Adventure, Discovery and Connection: LCS Students Travel to Australia with Round Square

A rainforest expedition, snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and an international challenge across Sydney were just some of the highlights of LCS students’ two-week trip to Australia from September 21 to October 3.

The trip began in Cairns, where students explored the Daintree Rainforest, visited the mountain village of Kuranda and snorkelled on the Great Barrier Reef. From the rainforest to the reef, the first week offered opportunities to experience Australia’s incredible landscapes and enjoy time together beyond the classroom.

The group then travelled to Sydney for the Round Square International Conference, hosted by Barker College. Joined by approximately 1,200 students and educators from around the world, delegates explored this year’s theme, Visions of the Future from an Ancient Land, through activities focused on culture, service, environmental stewardship and adventure. 

For the first few days, students stayed with local Australian families, experiencing daily life in a new setting and getting to know their hosts. At the conference, they also took part in a service activity sorting donated clothing for reuse, donation or resale, helping reduce textile waste. 

One of the week’s biggest highlights was the Sydney Urban Challenge. In this Amazing Race-style competition, teams navigated the city by train, ferry and light rail, solving clues and completing challenges along the way. Exploring Sydney’s iconic sights while working together under pressure made for a memorable day, made even better when the LCS group, teamed up with students from two other schools, won the challenge out of approximately 1,200 student participants!

From exploring the natural wonders of northern Australia to forming friendships with students from across the globe, the trip offered a wealth of experiences both inside and outside the conference. It was an opportunity to embrace the unfamiliar, learn from different perspectives and put the values of Round Square into practice.

The students returned to LCS with lasting memories of Australia and a reminder that some of the most meaningful learning happens when we venture beyond what we know.