Dear Parents and Guardians,
This week, I had the pleasure of attending the annual ‘BlueSky’ meetings, an enlightening gathering of Heads and Directors from across the Dulwich College International Schools and Dehong International Chinese schools. This year’s theme, ‘Connect-Challenge-Consolidate,’ led us into in-depth discussions on a range of contemporary educational topics, such as the application of generative artificial intelligence, best practices in safeguarding, and initiatives for enhancing staff and student well-being. These meetings serve as a vital platform for us to share ideas and expertise, ensuring that we continue to offer the very best in international education.
Simultaneously, the annual Dulwich Games were in full swing, hosted this year by Dulwich College Beijing. Embracing the theme of ‘Unity,’ students from various Dulwich Colleges and Dehong Schools participated in friendly yet spirited competitions. Spanning over 2.5 days, the games featured Athletics, Football, and Swimming events. My commitments to the ‘BlueSky’ meetings initially limited my presence at the games. However, I was fortunate enough to catch our footballers in action after the meetings wrapped up on the final day. I must say, the level of play was impressively high, and it was invigorating to hear the cheers of our coaches and parents supporting our teams as they competed against their Dulwich counterparts from across Asia.
As one exciting event came to a close, another began. The three-day Dulwich Shakespeare Festival, under the theme ‘Reconnection,’ featured daily student workshops, evening performances from each school, and, of course, the expertise of four practitioners from our ongoing partner, the Royal Shakespeare Company. The festival is a nod to our founder, Edward Alleyn, who was a renowned Shakespearean actor of his time and a true testament to the depth and breadth of our students’ talents. It also speaks to the strength of our network, and it’s occasions like these that reaffirm why I am so proud to lead this exceptional community.
Today marked an incredibly spirited and entertaining event in the Senior School—the Dulwich Boat Regatta. Students channelled their creativity and teamwork into constructing boats for their respective Houses. The day was meticulously organised into various stations ranging from cutting and assembling components to design and decoration. Our enthusiastic Heads of House supervised and motivated the students throughout the building process.
The culmination was an exhilarating series of boat races, featuring three different competitions: Drag Race, Obstacle Round, and the highly amusing Cargo Hold/Inevitable Sinking event in the swimming pool. The gym was abuzz with the roaring cheers of students supporting their Houses. I must say, the level of enthusiasm and ingenuity displayed by our students was very impressive. For more photographs and detailed insights into this memorable day, do have a look at the Senior School section.
We are delighted to share some outstanding feedback from our most recent New Parent Onboarding Survey. Conducted among our new families who joined us in the first term of this academic year, the survey garnered an impressive Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 62. To provide context, an NPS score above 0 is generally considered ‘good,’ indicating more promoters than detractors. Scores above 50 are deemed ‘excellent,’ and our score of 62 comfortably falls within this category—a notable increase from last year and the highest since we initiated the survey in 2019.
These results attest to the hard work and dedication of our entire community, from our Administration staff led by our Admissions team to our leadership and teaching staff. Key reasons cited for joining Dulwich College Seoul included our strong reputation and educational philosophy, while an overwhelming majority of parents felt well-supported during the admissions process and felt that their children are settling in well. For a comprehensive view of the survey results, please visit the Whole School section of the E-update.
As we look ahead, it’s worth noting that next week will be a shorter one for our students, with no school on Friday due to our staff Professional Learning Day. Furthermore, the following Monday will also be dedicated to professional learning, making it another day off for our students. These dedicated days for professional development are instrumental in ensuring that our teaching and support staff remain at the forefront of educational practice, thereby guaranteeing the highest quality of education for our students.
Our Year 4 students are gearing up for an exciting Adventurous Journey that kicks off on Monday. The students will engage in a range of activities including kayaking, dragon boating, bushcraft, and orienteering. With the crisp autumn air and vibrant foliage as a backdrop, it promises to be a splendid trip. Experiences like these are not merely recreational; they serve as valuable life lessons in teamwork, resilience, and respect for nature, especially important for children at this formative age.
With my best wishes,
Mr Guðmundur Hegner Jónsson