Dulwich Pudong students traverse the globe

It’s just the beginning of 2024, and already Dulwich Pudong students have left their mark, with their footprints spanning across the globe! Having previously shared our exciting travel plans, our students are now bringing those destinations to life, one by one.

This past Sunday marked the beginning of the Dulwich Olympiad journey in Singapore. While our students are taking incredible photos and creating cherished memories at the Olympiad, let's take a moment to reflect on the amazing places we have explored so far!

We went to Mount Naeba, Japan - First Ever Ski Trip!

26 enthusiastic students from Year 6 to Year 10 embarked on an exhilarating ski trip to Mount Naeba near Tokyo. From Saturday 3rd February to Friday 9th February, they enjoyed a week of unforgettable memories. 

Highlights included night-time skiing, snowball fights and exploring local shops. Entertainment in the Games/Movie Room added to the fun. Most impressive was the progress made by all skiers and snowboarders, conquering Mount Naeba and Mount Kagura. 

We went to New York City, USA - Montessori MUN Conference

25 Junior School and 10 Senior School students embarked on an epic trip to New York City for the Montessori Model United Nations conference on 17th February. Before the conference, they explored the city, visiting Central Park, enjoying a Broadway show, and experiencing iconic attractions like the Statue of Liberty and Rockefeller Center ice rink.

After the tours, the real work began. Over four days, Dulwich Delegates engaged in debates and collaboration with 1,500 students from around the world. They tackled real-world issues, giving speeches and working towards consensus. A highlight was a visit to the United Nations Headquarters and sitting in the General Assembly Hall. The delegates' poise, professionalism, and knowledge made them stand out in their committee rooms.

Despite this being the first time Dulwich Pudong attended the conference, their delegates impressed. 7 Dulwich delegates were chosen to speak at the MUN Closing Ceremony, a testament to their outstanding performance. As delegate Julien C eloquently said, "This trip to New York, I shall never forget."

We went to Beijing - International Schools Choral Music Society (ISCMS) XIII “Dolce e Grandioso” 

From 21-24 February, 28 students travelled to Dulwich College Beijing to take part in the International Schools Choral Music Society (ISCMS) XIII "Dolce e Grandioso," a celebration of significant choral, orchestral, and big band repertoire that culminated in a concert hall performance at the Forbidden City Concert Hall located in Zhongshan Park.

One of the biggest and most prestigious annual music festivals for international schools in Asia, this collaborative venture saw 14 schools across Asia work together for three days of intensive rehearsals, marking the return of ISCMS after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival ended with a simply awe-inspiring concert which saw our students raise their performance to professional levels of dedication and musicality. It was amazing to come together again to perform inspiring and ambitions repertoire directed by a team of world class music directors who guided our students through rigorous and challenging rehearsals.

The festival also saw the world premiere of “Kandinsky Songs” by Dr Deborah Pritchard, an award-winning composer based in London.

We went to Suzhou - Excelling at the High School Team Mathematics 2024 Competition!

The HSTM 2024 mathematics competition on 1 - 2 March hosted by Dulwich High School Suzhou saw the participation of two teams of four Year 12 students each. 

Team A (Hana C, Cherry H, Daniel G, and Edward W) and Team B (Jonathan F, Eddie W, Michael G, and Justin L) strategized together for the best performance.

Day one included team and buddy rounds where students collaborated with peers from other schools, with Associate Professor Emeritus Ron Lancaster delivering a captivating lecture. Day two started with a mathematics trail at the Suzhou Museum. Lunch provided enriching conversations before two more team rounds. Eddie W's victory in a buddy round added to the team's achievements. The gala dinner celebrated their efforts and camaraderie.

Edward W, Year 12, shared, "The trip was great! We solved fun mathematics puzzles, learned new skills, and made new friends. Teachers' support was instrumental in our success."

We went to Xi’an, twice! - Student Leadership Conference and ACAMIS Junior Swimming Competition

The journey this year began in Xi'an, and also our most recent destination! As early as 25 – 27 January, our Year 6 and Year 12 student leaders embarked on a journey to Xi'an to participate in the 8th EiM Student Leadership Conference. The conference focused on developing leadership skills to strengthen a sense of social responsibility, promote sustainable human development, and contribute to positive changes in the world.

The students represented Dulwich Pudong with distinction and made valuable contributions to the discussions on various leadership topics such as community culture, personal leadership styles, and driving change. They shared their unique perspectives, gained insights from peers from different cultures, and embraced the opportunity to collaborate and challenge themselves.

The conference not only provided an enriching educational experience but also fostered lasting connections among students from different backgrounds. The Dulwich Pudong students returned with a deeper understanding of leadership, enhanced cross-cultural awareness, and a renewed sense of empowerment to make a positive impact in their own communities.

On 15 – 16 March, 25 talented Dulwich Pudong swimmers embarked on an exciting journey to compete in Xi’an with athletes from schools across Shanghai, Xi'an, Suzhou, Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Shenzhen. 

A total of 432 swimmers participated this year's event, and it featured a challenging twist as swimmers dove into a long course meet, navigating a 50m pool instead of the traditional 25m pools they were accustomed to.

Our swimmers displayed exceptional skills and determination, achieving an impressive 82% personal best rate. Kane N. set a new DCSPD record in the 11-12 boys' 100m Breaststroke with a time of 1:18.05.

DCSPD secured a remarkable third place overall with 217 points. Grace Z. placed 5th in the 9-10 girls' division, Sophia L. placed 3rd in the 11-12 girls' category, and Kane N. and Randy L. earned 2nd and 3rd place in the 11-12 boys' division.

Our team brought home 17 medals, including 7 gold, 6 silver, and 4 bronze, in both individual and relay events, showcasing our swimmers' collective strength and talent.

After a thrilling and exhausting competition, our triumphant team returned to Shanghai late on Saturday evening, with some swimmers leaving for the 2024 Dulwich Olympiad the following morning.

Next stop is ... Singapore!

With so many exciting trips already happening this year, we cannot wait to see where our students go next! At home and abroad, the Dulwich Panthers never cease their footsteps! 

Let’s go Panthers, let’s go!