Diwali Assembly – written by the Social Media Club
We interviewed Neerja Sharma, mother of a Year 8 from an Indian background. She explained that the Diwali assembly started by showing the significance of the five-day festival. They do different things on different days, such as cleaning and decorating their houses on the first day. Next, they told two stories about Diwali. One was about lord Krishna defeating the demon Narakasura. Afterward, two dancers from different states performed. In the end, the performers and the audience danced Ghomeer. The assembly was for DUCKS to Year 3 and was performed on 20 of October, at 2.40pm.
By: Hope (Year 7), Hana (Year 7), Catherine (Year 7), and Nicole (Year 7)
Celebrating Diwali in Dulwich College Seoul!
We are three members of the Social Media Club who interviewed Neerja Sharma, a DCSL parent about what it is like to celebrate Diwali. We asked questions to her about the significance of the display and what various aspects of it means. India has a very diverse culture, so the parents made sure to display all the different parts of India. Various coloured lentils were used to create a beautiful display of “Rangoli”. Six parents worked together to set up the display in front of the entrance but overall, ten to twelve families were involved by contributing display items to celebrate each part of India and its unique and diverse culture.
By: Valerie (Year 7), Millie (Year 8), Mrudul (Year 8)
Worldwise Shakespeare Festival (written by students)
Last week, we had the opportunity to attend The Shakespeare Festival, hosted by Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong.
After carefully preparing for two months, we successfully performed an interpretation of the theme: Journey – praised by the Royal Shakespeare Company themselves. We collated our family stories together to create a beautiful and insightful piece about the experience of international schools, immigration, and diversity, relating our experiences with each other and how they led us to come together as a class and a community.
Our adventure began on arrival in Shanghai with a breathtaking cruise on the Huangpu River with the other Dulwich campuses to see the Bund – the area with Shanghai’s famous skyline.
After being welcomed by an AI version of William Shakespeare, we engaged in various dynamic workshops analyzing the works of his plays, which not only enhanced our drama skills but also gave us the chance to collaborate with peers from across the Dulwich network. From this trip, we sharpened our confidence, collaboration, and performance skills.
The Shakespeare Festival was truly a transformative journey, nurturing both personal growth, shared learning and memories that we’ll carry forward.
By Karan, Bea, Milva and Grace from the Social Media Club
Worldwise Shakespeare Festival takes 130 students on a magical journey
Over 130 students were welcomed to Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong for this year’s Worldwise Shakespeare Festival, in partnership with Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) Creative Learning and Engagement.
During the three-day festival from 24-26 October, which was based around the theme ‘Journeys’, the students from nine Dulwich and Dehong schools explored their connection to Shakespeare and how his works speak to them and their world today. This included a special focus on issues such as climate change and the emergence of advanced technology such as AI.
Students joined nine immersive workshops led by five RSC Associate Learning Practitioners, a mixture of actors and directors, and each night three schools brought their final performances to the stage. The festival was launched with a special performance from the Beijing Opera Club and an appearance by an AI-generated Shakespeare.
Helen Bamford, Head of Drama at Dulwich Pudong, said: “It was such a privilege to host this year’s Worldwise Shakespeare Festival at Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong, in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The festival was a unique opportunity for us all to work with world-class practitioners and explore themes in Shakespeare’s works that are still relevant today. By the end of the three days, the students were united by an incredible experience and were left with memories that will last a lifetime. Students are at the centre of everything we do and seeing these young people come together, support each other, learn and grow together, was truly inspiring and meaningful for all the staff involved.”
Each of the nine participating schools – Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong, Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou, Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, Dulwich College Beijing, Dulwich College (Singapore), Dulwich College Seoul, Dehong Xi’an School, Dehong Beijing International Chinese School, and Dulwich College Suzhou, are part of the Education in Motion (EiM) family, which coordinates the Worldwise Events programme, a rolling series of educational events that includes the Shakespeare Festival.
Edgar Zillmann, Head of Events and Educational Partnerships at EiM, said: “The Worldwise Shakespeare Festival was a transformative experience, bringing together students and teachers from nine EiM schools to explore Shakespeare’s relevance in today’s world. Led by the talented practitioners of the Royal Shakespeare Company, students dived into immersive workshops and powerful performances, not only discovering the richness of Shakespeare’s work but also honing essential life skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork. Reflecting our educational philosophy, this festival embodies our commitment to holistic learning, where students engage deeply, think critically, and develop a sense of global citizenship. These educational initiatives are central to our Worldwise Events programme and testament to our mission to nurture future leaders who are not only academically skilled but also empathetic, innovative, and resilient thinkers.”
During the RSC-led workshops, students explored Shakespeare’s language through different lenses, focused on the various forms of ‘Journeys’ in Shakespeare’s plays and delved into a wide range of theatre and drama skills from improvisation to the use of space or the introduction to ‘Verbatim Theatre’. Each RSC Associate Learning Practitioner brought a new perspective and approach, enabling the students to explore a broad spectrum of topics and helping them to not only develop their understanding and passion for Shakespeare and theatre but also further improve their communication, leadership and teamwork skills.
