Dear Parents and Guardians,
What an incredible Book Week we have had! The students and staff clearly worked hard on their costumes and the school was filled with tigers and chickens, knights and dragons, birds and bees, wizards and witches, and all kinds of other creatures and characters. Please visit the other sections of this update to see photos of some of the outrageous and wonderfully creative costumes that were on display.
I would like to thank everyone, students, staff, and parents, for helping to make this year’s Book Week such a success. My thanks go to our guest authors and community members Nicola McClure and Carly West for generously donating their time and effort to our literary celebrations. It was also great to see the Book Fair being well attended with a wide range of books on offer for all ages.
On Monday, the Irish ambassador to Korea, Her Excellency Michelle Winthrop, read a chapter from one of her favourite Irish children’s books, The Friendship Fairies, to some of our Primary School students.
She also spoke about the Ireland Reads initiative, which encourages people of all ages to read for leisure and relaxation, as a way to promote mental wellbeing. Tomorrow, Saturday 25 February, people all over Ireland will take the pledge to read for any amount of time, with the goal of promoting a love of reading and the benefits it can bring to mental health. I would like to thank Her Excellency for taking the time out of her busy schedule to visit our school.
There are two charity drives happening now in our school community. The first is a disaster relief aid and collection drive for Türkiye-Syria, where you can drop off donations such as shoes, clothes, socks, and canned food (no meat) until 8 March. You can also donate money through the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Direct Relief websites.
The second is a donation drive for the Korean Unwed Mother’s Families Association (KUMFA), which provides support, guidance, and essential items to single mothers in Korea. You can bring your donations of toys, electronic household appliances, and children’s/baby clothing to the school entrance and place them in the designated collection bin. Please visit the Whole School section of this update for more information and ways to support these important causes.
Our Chingu (‘friend’ in Korean) programme was active this week, with Year 7 to Year 9 Students reading with students in our Primary School. It’s always heartwarming to see older students take on the role of mentors and engage with their younger counterparts. The Chingu programme provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to develop their social and leadership skills, while also promoting a love of reading and learning. It’s great to see our students engaging in this way, and I am proud of their commitment to supporting one another.
I’d like to give you an update on the Ignite: Switzerland programme, our exclusive 12-week overseas residential programme for curious, passionate, and brave Year 9 students. The first month of the Snow Term has just concluded, where students have been building physical and mental strength through classic winter sports, outdoor adventures, and a full and challenging academic programme. Click here to read highlights from the first month and discover the exciting learning journey that awaits future participants.
The Ignite: Switzerland programme is led by the experienced international educator and former Head of College at Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong, Caroline Taylor. The programme was designed to help students develop the skills to flourish. But what does it truly mean to thrive? In this article, Caroline Taylor breaks down the PERMA Model of Well-Being and explores how the Ignite: Switzerland curriculum supports young people in cultivating positive emotions, engaging deeply, nurturing relationships, finding purpose, and developing mastery. By encouraging students to “Live Worldwise,” the programme also helps them become citizens of the world, understand global issues, and protect the environment.
Mark Grist, the renowned slam poet, rapper, and storyteller, will be joining us next week as part of our Diversity Arts Series. This will be Mark’s first in-person visit since the start of the pandemic, and we’re excited to welcome him back to our school. Mark has worked with our students before, and his inspiring performances and engaging workshops always leave a lasting impact. I wonder what he has in store for us this time!
As part of our ongoing effort to continuously improve our school, we will be sending out our annual parent satisfaction survey next week via email. Your participation and honest feedback are crucial to help us understand what we are doing well and where we can improve. We encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share your thoughts with us. We value your input and appreciate your support in making our school the best it can be. Thank you in advance for your participation.
The Gala Ball on Tuesday 28 February is now just days away, and I am excited to see everyone there! It’s going to be a wonderful evening and I can’t wait to join in this celebration of our community. Bring your empty stomachs and don’t forget to dress to impress!
With my best wishes,
Mr Guðmundur Hegner Jónsson
Head of College