The campus has been buzzing with energy and inspiration this week following the incredible success of WISE25. It was an absolute privilege to host 150 female educators from around the world, coming together to discuss empowerment, diversity, and leadership in international education. The conversations and connections made throughout the conference truly reflected our Dulwich College Seoul values, particularly community and excellence, and we are so proud to have been part of this transformative event.
We also had a wonderful week of school photographs—it’s always a joy (and a bit of a surprise!) to see how much our students have grown since last year’s pictures. Thank you for ensuring they were so smartly dressed, following the school uniform guidelines. We can’t wait to share the final images with you soon.
A huge congratulations to our 13 talented students from Years 7–11 who auditioned and were selected to attend the ISCMS (International Schools Choral Music Society) event in Wellington, Shanghai. Their dedication and passion for music were evident in the phenomenal development and performances they showcased. Opportunities like this foster creativity, collaboration, and perseverance, and we are so proud of their achievements.
Our U13 FOBISIA swim team made waves in Thailand, demonstrating outstanding resilience and success, bringing home multiple medals and showing incredible team spirit and determination. A huge thank you to the coaches and parent supporters who travelled with the team—your encouragement makes such a difference.
We were also delighted to welcome back Mark Grist, our poet in residence, who once again inspired and challenged our students with his innovative and thought-provoking workshops. His ability to help students find their voice and express themselves through powerful, reflective poetry is truly remarkable, and we look forward to sharing some of their work with you soon.
On the sports front, the football and badminton seasons are off to a great start, and we’re thrilled to see our Middle School teams preparing for the FOBISIA basketball tournament and KAIAC swimming events. Sport at Dulwich is about more than competition—it’s about teamwork, resilience, and personal growth, and we know our teams will give their best both on and off the field.
Thank you to all the parents who attended the Parent Rep meeting this week. Discussions included a potential new communication tool to complement the MyDulwich platform, and your feedback was invaluable in shaping how we strengthen home-school communication. We were also delighted by the excellent turnout for the science parent workshop and IGCSE forum. It’s wonderful to see so many parents engaging in their children’s learning journey, and we appreciate your thoughtful questions and insights.
As always, thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we build a community of excellence, kindness, and growth, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead.
Warm regards,
Suzanne Pugh
Parent Rep meeting minutes 26 February 2025
Dates for your Diary
4 March Professional Learning Day (School Holiday)
5 – 8 March U13 FOBISIA Games
6-9 March High School Maths Competition HTSM DCSZ
10-12 March IB evaluation visit
12 March – Matchday 4 vs ICSP (@ICSP) 1.30pm departure
13 March 9-10am, B1 Cafeteria. UCC Coffee Morning for Year 10 – 11 Parents.
13 and14 March, 5pm SS Production ‘The Terrible Fate of Humpty Dumpty’
10-12 March Dulwich Singapore QA Visit7 March – Matchday 3 vs APIS (@APIS) 2pm departure
14 March – Matchday 5 vs KKFS (TBC)
18-20 March EiM QA Visit
21 March – Matchday 6 vs APIS (@APIS) 2pm departure
21 March – IB Visual Arts Exhibition
Parent Workshops
5 March 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.
10 March 9.20am Additional Maths: An information session regarding the structure and rationale of the integrated IGCSE and Additional Maths IGCSE curriculum.
- What are the benefits of studying Additional Maths?
- Who will do Additional Maths?
- Why don’t all students do it?
17 March 9.20am English Curriculum overview from Middle School to IB: Explain criteria, text choice, skills etc. RSVP here.
Mark Grist – written by Social Media Club ECA
For the last week, we have been visited by a poet named Mark Grist. He is not only a poet but also a rap battler and, while he didn’t say so, he is sort of a comedian too. Earlier, he visited my class and the experience was really extraordinary. He told us about a competition where we can enter our poems which will compete against other schools to be in a newly published book.
He proceeded to tell us about the theme, which is ‘Everyday Heroes’, and asked us to start thinking of the smallest thing that could be considered kind (Good) or the smallest thing that could be considered mean (Evil) and build up to more things that could be considered good or evil. Hilariously, most of my class picked evil, and most of the ideas involved pranking our parents or siblings.
