Round Square

Round Square is an international network of 200 like-minded schools in 50 countries that connect and collaborate to offer world-class programmes and experiences that develop global competence, character and confidence in our students. The Round Square network of schools support and promote a particular approach to education that is values based. At its heart, values-based education deals with qualities and attitudes, with personality and strength of character.

Round Square member schools are underpinned by twelve Discoveries that students explore on their learning journey: inquisitiveness, tenacity, courage, compassion, inventiveness, ability to solve problems, self-awareness, a sense of responsibility, appreciation of diversity, commitment to sustainability, communication and team-working skills.

These discoveries capture and describe the attitudes, skills and values developed and explored by students at RBIS as they engage with their learning. The twelve Discoveries are being integrated into our school through both the formal and informal curriculum. They are used to create house projects and competitions, and form the structure for a wide variety of reflection activities in assemblies and in PSHE.

This year we will be devising new subject-specific projects for our students to collaborate on which integrate the Round Square framework, along with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, so that we continue to instil within our students a truly global outlook.

Round Square related events at Secondary (January)

Passing of HM King Constantine II

On January 10, 2023, His Majesty King Constantine II of Greece passed away in Athens at the age of 82.

As President and Patron of Round Square, he was close friends with Round Square founder Kurt Hahn and was present during the initial discussion which led to the formation of the organization in the 1960s.

His Majesty remained actively involved in Round Square throughout his life and attended almost every Round Square conference over a period of 50 years.

RBIS students expressed their condolences to Her Majesty Queen Anne-Marie by writing letters to her, which were mailed to Greece. Students also submitted class pictures to honor His Majesty's life and work. These will be used to create a mosaic portrait of His Majesty.

Round Square related events at Secondary (December)

Round Square – Cultural Exchange Videos

                              Year 9-13 students created videos on Thai cultural festivals as part of a joint project with another Round Square School (Calgary French and International School, Canada).

The aim of the project is to create and promote cross-cultural understanding between Round Square schools around the world.

In Term 2, our students will send their videos to students at Calgary French and International School, Canada and in return, view the videos those students have prepared for our students.

Click the YouTube thumbnail for Year 10's video on Chinese New year or scan the QR codes for the videos of Year 9, 11, 12 and 13.

YouTube video

Round Square related events at Secondary (November) 

Round Square – Kindness Initiative

RBIS students collaborated with students at Colegio Colombo Britanico in Colombia and dozens of other schools around the world on an initiative to spread kindness around their community.

Secondary students created a week long kindness log where they documented good deeds throughout the week. These were shared with other Round Square schools around the world.

A special thank you to Mr Reed and Ms Reid for setting a great example and creating their own kindness logs as well.

The experience was a very reqarding one and it got students to take time out of their day to focus on doing a little bit of good for others.

Round Square related events at Secondary (October) 

                                                                                     Community Service

The 6th Form students have been researching local community service opportunities as they begin to plan how they would like to support those in need. During the next few weeks they will decide their next steps and who they would like to help.      

The Community Service lesson this month looked at the community of Bangkok - a city full of contrasts. Students talked about the different life styles of the inhabitants of the city ranging from those who, for example, live in condos and apartments compared with those who are living in the slums. We looked at the problem of street dogs and cats - 860 000 stray animals! The students discussed the fabulous shopping centres which attract locals as well as the tourists who visit Thailand every year. There are many different aspects to see and talk about and I am sure that our students were moved by the contrasting images of our city community.

Recycling

Many of our Secondary students have taken up the challenge of collecting and bringing to school recyclable plastic bottles, plastic bottle tops and ring pulls.

There are many benefits of recycling and we aim to educate our students to understand the reasons for supporting this important aspect of life. It gives them skills in respect, empathy, patience, responsibility, and teaches them about consequences. It also helps create responsible adults, with a better chance of having a decent planet to live. Recycling benefits our community and the environment. Recycling means the use of waste itself as resources. Waste minimization can be achieved in an efficient way by focusing primarily on the first of the 3Rs, "reduce," followed by "reuse" and then "recycle."

It is important that our students realise that recycling is ongoing and that they should collect items to bring to school whenever they can. We award students community service points for collecting items to recycle so as well as helping the community they are rewarded for their efforts.

Our recycling area forms part of the Round Square corner; it is looked after by the 6th Form who, as well as putting up posters to encourage student’s support, also ensure that it shows the progress we are making with our collections.  

Until now we have been collecting plastic bottles, plastic tops, ring pulls and second-hand clothes but we are going to widen our efforts by including cardboard, paper and metal cans.

The new Recycling corner

Round Square related events at Secondary (weeks 1 to 6) 

Student council elections

This school year's reps are:

Y.6: Tapiwa

Y.7: Ava

Y.8: Davin

Y.9: Toey

Y.10: Tobias

Y.11: Mik

Y.12: Mariha

Y.13: Kenny (student council leader)

House captain elections

The Secondary house captains are:

Dragon: Mariha

Lion: Merlin

Phoenix: Jericho

Unicorn: Lepain

 Recycling project

On Friday 23rd September, we handed over 55,000 plastic tops to Precious Plastic

Bangkok which were collected during the last three years. It was a wonderful moment for our

students as they have been actively involved in recycling plastic tops, ring pulls and plastic

bottles for a long time. The children will continue with these projects as they are now more

Recycling project

On Friday 23rd September, we handed over 55,000 plastic tops to Precious Plastic

Bangkok which were collected during the last three years. It was a wonderful moment for our

students as they have been actively involved in recycling plastic tops, ring pulls and plastic

bottles for a long time. The children will continue with these projects as they are now more

aware of the need to recycle items and they want to help create a greener environment for everyone to enjoy.

Internationalism

At RBIS International School we pride ourselves in providing our students with opportunities that help them to learn in different ways. As a member of Round Square, RBIS students are able to take part in global initiatives that promote experiential learning built around six themes – the Round Square IDEALS of International Understanding, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership and Service.

 

The second Friday of every month is dedicated to Round Square activities. We kicked off the school year with a focus on Internationalism, which is the idea that building international understanding through exposure to different ideas and cultures will help students to tackle real world issues and develop competencies far beyond what classroom learning alone can accomplish.

 

Students explored this theme by engaging in discussions with their tutors and teachers about what it means to be part of an International school. They then undertook research and created posters about important global inventions that have benefitted the world at large. Entries were varied and wonderful, ranging from aviation and artificial intelligence, to medical technology and vaccines.

 

Well done to all students on participating so enthusiastically. We look forward to many fun and innovative Round Square activities that will be held throughout the year.

We are excited to share that our Year 6 to Year 13 students participated in our school's annual Trashion Show today. This event highlights our school's commitment to sustainability and the environment (one of the Round Square pillars),  as our students designed and created outfits made entirely from recycled materials. The Trashion Show was a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their creativity and innovation, while also raising awareness about the importance of reducing waste and protecting our planet. The event was a great success, and our students produced some incredible designs that left us all amazed. Congratulations to Y.6 for becoming third, to Y.10 for being the runner-ups and to Y.12 for getting to lift the trophy!

Congratulations to Indy from year 9 for being chosen as one of 15 finalists from 1400 applicants for an environmental literacy competition as part of a Round Square collaboration. As a Round Square School, we always encourage our students to develop a spirit of environmentalism and understand the forces that shape our surroundings, and the impact we have on those surroundings.

Well done, Indy! We're all rooting for you for the finals

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