, and is completing an EdD in organisational leadership. She is also the author of two books focused on personal growth and positive leadership.
Tatiana Popa
Head of Secondary, Deputy Academic Director , Head of Global Education at Heritage International School, Moldova
As Deputy Academic Director at Heritage International School in Moldova, Tatiana leads Global Education, Hybrid Learning, CPD, Student Councils, and media relations at the country’s only Cambridge international school.
She has served as an eTwinning Ambassador since 2015, supporting global projects and training educators in Moldova and internationally. Tatiana is also a Climate Action Project ambassador and represents T4 Education, the Global School Alliance, and since 2023, the Global Schools program.
Shortlisted among the Top 20 Global Education Influencers in 2023, she has published widely and contributed to numerous international conferences and webinars.
Catherine Hayton
School Principal
Taaleem Ajyal School Kalba
An accomplished and visionary school leader with over 25 years of experience across the UAE and UK, including multiple Principal roles and founding leadership roles.
Expertise in school transformation, teaching and learning development, and raising standards through strategic, data-driven improvement.
A creative thinker and clear communicator who has empowered teams, built leadership capacity, and cultivated positive school cultures grounded in accountability and trust.
Gill Kelly
Managing Director of MSB
Gill Kelly knows what it means to lead and to learn. As a former headteacher of three different and diverse schools she brings great creativity, insight and gravitas to those that she works with. Her soulful yet sassy approach to life is reflected in her fundamental belief in the innate ability of people to change themselves and their setting. Gill is an artist who works in oil on a large abstract scale.
As a CTI-trained coach she has an invaluable toolkit to help others achieve the life that they want.
When not splashing oil paints around canvas or pursuing a bargain pair of brightly-coloured shoes Gill delivers across all of the MSB programmes and is responsible for the strategic development of the company.
She believes that life and learning are far too important to be taken too seriously. A giggle solves most things.
What can you expect to take away from this session?
1
Leading through political and social unrest with courage and clarity:
Learn strategies for making values-aligned decisions and communicating confidently when external events create instability.
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Supporting community wellbeing and retention when uncertainty affects morale:
Explore ways to recognise stress early and strengthen trust, safety, and engagement across your school community.
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Strengthening your school’s reputation and sense of identity in the face of external pressures:
Discover how to affirm your school’s mission, highlight core strengths, and communicate a steady, consistent identity.
4
Cultivating adaptive leadership that balances transparency, empathy, and decisiveness:
Develop leadership practices that help you remain open, responsive, and clear while guiding your community through change.
Sponsoring this event:
MSB
Making Stuff Better is a coaching and coach education organisation fostering human centered leadership in international schools. MSB works with over 400 heads and senior leaders worldwide, offering executive coaching and ICF aligned accreditation pathways for educators.
Led by cofounder Matt Hall, MSB partners with groups such as Nord Anglia, GEMS, International Schools Partnership, the English Schools Foundation, and FOBISIA to embed coaching at scale. Its team of 35+ coaches and facilitators create “regenerative spaces” for leaders to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine their impact. MSB’s philosophy — being, belonging, and becoming — cultivates presence, connection, and growth in leadership.
MSB are offering: A place for three people from your school on our online course in January. Prologue is the perfect starting point for schools looking to catalyse their culture and make it extraordinary. Learn more here.
Agenda
Welcome and introduction:
Claire King - Community Manager for The International Schools Network​
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Session 1: Future-Ready by Design: Identity, Trust, and Adaptive Leadership
Catherine Hayton - School Principal Taaleem Ajyal School Kalba
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Session 2: Leading When the Map Melts: Field Notes for Uncertain Times
Gill Kelly - Managing Director of Making Stuff Better
Session 3: Panel Discussion
Abigail Alexis-Olubuyide - Head of Primary The British School of Beijing
Tatiana Popa - Head of Secondary, Deputy Academic Director , Head of Global Education at Heritage International School, Moldova
Catherine Hayton - School Principal Taaleem Ajyal School Kalba
Gill Kelly - Managing Director of Making Stuff Better
Optional 30-minute stay and chat
Join us for an additional 30 minutes to discuss the event, share your experiences and connect with other international educators.
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