THINKING MATTERS
CONTENTS
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10 24 Careers 37 Music Chemistry 48 Design & Tecnology
26 12 40 Classics Libraries and Archives Physics
Art
16 29 Geography 54 Mathematics 42 Politics Lower School Science 66 The Scholars’ Programme
Biology
44 Physical Education 32 Religion and Theology 18 English 56 Modern Foreign Languages
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History
58 Free Learning Weeks 46 Computer Science 34 Economics
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Drama
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64 Symposium
The Extended Essay
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INTRODUCTION: FREE LEARNING
In the previous edition of Thinking Matters , we asked the question: ‘what should good learning look like?’ In this edition we will explore how to promote learning for learning’s sake.
Free Learning is a term which has become common parlance at the College and denotes an aspect of Dulwich education of which we are truly proud. Free Learning means the learning that goes on when teaching is freed from the constraints of covering the syllabus or teaching to the exam, and is driven by the intellectual curiosity of the boys and fed by the enthusiasm of their teachers. This booklet abounds with examples of boys pursuing their academic passions in our ‘supra-curriculum’, the area that exists between the classroom and the co-curricular sphere. Such projects enable boys to develop their creativity, independence and sate (or perhaps extend) their thirst for knowledge. Whilst the majority of today’s young people, the ‘YouTube Generation’, learn about the world around them through screens, these activities empower boys to learn by doing and debating. They are pioneers, in Kennedy’s famous words, taking their first steps into robot design, performing in a major concert or giving a presentation to their peers “not because [it is] easy, but because [it is] hard”.
The possibilities are endless, and bounded only by the boys’ own motivation: whether it be showing leadership by running events, meeting others from different cultures, or participating in national competitions, everything our pupils undertake serves to broaden their minds and foster resilience and independence of thought. Such qualities resist easy measurement and can thus be overlooked in the drive for the highest possible examination results (although we believe these follow for those who engage most enthusiastically in Free Learning opportunities). At Dulwich we believe that imparting these skills is embedded in what we do every day; they are part of our DNA. We are proud of what we provide for our pupils and believe, with Einstein, that education is what remains after all that has been taught in the classroom has been forgotten.
D A P King Deputy Master Academic Dr Joe Spence Master of Dulwich College
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opening, Peter Randall-Page RA inspired a further drawing-based workshop programme hosted at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. The students exhibited their Variations on a Theme responses in the new James Caird Hall and engaged in an ‘In Conversation’ with Peter Randall-Page led by assistant curator Helen Hillyard from the gallery. The Art Department encourages every possible opportunity for our boys to experience cultural life beyond the campus. Boys visit galleries here in London as well as in New York, Florence and Madrid, to name but a few. At time of writing, 24 Upper School students have just returned from a five-day trip to Berlin. Extracts from one student’s commentary sum up the value and impact of these experiences from farther afield: ‘Concrete deserts, a reserve of fat, dead corner, monstrous Trojan horse, soullessness, freedom of expression, the absurd, manifestos of artists, Futurism, Abstraction, Creationism, Suprematism, Dadaism, Flux vs Reform were a fraction of the themes explored at the Hamburger Bahnhof, where the exhibition, Das Kapital involved issues concerning DEBT, TERRITORY and UTOPIA. In the afternoon we explored entangled paths, criss-crossing
Art at the College is not limited to the Art Department. Despite the fact it is undeniably an energetic and inspiring environment, the way in which our students engage with real-life artistic practices means that they are always developing as artists, designers and architects beyond the classroom. Most recently, Upper School boys have worked alongside OA and Turner Prize winner, Jeremy Deller on English Magic , a collaborative film project which responded to Deller’s own submission to the Venice Biennale. Following on from a collaborative project with Conrad Shawcross to create a sculptural installation for the new science building, The Laboratory, and its subsequent
Afternoon lesson at The White Cube gallery in London.
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Collecting street art in Berlin during the five-day trip.
and colliding with the wrapped, twisted and broken forms within the Jewish Museum. A fractured disorientating building guiding us through human atrocity and survival.’ Jamie Spillet, Year 12
waning, enthusiasm built within the group. ‘The best day yet,’ said Year 12 and 13 students in full agreement after a morning at the East Side Gallery, wrapping their heads around The Wall followed by guided tours of the incredible Boros Collection and its bunker (tickets are like gold dust). This experience was summed up as: ‘Unapologetic, in your face, edgy, raw, downright disturbing, social realism, feminist yet misogynist (is that possible?), resonating, badass, ripped, torn, bent, high art, low art and everything in between. I’m tired, but it’s a good tired… I now need to let things settle in my brain and reflect.’ Back in London, boys regularly visit Tate Britain, Tate Modern, The White Cube, Bermondsey, The Wallace Collection, Whitechapel, Frieze Art Fair and The Courtauld Institute. We also make frequent trips to work with artists, art historians and curators at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Talks, lectures and ‘In Conversations’ are embedded into our curriculum and wider learning: the atmosphere is very much ‘Art School’ rather than ‘School Art’. ‘Art trips are not passive events or time spent aimlessly wandering through a gallery with an exhibition guide – they are fully immersive activities that reveal to us
Experiencing cultural life beyond the campus.
