Viva La Fiesta: Celebrating Music at Worldwise Music Festival!
A job well done to our performers at this year’s Worldwise Music Festival!
From 13 – 16 November, Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) proudly hosted this year’s Worldwise Music Festival, where over 250 Senior School students across nine EiM (Education in Motion) networks of schools gathered to create unforgettable memories through music. These students, connected by their shared passion for music, converged on the DCB campus to blend talents in an inspiring collaboration that culminated in a spectacular gala concert at the Shunyi Grand Theatre.
Formerly known as the Dulwich Festival of Music, this annual event brings together passionate young musicians to share their love of performance, guided by our talented educators.
This year’s vibrant theme, Viva La Fiesta, kicked off with three days of intense rehearsals, culminating in impressive performances from the percussion ensemble, choir, rock bands, jazz band, and a symphony orchestra.
Clare Anderson-Au, Head of DCB Senior School, remarked on how impressive the students were, considering they only had 20 hours to work and practice together. “To the students and families who travelled all the way from Singapore, Shanghai, Suzhou, Zhuhai, Xi’an and Seoul, thank you for joining us here in Beijing – it’s certainly been worth it. Thank you to our talented students and teachers who have made this all possible.”
Anthony Coles, our Head of College, highlighted how the event put on display each individual’s artistry and their collective achievement. “The festival’s theme, Viva La Fiesta, emphasised cultural connections and diverse musical traditions, offering students opportunities to explore new genres, learn from mentors, and grow as performers. Thank you to all of the amazing participants, staff, especially our music department, and parents for making the event a success. This festival continues to inspire and enrich our community!”
Edgar Zillmann, Head of Events and Educational Partnerships at EiM, expressed how the event truly exemplified the power of collaboration within the EiM network, showcasing the incredible talent, dedication, and passion of over 250 young musicians across nine schools in Asia. “The vibrant Viva La Fiesta theme inspired a breathtaking gala concert that highlighted not only the strength of our music educators but also the remarkable synergy between our schools. It was heartening to witness students from diverse campuses harmonise so beautifully, creating an unforgettable celebration of music and community. Congratulations to the performers, teachers, and organisers for setting a high bar of excellence and demonstrating the unity and strength of our EiM family!”
Worldwise Festival of Music – written by members of the Social Media Club
Last week, 49 students traveled to Dulwich College Beijing to participate in the Worldwise Festival of Music. The festival featured a variety of ensembles, including six rock bands, a choir, a percussion ensemble, and more. As part of a rock band, we had the unique opportunity to perform on both Friday evening and during the Saturday gala concert, with each band presenting up to four songs on Friday.
This year, there was an abundance of drummers, which led to the formation of an additional percussion ensemble that opened the gala concert with a dynamic performance. Each group was composed of students from different schools, fostering collaboration and teamwork. Rock band members, in particular, explored new ideas and techniques, incorporating them into their performances, making the event a platform for both creativity and skill development.
Written by Jude (Year 10) and Lauren (Year 8)
Igniting Curiosity: Celebrating Our Students in the UK Bebras Challenge!
We are delighted to announce our students’ participation in the UK Bebras Challenge! This event offers students aged 6 to 19 a unique chance to engage in computational thinking and problem-solving tasks. Last year, over 3 million students from more than 80 countries took part, making it a truly global competition. Our students’ involvement in this prestigious challenge organised by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in partnership with the University of Oxford, not only showcases their skills but also their enthusiasm for learning and innovation. They tackled a series of engaging and interactive tasks designed to foster computational thinking and problem-solving abilities. The challenge tested their logical thinking and encouraged them to explore their passion for informatics. Our students from Year 4 to Year 13, demonstrated remarkable determination and creativity, handling tasks of varying difficulty levels. The Bebras Challenge provided an excellent opportunity for our young minds to showcase their talents and learn more about the exciting world of computing. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and look forward to their continued growth in computational thinking.
We are incredibly proud of their efforts and look forward to their continued growth in computational thinking.
Parents reading to Year 3 students
Our Social Media Club ECA students interviewed Ms Ramsden about ‘Parents Reading to Year 3 Students’ and wrote the following article:
This month in Year 3, students are exploring Community and Diversity with parents coming in to read stories in their native languages. Some examples include Danish, Romanian, Persian, German, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Bulgarian, and English.
