Whole School

November 15, 2024

School Exchange with SNUE Elementary School

This Thursday, we had the opportunity to host 20 students from the Elementary School affiliated with Seoul National University of Education (SNUE). This visit is part of an international school exchange program organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, aiming to foster connections between international and local schools.

Before their visit, our Year 4 class engaged in two online sessions with the SNUE Elementary students. These virtual meetings allowed the students to ask questions and get to know each other, building a foundation for their in-person interaction. The SNUE students are part of a special class comprised of children who have lived abroad, and they communicated with our students in English.

Upon their arrival, our guests were warmly welcomed by our students and staff. They enjoyed a small snack prepared especially for them, toured our campus, and joined our classes to discuss their learning experiences. It was a wonderful opportunity for both groups of students to share insights and build friendships.

The exchange will culminate on 22 November with a joint visit to the British Embassy. During this visit, the students will explore British history and culture and tour the historic embassy site together. They will also have the chance to hear from two inspiring participants of the Empower Programme we support, who will share their journeys in discovering their passions and purposes.

We are thrilled to be part of this enriching exchange program and look forward to the continued collaboration with the SNUE Elementary School. Such experiences not only broaden our students’ horizons but also strengthen the bonds within our broader educational community.

Dr Cameron Pyke visits Dulwich College Seoul – written by Social Media Club ECA

Several members of the Senior School Student Council recently had the opportunity to interview Dr Cameron Pyke, Deputy Master (External) of Dulwich College. He was visiting our school as part of his annual tour of the Dulwich and EiM campuses to ensure that everything is up to standard, with Seoul being his second stop after Beijing.

For the first half of the interview, Dr Pyke asked us about the selection process for the Student Council and showed interest in our current projects. We told him about the assembly we held the previous Thursday, where we answered frequently asked questions about snacks, PE, and discussed potential future initiatives like Spirit Week. Dr Pyke also requested feedback on our school’s facilities and overall satisfaction, showing genuine interest in our responses. He created a relaxed environment where everyone in the room felt comfortable speaking freely, which made it easy to share our honest opinions.

During the second half of the interview, Dr Pyke encouraged us to ask him questions about anything we were curious about. He familiarized us with the London schools – Dulwich, James Allen’s Girls’ School, and their co-ed version, Alleyn’s. We also asked him about his experience in the Olympiad held at Dulwich College Singapore earlier this year, other school events, and how the different Dulwich campuses compare. From his perspective, each school has its own advantages and challenges, and he expressed admiration for how well we’ve utilized our campus space. Dr Pyke believes we have a strong sense of community, with which we all agreed. Finally, the Student Council asked if he could suggest any improvements for our school. Dr Pyke responded that he was very pleased with our facilities, staff, and students and couldn’t think of any immediate suggestions.

Overall, the interview was a pleasant and educational experience. Rather than feeling like a formal interrogation, Dr Pyke created a safe, comfortable, and relaxed atmosphere where we could all express ourselves without judgment. Our opinions were met with great respect and kindness, making this experience a highlight for the Student Council.

Written by Bea (Year 11) and Grace (Year 11) from the Social Media Club ECA

Kunho’s Solo Piano Recital Following His Steinway Competition Victory

Kunho (Year 11) would like to invite the school community to his first solo piano recital, a significant milestone following his achievement of winning 1st prize in the Junior Category (ages 15-25) at the 3rd Steinway Amateur Piano Competition. This recital is fully sponsored by Steinway Korea as part of his award.

Event Details:

In addition to celebrating his musical accomplishment, Kunho wishes to make the event even more meaningful by supporting a cause close to his heart. He is a member of Freedom Speakers International (FSI), a non-profit organization that empowers North Korean refugees through education and advocacy.

In lieu of traditional gifts or flowers, Kunho kindly requests that attendees consider making a small monetary donation to FSI. He has personally pledged to donate the KRW 500,000 cash prize he received from the competition to support FSI’s programs. Your contributions will directly aid those who have escaped the oppressive regime of North Korea and are working towards a better future.

RSVP Instructions:

Due to limited seating capacity at Steinway Hall, please RSVP at your earliest convenience to ensure a reserved seat. Kindly email yaejean@gmail.com to confirm your attendance.

Kimba Visit

During his brief time with us this week, Kimba made a big, big impact, entertaining all ages from Year 10 to DUCKS.  Through poems often drawn from his own life story – a New Jersey childhood, outsider status in Kentucky, and now wordsmith working in London and around the world – Kimba caused outbursts of onomatopoeia and alliteration from Dulwich’s most reluctant poets. A barnstorming impromptu rap performance got Year 7 and Year 8 students out of their seats and, if you listen carefully, you can still hear Year 3 children tapping out “boom clack boom boom boom clack” as they line up for their snack. Thanks Kimba!

