ROUNDSQUARE CONFERENCE CAPETOWN 2001 The group of eight boys and I got on board a school combi and headed out the school gates in high spirits. The high spirits gradually diminished as the boys soon realized that they had two full days ahead of them cooped up in the combi with very little leg-room. I purposely chose to drive rather than take the easier option of flying because I wanted the Australian boys to see South Africa and I also wanted our own boys to get to know each other a bit better. We slept the first night in a bed and breakfast in Colesburg called van Zyl's Vlei. It was really quite quaint. The group found a restaurant that was open in the town and spent the evening celebrating. The second day saw us undulating into Cape Town,and arriving at St Cyprians. The boysgrew through the experience andthe trip benefitedallthese boys who were about to embark on an exchange overseas. Here Simon King found out that he was not registered for the Conference, but the problem was quickly sorted out and all boys were billeted out to families, after a pleasant welcome by the Headmistress, Miss Tessa Fairbairn. The following three days were packed with all sorts ofchallenging and stimulating events, all of which fell in line with the five pillars ofthe Round Square, that being Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure and Community Service. Highlights included the clearing away ofalien species from a tract ofland near Simonstown,feeding the penguins,visiting Robben Island and the V&A Waterfront. Groups dealt with issues such as AIDS,sexuality and politics. There were a number of foreign representatives who added a different flavour to the groups. One of the biggest bonuses was watching the friendships and relationships develop over the 4 days. As the Conference came to an end, we worked towards the theme for the 2003 International Conference, which is to be held in South Africa. On the last night, the boys stayed up all night fellowshipping with the St Cyprians girls under the watchful eye of the Priest. I chose to drive home in the early hours of the morning. We spent the first night at the home ofthe Pattersons. We stopped offat the big hole and toured the mine museum. The boys did however spend more time in the museum cafeteria, than they did looking at the relics ofthe past. In conclusion,I can say that the immense value ofattending the Round Square Africa Conference cannot be overstated. The boys grew through the experience and the whole trip particularly benefited all these boys who were about to embark on an exchange overseas. It opened their eyes to other schools in the region and internationally, as well as making them more aware ofsocial issues. I look forward to the RS Conference 2002. G COLLINS 31
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