Round Square Archives - Scotch Oakburn College Launceston Tasmania

13 09, 2019

Sheep Poo Fundraiser – India Service Project

karenmeyer2019-09-13T11:36:03+10:0013 September, 2019|Categories: Junior School, Middle School, Round Square, Senior School|

The delegation of senior students attending this year’s international Round Square conference in Indore, India is also part of a pre-conference experience at The Scindia School in Gwalior from the 28 September – 2 October. The Scindia School supports a project which involves building classrooms in less privileged parts of India and Scotch Oakburn will be making a donation to this project. The students have already held two sausage sizzles and recently bagged over 200 bags of sheep poo on Chris and Toni Kilby’s farm – many thanks to them for […]

12 09, 2019

Do you want to help the environment?

karenmeyer2019-09-13T11:18:27+10:0012 September, 2019|Categories: Junior School, Middle School, Round Square, Senior School|

For my Year 5 Round Square project I have organised a rubbish cleanup along the banks of the North Esk river, starting at the Scotch Oakburn rowing shed. On Sunday 22 September I invite you to join me to help clean up the banks of the North Esk river. As a part of the project I have the support of the College and the Launceston City Council.

All students, families, staff and friends are welcome. Please bring some gloves and dress for the weather.

Time: 11.00am – 12.30pm

Meet at the Scotch Oakburn rowing […]

11 09, 2019

Senior School Round Square

karenmeyer2019-09-13T10:22:45+10:0011 September, 2019|Categories: Round Square, Senior School|

Do we ever have the right to take the life of another person? This was the complex discussion topic that Year 11 student Johanna Cameron facilitated at this week’s Senior Round Square session.

Differing perspectives around the death penalty, euthanasia, police shootings and engaging our soldiers in warfare were discussed, resulting in some robust debate and thoughtful insights being offered by the students. One interesting question Johanna posed was “should prisoners who are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole be given the option of voluntary euthanasia?”

Meetings are held every Thursday lunchtime in the Don Wing Lecture Theatre […]

6 09, 2019

Principal’s Message Term 3 Week 7

karenmeyer2019-09-06T14:29:39+10:006 September, 2019|Categories: Junior School, Middle School, Round Square, Senior School|

Round Square and ATAR – what’s the connection?

Round Square and its IDEALS (Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership and Service) are a theme that runs through our College. Some may not always realise that what they are involved in, their learning and various activities, are Round Square related but in many cases they are.

There are the more obvious events, such as conferences and exchanges, but there are so many more elements of our programs where the IDEALS are present and so provide connections through our curriculum, both across subject areas and between […]

4 09, 2019

World Vision Backpack Challenge

karenmeyer2019-09-06T11:36:49+10:004 September, 2019|Categories: Middle School, Round Square|

World Vision’s Backpack Challenge is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness for children displaced by war and civil unrest.

Scotch Oakburn College has been an active participant in this worthy cause. This year proving no different with 44 Middle School students participating. Students were able to raise a combined amount of $2030 (surpassing their $2000 target).

Students are what make this event possible, and it is important for them to have a voice.

“When I first heard of this amazing opportunity my mind was spinning, I wanted to be a part of this experience. […]

4 09, 2019

Round Square exchange reflection

karenmeyer2019-09-06T11:26:45+10:004 September, 2019|Categories: Middle School, Round Square|

My experience at Bunbury

I was a little nervous going into the boarding house because I didn’t know what to do expect. My initial fears proved to be nothing more than that, FEARS. If I could go back to that day, I would grab the opportunity with both hands.

I met the most amazing people, each of whom made me feel so welcome. Not only did I make long-lasting friendships, but I also learnt some valuable life skills. These included budgeting my money, being responsible for my laundry and helping with boarding house duties.

I […]

22 08, 2019

Senior School Round Square

karenmeyer2019-08-23T11:35:28+10:0022 August, 2019|Categories: Round Square, Senior School|

This week Year 11 student Roo Colley conducted a wide-ranging discussion that covered several topics. First, he facilitated a debate about the male contraceptive pill and whether or not males would be willing to take this, and the advantages and disadvantages of it. The group also discussed whether people believe that gender-neutral uniforms should be worn by students, or whether they should have the option at least. Another point of discussion was the way social media and advertising gives females an unrealistic idea of body shape and health, and whether Instagram hiding the amount of “likes” on people’s posts has […]

22 08, 2019

Inspire Year 8 (IY8) Round Square project

karenmeyer2019-08-23T11:32:56+10:0022 August, 2019|Categories: Junior School, Middle School, Round Square|

Last year I was fortunate to go to India on a Round Square Conference which was a very humbling experience. As a part of this, there was a service day. My group visited a village where we helped paint a new school building. The building was very basic, with four small walls and no furniture. What I saw shocked me. The level of abject poverty I saw with my own eyes made me feel eternally grateful for my life. It also made me feel depleted as I couldn’t do anything real to […]

22 08, 2019

Peace Assembly speech inspires

karenmeyer2019-08-22T10:06:12+10:0022 August, 2019|Categories: Middle School, Round Square, Senior School|

At our recent Peace Assembly, Year 11 students Ethan Hamilton spoke to Years 6-12 about his definition of peace. It was an inspiring speech and we wanted to share with you. It is quite lengthy but worth the read –

Si vis pacem parabellum or as the Latin saying goes if you want peace, prepare for war. We are so often told that peace is all that […]

21 08, 2019

Youth Leadership: Integrity in the Post-Truth Era

karenmeyer2019-08-23T08:41:18+10:0021 August, 2019|Categories: Round Square, Senior School|

This week Clare Munnings (Year 12) took part in a public panel at UTAS with four other young people to discuss the topic: Youth Leadership: Integrity in the Post-Truth Era. Clare’s co-panellists were Lachlan Hindrum and Shaima Adinah from Launceston College and Toby Thorpe, a young Tasmanian Climate Activist from Huonville, who is now living and working in Indonesia as part of YOUTHTOPIA. The panel was facilitated by Professor Richard Eccleston from UTAS’ Institute for the Study of Social Change. Each panellist gave a presentation about their story, following this Prof Eccleston […]