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By Sarah Manton

4th October 2005 09:19:46 AM

Princes to spare... Prince Andrew, Duke of York, addresses the Round Square conference, held at the Mernda and Ivanhoe campuses of Ivanhoe Grammar School last week.

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IVANHOE Grammar School was the centre of international attention last week when it hosted delegates from all over the world for a weeklong conference.

Under the watchful eye of intense security, royal patrons Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark and King Constantine of the Hellenes joined more than 500 staff and students from around the world at the forum’s opening ceremony on Monday 26 September.

The three men are patrons of the Round Square organisation, an international network of schools that spreads over five continents and encompasses 71 schools from 19 countries.

Staff and student representatives from each of the International Round Square schools were in attendance to celebrate the commencement of the sevenday gathering.

Schools included under the International Round Square banner share a strong set of values and ideals.

Students attending these schools make a strong commitment beyond academic excellence toward personal development and responsibility.

The theme of this year’s conference was formulated by the students at Ivanhoe Grammar school and worked on the principles of “unity, tolerance and understanding”.

The purpose of the week was to bring the international delegates together to share ideas, break down barriers and discuss issues in the world.

In addition to the more formal meetings and set conferences, delegates enjoyed a range of activities, including tours of the local region . They also experienced Australian hospitality, with a traditional barbecue and bush dance at the Mernda campus on Thursday night.

Ivanhoe Grammar School principal Rod Fraser said his staff and students were honoured to host such an important event. He said the students gained a lot from the experience.

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