By Arianna W.

On day 1 of our activities we spent time exploring Mossman and the Daintree area. We started by walking through the rainforest along the boardwalk then onto a suspension bridge. It was really cool to be surrounded by so much nature and see the rainforest up close.

 

After the rainforest, we went to the Daintree River to look for crocodiles. We saw three crocodiles, including a baby one, which was definitely one of the coolest parts of the boat ride. Seeing them in the wild made us realize how different the wildlife is in this part of Australia.

 

Later, we went to the beach when the tide was out and used spears to catch crabs. This was a completely different experience from the rainforest and river, and it was really fun being able to actually take part in it. It also gave us a chance to experience the area in a way that we wouldn't normally get to at home.

 

At the end of the day, we went to dinner together. Overall, the day was packed with different experiences, and each activity showed us a different part of the environment around Mossman and the Daintree.

By Scarlett S.

Today we went to the Great Barrier Reef, which was definitely one of the most exciting days of the trip so far. We got on a really big boat and headed out to the reef, and although the ride was very rocky and some of us were definitely struggling with it, it was worth it for the experience we had. When we arrived, we got our wetsuits, PFDs, snorkels and flippers on and went into the water. At first, it was a little scary being so far out in the ocean, but after a while we got more comfortable and started enjoying it. We saw so many different animals and types of coral, and it was really cool being able to see them up close. Seeing the reef in real life, not just in photos, helped us understand how much life is actually in the ocean and how important it is to protect it. We learned that the reef is not just something pretty to look at, but a whole ecosystem where so many animals depend on each other and their environment.

 

We also went on a glass-bottom boat tour and got to see even more of the reef, including a white-tipped shark, which was definitely one of the coolest parts of the day. We had lunch on the boat and talked to students from other schools, which helped us get to know more people and become more confident talking to those we didn't already know. Looking back, I think today helped us grow because we had to try things that were outside our comfort zones. For some of us, getting into the open ocean or dealing with the choppy boat ride was challenging, but we pushed through it and ended up having a really good time. It showed us that sometimes things can seem scary at first, but they can turn into some of the best experiences if you give them a chance. 

 

Overall, today taught us a lot about the reef and the environment, but also about ourselves. We became more confident, tried new things, met new people and worked together as a group. Even though we were exhausted by the end of the day, we were all really happy that we got to experience something so different and memorable.

By Sophia T.

The first day of the Round Square Conference started off with the opening ceremony. This year’s theme is “Visions of the Future from an Ancient Land.” During the ceremony, we got to watch a bunch of different performances, including the choir, band, solo singers, and an Indigenous performance. I thought it was a really nice way to start off the conference, and it was also really interesting getting to see parts of Australian culture through the performances. After that, we listened to three keynote speakers who talked about their lives, the challenges they’ve faced, and how their experiences shaped who they are today.

 

One speaker that really stood out to me was Lisa Sthalekar, who was a professional cricket player. She talked about how when she first wanted to play cricket, she was told that girls didn’t play cricket, so she ended up joining a team that was all boys. She kept playing and getting better, and when she was around 12, she found out that women’s cricket existed and joined a girls’ team. She later became a captain, took on different leadership positions, and earned many awards throughout her career. She also talked about how women’s cricket is still treated unfairly compared to men’s cricket, especially when it comes to pay, recognition, and what gets broadcasted. I thought her story was really interesting because instead of letting being a girl stop her from doing what she wanted, she kept going and became extremely successful. Even now, she is still working to make women’s cricket bigger and create more equal opportunities for female players.

By Megan T.

Today was full of learning opportunities! We started with a hike, climbing several flights of stairs in the forest to plant trees with Anglicare, a local non-profit organization. We were taught valuable lessons about acceptance by volunteers, which we will remember once we return to Canada. By planting trees, we worked together and made a collective impact in the community. We then returned to Barker College and organized clothing that would be recycled and refurbished for those in need.

 

Overall, these service initiatives taught us that having multiple people work together makes great tasks achievable. While hiking and sorting, we enjoyed spending time with our Baraza groups and getting to know people from all over the world.

 

The day didn’t end there. We then watched a cultural performance from participants in our conference stream. From learning an authentic Australian dance to collecting snacks from Tennessee, we explored and engaged in a plethora of cultural traditions. It was fascinating to discover a world beyond the one we experience on a daily basis. Through our new understanding of life outside of Canada, we can enjoy and go into new cultural experiences with an open mind.

 

Finally, we ended the night with live music and dinner. Ethnicities from all over the world danced and sang the same songs, uniting us with one another. We had a very successful second-last day of RSIC and have high hopes for our final day! 

Through every choppy boat ride, tree planted, and conversation shared across international borders, our students returned home with broader perspectives, renewed confidence, and lifelong global friendships. We are immensely proud of how they represented our school community on the global stage!