Berlin is unapologetic, it is confrontational, kind and practical. This trip above all was inspiring as well as exhausting. Nearing the end of the trip rather than
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Year 10 students drawing at the coast in St. Ives.
the possibilities of what we can create as we mature as artists.’ Josh Cotton, OA (Kingston University Foundation/Brighton BA(Hons) As well as visiting galleries we have curated, hung and hosted no less than eight exhibitions over the past academic year, including: Year 10 presenting their inaugural show Calder Re-Imagined , Sixth Form and GCSE ‘interim’ and final exhibitions plus 100 Works on Paper an annual finale for Founder’s Day where every boy has the chance to enter pieces from Year 7 upwards. Boys are challenged to be the artist, the curator, the project manager, a team leader and a team player. Furthermore, we host exhibitions on the Dulwich College site presenting art and installation experiences from the wider creative community. Our recent artist in residence, Cara George, curated Creative Matters in The Store. This exhibition featured nine recent MA graduates from the Royal College of Art, working in disciplines including interactive design, sculpture, metal work and graphic design. Currently we have Luc Nonga’s haunting paintings and mixed media sculptures as part of In Transit; an exhibition exploring issues around migration, which not only keeps us in tune with the zeitgeist, but also provides an artistic hub for the 2016 free learning week Dulwich Linguistic.
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Biology is a wonderfully diverse and exciting discipline and this is reflected in the wide range of co-curricular activities supported by the Biology department.
Our co-curricular programme is run under the auspices of our Biology Society (BioSoc). The Society runs a weekly programme of practical activities and talks and we encourage the boys themselves to organise and help run these events. We also have a very active Medical and Dental Society for those boys wishing to pursue an interest in the medical professions. Trips and outings with a biological theme are also a prominent feature of our provision outside the classroom. ‘The Bodies of Knowledge trip was great fun. It was very interactive and I enjoyed the skeleton masterclass the most. We also learnt about the work of an archaeologist which was very informative.’ Andrew Tse, Year 13
Upper School students take part in Operation Wallacea.
We run an annual two-day course at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine where Upper School boys are able to practise genetic technologies that we are unable to do at school. Potential medical students also attended a one-day conference at the Royal Society of Medicine and had the option of visiting the Bodies of Knowledge exhibition at the Wellcome Collection where they learned how our knowledge of anatomy has evolved over the years. ‘The pig’s head dissection was really cool, especially holding the brain. I was surprised at how easy it was to pull apart.’ Alfie Cook, 10P
Gathering data during the 2016 Indonesian Biology trip.
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Earlier this year we took a number of Year 9 students to London Zoo for a workshop on the effects of climate change on animal populations and all of our A level Biologists attend a four-day residential field course, currently at Box Hill in Surrey, where they gain hands-on experience of practical ecology. ‘The day at the zoo was fun and relaxing whilst being informative. I was surprised to learn that the sex of turtles depends on the temperature the eggs are incubated at; below 30 degrees they’re all males, above 30 degrees, all females!’ Charlie Luckhurst, Year 9
follows a similar expedition to Madagascar in 2014 where boys were involved in surveying populations of lemurs, chameleons and other endemic wildlife. Within the past year we have also welcomed a wide range of high profile speakers to the department, including dermatologist Professor Chris Watkins OA, chimpanzee behaviour expert Nigel Wrangham, and stem cell scientist Professor David Tosh from the Centre for Regenerative Medicine in Bath. Just this week we hosted a talk by Dr Pria Ghosh on the chytrid fungus pandemic which is decimating the world’s amphibian populations. We have had success in a number of national competitions, including four gold medals and two silver medals in the Biology Olympiad this year, our best results ever. Adam Sheriff in Year 13 won the prestigious Medicine Essay Competition run by Robinson College, Cambridge for his essay entitled Action is Reaction and Andrzej Fanner Brzezina, also in Year 13, was runner-up in the equally prestigious Corpus Christi, Cambridge Essay Competition for his essay Evolution: Fact or Fiction. We are very much of the opinion that ‘out of classroom’ learning experiences play a vital role in nurturing the enthusiasm and interest of our students. As such, they are an important adjunct to our delivery of the Biology curriculum.
Close encounter with a Komodo dragon.
This summer, 23 Upper School boys went on an Operation Wallacea expedition to Sulawesi, Indonesia. where they worked alongside conservation scientists, gathering data on a variety of animals which will be used to help the preservation of the country’s unique natural heritage. ‘At the Wellcome Collection museum we saw all things weird and wonderful and we were lucky enough to see the tigers being
fed at the zoo.’ Matthew Gibson, Year 9
The highlight of this trip was a visit to the island of Komodo to see the famous ‘dragons’ in the wild. This
Getting to grips with preservation on the Indonesia trip.
