The Round Square IDEALS are informed by twelve skills called Discoveries; inquisitiveness, tenacity, courage, compassion, inventiveness, ability to solve problems, self-awareness, sense of responsibility, appreciation of diversity, commitment to sustainability, communication and team-working skills

Our Activities:

Over the course of this year, the committee participated in the planning of the celebration for the rights of women through the creation of a tunnel decorated with Malala’s life story in the encouragement for education of females and participation in international conferences. Likewise, the committee participated in cooperation with the Green Team in a celebration that aimed to increase community awareness of the importance of sustainable cities in the modern world. Later on, they arranged “Round Square Day,” in which the IDEALS would be encouraged in Middle and Upper School. The work was sustained by the communication with other Round Square schools around the world for the establishment of a global network of young people dedicated to helping their local communities.

Projects from previous years that have made a difference in the school community are the organisation of Bake Sales to support national entrepreneurs, the collection of books to donate to libraries in the south of Bogotá, the collection of hygiene supplies for women foundations in celebration of their rights, and the organisation of conferences with other Round Square schools in the country. These projects have sustained thanks to the personal growth that our members have when joining the committee, which can happen at any point in their academic studies. Additionally, this has helped in the development of the IB learner profile, a differentiator of The English School.

In addition to this, the committee has promoted and helped in the establishment of international academic and cultural exchanges for students from The English School in other countries, as well as from others coming to the country. This is complemented by the Big Build Experiences and International Conferences that have taken students to participate with other Round Square students around the world in putting into action community projects to benefit certain communities, like the projects in South Africa in 2017 and Sri Lanka in 2019.

Exchanges

Going on exchange is one way that students are could actualise global citizenship skills relating to Round Square’s IDEALS. Parents and caregivers should note that exchanges are not for academic tourism or language development. Exchanges are specifically used for the purposes of actualising global citizenship skills around IDEALS.

Candidacy for exchange is available for students from Grades 7 to 10 who have integrated it with a Personal Project, Extended Essay, CAS Project, TOK Project or Service in Action Project.

We strongly urge all students to speak with their project supervisors or coordinators about how they can integrate exchange opportunities in their projects.

Exchange opportunities at TES are mostly short-term, being no more than three weeks in duration. Every application, however, is assessed on its individual merits.

For further information and details about how to apply for candidacy for exchange, please see this form. This form must be returned to the project supervisor and coordinator who can approve the project and refer it to the Round Square Coordinator for candidacy. Students should seek guidance from project supervisors for integrating exchanges.

Exchanges are NOT guaranteed as there are many variable factors that affect chances of placement, such as other schools being on vacation. Students in Grade 10 will most likely need to undertake exchange opportunities during school vacation periods so as to lessen the impact on achieving curricular aims at TES.

Exchange is a chance to think big and aim high with projects! In 2018, Heather Chisholm, a 15-year-old from Rothesay Netherwood School in Canada, was awarded Round Square’s Kurt Hahn award for implementing her project in the Dominican Republic. It encompassed shipping containers being modified to serve as classrooms to provide children access to education after Hurricane Maria destroyed much of the infrastructure.