Victoria Cholmondeley, Senior Partnerships Development Manager, at the RSC, said: “The RSC practitioners and I could not have been more impressed by the student’s energy, commitment and creativity. Seeing their fabulous teamwork and skills being developed in workshops, and watching their interpretations of the festival theme, Journeys, in the evenings. Their joy of performing Shakespeare shone through and they so perfectly depicted why still today his plays have such relevance to young people worldwide. We can’t wait to come back next year and continue our journey with all the EiM schools!”
Dulwich College Seoul’s Performance
Threads: The piece has been devised based upon the epic travels that our students and their families have been on, and the stories that have emerged. These go from a love story in the 19th century to the students on first days at Dulwich. The first day at school stories are where AI comes into our performance. How would Shakespeare describe them? The sections of Shakespeare within the play are taken from a variety of his works, from Macbeth, from his sonnets and a moving piece about life as an immigrant. Each extract was meant to link to our performer’s own family tales. We felt the stories of the students’ ancestors often spoke of how journeys are about the change of the nature and environment where we feel belong, and how that can quickly change. In the end… these threads from all over the world have led to the performers being together at DCSL.
No Carbon November
In November, we’re excited to launch the No Carbon November Challenge! This initiative encourages our staff to bring positive climate conversations into their classrooms weekly, weaving climate awareness into everyday learning across all subjects.
The Eco-Warriors in primary will be launching a ‘Walk to School’ initiative, encouraging families to leave their cars at home and choose walking, cycling, or public transport to get to school. They will create posters and present during assemblies to promote this important initiative aimed at improving air quality and making our community more sustainable. We look forward to comparing the data collected before and after this exciting project!
Our senior students will also have the chance to take part through a daily action list, inspiring them to make small, impactful choices that reduce carbon emissions. Together, we’ll explore how personal actions—like “Teaspoons of Change”—can make a difference at personal, community, and global levels. Let’s work together this month to model how small changes can lead to a healthier, more sustainable world.
The First Swim Meet of the 2024 (KASS)
The first swim meet of the 2024 KAYAK Age Group Swim Series (KASS) took place last Saturday at SFS, with over 50 DCSL students competing alongside participants from 13 other international schools. We were incredibly proud to see our students not only showing outstanding behavior while marshalling but also demonstrating impressive enthusiasm in the water. Many students were thrilled to break their Personal Best records, a testament to the hard work and dedication they’ve put in. After just one day off, they were back in the pool on Monday, already preparing for the next competition in December. I am confident that all our Leopard Seals will achieve their year-long swimming goals.
A huge thank you as well to our amazing parent volunteers, who supported the students throughout the competition. Just as our Leopard Seals gave their best in the pool, our parents’ encouragement was invaluable. Students should be incredibly proud of you all.
We’re all looking forward to seeing you at the next competition!
Christmas Gift Drive
We are proud and honoured to continue our heart-warming Christmas tradition of donating a gift to a friend living in an orphanage in and around Seoul this year! This year, we are aiming to spread Christmas joy and goodwill to 234 children so please click here to follow the steps and sign up!
Dulwich Student Meets President of Poland During Seoul Visit
Year 11 student Apolonia attended a special medal award ceremony with the President of Poland during his official visit to Korea on 23 October. The ceremony, which recognized contributions to Polish culture, was a unique opportunity for Apolonia to represent our international community at this prestigious diplomatic event. The meeting took place during the President’s diplomatic visit to Seoul, with Apolonia receiving special permission to leave school early to attend the reception. Her father shared that she was invited specifically for this ceremony, highlighting the significance of the occasion. Well done, Apolonia!
Planet Hack
Professor Sarah Clement, Environmental Policy specialist from Australian National University is visiting the College on Monday 4 November. During this time, she will be speaking to both primary and senior students and parents about technology, sustainability urban design and planning, the role of urban green infrastructure, biodiversity conservation in urban environments and renewable energy solutions for cities.
We would like to invite parents to a Whole College parent workshop from 1.30pm-2.30pm on 4 November. During that workshop, parents will discover the powerful impact of green spaces on their child’s development in this enlightening session. Learn how regular exposure to nature – including nature in cities – can boost their child’s physical health, emotional well-being, and cognitive abilities, including improved concentration and creativity. There will be opportunities to explore practical ways to incorporate more green time into your family’s routine, helping your children thrive in today’s fast-paced world.
Calling All Volunteers: Join Our Intergenerational Cooking Project for CNN’s Call to Earth Day!
