This year, more than 30 of our Year 10 students are jetting off on Round Square exchanges to schools across the globe, exploring Germany, Canada, the USA, Denmark, France, the UK and – a first for the College – Peru!
As part of the reciprocal exchanges, our families also welcome international host buddies into their Sunshine Coast homes.
The program encourages participants to build skills in the Round Square IDEALS: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service.
Highlights: Semester One 2026
Here are some Semester One highlights, shared in our newly published Flinders Magazine (Volume 3) .
Sienna Strong (Canada): “From the moment I arrived in Vancouver, I felt welcomed and included by a warm and supportive host family who made me feel at home straight away. I tried different activities, including skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and even rifle shooting. Each gave me the chance to try something completely new. Overall, I felt the exchange was the experience of a lifetime... It built up my confidence and let me get to know some incredible people. The experience helped me to become more independent, self-confident and adaptive by forcing me to step out of my comfort zone.”
Kate Ortlipp (Peru): “This trip opened my eyes. We spent a few days in Cusco and Machu Picchu where I was fully immersed in the culture. I learned all about its history, tried traditional dishes and joined in the dances.”
Ed Stephenson (Peru): “My sense of adventure has increased dramatically. Trying Peruvian food was very cool and we had a lot of fun ziplining through mountains and sandboarding down dunes. Staying with an exchange family for a month where I didn't speak the language helped build my resilience.”
Lexi Nissen (Germany): “I grew in internationalism being at an international boarding school. I was immersed in service learning and chose first aid. Adventure was also a big part as I went out of my comfort zone.”
Evie McKenzie (USA): “I loved taking Spanish and Legal Issues. It was interesting to learn about the American legal system and pick up some words in Spanish, which I would like to continue to learn.”
Maya Hunne (France): “I really felt more independent travelling by myself. I enjoyed going to famous monuments like the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Chateau de Versailles and the Eiffel Tower. It was surreal.”
Claire Hirons (Denmark): “I loved learning the Danish language. All the teachers were very kind and helpful.”
Josh Allen and Henry Crook (England): A Term 2 cricket exchange at Felsted School in Essex offered the students a wonderful taste of UK boarding life and competitive school cricket. Highlights included visiting the hallowed turf of Lord’s Cricket Ground and exploring the historic university campuses of Cambridge.
