Round Square

Round Square is the name given to a unique group of schools around the world who are all pledged to further international understanding and to educate through service, both at home and overseas. It is based on the theories of philosopher, Dr Kurt Hahn.

As a member of the Round Square group of schools, Ivanhoe shares the vision of taking education far beyond the academic. The pillars or IDEALS of the network are International Understanding, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership and Service and these IDEALS are reflected throughout every area of the School.

Ivanhoe Grammar School provides students with opportunities to serve others and to obtain hands-on experience in living the Round Square ideals. In 2002, the School community chose to focus their service efforts on Cambodia - a country still emerging from years of hardship and brutality - and in 2004, our first Service Project took place.

The project has expanded from one senior student trip a year to multiple trips involving senior, middle years and primary students, staff, parents and alumni. The Project teams work closely with three International aid organisations-Plan Cambodia, Tabitha Foundation and World Vision-as well as Happy Football Cambodia and the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO).  

In 2006 a new element of involvement in Cambodia was added-the Teacher Training project. Primary teachers from Buckley House are involved in training teachers at the Kandal Province Teacher Training College in Phnom Penh.

All project team visits-students, alumni, parents and staff-include learning about the culture of Cambodia and the hardships the Cambodian people have faced, reinforcing why our help is needed and valuable in helping this country move towards a positive future.