Round Square International Conference 2022

Over 6 days 1,500 people from 230+ schools in 50 countries around the world came together for the Round Square International Conference 2022. It was the first time since the pandemic began that the conference had been able to happen in person. Click here to watch our highlights video about this year’s event.

Latymer Upper School was very proud to be a co-host for this special event. “For us it has never been a more important time to stand up for, believe in and live by the IDEALS – Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, Service – of the Round Square schools,” said Ian Emerson, Deputy head (Academic). “We were so very proud to be able to be a very tangible part of something much bigger by hosting this year’s annual international conference here at Latymer.” 

“It was an incredible, exciting and energetic event to be part of,” said Ms Desmons, Latymer French teacher and Round Square co-ordinator. “We had three fantastic days up in Oxford, where our Sixth Formers did an outstanding job of representing the school as Baraza leaders; Tavishi and Klara were asked to officially open the conference which was a huge honour! We then welcomed 220 delegates at our school for three days and nights of events, which were hugely successful. The film night, reception and gala dinner were lots of fun, but what I was so excited to see was just how much the young people enjoyed the Service Day we had arranged for them. Many said they’d never done anything like it before and were keen to do more, to give back to the community and the environment in a meaningful way.” 

“Where Latymer really demonstrated the character of our community was in the homestays we had arranged – with many of our delegates staying at the homes of Latymer students. We were the only school to manage to do this and they were a big hit,” said Mr Emerson. 

The feedback from all of the international delegates who came to Latymer was unanimous in thanking staff, students and parents for the warm welcome and the incredible events arranged. 

The feedback from all of the international delegates who came to Latymer was unanimous in thanking staff, students and parents for the warm welcome and the incredible events arranged. 

For example, Starehe Boys’ Centre & School in Kenya wrote: “Congratulations on a well organised conference that was very exciting. Our student delegates cannot stop talking about the RSIC 2022. Please pass our gratitude to the hosts of the home stay students, that was a brilliant idea and we hope the friendships made will be lifelong. Once again pass our regards to the Latymer Upper School ‘family,’ especially the Headteacher for co-hosting such a successful event. We remain forever so grateful”

St. Clement’s School in Toronto said: “I just wanted to reach out and thank you for giving us such a fantastic experience in London. You were both amazing hosts and we appreciate the lengths you went to in order to ensure we all had a fun and fulfilling experience. Our students loved the school and the homestays and really enjoyed the activities you planned, particularly the Gala and Thames tour. We all loved Latymer as well! Your students were friendly and accommodating and the facilities were wonderful. We feel very fortunate to have had the chance to visit.I can’t imagine how much work and planning it took to arrange everything. I hope you know that we are so grateful for the time and energy you put into this. 

Delegates also shared their feedback on social media with Round Square’s CEO, Rachael Westgarth commenting “We are seeing and hearing loads of positive feedback from delegates – both students and staff – and the social platforms are buzzing… I was just reading a lovely post from one of your homestay families. I appreciate all of the hard work and expertise you put in to make sure that their conference experience was polished and so much fun. Your baraza leaders and the students that took on the MC roles at the theatre did a fantastic job. I thought they were great ambassadors for the school.”

Round Square’s Chairman, John O’Connor said: “If anyone were to doubt the somewhat unique relevance of Round Square within the current global landscape, they only need to see the impact that a week in the UK has had on the young participants who took part.  My heartfelt thanks to every delegate who attended, young and not so young, for their contribution to that spirit of community.  I trust we will all take that spirit home to further invigorate our school communities and ensure the IDEALS are at the forefront of the character-focused education we promote. Our time together in Oxford and at the host schools provides us all with memories we can treasure as the Round Square global family is strengthened by its shared experience.”

Latymer Sixth Former, Klara, who was selected to officially open the conference on the first day said: “This conference has been the most incredible experience. I’ve never felt more proud to be a Latymerian as I witnessed our entire community come together to welcome delegates from around the world and make them feel at home here. We’ve forged friendships and enjoyed outstanding events and experiences which we will all remember for the rest of our lives.”

Author: Karen Dove