Walking the Walk: Unveiling Our First Electric Bus
Tucked in a corner of a humble parking lot behind our College is a bus that, on the surface, may not look much different from any other bus on the street. This Bus #1 is no ordinary bus, however. It is our very first electric bus – which may well be the country’s very first electric school bus* – and we are immensely proud to unveil it to our community.
The origin story goes like this: when we first asked our bus partners about electric buses, they gave us somewhat of a blank stare. There are no electric school buses, they said. They simply don’t exist. The only way for us to introduce an electric bus was to require our partners to have one. We are supporting them as much as possible in the journey toward alternative energy sources. The result: the first electric international school bus in the country was born.
There is no occasion timelier than our No Carbon November initiative to announce this exciting milestone for us. It is perhaps serendipitous that Bus #1 happens to ride around the UN Village in the Yongsan area, as the initiative aligns perfectly with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
While electric cars, taxis and buses are commonly seen on the streets of Seoul, school buses have been decidedly missing in the shift toward alternative energy sources. We are proud to be taking on a leadership role in rolling out this first electric school bus that we hope will serve as a model for other schools to follow.
Every day, students get to live and breathe our sustainability value simply by riding the bus or learning why the College is transitioning to electric buses. Our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and contributing to cleaner air is always front and center. Our focus remains steadfast on advancing sustainability, as evidenced by the electric bus’s design prioritising efficiency with a slightly reduced seating capacity (16 vs 18). We are also optimizing our electric bus for all seasons, with ongoing tests to ensure top performance even during the colder months.
We are hoping to expand the number of electric school buses over time, so all of our buses are electric, and we are looking to build bus charging stations on campus down the road to make the transition as easy as possible. We are also planning on making the electric bus more visually striking to ensure everyone in our Dulwich and local communities can see it in action and promote our message around sustainability.
*that we know of!
Winter Bazaar
Dear Friends,
The much-anticipated Winter Bazaar is almost upon us! Join us tomorrow, Saturday, 2 December, from 10am to 3pm, for a day filled with warmth, joy, and community spirit.
Despite news about the blistering cold, we hope that you will find it in your heart to join us on this very special occasion to come together and celebrate the season before the end of the year. You can reassured that the event will take place within the walls of our main building which means you and your little ones can stay warm.
What’s in Store at the Bazaar?
- Our FoD stall at B1 will be a hub of holiday delights, featuring an assortment of delicacies. Indulge in seasonal favourites like mulled wine, hot chocolate, and freshly baked goods, all guaranteed to make it smell and feel like Christmas.
- Exclusive Handicrafts and Brands: A selection of exclusive vendors will be showcasing their passion projects. From unique handicrafts to bespoke brands, you’re sure to find something special.
- Student Creativity on Display: Our talented Dulwich students from both Primary School and Senior School will be showcasing their specialties and interests at their booths in the MPR. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support their entrepreneurial spirit.
Special Highlights:
- Meet Santa: From 10 am to 12 pm, get a chance to snap a photo with Santa and capture the festive spirit.
- Dulwich Drop: Open on the hour for thirty minutes from 11 am until 3 pm
- Food: Enjoy delicious pizza, hotdogs, and gelato available throughout the event.
We look forward to seeing you there, sharing in the festivities and making this Winter Bazaar a memorable one. Let’s end the year on a high note, surrounded by our wonderful Dulwich community.
Warm regards,
The Friends of Dulwich Team
New Head of College Announcement
Please see the following message from David Fitzgerald, Global Director of Education, International.
I am writing to announce the appointment of Alison Derbyshire as the Head of College at Dulwich College Seoul with effect from 1st August 2024.
Alison’s appointment is the result of a very broad and extensive international search which culminated in three very experienced school leaders spending three days at DCSL for a final selection process. I would like to express my gratitude to the large number of colleagues, students and parents who were involved in this process.
Alison currently leads the Senior School of Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong and is a very experienced international educator and leader. Alison joined Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong in 2017 as Deputy Head of Senior School and has been in her current role of Head of Senior School since 2020. In this time, she has overseen the growth and development of the Senior School, including the sustained achievement of outstanding IGCSE and IB results. With a keen interest in wellbeing, inclusivity and community partnerships, Alison has been instrumental in building a world-class Senior School in Pudong as well as contributing to the continued success of the College as a whole.
Originally from New Zealand, Alison has worked in China for the last 10 years and has a range of professional interests such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Educational Technology – including AI. Outside of school time she loves to read, play mahjong and travel. Alison’s daughter, a Dulwich Pudong Class of 2022 graduate, is studying nursing at Otago University, and will be a regular visitor to Seoul.
I know that you will want to join with me in congratulating Alison on her appointment and look forward to welcoming her to Seoul in due course. Many thanks for your continued and ongoing support of DCSL.
David Fitzgerald
Global Director of Education, International.Education in Motion
Drama Workshop Demonstrates DCSL Pedagogy and Social Values in Drama Education
On Saturday, the Dulwich Senior School Drama Department hosted a bilingual workshop for Korean teachers who are studying a Maters in Drama Education at Seoul National University of Education. Head of Department, Matthew Readman, facilitated the workshop for the participants who were mainly primary teachers. Not only did it show how passionate we are about our students’ right to a performing arts education, but also how important it is to share our experience with teachers in different educational contexts. Both units of work explored what makes children happy in the modern world, and what school communities can do when family relationships break down.