We are excited to invite volunteers to participate in an Intergenerational Cooking Project, where grandparents will join Primary and Senior students to cook cherished childhood recipes. This special event will be filmed by CNN in November as part of their Call to Earth day, which focuses on environmental challenges and solutions. This year’s theme, Connected Generations, celebrates the wisdom passed down from older generations and how we can make the world better for future ones. If you or a grandparent you know would like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you!
Please contact Lara Small (lara.small@dulwich-seoul.kr) or Lynsey Gogin (lynsey.gogin@dulwich-seoul.kr) to express interest or for more information.
Kimba: poet coming soon!
In November, we welcome London-based poet and rapper Kimba, who is coming to work with our students in both Primary and Senior School. Kimba promises to be a truly entertaining speaker and an inspiring figure. Parents have the opportunity *right now* to buy a copy of Kimba’s book in advance, so that your child can be sure of coming home with a signed copy. The book of poetry, ‘Write the Wrongs’, is available for just 10,000 KRW on Tongbang Books’ website here.
Winter Bazaar
Support WISE Conference 2025
Dulwich College Seoul is excited to be hosting the WISE (Women in International Schools Empowerment) Conference 2025 from 21-23 February 2025. WISE is an initiative led by Women, for Women, to empower aspiring and current female educators and professionals working in international schools. Sponsoring the conference is a great opportunity for you to promote your businesses or organizations to 200+ conference participants from across Asia, the Middle East and Europe who want to support and empower each other’s development and success. Or please simply support DCSL, the hosting school!
Please find more information by clicking here or contact Helen Kim (Helen.Kim@dulwich-seoul.kr) to discuss.
WISE Conference 2025 team
IB Forum for Prospective Parents Only
Prospective parents can join our IB Forum for the opportunity to meet our College Leadership Team and learn about the benefits of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
They will hear from IB students and parent ambassadors about how our supportive community fosters personalised learning journeys. The event will also include a guided tour of our facilities, with a focus on our Senior School Programmes and IB-specific offerings.
Prospective parents can click here to RSVP.
BP Debate competition
Global Citizenship Introductions
We are excited to introduce ourselves as the new Global Citizenship Leads at Dulwich College, Seoul. We are Lynsey Gogin and Lara Small, and we are honoured to join this vibrant community to support and advance our schools mission to inspire students to grow as global citizens who make a positive difference in the world.
One of our goals is to create meaningful, inclusive experiences that reflect and celebrate our diverse community. To achieve this, we are reaching out to invite enthusiastic volunteers to help mentor individuals and contribute to a variety of initiatives. We believe that your unique perspectives and experiences will greatly enrich our Global Citizenship programs.
Here are some of the key topics and events where we are looking for volunteers throughout the year:
September 2024
World Peace Day: Engage in discussions and activities that promote global harmony and understanding.
October 2024 and March 2025
Neurodiversity: Share insights and support for individuals with different neurological conditions and learning styles.
November 2024
No Carbon November: encourage individuals and communities to reduce their carbon footprint through sustainable practices, mindful consumption, and environmental awareness.
February 2025
Black History Month: Help organize and facilitate events that honour and educate about the contributions and experiences of Black individuals.
March 2025
International Women’s Day: Lead conversations and events that celebrate women’s achievements and address gender equity.
April 2025
Earth Week: Contribute ideas and actions to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and our role in protecting our planet.
June 2025
Pride: Support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community through inclusive activities and discussions.
If you are interested in volunteering or have any ideas to contribute, please reach out to us at lynsey.gogin@dulwich-seoul.kr/ lara.small@dulwich-seoul.kr Your involvement will be invaluable in helping us build a more inclusive and engaging environment for everyone.
We look forward to working with you and making a positive impact together!
Warm regards,
Lynsey Gogin and Lara Small (Global Citizen Leads)
Call for Submissions
A new student-led journal called Student Pedagogies of Asian America based in the US is calling for submissions from high school and college students worldwide to contribute to its inaugural issue with a theme of Borders. Please note you do not have to identify as Asian American to submit a contribution. Click on the link to read more about submission guidelines.
Background
Student Pedagogies of Asian America was created out of the desire to provide an academic platform for high school and college students to critically and creatively discuss progressive topics that impact family, community, as well as national and global matters. The world of Asian American Studies has largely been solely for adult scholars up until now. Our journal seeks to insert young scholars’ voices in this current void.
Our vision for knowledge production and content about Asian America is one of inclusivity and allyship/solidarity that does not limit Asian America or Asian American conversations to those who identify as Asian American. We want to ground this project on the idea that “Asian America” itself is less of a physical identity and more of a discursive community of diverse, various identities. In that regard, we think conversations on histories, cultures, politics, and identities can be more capacious than how they have been understood in the past. We seek to foster the critical voices of students in education whereby students are agents of their own learning and use their whole selves to produce knowledge. Student pedagogy recognizes the importance of addressing the inequities of power, status, socioeconomics, education, and more.
Dulwich Ducklings
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!