The importance of international understanding was the focus of Walk in Our Shoes Day, an event for all secondary school students at New England Girls’ School on October 31 to promote global citizenship.
Walk in Our Shoes is an initiative of Round Square, an international association of like-minded schools, of which NEGS is a member. Reflecting one of the pillars of Round Square, Internationalism, the day was full of student-organised activities that had a special emphasis on Third World Countries.
Competing in teams as one of 20 ‘countries’ students carried cuploads of water to fill a bucket, walked with books on their head, made rafts that would survive attack from piranhas and ground wheat to make flour.
Lunch was a bowl of rice and food from one of four cultures, before students took part in a campus-wide ‘Amazing Race’ style challenge to gain points for their country.
The day culminated in a ceremony involving St Martin’s Lanterns, which had been made by students in the German tradition to commemorate a saint who was a friend to the poor.
“The day helps girls realise how fortunate we are to live in Australia and the need to engage with other countries,” Round Square Prefect and event organisier Olivia Epworth said.
“Students get an understanding of their role as global citizens and look beyond gender, class, race, nationality and culture to better understand the world and their place in it.”
The day was also used to raise funds for the Prince Alexander Fund, administered by Round Square to assist with projects around the world.
