Striving to raise awareness about the IDEALS of Round Square International Week, Lucas Maguire and his team have driven an event-packed programme to celebrate diversity at Christ’s College.

From a multilingual Chapel service to karaoke and a food fiesta to sustainability and a quiz night, students across all year levels have stepped up to the Round Square challenge to get involved.

During a Round Square Assembly, a range of boys have detailed their experiences, highlighting the six Round Square IDEALS. By sharing their experiences of student conferences, school exchanges, and service projects, the boys can see how they can live the Round Square IDEALS at College.

“Round Square is important because it enables boys to connect with a wide range of communities, or even on a global scale,” the College Head of International & Round Square says. “With Christ's College being only one of three Round Square schools in New Zealand and the only one in the South Island, we are really making the most of the opportunities that this network provides us, whether it’s a Round Square exchange, conference or a service project.”

Round Square is a diverse network of more than 250 like-minded schools in 50 countries on six continents that connect and collaborate to offer programmes and experiences, helping to develop character and confidence in students.

“We have aimed to make our events fun and engaging for the boys and staff but also to highlight the key message behind the week, whether it be the international karaoke representing the internationalism IDEAL or the Chapel service with boys doing the readings and prayers in different languages showing leadership,” Lucas says.

“My personal highlights have been seeing boys step up. For example, we have had quite a few international students perform in the karaoke. It definitely has put a smile on my face seeing those boys give it a go.”

Tom Lee and Kennedy Xiao – performing Into the World in Korean – have taken the karaoke honours, with Benson Geng-Wang, singing 牧馬城市 (伴奏) in Mandarin, translated to Muma City (instrument), 2nd.

Third place has been shared by Noah Yee, singing The Girl from Ipanema in Portuguese, Edward Killick (Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit in German), and Masahiro Miyazaki, Soichiro Inoue, and Oscar Kobayashi (ドラえもん・えかきうた/大山のぶ代 (1979) translated to Doraemon Drawing Song/Oyama no Nobuyo (1979) in Japanese).

“Another highlight has been the food fiesta. We have had five different food trucks on campus, ranging from Korean fried chicken, to crazy spuds and churros.”

Meanwhile, Bead and Proceed has delivered a creative strand to the week, with students discovering more about sustainability by helping to create a beaded mural. A social enterprise, Bead & Proceed aims to educate people about the 17 UN Sustainable Goals through creativity and leadership. The boys have been busy painting their beads, in tandem with learning more about the actions required to reach those UN goals.

At the annual International and Round Square Quiz Night, nearly 100 students from College, St Margaret’s College, Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, and St Andrew’s College have come together to do battle. The combined winning team includes Christ’s College students Jack Hastie, Ason Gu, Leo Kim, Edward Elworthy, and Alex Johnston, and St Margaret’s College student Yibin Kim, along with Millie Liu and Margaret Sun (Rangi Ruru Girls’ School), and Isobeth Hathway and Kalle Heuser (St Andrew’s College). A staff team of Mike Field, Steve Everingham, Emma Stillwell, and Amy Fisher – boosted by Isaac Field – has nabbed 2nd spot.

In another very popular College competition, Harper House is the top taco and burrito maker at College, winning the interhouse title with a tasty mix, with Julius and Richards sharing 2nd spot.

And College Mathematics teacher Amy Fisher has made the most of the week, inspired by the many flags hanging around the school to devise activities for her Geometry and Core Chemistry classes. Students have been asked to choose three flags and describe the geometry of those flags in detail, with a focus on interesting shapes. A combined class effort has showcased the unique interpretations of the flags. In the Year 10 Chemistry class, students have researched a scientist, including an image and profile, outlined their research, and linked their work to one of the Round Square IDEALS.