Round Square

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At Cate you can take part in intercultural exchanges, and participate in international service-learning projects through Round Square.

Round Square is an international organization of 150 high schools who share similar pillars known as IDEALS, an acronym for Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service.

You will most likely meet an exchange student at Cate from another member school. Some stay for a few weeks, other stay all semester. Cate students also have the option of spending time at a member school through an exchange. You can attend regional and international conferences with your classmates, where you will learn about and discuss pressing issues facing the world. Summer options are available for service-learning.

Becoming a part of Round Square has created an array of global possibilities for Cate students and been a wonderful addition to the School’s public service program.

International Conference in Fall 2017

Host School: Bridge House School, St Cyprian’s School, and St George’s Grammar School are located in Cape Town, South Africa and will run simultaneous programs.

When: Saturday, September 30 (registration day) through Thursday, October 5 (departure day)

Conference Theme: Unite to Ignite the Fire Within. The aim of this conference is to teach delegates to embrace diversity and ignite global change to excite the fire within. Cape Town’s rich history, modern culture, and incredible attractions make it a true metropolis on the coast and the perfect location to host Round Square’s International Conference in 2017.

Cost: $2,500 inclusive (conference fee, lodging, meals, airfare, shuttle to and from airport)

Application Procedure: Application deadline is May 8. Students must submit their written statement, teacher recommendations AND have parent permission by May 8.

Conference website: www.rsic2017.org (password “RSIC2017”)

Additional Information: Contact Will Holmes

Summer Exchange Opportunities from June to July 2017

Exchanges provide Cate students an immersive intercultural experience. Because of the hemispheric nature of school calendars, Cate students go on exchanges during our summer vacation when our Round Square partner schools are in session. For the price of an airline ticket, international health insurance, sometimes a visa fee, and spending money, your daughter or son will spend 4 weeks or more as a welcomed guest of another culture.

Application Procedure: The application deadline is February 27. Students must submit their written statement, teacher, dorm head and advisor recommendations AND have parent permission by February 27.

Markham College

Where: Lima, Peru

Website: http://www.markham.edu.pe/

Who: Preference is for a Cate boy currently in grades 9-11. However, should an appropriate male candidate not apply, Markham will be glad to host a Cate girl currently in grades 9-11.

Homestay Host: A boy from Markham is on exchange at Cate from January 11 to February 15. His family will host during your son’s exchange. If a Cate girl is selected, she will stay with a female student’s family from Markham.

Dates: Arrive in Lima around June 10. Markham’s term ends July 14.

Additional opportunity: The exchange can be extended until July 22 by participating in Surf & Service, Markham’s service-learning program in a fishing village on Peru’s northern coast. S&S will entail a program fee and airfare.

Felsted School

Where: Felsted, England

Website: http://www.felsted.org

Who: A Cate girl or boy currently in grades 9-11.

Summer school: Details of the program along with the online registration can be found at http://www.felsted.org/summerschool. As part of our reciprocal Round Square exchange agreement, there is NO tuition charge for the first Cate student.

Dates: Arrive in England on July 9. Felsted’s summer term ends on August 6.

Dainfern College

Where: Johannesburg, South Africa

Website: http://www.dainferncollege.co.za

Who: A Cate girl currently in grades 9-11.

Homestay Host: A girl from Dainfern will be on exchange at Cate from March 30 to May 18. Her family will host during your daughter’s exchange.

Dates: Arrive in Johannesburg around June 7. Dainfern’s term ends July 5.

Additional Information: Contact Will Holmes

Round Square International Service (RSIS) in July 2017

RSIS projects allow Cate students to participate in international service with other Round Square students from around the world. The projects offer students the opportunity to make new friends, grow as a leader, experience a new culture, and to give back to a community. In the summer of 2017, Round Square celebrates its 50th anniversary by doing a “big build” project in Tanzania including 50 students.

Big Build Tanzania

Where: Marangu, Kilimanjaro Tanzania

Who: Cate students currently in grade 9 to 11 AND aged 16 or over at the time of the project.

Project: 50 Round Square students will be working with a local community to help build a new Primary School for the community’s children, allowing them full and easier access to education. Having their own finished school would mean they can all get there, every day, whatever the weather! The ultimate community goal is to develop a full primary school complete with more classrooms, a staff room, a library, labs, toilets and wash facilities and eventually teacher accommodations.

Cost: $1,200 plus airfare

Dates: July 10 to 23