Family Handbook 2023-24

FORUM FOR CHANGE

About the Forum for Change

The Forum for Change (F4C) is the global heartbeat of Havergal College. It serves as the hub of global learning experiences (international exchanges, global learning projects and Round Square regional and international conferences), community partnership programming and social innovation work. The F4C supports students in learning service approaches to making a difference in their world. Students are provided with opportunities to develop and practise the skills, mindsets and approaches of Havergal’s Portrait of a Grad and that further the school’s mission, vision and values. The F4C is founded on a philosophy of building the capacity of seeking perspectives in order to broaden our own, which we do within our community through our partnerships. We have extensive global networks and partnerships upon which to draw, including (but not limited to) UNESCO Associated Schools Network, the Global Educator’s Benchmarking Group, the Independent Schools Experiential Educators Network (ISEEN), as a candidate member of Round Square and through our Community Partnership programming. With and through these partnerships, the F4C provides experiential learning opportunities with a focus on learning service: “Learning service consists of humble, thoughtful action designed to do no harm…where learning and service interact in an ongoing cycle, with each depending on each other. This loop is fueled by self-reflection and applying learning to future action.” (“Learning Service” Bennet, Hechsher, Collins & Papi-Thornton, 2018). The F4C stretches and challenges our students in ways that support their academic learning, development of identity and sense of self, with a disposition to action. Global Exchanges, Global Learning Projects, our Community Partnership program and the Global Learning & Leading Diploma equip students to make a positive difference in the world with a focus on global mindedness; these programs provoke students to broaden their cultural fluency and make an impact through these deep and meaningful learning experiences.

Global Experience Program (GEP)

When participating in the Global Experience Program (GEP), students are challenged to engage with people in different places. The emphasis is not solely on service as a selfish act—it is not about fundraising or appropriating. It is about partnering with others to achieve shared objectives. Those with whom we work know better than we do what they want and need in their lives. We learn by working together. The practice of effective impact is a whole-life continuum and a lifelong endeavour: at school, in communities and, eventually, at work. Many of the GEP programs are

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