2013 Senior Admissions Handbook - The Southport School

28 The Southport School Senior Handbook 2013
The Annual Conference
Each year Round Square schools send teams of representatives to a five-day conference held at a member school. The
teams, including students, the head of school, a member of the faculty/staff, and a trustee/governor, are expected to be at
least 50 percent comprised of students. During the Conference, the prior year’s collaborative activities are reported and
evaluated and new projects are planned. Discussions examine topics of importance to schools and the world, especially
as they relate to the special theme of each Conference. An address (usually from a prominent public figure) called The
Hahn Lecture is a feature.
The Annual General Meeting (participated in by heads and trustee/governors of member schools, but open to
observation by all) is held at this time. Through activities, expeditions and events designed by the host school, visitors are
introduced to the host school’s country, culture and environment, and to a theme topic.
Friendships and alliances form; prejudices based on national or cultural differences can be overcome. Much preparation
and leadership for each annual Conference is taken on by students at the host school. Annual Conferences move from
school to school and country to country. Hosting a Conference is prized as a significant challenge to the skills and morale
of every member of the host school’s community. TSS hosted the Annual Conference in 1995.
Conferences for Younger Students
The Junior Regional Conference is held for Year 8 — 9 students over a three or four day period usually early in the year,
and a Regional Conference open to Year 10, 11 & 12 students in the June/July holidays.
Within each conference the six pillars of Round Square are explored so that there will be International Understanding,
Leadership, Environmental Awareness, Adventure, Challenge, Leadership and Service components in each conference.
A host school arranges a schedule of events and activities, and students and faculty members from each of the region’s
schools attend. These regional gatherings are reported in the TSS Review, Echo newsletter, and at the following year’s
Conference. With the Junior Conference we have linked a period of exchange, usually two weeks, for delegates to the
Conference which is reciprocated later in the year. TSS hosted the Regional Conference 2010 and the Junior Regional in
2004.
The Round Square Student Committee (RSSC)
The Committee consists of students interested in Round Square from all age groups, students who have been on
exchange or to a conference and incoming exchange students. Students on the Committee accept roles specific to them
to research or action. The RSSC comprises of Office Bearers elected into the position by the student committee. The
Round Square Student Committee meets regularly for meetings to discuss and plan areas of Round Square within TSS.
Activities for fund-raising to support the Prince Alexander Fund (PAF) for Round Square International Service projects
are items on the agenda. The Preparatory School have a programme in place for Year 5 and 6 students to be involved with
Round Square through independent student initiated service projects and meetings.
To learn more about the Round Square organisation or Round Square Schools, refer to the TSS home page at www.tss.
qld.edu.au and locate Round Square under TSS Senior School or ask Mr George.
You also can refer to the Round Square Home page at www.roundsquare.org.
The Chapel of St Alban
Welcome to the Chapel of St Alban. During their time at TSS, the boys are actively involved in the Christian life of
the school as expressed through regular visits to Chapel services. We believe that developing a spiritual awareness is
a significant part of personal development. For many old boys the chapel is a place of pilgrimage, many return to be
married and have their children baptized in this special place.
Services include:
• A weekly service- Monday nights for boarders, Tuesday or Wednesday for Day houses.
• An Annual Service for each Year Group
• An Annual Thanksgiving Service for each House to which parents are warmly invited to attend and support.
• A Year 11 or 12 member of each House is appoint to the role of sacristan to coordinate House involvement in chapel
services.
• Wednesday Holy Communion at 8am (parents and friends are especially welcome at this quiet service)
• A number of sporting teams have short services with prayer, thanksgiving and reflection.
• There are Regular Wedding and Baptism Services in the chapel.
• Occasionally we have funerals for families who have strong ties with TSS.