Discovering Tenacity in Round Square schools
Tenacity is about more than grit. It’s the ability to persevere through challenges, stay committed to meaningful goals, and grow through experience. Across Round Square schools, students are discovering and developing tenacity in different ways — from service projects and school leadership to adventure expeditions and international collaborations. These examples offer practical inspiration for schools looking to cultivate resilience and sustained engagement in their students.
Adventure and Challenge: St Andrew’s School, Turi, Kenya
At St Andrew’s School, Turi, adventure is deliberately structured to build tenacity over time. Students begin with short, local experiences in lower secondary, familiar hikes and overnight stays, designed to introduce basic outdoor skills, teamwork, and confidence in a safe environment.
As students progress, the experiences become increasingly challenging. By Year 10, they undertake multi-day treks in national parks, carrying their own gear, cooking their own meals, and navigating independently. These expeditions teach practical skills like navigation, first aid, and problem-solving, while also fostering leadership, accountability, and resilience.
Senior students participate in international service expeditions, where they plan and execute projects in unfamiliar environments. Each stage adds responsibility and complexity, giving students opportunities to lead peers, make decisions under pressure, and reflect on their experiences.
“Every stage is intentionally designed to stretch students just beyond their comfort zone,” explains Ed Lea, Head of Year and Round Square Coordinator. “They learn to solve problems, support each other, and keep going even when things get tough. It’s about persistence, resilience, and teamwork — what we call persilient.”
Academic learning is integrated into the field experiences. Geography comes alive in the study of ecosystems and landforms; maths is applied through triangulation and distance measurement; history is explored via stories of human perseverance, such as WWII Italian prisoners attempting to climb Mount Kenya. Reflection is built in at every stage, through journals, videos, peer discussions, and tutor sessions, helping students process both challenges and achievements.
By the time students summit Mount Kenya or return from an international expedition, they’ve experienced first-hand the value of persistence, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.
Persistence in Action: Keimei Gakuen, Japan
At Keimei Gakuen, students explore tenacity through service and leadership initiatives that unfold over months and even years. Two flagship programmes: Stitches for Riches and the Summer Baraza offer complementary ways for students to develop resilience while making a tangible difference in their community.
Stitches for Riches brings students together to support Cambodian mothers and children. In preparation for their annual trip, students meet after school to cut cloth, organise materials, and plan logistics. A small group travels to Cambodia to collaborate directly with the mothers, then returns to Japan to sell the finished products at the school festival. The cycle is repeated year after year, with students taking increasing responsibility as they gain experience.
The Summer Baraza, meanwhile, focuses on leadership and teamwork closer to home. Students design and run activities for younger peers on campus, from DIY science experiments to outdoor games. Managing groups of children, balancing different needs, and adapting to unexpected challenges teaches students patience, flexibility, and problem-solving in real time.
These experiences often stretch students in quiet but meaningful ways. A Grade 11 leader reflected, “I learned that sometimes you can’t do everything alone. Asking for help isn’t a weakness — it’s the only way to get things done.” Another noted, “Leading the younger students was frustrating at times, but I realized that collaboration and persistence mattered more than getting it perfect.”
Through sustained commitment to these projects, students develop confidence, organisational skills, and the ability to persevere when plans go awry. Unlike the physical challenges at St Andrew’s Turi, here tenacity emerges in the everyday — coordinating tasks, communicating across cultures, and learning to lead through service.
Purpose and Perseverance: King Constantine Medal Winners
Gevorg Vahramyan, Shirakatsy Lyceum International Scientific-Educational Complex, Armenia
Gevorg was motivated by a desire to share Armenia’s culture and stories with a global audience. He led virtual conferences, including The Beauty of My Country and Sustainable Wellbeing, connecting students across borders. Coordinating participants, managing technical challenges, and balancing schoolwork required consistent focus and perseverance. “I wanted people to understand my country — its history, culture, and challenges,” he recalls. “Even when it felt overwhelming, keeping that purpose in mind helped me push through.”
Olivia Prickett, Newcastle Grammar School, Australia
Olivia focused on embedding Round Square values into her school community through assemblies, service projects, and peer initiatives. Progress was gradual, and participation sometimes wavered. By staying committed, Olivia cultivated a culture of student leadership and responsibility that continues to influence the school.
Oarabile Legwale, Tiger Kloof Educational Institution, South Africa
Oarabile lead a sanitary pad campaign for girls despite initial doubt from peers and social pressures. He coordinated drives, managed volunteers, and navigated setbacks, remaining focused on the project’s impact. Reflecting on the experience, he says, “I learned that leadership is about persistence and staying true to your vision, even when it’s challenging or others don’t understand it.”
Practical Ideas for Schools to nurture Tenacity
- Scaffold challenges progressively – start small and increase responsibility and complexity over time.
- Connect projects to purpose – students persist more when work has clear, meaningful impact.
- Build reflection into experiences – journals, presentations, and peer sharing help students learn from setbacks.
- Recognise effort and persistence – celebrate not just outcomes, but ongoing commitment and leadership.