round square
Staff Representative
Staff Representative
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Max Frankham, student rep on RS committee
Tom Holcombe, student rep on RS committee
Round Square: www.roundsquare.org
"International education is the true path to developing understanding, enriching human life and creating the strong international links that are so essential to future peace and prosperity" - Martha Piper, President of the University of British Colombia.
An Introduction
Round Square is a world-wide association of more than 80 schools on five continents sharing unique and ambitious goals. Students attending Round Square schools make a strong commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility.This is achieved by participating in community service, work projects, exchange programmes and adventuring, which can, and often does, take students half way around the world. For further information about the Round Square please visit the website www.roundsquare.org.
The Exchange Program
This program both operates outgoing and incoming exchanges.
Outgoing ExchangesTAS students are offered outgoing exchanges at international and national levels. Planning for an international exchange should be made as early as possible and application placed preferably about 12 months ahead. Once an application is lodged you will be interviewed by a Round Square committee comprising 2-3 students and 1 staff member. The application must be supported by your Housemaster/Homeroom teacher (Junior Exchange), Advisor (Senior Exchange) and, of course, parents. The host school will determine whether accommodation will be boarding or homestay. Costs include airfare, passport, travel/medical insurance, visa (in some instances) and a refundable bond of around $AUD600. Some schools may offer optional excursions at additional cost to the individual. Fees continue to be payable to TAS. See the list of Round Square schools available on www.roundsquare.org * National outgoing exchanges within the Australasian region is available to Year 8 students for a 2 week duration. Sometimes these exchanges may be organised to coincide with a conference, enhancing the experience and extending the visit to around 3 weeks. |
The three Australasian schools that are outside mainland Australia usually attract a 3 week exchange and may be more suited to a Year 9 student or mature Year 8 student.
Flyer - Round Square National & International Exchange Program International Exchange Application Form (pdf) Junior Exchange Application Form (pdf) Australasian member schools include:Ballarat Grammar School, Ballarat; Billanook College, Melbourne; Ivanhoe Grammar School, Melbourne; Mowbray College, Melbourne; Scotch Oakburn, Tasmania; St Andrews College in New Zealand; St Philip's College, Alice Springs; The Regents School, Thailand; The Southport School, Southport; Trinity Anglican School, Cairns; Westminster School, Adelaide For more information about these schools check out the Round Square International website www.roundsquare.org Incoming ExchangeTAS welcomes exchange students (male) from all the Round Square Schools. Our preference is to board incoming exchange students but occasionally a home-stay can be arranged. Further details pertaining to incoming exchange can be found in the "Exchange Handbook" which can be down loaded here. |
Conferences
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Each year Round Square schools send a group of representatives to a five-day international conference held at a member school. These representatives are students (available to Years 10/11), the Head of school, a member of staff (Round Square staff representative) and, at times, a board member. Whilst most of the member schools are highly individualistic, they find common ground, particularly in concepts like service to the community, adventurous activities and the furthering of international cooperation. Discussion sessions examine topics of importance to the schools and the world, especially as they relate to the special theme of each Conference. Through activities, expeditions and other events the host school introduces visitors to its country, culture and natural environment. Along the way friendships and alliances form and prejudices based on national or cultural differences are overcome. |
An Australasian Regional Conference is held annually with students (available to Years 10/11) and staff being hosted by a different school each year for a 4-5 day period. In addition there is an annual Junior conference (available to Years 8/9) hosted by a regional school for around 4 days. Each conference addresses a theme, completes a service component and allows time for group discussion on various issues. There is also time for socialising, reflection and personal growth and provides an avenue to secure real friendships between students and schools. A 2 week exchange is often 'tagged' onto a Junior or Regional Conference, especially where vast distances have been travelled. |
Service
International Service encourages young people to give and enjoy voluntary service. It enables students from many cultural and racial backgrounds to work together, with and for, those who in need in various parts of the world. Service also provides direct aid to people in need, particularly in the less developed countries, both by raising money and, by working with them to develop their own resources.
RSIS Projects
These projects exist on an international level of which the 'bricks and mortar' are funded by the Round Square Prince Alexander Fund. TAS students in Years 11 or 12 are eligible to join a RSIS Project.
More information is available from www.roundsquare.org
Service Projects
These are run independently by individual schools and are totally funded by that school. Other Round Square schools are welcome to join working groups.
TAS has initiated a number of service projects including construction of a school in Rabaul, New Guinea, work with St. Christopher's Orphanage in Fiji, building flued stoves for poor families in remote Peru, working with the orphaned and sick in Kolkata, India. Most of these projects are ongoing and are advertised internally.