The 2025 WLSA Global Student Conference, held in Sydney Australia from the 28th of June to the 5th of July, and graciously hosted by Barker College, brought together an inspiring community of students and educators from around the globe under the powerful theme: Voices of Tomorrow: Intercultural Leaders in the Age of Innovation. With participants representing a diverse range of countries and nationalities—including Brazil, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, South Korea and China—all meeting together in Sydney, the conference provided a vibrant platform for cross-cultural dialogue, collaboration and academic exchange. In alignment with our mission to widen access and support global participation, WLSA provided financial aid to support 64 attendees in joining the conference in Sydney, enabling diverse perspectives to be included and valued throughout the conference.
The conference featured a compelling lineup of keynote speeches and sessions, with attendees engaging in thought-provoking themes surrounding cultural intelligence, leadership in a modern world, technological innovation and what it means to be a global citizen, all through a dynamic mix of academic workshops, panels and student-led breakout sessions. Together, we created an enriching and engaging environment, supporting WLSA’s vision and mission of intercultural learning, idea-sharing, and empowering the leaders of tomorrow. The GSC stood out as a unique opportunity for students to amplify their voices on global issues, broaden their cultural understanding, and develop the skills necessary to become agile, compassionate leaders of the future.
Highlights
Opening Ceremony at Rhodes Theatre
Speakers
Dr. Douglas Christiansen – Chair of WLSA Council Board; Co-Chair of WLSA CAN; Vice Provost for University Enrollment Affairs & Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid of Vanderbilt University; Former Chair of Board of Trustees for the College Board
Ms. Cici Cao – Director of Partnership and Financial Aid of World Leading Schools Association (WLSA); Vice Principal of WLSA Shanghai Academy
Mr. Phillip Heath AM – Head of Barker College Past National Chair of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia Served on the NSW Board of Studies
Mr. Peter Gibson – Head of Character Education, Barker College; Round Square Coordinator; Conference Co-ordinator
The opening ceremony marked a historic milestone as WLSA hosted its first ever event in Oceania, welcomed by Barker College in Sydney. WLSA thanked Barker’s team for their adaptability and hospitality to help make this exciting gathering possible. The evening also celebrated WLSA’s mission to unite world leading schools, empower global future leaders and foster continued connection through conferences, college networks and student exchanges. Attendees were encouraged to ask bold questions, listen deeply and leave with a new perspective on the world.
Leadership Interview
Topic: A Conversation on Leadership Lessons
Speaker: Adrian Piccoli, Former NSW Minister of Education
“The key to being a good leader is making sure we can filter all of information and then use our own personal judgement to make good and informed decisions. Leadership is about decision-making and taking responsibility.” — Adrian Piccoli, Senior Client Partner and past NSW Minister of Education
WLSA College Admission Network (CAN)
CAN Panels
The CAN panels brought together admissions representatives from a diverse range of leading colleges and universities. These panels offered students invaluable insights into the admissions process, demystifying what schools look for beyond test scores and grades. Topics covered included crafting authentic personal statements, understanding holistic review processes, exploring financial aid opportunities, and choosing the right-fit institution. Panelists also shared advice on how students can highlight their unique experiences and contributions, encouraging them to approach applications with confidence and self-awareness.
CAN Workshop (Mock Admission)
The workshop simulated the experience of a real admissions committee, guiding students through the evaluation of sample applications to illustrate how strengths, weaknesses, and unique qualities are assessed in a holistic review. Acting as admissions officers, participants discussed and debated each applicant’s merits, gaining valuable insight into what truly makes an application stand out — and why. This interactive, hands-on exercise not only demystified the often intimidating admissions process but also provided practical guidance on how students can present themselves authentically and effectively in their own applications.
CAN Fair
Our fantastic college fair had stalls from the following leading universities: Vanderbilt University, Boston University, University of Southern California, University of Arizona, Columbia University, New York University, The University of Chicago, The University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, Washington University in St. Louis. In addition, we featured two Australia universities, with Sydney University and Macquarie University.
Tourism Day
Participants took a well-deserved break from academic sessions to explore the vibrant city of Sydney and its surrounding natural wonders. We explored: a City Tour, Harbour Cruise, Rocks Tour, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains, Echo Point, Scenic World and the Koala Park.
Keynote Address
Keynote Address #1:
Topic: AI & Chat GPT, Revolution and the Future.
Speaker: Adam Spencer, Iconic Australian Television and Radio Presenter.
Keynote Address #2
Topic: Rare Air-Lessons in Leadership from Seven Summits
Topic: Discovering my future – How do I want to be?
Presenter: Dr Martins Levins, Lecture at University of New England.
Keynote Address #4
Topic: Making a Social Impact.
Speaker: Simone Allan, Founder Mondo Search and The Women’s Resilience Centre.
Keynote Address #5
Topic: Global Citizenship.
Speaker: Matt Donovan, CEO Health Care Logic.
“If we use technology to turbo-charge the future, the global leaders of tomorrow are going to live in an incredible world.” — Adam Spencer
“Rejecting all AI isn’t the answer; we need smarter policies and a respect for human creativity. AI should help us push our ideas further, not just fill in empty spaces—and we should still value the irreplaceable skill and emotion behind human-made art.” — Elma Liu, a student from WLSA Shanghai Academy
Masterclasses
Dr. Matthew Hill and Dr. Tim Scott, Barker College
In this interactive workshop, our students practiced data analysis, developed evidence-based insights, and explored how to answer strong research questions. This masterclass helped students lead with insight, think critically and use research to create real-world impact.