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‘My favourite BioSoc event was definitely the badger
dissection. There was a lot of blood and the smell was a bit overwhelming but nonetheless it was fascinating and a real privilege to dissect such a big animal. This is what brings Biology to life (or not in this case!).’ Ed Flatman, Year 13
‘The most interesting part of the trip to the
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine was a lecture
and practical on mosquitoes and how they act as vectors of disease. I saw its relevance to big world problems and I felt it was all clearly explained so I knew what was going on.’ Cameron Kerr, Year 13
‘Doing the fish dissection was amazing because it gave me an understanding of how the fish’s body works.’ Gabriel de Almeida, Year 10
‘I found a lot of the visit interesting
— one of the most memorable talks was about the treatment of
Ebola in west Africa as this showed a more personal side to research. I very much enjoyed it, especially the mosquito and sandfly dissections and their relevance to Wolbachia treatments for dengue.’ Andrzej Fanner Brzezina, Year 13
‘ Although it was quite short I found the visits to the sequencing machines very
interesting. It was great to find out how they work, their applications and to see how far the technology has developed in such a short space of time.’ Nick Corbett, Year 13
‘The pig’s head was amazing and I was surprised at the colour of the brain.’ Tom Taylor, Year 9
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hemistry Chemistry is an intellectually stimulating, creative and challenging subject. An in-depth knowledge of chemical concepts is not only fascinating and essential for boys wishing to pursue Chemistry beyond Dulwich, but is vital for everyone to appreciate how relevant and important the subject is in all aspects of everyday life.
We aim to inspire a genuine academic curiosity for Chemistry, and to capitalise on the natural enthusiasm of the boys. Practical work remains at the heart of the curriculum, and allows boys to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-life situations. ‘The Oxford University Chemistry workshop was a truly eye-opening experience, which allowed us to get a feel for undergraduate study. We got the chance to synthesise esters using sophisticated techniques such as rotary evaporation. We were also able to analyse our product using NMR and IR spectroscopy – a good chance to put our theoretical knowledge into practice. Overall, it was a very enjoyable and interesting trip.’ Joe O’Connor, Year 13
Chemistry remains a very popular subject which routinely sees about 70 boys pursue it to A level. Besides those interested in reading Chemistry at university, we attract boys who wish to read more applied subjects including: Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Pharmacy and Chemical Engineering. Boys who are aiming to read Chemistry (or other Physical Sciences) at any of the top universities attend weekly tutorials to extend their knowledge and allow them to practise speaking about Chemistry fluently, and apply their knowledge to novel situations when under pressure. ‘Year 12 were treated to some beer tasting, followed by a fascinating tour of the brewery by the head brewer, including a detailed and
Year 12 boys look at the chemistry behind brewing.
Remove chemists analyse esters at Oxford University.
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interesting look at the chemistry behind the process. Needless to say, there was no shortage of staff for this trip!’ Mr Willetts, Chemistry teacher
Chemistry Olympiad. In the past five years, the boys have won an impressive 16 gold, 29 silver and 24 bronze awards. Frequently, at least one boy has qualified to proceed to Round 2. Remove boys tackle the demanding C3L6 Challenge (organised by the University of Cambridge). Since 2012 they have accrued: 3 roentgenium, 17 gold, 15 silver and 22 copper awards. This year, Minghao Zhang was placed in the top 0.76% nationally. Middle School boys will once again participate in the RSC Chemistry Challenge, and hope to emulate the success of previous years in which we won the Kent Section Final. ChemSoc meets weekly and provides opportunities for boys to try sensational practical experiments, and to attend presentations (mainly given by Upper School boys) on cutting-edge topics which aim to promote the importance and relevance of the subject. ‘I find Chemistry Society very engaging; requiring only foundation level chemistry to participate in enjoyable hands-on practicals, but also being educational and informative through listening to presentations on a range of fascinating topic areas.’ Alex Notley, Year 13 Every year, we run a residential trip to either Leeds or Bristol University. This gives boys a flavour for undergraduate study, and allows them to use some of the spectroscopic analytical techniques that they have learnt about at school. In a very popular outing to the London Beer Factory in Gypsy Hill, 15 Remove chemists learnt about the chemistry behind the beer brewing process, such as how the type of hops, barley, and yeast and the pH of the water can be manipulated to change both the flavour and the alcohol content. Another treat for 10 Remove boys, was a Practical Workshop on Esters at Oxford University – a great opportunity to preview some of the organic chemistry that they study in Year 13, whilst getting the chance to use sophisticated analytical techniques.
Investigating the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction in ChemSoc.
‘On the first day of this two-day residential trip, the boys used spectrometers to determine the emission spectrum of a hydrogen atom, and learned the fundamental chemistry behind this fascinating technique which can be used to determine the composition of stars. On the second day, they were able to synthesise paracetamol in a wet laboratory and determine its purity using the latest equipment. Finally, the boys got to experience two nights in one of the halls of residence, giving the trip a more rounded feel of what university life is like.’ Miss Webber and Mr Willetts, Chemistry teachers Beyond the confines of the specifications, boys participate in a variety of intellectually demanding Chemistry competitions. Upper School chemists are encouraged to enter the prestigious International
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The Physics department has been busy with an array of activities. A small collection of which we have managed to squeeze in here, but they range from experience days at the IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining) and nuclear power station visits to lecture days and a visit from an astronaut. The department grows ever larger and broader in the activities on offer and we are proud of the number of boys who are stepping forward and driving their own projects in CREST or pushing to enter new competitions (for us) including IYPT, and doing amazingly well. April 2016 Weizmann Insitute competition June 2016 CREST Award
A Dulwich College team once again charged through the national rounds and on to Israel to compete in international competition. ‘It was a really fun experience and it was amazing pulling complex A level Physics principles into real-life situations.’ Matteo Cotta Ramusino, Year 12
For the first time, Remove boys had the opportunity to complete the CREST Award, a research project into a topic of their choice.
