I trust you are all well-rested and rejuvenated after the winter break. As Seoul experiences its characteristic January chill, I hope you found ways to stay cozy and create wonderful memories with your loved ones. Despite the frosty morning temperatures, it has been an absolute joy to stand at our front entrance this week, greeting our students as they return with bright smiles, animated stories of their holiday adventures, and an eagerness to embrace all that Term 2 has in store.
The Senior School has been very active this first week, from Year 12s engaging in marine conservation in the Philippines to Year 9s enjoying snowy adventures in Japan. While Year 11s and Year 13s focused on their mock exams, other year groups took part in enrichment activities across the school. Our Year 10s gained valuable insights through work experience placements in various school departments, and our Year 7s impressed us all with tonight’s excellent performance. For more details about these events and upcoming activities, I encourage you to read Ms Pugh’s update in the Senior School section.
In Primary School, the spirit of adventure is equally alive as we look ahead to an exciting term of exploration and discovery. From the bright lights of Hong Kong to the natural beauty of Chuncheon, our students have some remarkable journeys ahead of them. The upcoming ski trips also promise to bring their share of thrills and valuable learning experiences. For full details about these adventures and other Primary School activities, please read Mrs Smith’s detailed update in the Primary School section.
Next week our campus will come alive with global perspectives as we welcome over 100 student leaders from across our Education in Motion family of schools for the EiM Student Leadership Conference 2025. From Wednesday through Saturday, students,staff and alumni will be arriving from across Asia and as far as London, ready to engage in leadership development, community building, and creating positive change. The three-day program will be filled with workshops, cultural experiences, and collaborative projects, culminating in student-led presentations that showcase their vision for positive change in their school communities.
We are also delighted to share that Dulwich College Seoul will be hosting the WISE (Women in International Schools Empowerment) Conference 2025 from 21–23 February 2025. This initiative aims to promote leadership, well-being, and inclusivity across international schools, empowering educators and professionals to develop their skills and forge supportive networks.
The three-day conference will feature sessions led by accomplished speakers, including:
- Kathryn Hemming (Making Stuff Better Relationship Lead in SE Asia and China)
- Jeanie Chang (Licensed family therapist speaking about harnessing K-dramas to support mental health) New York Times Article Here
- Ilhwa Choe (Sharing her journey from North Korea and the power of perseverance and courage)
We look forward to welcoming participants from around the world as we come together to learn, connect, and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. Stay tuned for more details, and we hope many of you will join us for this inspiring event!
We are also pleased to host the Worldwise Alumni Advisory Board Annual Conference on 17 January 2025, from 3.00–4.30pm here at Dulwich College Seoul. During this event, attendees will hear the 2025 Worldwide Alumni Network Strategy Presentation, offering insights into the global initiatives and goals for our expanding community of Alleynians.
If you are new to the College, I am very much looking forward to meeting you at next Friday’s New Families Coffee Morning, which is an excellent opportunity for new parents to meet one another, connect with key staff, and learn more about the wide range of activities and support available for their children.
Kind regards,
Alison Derbyshire
Head of College