CULTURES WITHOUT BORDERS

Cultures without Borders: Wisdom from Around the World

TCE students recently had the opportunity to connect with young people from across India and Australia through an international Round Square Postcard, this was an online mini-conference for 13–15-year-old students. Under the theme “Cultures without Borders: Wisdom from Around the World”, students explored the richness and diversity of culture through a series of breakout discussions. Participants shared specific traditions, customs and cultural practices from their own communities, discovering both fascinating differences and common threads that connect young people across borders.

The event brought together 40 students and was hosted by Year 11 and 12 Scotch Oakburn students. Year 12, Round Square Chairs Lucy van der Aa and Fergus Stewart took on the overall hosting responsibilities, coordinating the event and ensuring that participants were welcomed and included throughout the afternoon.

They were supported by Baraza group hosts Oscar Mann (Year 12), Lila Sims (Year 11), Rose Grant (Year 12), Christo Kamara (Year 12), Harriet McQuestin (Year 11), Abbi Lloyd-Bostock (Year 12), Annabelle Sanzaro (Year 11), Amelie Donald (Year 12), Olivia McLeod (Year 11), Emily Atherton (Year 12), Elizabeth Moore (Year 11), Samuel Fischer (Year 11), Emily Knaggs, (Year 12), Harriet Woolley (Year 11), Olivia Stevens (Year 12), Seton Brock (Year 11), Lucinda Bywaters Year 11), Sophie Christie (Year 12), Eloise Breden (Year 12), Makaela Fulton (Year 12), Rose Talbot (Year 12), Sophie Storay (Year 12) and Ailish Barron (Year 11).

The students demonstrated excellent organisation, confidence and inclusiveness, creating an engaging environment in which participants could share their experiences and learn from one another.

A special congratulations to Lucy and Fergus for their leadership in hosting the whole event, and to all of our student hosts for representing Scotch Oakburn so positively. Their efforts captured the spirit of Round Square Internationalism – building understanding, friendship and respect by learning directly from one another, without borders.

Stuart Walls
Director of Round Square