‘Completing the CREST Award project has taught me how to create a detailed engineering plan, design an aircraft and work in a team.’ Ossian Keith, Year 12 ‘The CREST Award is a new and exciting opportunity to explore ideas and possibilities that you’re curious about, while also giving an amazing experience and learning how to work
outside of College.’ Edward Chapman, Year 12
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September 2016 A2 Physics Challenge
May 2016 IYPT
‘Participating in the Physics Challenge allowed me to understand my strengths in Physics and gave me the inspiration to explore further concepts.’ Carson Chan, Year 13 January 2016 Muon Project Students had the great pleasure of having a scintillator Muon Detector at their disposal to research Muon behaviour. ‘Linking the data from our Muon Detector to Special Relativity and time dilation was a great challenge.’ Kit George, Year 12
DC boys gained bronze for the UK at the prestigious International Young Physicist Tournament in Russia, an enormous feat. ‘Having the opportunity to research Physics beyond the syllabus was a truly inspiring experience which cemented my interest in the subject and made me want to take it further.’ Hamza Breteche, Year 12
September 2016 Physics Society
The Society continues the tradition of speakers, both boys and professionals, with wide-ranging discussions every Friday lunchtime. ‘ Physics Society gives a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers alike to share interesting physics ideas and concepts with the rest of the school.’ Sachin Vasudevan, Year 13 ‘Its a great opportunity to learn about a variety of topics which aren’t part of the curriculum.’ Constantin Cogne, Year 13
October 2015 CERN Visit
Our annual trip to CERN, taking 40 Remove boys, explores the beamline and detectors at the world’s biggest machine. ‘An intensive, challenging, yet rewarding experience. Really worth doing the trip for any true Physicist.’ Clinton Ng, Year 12
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September 2016 Physics Olympiad An outstanding set of results in the competition once again for Dulwich boys. ‘The Physics Olympiad is a great way to challenge yourself and apply the Physics learnt in class to solve problems like you’ve never seen before.’ Enri Sopoti, Year 13
August 2016 CERN Masterclass Three prize-winning Dulwich boys joined students from The Charter School and JAGS to research with a team from
March 2016 Einstein Legacy Day at Queen Mary University
LHCb (Large Hadron Collider beauty) for a week. ‘Speaking and working with PhD students who research and work at CERN, as well as attending inspirational lectures by professors was a very memorable experience.’ Paul Kottering, Year 13
Remove boys visited the London University for a day celebrating Einstein with talks and workshops by eminent physicists. ‘Roger Penrose’s talk was outstanding having theorised with the great Stephen Hawking.’ Hamza Breteche, Year 12
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NASA Night Around 400 parents and students had the opportunity to talk and ask questions to a real life NASA astronaut live over Skype. ‘What a fantastic evening! Incredibly inspirational for the children and for us parents as well!’ Astrid Franchi (Parent), Year 10 Go4Set An elite team of six Year 9s joined forces to compete in the Engineering Education Trust Go4Set competition, designing an energy independent school on an island. ‘This project was great fun and very challenging as we all had to work on different parts of the task which really taught us how to work together as a team.’ Darius Joshi, Year 10
Student robotics 2016 Upper School boys were challenged to design, build and programme an autonomous robot that competes in a 10 x 10 metre area, pitted against other robots designed by other schools. This year the robots had to locate, reorient and retrieve cube-shaped tokens with QR codes on all sides. ‘The competition provided an excellent insight into the world of robotics and programming and gave all of the Dulwich team invaluable experience and skills.’ Shamindra de Zylva, Year 13
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LOWER SCHOOL SCIENCE
The mackerel dissection was fun and I enjoyed getting my hands dirty. By doing the dissection I learnt more about the insides of an animal. I come to Science Club to have fun, learn new ideas and challenge myself.’ Freddie Walker, Year 7 Current investigations on the roster are: Asteroid Armageddon How does the size of a ball bearing affect the size of a sand crater and how does this scale up to the size of a real asteroid that might one day threaten Earth? How far underground will the bunkers need to be? Which brand of kitchen roll is the best? You are a reviewer for Kitchen Monthly and have been asked to review five different brands but which one is the best? The word best can mean different things to different people, so the boys try to investigate properties such as absorbency, strength when dry and wet and value for money.
Lower School Science is transforming learning. We are currently designing a new scheme of work for Year 7 and Year 8 that focuses on science in new and exciting ways. We have tried to draw upon the
collective science staff knowledge to bring the best ideas together and design tasks that are unique. One of the main changes is the inclusion of independent investigations where boys are set a question, given some equipment and asked to answer it in the most scientific way apparent to them, often with some intriguing results. ‘I like how we always get straight into stuff. Egg-drop challenge!
