MESSAGE FROM THE MASTER
Inspiring the next generation of pupils at Dulwich College
PAGE 9
In 2024 the Old Alleynian Association launched its alumni award programme to recognise alumni who have made an outstanding contribution to society through their voluntary service, academic achievements or professional success, or whose behavior and values inspire others. Nominations took place early in 2024, featuring a diverse range of contributions and professions including lawyers, medics, authors, campaigners and musicians many of whom are leaders in their respective fields. The judges were faced with a very difficult choice indeed, but the final awards were, it was unanimously agreed, given to truly worthy recipients.
It has been my pleasure to meet so many OAs over the past few months. Your warmth and support as I lead the College during this academic year have been truly appreciated. I am delighted to report that the College remains as vibrant and busy as ever. The Michaelmas term was packed with enthusiasm and purpose. The Union remains one of the jewels in our co- curricular crown and over the last few months we have welcomed some 90 visiting speakers, many of them OAs, to the College. Each has generously shared their expertise with our students in assemblies and in clubs and societies allowing pupils to explore new ideas and develop lifelong passions. This really shines through in our new short film asking our pupils about their Clubs and Societies. Ten years ago, two OAs Hammad Jeilani and Chris Law founded the Rocketry Society; today, they are leading an innovative drone delivery service, now used by the NHS to transport blood. It goes without saying that the generosity of OAs in supporting the co-curricular programme is invaluable. We are truly grateful, and you will always be guaranteed a warm welcome here at the College. Just before Christmas we welcomed many of you to both the Winter Concert and then Carols by Candlelight at Southwark Cathedral. At both, the conductor was Gareth Hemmings, who in September had joined the College as the new Director of Music. Gareth has quickly established an innovative new programme of music around the school – a morning break where pop-up bands appeared across the campus was a real highlight. It was a huge honour for me to be able to present His Excellency Mr Anand Panyarachun Hon KBE MA with his Old Alleynian Association Lifetime Achievement Award during a visit to Bangkok. Anand along with all this year’s award winners, Raffy Marshall and Basky Thilaganathan, are an inspiration to Alleynians and Old Alleynians alike, and I am honoured to be part of this initiative. If you haven’t seen Anand's film on receiving the award yet, it really is a must-watch. You can access it by scanning the QR code on the opposite page. We are delighted to report the College is enjoying a very successful university applications season. We have had particular success with Oxbridge offers this year, receiving 26 (the highest total since 2010). Excellent offers have also been received from top UK universities such as Bath, Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, King’s, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, UCL, Warwick and York. Internationally, we also have students with pleasing offers for American universities including Arizona, Brown, Indiana, Miami, NYU, Pittsburgh, Stanford and the University of Texas, and from the Canadian universities of UBC, McGill and Toronto, from the University of Sydney in Australia, and HKU and HKUST in Hong Kong. Looking forward, I am particularly looking forward to the OA Reunion, which this year will be on Saturday 21 June. I hope to see some of you there. On behalf of colleagues and the Governors, thank you for your continued support – whether through reading our publications, attending events, or volunteering your time. I look forward to seeing you on campus in the coming months.
The Young Alumni Achievement Award (Under 40)
Raffy Marshall (10-15) Raffy has received his award in recognition of his remarkable fortitude, resilience and composure shown during the evacuation of UK friendly Afghans from Afghanistan in 2021 and then afterwards the courage shown in his dealings with the Foreign Office. After leaving Dulwich, Raffy read Ancient and Modern History at Queen's College, Oxford. While at Oxford he was awarded the 'Best in the World at Debating' at the World Universities Debating Competition 2017. Raffy then served for three years as a junior diplomat at the Foreign Office, 2018-21. In September 2021 he resigned from the Foreign Office to give evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee about the UK response to the fall of Kabul to the Taliban. In September 2024, he started as a pupil barrister at Brick Court Chambers.
Lifetime Achievement Award (Over 40)
Professor Baskaran Thilaganathan (77-82) Basky Thilaganathan has received his award in recognition of the remarkable work he has done over many years in the world of fetal medicine. HeisClinicalDirectoroftheFetalMedicineUnitandalsotheClinicalLeadfortheSAFEtest NIPTlaboratoryatStGeorge’sHospital,London.Basky'sresearchinterestsarefocusedon Materno-Fetal medicine, with a particular interest on maternal cardiac function, placental function, fetal growth and pre-eclampsia. As Clinical Director for Tommy’s National Centre for Maternity Improvement at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Basky has pioneered the development of a software medical device for providing effective and equitable maternity care. This software is now in trials in 86 hospitals in three continents supported by the Gates Foundation. His Excellency Mr Anand Panyarachun Hon KBE MA (48-52) His Excellency Anand Panyarachun has received his award in recognition of a lifetime spent in public service, particularly in bringing economic reform and political stability to Thailand. Anand led a distinguished career as one of Thailand's leading diplomats in the 1960s and 1970s, before spending time in the business world. In 1991, he became Thailand’s Prime Minister, winning widespread respect for his leadership during a challenging time in Thailand’s history. As Head of Government, he was successful in reforming key sectors of the Thai economy as well as in promoting social development and environmental protection. Anand has continued with a career dedicated to humanitarian causes, political engagement and business development. Notably, he has served as UNICEF’s first Goodwill Ambassador for Thailand since 1996, and has been instrumental in promoting children's rights, education and health care in Thailand. Anand has remained a dedicated supporter of the College since leaving in 1952, notably serving as Honorary International Advisor to the Governors. He was made a Fellow of the College in 2003. Anand, has created an incredibly moving and poignant reflection on his life and career, access to which can be found by scanning the QR code.
Fiona Angel Acting Master
Scan QR code to watch a message from Anand
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