International | Modern School Barakhamba Road

Modern School Barakhamba is a Global Member of ROUND SQUARE

The Journey…

The Modern School’s journey to become a member school started in May, 2017 with a thought about the possibilities and the formalities of becoming a Round Square member School. Upon applying for the membership formally our school was inspected by Ms Rajbir Sandhu and Dr Sumer Singh.

As an observer school we first visited St Cyprian’s School Cape town, South Africa where we were introduced officially as an observer school in October 2017.

We became a candidate school in March 2018 and within no time, with a strong will, far fetched vision and a never dying spirit towards our goal to be a member school, on Jan 31 st 2019, we received The Global Membership of Round Square Conferences. We were awarded the Global Membership in a year where as other schools get it in two years or more. We are deeply and profoundly honoured on becoming the Global Member!

The Global Conferences bring together Students and teachers from different countries to share perspectives, debate topical issues, forge friendships, support local communities and develop international understanding.

Dr Vijay Datta, Principal ,Modern School attended the Round Square, Head’s Symposium recently at the wake of the New Year 2020 from 9 th January to 12 th January . The symposium was held at County hall, Westminster, London, UK. He received the coveted King Constantine Medal on behalf of Modern School, Barakhamba Road.

Visit our profile at Round Square.

Dr Vijay Datta spoke about ‘Humanity’ and ‘Community Service’.

Dr Vijay Datta spoke about ‘Humanity’ and ‘Community Service’, stressing upon the humane perspective of leading life in his address for the august intelligentsia group comprising Head’s of Round Square from all over the world at London.

“Together we can do so much.” This quote from Helen Keller perhaps sums up the strength of the Round Square network, which brings together 225,000 students and 35,000 educators across 60 countries to create one big collaborative pool of talent and inspiration. This diverse and innovative global network of schools puts a strong positive impact on students.

Through Round Square, students gain confidence, and develop capabilities and attitudes for responsible, compassionate leadership.

The concept of Round Square was conceived in 1966 based on the educational ideology of Kurt Hahn, who founded two of its original member schools, Schule Schloss Salemin, Germany, with Prince Max of Baden, and Gordonstoun in Scotland.

Round Square is a not-for-profit network of schools in 60 countries on five continents that share a passion for experiential learning built around six IDEALS of learning: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service.

The Round Square schools include prominent schools from India such as the Doon School, Mayo College Ajmer, Welham Boys’ School and Scindia School and now Modern School, Barakhamba Road.

Round Square Students are encouraged to discover and develop their own capabilities through a range of experiences, activities, collaborative projects and challenges, both within and outside the curriculum, including social service projects, exchanges and conference participation.

Round Square Coordinator – Ms Shalini Dahiya

Modern School being synonymous with quality education, is a pioneer in promoting all round growth and holistic education in all its students. The ideals of Round Square are well reflected in thinking out of the box perspective promoted at Modern school. Round Square has ignited the young minds at modern school , where strong efforts are made at building a strong platform for the students ,as they are nurtured with the idealism of community service awareness towards a sustainable development.

Learning the effective tenets of democracy, facing the challenges and lead the way for a better tomorrow. The Modern School delegation has been actively participating in all the Regional, Global and International Round Square Conferences. The Round Square discovery framework is a part of the school curriculum and is reflected on the progress cards of the students.

Modern School has been a part of several other Round Square International Conferences

Report on the Round Square Regional Forum – South Asia & Gulf Region 2025

21st–23rd November 2025

The Round Square Regional Forum (South Asia & Gulf Region) 2025 brought together a diverse group of 120 participants from 48 schools across the UAE, India, Armenia, Jordan, Sharjah, and Pakistan. The two-day event provided a dynamic platform for collaboration, exchange of best practices, and celebration of cultural diversity.

Ms. Shalini Dahiya, Round Square Coordinator of Modern School, represented the institution at the forum. She delivered an engaging and impactful presentation on “Blind Cricket”, as a good practice, highlighting how inclusive sports can play a transformative role in fostering equity and creating a more supportive school environment. Her insights emphasized the importance of accessibility and inclusion in building holistic learning communities.

