Looking Back: Unforgettable Memories of 2023-2024 Academic Year

As we stand on the threshold of a new academic year, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of the 2023-2024 school year—a year filled with milestones, triumphs, and unforgettable memories. From groundbreaking academic achievements to vibrant community events, each experience has enriched our school’s tapestry and propelled us forward. Join us as we relive the highlights that illuminated our path and set the stage for even greater accomplishments in the year ahead.

Accolades and Achievements

Over last academic year, Dulwich Puxi’s reputation for excellence has shone brightly, earning us accolades in several domains:

Tes Awards for International Schools

Celebrating remarkable achievements, Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi proudly earned nominations in two prestigious categories and won one in the Tes Awards for International Schools 2024.

We won in the Best Use of Technology category, a testament to the innovative integration of educational technology across the curriculum.

Our outstanding founding Head of College, David Ingram, was recognised with a well-deserved nomination for Principal/Headteacher of the Year, highlighting his transformative leadership. 

China School Awards

We were proud to have won both awards in the Diversity & Inclusion and the Students for Sustainability categories at the China Schools Awards 2024. 

Accreditation: SchemaPlay Setting

We were thrilled to have been accredited as a SchemaPlay setting this year. We recognise the pivotal role schematic play has in enhancing children’s learning.

Academic Rigour

Our academic rigour continues to yield impressive outcomes, reflecting our dedication to holistic education and the exceptional efforts of our students and educators. 

IB Results

Our students have again surpassed global averages by a significant margin. Over the past two years, encompassing the graduating classes of 2023 and 2024, our students have achieved an impressive cumulative average IB score of 37.3.

IGCSE Results

We were thrilled to announce that Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi has excelled in achieving outstanding IGCSE results, with 72.2% of grades being A* to A, 94.4% being A* to B, and 100.0% being A* to C, significantly surpassing the world average and improving year after year.

American Maths Competition& World Maths Challenge

Our senior students excelled in The World Mathematics Championships Senior Qualifier, earning five golden tickets to the final at Queen Mary University, London, and several team and individual medals.

CREST Awards

Ten Year 7 and five Year 8 students achieved Bronze awards in the CREST Award this year, inspiring them through inquiry-based STEM project work.

2024 National History Day Contest

Our students achieved outstanding results at the National History Day Contest. Ana L. won First Place and Jacqueline C. took Third in the Junior Exhibit category. Jasper X. earned First in Junior Documentary, and Ronald L. achieved Second. Two students qualified for the week-long National Contest in the USA this summer.

United Kingdom Linguistics Olympiad

Our dedicated students participated in the UK Linguistics Olympiad, earning two Bronze medals. This achievement highlights our commitment to fostering a passion for language analysis and linguistics.

Beyond Academics: Holistic Education in Action

At Dulwich Puxi, we are devoted to nurturing well-rounded individuals, and we offer our students many international opportunities. Through diverse and unique experiences, our students are encouraged to explore their passions, challenge themselves, and reach new heights in both their personal and academic endeavours.

Sports

This academic year at Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi has seen an impressive participation in sports and physical education, reflecting our commitment to fostering athletic prowess and teamwork among our students:

Junior Mustangs

The Junior Mustangs program involved 116 students from Years 3 to 6, achieving a participation rate of 76%, with the highest attended session drawing 92 students.

CISSA Juniors

Our CISSA Juniors represented the school in football, volleyball, basketball, and floorball, with 50 students, or 68% of Years 5 and 6, participating in at least one sport.

CISSA Seniors, SISAC and ACAMIS

The CISSA/SISAC Mustangs, including senior students from Years 7 to 13, played 95 games this year, with 75 students or 65% representing the school in various sports.

Swim Squad

The swim squad expanded by 55% from the previous year, now comprising 56 members, with 32 students competing in SSL meets and 8 being part of the Nemo swim squad.

Also, in terms of curriculum, we introduced a new Primary PE curriculum this year and have plans to launch new Early Years, Key Stage 3, A Level, and IB SEHS curriculars over the next academic year. Our examination PE classes have grown from 2 to 5, with 25% of all Key Stage 4 and 5 students expected to sit examination next year.

