Senior School Challenge Week: Dulwich Values in Action
Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi is made up of students from around the world, with a depth and breadth of experiences that create a vibrant, thriving student body community. Our goal is for all students to Live Worldwise; to leave the College with the knowledge, skills and motivation to make a positive difference in the world as successful 21st century global citizens. When our students go out into the world, they do so having been guided to lead, work collaboratively, seek connections, find common ground and to be empathetic.
In our Student Voice series of articles, we provide a platform for the students in our community to share their experiences and passions.
Think back to your school days: which was more beneficial, experiential learning or rote memorization? Without a doubt, it’s the former. That’s why at Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, we place a strong emphasis on experiential learning.
Experiential learning is a crucial part of a Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi education. It offers students opportunities to apply their academics to practical situations and challenge themselves in a real-world setting.
Last week, our Senior School students embarked on an adventurous journey off-campus for the much-anticipated Challenge Week. Let's hear from Otto, our dynamic Student Voice Champion and a participant in this Challenge Week, as he shares his insights on the purpose of the week, as well as participants’ thoughts and takeaways.
Otto T
Student Voice Champion
Exploring The Dulwich Values at Taihu
In an increasingly interconnected world, it is essential for students to broaden their horizons and embrace diverse cultures and experiences. At Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, we believe in providing our students with opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, empowering them to explore the world and live by our cherished school values: Aim High Together, Work Hard Together, Be Kind and Respectful Together, and Make a Difference Together.
This year, our Senior School students visited Taihu, a lake in Jiangsu Province. This immersive experience not only allowed them to delve into the natural beauty of this enchanting destination but also fostered personal growth, cultural understanding, and the application of our school values in a real-world context.
In this article, students and teachers shared how they explored the school values in this unique residential, and what they have learned and gained from this experience.
How did the residential to Lake Taihu inspire you to Aim High and set ambitious goals for yourself?
Jack K: The most impressive experience at Taihu Lake was the hike. Although it was a relatively easy and short trail, walking through the 24 bends profoundly inspired me. It taught me the value of breaking down my journey toward a final goal into smaller, manageable sections, making it easier to execute.
What challenges did you face during the field residential, and how did your commitment to Working Hard help you overcome those challenges?
Tabitha I: During the residential, I faced a few challenges during our hike because of the rainy weather. However, I persevered and tried my hardest to get through it. In the end, my effort paid off, and I managed to complete the hike and have fun.
How did you and your schoolmates demonstrate Kindness and Respect towards each other, as well as the local community, during the residential to Lake Taihu?
Vicent Y: During our recent 24 Bends Hike, we demonstrated kindness towards our classmates by helping them navigate the challenging terrain. Some of us carried extra supplies for those who were struggling, while others offered encouragement and moral support to keep everyone's spirits high. By working together and looking out for one another, we were able to complete the hike as a united group.
In what ways did this residential provide opportunities for you and your schoolmates to Make a Difference and contribute positively to the environment or community around Lake Taihu?
Lily C: During our visit, we actively participated in a litter-picking activity, taking responsibility for the preserving the environment. This hands-on experience allowed us to understand the impact of our actions on the ecosystem and the importance of collective efforts in maintaining the beauty and sustainability of natural spaces.
Furthermore, our interactions with the local community through interviews provided us with invaluable insights into their lives, cultures, and perspectives. By engaging in meaningful conversations and befriending the locals, we fostered a bridge between different cultures and perspectives.
Teachers are also essential and influential members of our school community; their actions and mindsets can significantly impact the student body and their ideas. During this residential, teachers acted as crucial role models to the student community and provided valuable inspiration on their thoughts towards the school values, and their approaches to achieving and practicing them.
As a teacher, how did you encourage and foster an environment where students could practice the school values during the residential?
Anjali Jadhav: Challenge Week was truly a transformative and unforgettable experience. During this awesome trip, we made sure that our school values were at the heart of everything. Students "Aimed High Together," getting pumped to set big goals for activities like hiking and adventurous games like Archery Tag and Laser Tag, and we celebrated every win as a team. They "Worked Hard Together," showcasing how teamwork made challenges like dragon boating and scavenger hunts seem easy, proving that they can achieve great things when they pull together. To promote "Be Kind and Respectful Together," we set the vibe for everyone to be supportive and respectful, especially during tough times. Lastly, for "Make a Difference Together," we encouraged them to connect with the local community and environment, teaching them the importance of responsibility and empathy. By blending these values into our trip, the students had a blast while learning some pretty important life lessons.
How did you model and exemplify the school values in your behaviour and interactions with students, and how did this influence their understanding and adoption of the values during the residential?
Adam Delicate: First and foremost, I think we, as teachers, need to model good habits and manners during a residential trip. Things like waking up on time in the morning, dressing appropriately, thanking hotel staff and cleaning up after ourselves etc. All of these things I would expect my students to do; I need to show that I am doing it as well, so we are being kind and respectful together. I must say I felt like the vast majority of students did this really well during the trip and all the credit goes to students for that.
Secondly, I think showing enthusiasm and joining in on challenging activities hopefully inspires and fosters positivity for students to do the same. It's really important for students to know they can step out of their comfort zone, attempt new things and that mistakes are part of the process.
In conclusion, the residential to Lake Taihu served as a powerful embodiment of our cherished school values: Aim High, Work Hard, Be Kind and Respectful Together, and Make a Difference Together. Through this immersive experience, our students truly internalised these values and brought them to life, supporting them in forming a healthy mindset while exploring nature and different communities around the world.