Then he had us write down seven ways to be either a superhero or supervillain. Overall, this was a great experience that has definitely encouraged poetry, surprisingly, of my own.
Written by Valerie (Year 7) from the Social Media Club
ISCMS – written by Social Media Club ECA
From Thursday 4.30am, students from Year 7 – Year 11 begun their journey to Shanghai Pudong for an annual music festival International Schools Choral Music Society (ISCMS). This year’s ISCMS festival was hosted by Wellington College Shanghai. Over 10 schools participated in this event and have worked tirelessly to make this concert possible. Students joined choir, orchestra, or the big band, they got to spend time with their friends and even make new ones. This trip showed the students responsibility, self management skills, and social skills. Overall, the trip was successful and many parents enjoyed watching the concert.
I was part of this years ISCMS 2025. Even though I was the only one from DCSL that joined choir, it was truly fun and interesting! I was in Soprano and had to sing the high notes, it was difficult at first but I got the hang of it. Our conductor was very supportive and gave us many helpful tips. Mr Knights and Ms Olivia also gave me encouragement and was with me the whole time. We performed three pieces, I think all of them turned out outstanding!
Written by Exuan (Year 7) from the Social Media Club
FOBISIA Swimming – written by Social Media Club ECA
The dual-meet swimming competition for the 2025 FOBISIA Swimming Invitational was conducted from February 21 to 23 at the Thanyapura Resort. Hosted in Phuket, it was once again a memorable experience with young athletes representing various international schools across Asia. I represented Dulwich College Seoul (DCSL) along with my teammates Olivia and Claire, all of us dedicated to doing our best.
The three-day event allowed us to showcase our abilities, sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and the real spirit of competition.
However, more than just a place to race, it was an opportunity for me and other students to make new friends and compete to achieve our personal best in a warm, family atmosphere. The spirit and fraternity among us athletes symbolized what this meeting stood for – the unity and excellence that FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia) represents for British international schools.
Written by Terrence (Year 7) from the Social Media Club
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
National History Day 2025
As part of an ECA run by Year 12 student, Jane L, students from Years 7-11 have been preparing a project for National History Day. This year the theme of the day was “Rights and Responsibilities.” Last Saturday, the students travelled to SIS to present their projects and compete for a chance to enter the final tournament in Washington DC. A theme for two groups was the historical controversy around assisted suicide and the right to die. A drama performance by Eileen K (Year 11) and Ian C (Year 9) as well as a display by Clare C and Erin K (both year 7) addressed this difficult topic. Jude C (Year 10) prepared a website that delved into the fight for justice around Japanese-American internment in World War 2. All three projects were highly praised by the judges for their preparation, attention to detail, and balanced handling of controversial topics. Sadly, none of he entries progressed to the finals in Washington, but a great day was had by all, and we will be back next year to try again!
Reflecting on Our Guest Speaker, Arielle Lau (ACM Museum curator from Singapore)
In preparation for the upcoming IB Art exhibition on Friday 21 March 2025, Year 13 Visual Arts IB students had a visit from a guest speaker on Monday, 24th February. Arielle is a museum curator from the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore, who is newly married to Mr. Morgan, our Year 5M Teacher and Head of Seacole (Primary) and has recently relocated to Seoul.
Here is what one of the students said: June Kim (13)
The time we spent with Arielle during our class was an incredibly insightful experience. She shared with us the intricate process and thoughtful considerations involved in displaying each piece as part of her role as a curator. Arielle emphasized that exhibitions are not solely the work of a curator but rather a collaborative effort among a group of individuals working together to create a cohesive and engaging final exhibition for the audience.
I particularly enjoyed hearing about the exhibitions she curated, especially the virtual tour of ‘Faith Beauty Love Hope’ in 2021. This was the most memorable part for me, as the curators involved were able to express their reasons for selecting each piece and elaborate on what made each work special to them.
Inspired by Arielle’s passion and thoroughness, I hope to convey the same level of dedication in my own IB Visual Arts exhibition.
