Home / Extra Curricular
EXTRA CURRICULAR

ROUND SQUARE

TRANSCENDING BORDERS, EXTENDING OUR WORLDS

JANUARY 22 TO 25, 2018

The Round Square approach guides students into becoming well-rounded, informed, responsible, principled and confident global citizens. Programs and activities are based on Internationalism, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership and Service.

We take pride in our active participation in the Regional Conferences. Our students have been going frequently to events held in various cities.

MORNING PROGRAM

Right from the Opening Ceremony on the first day to the Closing Ceremony on the last day, delegates were treated to a number of displays put up by the host school, BIS, after a lot of hard work and effort.

Bangalore International School hosted the Round Square Conference for 16 to 18 year old students from January 22 to 25, 2018. The tag line of the conference “Transcending borders, extending our worlds”, was based on the Round Square Ideal “International Understanding”.

Delegates from 10 schools of South Asia and Gulf Region congregated at the BIS campus on the 22nd evening. They were given a warm traditional Indian welcome and were then ushered to complete the Registration process. This was followed by ice breakers so that delegates got familiar with each other. Next came the Science Curiosity show which had the audience enthralled to the amazing show.

The next day saw the delegates looking dapper in their formal School Uniforms for the Opening Ceremony. The Guest Speakers of the day were Mr. Martin Rohlmann, Cultural Officer, Consulate General of Germany and Mr Francois Gautier, Consul General, France. Both the speakers gave enough food for thought for the young delegates to discuss and deliberate in the barazza sessions that followed. The discussions in smaller groups ranged on various topics related to the theme Internationalism. The afternoon saw the young adults keenly participating in Team Building Activities, woven around the theme. The camaraderie noticed amidst them is worth a special mention. The hosts performed to the visiting schools at dusk. It was wonderful to see the bond between the delegates as they sang and danced together.

Early next morning, all the delegates travelled to Bhogandeshwara, a heritage site situated in the Nandi village, about 40 kms from the school. This picturesque location saw the delegates working hard together to prepare the conference statement. After a lot of discussions and deliberations, the young delegates came up with the following Conference Statement:

“We, as global citizens, must take collaborative, ethical decisions to diversify our cultural identity and expand the circle of human concern, thus transcending borders to attain a favorable balance towards harmonious coexistence”.

The guest schools attired in their colourful best performed in the evening. This was followed by Guest Speakers Mr. Raghava KK, Artist, Entrepreneur and Mr. Ajay Batra, Head, Centre for Entreprenurship, Bennett University. These sessions were very interactive and thought provoking. The delegates could connect well with the speakers and were truly inspired by them.

It was time for the Round Square Flag to be lowered and given away to Ms Padmaja, the Round Square Coordinator, for safe keeping till the next conference. Dinner and dancing around the campfire signalled the end of the conference which had to be closed a day earlier due to a bandh call given by the government. It was sad to watch the delegates leave a day early after exchanging telephone numbers and mail ids with promises to remain in touch and keep the Round Square spirit going.

ROUND SQUARE TESTIMONIALS

The conference helped us to put forward our opinions and thoughts with confidence and broadened our imagination. The theme of the conference "Transcending Borders, Extending our worlds" helped us realise that there are a lot of opportunities if we cross our borders and step out of our comfort zone. The keynote speakers influenced us in a great way. The ideals of Round Square made us realise how people can come together from every corner and change the world. This conference also helped us in meeting new people and improving our socializing skills.

G Gowri Hari

They say Life goes by the blink of the eye. And so did this amazing journey. I on behalf of the entire team feel very privileged to have such a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and learn so many new things. This trip has taught all of us how important it is to be hardworking and pursue our dreams no matter what hurdles we may face in our journey. The motivational speeches delivered by the speakers truly have motivated us and have inspired all of us in facing the never ending challenges of life. The various and innovative team building activities set up by the host school made all of us work together as one collective unit thus helping all of us become better sportsmen. The Barazza sessions not only provided us knowledge but also expanded our views and changed the perspective of seeing things. This tour made each and every single one of us meet new people and helped us learn a lot about their cultures and traditions. Last but not the least, events like the Science Fair and the Cultural show gave all of us memories worth cherishing for a lifetime. I would like to thank my Principal, Mrs. Papri Ghosh and the respective school authorities for giving us such a wonderful opportunity to attend the 2018 Round Square Bangalore International School Conference.

S Shivam Sharaf

I believe the Round Square Conference is a wonderful platform that gives students the opportunity to connect with students across the globe. This interactive session helped both sides gain a better insight and understanding into different global perspectives. This conference, we met with over 100 students from all over India and Oman. The Science Curiosity show from BIS’s very own Science Department set things in motion on the first day, with their glow-in-the-dark explosions and gravity defying physics experiments that had delegates on the edge of their seats. Our next day saw the delegates take part in their interactive Baraza sessions, discussing agendas from culture conflict to worldwide wellness woes. On our final day, we visited the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Nandi Hills, where we discussed and constructed our final Conference Statement in the backdrop of the ancient temples steeped in history. We returned to BIS where the visiting schools performed , and concluded the cultural evening with a bonfire night, where we sang the night away and said our final goodbyes to our new friends. I found this year’s Round Square Conference go be an enriching experience and hope to be a part of the next conference!

R Ryan Saleel

Through round square, I had the special opportunity and unique experience to interact intellectually, creatively, and socially with students from all over India and Oman. I gained new perspectives on national and international issues in our barazza groups. I enjoyed spending time with all the delegates during all our activities including teambuilding, sports, dancing on bonfire night, and the trip to Nandi Hills, which added up to be very memorable!

S Samanvita Devi

The Round Square approach guides students into becoming well-rounded, informed, responsible, principled and confident global citizens. Programs and activities are based on Internationalism, Democracy, Environmental Stewardship, Adventure, Leadership and Service.

We take pride in our active participation in the Regional Conferences. Our students have been going frequently to events held in various cities. Students from different schools also have been hosted by BIS for both the Young Round Square and Round Square conferences.

The evening of 12th Feb 2015, saw BIS hosting the Round Square conference, “Vrittanta – Risking the Mundane” with delegates from six schools across the country. They were accorded a warm traditional welcome in the true Indian style with Aarti and tikka. Ice breaking sessions of games and music and the Science Curiosity Show were the highlights of Day 1.

Day 2 commenced with the formal inauguration of the conference by lighting the lamp, an invocation dance of the five elements, March Past by the participating delegates and the Chief Guest’s key note address. Barazza or the theme based discussion sessions and team building activities took up most of the day, while a colourful cultural program by the guest schools kept every one engaged in the evening.

“Adventure” being the theme, nearly 120 students and 40 staff members set off from Lemon Tree Hotel at 5:30 AM on Day 3. The task at hand was to scale the daunting Siddharabetta peak, situated off Tumkur in the outskirts of Bangalore. They assembled at the base camp at 8 AM and reached the summit at 10:30 AM. It was indeed a very exhilarating experience for both the young and the not-so-young with the rush of adrenalin. It was here that the delegates put together the conference statement. After relaxing in the Lemon Tree Hotel’s swimming pool, the delegates were entertained by a program put together by the STUDCO.

The four – day conference culminated with a Martial Arts dance by BIS students and the lowering of the flags. It was mixed emotions for all of us; happy to have made new friends, but sad to bid adieu. We are sure that our students will be making many more new friends in the forthcoming Round Square conferences.