Engagement with the Global Community

Chris Townsend, Headteacher at Felsted School ,UK

One of the things that makes Felsted such a special place is our engagement with the global community, and one of the key ways in which we do this is through our membership of Round Square. There are now more than 270 Round Square schools in more than 50 countries across the world, and they have a shared vision based on the IDEALS (internationalism, democracy, environmental stewardship, adventure, leadership and service). The founding father of Round Square was the inspirational Kurt Hahn, formerly Head of Gordonstoun, founder of Atlantic College, Head of Salem, and the man behind the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The motto of the organisation is ‘plus est en vous’ or ‘there is more in you’ and speaks to untapping potential through education.

One of the most rewarding aspects of our Round Square membership is the opportunity to take part in student exchanges, giving pupils the chance to immerse themselves in life in another country, embrace different cultures, and step far outside of their comfort zones.

This year, 15-year-old Miguel from Colegio Anglo Colombiano in Bogotá, Colombia, joined Felsted as part of this programme. For Miguel, the real adventure wasn’t a mountain to climb – it was learning to navigate new routines, new friendships, and a new culture.

“I was scared I wouldn’t fit in or make friends,” Miguel recalls. “Everything was different – the food, the people, the routines. In Colombia, I was used to a rhythm: school, football, chatting with friends. In England, I had to get used to a whole new routine.”

However, Miguel quickly settled in – thanks in large part to the warmth of the Felsted community, and the friendship he formed with Jack, a Felsted student and his exchange buddy. A shared love of football helped break the ice. “At the airport, Fran – Jack’s dad – asked who I supported, and I said Arsenal,” Miguel says. “He smiled and said, ‘Us too.’ A week later, he surprised me with tickets to a real Arsenal match!”

That match, at Emirates Stadium in London, became the highlight of Miguel’s exchange. “Even though Arsenal didn’t win, I was so happy. It was unforgettable.”

Jack’s experience was equally transformative. A few months later, he travelled to Colombia and stayed with Miguel’s family. “I wasn’t nervous about going on the exchange, but I was nervous about how I’d communicate with friends because of the language barrier,” Jack admits. “But everyone was so welcoming, and Miguel helped translate.”

Beyond football and food, Jack says he gained a broader perspective on the world. “Driving around Colombia, I became more aware of the world outside what I’m used to. It’s different from just seeing it on the news – you really understand people when you walk in their shoes.”

Miguel’s Round Square coordinator, Nicolas, puts it perfectly: “The point isn’t for students like Miguel to learn more chemistry or maths – they get that at home. The exchange is about real-life skills: resilience, curiosity, empathy. Those are the moments that shape you.”

Through our Round Square network, Felsted has recently hosted students from:

• Radford College (Australia)
• Armidale School (Australia)
• Colegio Anglo Colombiano (Colombia)
• Dunn School (USA)
• Matthew Flinders Anglican College (Australia)
• Wilderness School (Australia)

And in the coming term, we look forward to welcoming pupils from:

• Stiftung Landheim Schondorf am Ammersee (Germany)
• Stanford Lake College (South Africa)

We’ve also hosted visiting teachers from Argentina and South Africa, as well as two incredible student groups from Argentina:

• 50 pupils from St Andrew’s Scots School, who performed a fantastic concert alongside Felsted students (*not sure if we can mention as St Andrew’s Stots School is not a Round Square school?)
• 50 students from Holy Trinity College, who collaborated with our pupils on the Round Square Global Challenge

This September, Felsted students will travel to Dubai for the 2025 Round Square International Conference – a chance to build global friendships, learn from different cultures, and return inspired to share what they’ve learned. There are still two places available – if you’re interested, please contact Kathy Martin at kma@felsted.org.

Whether it’s attending global conferences, hosting international visitors, or stepping into another culture for an exchange, every Round Square opportunity embodies our belief that there is always more within us – waiting to be discovered. As Jack says: “Just be yourself, come out of your comfort zone and talk to people.”

We encourage any student who is curious, open-minded, and ready for an unforgettable experience to consider taking part. Remember, plus est en vous – there is more in you.