A special thank you to Arielle for sharing her expertise and inspiring us with her love for art and curation. We hope to have Arielle visit again in the summer term to speak to the Middle School and Year 12 IB students and share what it is like to be a museum curator.
In the meantime, please save the date on Friday21 March 2025! We look forward to seeing you at the exhibition and celebrating the incredible talent of our students.
Celebrating Black History Month: Learning & Reflection in Senior School
This month, our Senior School students have engaged in meaningful discussions and activities to celebrate Black History Month and explore the concept of positionality—how our backgrounds, identities, and experiences shape our perspectives on history and society.
Through a series of interactive lessons, students have learned about key historical figures, Black inventors, cultural contributions in music and fashion, and the impact of social movements like Black Lives Matter.
A key theme of this month’s learning has been understanding difference as a strength. Inspired by the words of Audre Lorde, “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences,” students explored how embracing diversity fosters inclusivity and global citizenship.
This learning aligns closely with Dulwich College Seoul’s Mission, Vision, and Values, which emphasize global citizenship and diversity. By engaging in these discussions, students are developing the critical thinking, empathy, and intercultural understanding necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
We encourage you to continue these conversations at home by discussing key learning points and thank you for supporting this important learning journey!
Chris Ofili: Celebrating a Visionary Artist
Chris Ofili is a British artist, known for his vibrant and textured works that often incorporate unique materials, like elephant dung! A lot of his artwork explores various themes of pop culture, the African Heritage, race, and identity. No Woman No Cry is a one of the most famous pieces of art made by Chris Ofili, tributing to Doreen Lawrence, the mother of Stephan Lawrence. Stephan Lawrence was a Black British teenager who was murdered because of his race in 1993. No Woman No Cry is a portrait of Black Woman, representing Doreen, and tears streaming down her face. Each tear has a small photograph of Stephan included.
During Black History Month, we have been learning about Chris Ofili’s significant contributions to contemporary art, particularly how he explores Black identity and culture through his work.
Bella Kim
What I love about Ofili’s work is how it pulls you in—at first, it’s the bright colours and textures, but then you start noticing all the deeper layers. His paintings tell stories, challenge ideas, and make you think. Some pieces are playful and full of energy, while others are more solemn and reflective. He isn’t afraid to push boundaries, whether by using unconventional materials or tackling difficult subjects. His work is expressive, provocative, and transformative, making him one of the most exciting artists of our time.
Yoojin Cho
The reason I enjoy his work is because he is very creative, he uses different elements, for example elephant dung, glitter. Furthermore, I love that his work shows a deeper meaning and understanding of what is happening. And also, how he links different cultures and beliefs. He decided to make a new way to spread awareness of racism.
Samuel Cembali
…He talks about world – wide, deep problems such as racism, sexism and etc. What I like about him is that he has a clear, strong point of view that touches with other people’s feelings around the world. It creates a connection between them.
Michael Kim
Chris Ofili’s work is not only visually striking but also deeply meaningful. His ability to weave complex themes of identity, heritage, and social issues into his art is truly inspiring. “No Woman No Cry” is a powerful piece that resonates on many levels, highlighting the personal and collective grief experienced by the Black community. Ofili’s innovative use of materials and his bold approach to storytelling through art make him a pivotal figure in contemporary art. His work encourages us to reflect on our own identities and the societal structures that shape them.
Artwork by Polly Wayte
Senior School Productions: Theatre that Explores Social Issues
The Senior School Production is in full swing with a piece of theatre with more mature themes and difficult social issues. The Senior School Drama Department attempts to select a balance of different styles and genres of production that meet the passions and interests of many of our community. This year the play explores the tragedy of an accident involving a teenage boy and how and why it occurred within a school community. The students have taken the play very seriously and worked hard to stage such an important piece. Excitement and a little tension are building as we get closer to the final performance in March.
What: The Terrible Fate of Humpty Dumpty
When: Thursday, 13 March and Friday, 14 March at 5pm in DCSL Auditorium
Who: It is advised to be suitable for Year 5 upwards
There will be an interval and refreshments for each performance. Ticketing and further details to follow.
UCC Coffee Morning
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!