Preparing Our Students to Graduate Worldwise

On Tuesday, 15 September Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi hosted our Senior School Year Ahead Social. This was an opportunity for parents and students to meet their teachers, learn about the curricula being taught throughout the Senior School, and gain an understanding of the underlying culture of academic excellence and student wellbeing that permeates the Senior School at all levels. The evening was hosted in a social setting, allowing parents to not only hear from the teaching staff, but also get to know them more personally and build those community connections that we know are so important for fostering a positive environment for our students. Below, Mr Ingram, Head of College, recaps on his opening address for the evening.

It was a pleasure meeting our Senior School parents this Tuesday.  In my opening address, I spoke about our daily weight lifting challenge.  This wasn’t a reference to our revamped fitness suite (although it is rather impressive).  I wanted to highlight the many tools that we provide for our Senior School students to succeed.  Pick up a Senior School student’s back pack and the chances are that it’s rather heavy.  The contents don’t just help students develop physical muscles they also help build learning power. 

Textbooks to support study

We want our students to be knowledgeable.  Our Senior School students have text books that support their study.  Knowledge goes hand in hand with inquiry.  We want our students to understand their subjects and be curious to find out more.  When I visited Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, the Admissions Officer told me: we want students who are passionate about their subject. Text books underpin the curriculum and provide the foundation for deeper learning.

Personal planners to support organisation and independence

We want our students to be well organised so that they can develop independence. Our Senior School students have personal planners to help them stay on top of their timetable and manage their homework and CCA commitments.  These are essential life skills.  When I visited Columbia University in the United States, the Admissions Officer told me: we want students who will take advantage of everything we have to offer.  Being organised is important part of this and we want our Senior School students to be ready to make the most of the opportunities ahead.

A reading book

We believe in the value of reading.  Our Senior School students are expected to have a reading book with them at all times.  For some, this will be a challenging novel selected for them  by their English teacher.  For others, it will be a book by a favourite author or a book recommended by a friend.  For our native Mandarin speakers, we have equally high expectations for engaging with Chinese literature, so there may well be one or two Mandarin books.  The same is true for students studying Spanish at IGCSE.

Notebooks

We encourage our Senior School students to be reflective.  Many students have notebooks to support their learning.  From writing revision notes to recording their personal targets, the expectation is that students take ownership of their learning.  The important point is that it for themselves not their teachers or parents.

These tools play an important role in preparing our students for the academic requirements of university and beyond.  A Dulwich education starts with getting things right in the classroom. I expect our students to aim high and work hard in their studies so that they are able to achieve.  At the same time, they will be developing a much broader set of competencies, captured brilliantly by Dr. Helen Wright in The Globally Competent School:

• Knowing and constantly learning about what is happening in the world, both globally and in other countries or cultures.

• Valuing other people’s cultures and difference, as well as seeing their similarities to our own- and, in order to do this, building a sense of identity of self – who am I? Where have I come from? How do I see the world, and why?

• Being able to converse in other languages – not every language, of course (we are not expecting the impossible of our students), but having enough of an understanding of language to appreciate that the world looks different through different linguistic constructs.

• Being digitally confident, in order to be able to communicate effectively across the world – and having the skills to collaborate, negotiate, discuss, and weigh up action critically.

• Having the confidence to take action – from simply reaching out to others, to being able to travel, and to acting to take personal and collective responsibility for sustainability in the world.

These competencies are equally important and will enable our students to Graduate Worldwise. They are introduced in the classroom but will develop across a wide range of contexts: 

• Discovering nature on next week’s residential visits

• Investigating in the science lab

• Competing on the sports field

• Practising in the music room

• Performing on stage

• Connecting online

• Debating in the school council

• Serving in the community

• Revising at home

• Socialising with their peers

These arenas will bring specific challenges as well as unique opportunities. No doubt there will be low points and memorable moments along the way.  With all this to prepare for, Tuesday evening was an important first step in a truly exciting year ahead.

Did you Know?

A high proportion of Nobel Prize winning scientists have a passion for poetry.  Does creative expression enhance genius in the science lab?  Does the ability to see the world from a different perspective enable critical thinking?  Whatever the case, there is undoubtedly value in a broad and balanced curriculum and a holistic approach to education.
Matthew Syed, Rebel Ideas: The Power of Diverse Thinking