“
I regard it as the foremost task of education to insure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial, and above all, compassion.”
Kurt Hahn
In 2023 Kinross Wolaroi School will celebrate becoming a full member of the Round Square group of schools. Since 2021, when the first steps were taken to secure membership by the Principal, Dr Andrew Parry, the school has been transforming its programs to encompass the Round Square philosophy.
In doing so, as a community we celebrate our spirit - of internationalism, democracy, environmentalism, service, leadership and adventure.
A holistic education that develops the whole person lies at the heart of Round Square Schools.
Round Square schools are like-minded in a shared understanding of the hardwired link between character education and academic success. We believe that in order to equip our students for positive, active and engaged global citizenship we must offer them more than academic knowledge and qualifications.
The educational philosophy of Round Square is based on the teachings of Kurt Hahn who founded Salem School, Gordonstoun School, Outward Bound and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Round Square schools share a commitment to character education and experiential learning built around six themes - our IDEALS:
International Understanding
Environmental Stewardship
Democracy Adventure Leadership Service
The Round Square movement was formed in 1966 by a small group of school leaders who were inspired by the ideas and approaches of Dr Kurt Hahn, a visionary educator and key figure in the development of learning through experience, commonly referred to as experiential learning. He believed that given the right opportunities and encouragement to go beyond our comfort zone we will discover there is more in each of us than we know, that we can be more inquisitive, inventive, tenacious, courageous and compassionate than we think.
He possessed a very clear vision of the type of school that he wished to create and it was nothing like the one he went to. He believed a school should be designed to help students discover their interests and passions, not just prepare them for exams. Education should be devoted to the development of character.
We are delighted that Kinross Wolaroi School has been granted the opportunity to be a member of Round Square, a worldwide association of schools which share a commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility through service, challenge, adventure and international understanding.
Membership will assist us in creating courageous and compassionate leaders who are prepared to discover and embrace cultures and nationalities in ways that promote meaningful understanding and respect.
Round Square schools understand the strong link between character education and academic success.
We also share the belief in the immense value of a holistic education where we provide experience deliberately structured to develop the whole person.
Dr Andrew Parry PhD, MPhil (Cantab), MEd (Syd), BEd, RE Cert, MACELWe are so fortunate to live and work in a wonderful regional centre with such natural beauty and a strongly engaged community, but to prepare students for the future, we must also help them understand the wider world in which they live. Round Square provides us with a framework to enhance this focus. Round Square schools share a commitment to experiential learning: learning by doing - a philosophy already thoroughly embraced by Kinross Wolaroi through The Regional Engagement Enterprise.
Many of life’s lessons are learned through practical experience and these remain with us throughout our lives. They help us build character, discover our capabilities and find purpose.
This understanding lies at the heart of the educational philosophy shared by Round Square Schools and is the vehicle used to help all students reach their full potential. •••
Round Square students connect with other young people from around the globe in virtual and physical spaces to learn from one another: where they can voice their opinions, explore similarities and differences, and celebrate diversity. Students also have the rewarding and enlightening opportunity to develop new friendships in different cultural contexts.
We have engaged in the Duke of Edinburgh Award program for many years and it is growing in popularity. The Award strongly aligns with the philosophy of Round Square and each year a number of our students achieve the pinnacle of the scheme, the Gold Award.
We have developed an extensive International Student Exchange Program, with relationships with schools around the world. Round Square will provide opportunities for more students to be able to benefit from such enriching and valuable experiences.
In September 2022 six students and two staff attended our first International Round Square Conference (RSIC) held in England at Oxford University. Students from across the globe engaged in discussion and activities. Such an experience for our students is life changing. In 2023 we will send a student delgation to RSIC in Kenya.
Round Square’s philosophy is in perfect harmony with how we at Kinross Wolaroi view education: the whole person is the whole point.
“
A school should be designed to help students discover their interests and passions, not just prepare them for exams.”
Kurt Hahn
The Round Square Discovery Framework recognises that learning should be an exciting adventure, approached in the spirit of exploration and discovery, with students at the very centre of the experience.
At Kinross Wolaroi, student leaders from Year 11 facilitate Round Square student committees to promote each of the IDEALS. These foster involvement that is sustained, collaborative, fun and builds community.
Round Square Explorers recognise and demonstrate the value of an inclusive society, embracing all individuals regardless of nationality, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, socio-economic situation, impairment or sexual orientation. Through our Student Exchange Program, explorers discover a capacity for understanding different cultures, where their own strengths and talents lie, and how recognising personal bias, attitudes and beliefs can help forge new relationships, and be set aside to address problems in wider societies. International exchange is offered to Year 10 students and national exchange is offered to Year 8 students.
On exchange in Tosajuku High School in Kochi, Japan.
Round Square Explorers are ready to voice opinions and take actions to empower others, particularly demonstrating discipline, determination and resilience in communities where people seek the strength to speak up against racial, political, gender or religious intolerance or oppression. They develop the physical, mental and emotional strength to overcome personal bias, difficulty or disappointment, and to keep going in the face of challenging situations or hardships.
Round Square Explorers inspire and empower others in a positive team-working style that values freedom of thought and speech, recognises and respects personal strengths of team members, combining individual attributes, skills and talents to greatest effect. A recent Zoom Postcard hosted by Flintridge School in California allowed students to listen to guest speakers and share thoughts with students and teachers on an international scale. By inviting collaboration, they are ready to explore and understand issues and causes they believe in, and are prepared to justify their opinions, facilitating engaging and respectful discussions.
Round Square Explorers demonstrate an interest in and understanding of global issues and world problems, with a willingness to think and act differently and look at an opportunity, challenge or problem with fresh eyes. The Round Square Conference in 2022 enabled explorers to debate topical issues on a local to international scale, share perspectives, and question and seek out new ideas and solutions, making connections, friendships and discoveries along the way, whilst understanding that some problems require a globally collaborative solution.
Round Square Postcard, 2022Round Square Explorers are interested in and committed to the development of sustainable practices, appreciating the diversity, complexity and fragility of the natural environment. Our Solar Buddy Project in Junior School educated students on energy poverty and it’s impacts, with students building fifty Solar Buddy lights to distribute to disadvantaged children in Papua New Guinea. Their shared concern for global environmental issues led them to research and promote positive action and question negative practices, whilst respecting the interdependence of wildlife, living organisms, geology, geography and indigenous and foreign peoples, to build awareness and take positive actions themselves.
Round Square Explorers readily accept and rise to a sense of civic and personal duty, demonstrating compassion, humility and emotional intelligence in the leadership roles they undertake. Through our Duke of Edinburgh Award, explorers uphold the principles of democracy, taking responsibility for their actions, and learning that effective leaders inspire because they listen, empathise and connect with people. They readily participate in democratic processes and are prepared to intervene when encountering injustice, oppression, alienation or marginalisation.
