History

DSC International School (DSC) is a for-profit school founded in 1986 by Dr. Henry Cheng who sought to provide a unique education offering to Hong Kong’s school market. DSC was Hong Kong’s first Canadian curriculum school and welcomed 40 students on its first day. Over the years DSC built a reputation as a caring international community which prepares students for many of the world’s top universities. Today, DSC is home to a community of 1,700 students from 50+ countries and over 100 teachers.  

Background

I visited DSC to connect with my friend, Dr. Allan Morrison, who serves as Secondary Principal. I originally connected with Allan because he was in the Doctorate of International Educational Leadership & Policy Program (EdD IELP) cohort ahead of me at the University of Toronto. I enjoyed learning from Allan about his thesis topic: head of school longevity in international schools. Which connected with my topic of what leaders do to improve international school culture. Allan graciously shared his experience and provided guidance during some of the program’s key milestones. 

Allan is a relational leader who embodies the philosophy of “Kaisen”, constant improvement, in his professional life. Prior to serving as Secondary School Principal at DSC, he held various roles at schools in Japan and Canada. 

Highlights

Way back in 2015, I did a BEd student teaching practicum at Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton, New Brunswick. For the science methods portion of my practicum I was paired with a relational and dynamic teacher named Matt Buntain. I believe that I have my science methods professor, Lisa Holyoke-Walsh, to thank for that pairing, either way she’s getting the credit. 

So imagine my surprise, as I examined a poster with photos of the teaching faculty at DSC, when I saw a picture of Matt Buntain! I quickly went to his class and interrupted his lesson for a quick reunion. Matt is a highly skilled teacher who has likely invested in numerous student teachers over the years. Reconnecting with Matt reminded me of the weight that each interaction with a student or mentee carries as a teacher and how this degree of influence is a great privilege. Matt, thank you for your investment and encouragement, it helped me along my journey in education.  

Over 90% of DSC’s teachers are Canadian. As a proud Canadian I enjoy connecting with Canadians ‘out in the wild’ of international schools. Sometimes I will connect with one or two Canadians at a school, this degree of concentration is a whole other story. I grew up in the small town of Sackville, New Brunswick. It’s rare for someone I meet overseas to know where that is. For this reason it was a joy to connect with the leadership team at DSC and have a mutual appreciation for where we come from. 

Research shows that healthy school culture increases staff longevity. Likewise, longstanding leadership (from the right leaders) stabilizes and improves school culture. DSC shows that it has a solid school culture because of the longstanding commitment of both teachers and leadership. 

The average teacher longevity at DSC is 9 years, some of the longest that I have heard of at an international school. For comparison, globally the average international school teacher’s longevity is just 3.5 years. 

Research is clear that leaders play a huge part in establishing and proliferating healthy school culture. Furthermore, research suggests that when leaders leave, many of their reforms leave with them, which can damage school culture. Dr. Allan Morrison’s own EdD research found that the current average head of school tenure is 4.8 years. DSC’s leadership team is filled with leaders who exemplify the sort of long term commitment to their school which enables healthy school culture.  

• Dr. Jason Walter – Head of School – 28 years
• Mrs. Sarah Miles – Vice Principal of Admissions – 19 years 
• Mrs. Adrianna Mohoney – Elementary Principal – 15 years
• Dr. Jonathan Comeau – Secondary Vice Principal – 14 years
• Dr. Allan Morrison – Secondary Principal – 13 years
• Mrs. Rebecca Marans – Secondary Vice Principal – 8 years 
• Mrs. Peony Shephard – Elementary Vice Principal – 6 years

3 Key Takeaways

• Long-term Leadership: Long term commitment from the right leaders brings stability and improves culture. What are the key elements that you love about your school? How can you tap into those elements more to help you continue to commit to the mission and serve with endurance?
• Proliferate Professional Learning: Build a culture of professional learning and innovation will follow. What professional learning opportunities can you promote to your staff this year? 
• Personalized Pathways: When we see students as individuals we can support their growth in meaningful ways. How can you reframe how your supports and measures learning to be more personalized? 

Build culture, unlock potential. Visit my Connect Page or send a message on LinkedIn. 

Stay tuned for more international school visits – up next International Christian School Hong Kong!

Peace & Blessings, 

– Josiah