Primary School

Dear Primary Families,

It’s been a lovely week of fun and festive learning.

• Year 5 and Year 6 had splendid Celebrations of Learning, and the Year 6 performance of Caesar was so well staged and acted.  

• We held our annual party at the Four Seasons to give our colleagues a nice treat and show our appreciation for the great work they have done this term supporting students’ holistic development.  

• Our staff have also been topping up their CPR skills this week and perfecting their Heimlich Manoeuvres for choking victims through extra training this week.  

• The Dulwich Elves have been checking up on us this week so ensure we are trying to be the ‘Kindest school in the Universe’. They reported so many children as being kind that by Tuesday we had run out of Kindness Kandies and Ms Rachel had to run to the store to restock. What a wonderful problem to have! 

Christmas Assembly Today: 

Musical performances: The Super Singers and two Primary School student bands were our entertainment at the Assembly – festive tunes and merry lyrics cheered the audience and our hands and toes tapped along. Dulwich has talent for sure!  

House Carol Competition: Shackleton reigned supreme at the Carol Competition after a closely fought battle of lyrics and melody! Their actions/gestures as they sang helped them win the four judges reported.  

Student leadership: we celebrated the endeavours of our student leaders too – all their work to help DCSL be a friend to unwanted pets (Pet Patrol), a guardian of the planet (Eco Warriors), a giver of gifts (Charity Committee), and creators of beauty in the arts (Little Picaso and Little Mozarts).  

Staff Panto: 

We have a (new) tradition of Pantomines by staff for students at DCSL. Our teachers and TAs have been rehearsing this noisy, silly and hilarious version of Snow-white for weeks and Monday’s performance had the children rolling in the aisles and shouting “She’s behind you” and “Oh yes, it is” as is traditional at these ancient plays. Ms Wilson shone as Snow-white, Ms Small was the gallant Prince, Mr Harvey was the screening stepmother and Mr Kelly was the tragic mother. I was the maid/helper who was always in the wrong place at the wrong time (great fun!) Combined, the cast brought tears to the audience’s eyes and rolling laughter across the auditorium!  

Christmas Jumper Week 

The Primary School has been a riot of Christmas colour this week and there’s been spangles and sequins at every turn. Thank you to those who dressed up a little and brightened our days with a silly hat or over-the-top sweater! 

Christmas Parties Continue: 

Year 4 – Year 6 danced with friends at Tuesday’s Silent Disco in the gym. The professional DJs kept us bopping away and the high tech headphones helped students enjoy their fave tunes and have a discrete singalong too! Thank you to Ms Goddard and her team of teacher/TA volunteers who make these events happen for PS.  

Reading Helpers Needed! 

Our students are committed and determined readers; they love to read to new and interested people. If you have a little time to spare, please offer to be a Reading Helper for 60 minutes a week. 

Thank you to all the parents who have signed up this week already to help! Fantastic! 

 Contact Mrs Smith to sign up for a once-a-week session in January. (All volunteers must have completed the DCSL Safeguarding/Child Protection Training).  

Menu for lunches and snacks: 

Our students are great eaters and really enjoy the 8-10 separate offerings each lunchtime from salad, meat dishes, rice or pasta, fruit, raw veggies, and vegetarian options too. Find out what’s being served next week below.  

Please find here the menu for the month. 

Christmas Lunch at DCSL – Friday 13 December 

Quadra served a delicious traditional Christmas lunch today, comprising turkey and all the trimmings (vegetarian and Halal option too).  DUCKS and Year 3 worn their homemade crowns and enjoyed Santa’s visit where he handed out ice cream. It was lovely having all the staff sharing a special meal with students they teach.  

Upcoming Dates for your Diary: 

Monday 6 Jan – First Day of Term 2 

Monday 20 Jan – Term 2 ECA Start 

Monday 20 Jan – Term 2 Private Music Lessons Start 

Monday 27 Jan – School Holiday 

Tuesday 28 – Thursday 30 Jan – Seollal (Lunar New Year) Holiday 

Friday 31 Jan – CIS/WASC Professional Learning Day (School Holiday) 

Communications:  
As always, if I can assist you with any matters large or small, please get in contact with me at jane.smith@dulwich-seoul.kr 

Kind regards 

Jane Smith 

Primary School House Advent Calendar Competition

Dear Dulwich Families,

It is with great pleasure that we announce the results of our House Advent Calendar Competition 2024! The competition has brought our school community together in the spirit of the holiday season while showcasing the incredible creativity of our students.

