Dear Parents and Guardians,
This has been a shorter week due to the public holidays on Tuesday and Thursday. On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to witness the military parade downtown in celebration of Armed Forces Day. It was very exciting to see the jets soaring overhead, the impressive military vehicles, and the dedicated soldiers of the Republic of Korea’s armed forces and other allied countries.
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of having lunch with the Friends of Dulwich (FoD) Executive Committee. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know them better and discuss how we can grow and enhance our school community. Their dedication to supporting school activities and fostering social connections among our families is invaluable, and I’m excited about the activities and events they have planned for the year ahead.
On that note, I would like to remind you of our upcoming Social Coffee Morning (which is run by the FoD) on Thursday, 10 October from 8.30am to 10am. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with other parents and members of our community over a cup of coffee. I hope many of you will join us. There will be a used book and used uniform sale, so it’s a great chance to pick up some winter uniform items ahead of the colder weather.
Today, the College Leadership Team and I are participating in a two-day workshop facilitated by Impact International. We’re focusing on how we can leverage our diverse strengths to work more effectively together and are continuing our strategic planning for the College’s future.
We were delighted to host the talented comics artist and illustrator, Dabin Han, on Monday. Her warmth, expertise, and enthusiasm inspired our students. Art classes across both Primary and Senior Schools had the chance to create their own diary comics under her guidance. Dabin also shared her personal journey with our Year 8 and Year 9 students, detailing how she pursued her passion to become a professional artist despite not having formal art education in college. Her story of resilience and dedication resonated deeply with our students, and we eagerly anticipate the release of her debut graphic novel.
This week, our students also enthusiastically embraced the European Week of Languages. A school-wide treasure hunt put their language skills and cultural knowledge to the test, and it was wonderful to see students from different year groups collaborating. In their French and Spanish lessons, they delved into European cultures and languages, enriching their global understanding.
Our Year 6 students visited the War Memorial Museum on Wednesday to deepen their understanding of historical conflicts and international relationships. They explored the Korean War from multiple perspectives, learning about the roles different countries played in supporting South Korea. The trip provided valuable context and enhanced their comprehension of global relations during times of conflict.
We are excited to invite parents to join us for the Senior School Sports Day on Thursday, 10 October, at Banpo Sports Centre from 9am to 12.30pm. It’s set to be an exhilarating event, and we encourage families to come and cheer on the students as they compete in various athletic activities. Please remember to wear your red parent lanyards to support our safeguarding measures. While you’re welcome to take photos of your own children, we kindly ask that you refrain from photographing other students and avoid sharing any images online to protect everyone’s privacy.
On Tuesday, 8 October, we are thrilled to welcome Céline Cousteau as part of our Shackleton Student Speaker Series. She will be engaging our community with discussions on the connection between people and the natural world, her family’s legacy of breaking barriers, and transformational activism. Her insights into environmental issues and social change promise to be both thought-provoking and motivating. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage with important global topics and be inspired to make a difference.
Prospective Senior School parents are invited to our upcoming IB Forum. This event is a fantastic opportunity to meet our College Leadership Team and learn more about the benefits of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Participants will hear directly from IB students and parent ambassadors about how our supportive community fosters personalized learning journeys. The forum will also include a guided tour of our facilities, with a special focus on our Senior School programmes and IB-specific offerings. If you have any friends or colleagues who might be interested, they can RSVP here.
Prospective parents of younger children are invited to our upcoming Open House event. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet our College Leadership Team and learn more about our Primary School philosophy and curriculum. You’ll hear directly from our parent ambassadors and students about our nurturing community and personalized approach to learning. The event will also include a tour of our facilities, where you can witness firsthand how our students engage in their learning. If you have any friends or colleagues who might be interested, they can RSVP here.
As the seasons change, we will be transitioning to our winter uniform starting the week of 14 October. This includes ties and blazers as part of the formal dress code. We appreciate your support in ensuring that students are prepared for this change and ready to embrace the cooler weather.
Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable weekend.
With warm regards,
Ms Alison Derbyshire