Admissions Handbook 2011 - The Southport School

Admissions Handbook 39
These and other collaborative activities are explained and supported by Echo, the Round Square newsletter,
which is distributed to member schools and comes out quarterly. The magazines are housed in the Library or
with Mr George.
The Annual Conference
Each year Round Square schools send teams of representatives to a five-day conference held at a member
school. The teams, including students, the head of school, a member of the faculty/staff, and a
trustee/governor, are expected to be at least 50 percent comprised of students. During the Conference, the
prior year’s collaborative activities are reported and evaluated and new projects are planned. Discussions
examine topics of importance to schools and the world, especially as they relate to the special theme of each
Conference. An address (usually from a prominent public figure) called The Hahn Lecture is a feature.
The Annual General Meeting (participated in by heads and trustee/governors of member schools, but open to
observation by all) is held at this time. Through activities, expeditions and events designed by the host school,
visitors are introduced to the host school’s country, culture and environment, and to a theme topic.
Friendships and alliances form; prejudices based on national or cultural differences can be overcome. Much
preparation and leadership for each annual Conference is taken on by students at the host school. Annual
Conferences move from school to school and country to country. Hosting a Conference is prized as a
significant challenge to the skills and morale of every member of the host school’s community. TSS hosted
the Annual Conference in 1995.
Conferences for Younger Students
The Junior Regional Conference is held for Year 8 — 9 students over a three or four day period usually early
in the year, and a Regional Conference open to Year 10, 11 & 12 students in the June/July holidays.
Within each conference the six pillars of Round Square are explored so that there will be International,
Leadership, Environmental, Adventure, Challenge, Leadership and Service components in each conference.
A host school arranges a schedule of events and activities, and students and faculty members from each of the
region’s schools attend. These regional gatherings are reported in the TSS Review, Echo newsletter, and at
the following year’s Conference. With the Junior Conference we have linked a period of exchange, usually
two weeks, for delegates to the Conference which is reciprocated later in the year. TSS hosted the Regional
Conference 2010 and the Junior Regional in 2004.
The Round Square Student Committee (RSSC)
The Committee consists of students interested in Round Square from all age groups, students who have been
on exchange or to a conference and incoming exchange students. Students on the Committee accept roles
specific to them to research or action. The RSSC comprises of Office Bearers elected into the position by the
student committee. The Round Square Student Committee meets regularly for meetings to discuss and plan
areas of Round Square within TSS. Activities for fund-raising to support the Prince Alexander Fund (PAF)
for Round Square International Service projects are items on the agenda. The Preparatory School have a
programme in place for Year 7 to be involved with Round Square through independent student initiated
service projects and meetings.
To learn more about the Round Square organisation or Round Square Schools, refer to the TSS home page at
www.tss.qld.edu.au and locate Round Square under TSS Education — General or ask Mr George.
You also can refer to the Round Square Home page at www.roundsquare.org.