Students have crafted unique advent calendar entries, reflecting their personal interpretations of the season. The results are nothing short of extraordinary, and our halls are beautifully adorned with their inspiring masterpieces.

While this competition fosters friendly house spirit, it’s not about winning. Our goal is to promote the value of art, encourage self-expression, and celebrate each student’s creativity and effort. This event has already strengthened our sense of community and brought so much positivity to our school.

Congratulations to our winners:

• First Place: Alleyn
• Second Place: Shackleton
• Third Place: Sejong
• Fourth Place: Seacole

Special shout outs to the following participants who are receiving Dulwich Art Ambassador badges:

• Vittoria R 2K
• Nyasa D & Ethan O 2W
• Ryan K & Lona S 3P
• Camila K, Jamie K, Yichen L, Elisha P 3R
• Daniel C, Sia C, Sophia K, Doha L 3S
• Erina D & Audrey K 4G
• Sungwoo H, Ella M, Esther P & Maya W 4R
• Siyeon H 4W
• Lily S 5C
• Celine H & Eddie Y 5M
• Dahyun K & Ethan P 5S

A heartfelt thank you to all families and staff who supported this initiative through materials, ideas, or encouragement. Your involvement has been invaluable.

We warmly invite you to visit the school to enjoy these wonderful displays. Let’s celebrate the creativity and effort that have made this event so special.

Wishing you a joyful and festive season,

Youn Jin Seo
WS Art Teacher

Year 2’s Sustainable Gingerbread Houses

Our Year 2 students got creative with a 3D Gingerbread House project, combining festive fun with sustainable learning. Using recycled boxes as their base and leftover paints for decoration, they designed unique, eco-friendly holiday masterpieces. This hands-on activity encouraged the importance of reusing materials while sparking imagination and teamwork. Sustainability never looked so sweet!

BCCK Joint Choir

We had a trip with the BCCK Joint Choir last Friday, and it would be nice to share some moments with everyone.

This year, BCCK is sponsored by AstraZeneca, and their Lung Cancer Zero Campaign will be their Partner sponsor for the Christmas Lunch.

The BCCK joint choir worked hard to prepare for the “BCCK Luncheon Party” at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Friday, December 6. Over 70 students from Dulwich Colledge Seoul, Seoul Foreign School, British Education Korea, and Dwight School sang a beautiful Christmas piece: Angel’s Carol by John Rutter, Gloria by Carole Stephens and Jingle Bell Rock by Trad. Every member of the BCCK Joint Choir met new friends and made wonderful music together. It was a precious time for everyone in there.

Celebrating Mandarin Language Learning Through Teamwork and Creativity

In Mandarin classes, students celebrated their learning by working on group projects showcasing their collaboration and communication skills. They created informative and visually engaging posters while applying their language skills, including the vocabulary and sentences they had learned. By presenting their work to the entire group, they showed confidence as communicators and a willingness to share their ideas. Their efforts reflected their development as open-minded and knowledgeable learners, showcasing their language proficiency and teamwork growth.

Ms Li and Ms Lu

Battle of the Books

The ‘Buddy Books’ have been announced for children in Year 4 – Year 6 who wish to participate in the Battle of the Books competition. These books will be available in the library for borrowing. While there is no immediate need to start reading them, we understand that some children are eager to begin!

The Battle of the Books will take place on 12 April. Children can sign up for the ECA to practice, but they may still join the competition if they read all the books, including the Morning Calm books.

Diversity and Belonging reading challenge.

Congratulations to all the children who completed all 30 tasks in the Belonging and Diversity Read Challenge! It was wonderful to see so many children and parents enjoying the tasks. The children have received their certificates and a prize of a book to take home. Below are some of the many pictures we have from the event.

