About Round Square
From the Head of College…
Over the past 12 months, our school has been exploring membership into the Round Square Network of Schools as it is our belief that the philosophy of Round Square aligns closely with our own vision of education here at Oxley College.
What is Round Square?
Round Square is a global network of schools that at their core care about character development of students through experiential learning, leadership development, and community service. The organisation is based on the educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn, which emphasizes holistic education that goes beyond academic achievement and includes personal development, outdoor education, and international understanding. Kurt Hahn also founded the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Round Square schools share a common set of values, including internationalism, democracy, environmentalism, adventure, leadership, and service. Through a variety of programs and activities, Round Square aims to develop students into well-rounded individuals who are equipped with the skills and values needed to make a positive difference in the world.
Why would Oxley want to join the Round Square Network?
Oxley is committed to providing a holistic education to its students, ensuring that all individuals can thrive in a rapidly changing world. Membership of Round Square is a commitment to this vision and provides a framework to develop students who are explorers displaying kindness, show courage and seek wisdom.
The Round Square Network also provides opportunities for cultural exchange, collaboration, and networking with other schools around the world. This can broaden the horizons of students and teachers alike, exposing them to diverse perspectives and experiences. Additionally, Round Square offers a range of programs and activities that complement traditional academic learning, such as community service, outdoor education, and international trips, which can enhance the personal development of students and provide them with skills that are highly valued by universities and employers.
What is the process for Oxley?
Round Square uses the Discovery Framework as a tool to help schools design and deliver a holistic education based on the IDEALS (Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service). This framework places students as explorers in the centre of their learning and provides schools with the tools to give rich experiences to their students to ensure that they are provided a well-rounded education. Below you will find an infographic that helps highlight this framework.
Over this year Oxley is unpacking this framework ensuring that we do indeed provide opportunities for our students to be explorers in each of these areas. Also, ensuring that this aligns with our own educational philosophy and values at the College. To do this we are holding meetings with a range of stakeholders including students, staff, school board and other members of the community. We are also looking at ways we can promote these IDEALS across the school, ensuing that Round Square is right for Oxley and Oxley is right for Round Square.
In the work we have done this last six months we have a good understanding of this framework and feel Oxley is already doing most of this for our students. Through working with our community, we feel we should be able to clearly articulate how we are doing this as the year goes on.
In Term 4 this year we will be visited by a delegation from Round Square to confirm the work we have done, and then support our membership of Round Square from the beginning of 2024.