Group 2 Round Square Conference
Conferences
Group 2 Round Square Conference
On Friday 14th May, four excited Group 2 students attended the Round Square conference at Windermere St Anne’s school in the Lake District. The long journey was thankfully uneventful and we arrived in high spirits ready to start the weekend. Windermere St Anne’s occupies a stunning location on the eastern side of Lake Winderemere, with panoramic views over the southern fells. Unfortunately our first foray out onto the fell top was shrouded in mist and a veil of fine rain fell down upon us.
The whole school takes part in an Ascension Day walk to the top of a nearby hill. The deputy head, Ms Parry, explained the significance of this event and how it is celebrated in different cultures and countries. We were encouraged to walk with different students, especially those of a different age group and it was very interesting talking to the WSA students. At the top of the hill we managed (I still don’t quite know how) to organise ourselves into a Round Square: youngest as a circle, older students formed the square.
After the descent back to the school, we met for ice breaker games and a chance to get to know the other Round Square delegates. Although it is great fun to meet and talk with the English schools, it is really exciting to meet students from the European schools, and we met students from Denmark, Germany and France.
The theme of the conference was ‘Leading the Way’ and listening to our evening speaker was an opportunity to reflect more carefully about what leadership means to us individually, and how we can challenge how we think and do things differently. This theme was repeated throughout many of the activities during the weekend.
Saturday morning greeted us with sunshine and we were split into two groups. One group headed off to a local beauty spot called Tarn Hows and the other group went to a local quarry for team building games and problem solving activities. As we walked, we discussed how we elect leaders in our own schools and what inspired us. One important discovery was the idea that most of us are motivated by the people close to us rather than the desire to pursue material possessions.
Our speaker in the evening was billed as an ‘inspirational’ speaker but this was something of an understatement! Darren Swift was a former soldier serving in Northern Ireland when he was injured in an explosion. Sadly, he lost both of his legs at the knee and his story was one of true grit and inspiration. He became involved in a bewildering number of outdoor activities, enjoying sky diving, skiing, paragliding, canoeing, jet skiing and even cycling across Iceland. His view on life can be summed up in two words: ‘chin up’. He believes in living for the moment and getting the most out of life and looking forward to opportunities that might come your way. He completely captivated his young audience and there was barely enough time for our students to ask him all of their questions.
The last day of the conference dawned a bit chilly but we enthusiastically drove down to the WSA water sports site on the lake. There we took part in sailing and canoeing under the guidance of the sixth formers and participated in problem solving activities. And how do you really get your team across a crocodile infested swamp with only four crates, a bit of old rope and some planks? With teamwork, that’s how! There were plenty of opportunities to practise both leadership and team building skills and the girls were keenly and wholeheartedly contributing to the various activities. So active were they that Nathalie Ruiz group won the prize for these tasks. The conference organiser, Mrs Martin, drew the weekend to a close and encouraged all students to state what they wanted to change when they returned home.
So what did we learn? That set backs aren’t always as bad as they seem and it is important to get the most out of life and seize every opportunity that comes your way. We also learnt that leadership comes in many forms and we all have the power to change and maybe lead something at school. Mrs Rabot learnt that four students singing to Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ are very noisy indeed! We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Windermere St Anne’s for welcoming us so warmly and to Ms Lee for organising the trip.
Don’t forget girls, there’s more in you than you think!
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