Round Square in 2020!

Term 4 is always an important term for Round Square and although it may seem that things are winding up for the year, this is the time when our new Round Square Student Committee is formed for 2020 and we begin our planning activities for the next year. We have already had a number of new students join the committee and I am hoping to still hear from any enthusiastic Year 5 to 11 students, who are ready to participate and share their ideas.

It is very exciting to have such a great group of dedicated students who not only have creative ideas, but are very eager to continue to promote the IDEALS of Round Square in the Westminster community. If you missed the emails and SEQTA notices asking for new members, it is not too late, simply contact me via Email if you are keen to be part of this dynamic group! We will have one more RSSC meeting this year in Week 6, so please come along if you can! The more the merrier!

RSIS (Round Square International Service) - Service Opportunities

Over the year I have regularly mentioned information about RSIS projects or Round Square Big Build opportunities. A list of these is also currently on the SEQTA noticeboard and includes trips to Laos, Tanzania and Madagascar. These projects are an amazing way for our older students to work closely with a community overseas and give their time to help make a true difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Below is some information about the projects and the benefits these can have for our students. It may be something students want to consider at the end of Year 12 even, as part of their GAP year or simply before the demands of university commence. Adults are also more than welcome to apply! Please note, students must be 16 at the time of the project in order to participate.

information below taken from the Round Square website www.roundsquare.org, students and adults apply directly on this website for both the project and any bursaries available

Take part in something amazing...

Round Square Big Build projects are opportunities for students and adults from Round Square schools to come together from across the globe and to take part in something amazing.

Round Square have been running International Service Projects (RSIS) since 1953, when a group of schools with links to Kurt Hahn formed a working party to help rebuild destroyed infrastructure after a massive earthquake on the Ionian Islands.

Since then, Round Square Schools have worked on projects in Ladakh, Kenya, Romania, Guatemala and Cambodia helping communities in need and allowing young people from around the globe to grow and develop important life-long skills.

What is a RSIS Big Build Project?

Each year Round Square host two or three unique service projects for around 50 students from Round Square Schools. The projects take place every year in July and December and run (on average) for two weeks. Next year for the first time in March/April the Tanzania project is also being run.

Students work together with a rural community in need to build a vital piece of infrastructure. In the past this has been classrooms, accommodation for teachers, bridges and clean water systems.

An ideal Leadership Development Opportunity for students

Participation in a Round Square Big Build Project is a great way for young adults to learn about global citizenship, community engagement, develop a deeper understanding of the world’s problems and experience a new culture. Packed with challenging adventure and cultural awareness opportunities, the project programmes are designed to ensure that students have an exciting, experiential and holistic learning experience that is second-to-none.

Participants take it in turns to be Student Leaders during the project, taking responsibility for the organisation of the day, briefing their peers, giving an overview of safety and risk management and organising a student rota to help with different chores at camp. Students are given feedback by their peers and the adult leaders, and will all receive a personal report after the trip.

Please apply for any RSIS projects directly on the Round Square website (www.roundsquare.org)

Adults can register on the website to access this information. Students can use the following:

Username: Students
Password: DiscoverMore

Please contact me via Email if you have any problems accessing this or if you wish to discuss the programs further.

Year 10 ‘Spirit of Service’ Day – Monday, Week 8

Some of you may already be aware that in Week 8 of this term, our Year 10 students will be involved in a full day Service Learning activity organised by Round Square. This year, we have a number of activities available to our students and they are currently responding to us with their preferences.

Our ‘Spirit of Service’ Day will take place on Monday 2 December and involve approximately 110 Year 10 students and some 14 staff. It is an incredible opportunity for our students to give back to a variety of local charities and organisations, and to have a genuine chance to donate their time to the local community.

I look forward to being able to post some more information about this Service Day very soon. I would like to sincerely thank all of the individuals and organisations who have offered to have some of our students work with them for the day. It is much appreciated!

‘Spirit of Service’ Day Activities:

Abbeyfield Marion House - Various gardening activities
Alwyndor Nursing Home - Assisting with various aspects of patient care, providing companionship to residents
Foodbank - Packing food and admin tasks
Gemtree Wines - Weed control and other general gardening on the Eco-trail and Wetlands
Riding for the Disabled – cleaning up horse stables, brushing horses, feeding horses
Resthaven Marion - Assisting with various aspects of patient care
Meals on Wheels – Assist with the preparation of the meals and their delivery
Murray Mudge - Assisting with various aspects of patient care
One & All – Maintenance on ship and various other outdoor tasks
Top of the Range Vineyard – general gardening and environmental work
Westminster Christmas Lights - Helping set up the Christmas Lights here at school
Westminster ELC – Assist with ELC students and various classroom tasks
Westminster Prep School – Assist with Prep students and various classroom tasks
Westminster Farm – Gardening and various outdoor activities

For further information on Round Square, our initiatives, exchanges, or conferences, please contact me via Email.

Julia Chukwuani
Round Square and Exchanges Coordinator