preparing for the world - Dulwich College Shanghai

preparing for the world`Welcome from the College HeadmasterWelcome to Dulwich College ShanghaiWhether you are reading this as a prospective family, an existing one or you havejoined our College Community this Year, I do hope that you will find the contents ofthis booklet helpful to you. It contains a wealth of information about our daily schoollife and will cover many of the questions you may have about your child’s educationalJourney with us here at Dulwich College Shanghai.I believe that our College is a unique school. Our students are cheerful, balanced, atease with themselves and each other - yet excited and enthused by the challengesbefore them. The College succeeds in combining academic excellence with a wealth ofco-curricular opportunities, all underpinned by a deep commitment to the individualneeds and enthusiasms of each student.As Headmaster, I believe passionately in the importance of the individual. Everystudent at Dulwich College Shanghai is valued in their own right, encouraged to develop his/her talents to the full in acommunity where there are no stereotypes and where every achievement, however small, is celebrated.Our College values are a more specific embodiment of our Philosophy and Objectives and allow us to define our aims interms of student experience and development. Our students will develop a well-rounded appreciation for the Academicsand the Arts and they will learn to understand and use technology to fulfil their academic potential. They will learnto become inquiring independent learners that are willing to take risks and use critical thinking as they embrace theconcepts of lifelong learning. Through their time at the College our Students will learn to express themselves confidentlyand appropriately through a variety of media and languages and become principle-centred members of society. Theywill learn how to show respect and to accept responsibility for others and for their environment. They will be encouragedto be generous and caring, show humility, challenge social injustice and inequity and value and respect diversity.Our Students will be shown that people can make a difference. They will learn to inspire, influence, and collaboratewith others and learn how to manage conflict. They will learn to become socially aware individuals and they will learnhow to show empathy to individuals, groups and society. They will develop self awareness and they will learn how tounderstand their own emotions and recognise their impact on others. Through our values our students will develop aclear sense of identity and self esteem. They will be shown how to control their emotions and impulses and taught howto adapt to changing circumstances. They will become resilient and will be shown how to be physically healthy. We aimthat our Students will become effective goal setters and have a clear sense of their future.Welcome from the Head of Senior SchoolI would like to extend a warm welcome to students and parents who are newto the School and an equally warm welcome back to those of you who havechosen to stay with us.Very often the move from Junior School to Senior School signals the end ofcreativity and fun in learning and the start of a journey dominated by testsand ultimately examination results. Whilst we are proud of our academicsuccesses, at DCS we firmly believe in the holistic development of each learnerand seek to build upon earlier successes whilst accepting that with increasedage comes the need for greater independence as students prepare for futurestudies and entry to the workforce. Our College Values focus on academicexcellence, effective learning, communication, principle-centredness andbalance. During 2011/12, in order to embrace this holistic vision moreeffectively, we will be putting both our pastoral and student welfare practicesunder the spotlight and over-hauling our assessment procedures. We firmlybelieve that increased emotional intelligence will bring about improvementsin academic performance and that all students need to know where they are going, how to get there and,having arrived at their destination, where to go next.I sincerely hope that, during their time spent in the Senior School, students will continue to enjoy learning,increase their potential for creativity, reach beyond their expectations and ultimately find their own authenticvoice.I hope that this document will enable you to gain a greater understanding of our educational mission andthe policies and procedures that support the creation of a vibrant learning environment for all students.Very Best WishesMr. Nick BottingDeputy Headmaster and Head of Senior SchoolBy instilling these values in our Students we aim to develop well-rounded young people who strive for excellence in allthat they do and we make sure they are well equipped for future success.And Finally whilst we enjoy excellent facilities in a prime location of one of the most exciting cities in the world, it is ourpeople that make our College a special place. Our staff embodies a wide range of experience and a wealth of enthusiasm.Our parents are tremendously supportive and contribute a huge amount of time and energy to College events. Ourstudents throughout the College are a real delight to teach and have a genuine appetite for learning.Together we welcome you to Dulwich College Shanghai for the 2011-2012 Academic Year.Mr. Paul FriendHeadmaster3 4