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at Dulwich is very fun and interactive and I have learnt a lot since I started in Year 7.’ Oisin Hetherington, Year 8 Bottle flipping How does the shape of a bottle and amount of water affect the success rate of a bottle flip? Bottle flipping has become a craze at Dulwich – can you flip a bottle and have it land base down and not fall over? Boys need to investigate the properties of the bottle and amount of water to determine if there is an optimum set-up for bottle flipping. Every two weeks we run the Lower School Science Society where boys are invited to try out a variety of thought-provoking activities. In the past we have had mackerel dissections, egg-drop challenges, marshmallow and spaghetti towers, computer intelligence, density rainbows, extracting iron from cereals, making slime, advanced Bunsen burner theory, experiments with liquid nitrogen... and more! ‘I enjoy Science because I like the fact that everything has an answer and that answer has a reason. I also like doing practicals such as seeing how long it takes ice to turn into water vapour. Science is great!’ Jonathan Millis, Year 7 During the summer term the Year 7 boys went to Greenwich Observatory, where they experienced the wonders of the Planetarium and were taken on a journey to the edge of the known Universe. They participated in workshops where they learned how to spot exo planets from the intensity of light from far away stars. They looked into the possibility of a career as a scientist and learned about the evolution of time pieces across the centuries and the importance that Greenwich played to those in London – and beyond – who wanted an accurate measure of time. ‘Science in the Lower School is brilliant because every lesson you get to perform a practical or do some research. Science Society is an extra activity where you get to do really interesting practicals that you might not do in lessons.’ Hector Senior, Year 7
Iodine clock to music The boys have to calibrate an iodine clock which turns from clear to pitch black instantaneously after a certain time has passed. The interval is based upon the strength of the chemicals and a calibration chart needs to be created. The boys are then given a set time at which their iodine clock must turn black and they use their calibration chart to determine the strength of chemicals used. This is all set to the song Happy . When the word ‘Happy’ is sung, an iodine clock should change colour!
Building a marshmallow and spaghetti tower.
‘I have enjoyed Science Society because there are many opportunities to try out interesting new ideas and to learn about the world and the way things work. I particularly enjoy topics to do with space and this is why I enjoyed the Year 7 trip to Greenwich Observatory as I learnt about constellations and stars.’ Rathan Subramanian, Year 8 Which brand of indigestion tablet is the best? This is similar to the kitchen roll test except the boys have to use indigestion tablets to neutralise acid. First they have to make a chemical that is similar in properties to stomach acid and then use universal indicator to determine when the solution is neutral. How much acid can each tablet deal with? ‘I enjoy Science because I like finding out why things happen; the causes and the effects of different phenomena. Science
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LitSoc provides a space for boys to deepen their understanding and indulge their passion for English, as well as to pursue their own literary enthusiasms. Seminars, workshops and talks are given by invited
speakers as well as pupils and staff. Recent meetings have seen the novelist and writer John Lanchester discussing Raymond Carver and his editor Gordon Lish; award-winning playwright John Donnelly sharing his enthusiasm for vampire films; and theatre director Joe Hill-Gibbins running a workshop on Measure for Measure ; as well as talks on John Donne, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Dracula. ‘After studying one of his novels for A level, I became very interested by the work of William Faulkner. I was helped by the teachers in the English department to find out what to read to develop my understanding of his work, and to deliver my own seminar on some of his short stories. I really enjoyed being able to talk about a topic of my choice, and the discussion that followed gave me even more clarity about what was fascinating about Faulkner’s writing.’ Jamie Moncrieff, Year 13
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A level English students in Stratford to see The Rover.
Creative writing Creative writing takes a prominent place in English at Dulwich, with several courses and workshops offering chances to generate ideas and hone skills. Partnerships with The Charter School, JAGS and City Heights are one of the key attractions of these workshops for Dulwich boys, ensuring that a wide range of views, perspectives and expertise is shared. ‘Last year I was lucky enough to attend a day-long retreat at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, where we undertook writing exercises and found inspiration from the exhibitions for our work. Having students from both Dulwich and The Charter School has undoubtedly helped me develop my writing in exciting ways, but also allowed all of us to forge new friendships.’ Django Pinter, Year 13
Playwright John Donnelly talking about vampires at LitSoc.
LitSoc theatre trips English students at Dulwich see a wide range of theatre – from productions of A level and GCSE texts to the best of new writing that London’s varied venues have to offer. In the past year, trips have included RSC productions of Hamlet and Love’s Labour’s Lost , An Inspector Calls at the National Theatre, The Tempest at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Uncle Vanya at the Almeida and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in the West End. ‘Studying A level English at Dulwich gives you access to some of the most exciting plays in the country. Recently we were treated to a visit to Stratford upon Avon where we saw the RSC’s production of The Rover. This performance of the Restoration comedy expertly balanced elements of conflict, wit and the carnivalesque, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of the masquerade within which the piece is set. No trip to Stratford, however, is complete without paying homage to Shakespeare himself and a group of friends and I took the opportunity to visit his grave in a local church.’ Finnian Robinson, Year 13
Finding inspiration at Dulwich Picture Gallery.
