This week has been filled with excitement, collaboration, and a powerful reflection of our school values—particularly community, diversity, and challenge—as we count down to the much-anticipated WISE (Women in International Schools Empowerment) Conference. This is the first time we are hosting an event of this scale, and its empowerment and diversity theme aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering an inclusive and inspiring learning environment. Welcoming 170 educators from around the world, we know they will be impressed not only by our facilities but by the vibrant spirit of our community.
The season of enrichment is truly upon us! We send our best wishes to the Leopard Seals competing in the FOBISIA Swim Meet in Thailand. Competition will be fierce, but we know our swimmers will demonstrate determination, resilience, and unwavering team spirit. A heartfelt thank you to the parent supporters who have travelled to cheer them on. Meanwhile, our talented musicians have travelled to Wellington, Shanghai, to participate in ISCMS. Thirteen students from Years 7–11 auditioned and secured places in this prestigious event, showcasing their musical excellence and dedication to their craft.
Our Year 12 IB students have embarked on their Extended Essay journey, a cornerstone of the IB Diploma Programme that develops research, critical thinking, and academic writing skills. Under the guidance of Tim Appleton, EE Coordinator, students have spent the past two weeks pitching their ideas to their peers and teachers, refining their questions through thoughtful feedback and beginning their initial research on Wednesday. Alongside this, Year 12 students began their mentoring journey with Oppidan Education. Each student is paired with a dedicated mentor for a year, meeting three times to set goals, discuss next steps, and prepare for university and beyond—an invaluable opportunity to build self-awareness, confidence, and a strong foundation for mental wellbeing.
In the spirit of community and student voice, Director of Marketing Namju Cho and her team launched conversations with Middle School students about the 15-year anniversary slogan and logo design, capturing the essence of our school spirit. Our Head Students are actively collecting student voice to refine their tenure priorities and initiatives, ensuring they reflect the needs and aspirations of the student body. Simultaneously, Alison Derbyshire shared our strategic planning and design ideas with students to gather feedback ahead of the upcoming public forums. Year 10 students took this further, pitching their own ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style event, showcasing their creativity, critical thinking, and ability to embrace challenge.
The Year 7–10 Learning Conversations this week marked our first fully online format. We hope the experience was valuable, and we would appreciate your feedback via the 2-minute survey shared via SMS. Your insights help us refine our processes to best support student learning.
We also launched the Year 9 and Year 11 options process, an important milestone as students carefully consider their next academic steps. They attended subject fairs, engaged in conversations with IGCSE and IB students, and each Year 11 student had a 1:1 meeting with a university counsellor. Parents have received the introductory video and detailed subject handbooks, and we encourage you to attend the upcoming parent forums:
- 11.40am 28 February What is the IGCSE? How do I help my child make good choices? With Gareth Wright, Joanne Kim and subject specialists. RSVP here.
- 2.30pm 5 March IB Forum: Q&A about the programme and how it compares with AP, and different pathways. With Emma Chamberlain, Paul Sweet and Suzy Pugh. RSVP here.
If you cannot attend, please submit questions in advance. Additionally, curriculum workshops are available for those wanting a deeper understanding of specific subjects.
In language learning, Year 7 French students had a brilliant morning at the Lycée Français, immersing themselves in French culture, language, and building new friendships. We are also thrilled to launch the Chengdu Language and Culture Trip, running 15–20 June 2025—an incredible opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of Chinese language and heritage.
Looking Ahead
Next week, school portraits will take place—please ensure students are dressed in their best, following the school uniform guidelines. [Include pictures and expectations here.] The schedule is as follows:
- Monday 24 February Year 11
- Tuesday 25 February Year 10
- Wednesday 26 February Year 7 & 9
- Thursday 27 February Year 8 and IB
We are also seeking parent involvement for our upcoming Careers Fair. If you are willing to share your professional experiences or know someone—a colleague, friend, or family member—who could inspire our students, please do get in touch. Your insights and expertise are invaluable in broadening students’ understanding of career pathways.
Finally, IB parents, we highly value your perspective. Please respond to Emma Chamberlain’s request to join the online IB parent meeting with the IB on 3.30pm 12 March. Your voice plays a key role in shaping the IB experience at our school.
Next week, we look forward to the Parent Rep meeting—please send your discussion points in advance. Mark Lovett, Head of Outdoor Education and ECAs, will be leading a workshop on Trip Processes and Planning at DCSL [date and details to be confirmed]. And for any Year 8 students still considering joining Ignite 25/26, this is the final call—please reach out if you would like more information.
