Founded in 1966, Round Square is a global network of innovative schools in 50 countries on six continents that share a passion for experiential learning and character education.
The Round Square approach is built around six IDEALS of learning: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure Leadership and Service.
The Samworth Church Academy is a Global Member of the Round Square, a worldwide association of schools which share a commitment, beyond academic excellence to personal development, responsibility and international understanding through service, challenge and adventure. 'Inspiring students to become the leaders and guardians of tomorrow's world'
Round Square schools are built on six pillars that are encapsulated in the word IDEALS.
International Understanding
Democracy in Education
Environmental Awareness,
Adventure,
Leadership and Service.
International Understanding at TSCA
Students from all year groups have the opportunity to visit other Round Square schools on an exchange. So far, students have been to Transylvania and Germany and plans are currently underway to send two students to Australia in the summer term. There are also opportunities for students to participate in Round Square conferences aimed specifically at their own age groups which are usually held in Europe. However, this year students have also attended conferences in South Africa and India. Other international experiences include:
- Visit from Palestinian representatives
- Year 7 trip to Boulogne to celebrate French culture
- Year 8 science trip to the European Space Centre in Belgium
- Teachers from Georgia and Transylvania visited TSCA to observe our teaching methods.
- KS4 History students visit to Auschwitz.
Democracy at TSCA
The school councils are linked to the Round Square committees; there is a Student Captain for each of the IDEALS. Student representatives have been involved in the appointment of new staff, in showing visitors round the school and in the observation of the staff-briefing process.
Election of Youth Mayor The whole academy student body voted in the election for Youth Mayor in October with a full secret ballot. We are proud to announce that our student Danielle Bridges was elected as Youth Mayor for Mansfield 2014-15.
Students in Year 11 were invited to stand as members of the Prom Committee and were voted in as such. The year 7’s and the democracy leaders took part in our first MUN event, which was a huge success.
Environmental Awareness at TSCA
The ECO Club encourages students to participate in recycling programmes and have ensured that there are recycling boxes in all classrooms, offices and in the restaurant. They have completed an evaluation of the school’s carbon footprint and have harvested rainwater for use in the vegetable garden and greenhouse. Our greenhouse produced a bumper crop of tomatoes which were then handed out in baskets to local residents. The ECO club have also eliminated the use of plastic bottles from the restaurant.
We received a Greenwood Outstanding Contribution Award for our work at Sherwood Forest. We have also had students involved in work at Oak Tree Heath (a local SSSI) and at nearby Forest Road Park, planting trees on a fortnightly basis. A Year 12 group are working on achieving the Gold Crest Award and are currently undertaking a project to encourage biodiversity in the pond area of our copse.
Adventure at TSCA
The Adventure Committee has established a CCF unit at the Academy and has enlisted 50 students. We run the annual trips to Outward Bound Centres in Aberdyfi and Ullswater as well as the Ocean Spirit adventure at Gordonstoun. We have also been awarded the IAA Award for Learning outside the Classroom.
- High ropes.
- Climbing wall.
- Leadership courses.
- Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold Award
- Combined cadet force (CCF).
- Survival skills courses
- Expeditions
Leadership at TSCA
Our student leadership committee is currently planning a regional conference for the 12th-14th June 2015. All activities and Barraza debates are being designed by the students, who have decided that the conference will take place at the Outward Bound Center in Aberdyfi. Students in key leadership positions have been provided with clear roles and job descriptions. The Leadership Committee are also looking into developing additional leadership roles within each tutor group across the academy, for example Literacy Leaders. Currently, every tutor group has an elected member to represent their viewpoints on the student council.
Other leadership activities include:
- Gordonstoun Leadership Exchange
- Young Enterprise events
- Student led assemblies
- Leadership Positions through RS Committee for IDEALS
- Year 11 Prom Committee
- Year 8 Graduation Committee
- Children in Need arrangements and activities led by Student Leaders
- Year 11 CCF cadets attended a week’s Leadership Expedition to Loch Eil; these cadets now train our younger cadets.
Service at TSCA
Year 7 annually takes part in MAD (make a difference) day; the Forestry Commission assign areas in our local forests, which we collaboratively clear of invasive species. We often reach out to the wider community. An example of this is inviting the local retired community for a three course meal, cooked by the students. Also at Easter time students deliver Easter eggs to local residents. We strive to support as many charities as possible; last year students wore a blue item of clothing for a day, to raise awareness for Bluebell Wood. For multiple years we have supported Comic Relief, Police Aid Convoys, Children in Need and the Christmas shoebox appeal.
Kurt Hahn
Round Square and its philosophy have evolved from the teachings and beliefs of the renowned educationalist, Kurt Hahn. He believed that given the appropriate set of circumstances and the correct attitude, young men and women could discover their own inner strength and an understanding of the physical and social world around them. “Education must enable young people to effect what they have recognized to be right, despite hardships, despite dangers, despite inner scepticism, despite boredom, and despite mockery from the world.”
Hann believed in educating students for life, and that students could develop personally through challenge and adventure, learn self-worth through craftsmanship and mastery and learn compassion through skilled and caring service to others. He believed that students would develop international understanding through personal interaction. Kurt Hann’s most famous quote is “There is more in you than you think.” This coincides with our own moto “Be the best you can be.”
For more information on Kurt Hahn click on the link below.
http://www.roundsquare.org/where.php
For more information please visit the Round Square website.
