From Peru to Fleetwood and back again!

We are delighted to renew our Peruvian connection.

The current President of Peru, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski attended Rossall for three years in 1953 and credits Rossall with inspiring his love of music and for teaching him two very important life skills: discipline and not to panic, whatever the circumstances.

Jump ahead sixty-four years, and we welcome from Markham College, Peru, Matias Vildoso, our first Round Square exchange student. Markham College was PPK’s school prior to Rossall.

Rossall is a member of the Round Square international community of schools, a worldwide network of 150 schools in 40 countries and the exchange programme is one of five activities we have access to participate in.

Matias, who has joined Year 12 to follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Course, specifically pursued an exchange to Rossall when he learnt of President Kuczynski`s connection.

Sixteen year old, Matias is very interested in politics and actively campaigned for the President in his recent election campaign. When Matias had the opportunity to meet PPK, he secured the President`s autograph on his cover of the recent `Old Rossallian` magazine – a prized memento which is now framed and displayed on the walls of Maltese Cross, his former boarding house.

Matias commented on his time so far at Rossall: “I am really enjoying boarding life. I am very impressed with the level of independence I get as a sixth form student, which is so important to the development of a future adult. The relationships and support I receive from the teachers and tutors here, I could never have experienced in my day school back in Peru.”

We hope that one or more of the our students will take up the challenge of a reciprocal Round Square exchange to Markham College, our partner school in Peru, or indeed, to one of the 150 Round Square schools around the world.