These sessions help students understand diversity and what it’s like to be a student who comes to school without knowing the language. This has left students feeling excited to learn new languages.
The sessions also give parents the chance to feel more welcomed at our school as they get to communicate and interact with the students.
These special readings are happening throughout November, with 10 sessions in total. We hope Year 3 enjoys the opportunity to explore different languages and perhaps discover ones they might want to learn in the future.
Written by Julian (Year 8) and Valerie (Year 7) from the Social Media Club ECA
Christmas Decoration
Dulwich Seoul is feeling the Christmas spirit with decorations being put up this month. Our Grand Christmas Tree has been standing all next to Dulwich Drop since 4 November. Thank you to the Friends of Dulwich volunteers, who helped deck our halls and made our school feel more festive and warmer.
By Bea, Millie and Paula from Social Media Club ECA
Kunho’s Solo Piano Recital Following His Steinway Competition Victory
Kunho (Year 11) would like to invite the school community to his first solo piano recital, a significant milestone following his achievement of winning 1st prize in the Junior Category (ages 15-25) at the 3rd Steinway Amateur Piano Competition. This recital is fully sponsored by Steinway Korea as part of his award.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, 30 November 2024
- Time: 3PM
- Venue: Steinway Hall, inside the Steinway Gallery Seoul (25 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu)
In addition to celebrating his musical accomplishment, Kunho wishes to make the event even more meaningful by supporting a cause close to his heart. He is a member of Freedom Speakers International (FSI), a non-profit organization that empowers North Korean refugees through education and advocacy.
In lieu of traditional gifts or flowers, Kunho kindly requests that attendees consider making a small monetary donation to FSI. He has personally pledged to donate the KRW 500,000 cash prize he received from the competition to support FSI’s programs. Your contributions will directly aid those who have escaped the oppressive regime of North Korea and are working towards a better future.
RSVP Instructions:
Due to limited seating capacity at Steinway Hall, please RSVP at your earliest convenience to ensure a reserved seat. Kindly email yaejean@gmail.com to confirm your attendance.
Christmas Gift Drive 2024 Update!
Thank you very much to everyone who signed up to our Christmas Gift Drive 2024. We are so pleased that almost all 234 children will be receiving a gift this Christmas. Now we are onto our Phase 2 of the project. Please follow these steps:
- Please purchase and gift wrap/bag the item that the child has requested with a personalised Christmas card.
- Make a code for the gift and card which has: gift code, receiver’s name, gender, and the sender’s name (see the example below).
- Drop your gift off at Mrs Smith’s office in room 217 by Wednesday 4 December 2024!
BCCK Christmas Lunch: Special Member Rates for Dulwich Parents
We are excited to offer our parents an exclusive opportunity to join the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea (BCCK) for their annual Christmas Lunch on Friday, 6 December. Thanks to our close relationship with the BCCK, Dulwich parents can enjoy member-priced tickets to this festive event!
This year’s celebration will be held at a new venue—the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Seoul—and promises an afternoon filled with holiday cheer:
- Carol Singing: Enjoy performances by our very own Dulwich students.
- Festive Feast: Indulge in a four-course British meal complete with Christmas crackers.
- Exciting Prizes: Participate in auctions and raffles featuring exclusive British brands.
- Holiday Fun: Wear your favourite Christmas jumper (ugly sweater) or festive outfit.
Event Details:
- Date & Time: Friday, 6 December, 11.30 AM – 3.30 PM
- Venue: Grand Ballroom (1F), Grand Hyatt Seoul, 322 Sowol-ro, Seoul
- Ticket Prices:
- Table for 10: 2,300,000 KRW (excluding VAT)
- Individual Tickets: 230,000 KRW (excluding VAT)
To receive the member price, select the “Member Company Employees” option when purchasing tickets and enter “Dulwich parent” under the company name.
Please Note: Ticket sales close on Thursday, 28 November.
Everyone is welcome to join this festive celebration. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to kick off the holiday season with the BCCK and the Dulwich community!
For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here.
No Carbon November
NO-CARbon Adventure Family/Friend Challenge
Take on this adventure challenge on one day in November.
