Dulwich College Seoul Featured on CNN for Environmental Initiatives
In the first segment, students from the Senior School environmental committee joined forces with the enthusiastic Eco Warriors from the Primary School to explore sustainable cooking practices. Guided by 81-year-old Grandma Kim of our student Jisan, the students and CNN correspondent Mike Valerio learned to make traditional scallion pancakes (pajeon). The session was a unique cultural exchange and passing on of family recipes, while also demonstrating how small, thoughtful actions in daily life can contribute to sustainability.
The CNN crew interviewed our students about why they became an Eco Warrior or joined the Sustainability Committee and what actions they are taking to combat climate change. As committed global citizens, our students spoke eloquently and passionately about things we could all do to make a difference to protect the earth and reduce carbon emissions.
Special thanks to our staff, MaryAnn Campos, Lara Small, Lynsey Gogin and Dorothee Park for facilitating the shoot and guiding our students toward their passion around sustainability.
In the second segment, Mike Valerio stepped into the school’s thriving garden and greenhouse alongside students from the Community Gardening Club. The students eagerly demonstrated their work (involving live worms), from composting food scraps to preparing garden plots and nurturing plants. They shared insights into how these efforts contribute to their studies and a deeper understanding of sustainability.
Both segments highlighted Dulwich College Seoul’s holistic approach to living our core value of sustainability both inside and outside the classroom – where hands-on experiences foster a connection between cultural learning and global sustainability. We are proud to have leveraged this global platform to showcase these evergreen initiatives our youth are spearheading to inspire others to take action for a greener future.
A Student’s Perspective on the CNN Call to Earth Day
By Bea
The Senior School environmental committee and the Eco Warriors from DUCKS had the opportunity to film a segment with CNN for their Call to Earth initiative. Together, we worked to cook Korean-style pancakes (jeon), guided by a kind and knowledgeable Korean halmoni (the grandmother of a fellow student), who taught us valuable techniques for preparing and cutting vegetables sustainably.
We also had the chance to speak with Mike Valerio, a CNN journalist based in Seoul, who was very open to answering our questions about his work and showed great interest in our stories and experiences living in Seoul.
The pancakes we prepared were enjoyed by everyone—students, teachers, and the CNN team alike. This unique collaboration was an experience like no other, and the professionalism and warmth of the CNN team and everyone involved made it truly memorable.
Intergenerational Cooking Class
Students from the Primary Eco Warriors and the Senior Sustainability Committee participated in an Intergenerational Cooking Class, as part of the preparations for Earth Day celebrations. This segment was recorded and then streamed on CNN news channel on December 11.
The class was led by the grandparent of Jisan in Year 8 and focused on making Vegetable Pajeon, a beloved Korean dish. Jeon is widely considered a childhood comfort food in Korea and is deeply associated with family gatherings, evoking nostalgic memories of cooking with grandparents. This activity ties closely to our global citizenship and sustainability goals, as Jeon often involves repurposing leftovers and using locally sourced ingredients, which helps minimize food waste.
Submit Your New Year Photos
Dear DCSL community,
With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, our Mandarin Department would like to extend our warmest holiday greetings to you all!
As we diligently prepare for our Lunar New Year celebration, we aim to make this year’s program even more diverse and inclusive. To achieve this, we are creating a special short video highlighting how different countries celebrate the New Year, fostering a deeper appreciation for our diverse school community.
We invite our students, parents, and staff members to share photos of their New Year or Lunar New Year celebrations with family in their home countries. We hope these photos will capture meaningful and representative moments that present your country’s unique traditions and customs. Examples might include festive meals, cultural rituals, or other iconic holiday activities.
If you would like to contribute, please log in with your child’s school email and upload your photo to this link.
or to this QR code:
Thank you for your enthusiasm and support! Let’s celebrate the warmth and richness of our global traditions together and create a memorable start to the New Year.
If you have any questions, please contact any Mandarin teacher.