The forum also featured prominent leaders and educators, including Ms. Rachael Westgarth (CEO, Round Square), Ms. Amrita Burman (Director, Sunbeam Group of Institutions), Ms Rajbir Sandhu, School Support Director South Asia & Gulf region and Ms. Neera Singh, Principal, Rajmata Krishna Kumari School. They shared valuable perspectives on Round Square’s global vision and reaffirmed the significance of the IDEALS—Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service—in shaping responsible global citizens.

The event buzzed with ideas, cultures, and experiences. Delegates took part in a variety of interactive sessions, discussions, and activities centred on international understanding, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. The rich cultural heritage of Varanasi, reflected through its traditions, hospitality, music, and spiritual ambience, seamlessly complemented the forum’s program and added depth to the overall experience.

The Round Square Regional Forum 2025 successfully strengthened inter-school connections across the region and reinforced the collective commitment to the organization’s guiding principles. Participants returned with meaningful takeaways on inclusivity, cultural appreciation, and community service—further energizing the Round Square network and its mission.

Visit of CE0, Round Square Organisation and School’s Support Director , South Asia and Gulf region, Round Square

Heroes of Discovery

On 20th November 2025, Thursday, Modern School Barakhamba Road proudly unveiled the Round Square Discovery Framework 2025 :The Heroes of Discovery Framework launch was ribboned by our Principal and also the Round Square Head, Modern School Barakhamba, Dr Vijay Datta. Specially designed for the students of the Middle Wing (S1–S3), the Heroes of Discovery programme brings to life the attitudes, attributes, skills, and values that lie at the heart of Round Square’s global philosophy.The initiative introduced twelve vibrant characters, each personifying one of the Round Square “Discoveries”—the guiding principles intended to shape students into responsible, empathetic, and globally-minded young leaders. These Discoveries are deeply embedded into classroom instruction, co-curricular planning, and reflection activities, thus aligning seamlessly with the six RS IDEALS. The twelve characters showcased were: Inquisitive Indu, Problem-Solving Papri, Responsible Rami, Courageous Collete, Tenacious Tino, Sustainability Suki, Communication Cara, Self-Aware Simba, Inventive Idris, Compassionate Carlos, Diversity Dani, and Teamwork Tama. Each hero represents a unique value that students encounter on their learning journey—ranging from inquisitiveness, ability to solve problems, courage, responsibility, self-awareness, compassion, sustainability, creativity, diversity appreciation, effective communication and power of team work. The Round Square student ambassadors comprised:Amaira Jain (S6I), Nandini Khanna (S6I), Vyan Aggarwal (S6F), Siddharth Jaiswal (S6I), Moksha Kochar (S6J), Ananya Singh(S6J), Vrinda Gupta (S5A), Sahana Abbi (S5A), Viraj Sarin (S5F), Bhuvi Jain (S5F), Rishabh Jaipuria (S5C), Reet Bhatia (S5A) Suhaani Jain (S4A) and Janaya Verma (S4C).

Under the guidance of Ms Manpreet Kaur, Head Mistress, Middle Wing, Ms. Shalini Dahiya, Round Square Coordinator, the Round Square Students conducted a lively and interactive presentation for the middle wing. Through performances, character portrayals, and dialogue, they encouraged students to identify these values within themselves and apply them in their daily lives. The session proved to be both enriching and inspiring. The initiative’s next phase will see the ambassadors visit middle wing classrooms every week, embodying their respective characters and leading value-based engagements with students. The launch of the Heroes of Discovery stands as yet another example of Modern School’s commitment to thoughtful, values-driven education—nurturing modernities who are not only academically proficient but also empathetic, responsible, and globally aware citizens.

As a part of the Round Square Day Global Challenge, Modern School Barakhamba Round Square Student Committee conducted a Global Sporting Challenge on Friday, 23rd May 2025 at the School premises.

The Global challenge was flagged by the Principal, Modern School, Barakhamba Dr Vijay Datta who is also the Round Square Head of the School by cutting the red ribbon.

Dr Datta inspired and encouraged the students to complete the one day challenge with his kind words and indomitable spirit.