Esther Colwill, Korn Ferry
In this enthralling keynote session, Esther shared her incredible experiences climbing Mount Everest, discussing what she learned about character and leadership which she has transferred into the workplace, in addition to relating these skills to AI-enabled and hybrid workforces.
Lisa Chalmers, Barker college
This keynote address explored the often-overlooked role of rest in achieving sustainable life balance and optimal performance. It highlighted how intentional rest functions not as a hindrance to productivity, but as a foundation for it.
Melinda Bower, Barker College
This incredible workshop emphasized how understanding your individual and unique strengths and qualities is essential for building a fulfilling professional career. Together we explored how AI is transforming the contemporary workplace, diving into practical tips on how to help align your ambitions.
Mr. Mikel Green, WLSA Shanghai Academy, China
This masterclass helped young leaders develop the critical awareness to challenge norms, address systemic inequities, and drive change. The course fostered questioning, inclusion, and innovation, empowering leaders to overcome limiting thoughts and become agents of positive, collaborative change in a complex, interconnected world.
Ms. Dechen, The Royal Academy, Druk Gyalpo Institute, Bhutan
This presentation explored Bhutan’s unique approach to education that harmonises traditional wisdom with modern innovation through the Bhutan Baccalaureate model. Grounded within Bhutan’s national philosophy of Gross National Happiness, they demonstrated how learning can simultaneously preserve cultural heritage, protect national ecosystems and embrace technological progress.
Mr. Jigme Chogyel, The Royal Academy, Druk Gyalpo Institute, Bhutan
As the only student masterclass conductor selected for the 2025 WLSA Global Student Conference in Sydney, Jigme shared Bhutan’s unique environmental and cultural perspectives while learning from global peers to address pressing ecological challenges. He introduced The Panoptes Project—a global citizen science initiative that uses robotic telescopes (Panoptes units) to study transiting exoplanets. Now implemented in Bhutan with a unique cultural approach, the project involves students and teachers actively researching celestial objects like the Blaze Star, Pleiades, and Jupiter's moons, integrating Bhutanese folktales and traditional astronomical knowledge into their scientific work.
Ms. Keabetswe, African Leadership Academy, South Africa
This presentation equipped students with practical strategies to recognise, manage and thrive under pressure. By blending interactive activities with self-reflection, the session helped students transform pressure from a limiting force into a catalyst for high performance and confidence.
Ms. Emma Scarlis, Barker College, Australia
This masterclass covered how we make conscious choices in being an effective communicator. It covered the key facets of the way we use our bodies to communicate, the way we use our voices to communicate, and the way we use technology to communicate.
Mr. Jesser Mross Becker, Barker College, Australia
Robotics is a big part of the conference. This masterclass offers students the opportunity to visit Barker's Robotics Center, experience renowned robotics courses, and gain practical experience and ideas.
“The chaos theory is about embracing change and preparing for a world that can change rapidly.” — Melinda Bower, Dean of Careers & External Programs, Barker College
School Cultural Performance
The cultural segment of the event brought together a vibrant array of performances that celebrated the diversity of the participating schools. Barker College opened the program with an energetic Line Dance to the classic “Nutbush,” setting an upbeat tone. This was followed by a captivating musical instrument performance on the traditional gourd flute (Hulusi), presented by WLSA students.
Students from Tsinghua International School performed the popular Chinese song “Beijing Welcomes You”, while Caritas and HKTAYY3 delivered a lively series of Cantonese songs and dances. Korea International School entertained the audience with their rendition of the global hit “Gangnam Style”, complete with dynamic choreography.
Adding a touch of tradition, The Royal Academy and Karma Academy collaborated on a graceful Bhutanese dance. The cultural program concluded with group performances by Escola Sesc de Ensino Médio, The Webb Schools, Appleby College, African Leadership Academy, and Westville Girls' High School, who each brought their own distinctive flair through songs and dances, leaving the audience thoroughly impressed.
“It was amazing to see how we connect as human beings through culture and through tradition.” — Dechen, The Royal Academy, Drum Gyalpo’s Institute
Lip Sync Battle
The day after the School Cultural Performance, a lively and entertaining Lip Sync Battle at Rhodes Theatre brought the student performance event to a musical climax. Participants from across the schools took to the stage, showcasing their charisma, creativity, and humor as they performed crowd-favorite hits with dazzling confidence. Each performance brought its own unique flair, making it a memorable finale to a day filled with learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange.
Closing Ceremony
Ultimately, the 2025 WLSA GSC was a resounding success, fostering a strong sense of shared humanity and empowering the next generation of intercultural leaders in an ever-evolving world.
The event featured a magic show and musical performance, followed by a reflection on the experience and gains of the conference by a Barker Student Representative. WLSA Guest Representative, Dr. YANG Bin, Vice Chancellor of Tsinghua University Council and Professor at the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management, delivered a speech welcoming international students to Tsinghua University. WLSA Student Representative, Baron Zhang, also reflected on the experience and gains of the conference (refer to the script). Finally, Barker Representative, Mr. Peter Gibson, gave the closing speech.
In summary, the conference was a resounding success; the 2025 WLSA GSC ignited global connections, celebrating the rich tapestry of student voices shaping our shared future. Through an emphasis of collaboration, dialogue and empathy, we helped empower students to understand how to become compassionate leaders. Cultural performances and tours fostered a deep cultural appreciation, with keynote addresses tackling urgent topics around leadership, social impact and global citizenship. Throughout the 8-day conference, participants embodied WLSA’s commitment to widening access, learning how to be empathetic towards one another, and preparing a sense of responsibility for what’s to come tomorrow. The event was not only a vibrant exchange of ideas but also a key step in empowering future leaders to contribute meaningfully to a sustainable and prosperous world.