The story used in one of the units of work will actually form the content for the Year 8 ‘Performance in a Week’ which will happen next week.
Traffic Policy Reminder: Right Turns Only at School Car Park
It has come to our attention that members of our school community have recently received tickets for making illegal left turns into and out of the school car park. We understand that the implications of the solid line on the road, which legally prohibits left turns in both directions, may not have been clear to everyone.
To address this, our traffic support team has been instructed to ensure that all vehicles adhere to a right-turn-only policy when entering and exiting the car park. Regrettably, there have been instances where this necessary enforcement has compromised the safety of our staff.
We strongly urge all community members to comply with this traffic policy. Adhering to these rules is crucial for maintaining the safety and well-being of our entire school community. Thank you for your cooperation in this important matter.
Mycoplasma Pneumonia – help us protect our DCSL community
If your child is diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia, please inform nurse’s office immediately at Nurse@dulwich-seoul.kr or at 02.3015.8520
Staying home
Please keep your child home until a course of antibiotic finishes and you should submit a doctor’s clearance letter directly to nurse email before returning to school.
Requesting Your Child’s 2022-2023 Photos
We are pleased to announce that photos from the 2022-2023 academic year, captured by our marketing department, are now available upon request.
To view the photo galleries, please click on the corresponding links for each term below. Once you have selected the photos you’d like, kindly place your request by Friday, 8 December 2023.
How to Request Photos:
To request photos of your child, please follow the steps below:
- Browse through the photo galleries for each term.
- Copy the URLs of the photos you wish to request.
- Paste these URLs into the designated field in the request form.
- If you would like to request more than 40 photos, kindly make two separate requests.
Please complete the request form by Friday, 8 December 2023.
Please note: In line with our safeguarding policy, we can only fulfil requests for photos featuring your own child. Do not forward this email or share the gallery links with others.
Term 1
Term 1 Photos (Senior)
Term 1 Photos (Primary)
Term 2
Term 3
Year 3 to Year 6 House Swimming
Please allow several weeks for the processing of your order. Should you have any queries or encounter any issues, do not hesitate to contact us at marketing@dulwich-seoul.kr.
If you are interested in photos from previous academic years, our SmugMug archives date back to 2016-2017. Please get in touch if you would like to access these galleries.
DCSL Parents’ Football Club
Dear Friends,
This year we’re happy to announce that we will be starting the DCSL Parents’ Football Club.
To begin with we are aiming at one session per week, of approximately two hours, (four 25-minute matches), Sundays starting 9am. We will announce a start date soon.
DCSL has been generous to allow us access to the College Field so at this moment we want to build a list of people interested.
If you would like to join, please fill in the form and we will add you to a dedicated group chat.
For any questions or suggestions, please contact Emil – emil.daina@gmail.com
Global Warriors Charity Drives
Christmas Gift Drive: We are the Global Warriors at Primary School. Christmas is just around the corner! It’s time for the Dulwich Christmas Gift Drive, and we would like you to sign up to give presents to children without families through Open Arms Korea!
Please check your inboxes for an email titled ‘Primary Charity Committee Gift Drive 2023’ or click on this link to sign up.
PLP Trust Winter Coat Drive: For this drive, we aim to support children at a school in Pakistan who need our help. Many children there don’t have warm jackets, so as the weather gets colder, we’re seeking donations of children’s coats. There is a collection trolley in the reception area.
As global warriors, we sincerely thank you for your help!
Written by Summer Shin (5V)
Safeguarding Notice: Restroom Usage Guidelines in Our Community
We would like to remind our community that, in accordance with our safeguarding rules, students are not permitted to use the adult toilet at any time. If a child needs to use the restroom with a parent, we kindly ask you to use the disabled toilet. The same applies to student visitors, who should never use the adult restroom. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.
Winter Concert
Door Closure Request
We kindly request that you keep the doors leading to the gym from the foyer closed, given the recent drop in temperature. Additionally, please ensure the main entrance doors remain closed. This is necessary for our record-keeping purposes, as IB students need to tag in and out each time they exit the building. Thank you for your cooperation.
Safety Measures for Hot Drinks on School Premises
In the interest of ensuring a safer environment for all—students, staff, parents, and guests—anyone carrying a hot drink while walking through areas of the school is required to use a tumbler or a covered mug.
This precautionary measure aims to mitigate the risk of accidental spills, which could potentially cause harm. We are committed to fostering a secure atmosphere within our school, and this policy is a proactive step towards that commitment.
Your cooperation in adhering to this new safety guideline is highly appreciated. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and welcoming space for everyone in our Dulwich community.
Hand Hygiene: Let’s Keep Our Community Healthy
Just a friendly reminder to help keep our community healthy by practicing good hand hygiene. Please wash your hands thoroughly using soap, particularly after using bathroom facilities, help prevent the spread of germs. Thank you.