Ms Manpreet Kaur, Headmistress Middle wing, Ms Shalini Dahiya, Round Square Coordinator, Mr Sumit Berwal, Sports Teacher and Ms Gaurav Rathore, Photography Incharge were also present at the event to be with the students.

The students went all out to complete 178 km in totality through swimming, marathon, cycle polo, horse riding, & cycling.

They also arranged a lemonade fundraiser to help under privileged students around the world.

50 Students who participated in the Challenge showcasing their sporting skills are as follows:

Swimmers :

Amaara Ahuja S7G
Nergis Malhotra S7I
Vrinda Gupta S5A
Sahana Abbi S5A
Kaysha Gupta S6C
Aarav Vohra S5A
Neev Gupta S6-A

Runners:

Amaira Jain S6I
Nandika Gupta S5C
Amaira Gupta S5A
Saanvi Jain S5D
Vivaan Dhawan S4 B
Vedika Thukral S4 B
Myra Rewal S4-D
Samyra Jain S6-C
Rayan Madan S6-D
Avya Agrawal S7-A
Avika Bansal S7-G
Atharva Aggarwal S7-G
Arav Mittal S7-F
Naisha Bhatia S7-A
Anshika Tayal S6-I
Kaniv Singh Bir S5-A
Anmol Sharma S5-A
Pranav Sachdeva S7-A
Suhaan Gupta S7G
Avviral Gupta S4-B
Nivaan Joneja S4-F
Viraj Sarin S5-F
Milonee Sharma S7-G
Reet Sahni S7-G
Ayaan Goyal S7-J
Ayman Aggarwal S6-G
Krishiv Agrawala S7-H
Simar Singh Jhajj S7-H

Horse riders and cycling polo players:

Eayra Madan S1F
⁠Prisha Beriwal S1F
⁠Krishnavi S1D
Vedangi Mittal S2D
Ananmay S3H
Azaan S1B
⁠Azeen S1B
⁠Sarah S4A
⁠Sofia S2B
Aryaveer Gugnani P5B
⁠Ahana Ray S3H
Niveransh Reddy S4G
Afra Abdul Khaliq S2C
Leisha Bhatia S4C
⁠Jigar Kukreja S4C

The students received a warm congratulatory message from the CEO Round Square, Ms Rachael Westgarth.

She also issued Round Square Certificates for all the proud participants.

The Round Square Conference, Chile, Santiago. Hosted by the Craighouse School.

Modern School Makes History at the Round Square Conference in Latin America !

Modern School has once again demonstrated its commitment to global collaboration and leadership by stepping onto the international stage in Latin America for the first time. A team of dynamic students and their mentor represented the school at the prestigious Round Square Conference in Santiago, Chile, under the inspiring theme, “Dare to Dream, Dare to Lead.”

The delegation comprised Sarthak A Ranganadhan XII-B, Aryaveer Bhargava XII-E, Arhaan Gupta XII-G, and Adhiraj Joneja XII-H accompanied by the Round Square Coordinator, Modern School Barakhamba Ms. Shalini Dahiya attended the Round Square Conference organised by Craighouse School, Santiago, Chile from 2nd April to 9th April 2025.

This remarkable opportunity allowed our students to connect with young leaders from around the world, share ideas, and foster a spirit of adventure and service.

Modern School, set foot on South American Soil visiting the capital of Chile, Santiago to attend a weeklong students conference focused on the six IDEALS of Round Square through the activities based on: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service.

Several keynote speakers shared the story of their journey with the delegates to give them a new outlook on life. These included some well-known scientists, activists, writers, actors, athletes, and explorers.

Trinidad Matta, Elizabeth Andrade, Alina Namuncura, and Adib Anastas were some of activists who inspired the student delegates.

Keynote speaker Nacho Navarrete, an actor, writer, playwright, entrepreneur, lawyer, and a TEDx speaker made an everlasting impact with hos keynote.

Explorers such as Jack Dill shared with delegates his learnings through many adventures and travels across the world.

Athlete José Ignacio Larenas, a former Chilean national rugby team player, demonstrated the significance of teamwork, passion, perseverance, and dedication with the story of the Chilean national team’s road to success.