Primary School Adventure Residential Updates:

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share exciting updates regarding the adventure residential trips, where students will experience unique outdoor learning and gain valuable skills in resilience, teamwork, and personal growth.

In partnership with Asia Pacific Adventure, our trusted outdoor education provider based in Hong Kong, we have updated the trip dates to enhance the experience for each year group. Please see the revised schedule below:

• Year 6: February 24 – 28, Hong Kong
• Year 4: April 16 – 18, Chuncheon, Korea
• Year 3: April 16 – 18, Chuncheon, Korea
• Year 2: April 17 – 18, Dulwich College Seoul

We’re delighted to continue working with Asia Pacific Adventure, who ran our September Adventurous Journeys for Year 5 and Year 7 in Korea, as well as the Year 10 program in Mongolia. Their expertise and dedication have made a significant impact on our students’ experiences, and we’re confident that each year group will have a similarly enriching journey. Mr Bonnet and Mr Lovett will soon be heading to Hong Kong to further develop the Year 6 Adventurous Journey. Please keep an eye out for the Year 6 Parent Information session invitation which will take place in December.

We will share more details in the coming weeks, including activity outlines, packing lists, and travel logistics. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to mark.lovett@dulwich-seoul.kr

Thank you for your support in making these experiences possible for our students. We look forward to these incredible adventures!

DCSL Ski Trips

The excitement is building as we gear up for another incredible ski season! After a fantastic time on the slopes last year, we’re thrilled to announce that our ski program will be returning in Term 2. Whether your child is brand new to skiing or a seasoned pro, the  program is designed for all skill levels, packed with adventure, fun, and plenty of opportunities for growth.

What makes this day so special is that it’s not just about the skiing—it’s about building a sense of community. Students will bond with classmates, encourage each other, and share in the excitement of learning something new. We’re all about improvement, whether it’s mastering the basics or fine-tuning advanced techniques, and our experienced instructors are dedicated to helping each child take their skills to the next level.

And it’s not just the skiing to look forward to! The day will also include a fantastic buffet lunch, offering a delicious spread to keep everyone energised and ready for more action on the slopes. It’s going to be a day full of memories, camaraderie, and, most importantly, fun!

Ski Levels:
Whether your child is strapping on skis for the first time, or carving turns like a pro, we’ve got the perfect group for them:

• First Timer
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

Itinerary:
Here’s what a thrilling day on the mountain looks like:

• 6.30am: Arrive at Dulwich College Seoul, buzzing with excitement.
• 7am: Departure! Onward to a day of snow-filled adventures.
• 9am: Arrive at Ski Park. Time to gear up with clothing, boots, and skis.
• 9.45am: Morning Ski Lesson begins – it’s time to hit the slopes!
• 11.45am: Break time at White Tree Snow School base.
• 12pm: A well-deserved buffet lunch to recharge.
• 1pm: Back for more action with the afternoon lesson!
• 3pm: Return equipment and take a quick break.
• 3.45pm: Time to head back after an amazing day on the slopes.
• 6pm: Arrive at Dulwich College Seoul, tired but exhilarated!
• Please note there will be no school buses available.

Dates:
Mark your calendars – each year group has their own day to shine:

• 5 Feb: Year 4
• 6 Feb: Year 5
• 12 Feb: Year 6
• 13 Feb: Year 3

We can’t wait to see your child embrace the thrill of skiing, build confidence, and make unforgettable memories on the mountain!

Please keep an eye out for further information which will be sent directly to parents in December.

The Ambassador Platform

We’re pleased to share “The Ambassador Platform” with our community—an interactive chatting app that’s been connecting prospective parents with our dedicated community of parents. Our team of parent ambassadors has been doing a great job engaging with potential families, sharing personal experiences, and offering advice to showcase why Dulwich College Seoul is a great choice.

This platform is not only useful for prospective parents but also a helpful resource for our current parents. They can easily start a conversation with our experienced parent ambassadors to get answers to any questions they may have about Dulwich College Seoul’s school life. Click here to start chatting and learn more about our community and the enriching experiences at Dulwich College Seoul for your family!

Stars of the Week

DUCKS1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5