Warm regards,
Suzanne Pugh
Dates for your Diary
26 February 2025 8.30am SS Parent Rep meeting
24 – 27 February DCSL School Portraits
27 February 9am UCC Coffee Morning with Year 7 Families
27 February 2:30pm Chengdu Language and Culture Experience Parent Information
4 March Professional Learning Day (School Holiday)
5 – 8 March U13 FOBISIA Games
Parent Workshops
26 February 2025 | 8.20am Senior School Parent Workshop – Science at DCSL. RSVP here.
28 February 2025 | 11.40am What is the IGCSE? How do I help my child make good choices? With Gareth Wright, Joanne Kim and subject specialists. RSVP here.
5 March 2025 | 2.30pm IB Forum: Q&A about the programme and how it compares with AP, and different pathways. With Emma Chamberlain, Paul Sweet and Suzy Pugh. RSVP here.
Save The Date – Graduation
Experience the Heart of Chinese Culture – Join Our Language & Culture Trip to Chengdu!
We are excited to announce an upcoming Language & Culture Trip to Chengdu, China, offering students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in authentic Chinese culture and language. This enriching journey will take students beyond the classroom, allowing them to practice Mandarin in real-life settings, explore historical landmarks, and engage with local traditions.
Trip Highlights:
Immerse Yourself in Mandarin – Practice Mandarin in authentic, real-world settings through interactive cultural experiences.
Explore Chengdu’s Ancient Charm – Visit historical landmarks and enjoy breathtaking scenic views.
Sichuan Cuisine Experience – Uncover the secrets of Sichuan flavors through hands-on cooking workshops.
Cultural & Artistic Immersion – Engage in expert-led workshops on traditional arts and customs.
Dujiangyan Irrigation System – Discover this ancient engineering masterpiece and its role in sustainable water management.
This experience is open to all students from Year 7 to 13, whether they are beginners or advanced learners of Mandarin. We encourage interested students to sign up before 5 March.
Student Information Session: 19 Feb, 2025
Trip Dates: 15 – 20 June, 2025
Sign-up Deadline: 5 March, 2025
Want to learn more? Join our Parent Information Session on 27 February 2025, from 2.30pm to 3.30pm at Auditorium (4F). Parents interested in attending are encouraged to complete the form.
For more details or to register, please contact ying.wen@dulwich-seoul.kr.
We look forward to an incredible learning adventure together!
Mandarin Department
Visit from Clay Specialists
On Tuesday, 7 January, 2025, our Year 11 art students had an incredible opportunity to work with two clay specialists as part of their ‘Sweets and Treats’ project. During this session, students acquired valuable skills in clay modelling, wheel throwing, slip casting, marbling clay, and creative design, significantly enhancing their artistic abilities and understanding of ceramic arts.
The students began by designing and starting their creations on the first day. The visit from the specialists then built on their previous knowledge, providing them with new techniques and skills. The specialists demonstrated various techniques, allowing students to experiment with different styles and finishes.
The second visit took place on Friday 14 February, focussing on Year 10 and Year 12 students, providing them with similar opportunities to enhance their skills in wheel throwing and clay modelling. Year 12 students worked in line with their personal projects whilst Year 10 students were creating fruit-inspired clay work inspired by British ceramists Kate Malone or Angela Evans.
The importance of ceramics in art education cannot be overstated. It fosters creativity, improves fine motor skills, and provides a tangible connection to cultural and historical contexts. Additionally, collaborative projects in ceramics encourage teamwork, communication, and problem-solving among students, helping them develop essential interpersonal skills.
Students expressed great pride and satisfaction in their creations, feeling a sense of accomplishment and excitement about their progress. Their finished products will be revealed in our upcoming summer exhibition in June 2025.
Exciting News: Student Achievement in Art Competition
We are thrilled to share some fantastic news! One of our talented students, Andie (Year 11), recently submitted her artwork to The Art of Conservation’s Songbird Art contest competition. We are delighted to announce that she is one of the winners! This remarkable achievement is a testament to Andie’s hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent.
You can view Andie’s winning piece and learn more about the competition on the Art of Conservation – 2024 International Winners website.
We are incredibly proud of Andie’s accomplishment and look forward to seeing more of her amazing work in the future. Congratulations, Andie!
Coffee Morning with UCC Team
SSAEM Peer Mentoring
The Year 12 and Year 13 students are re-introducing the new SSAEM peer mentoring program for this term!
‘SSAEM’, which roughly translates to ‘tutor’ in Korean vernacular, is designed to help younger students (Year 7 to Year 11) with academics and other things relating to the senior school. It can be a great way to gain insight into IB students’ perspectives on school and also to discuss topics that are more suitable for a mature student body.
Mentees will be joined up as either single sessions (one mentor and one mentee) or double sessions (one mentor and two mentees), depending on the mentees’ choices. Scheduling for meetings will happen individually via email between the mentors and the mentees, which can happen anytime from lunchtime to 4.30pm after school.
For students wishing to become mentees for this term, please fill out this form.
We look forward to seeing more students sign up!
The Year 12 and Year 13 SSAEM mentoring group.
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!