Here is a write up that the Social Media Club ECA students wrote for Kimba’s visit:

Starting off onMonday with a literary spark, we welcomed established poet and music artist Kimba to discuss with the Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, and Year 10 about poetry. Being the writer of Write the Wrongs, Kimba was able to convey several tips to writing poetry, including a variety of jokes which made the author visit more enjoyable. We are thankful for Kimba for dedicating his time to us.  

Written by Jude (Year 10) and Millie (Year 8)

Senior School Choir Performs at British Chamber of Commerce Remembrance Service

On Sunday, 10 November, our Senior School Choir had the honour of performing at the British Chamber of Commerce Remembrance Service held at the Seoul Anglican Cathedral of St. Mary. The choir delivered heartfelt renditions of “Remember” and “In Flanders Fields,” contributing to a poignant and meaningful ceremony.

Their exceptional performances and respectful involvement deeply moved all in attendance, showcasing the talent and dedication of our students. 

Sincere thanks go to Mr. Knights for his leadership and to all the students who dedicated their time and talents to this significant occasion.

U15 FOBISIA Games 2024 

Our U15 FOBISIA Team has returned from an unforgettable trip to Thailand, where they proudly represented the DCSL Leopards in Athletics, Swimming, Football, and Basketball, competing against other international schools from across Asia. 

Track and Field: The first day of competition kicked off with Track and Field events. We witnessed some outstanding individual performances, with several students reaching the podium. Our medal tally steadily grew as our athletes put into practice what they’d learned in training. Their hard work in training paid off as they competed fiercely, with many setting personal bests, showing grit and determination. It was a thrilling morning of athletics, and their efforts set a positive tone for the rest of the tournament. 

Swimming: After an energetic morning on the track, the team switched gears and headed to the pool for the swimming events. Although the competition was stiff, with fast swimmers from all participating schools, our team put on a brave and determined performance. They might not have won many races, but nearly every swimmer achieved a personal best, which is a victory in itself. This was a testament to their dedication and growth over the season.  

Basketball: The second day of competition was all about basketball, and our boys’ team showed their skill and teamwork throughout the tournament. They made it all the way to the semi-final, playing a series of close, intense games. The 3rd place play-off was a nail-biter, with both teams giving their all right up to the final buzzer. In the end, they narrowly missed out on a medal by just one basket, a tough but motivating end to a fantastic effort. The girl’s division was stacked with quality teams and our Leopards played some great basketball at times but were unable to take a win. They narrowly lost a few games that could have gone either way and overall their performance was solid.   

Football: The tournament concluded with football, where both the boys’ and girls’ teams took to the field with focus and determination. The boys’ team displayed smart passing, while the girls demonstrated impressive teamwork. Both teams fought hard in each match, showing sportsmanship and resilience no matter the score. Every player contributed, showing how much they had grown over the season. The matches were a great showcase of their progress and passion for the game. Both teams finished on a high with the boys winning 7-0 and girls winning their final two games 3-0 and 4-3. 

The other schools were much larger making the competition very tough but overall, the trip was a fantastic experience for our U15 team. They returned not only with medals and personal bests but also with wonderful memories and international friendships. Congratulations to all our athletes for their hard work, commitment, and outstanding performances throughout the competition! 

Alison Derbyshire Featured in Chosun Daily Interview

We are pleased to share that our Head of College, Ms Alison Derbyshire, was recently interviewed by the Chosun Daily. In the interview, she discusses the vital role of international schools in attracting foreign direct investment to South Korea, as well as her vision for fostering a supportive and inclusive community at Dulwich College Seoul.

We invite you to read the full interview to learn more about Ms. Derbyshire’s insights and experiences.

Click here to read the full interview.

Thank you from the Charity Committee

The Primary School Charity are extremely proud to announce that KRW 2,260,000 was raised at the Charity Bake Sale in October. Thank You so much again for your help baking and donating the delicious goods and for buying generously at our tasty event! We hope that our act of kindness will make a huge difference to somebody at Child Fund Korea. 

Christmas Gift Drive 2024 Update!

Thank you very much to everyone who signed up to our Christmas Gift Drive 2024. We are so pleased that almost all 234 children will be receiving a gift this Christmas. Now we are onto our Phase 2 of the project. Please follow these steps: 

  1. Please purchase and gift wrap/bag the item that the child has requested with a personalised Christmas card.
  2. Make a code for the gift and card which has: gift code, receiver’s name, gender, and the sender’s name (see the example below).
  3. Drop your gift off at Mrs Smith’s office in room 217 by Wednesday 4 December 2024!

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. 

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. 

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

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: Student Pedagogies of Asian America

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!

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