NEWS
NEWS
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International Events June saw our annual OA events in the USA - a chance for OAs to reconnect with each other and the College and celebrate their schooldays. The annual OA dinner in New York has been a fixture for many years, and we were delighted to be back at Keens Steakhouse. The steakhouse is an interesting venue with historic features and characteristic details, such as one of the largest collections of clay smoking pipes in the world. We were joined by International Old Alleynians (IOAs) for the first time, notably Grace Chan (Dulwich College Beijing 08-13) who is the US regional representative for the Worldwise Alumni Network. It was wonderful to open the dinner to the global family. Later in the year Max Waldron (01-06) hosted drinks at his apartment in Brooklyn, bringing together OAs from a wide range of cohorts, making the evening both nostalgic and forward-looking. A highlight of the night was a photo capturing the oldest, Mike Lynfield (69-74) leaver and the youngest, Alex Gruffat (13-24), symbolising the strength and continuity of the community across generations. The Los Angeles reunion was generously hosted by Sara and Richard Evans (87-95), this year the theme was Hawaiian Tiki and the hosts prepared special surprises and treats for their guests, including Dulwich College themed cocktails! This event had many familiar faces who were joined by a large contingent of IOAs. It was wonderful to see the bond shared by the Dulwich family of schools. It was a genuine pleasure to see the range of ages represented – from a 1962 leaver right up to 2022. San Francisco saw an informal and relaxed dinner early in the year with a mixture of OAs and IOAs. The event celebrated the global nature of the Dulwich College experience. Later in the year OAs from across the Bay Area came together in San Francisco for an evening of connection, celebration, and community. OAs in Hong Kong met up for our annual Dulwich College Dinner at the China Club. It was a pleasure to see so many current parents and OAs gathering. OAs in Sydney enjoyed dinner at the Tattersalls Club. It was a pleasure to see so many OAs meeting and we are grateful to Jon Michel (76-81) for organising such a splendid event. In Singapore, there were two opportunities to meet – drinks with Ben Pelly, Head of Boarding and International Recruitment at the College, and the annual dinner in November. Thank you to Anil Scott (86-91) for all his work in Singapore. Charles Tan (03-05), OA Representative in Shanghai, recently met with James Sinclair (85-92), who was visiting from London on business. During his time in Shanghai, Mr. Sinclair also visited Richard Barnard (92-97), currently working at Dulwich College International. Bob Simpson (63-70), OA Secretary for Western Australia, hosted a dinner at Chez Pierre’s Restaurant in Nedlands this February. Many members who attended the College during the same period met each other for the first time.
Bitesize news Ammar Al-Kahachi (17-19) commenced his pilot training in October last year, and it has been both a challenging and immensely rewarding experience: "Pursuing my lifelong dream to become a pilot has been a privilege. While the programme has presented its challenges – particularly in subjects such as General Navigation and Flight Performance – each hurdle has contributed to my growth and determination. With the generous support of the OA Endowment Fund, I am now looking forward to continuing my training in the United States and taking the next step toward a professional flying career."
Barney Malevereur (91-93) sold his business, breakfast brand FUEL10K in October 2023 to Premier Foods, and has now launched a competition called ‘The Future of Food’. He also managed to fit in an epic adventure skiing to the South Pole, completing what he coined his ‘four seasons’ (desert – Marathon des Sables, jungle – Amazon six day ultra marathon, mountain – Himalayan 100miles and now ice – The Last Degree).
Talks Ollie Lam Watson (06-11) returned to the College 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. Professor Chris Griffiths OBE (63-73) and Dr Su Lwin spoke to students on The Burma Skincare Initiative (BSI). The speakers shared BSI’s journey, highlighting the challenges faced, progress made, and innovative approaches developed. They also discussed the BSI ‘Spirit of Partnership Garden’, which won a Gold Medal and the Best Sanctuary Garden award at the 2024 Chelsea Flower Show. The garden was relocated to the Dulwich campus from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in summer 2024. OAs supported the College’s annual Futures Convention for students in February by giving their Saturday morning to talk with students interested in a variety of careers, including those in law, engineering and medicine. Neil Sprackling (76-84), CEO of US Life and Health at Swiss Re, one of the world’s largest reinsurance firms, spoke to the Modern Languages Society and Economics Society about his career journey. Matt Wilcock (06-13), founder of the company Leaves Breathe, visited the Junior School to inspire some of our younger pupils about planting and the environment as part of Eco Week. His session introduced the boys to practical gardening techniques and encouraged them to think about how small actions can have a meaningful environmental impact.
Luke Cianfarani (88-95) and Jeroboams supplied over 60 different wines in our second OA Wine Tasting Evening in December. Attended by nearly 200 guests, many cellars were restocked in time for Christmas. Dulwich College hosted ‘From Here to There,’ a reflective photography exhibition by the school’s Artist in Residence, Edward Brilliant (14-21). The show brought together portraits, documentary moments, and quiet observational studies made over the three years before his arrival at Dulwich College, tracing his evolving interest in place, identity, and lived experience. 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 the over 40 musicians, and Bill selected Drake House as the winners for their rendition of Use Somebody by the Kings of Leon.
OAs, parents and pupils gathered to share in the communal spirit of breaking fast at our Iftar Supper. The second to be held, this year's OA Iftar Supper was a great success with even greater numbers than previously. The OA Muslim Network was founded by Uzair Malida (10-17) as he sought to foster a unique sense of belonging among the OA community and has since attracted members from across the year groups.
In October colleagues, friends, relatives and teammates of Josh Lawrence (02-07), who tragically passed away in the spring, came together to dedicate a bench at the College in his memory.
We were delighted to welcome back to the College OAs Byron Yu (00-02), Jintao Lui (00-02) and Jonathan Siu (00-02) with their families for a visit (insert date). The group particularly enjoyed visiting old haunts, including the boarding house and the Christison Hall. Maggie Li, Honorary OA, known to many of our Hong Kong community, also joined the trip. On 18th September, Physics, Engineering and F1 Society welcomed Michael Palmer (47-54) back to the College. Speaking to an engaged audience of pupils from both Dulwich College and JAGS, Michael talked about his experience as a civil engineer (with a specialisation in water) and how the world has changed since he left Dulwich College in 1954.
Rebecca and Vincent Eames (84-93) generously opened the doors to their studio in November to host our annual Fine Art Auction at the Eames Fine Art Studio in support of the College’s bursary programme. The evening raised a life-changing £24,535 for the College bursary programme.
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