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‘Dancing in the breeze, fluttering through the sky. Lilac, green and blue specks blithely oscillate. I reach up, grabbing at thin air, attempting to grasp the vacillating motes.’ Nic Field, Year 10
Box Hill Boys visit Box Hill in Surrey for a day of activity run jointly with the Art and Geography departments. Writing produced in response to the landscape and wildlife experienced by boys at Box Hill over the past two years has been collected and published in a short book, Little Brown Box. ‘The hill explodes into life; a melody of nature can be heard as the rustling of the wind harmonises perfectly with the birds’ singing.’ Thomas Crompton, Year 10
HISTORY
‘Does the past exist?’ This is just one of the head- scratching questions we have endeavoured to answer over tea and biscuits on ever darkening Friday evenings at the weekly History Society meetings in the Masters’ Library. The Society also boasts a long and distinguished list of visiting speakers, ranging from leading academics, writers and documentary makers to those who have a direct personal link with great events of the past, recently including Dominic Sandbrook, William Shawcross, Huw Edwards, Miranda Carter and Jane Ridley, to name but a few.
The History Society’s publication, The Historian , collates articles from our best and brightest young historians, invariably drawn from the loyal attendees of the Society itself. It is published to be distributed on Founder’s Day, and has focused on a range of themes, such as Heroes of War. The History Society has two lower branches, in the Middle and Lower Schools. Middle School History Society meets weekly on Wednesday lunchtimes, where boys give their own presentations on a broad range of topics that interest them, ranging from the narrow (a history of British Airways) to the broad (the Chinese Dynasties). The presentations invariably delight and are followed with dynamic discussion and debate. The Lower School History Society is run by boys in the Remove, who gain as much from the experience as the younger boys. They oversee a range of activities, including video documentaries, quizzes as well as battle re-enactments. ‘At Lower School History Society, we view the education of young people about the past as critical to fostering the great minds of the future. Furthermore, by allowing us, the older boys, to impart our experience in
both curricular and extra-curricular history, the relationship becomes symbiotic.’ James Doran and Lasse Wendler, Year 12 School trips Each November all Year 8 boys spend a day at Hampton Court. This provides a fascinating insight into Tudor life, both ‘upstairs’ with the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal and the collections of paintings, and ‘downstairs’, which includes an entertaining and highly informative tour of the kitchens. Middle School boys enjoy a trip to the French battlefields of the First World War, which complements their study of the OAs who fell in the Great War for the Year 9 project.
History trips include a visit to the French battlefields of the First World War.
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From Vienna we boarded a train to what was, after 1867, the second city of the Hapsburg Empire: Budapest. After a fascinating four days, we flew back from hot and sunny Budapest to cold and rainy London, all thoroughly tired but having learned a huge amount about these two intriguing and interconnected cities.’ Harry Taylor, Year 13 Towards the end of the summer holidays, boys in the Remove who intend to read History at university may join the department’s Reading Party. Taking place in and around London – and often held in conjunction with the JAGS History department – the week provides a superb opportunity for historical discussion ahead of the hurly-burly of the A2 academic year. Mr Flower, Head of History said: ‘The week began with a trip to Portsmouth dockyard to see historic vessels of the Royal Navy, including the spectacular new Mary Rose exhibition. A walking tour of the main Fire and Plague sights was the highlight of the second day and was appropriately timed to fit with the then forthcoming anniversary of the Great Fire. Whilst in London we also found time to visit Banqueting House, Westminster Abbey (where we received an excellent tour of several unseen parts of the Abbey from one of the canons) and Leighton House. Our final day saw a sun-drenched sojourn into Kent, visiting the highly atmospheric Ightham Mote followed by Penshurst Place, a wonderfully maintained Tudor manor, which provided the set for much of the Wolf Hall TV series. Throughout the week all of the boys completed lots of reading and every evening was given to discussion of what we had seen.’
Every year, boys in the Upper School have the opportunity to visit one of the great cities of Europe. Recently these have included: Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Moscow and St Petersburg. ‘Guided expertly, as ever, by Mr Smith, our walking tour of the medieval quarter of Vienna saw us examining all manner of architectural styles for clues about the city’s past. Fortified by our evening repast of schnitzel (what else?), we headed back into the city to see it illuminated by night and wove our way through the maze of edifices constituting the old Habsburg Palace.
Upper School History trip to Vienna and Budapest 2016.
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The Reading Party week around London in the summer takes in a range of discussion-worthy venues.
Lunchtime classes In addition to the regular Middle School History Club slot, lunchtimes also provide a good opportunity for boys to attend specialist lessons that are put on by staff outside the regular teaching timetable. These specialist lessons tend to take place during the Michaelmas term, with the Oxbridge lessons aiming to prepare candidates for their interviews and aptitude tests, whilst AS resit classes are a valuable opportunity for boys to revise key concepts before the summer examinations.
The Archives The History department makes extensive use of the College Archives. All Year 9 boys take part in a project in which they each research the life of an OA who served in the First World War. Boys in the Lower School have the opportunity to handle books which are up to 700 years old, recording events in the Middle Ages. Recently, an exhibition about the Great Plague in Dulwich gave boys in Year 8 a fascinating insight into their study of Stuart England, giving the 1665 catastrophe real meaning.