Over six unforgettable days in Chile, delegates around the world—from Romania, South Africa, Germany, Argentina, Peru, the United States, and Canada—came together to celebrate cultural diversity, global friendship, and shared experiences.

A vibrant celebration of internationalism, where delegates proudly showcased their traditions through song, dance, and food, and experienced Chilean culture through traditional games and local cuisine.

Also a powerful dive into Chile’s history was experienced, with visits to La Moneda, to view the revolutionary art by José Venturelli, and the Museum of Human Rights, highlighting the nation’s struggle under dictatorship and its inspiring path to democracy.

The conference brought a transformative opportunity to serve underprivileged communities through hands-on work with the nonprofit Techo, helping to clean, build, and uplift living spaces. The conference also instilled a deepened cultural understanding in student delegates stayed with families from Craighouse School students , sharing in daily life and exploring the city from a personal perspective.

Adrenaline filled teamwork was experienced via an exhilarating rafting trip down the Rio Maipo and a series of collaborative challenges at the Latitude 90 adventure center.

The conference focused on environmental awareness too, with a visit to Ecoterra—a company producing organic products and free-range eggs—where students learned about sustainable agriculture and ethical production. This impactful experience blended cultural immersion, historical reflection, service, and adventure, leaving students with lasting memories, meaningful connections, and a greater sense of global responsibility.

ROUND SQUARE CONFERENCE AT MILTON ABBEY SCHOOL, UNITED KINGDOM

A delegation of five students and one teacher attended the Round Square Conference at Milton Abbey School, United Kingdom from 25 th May 2025 to 31 st May 2025. The theme of the conference was ‘Learn Differently’. This conference was based on outdoor workshops and activities focussing on team building, development of life skills, sustainability, leadership initiatives and creative pursuits. The conference was attended by Yash Pratap Gaddh (S4 A), Triana Goel (S4 D), Myra Rewal (S4 D), Omyra Kathpalia (S4 D) and Anirudh Gautam Tiwari (S4 F) and were accompanied by Ms Indu Sreedharan.

Modern Barakhamba participated in the Round Square Global Conference themed “Footprints of Unity,” jointly hosted by Scotch College and Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School in Perth, Western Australia, from April 12th to 17th, 2025.

Modern School Delegation: Avika Jain (S4-B), Vedika Aggarwal (S4-B), Prakhya Goel (S4-D), Aryan Gupta (S4-B), Puneet Jhakhar (S4-G) and Ashrit Bhargava (S4-B) and was accompanied by Ms. Divya Aggarwal.

The Conference brought together students across the globe to explore unity through cultural immersion, adventure, and dialogue. It focused on cultural exploration, including in-depth learning about Australia’s indigenous Aboriginal tribes—their culture, traditions, and historical significance.

The Conference featured experiential learning with visits to significant sites such as caves, and activities like exploring Kings Park’s unique flora and fauna, a Swan River cruise, and delving into the history of Fremantle.

Modern School students participated in the Round Square Conference organised at Scindia School, Gwalior on the ideal ‘ENVIRONMENTALISM’ from 28th January to 31st January 2025

Modern School delegation comprised
Yuvraj Ahuja S2-E,
Chiara Jain S3A,
Rehaan Rai S2E,
Savanya Gupta S3E,
Saisha Gupta S3A &
Savarjeet Krishnan S3F
accompanied by Ms Payal Srivastava
Schools such as Shiv Nadar School, Singapore International School, Genesis Global School and Mayo College also attended the event.
Baraza Sessions, Light and Sound Show, Jam Session, Masquerade Party and Creative activities were some of the highlights of the conference.
The conference was joyous and Informative at the same time.
The delegates visited the Scindia School’s plant nursery where they prepared seed bombs used to replant the areas where the flora has been destroyed.
They also learned about the founder of The Scindia School, Maharaja M.J Scindia.
The Round Square Conference was truly inspiring and introspective.

“Sammaan” Project

Modern School, in collaboration with Mayo College Ajmer, jointly hosted the Round Square inspired International Elderly Care Service Project “Sammaan” from 5th to 10th December 2023.

The event was attended by the delegates and faculty from ten Round Square Member Schools across the globe, focusing on connecting with and honoring the elderly through various activities.

