Discovering a Commitment to Sustainability in Round Square Schools

Sustainability is more than a topic in a classroom. It is a shared value, brought to life by students across the Round Square network. Through the Discovery framework, young people are observing challenges, taking initiative, and creating real-world sustainable solutions that transform their local communities. From reducing waste to innovating sustainable technologies, and transforming school grounds into vibrant ecosystems, these stories show how a Commitment to Sustainability can be discovered, nurtured, and celebrated.

Caring for Local Spaces: Oakleigh Grammar’s Biodiversity Initiative

At Oakleigh Grammar in Australia, members of the Year 11 Student Representative Council (SRC) noticed that while the school was full of energy, community, and spirit, its environment felt bare and lifeless. Inspired to change this, they launched a biodiversity project to introduce native plants across campus, creating welcoming and vibrant spaces that foster environmental stewardship and respect Indigenous Australian heritage.

“What first inspired these initiatives was simply looking around the school and realising how little greenery there was,” one student shared. “I wanted the surroundings to reflect the life and family that our school represents. Plants symbolize care, nurturing, and connection — values we wanted to instil across the school.”

The project remained student-led, guided by their Round Square coordinator and supported by staff. Students carefully selected native species and learned about their cultural significance to First Nations communities, ensuring that every planting decision honoured the land.

“Choosing native plants and learning about their cultural significance was a way to show respect for the First Nations people who have cared for this Country for thousands of years,” the student explained.

Already, the project is transforming the campus. Areas where new plants have been introduced feel more alive and welcoming, inspiring calm and connection among students. Conversations about sustainability and environmental responsibility are spreading throughout the school community.

“Even small changes can have a big impact,” the student reflected. “Seeing the spaces transform has encouraged others to think about how they can contribute, whether through care for the environment or other sustainable actions.”

Looking ahead, students hope the initiative continues to grow, inspiring future generations to take ownership of their environment and nurture a sustainable culture.

Dhirubhai Ambani International School D20 Summit and EKTA Conference

At Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS) in India, sustainability and collaboration are integral to the school’s ethos. What began as the D20 Summit, a student-led initiative inspired by the G20 model, evolved into the Sustainable Innovation Challenge (SIC) and culminated in the EKTA 2025 Round Square Conference. These initiatives exemplify how student-led projects can scale from intra-school activities to international platforms.

The D20 Summit, designed for Grades 6–8, allowed students to represent countries and engage in committees focused on Environment, Finance, and Sherpa. This experience emphasized the interconnectedness of global challenges and the importance of collaborative problem-solving.

Building upon this foundation, the SIC provided a platform for students to pitch tech-based solutions to environmental issues, such as producing clean methane from food waste and designing AI prototypes for water efficiency. This initiative showcased the students’ creativity and commitment to sustainability.

The culmination of these efforts was the EKTA 2025 Round Square Conference, which brought together students from across India and beyond to explore peace, unity, conflict resolution, and sustainable solutions to global challenges. Over several days, delegates immersed themselves in cultural exchange, service, and problem-solving, with DAIS students leading the way as confident hosts.

Delegates also took part in the Sustainable Innovation Showcase (SIS), presenting technology-driven solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Ideas ranged from household food-waste collection systems to recycling initiatives. “We were amazed at how children aged just 12 to 14 years could think so far ahead,” says Vaniya, one of the student hosts. “It made us so sure that in the future we have the right people to lead our world.”

Further hands-on experiences included visits to a renewable energy centre and tree planting in the green belt,

This progression from the D20 Summit to the EKTA Conference illustrates how DAIS fosters an environment where student initiatives can grow and have a broader impact.

King Constantine Medal Recipients

Two students recently recognized with their schools’ King Constantine Medal exemplify how young people can drive meaningful change.

Finn Ryan, a student at Millwood School in the USA, was inspired by stories of children in Malawi who lacked access to clean water. Motivated by empathy and a sense of responsibility, Finn raised $4,400 through bake sales, personal outreach, and crowdfunding. He partnered with community members connected to Malawi to ensure the project was done with the village, not for them.

“There were times when the goal felt too big… but this project taught me that responsibility in service means seeing things through, even when it is hard, because others are counting on you,” Finn reflected.

The well he helped to fund now provides safe water to hundreds of villagers, and Finn hopes it inspires others to take action regardless of age.

Similarly, Nammon from RBIS International School in Thailand transformed her school’s recycling program into a school-wide initiative supporting prosthetic limb production from recycled ring pulls.

“Taking action, even in small ways, can ripple out to make a real difference,” Nammon said.

Both students demonstrate how local and personal initiatives can have global, lasting impact, embodying the ideals of service, sustainability, and leadership recognized by the King Constantine Medal.

From nurturing greenery on campus to leading international conferences and delivering life-changing projects abroad, Round Square students are turning ideas into impact. Through their initiatives, young people are leading, innovating, and inspiring their communities toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Four Steps to nurture a Commitment to Sustainability

1. Begin with discovery, not direction.
Let sustainability emerge from curiosity and connection rather than top-down instruction. At DAIS, students didn’t begin with a brief, they began with an idea sparked by experience. When young people discover sustainability through dialogue, research, and shared values, their actions are likely to have deeper purpose and staying power.

2. Build shared ownership across the community.
A lasting culture of sustainability is collaborative. Encourage students, teachers, and facilities teams to co-design initiatives from the outset. Oakleigh Grammar’s SRC project thrived because staff helped connect ideas to expertise while keeping students at the centre. Invite sign-off early, involve decision-makers meaningfully, and treat the process as a partnership.

3. Anchor action in place and purpose.
Sustainability looks different in every school. Encourage projects that reflect both local context and global responsibility, whether that’s restoring biodiversity on campus, reducing waste, or supporting clean water access abroad. The key is to make action personally meaningful and culturally respectful, as seen in Oakleigh Grammar’s native planting choices and Finn’s partnership approach in Malawi.

4. Create momentum through reflection and recognition.
Pause to celebrate achievements and share stories of growth. Reflection turns activity into understanding, while recognition from school assemblies to honours like the King Constantine Medal helps reinforce that sustainability is not an event but a mindset.