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Beyond Dulwich College: Care ers
A launch pad of careers profiling and lessons in Year 11 enables the next two years’ thinking and development as the Dulwich Careers Advisers encourage each boy to pursue his favourite academic subjects and his interests beyond, but frequently connected, to the curriculum. As boys discuss their thoughts, they are taught how to contact academics and professionals within their selected area. From the conclusion of GCSEs, through to the submission of UCAS applications, research is undertaken, activities pursued and external visits made. This comprises our Professional Insight Programme, complemented by the annual Careers and Courses Convention with its 100-plus external representatives. ‘The Smallpeice trust Biomedical Engineering week at Southampton was a success. Another DC boy was there too, and I think they had fun staying in university halls and it was a really good experience in many ways for him. Thanks so much for putting us on to that.’ Parent of Year 11 student, Smallpiece Course, Summer 2016 Following any external career-related visit, boys again see a Dulwich Careers Adviser and are encouraged to reflect on their insights, to record their experiences and think about the next steps. A talk from Tuckers Solicitors at the College, ultimately led a Year 12 boy to pursue a visit to the same lawyers and their feedback helped shape the best options ahead of him.
Ian Powell from Tuckers Solicitors, speaking to the Law Society.
‘Micah comes across as well organised, intelligent and personable. He is quieter than a lot of the students we have here who already seem to assume that they are ‘lawyers’. He has a humbleness that made him popular here and struck up a mentor type relationship with one of the joint heads of the department. Micah was quite self-sufficient and happy to go off to any of the courts he was sent without the need of directions from us. I think that the placement did him good as he could see how he could have a future in a law firm that embraces diversity.’ Ian Powell, Tuckers Solicitors, feedback following Year 12 student placement, summer 2016 Frequently these external visits (Insight Days, lecture attendances, Open Days), either confirm or correct boys’ ideas or their misconceptions – all food for more thinking! And the entire community benefits as they make relevant contributions in classes, write articles, post pictures and invite their new contacts to speak at Society meetings. ‘ The coding challenge was quite fun and this visit taught me a lot about what it is like to work as a software engineer. As a result, I have applied to the week-long Sky
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work experience in August to consider a career in this area.’ Jack McHaffie, Year 12 Insight visit to Sky Academy Technology Day, June 2016 Much thought is stimulated about the wider scope of any subject or its application, helping to equip boys and develop informed decision making. ‘Being on the ward, observing the ward round and speaking with patients improved my communication skills and observing how a consultant clearly and objectively presented the risks and benefits of an operation to an anxious patient cemented the view about the importance of communication skills in the profession.’ Adam Sheriff, Year 13 Work placement at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, summer 2016 Boys frequently think about and comment on the use of technologies in any given area: ‘I was taught how to use Google SketchUp, a programme widely used in fundamental cases like forming ideas. It was great fun. That changed my idea about this occupation. For example, sketches that are regularly seen in magazines require a combination of 3D modelling and linear drawing skills. As an international student I was pleased to find people from all around the world gathering and working in a single office. I am really looking forward to working in a place like this after graduation.’ Michael Xu, Year 13, work placement at PDP London, May 2016 SECTOR NETWORKING Throughout the year, events are arranged to promote thinking amongst a particular group. This term a Chemistry networking event was requested by a member of the Chemistry department and the Careers department invited 20 guests, all with (or undertaking) post-graduate Chemistry qualifications and now working in a related area or one that benefits from staff with analytical thinking and a scientific approach to problem solving. The boys were trained, prior to the event, to research the specialities of the guests and to know how best to
The Chemistry networking event, held in the James Caird Hall.
utilise the event. Finally, all came together for an evening of informal discussion and were joined by pupils from The Charter School and JAGS. Minds were stretched beyond the curriculum during the dozens of conversations and these comments give a flavour of the thinking that was promoted: ‘Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your Chemistry networking event. It was a very enjoyable evening and great to see the students so passionate and enthusiastic about the future.’ Dr Samantha Atkinson, Deputy Director BP Commission MHRA ‘Chemistry opens the door to many well- paid and fulfilling careers – a far wider range of careers than you might expect. Because chemistry is the central science, and because chemists think analytically and approach problems scientifically, they are in demand across management, finance, media and the law, as well as in more expected places such as the pharmaceutical industry, environmental protection and research labs. A chemistry qualification throws the door open to rich and exciting careers all over the world.’ Sir John Holman, President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, writing an introduction to the College’s Chemistry networking event ‘I would be curious to see again my career profiling of some years back. As I mentioned to Careers staff this evening, back then I didn’t put much stock in it, but thinking back, I have ended up doing something very near the top of the list – albeit by a somewhat roundabout route.’ Andrew Pugsley, Old Alleynian guest who studied Chemistry and is now a Captain in the Royal Marines
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The Raymond Chandler Library, Wodehouse Library and College Archive play a key role in encouraging and supporting independent learning and academic achievement through the loan of their resources, teaching of information skills and by offering opportunities to assist in their organisation and operation. Many activities organised by the libraries and Archive help foster a love of reading, from the book clubs to author visits and participation in quizzes.