Modern School Barakhamba Road, Mayo College Ajmer, Mayo College Girls’ School Ajmer, The Emerald Heights International School Indore, The Rajkumar College Rajkot, GEMS Modern Academy Dubai, Indian School Al Ghubra, The Doon School Dehradun, The British School New Delhi, and the Genesis Global School Noida participated.

Raghav Singhal S6G, Bhavya Khanchandani S6F, Tanay Jalan S6A, Vania Karna S6G, Siddharth Veer Sawhney S6F, Abeer Jhanji S6F, Avvyaa Gupta S6H, Saira Chadha S6I, Ssuhaan Jaiin S6C, Shreya Gupta S6G, Ayra Goel S6F, Avishi Gupta S6F and Sanidhya Barara S7C participated in the hosting of the event.

The students were mentored and supervised by Ms Shalini Dahiya, Round Square Representative, Modern School.

We, at Modern School believe that caring for the elderly is not only a responsibility but also a moral duty. Being the backbone of their families, they are well-experienced in life’s hardships and therefore teach us how to grow, survive, and shape our careers.

All the delegates were welcomed and felicitated on the first day and were given a brief introduction about the project.

Followed by an ice breaking session aimed to create an atmosphere of inclusivity & set the stage for meaningful interactions.

The delegates witnessed a mesmerising Equestrian show presented by the Modern School student riders displaying their horsemanship.

The Project began with the Formal Opening Ceremony,

which was graced by the benign presence of Dr Navin Dang as the Chief Guest and Shri Ashok Pratap Singh ji, the Guest of Honour.

The delegates were briefed about the journey of ‘SAMMAAN’ and its meaning through a video prepared by the students.

The guests were enthralled to see a musical ballet put up by the Modern School Fraternity titled ‘Dancing Down the Memory Lane’ which shared the story of how an elderly couple and their grandson overcame generational gaps through music and dance.

The delegates visited the Cheshire Homes and Palna, an orphanage home, they interacted with the residents there and truly understood the spirit behind service.

The history of Modern School and its 27 acre campus was then shared in an immersive and interesting school tour led by Ms Beeba Sobti

The school was honoured to have the eminent panelists,

Mr Hardayal Singh (Former Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, New Delhi), Mr Ravindra Gulati (Renowned Chartered Accountant) , Lt Gen Shankar Prasad (Retd), and Ms Deepa Mehta (Retd IPS Officer) as the guests for the Townhall Discussion, which was moderated by Mr Rishabh Gulati, Managing Editor, NewsX.

The illustrious panelists shared their life experiences and insights which truly enlightened and inspired everyone.

The day ended with a formal dinner hosted by the Principal, Modern School Barakhamba, Dr Vijay Datta.

Mr Ishaan Khanna, CEO Antara Assisted Living, shared his thoughts and experiences as a Keynote speaker.

The delegates also painted together which made them connect at a personal level.

The project was by the students, for the students and of the students.

It enhanced their organizational skills and truly served as a memorable and enriching experience which has left a life long impression.

The second phase of the project was held at Mayo, the delegates dedicated daily hours to service at Jai Ambey and Apna Ghar, homes for the elderly. They engaged in painting, building, and beautifying living spaces, earning appreciation from residents and workers. An evening at Mayo Farmlands featured performances by the elderly, fostering intergenerational connections.

The service week concluded with established facilities at Jai Ambey and Apna Ghar, including a fully equipped store and stage, enhanced garden, and terrace garden. The project’s culmination involved a cultural evening where each school presented a performance.

Friendships among delegates, combined with appreciative smiles from the elderly, provided an ideal conclusion. The heads of both schools, Principal Dr. Vijay Datta and Director Gen S H Kulkarni, played instrumental roles in the project’s success.

Round Square International Conference’23, Kenya 8 th October,2023 to 14 th October,2023

The 55th Round Square International Conference hosted by the Brookhouse Schools, Kenya took place from 8th October 2023 to 14th October 2023. It brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives from all around the world. Students from over 200 schools embraced the spirit of openness and respect, creating an inclusive environment in the grounds of Brookhouse School. The Modern School Delegation comprised of Krisha Kapoor (S7 J), Priya Yadav (S7 D), Ananya Nath (S7 G), Daksh Verma (S7 I) and Dhruvin Agrawal (S7 G) escorted and mentored by Round Square Representative Ms. Shalini Dahiya and Ms. Sarita Sharma.

