A Dulwich Community with Purpose: Making a Difference

At Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi our school values are clear; 

Aim High. 
Work Hard. 
Be Kind and Respectful. 
Make a Difference.

These values are lived each day by our staff, students and parents. In our Making a Difference series of articles, we will explore how we, as a community, strive to make the world a better place.

Below, Head of College, Mr David Ingram, articulates our philosophy on Making a Difference and, in turn, leaving the world a better place. 

At Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, we believe in the value of Making a Difference.  Walk into the main building from the playground and you will be greeted by student designed posters that encourage members of our community with the messages 'We Rise by Lifting Others' and 'Use Your Privilege for Good'.  I am proud of our students for articulating this mindset.  Why is Making a Difference so important at Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi?

We care for our planet and encourage our students to have the confidence to take action.

Global warming and climate change will be major factors in the lives of our students and their families.  The world is changing fast with polar ice melting, sea levels rising and natural disasters increasing. This is having a devastating impact on the world’s wildlife and will undoubtedly effect quality of life for all mankind.  Plastic pollution is similarly concerning. Within the next 20 years it is predicted that there will be up to 1.3 billion tonnes of plastic in the world. Our students and staff understand that we have both a personal and collective responsibility for sustainability. Most importantly, they have confidence to take action on campus and in our community. We we value our partnerships with Green Initiatives, The Million Tree Project, United World Schools and HandsOn Shanghai. They not only make a difference but also expose our students to social enterprise and entrepreneurship.  We are proud of student-led initiatives, which have made our campus more sustainable.  From removing plastic straws to removing palm oil products from our restaurant, our students are certainly making a positive impact.  

We are part of an interconnected global community.

Our students and staff understand that we are part of an interconnected global community.  Our curriculum encourages students to understand what is happening in the world.  Our College ethos nurtures a strong self identity as students reflect upon fundamental questions:

Who am I?
Where have I come from?
How do I see the world, and why?

We value diversity.  Our students learn about a wide range of countries, cultures and traditions, understanding that there are both differences and similarities. Service learning is an important element of this experience and provides invaluable opportunities for personal growth.  We are committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and understand that we have the ability to make the world a better place for others.  Whether it is leading a netball club for younger students, hosting an event for students of a local migrant school or supporting a school in rural Cambodia, our students feel empowered to Making a Difference.  They find these experiences immensely rewarding and develop essential skills and qualities in the process.  

Use your privilege for good.

We are preparing our students to Graduate Worldwise.  In addition to a strong academic track record, our students demonstrate global competency and intercultural confidence.  Universities value this profile. In a recent visit to three Ivy League universities in the United States, a director of admissions shared:  we are looking for students who can articulate their view of the world and who are going to contribute to our community.  More importantly our students are well equipped to rise to the challenges and opportunities of a fast paced and increasingly interconnected global society. I have every confidence that they will use their privilege for good and make a difference to their community and the wider world.

To the Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi community, our commitment to service is more than just a word. Our infectious desire to Make a Difference is manifested through actions we take each and every day. From simple, daily actions and behaviours through to long term commitments and community events: to us, Making a Difference in the world is core to our educational philosophy.

If you share our passion for leaving the world a better place for tomorrow, join the Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi community and know that you are Making a Difference.