Dear Parents and Guardians,
Greetings from Shanghai, where I am meeting with fellow Heads of Dulwich College schools from across Asia. It is a momentous occasion, as this marks not only my first in-person meeting since joining the Dulwich family in 2020, but also the first time we have all convened since the pandemic began. It’s wonderful to see familiar faces, which we have grown accustomed to on screens for so long, now sharing the same space and exchanging warm smiles in person.
Although I sadly could not attend the event myself, I’m told yesterday’s Teacher and Staff Appreciation Lunch was truly remarkable. The sheer amount of food and drinks prepared by our parents was incredible. The entire staff, from teachers and administrators to cleaners and security felt immensely appreciated by this thoughtful gesture. It is rather fitting that the Quadra team that caters to our school community had the opportunity to be treated by the parents of the very children they serve daily.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Friends of Dulwich (FoD) and everyone who played a part in its success. A special mention goes to FoD executive committee member Susan Bak, and FoD co-chairs Vicky Lemmens, and Helena Kim for their leadership and commitment to making the day extraordinary. The collective efforts of all the parents who donated food, drinks, and their time have indeed left an indelible mark on our hearts and reinforced the sense of unity that makes our Dulwich College Seoul community special.
This week was Earth Week, and it highlighted the exceptional sustainability efforts of our students and staff, embodying one of our core values. Our students participated in a diverse range of activities, from plogging along the Han River to toy and clothes swaps. On Tuesday, students came dressed in nature-themed costumes or wore green to raise money for Greenpeace Korea and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). In total, 261,110 KRW was donated to WWF Korea in the Senior School, and 477,400 KRW was donated to Greenpeace Korea for Primary School.
These events not only showcased our commitment to environmental stewardship but also fostered a strong sense of community among our Dulwich College Seoul family. To round off the week, they also had the opportunity to nurture their green thumbs in our outdoor vegetable garden, leaving lasting memories and a positive impact on our environment.
On Wednesday, we hosted a fascinating Dulwich Talk entitled “Transforming Trash into Art: A German in Korea Tackles Plastic Waste.” Our guest speaker, Konrad Becker, co-founder of Would You Love (우주러브), shared his inspiring vision for a greener future with students from Year 5 to Year 10. His company focuses on transforming waste, particularly plastic, into valuable resources by repurposing it into art and furniture. During the talk, Konrad not only helped us understand the playful pun behind his company’s name (“would you” sounds like “universe” in Korean) but also shed light on the democratic nature of the company, where all members vote on every major decision. He explored the rewards and challenges of working towards making a positive impact on our environment, leaving our students inspired and eager to contribute to a sustainable future.
An ESG report stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance Reporting. It evaluates the extent to which an organisation works on behalf of goals within these three areas. ESG reports showcase an organisation’s commitment to sustainability and its impact on the environment, society, and governance practices.
Dulwich College Seoul, as part of the Education in Motion (EiM) group of schools, is proud to have contributed to the recently launched second ESG report. The report was compiled with invaluable input from all member schools, working closely with d’Arcy Lunn, Group Head of Sustainability & Global Citizenship. This collaborative effort highlights our dedication to fostering purpose-driven learning experiences, promoting a more sustainable future, and instilling sustainability and global citizenship values in our students and school community.
We invite you to learn more about our sustainability journey by exploring the key highlights of the second ESG report, which describes our progress within the four focus areas: Learning, Planet, People, and Policy. You can also download the full report for all the details. Join us in celebrating our commitment to sustainability and global citizenship by clicking this link and discovering the impact of our initiatives.
With public holidays on both Monday (May Day) and Friday (Children’s Day), next week will indeed be a short one. However, it’s an exciting time as school photos are being taken for all year levels (except Year 11 and Year 13). Please do take a moment to check the photo schedule that has been sent out, to ensure that your child is appropriately dressed and looking their best on their photo day. You can also find the class photo schedule in the Primary School and Senior School sections of this e-update.
I would like to wish everyone a restful and enjoyable long weekend. Although the forecast predicts rain tomorrow, we can look forward to the silver lining of two glorious, clear spring days on Sunday and Monday. So, make the most of this opportunity to recharge, and perhaps, indulge in the beauty of nature around us. I look forward to seeing you all back in school, refreshed and ready for the exciting week ahead.
With my best wishes,
Mr Guðmundur Hegner Jónsson