Round Square
The philosophy of Round Square was developed by Kurt Hahn (1886-1974), a renowned educationalist, who founded the idea of experiential education through such initiatives as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Outward Bound and Round Square.
His educational philosophy was based on respect for adolescents. He believed that students should be given leadership and service opportunities so that they could prove to themselves that they could make progress and make a difference outside the classroom. Round Square is centered on the IDEALS; a set of pillars which help define the organisation. The IDEALS are Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership and Service.
The name Round Square was derived from a curiously-shaped, 17th century building at Gordonstoun School in Scotland, the founding school of the association.
Designed by Sir Robert Gordon as an estate square to house horses, carriages and equipment for the estate, its circular design imitated similar buildings he had seen on his travels in Italy and hence it became called the paradox of Round Square.
Throughout its history, The Armidale School has valued the role of leadership, service and adventure programs in developing students to become young men and women with passion, courage and character, culminating in the ‘whole’ student resilience, respect and responsibility.
The Armidale School was admitted as a global member in 1998 and has upheld the IDEALS and enjoyed the connection it has with more than 150 schools across the world. Access to the Round Square network affords member schools the opportunity to arrange local and international student and teacher exchanges on a regular basis between their schools. Students also have the opportunity to participate in local and international community service projects and conferences.
For more information, visit the official Round Square website.
Outgoing Exchange Program
International outgoing exchanges are available to Year 10 students for approximately 8-12 weeks, with details pertaining to destination, length of exchange and timing negotiated with each student and their families.
Costs include airfare, passport, travel/medical insurance, visa (in some instances) and a refundable bond of approximately $AUD700. Some schools offer optional excursions at additional cost to the individual. Fees continue to be payable to TAS.
A list of schools for consideration can be found at click here
Regional Junior exchange within the Australasia and South East Asia region is available to Year 8 students for approximately a two-week duration, most often in pairs. These exchanges are often reciprocated where we will host returning students.
TAS prefers to host exchange students in our boarding houses. TAS students going out on exchange will find some schools only offer ‘homestays’ and others can accommodate students in boarding houses or both.Arrangements for exchange should commence in the latter part of Year 7 and Year 9 to ensure placement of choice. To apply for International exchange please complete the Outgoing Student Exchange Form by using the link provided below.
For more information, please contact Round Square Representatives Mr Todd Currell or Miss Belinda Macri at [email protected]
Incoming Exchange Program
In recent years we have hosted students from across the globe. These have included Gordonstoun School, Scotland; from India, The Doon School and Welham Boys’ School (both in Dehradun), Daly College Indore, and Vivek High School, Chandigarh; in South Africa, Stanford Lake College; and from Canada, Stanstead College and Bishop’s College School in Quebec, Glenlyon Norfolk School Vancouver, Rothesay-Netherwood School New Brunswick, and Appleby College Ontario.
Students have also come from The Athenian School (San Francisco) and The Hotchkiss School (Connecticut), and King’s College, Auckland New Zealand.
For Incoming Exchange Students who have been pre-approved by their own school, please contact Round Square Representatives Mr Todd Currell or Miss Belinda Macri at [email protected]