Round Square Talking Heads

Many schools talk about leadership, service and character, but how do you move those ideas beyond posters on the wall and into everyday life for young children? In this episode of Talking Heads, we explore how Trinity Anglican School in Australia introduces the Round Square IDEALS from the earliest years of primary school and then builds on them through a progressive framework of responsibility, s...

How do we ensure character education becomes more than a lesson and instead becomes something students experience, practise and carry with them beyond the school gates? In this episode of Talking Heads, Principal Paul Sjogren speaks with Head of Secondary Jen Fukushima and Round Square Coordinator Kerry Moyer about how Trinity Anglican School has embedded the Round Square IDEALS into the broader c...

How do the Round Square IDEALS help shape young people of character? In the latest Talking Heads Podcast, Gerard Foley, Principal of Ivanhoe Grammar School, explores the connection between character education and the Round Square framework.  Drawing on examples from outdoor education, global learning, service initiatives, international experiences, and First Nations partnerships, Gerard reflects o...

Blythe Everett, Headmaster at The Marvelwood School in the USA, is joined by the school’s Round Square Coordinator, Misty Jordan, for the latest episode of Talking Heads to explore the importance of community service. They discuss how Marvelwood dedicates Wednesdays to service learning — making up academic time with Saturday school because of the value they place on these experiences. The conversa...

In this episode of Talking Heads , Patrick Roberts, Head of School at Palmer Trinity School in Miami, USA, reflects on how diplomacy skills are developed through Round Square International Conferences and within the life of his school. Drawing on insights from a recent Model United Nations session, Patrick highlights that what stood out was not disagreement, but how students approached it. They li...

Berdine Beukes, Executive Head at St George's Diocesan School in Namibia talks about how Round Square is primarily driven by women at the school and how our greatest strength lies not in perfection, but in authentic leadership grounded in compassion, resilience and purpose.  

Vanita Uppal OBE, Director of The British School New Delhi, India, talks about women in leadership, women defining leadership and women aspiring to leadership for International Women's Day.

Martha Perry, Head Teacher of St Clement's School, Canada talks about why as a girls’ school of privilege, it is vital that we highlight that the theme of International Women's Day this year hones in on the theme ALL as there continues to be a gap in equality of rights between men and women in all nations.

Pratima Gupta, Head of School at Sunbeam Suncity (School & Hostel), Varanasi in India explores what courage looks like in schools and poses the question: when our students step into the world, will they simply be qualified or will they be courageous enough to redefine it?

Francis Retter, Headteacher at British Junior Academy of Brussels (BJAB) in Belgium, talks about his experience of his first ever Round Square International Conference in Dubai and why it is more important than ever to take an international outlook. 

Luke Hartley, Head of College at Woodridge College and Preparatory School, South Africa, talks about how Adventure is not just about taking a break from the classroom, but is as an amazing educational tool, to build personal growth and character, prepare leaders and allows young people to express themselves and transform them into young adults of significance.

George Vance, Headmaster of Rockport School in Northern Ireland, offers a light-hearted reflection on the Round Square Community, drawing inspiration from his passion for cars. George discusses the understated, transformative nature of Round Square schools, likening them to sturdy Land Rovers, capable of driving enduring and positive change worldwide, fuelled by principles of international underst...

Alan Redfern, Headmaster of Stanford Lake College in South Africa, discusses the benefits of a holistic approach to wellness. He discusses implementing a comprehensive well-being program, designed to empower staff and students, shifting focus away from “tackling mental illness”, in favour of “equipping students with mental wellness skills”, stressing the importance of emotional intelligence and li...

David du Toit, Headmaster of St Stithians Boys’ College in Johannesburg, South Africa, discusses character education, Leadership, and the Round Square Discoveries. He shares what it means for his students to be St Stithians Knights, building the self-confidence, resilience, and commitment needed to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Matthew Davies, Headmaster of Thomas More College in South Africa, outlines the school’s ‘Consequence Management’ approach, and discusses how it prioritises student well-being, community engagement, and collaborative partnerships between parents, students, and teachers. 

Nargish Khambatta, Head of GEMS Modern Academy, Dubai outlines the role that education leaders have in helping young people to discover the power within. She discusses how a leadership model built on principles of holacracy and sophrosyne can contribute academic success, personal growth, compassion and self-awareness.

Amrita Burman, Head of Sunbeam School, Lahartara in India, reflects on the impact that being part of the Round Square Network has had on the school and local community, and the changes she has observed. She considers how the RS IDEALS have enriched learning and encouraged students to step outside their comfort zone, engage with others, and bring new ideas and perspectives to their communities. 

Chris Townsend, Headmaster at Felsted School in the UK, talks about the value of setting a challenge. During Covid, Chris began running. In this podcast he shares the steps that led him to run the London Marathon, something he never thought he would do. He reflects on the importance of goals, the impact of support (received and given), and how adventure can drive us forward and enrich lives.

Wayne Brown, Headmaster of Whanganui Collegiate School in New Zealand, explains how passion for service creates a deep sense of belonging, an understanding of care and compassion, and a connected community. He shares some ways in which students at Whanganui Collegiate School demonstrate their commitment and passion for service, impacting the lives of others through their actions.

Bernd Westmeyer tells the story of seven alumni from Klosterschule Roßleben in Germany, whose courageous, 1944 coup d’état against Adolf Hitler led to their arrest and execution. Bernd shares how this tale of bravery in the face of oppression, continues to inspire the school community to value peace, prosperity, freedom, and have the courage to defend, protect, and advocate for them.

León Trahtemberg, Headmaster of Áleph School in Peru, shares how the school approaches each child’s learning in an individual and responsive manner. León uses two scenarios to illustrate his argument that a “one size fits all” approach to education disadvantages students and obstructs their access to personalised learning. He explains how, at Áleph, educational strategies are designed to be child-...

Lucy Gowdie, Head of School at the Inter-community School Zurich explores the power of policy in aligning purpose and values for students, families, and educators within school communities. She discusses the importance of an inclusive process for development and implementation, and highlights the role that good policy-making can play in providing safety, transparency, and security during challengi...

Phillip Heath. Headmaster of Barker College in Australia, reflects on the purpose of education and the value of kindness. He shares how a desire to create positive impact outside Barker College led to partnerships with remote communities, and the creation of four indigenous schools, in a programme that aims to reclaim, uphold and celebrate Aboriginal culture, address educational disadvantage, and...

Nick Reeves from Colegio Colombo Británico explores some of the factors that contribute to decreasing levels of resilience in young people, and outlines how his school addresses them using the IB’s Approach to Learning (ATL). Nick discusses intentional teaching of skills, with an aim of building “resilience and strength of character", and the role that whole-school research plays in helping t...

Sally James, Head of St Stithians Girls’ College, considers how success is defined in school and in life. With reference to Viktor Frankl’s 1946 book, “Man's Search for Meaning”, Sally reflects on the notion that if you make personal success your only goal, you are less likely to achieve it than if you make personal success an unintended side effect in aiming to make a positive difference to...