On Saturday 25 January, our Round Square Coordinator, Victoria Kay-Barrero, was hosted by Stiftung Louisenlund (https://www.louisenlund.de/) school in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany - a beautiful school situated on the banks of the Schlei, a narrow inlet of the Baltic Sea, and just under 50km from the border with Denmark.
The school boasts an impressive IB centre where they were situated for a weekend of networking and collaboration, alongside other facilitates which sets this school apart as one which clearly, and successfully, balances academic and character education. For keen sailors and marine biologists, the school has it's own research vessel and training sailing ship, the 'Kurt Hahn', stationed at the school's boat park and sailing harbour.
Amongst the school's scientific research laboratories, a biotechnology laboratory equipped with a sterile bench enables students to work with microorganisms and biological substances at protection level 1, working on DNA isolation, PCR or cloning. Such 'plus-MINT' (the equivalent of STEM) students are further supported in their work through a partnership with Kiel University.
"Many of us were in awe of the facilities at Louisenlund, but also the unique and advanced pedagogy which positions teachers as 'learning coaches' rather than lecturers, encouraging motivated and independent learners who study in specially designed flexible and open spaces. The school also works with the Institute for Quality Development in Schools (IQSH), committing therefore to continual improvement in further education and teacher training.
Meeting with fellow Round Square Coordinators and staff from marketing and admissions teams from across the Europe and Med region has been, as always, an energising and inspiring experience. We return to school with fresh ideas and enthusiasm, intent on maximising on all the unique opportunities that this network affords us. Opportunities with the potential to fulfil Kurt Hahn's belief and mission that 'there is more in us than we know if we could be made to see it; perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less'." - This article was written by Round Square Coordinator, Victoria Kay-Barrero
For questions about Round Square or further details on upcoming opportunities, including the 2025 Round Square International Conference in Dubai (https://www.roundsquare.org/articles/rsic2025-launch-film/), or the possibility of exchanges with schools such as Louisenlund, please contact Victoria.kay-barrero@qas.org.uk.
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