Message from HOC for weekly e-updates
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope you all managed to stay warm after temperatures plunged almost to double digits below zero this week. The frosty weather added some extra authenticity to our Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Winter Concert Thursday evening.
How marvellous it was to have our whole community attending a major concert in a packed auditorium for the first time since pre-pandemic times. There was a dazzling array of performances from students across the whole college, from choirs to Nanta and jazz to orchestras – the quality of which left me almost speechless.
I am so proud of all of our students, for their hard work and dedication with learning their chosen instruments, and for their courage to stand up on stage, and for their brilliant execution of some very challenging musical pieces. It was Mr Knights’ first opportunity to put on an event like this for us, and he has outdone himself. Thank you Mr Knights, and the music department, and students, for giving us such a treat.
Don’t miss the Friends of Dulwich’s big event tomorrow from 10am to 3pm. The Winter Bazaar is going to be a spectacular event with over 23 vendors, mulled wine, hot chocolate, photo op with Santa, students busking and student clubs raising funds for worthy causes. All parents will be able to enter with a lanyard, but non-Dulwich friends or extended family must be on the RSVP list, which is now closed. Security will allow entry to people who have a lanyard or whose names are on the list. Please note that there will be no exceptions as there will be students on the premises. We also ask that all participants be vaccinated if eligible and stay home if they have any COVID symptoms. We appreciate your support in keeping our community safe.
The Dulwich Blue Cross Club led by our student, Alix K, organised a blood drive on Tuesday. The Korean Red Cross parked their bus in front of the school to collect blood donations. During the course of the day, over 20 members of our community generously gave their blood to help shore up dwindling local supplies impacted by the pandemic. They were extremely grateful for our support. Thank you to the organisers and those who helped save a life by donating blood.
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of attending the Korea Britain Society’s Christmas Fundraising Dinner to benefit the Chevening Scholarship. Chevening Scholarships offer full financial support to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences. It was a lovely event, and we enjoyed an outstanding performance from our Dulwich jazz ensemble. In attendance was former Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, who I was pleased to meet, and doubly pleased to learn that his grandson had attended Dulwich College Seoul several years ago as a Primary School student. Jude Lee, our Korean Studies Teacher who was also there, was able to report to Mr Han that she remembered his grandson fondly.
We also held a workshop for Senior School parents on the topic of one very important but often overlooked aspect of university applications – namely, how to maintain mental wellbeing during what can be an extremely stressful time for young people. I am heartened by the string of positive feedback I have received from Senior School parents about these engaging and helpful workshops to help them navigate the many facets of school life for their children.
Thank you to our students and staff who walked down to the Han River to go plogging today. For anyone unaware, “plogging” is a Swedish portmanteau combining words for “picking up litter” “jogging”. Kudos to our Sustainability and Global Citizenship Leads James Loft and James Tosdevin for leading this effort to live and breathe our sustainability value every day. Check the Whole School section of this e-update to see photos.
Next Thursday morning starting at 8.30am is our final Social Coffee Morning and Used Book Sale of the term, open to all parents. Please drop in if you have time. The Coffee Shop will be serving complimentary coffee and tea. Please help us achieve our sustainability goals by bringing your own mug and reusable shopping bag for those book finds!
Our next Dulwich Talk speaker is Dr Changgyo Yoon, a parent in our community who works to promote global public health for the World Health Organization. He will be speaking about his experience as a doctor and the intersections of climate change and public health. This talk will take place at 8.30am next Thursday in the College Auditorium. Click here to RSVP.
With my best wishes,
Mr Gudmundur Hegner Jonsson
Head of College