JS Round Square News

RS Virtual Conference on Environmentalism

By Tracey Markovic, Assistant Head of Junior School, Operations & Compliance

On 8 June, a delegation of five Year 6 Radford students participated in a Round Square Virtual Conference hosted by Newcastle Grammar School, on the theme Our Environment: A Responsible Legacy. Students were selected on the basis that each is part of an Exhibition group with a focus on sustainability.

During the conference, delegates were posed the question: What can one person do to make local change that has global impact? Through activities and discussions, the virtual conference allowed students to discuss environmental issues and experiences with students of the same age. The aim of the conference is to continue to build our commitment and ambition to act in ways that leave a positive environmental legacy.

The conference featured Cherry Sung as its keynote speaker. Cherry is a youth environmental activist from South Korea, and a student at Chadwick International School. She was the winner of the 2020 Global Social Leaders Global Goals Competition, and one of the 2021 International Young Eco Heroes. Cherry founded Greener is Cleaner, a youth-led organisation fuelled by 'people-power' that leads by example to empower youth worldwide to take action for the environment and thus their futures.

After the completion of the conference students reflected on their experiences:

  • We participated in Baraza groups which are break out rooms and discussed a number of questions posed by the Newcastle Grammar leaders.
  • We talked about our contribution to local initiatives like Lids4Kids, Bulk Food Stores, Clean Up Australia, electric cars, solar panels and OzHarvest.
  • We discussed how we are currently being sustainable at Radford.
  • We met with people from all over the world – there were 16 schools which participated, including schools from South Africa, Africa, India, China and Korea.
  • This was our first Round Square conference and we were excited to share what we learned with our Exhibition Groups.

Priya, Connor, Zara, Joanna & Ella

Sustainability in Canberra


Round Square passport sharing and cultural breakfast
The Round Square IDEALS are: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership and Service.

For each level of the challenge students are required to participate and reflect on chosen experiences by answering the following questions:

  • Connect: What did you experience and learn during this activity?
  • Extend: How did this experience make you think, feel and wonder?
  • Action: What are you going to do as a result of this experience?

Students who undertake action and record this in their passports will fulfil the requirements of the following Challenge and be recognised in the Round Square community as:

  • One activity each from 4 IDEALS – The Young Explorer
  • One activity each from 6 IDEALS – The Courageous Discoverer
  • Two activities each from 6 IDEALS – The Intrepid Pioneer.
Round Square Passport sharing and breakfast

As part of our Year 5/6 Round Square co-curricular, students have been working hard to add their personal experiences to their passports. Last Thursday morning, students gathered a little earlier than usual to share their passports with their peers and special guests.

Once all passports and experiences were shared, everyone joined together for a cultural breakfast. Students had brought something to share with our Round Square community. Students shared why they chose their particular items, as well as the importance to their cultural backgrounds. The menu included traditional samosa, Boxty (Traditional Irish pancakes), Coconut Rice, Korean Sushi (Kimbap) and Mexican Hot Chocolate.

Many thanks to Ms Notley, Ms Mahar and Mr Martin who joined us for this cultural celebration.

  • We chose one of the RS ideals to link one of our experiences.
  • I learnt what the IDEALS meant to other people.
  • I learnt about some of the experiences others have done under the IDEALS.
  • I tried the Irish pancakes and they were really good!
  • The Korean Sushi had crab, pickled radish and other ingredients in them.
  • I tried lots of different things. I really enjoyed the Mexican Hot Chocolate. I don’t tend to try new drinks but I tried this and it was really good.
  • The Korean Sushi was really good – I really like crab.
  • I really enjoyed trying an Indian food called Samosas. I really liked the flavours/spices and crunch of pastry.

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