SAC2025 in Singapore
The only conference for Non-Teaching Leaders and Staff in International Schools
Smarter Together
Thriving in the Age of AI and Human Collaboration
October 16-17, Thursday-Friday, 2025
German European School Singapore
Schools that have registered for our past conferences:
Work smarter together.
As schools navigate rapid technological shifts, the way we communicate and collaborate is evolving. This year’s conference – Smarter Together: Thriving in the Age of AI and Multimodal Collaboration – celebrates the power of combining speech, text, gestures, visuals, and digital tools to create more intuitive, effective teamwork. From managing admissions and HR to coordinating facilities and finance, multimodal collaboration supports smarter ways to work – especially when traditional methods fall short.
This two-day event brings together non-teaching staff and school leaders from international schools across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the region. Through hands-on experiences, peer exchange, and practical workshops, participants will explore how to strengthen both human and human-technology partnerships in their everyday roles.
Together, we’ll re-imagine what it means to collaborate, communicate, and thrive – across departments, campuses, and contexts.
Participate in the conference in a way that best fits your goals and schedule:
Attendee
Attend insightful sessions, participate in discussions, and learn from leading voices and peers in the field.
Presenter
Share your research live at the conference. Engage with the audience, answer questions, and get valuable feedback.
Sponsor
Gain valuable exposure to a targeted audience of international educators and contribute to professional development within the community.
As one of only a few international schools worldwide accredited by five educational organisations, including the Council of International Schools (CIS), International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO), and the German Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, GESS is recognised for its high academic standards, innovation in teaching, and student-centred approach to learning.
A key strength of GESS is its strong, engaged community. The school is governed by a parent-led Board of Governors and School Association, ensuring transparency, accountability, and active involvement in strategic decision-making.
Whether through sustainability initiatives, extensive co-curricular offerings, or its signature personalised approach, GESS continues to be a beacon of educational excellence in Singapore and beyond.
Learn with Peers at German European School Singapore (GESS)
German European School Singapore (GESS) is a leading not-for-profit international school, proudly rooted in a legacy of parent-led vision and community spirit. Founded in 1971, GESS has grown to a vibrant, inclusive community of over 1,850 students from 68 nationalities. In August 2018, the school moved into a purpose-built, state-of-the-art campus nestled in the lush surrounds of Dairy Farm, designed to support world-class teaching and learning in a green, sustainable setting.
GESS offers a unique dual curriculum model: the International Baccalaureate (IB) in English and the German national curriculum, catering to both international and German-speaking families. With more than 15 languages taught through integrated lessons and after-school programmes, GESS is a champion of multilingualism and cultural diversity.
One of the most anticipated education conferences of the year
“It was a truly enriching experience.”
“It was a truly enriching experience.”
“I've learnt how to adopt AI in our school!"
“I've learnt how to adopt AI in our school!"
“Very engaging discussions and sharing sessions."
“Very engaging discussions and sharing sessions."
“If you want to be better at your job, please join us at the next conference.”
“If you want to be better at your job, please join us at the next conference.”
“Learning from awesome people from different backgrounds.”
“Learning from awesome people from different backgrounds.”
Agenda
Day 1
Time: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration & Light Refreshments
9:00 AM – 10:05 AM: Opening Ceremony
10:05 AM – 10:45 AM
Keynote Speech #1: “Focusing on What Matters: Strengthening Professional Relationships in an AI-Infused World”
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM: Coffee Break & Sponsor Visits
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Job-Specific Experiential Learning (Part 1)
Admissions/Marketing: Crafting a Compelling School Story – Strategic Messaging, Parent Engagement, and Community Outreach
Human Resources: Creating People-Centered Systems – Recruitment, Retention, and Saff Wellbeing
Finance: From Budgets to Better Decisions – Financial Planning, Forecasting, and Risk Management
Facilities/Operations: Smart Campus Tours – Integrating Tech in Safety, Energy & Efficiency
General Administration: The Power of Office Professionals – Supporting Systems, People, and Process
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch & Networking
1:30 PM – 3:15 PM: Job-Specific Experiential Learning (Part 2)
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM: Coffee Break & Sponsor Visits
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Elective Workshops (Job-Specific)
Track-based breakouts (Finance, HR, Admissions, Facilities, General Administration)
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Cocktail & Networking Mixer
6:30 PM Onwards
Sight-Seeing Tour (Optional): Gardens by the Bay
Day 2
Time: 8:00 AM – 3:45 PM
8:15 AM – 8:30 AM: Recap & Day 2 Overview
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Keynote #2: “Human-Centered in a High-Tech World: Leading with Empathy in the Age of AI”
9:15 AM – 9:30 AM: Coffee Break & Sponsor Visits
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Elective Workshops (General Topics)
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM: Coffee Break & Sponsor Visits
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Elective Workshops (Job-Specific)
Track-based breakouts (Finance, HR, Admissions, Facilities, General Administration)
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Networking Lunch
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM: Peer Sharing & Learning
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM: Coffee Break & Sponsor Visits
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Elective Workshops (General Topics)
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM: Closing Reflections & Group Photo