Last week, Penquite Campus was delighted to welcome twelve students and two teachers from St Stithian’s Girls’ College, a Round Square school in Johannesburg, South Africa, as part of their Australia Study Tour. The group’s journey through Australia included stops in Melbourne, Sydney, Ballarat, and Launceston, with their time at Penquite offering an opportunity for cultural exchange and connection.
The visit was made possible through the global Round Square network, which fosters international understanding and collaboration among students. During their stay, the visiting students immersed themselves in school life by attending classes alongside their Tasmanian peers. Highlights of the visit included a memorable fire-lighting and damper-making activity in the school’s wetlands area, offering a hands-on taste of Australian outdoor tradition.
Another standout experience was a guided tour of Cataract Gorge, led by Aboriginal guide Geoff Mclean. His insights provided the students with a deeper understanding of local Indigenous culture and history, adding a rich layer to their Australian experience.
Although the visit was brief, the warmth and generosity of the Penquite community helped create lasting bonds. Deep gratitude goes to the host families who opened their homes to the visiting students, and to the boarding community for warmly accommodating the teachers. The Round Square Committee were on hand to welcome the students, tour them around the campus and then host a barbeque for the host families. The College thanks them for their leadership during this event.
In an age of global connectivity, the friendships formed during this exchange are sure to continue. Through Round Square, students from across the world continue to learn from each other, proving that cultural exchange is not just about travel, but about forging lasting, meaningful connections.
Stuart Walls
Head of Senior School
Director of Round Square