The Raymond Chandler Library The library provides a focal point for boys in Years 7 and 8 and provides a number of activities to engage pupils beyond the classroom. Book Clubs Around 40 Lower School boys meet each week in the Year 7 and Year 8 book clubs. They have the opportunity to talk about the books they have recently read and to read and review books on the shortlists for major awards including the Carnegie Medal and the Trinity Schools Book Award. In 2016 we hosted a Carnegie Medal Awards party for local schools and in 2017 we will be hosting the Trinity Schools Book Awards ceremony that will be attended by authors of the shortlisted books! ‘I like the library because it is full of books with a vast range of choices, from graphic novels to biographies.’ Edward Starr, Year 8
Author Visits Visits from authors help to boost pupils’ enjoyment of reading and cause a buzz around the Lower School as well-known writers are hosted in the library. During the past year boys have enjoyed visits from Matt Dickinson, Chris Bradford, Paul Dowswell, Sam Hepburn and Sarwat Chadda. Literary Quizzes Each year two DC teams enter both the International Kids Lit Quiz and the local CWIZZ organised by Children’s Writers in South London (CWISL). They are great opportunities for the boys to pit their wits against pupils from other schools and win prizes for their literary knowledge. ‘Kids Lit Quiz introduced me to new books and the practice sessions were fun and enjoyable. Book club has helped me make friends with boys like me.’ Stanley Traynor, Year 8
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‘Book club is an open place to share intellectual ideas, discuss anything (not just books) and find great new reads.’ Aiken Furlong, Year 9 Pupil Librarians A group of around 40 boys from across all year groups contribute to the running of the Wodehouse Library by carrying out a wide range of duties from shelving returned books to updating records on the online catalogue. Boys learn about the operations of the library and can gain useful managerial skills as they progress through the librarian hierarchy.
Pupil Librarians Many boys enjoy helping in the organisation and operations of the libraries as pupil librarians. Boys gain valuable knowledge of how libraries work and benefit from skills learnt as they take on additional responsibilities. Lapel badges are given and library ties awarded for reliable service. The Dulwich Despatch Founded in 2000 and still going strong, The Dulwich Despatch is published twice a year by boys and staff in the Raymond Chandler Library. Packed full of articles on a wide range of topics and also including reviews, puzzles and creative writing, it provides boys with an excellent introduction to the world of journalism.
Book club members enjoy the Trinity Schools Book Awards.
The Wodehouse Library Named after one of the College’s most famous old boys, the Wodehouse Library is central to the academic and cultural life of the College. The library contains a wide-ranging collection of more than 20,000 volumes to support the academic work of all boys in the Middle and Upper Schools along with fiction, DVDs, CDs and an ever-growing collection of online resources. Like the Chandler Library it aims to provide opportunities to learn outside the classroom. The book group meets every Friday in the civilised setting of the library’s Periodicals’ Room where we discuss our latest reading over refreshments. The debate is often lively and diverges into other cultural interests such as music, film and current affairs.
Old Alleynian author, Tom Pollock, delivers an inspiring talk.
‘I became a student librarian because I enjoy reading and I wanted to do more to help other people to read more. I wanted to give back to the library for helping me get
into reading. ’ Rivers Westley, Year 10
‘I joined the library as I am an avid reader and wished to become more involved in the workings of books at Dulwich College. It has benefited me as I am now reading more widely and I have met many new people who I might not have run into otherwise.’ Ethan Patel, Year 10
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Three pupil volunteers prepare back copies of The Alleynian.
Author Visits The library organises visits from authors to encourage boys to read around their subjects and discover new writers. In the past year these have included the French physicist and author, Christophe Galfard, OA nature writer Henry Nicholls and two Old Alleynian novelists, Taran Matharu and Tom Pollock, who are established as successful authors for young adults. ‘One of my favourite talks was from Tom Pollock. He was really interesting to listen to and gave brilliant writing advice.’ Oscar Cunningham, Year 9 The Archive and Fellows’ Library The Archive is an important resource in the College, accessed by pupils from DUCKS right through to Year 13 (Sixth Form). Lessons based on archival material give an added breadth and dimension and the boys recognise the uniqueness of the chances they have to use the Archive. In more recent years this has been extended to the Free Learning Days and the Sixth Form Symposium. Apart from formal, timetabled lessons, boys can use the Archive for extension projects like the Extended Essay, Liberal Studies or their own research, be it writing an article for The Alleynian or a personal hobby such as collecting medals. ‘One of the benefits of the College is the vast repository of material in the Archive.’ Zeb Micic, Year 10 There are also many opportunities to help in the Archive, boys volunteer as part of Community Service:
‘I have found it both intriguing and entertaining slicing open 100+ year old copies of The Alleynian . Despite the fact that I was never especially good at DT, I am becoming increasingly proficient with a scalpel, and am learning about the history of DC; in particular its 1874 cricket teams and various school “expeditions.” ’ Henry Hall, Year 10 Or to complete the volunteering element of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Many enjoy the atmosphere and diversity so much they continue their involvement: ‘This is my second year at the Archive digitising indentures for scholars who took up apprenticeships in the 17th and 18th century. I feel that the work is important, as it is an integral part of our College’s history that should be preserved for future generations to see or use as a reference.’ Andrew Ng, Year 11 When the boys help in the Archive it is very symbiotic, as the staff learn about the current life of the College while pupils learn about the history: ‘Working in the Archive has been interesting, as one gets a glimpse into the history of the College. It is easy to forget how long the school has existed, and to ignore the contributions which Old Alleynians have made. Seeing that current students are living on a legacy left from our predecessors is exciting and humbling.’ Kwaku Gyasi, Year 12
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