Editor’s introduction
No man is an island: The call of community by Revd Tim Buckler
Staff editor Jack Seymour Student editor Nicholas Adamides (Year 12) Design Paula Larsson Valetes Marina Newland Back cover illustration Henry Yang (Year 13) Photography
E ach year we endeavour to whisk you down a corridor of memories – walls lined with the daily joys and eclectic events a full year of Dulwich College always provides without fail. Each day at Dulwich seems to brim with a hundred opportunities to “fork lightning”, as Dylan Thomas might have said, through knowledge, experience, and resilience. It’s in this spirit of reflection that we introduce the 713 th edition of The Alleynian . Our hope is that it not only takes you back through your own “window of time”, but also through the various perspectives of your peers, whether it’s tracing the roots of language, negotiating the transformative maelstrom of contemporary politics, or simply being enveloped in calm introspection by the elegant words of our creative writing section. Our community, and indeed our wider society, are ever-metamorphosising entities, continuously reshaped by the contributions of its members, leaving our mark and our legacies in a wealth of ways, even living in pages like these. So even if you flip through the pages of this publication for 10 minutes, keep it. Keep it for your future self – to remind you of the community you will always be part of, the world you helped shape – and to keep that window open. Nicholas Adamides, Year 12
“How are you?” often feels like a fleeting greeting, not a real inquiry. We’ve turned a deep question into a rushed exchange. Yet, the intent is often kind, just poorly timed. We’re not meant to bare our souls in passing. True connection requires more than a quick phrase. Genuine questions de- mand suitable moments and established relation- ships. Vulnerability needs trust and time. We need healthy communities. The word “community” comes from the classical Latin word communitas , used often by the Roman statesman and orator Cicero to denote society and fellowship, or the sense thereof. Communitas
refers to the connection between all of human- kind. Donne essentially argues that people need each other and are better together than they are in isolation, because every individual is one piece of the greater whole that is humanity itself. No man is an island, Entire of itself; Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. The island can be seen as a metaphor for isolation and remoteness. We are not made for isolation; we are made for relationship — we are made for community. This is one of the strengths of the College — there are so many groups that we can be involved with; so many communities, all equal- ly valued, all equally important. In our communi- ties — wherever they may be found, as relation- ships develop we find meaning and purpose. This community element doesn’t stop with just being together. It provides a wonderful opportunity for us to help ourselves as we help others. Understanding our place in community — small or large; near or far — allows for service to others. Charles Dickens said that “no one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else”. The Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca put it another way: “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” Community is where we find ourselves. Commu- nity is where we help others find themselves. ◎
The Alleynian features photography, art and articles of students, members of staff and professionals. We would like to thank the many contributors. Proofreader Ruth Evison
Editorial consultant Lee Graham, Realwords Printing David May and Empress Litho
The Alleynian team would like to thank everyone who contributed to this year’s edition. Particular thanks goes to Nicholas Adamides, who gave a huge amount of time and energy to the publication, as well as Marina Newland, David May, Fiona Angel, Nick Black, the Archives team, Revd Tim Buckler, the Marketing team, the various heads of Sport, Drama, Music and Art, Jane Scott and Elliot Read. Thanks also go to the many students, members of staff and parents who have added to and enhanced this publication.
comes from the Latin word communis , which means “common” or “shared by all or many”. Community is central to healthy exist- ence. John Donne’s phrase “No man is an island”, found in Meditation XVII ,
Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness
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THE ALLEYNIAN 713
OPINION, INTERVIEWS & FEATURES
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