2024-2027 Outdoor Education and Service-Learning Tours - 14 November 2023
From the Head of College, Mr Scott Bedingfield
I am pleased to share with you plans for the continued development of our mandatory Outdoor Education Program and introduce a wider suite of optional local and international tours from 2024 for students across the College.
The optional tours and programs will encourage our students to learn from others, develop an appreciation of the world around us and provide opportunities to serve where appropriate. The programs have been developed in conjunction with the continued development of Round Square at Oxley.
We appreciate that students will not be able to attend all optional programs (highlighted in Gold), but we are hopeful that by providing a plan over several years, families can plan for which activities they may be able to participate in.
Please see the proposed trip plan below.
About Round Square
From the Head of College…
Just after Speech Night, we were confirmed as a Round Square Candidate School. We are now part of a worldwide network of more than 200 Schools in 50 countries and 11,000 students.
Being approved as a Round Square Candidate School is both and affirmation and a confirmation of the incredible work Oxley does in the areas of Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service, known as the Round Square IDEALS. It is through experiences in these IDEALS that our students will be able to develop into compassionate people. This happens both in and out of the classroom and our curriculum and school programs are designed to ignite academic excellence and character development.
While students will be able to have international experiences like conferences and exchanges, being Round Square is more than this, it is about a commitment to values education. It is through this network that our students will be able to connect with a community of like-minded schools internationally, through a range of activities, from sharing digital postcards to playing games with students from around the globe.
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.
Round Square at Oxley
The Empowerment Group, comprising four dedicated students, is actively developing strategies to empower their peers at Oxley. Their first major undertaking is the organisation of the International Women’s Day Breakfast in March, with plans to host additional events throughout the year and extend invitations to like-minded students to join the organisation.
In October 2023, Oxley embarked on a groundbreaking journey by sending four students to our inaugural International Conference in Nairobi. This pioneering experience paved the way for the inception of several initiatives.
During pastoral time, our Year 12 students are taking the lead in facilitating Baraza groups, utilizing the Round Square Baraza discussion model acquired during their time in Nairobi. Rooted in the Swahili language, “Baraza” signifies the coming together of diverse individuals. These sessions enable students to engage in debates and open discussions, valuing each participant’s opinion equally.
In the academic realm, we have initiated a collaborative project involving Round Square schools from India, the US, UK, and Australia. Focused on investigating the quality of life in these diverse locations, our Year 9 students are actively selecting pertinent data. This endeavor will serve as the foundation for Year 10 Geography coursework, fostering a global perspective.
Round Square promises to enrich our educational landscape by providing a plethora of opportunities to enhance both curricular and co-curricular experiences. This year, students in Year 10 and 11 are invited to apply for participation in the International Conference set to take place in Bogota, Colombia, in September. This represents just one of the many offerings that will contribute to the vibrant and dynamic tapestry of our school community.
Round Square Discovery Framework
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.
Upcoming Round Square Conference
2024 Round Square International Conference
‘Blooming from the past’
Year 10 & 11 Students
Bogota, Colombia.
Sunday 22 – Saturday 28 September
About the Conference
The theme for the 56th Round Square International Conference is “Blooming from the Past” is an invitation to understand that, in order to build a better future, it is crucial to acknowledge history.
Colombia has worked hard to change its image to ensure that the country and its people are able to harvest a prosperous future. It is with great enthusiasm that Colombia extends an invitation to ‘Join us, and embark on a journey of learning and growth’.
By focusing on theme, “Blooming from the Past,” we aim to create an experience whereby students can reflect on their roots, learn from the past, and channel those lessons into personal and collective growth.
Colombia, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes, serves as the perfect backdrop for this journey. Each day promises a unique blend of activities that will celebrate the Round Square IDEALS, challenge students intellectually, foster camaraderie and ignite a passion for positive change.
About the Host Schools
The Conference will be hosted by 5 schools in Bogota and all of our students will be assigned to the one school.
Colegio Anglo Colombiano, founded in 1956, is a private, coeducational, nondenominational, international day school based upon the British educational system with a proud bicultural heritage.
Colegio Gran Bretaña is a private, co-educational, international day school (Nursery – Year 13) serving 460 students who represent 50 different nationalities. CGB is internationally accredited by the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Colegio Los Nogales is a coeducational day and private bilingual PK-12 school located in Bogotá, Colombia. The school is accredited by the Council of International Schools, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Colombian Ministry of Education. Colegio Los Nogales is one of the top schools in Colombia.
Set on a 15-acre campus, The English School is a thriving and renowned school with bilingual confident students and an excellent reputation as an IB school in Bogotá and Latin America. The English School (TES) opened its doors on September 1st, 1961, and has a long history of innovation, being one of the first International Baccalaureate schools in Bogotá. Sixty-two years later, TES has 1,400 students, 400 teaching and administrative staff members, and around 2500 parents, representing 20 nationalities. This year, we were certified to offer the Career-related programme of the IB, completing the IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP, CP).
