The 2026 Skillset for International School Admin & Support Staff

Insights from Project Vivify’s Singapore International Schools Administrative Support Course (SISAS 2026)

International school operations have never been more complex — shifting parent expectations, rapid technological change, new compliance requirements, and the daily realities of running dynamic, multicultural campuses. Administrative and support staff are often the ones holding those moving parts together.

In 2026, the Singapore International Schools Administrative Support Course (SISAS) returns with a revised, modernised program designed to help support personnel, aspiring middle managers, and emerging leaders develop the capabilities schools need most. Created and facilitated by Andrew Coller of Project Vivify, the course focuses not just on skills, but on mindset, confidence, and relational strength.

1. Relational Leadership — the quiet engine of school culture

At the heart of effective administration is the ability to build trust, communicate clearly, and navigate delicate moments with empathy. SISAS places relational leadership at the centre of its curriculum because administrative staff are often the first and last human touchpoints for students, colleagues, and families.

Organiser and facilitator Andrew Coller believes the real transformation begins when people deepen their understanding of themselves and each other.

“Diving into our emotional intelligence can feel confronting at first, but the reward is remarkable. When we expand our self-awareness, we break down the internal barriers that tell us we ‘can’t’ and instead begin to imagine what could be.”

Participants examine their own leadership style and explore the everyday habits that build or erode trust. It is, at its core, about understanding how communication and presence shape workplace culture.

2. Personal Resilience — the capacity to handle complexity with calm

Administrative roles require calm under pressure: enrolment surges, timetable disruptions, urgent parent issues, staffing changes, and cross-departmental communication breakdowns often land first on the desks of support staff.

SISAS tackles resilience not as a buzzword but as a practical leadership tool — helping participants recognise stress triggers, understand decision-making under pressure, and establish healthy boundaries.

As Andrew puts it:

“When we truly listen to others in a way that says, ‘I care what you think and feel,’ we create trust. And trust inspires people to step up, contribute, and grow.”

This trust is the foundation of resilient teams — and resilient individuals.

Andrew sees resilience as something built not in isolation, but through reflective dialogue, shared experience, and a willingness to re-examine assumptions.

3. Strategic Agility — seeing the bigger picture

The most effective administrators are not only responsive but anticipatory. They notice patterns, understand the ‘why’ behind processes, and collaborate across departments to improve systems rather than simply maintain them.

SISAS participants work on practical, real-world tasks such as:

• Designing meaningful induction programs

• Understanding and applying SOPs

• Mapping workflows

• Using AI tools to streamline administrative tasks

• Communicating change in ways that build trust rather than resistance

These aren’t just technical tasks; they are exercises in strategic thinking and influence — core capacities for anyone stepping into or aspiring toward middle management.

Andrew summarises this beautifully: effective administration is not just operational work, but collaborative leadership.

A shared learning journey for Singapore’s international school community

Perhaps the greatest strength of SISAS is the community it builds. Colleagues from across Singapore’s international school network join in high-trust, interactive sessions, sharing challenges, insights, and practical approaches that transcend individual schools.

The course is delivered in two parts:

📍 Session 1: 9–10 February 2026 at Dulwich College Singapore

📍 Session 2: 23–24 March 2026 (Venue TBA)💰

Fee: SGD $975

Whether you are an established administrator, a support staff member looking to grow, or an aspiring middle leader ready for the next step, SISAS 2026 offers a rare opportunity to sharpen your leadership, deepen your resilience, and reimagine your impact.

Learn more and register on EdEvents.