Warm regards,
Mandarin Department
Student Spotlight – Kunho
Kunho, a Year 11 student at Dulwich College Seoul, recently achieved an incredible milestone, becoming the youngest winner at the prestigious Steinway Piano Competition, competing against musicians aged 15-22. His dedication, passion, and hard work truly paid off.
Beyond his musical success, Kunho also used his talent to make a difference. Through his follow-up performance at Steinway Hall (after this interview was filmed), he helped raise over KRW 1,126,000 for Freedom Speakers International (FSI) in their work to empower North Korean refugees.
Watch the video to learn about Kunho’s passion for music, his favourite tune, and his advice to students who love music.
Christmas Gift Drive 2024
Christmas Gift Drive 2024 Success! The Charity Committee would like to say a huge, heartfelt thank you very much to our community of families and staff for signing up and buying a gift for a child living in one of 6 welfare homes in Korea. On Tuesday afternoon, 234 Christmas gifts lovingly bought and carefully wrapped were picked up and successfully delivered to all the welfare homes ready to make someone’s Christmas wish come true! Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness in contributing to our annual festive project. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Student Spotlight: Claire (Year 7) Wins Silver Award in Bowseat Creative Writing Competition
We are delighted to celebrate the success of Claire (Year 7), who has been awarded the prestigious Silver Award in the 2024 Bowseat Creative Writing Junior Division. This remarkable achievement is a testament to Claire’s creativity and dedication to storytelling.
Claire’s winning piece, Halmoni Used to Say, is an evocative story that reflects on climate issues through a deeply personal lens. Claire credits her passion for writing to inspirational authors such as Kate DiCamillo and the support she has received from Dulwich College’s teachers and curriculum.
To explore Claire’s award-winning piece, you can read it on the Bowseat website: Halmoni Used to Say.
As part of our celebration, students from the Social Media Club sat down with Claire to learn more about her inspiration, journey, and advice for budding writers.
An Interview with Claire (Year 7)
What inspired you?
Books and their incredible authors, such as Kate DiCamillo, were a huge inspiration while writing my competition entry. I was also inspired by my former English teacher, Mr Curran, who is both a great teacher and writer.
How did Dulwich College support your writing?
Dulwich’s wonderful English teachers, including Mr Curran, were instrumental throughout my primary school years. The College’s well-structured English curriculum, with its strong emphasis on writing, also played a key role in helping me develop my skills.
Tell us a bit more about the Bowseat writing competition.
It’s an annual writing competition with a different climate theme each year. The Junior Division is for students aged 11 to 14 and offers a cash prize. Founded in 2011, Bowseat also hosts contests for art, music, and other creative disciplines.
How did you feel when you found out about this achievement?
I was shocked! I entered for fun and never expected to win anything. The email announcing my award was a complete surprise.
The Bowseat contest focuses on climate issues. How do you think storytelling, like your piece, can contribute to climate action?
It raises awareness about various climate challenges around the world.
What challenges did you face while writing your submission and how did you overcome them?
I had to invest a lot of time into the piece, but I overcame this by dedicating school hours to writing.
What advice would you give to other students who want to explore creative writing or enter competitions like Bowseat?
Read a lot of books and try to enjoy English as a subject.
This interview was conducted by students in our Social Media Club , who are developing their skills by documenting and sharing stories about school life. Thank you to our talented club members for showcasing Claire’s achievements so wonderfully!
Congratulations once again to Claire on her well-deserved success!
Save the Date: School Photographs 2025
From Monday, 24 February to Friday, 28 February 2025, our School Photographer, Family Day Studio, will be visiting the College for our annual school photographs.
Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
Winter Bazaar
Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Winter Bazaar last Saturday. It was a lovely day for our community, and we’re grateful for your support. Enjoy these photos from the event!
2024-2025 School Calendar
We are pleased to share the school calendar for the next Academic Year 2025-2026
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
BP Debate competition
Global Citizenship Introductions
We are Lynsey Gogin and Lara Small, Global Citizenship Leads at Dulwich College Seoul, and we are honoured to 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:
March 2025
Neurodiversity: Share insights and support for individuals with different neurological conditions and learning styles.
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)
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!