Gimnasio Campestre is an all boys, day school for students aged 4-18 in Bogotá, Colombia. Gimnasio Campestre is a Colombian-international School accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), certified in the ACE learning framework (NEASC) and active member of the Council of International Schools (CIS). We are intimately committed to the promotion of civic values within our community. At the same time, we understand and proactively assume our responsibility in promoting democratic values as part of our mission, and honestly believe in the necessity of educating young men in the comprehension of our shared mission to protect the world.
Conference costs
Oxley students costs will be approximately $6000, there is also an option for a pre or post conference tour being considered.
Students will be provided with:
All meals throughout the duration of the conference;
All accommodation throughout the duration of the conference;
All transport throughout the duration of the conference (including pick up and drop off to the International Airport); and
All visits and activities throughout the duration of the conference.
Students would be required to pay for
Visas and any required vaccinations
Personal spending money (for souvenirs and extra drinks/snacks); and
Personal equipment
Accommodation in Colombia
We will start the conference by welcoming you to Bogota, and students will stay in a homestay on the first evening, Sunday 22nd September. The opening ceremony will take place at Colegio Los Nogales on Monday.
After the opening ceremony, we leave the city and head north to spend three nights three nights in the beautiful department of Boyacá (300 km east of Bogotá). The accommodation in these locations will be hotels.
We will return to Bogota on Friday for the closing ceremony at Colegio Anglo Colombiano and the students will stay the final night in a homestay again.
Throughout the conference, insightful discussions and workshops led by distinguished speakers will delve into the theme of “Blooming from the Past.” Students will explore the significance of understanding their cultural heritage, learning from history, and forging a path towards a brighter future. We believe that this conference will not only be a gathering of minds, but also a transformative experience, that will leave an indelible mark on each participant. As we come together in Bogotá, we hope to create lasting connections, share diverse perspectives, and witness the blooming of a new generation of leaders committed to positive change.
OLE stands for Other Learning Experiences and is a mandatory and unique multiday/overnight College event held this year during Week 2 of Term 4.
The week is a wonderful opportunity for Oxley students to explore new experiences with their peers in a supervised and supportive environment and immerse themselves in activities we hope will enrich their lives beyond the classroom.
Year 3
The Year 3 Camp is a three day / two-night experience where students will stay overnight in dormitory style accommodation. Through immersion in the natural environment, they aim to empower and strengthen the self-confidence of young people, providing them with time to enjoy the natural environment, be challenged by it mentally, physically and spiritually, and to reflect upon their experience in it. Activities include:
Rainforest Walk and Environment Session at Minnamurra Rainforest Kayaking at James Oates Reserve Fishing Snorkelling Rock pool swim in Kiama rockpools Hike to Kiama Lighthouse Games and Team Challenges
The cost of this trip is included in the Distinctives Levy.
Year 4
The Year 4 Camp is a three day / two-night experience where students will stay in dormitory accommodation.
Through immersion in the natural environment, they aim to empower and strengthen the self-confidence of young people, providing them with time to enjoy the natural environment, be challenged by it mentally, physically and spiritually, and to reflect upon their experience in it. Activities include:
Low Ropes Flying Fox Mountain Biking Bush Walking Campfire Damper making
The cost of this trip is included in the Distinctives Levy.
Year 5
The Year 5camp is a three day/ two-night experience which will include activities such as:
Snorkeling Kayaking Bushwalking Beach activities Taronga educational session and Stunning walks around Chowder Bay and Bradley Heads.
The cost of this trip is included in the Distinctives Levy.
Year 6
The Year 6 camp is a four day / three-night experience which will includes activities such as:
Surfing, SUPing (stand up paddle boarding) Archery Abseiling Indigenous cultural session.
Students will be sleeping in tents.
The cost of this trip is included in the Distinctives Levy.
OLE Camps – Year 7 & 8
OLE Week (OLE stands for Other Learning Experiences) has always been a valued and much anticipated week for all.
For 2023 Year 7 camp will take place at Killalea State Park in Shell Cove and Year 8 in the Morton National Park Kangaroo Valley.
OLE Week is a mandatory and unique multi-day/overnight College event. It is a wonderful opportunity for Oxley students to explore new experiences with their peers in a supervised and supportive environment. It will immerse students in activities we hope will extend and enrich their lives beyond the classroom.
Students will learn to prepare for the elements, camp in tents, navigate, engage in activities, cook and clean for themselves while working in small teams to develop resilience. Each five-day program is designed to be an enjoyable but challenging outdoor experience where students will utilise teamwork, determination and resilience to complete a series of hikes and camps.
Oxley College has contracted an external provider, Southbound Adventures to conduct the OLE Experience during Week 1 of Term 4.
The cost of these camps is included in the Distinctives Levy.
Rites of Passage – Year 9
OLE Week (OLE stands for Other Learning Experiences) has always been a valued and much anticipated week for all. It is with great excitement that we can confirm OLE Week will return in 2023 for Year 7 and 8.