Additionally, our students benefited from 7 experiential learning trips, including visits to Nanjing SSL, ACAMIS events in Tianjin, Hefei, and Chongqing, the Dulwich Games in Beijing, the Dulwich Olympiad in Singapore, and the FOBISIA U11 Games, all of which enriched their educational experience and broadened their horizons.

Arts

The year was rich with creativity, highlighted by a memorable performance at Shanghai Disneyland and vibrant school productions across all year groups.

MADD Festival

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi hosted the annual MADD festival, bringing together 250 students from EiM schools across Asia. The event showcased Music, Art, Drama, and Dance, allowing students to engage deeply in the arts with expert practitioners.

Dulwich Festival of Music

This year, our students participated in the Dulwich Festival of Music, joining over 250 music enthusiasts from nine Dulwich schools. They formed Orchestra, Choir, Wind Band, Jazz Band, and Rock Bands, providing a great opportunity to showcase their talents.

Junior School Production

The Dulwich community witnessed a truly captivating performance by our Junior School students as they brought to life the heartwarming tale of "Honk Jr!" This delightful musical celebrated the beauty of embracing one's uniqueness, leaving the audience spellbound.

Senior School Production

Our Senior School students delivered an exceptional and deeply touching performance of 'A Monster Calls'. The production showcased their remarkable talent and creativity, leaving the audience profoundly moved by the powerful storytelling and emotional depth.

Winter Concert

The Christmas Concert, filled with anticipation and cheer, featured heartwarming performances by choirs, the Wind Band, and the Orchestra, uniting all performers in a grand finale that captured the spirit of Christmas and left the audience with warmth and joy.

Performance at Shanghai Disneyland

On 17 May 2024, our students had the prestigious opportunity to perform at Shanghai Disneyland, showcasing their talent and dedication in the String Orchestra and Wind Band on the Tomorrowland Stage.

Fostering Global Citizenship

Our Worldwise education fosters active and effective global citizens through informed choices and inspired actions to create positive impacts for people and our planet.

Eco Camp

Our Eco Camp focused on the "Wonders of Water," immersing students in hands-on activities and discussions about global water challenges. The camp aimed to foster a deeper understanding of sustainability and inspire environmental stewardship.

Celebrating International Women's Day

On International Women's Day, we celebrated the theme "Inspire Inclusion" by engaging students in activities that highlighted the achievements of pioneering women like Marie Curie and Wangari Maathai. Through various interactive sessions and discussions, students gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of women's contributions in diverse fields.

Celebrating Earth Day

Earth Day 2024 highlighted our commitment to sustainability with activities focused on reducing plastic use and raising environmental awareness. This year, we reduced food waste by 4,626 kg, cut pool energy consumption by 54,151 kWh, and supported reforestation in Guangxi Province.

Sustainable Christmas Creative Day

Christmas Creative Day saw students, teachers, and staff unite to celebrate the festive season with a sustainable twist. Our community repurposed recycled items into captivating Christmas scenes and ornaments.

Linguistics: Oracy and Mandarin Programme

‘The limits of my language are the limits of my mind. All I know is what I have words for.’ 

—Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico Philosophicus

At Dulwich Puxi, Linguistics is our strong focus in terms of Oracy and Literacy, as well as Mandarin. Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with others through spoken language. Proficiency in Mandarin will represent a competitive advantage for our students in the future. 

English Speaking Board (ESB）

Each year, our students participate in the English Speaking Board (ESB) assessments, achieving exceptional results. In 2023-2024 academic year, students from Year 2 to Year 6 achieved a 100% pass rate, with 13% earning Good Pass, 35% Merit, 36% Merit +, and 15% Distinction.

Mark Grist’s Poetry Workshop

Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi welcomed back British poet and educator Mark Grist for a two-day poetry event. Students engaged in activities and workshops to create their own original poems, leaving a lasting impact.

Adam Bushnell's Magical Storytelling Visit 

Adam Bushnell's visit brought the magic of storytelling to life for our students, captivating their imagination and enhancing their language skills, cognitive abilities, and emotional intelligence. His dynamic performances left a lasting impression, fostering cultural awareness and a love for literature.

Chinese Picture Book Writing Contest

The Chinese Picture Book Writing Contest, organised by Dulwich College Beijing, attracted nearly a thousand submissions from over 20 international schools.

