5 of our students: Angela, Y12, Anjali, Y11, Hyun Sun, Y11, Geeta, Y11, and Youlim, Y11, along with the Head of Secondary, Ms. Amos Turner-Wardell, and the Head of Experiential Learning, Mr. Patrick McKenna, joined the Round Square International Conference which took place on 19-25 September 2022 in Oxford, UK. As a Round Square school, we have the opportunity to attend this global conference that brings together the Round Square community from around the world to share perspectives, debate topical issues, forge friendships, support local communities, and develop international understanding. This year the theme for the Round Square International Conference was "Take Less: Be More," to remind us that we need to consider how much we are taking from our environment and from the people around us.
The conference began with the arrival of over 1,500 students from 230 schools in 50 countries across the globe. They spent 3 days at Oxford University and stayed at the various colleges: Keble, Pembroke, The Queen’s College, St Edmund Hall, St Peter’s, St Anne’s, and Balliol, which was where our students stayed.
Over the 3 days, the delegates joined the conference at Oxford University and heard from 3 keynote speakers. Ben Fogle, who is an award-winning Broadcaster and adventurer, has written nine Sunday Times best-selling books. Sir Dieter Helm is a Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford. Emily Penn founded eXXpedition, a non-profit organization that aims to investigate the causes of and solutions to ocean plastic pollution. Additionally, 7 former students from Round Square Schools made up an alumni panel to share their Round Square experiences, describe their journey after school, and what the theme of the conference, "take less: be more", personally meant to them. Some of the notable alumni were Stephanie Williams, 2019 Team GB Wakeboarding World Champion, and Elliot Berry, founder of the Noah Initiative. During the conference, a lot of global issues were discussed - climate change, net zero, animal welfare, poverty, education, energy, and oceans. The emphasis was to always put back more than we take.
On day four, Round Square students were divided into 6 groups. Each group traveled to one of the 6 host schools: AKS Lytham in the North West of England, Felsted School in Essex, Latymer Upper School in London, Ryde School in Upper Chine, on the Isle of Wight, Box Hill School in Surrey and Cobham Hall in Kent, for more adventure and service activities. Our Students moved from Baliol College to the equally beautiful Pembroke College, before spending 3 days exploring Oxford, punting on the river, visiting the incredible Pitt Rivers Museum, and then heading to the Mendips to take part in a service project. It was an incredible opportunity for our students to meet and collaborate with students from all over the world in this remarkable and historic city.
Geeta, Y11, one of the students who joined the conference, deeply appreciated being part of the Round Square Family.
Geeta said “My first impression at the Round Square Conference could not have been better. We arrived with so much excitement after being greeted by the beautiful city of Oxford, we were meeting delegates from countries all around the world, exchanging badges, and sharing conversations that I never thought I could ever experience. All the Round Square staff were extremely welcoming and so kind in offering us everything we needed making it a very wonderful arrival. From a speech at the keynote evening with Ben Fogle, I learned many things from a new perspective but the most important thing was a lesson that I am not my failures but failures are a part of who I am because if I refuse to climb the highest mountain then I would never see what it's like at the very top. I learned that I should not determine my worth over awards or a single letter on an exam since those mean nothing if I don’t make use of those experiences and continue to be the best version of myself. To me, “Take less: Be more” means to make more out of everything I already have such as taking less and giving more to yourself and others. Creating opportunities, taking risks, developing and reaching goals would mean that I am taking less and becoming someone I would always be proud of.”
Angela, Y12, was another of our students on the trip and this is what she said about her amazing experience at the conference.
“The first thing I took notice of at the Round Square conference was the large number of students there. At first it seemed intimidating however, after I met other students, I started to feel more comfortable. Suddenly the thing that became the scariest part became the best since I got to meet a variety of people I wouldn’t have otherwise met. At the conference, I learned about others life and stories. I heard new perspectives and ideas from other students. This allowed me to see things in a new light or want to look into things more deeply. From the keynote speakers, I learned about the ways they helped others. Hearing about their determination and generosity gave me a sense of motivation. “Take less: Be more” means being selfless,, which in turn helps others. In an environmental context, to “take less" means to reduce the amount of waste I create, which then helps to the environment more.”
Mr. Patrick McKenna, Head of Experiential Learning, said that the Round Square Conference embedded the students with a global, open-minded, and progressive mindset
”It was an amazing opportunity afforded to us by being part of the Round Square Organisation. To meet up with so many like-minded students and staff in such a stunning place, and with such worthwhile goals was a privilege. Our students got so much out of the experience, it helped to embed in them a sense of the international community that we are part of, and also that there are so many different viewpoints to take into account when looking at some of the issues that the world faces today. I look forward to having the students share their experiences with other members of our school community to showcase what they have learned and what it means to be part of the Round Square family. We are very lucky to be part of these International Conferences, and look forward to interviewing our delegates who will attend Brookehouse School, Nairobi, Kenya next October!"
Round Square is an international network of schools that offer a world-class programme with the concept of developing global competence, character, and confidence in students. As a member of Round Square, Regents International School Pattaya shares an approach to education and experiential learning built around the IDEALS – International Understanding, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership, and Service.
To find out more about Round Square, click here.
Regents International School Pattaya