We have developed a cross-curricular academic program around the theme “Identity – Telling Your Story”. The purpose of this innovative program is to expose students to ideas, people and phenomena that could not be experienced in a conventional classroom.
We want to ignite students’ passion for what the future holds and the learning journey they are on. The Rites of Passage program for Year 9 makes a significant transition toward life as a senior student.
The program has been designed around psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg’s identified needs for 14 and 15 year olds:
Develop a strong sense of personal identity Build healthy friendships Experience emancipation from parents Develop a vocational direction
The cost of Rites of Passage is included in the Distinctives Levy
Outback – Year 11
Outback is a long-standing College tradition at Oxley. Each year our Year 11 students spend two weeks on the road travelling to remote areas within Australia. Students are expected to contribute to the success of the journey through cooking, serving, packing and cleaning.
The trip includes hikes in locations such as Kata Tjuta and the Flinders Range. The experience is deliberately designed to help the year group to become more cohesive and resilient before they begin their final year at Oxley College and is exclusive to students continuing into Year 12.
We are thrilled to be able to offer our 2024 Year 6 class the opportunity to experience what the Cairns and Daintree Rainforest area has to offer on this seven-day trip.
The program includes cruising day trips out to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, immersive exploring in the oldest Rainforest in the world and cultural connections with Indigenous Elders.
The health and survival of the Great Barrier Reef is threatened by issues such as climate change, catchment pollution, coastal development and agriculture. Our Reef and Rainforest program provides students with an in-depth look at issues, challenges and solutions related to sustainability and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics in Far North Queensland.
Dates: Saturday 2 October 2024 to Friday 8 October 2024
An option we are planning for Year 10 students is the Traidhos Three Generation school in Chiang Mai. This school has been offering experiential education since 2000. Their vision is to become Southeast Asia’s premier provider of service learning. This trip will involve Oxley students engaging in fun and challenging learning experiences; promoting personal development through cultural, environmental and community service. With a wealth of experience, the Traidhos School hosts around 3000 students annually.
Located in a natural and secure setting 25km north of Chiang Mai Traidhos School offers on-campus accommodation and a range of facilities including: cricket and golf, river barge experience and local community gardens and village service programs.
This ten-day trip will begin with tours in Bangkok and then take students to the regional mountain region of Chang Mai.
The approximate cost of this trip is $4000 (TBC). We are hopeful applications for this tour will open in Term 4, 2023.
Dates: Tuesday 1 October 2024 to Thursday 10 October 2024
The Oxley College Service Learning vision is for our students to support local, national and international communities and make a difference to the lives of others. One of these opportunities is the Year 10 Service Learning trip to Jhib Jhibe in Nepal.
This by no means will be a ‘fly in-fly out’ experience. Instead, we will be studying the small community of Jhib Jhibe in advance. By the time students set foot in Jhib Jhibe (50km North of Kathmandu in the beautiful Himalayan foothills) they will be very familiar with the people and the region.
During the trip time will be spent working in the high school and the primary school. Students will also experience an amazing trek into the foot hills of the Himalaya surrounded by some of the world’s highest mountains. The trek is also an opportunity to get to know the Nepalese trek team and hosts in Jhib Jhibe, as well as experience the life of people in this remarkable landscape.
The cost of this trip is approximately $6500.
Dates: Saturday 5 October 2024 to Saturday 19 October 2024
Students from Years 10 and Year 11 in 2023 will travel to Murrurundi located at the base of the Liverpool range and the Great Dividing Range, NSW.
The purpose of this Service Learning trip is to provide assistance to those in regional areas who are in need, students spend time working on local farms carrying out duties including pruning branches, tidying up shearing sheds, learning to shear sheep, fixing fences and other farm duties.
This international educational experience in Japan aims to provide students with a deep cultural immersion.
This international educational experience in Japan aims to provide students with a deep cultural immersion.
It will include visits to both urban and rural areas, including local communities, fostering an appreciation for cultural diversity. Language challenges will be overcome, enhancing understanding of Japanese norms and customs. The adventure-packed itinerary spans will involve city and village and school visits, with an opportunity to Ski included.
It is intended that this 12–14-day tour also covers various Japanese destinations, offering a comprehensive exploration of the country’s culture.
January 2025
The approximate cost of this trip is $6000 (TBC).
Dates: Monday 6 January 2025 to Monday 20 January 2025
Europe – Year 9 to 12
Embark on an unforgettable journey to Europe where students from Year 9 – 12 can experience the treasure trove of history, art, architecture, and diverse cultures. By exploring iconic landmarks, tasting local cuisine, and engaging with locals, students will gain a profound understanding of global diversity and see much of what they have been studying in History, Geography, Sport, Music, Drama, Art and Languages lift off the page and come to life.
Trip dates: January 2026
The approximate cost of this trip is $8500 (TBC). Further details will be available early 2025.