Brookhouse is a co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 2 – 19, spread across two beautiful campuses in Nairobi. It proposed the theme for the 55th Round Square International Conference to be “The New Africa ” which, they aimed would allow the future leaders to explore numerous ways in which the continent has evolved and has been defining its position in the 21st Century.

Round Square opens a world of opportunity exploring new avenues for like-minded-young future leaders. Striving for ‘one-world’ in the time of increasing polarization, racialism and cultural barriers, is its motto. This conference has ignited these young minds to nurture the ideals of community service, human rights and sustainable development

In the week long excursion, the students were exposed to African traditions and understood their way of living. This included witnessing live Kenyan traditional dance, caricature, horseback riding, camel riding and much more. The visit to the Nairobi National Park was a whole experience all together where they saw exquisite wildlife and the tribal dances by Masai people. The student delegates were taken to various schools for underprivileged children where they spent long exhilarating hours doing community service by repainting walls and helping them learn using innovative methods. The conference also included keynotes and panel discussions conducted by Mr. Clifford Oluoch and Ms. Idah Murithi who inspired the students with their life stories.

This Round Square Conference was a transformative experience that pushed boundaries and broadened horizons. It fostered a sense of togetherness, encouraged experiential learning, and inspired action towards global challenges. The modern school delegation surely returned back with a lifetime of memories and enriching experiences which improved them as individuals.

53rd Round Square International Conference 2022 at Oxford University, UK

A Round Square Modern School Delegation comprising Adhiraj Mahajan S6I, Ananya Dhawan S6G, Krishav Joneja S6I, Sukoon Kaushal S6J, Surina Wadhwa S6J and Vidhi Sinha S6B escorted by Round Square Representative, Modern School Ms Shalini Dahiya, attended the 53rd Round Square International Conference from 19th September on 25th September 2022 at Oxford University, United Kingdom.

Dr Vijay Datta, Principal & Round Square Head, Modern School, graced the opening ceremony at the New Oxford Theatre. He lead the Modern School Delegation at the conference in Oxford University.

RSIC 2022, brought together more than 1550 delegates spanning over 50 countries around the world for the first face-to-face gathering of Round Square schools after the global pandemic.

The conference was hosted by five prestigious Round Square institutions -AKS Lytham in the Northwest of England, Felsted School in Essex, Latymer Upper School in London, Ryde School with Upper Chine, on the Isle of Wight and Box Hill School in Surrey in association with four prestigious colleges of the Oxford University.

The conference theme ‘Take Less: Be More’ was gifted to the host schools in the UK by three schools in Australia that would have hosted the conference in 2020 but unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Over the week the Modern School delegation came to epitomize not only the Round Square ideals of Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership and Service, but also learnt to imbibe taking less and being more as part of everyday life. Modern School was one of the few schools whose students were selected by Round Square for leadership positions. Sukoon Kaushal S6J, Surina Wadhwa S6J and Adhiraj Mahajan S6I of Modern School Barakhamba Road were chosen to hold the position of baraza heads for the duration of the conference. Apart from baraza sessions, the students seized the opportunity get a glimpse of life in Oxford through the city tours, participation in Oxford treasure hunts and through what Oxford-natives call punting. From engaging discussions and thought-provoking speeches to Ceilidh dancing and a disco on the river Thames, the conference was a good mix of work and play.

In interpreting this year’s conference theme, it was felt that the pandemic years – the most extraordinary shared experience on an international scale, had given students and teachers an insight into what it means to take less and be more. This conference was generally viewed as an opportunity for students to share that experience with their peers from around the world and make something positive of it. The conference came to a close with the students of Modern School taking the collective pledge – “We must carefully consider what we take from our environment and from the people around us and always put back more than we take”.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

The Round Square King Constantine Medal for the year 2022- 2023

Is awarded to Adhiraj Mahajan S7I

The King Constantine Medal is an International award to recognize the spirit of service and work for common cause.