OLD ALLEYIANS AT THE COLLEGE
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The College welcomed back Old Alleynians this year to share their knowledge, experience and advice with pupils.
In December, Luke Cianfarani (88-95) and Jeroboams supplied over 60 different wines in our first OA Wine Tasting Event. Attended by nearly 200 guests, the Great Hall was filled with festive cheer and discussions on the variety of varietals and flavours on offer. A discount was generously offered to all attendees, and many cellars were restocked in time for Christmas.
Kavi Gilani (11- 16) and Ed Norris (05-16) engaged pupils in Eco Week to learn about decarbonising the built environment, a huge area of sustainability focus as the generator of 40% of global emissions. In their talk to the Geography Society, they taught pupils about low carbon materials and resource efficiency through the circular economy model.
Ollie Lam Watson (06-11) also returned in January to speak with Year 9 and 10 pupils following his Paralympic success in Paris. With great honesty, Ollie shared the challenges he faced as a young man living with a disability and the remarkable journey that led him to become an elite athlete.
In January, Bill MacCormick (62-69) adjudicated the annual House Electric competition, in which each house forms a band and performs a song. The Edward Alleyn Theatre was packed with family and friends of over 40 musicians, and Bill selected Drake House as the winners for their rendition of ‘Use Somebody’ by the Kings of Leon.
Dan Whitlam (08-13), actor and spoken word artist, returned to the College in March for the Middle School House Poetry Recital competition. Dan took to the stage to address the audience, speaking of his time at the College and then performing his poem ‘Angel’, a humorous but poignant piece dedicated to his grandmother. Dan then retired to the judging panel while the Year 10 and Year 11 performers took centre stage. The sixteen poems recited reflected on the theme of society, touching on identity, relationships, a sense of self and a sense of place. The competition was of the highest quality with all performers deserving high praise for their efforts.
Grandmaster Raymond Keene (59-66) returned to the College in June to challenge the school’s Chess A and B teams to a total of 16 games. Raymond’s illustrious history (winner of the English Chess Championship in 1971 and GM in 1976) held out for an impressive 13 wins, two draws and one loss. According to Raymond, this visit showed the “toughest field of opposition” he had ever faced from the pupils at the College. The art of chess is clearly growing, alongside student interest in the game.
In November, the Careers Department collaborated with the Old Alleynian Association to hold a Finance Networking Evening. The event gave Dulwich College and Southwark Schools' Learning Partnership students in Year 11 and above an insight into the world of finance and the opportunity to learn and practice crucial networking skills. Over 120 attendees heard from three speakers who introduced them to their career journeys: Andrew Backen, Rohit Singh (11-16) and Mark Taylor. An information pack and networking tips were shared with those registered to attend prior to the event and students were encouraged to prepare questions for the 22 professionals (including nine OAs) who volunteered their time to take part in the networking session. In September, the grounds of Dulwich College became a source of even more natural beauty with the opening of The Burma Skincare Initiative Spirit of Partnership Garden, which was relocated over the summer to the College campus from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024. The wonderful garden has been generously donated to the College by Professor Chris Griffiths OBE (63-73), Emeritus Professor of Dermatology, University of Manchester and Dr Su Lwin, a dermatologist at Guys’ and St Thomas’ Hospital. At the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, the Spirit of Partnership Garden, designed by Helen Olney, won the Gold Medal and the Best Sanctuary Garden Award. The design tells the story of a global dermatological partnership which supports Burmese healthcare workers treating adults and children with various skin conditions. Many of the plants in the garden are found in Myanmar and grow happily in the UK. Chris also gave a talk in January on The Burma Skincare Initiative exploring the intersection of geography, health and humanitarian work.
OLD ALLEYNIAN SERVICE LEADERSHIP 2024 The Old Alleynian Association Service Leadership Award for Selflessness went to Matthew Da Costa Sherwood (17-27). His hard work as Charities Prefect was commented on by both his peers and teachers alike. He was an exemplary chair of the College’s charity committee and was instrumental in the launch of Impact 500; an initiative to create a platform for pupils, through which social and environmental difference can be made, and needs can be met. Ahimsa Ravi (13-24), Saajid Khan (13-24) and Zaki Kabir (13-24) jointly won the award for Inclusion. Ravi was praised for his support of the LGBTQ+ aspects of the College’s EDI work. Particular mention was made of his work in putting on a “brilliant inaugural Dulwich College Pride”. Equally impressive was the way he integrated EDI into the work of the College’s creative departments; the highlight was certainly the workshop hosted by Joshua Obichere during Black History Month. Saajid’s work with the EDI Prefect Team was equally highly regarded and many commented on his contribution to the College’s marking of International Women’s Day. Zaki was recognised for his work as Prefect in charge of Race and Ethnicity and his exemplary help in preparing for and then supporting our celebration of Black History Month. Finally, the award for Sustainability went to Sebastian Khoo (19-24) for his enthusiastic and positive support in raising awareness of issues surrounding sustainability across a number of areas of College life.
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