A proud member of Round Square

Scotch Oakburn is the only Tasmanian school to be a member of the Round Square association of international schools.

The Round Square is a group of some 60 schools in Britain, Europe, North America, South America, India, Thailand, Japan and Australia, which share a commitment to the educational principles of Dr Kurt Hahn.

Kurt Hahn, was a remarkable educator who founded Salem School in Germany to develop young people whose convictions would be rooted in personal responsibility, kindness and justice.  Moving to England in the 1930s, he founded Gordonstoun School in Scotland, the Outward Bound Movement, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and the United World Congress.

The central goal of Hahn’s philosophy was that schools should not simply prepare students for tertiary studies or work, but should also prepare them for life by facing life directly, in ways that would demand courage, generosity, imagination, principle and resolution.

Schools of the Round Square all share consistent principles and priorities.  There are five ‘pillars’ of the Round Square.

·          Students devote substantial time and energy to the service of others

·          Student leadership roles are substantial and kindness towards others within the community matters

·          Students are challenged and powerfully engaged by outdoor activities which promote personal development

·          Students are asked to look beyond gender, class, race, nationality and culture to develop international understanding

·          Students are encouraged through projects, programmes and curricula to see their destiny as caretakers of society and the environment

Activities at Scotch Oakburn promote Round Square ideals in various ways and all students will be involved in:

·          Student leadership in many areas of school life

·          Service (as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, House community service activities or as part of international service projects with other Round Square Schools)

·          Outdoor Education and Duke of Edinburgh Award

·          Involvement in the Round Square Committee

·          Term length exchanges to other Round Square schools

·          Representing Scotch Oakburn College at conferences

·          Social and class links with other Round Square schools via email and joint projects

·          Year 8 exchanges with other Round Square schools in our region.

The school will also be involved in a number of community projects which students will undertake during vacations.

Visit the Round Square web site to find out more about this unique association of international schools
http://www.roundsquare.org/

Scotch Oakburn College – creating the future
at one of Australia’s finest schools