Details:
- Any date in Nov
- Form a group of 2-6 people
- Start wherever you are; end wherever you end up 😊
- Your challenge will be to perform a few simple, but thought-provoking, tasks associated with sustainability – for example, taking a photo of your group on bikes
- There are no winners or needless prizes just the ultimate credibility and kudos of sharing time together as a conscious community!!!
- Feel free to compare and discuss your adventure with other adventurers!
Your challenge is comprised of:
- Snap a group photo at a public transport hub of some kind – metro stop, bus centre, ferry terminal, etc.
- Take a photo on a bicycle somehow! If there is, take a photo of your group members on public shared bikes!
- Take a group photo in front of an all-vegetarian restaurant
- Take a photo of a place where you can refill a reusable water bottle
- Find a place that sells anything second-hand
- Visit any additional business that has a sustainability element to it and share its mission!
- Be creative about this one – it could be something in your neighbourhood that is essentially sustainable or offer something sustainable in their business…
- Extension – select three No Carbon November Daily Actions you can perform throughout the adventure
Send your photo entries to lara.small@dulwich-seoul.kr or Lynsey.gogin@dulwich-seoul.kr
Winter Bazaar
Support WISE Conference 2025
Dulwich College Seoul is excited to be hosting the WISE (Women in International Schools Empowerment) Conference 2025 from 21-23 February 2025. WISE is an initiative led by Women, for Women, to empower aspiring and current female educators and professionals working in international schools. Sponsoring the conference is a great opportunity for you to promote your businesses or organizations to 200+ conference participants from across Asia, the Middle East and Europe who want to support and empower each other’s development and success. Or please simply support DCSL, the hosting school!
Please find more information by clicking here or contact Helen Kim (Helen.Kim@dulwich-seoul.kr) to discuss.
WISE Conference 2025 team
BP Debate competition
Global Citizenship Introductions
We are excited to introduce ourselves as the new Global Citizenship Leads at Dulwich College, Seoul. We are Lynsey Gogin and Lara Small, and we are honoured to join this vibrant community to support and advance our schools mission to inspire students to grow as global citizens who make a positive difference in the world.
One of our goals is to create meaningful, inclusive experiences that reflect and celebrate our diverse community. To achieve this, we are reaching out to invite enthusiastic volunteers to help mentor individuals and contribute to a variety of initiatives. We believe that your unique perspectives and experiences will greatly enrich our Global Citizenship programs.
Here are some of the key topics and events where we are looking for volunteers throughout the year:
September 2024
World Peace Day: Engage in discussions and activities that promote global harmony and understanding.
October 2024 and March 2025
Neurodiversity: Share insights and support for individuals with different neurological conditions and learning styles.
November 2024
No Carbon November: encourage individuals and communities to reduce their carbon footprint through sustainable practices, mindful consumption, and environmental awareness.
February 2025
Black History Month: Help organize and facilitate events that honour and educate about the contributions and experiences of Black individuals.
March 2025
International Women’s Day: Lead conversations and events that celebrate women’s achievements and address gender equity.
April 2025
Earth Week: Contribute ideas and actions to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and our role in protecting our planet.
June 2025
Pride: Support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community through inclusive activities and discussions.
If you are interested in volunteering or have any ideas to contribute, please reach out to us at lynsey.gogin@dulwich-seoul.kr/ lara.small@dulwich-seoul.kr Your involvement will be invaluable in helping us build a more inclusive and engaging environment for everyone.
We look forward to working with you and making a positive impact together!
Warm regards,
Lynsey Gogin and Lara Small (Global Citizen Leads)
Dulwich Ducklings
The Ambassador Platform
We’re pleased to share “The Ambassador Platform” with our community—an interactive chatting app that’s been connecting prospective parents with our dedicated community of parents. Our team of parent ambassadors has been doing a great job engaging with potential families, sharing personal experiences, and offering advice to showcase why Dulwich College Seoul is a great choice.
This platform is not only useful for prospective parents but also a helpful resource for our current parents. They can easily start a conversation with our experienced parent ambassadors to get answers to any questions they may have about Dulwich College Seoul’s school life. Click here to start chatting and learn more about our community and the enriching experiences at Dulwich College Seoul for your family!