· The Best Picture Book Award: Elsa Y (Year 4)

· The Best Story Writing Award: Shawn W (Year 3）

Chinese Youth Writing Competition

Our Year 5 student Albert L. and Year 6 student Isaac L. achieved second place in the Third International Youth Writing Competition. Our school also won the "Best Organization Award" and the "Excellent Teaching Award for Chinese Writing," recognising our outstanding Mandarin program and commitment to fostering writing skills and cross-cultural awareness.

Shanghai International Schools’ Student Vlog Competition

This year, our students participated in the Shanghai International Schools' Vlog Competition themed "The Beauty of Shanghai in My Eyes", achieving great results in both Primary and Senior categories. Jack, a Year 12 student, also participated in Shanghai Education TV's "Growing Together" program.

Innovative Learning Initiatives

By integrating advanced courses like AI and the DEC program, we're equipping students with critical problem-solving skills and preparing them for future challenges.

2024 Dulwich Game Jam

Students from Years 7-10 competed in designing a game based on SDG 15: Life on Land, judged by Ubisoft China. Dulwich Puxi's team (Myles K., Aedan W., William K., and Sean B.) won the KS3 category.

DEC Programme

We are proud to be the first DEC school in China; In 2023-2024 academic year, our students designed sustainable housing projects and presented them at Broadway Malyan, emphasising real-life challenges and sustainability.

Experimental Learning

Experiential education is an integral part of the curriculum at Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills, clarify values, and develop people's capacity to contribute to their communities.

Senior School Challenge Week

As a rite of passage, our Senior School students took on Challenge Week at Lake Taihu, exploring our values: Aim High, Work Hard, Be Kind and Respectful Together, and Make a Difference Together, fostering growth, cultural understanding, and environmental responsibility.

Ignite Switzerland

The Ignite programme is a unique 12-week immersive experience that allows our students to explore the world beyond our campus walls. Last academic year, our Year 9 students to our HIF campus in Switzerland, where they were diving headfirst into a rich and diverse curriculum.

Trip to Rolex Masters

Holistic education at its best: last year, we took 250 students to the prestigious Rolex Masters, where they toured the stadium, met the Tournament Director, and interviewed Australian Doubles Champion Mr. Peers. This inspiring event fostered new interests and talents, exemplifying our commitment to holistic education.

Community Celebration

Our community thrived through vibrant celebrations that brought us together in joy and solidarity.

Class of 2024: Graduation Ceremony

As our graduates embark on higher education in the UK and the US, they carry with them the transformative lessons from their time at Dulwich Puxi, ready to test themselves and make a meaningful difference in the world as engaged global citizens.

Founder's Day

Founder’s Day 2024 was a resounding success, featuring vibrant performances, student market stalls, and community-driven charity booths, all embodying our values of unity, joy, and making a difference.

FoD Family Event

Our community enjoyed a delightful Family Day at Naera Organics Farm, hosted by Friends of Dulwich, featuring farm tours, vegetable picking, and hands-on activities that deepened our connection to nature and sustainable living.

Winter Fair

The Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi Winter Fair brought our community alive with vibrant celebrations, truly capturing the essence of the season.

Winter Ball

The Winter Ball was a magical night shrouded in mystery and adorned with masks, our community came together for a splendid Winter Ball, uniting hearts and raising a staggering 55,000 RMB for the Million Tree Project Roots and Shoots. The echoes of laughter and the elegance of masks created an unforgettable celebration.

Chinese New Year Celebration

The Chinese New Year is not just a festival; it's a renewal of spirit and unity. Our celebrations have been made truly special by the strong sense of community. Parents have generously devoted their time and expertise to support our Chinese New Year activities, including cooking, crafting, and dancing.

Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated with various activities by our Mandarin team, including traditional poems, lantern-making, paper-cutting, and campus interviews. The highlight was the assembly, featuring leaders from the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.

Our students have excelled in every arena, demonstrating academic prowess and a commitment to personal growth and community involvement. Their hard work and dedication have been nothing short of inspiring. Meanwhile, our teachers have continued to provide exceptional education, and our support staff have been the backbone of our smoothly running institution.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our parents whose support has been instrumental in our students’ success. At Dulwich Puxi, we are more than a school; we are a community striving for excellence.

As we celebrate these achievements, we also look forward to building on them in the coming year. See you in the new academic year soon!