Leadership in Action at Dulwich College Seoul

What does it mean to be a leader?  
 

At Dulwich College Seoul, leadership takes many forms. It is more than just a title. Leadership is woven into the fabric of College life, visible in classrooms and House competitions, on sports fields and playgrounds, on stage, in extra-curricular activities, in community service projects, and in the everyday interactions that shape our community. 

Our Head Students, House Captains and Student Council representatives play a vital role in shaping student voice across the College. They listen to peers, communicate ideas, and work closely with staff to bring initiatives to life. A few examples include meat-free Mondays conceived by our Sustainability Committee and our IB Centre, which was conceived and designed by students. Through assemblies, campaigns, and collaborative projects, our student leaders demonstrate that effective leadership is grounded in accountability, integrity, and respect. 

“We represent the College in many ways, asking students what they would like and sharing what we learn at conferences such as the EiM Student Leadership Conference. We also mentor Year 6 students as they prepare for Senior School,” said Bea K, Year 12 student, Head Student, Diversity (each one of our Head Students represents one of our values including Excellence, Sustainability and Community). 

“As Head of Diversity, I want advocacy to go beyond conversations. For Black History Month, we are exploring how Black culture has shaped popular culture, and for Women’s History Month, I am partnering with charities to encourage donations.” Reflecting on her motivation, Bea added, “Growing up in a homogeneous environment, I learned the importance of ensuring voices are not overlooked. Being Head of Diversity felt like a meaningful opportunity to create change.” 

Leadership also flourishes beyond formal titles. In Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs), students lead sports teams with resilience and courage. In music and the performing arts, they guide ensembles, mentor younger students, and take ownership of productions. 

Karan M, Year 12 and Co-captain of the Varsity Football team, previously served on the Student Council and recently helped open the Culture Club Café as part of the European Languages IB class. “Leadership in the kitchen meant clear communication, collaboration and strong organisation,” he explained. When asked what kind of leader he wants to be, he said, “I want to be a leader that pushes other people to be at their best. Being selfless and kind-hearted really helps.”  

He has also championed sports within the College, helping propose the adoption of AI sports cameras to live-stream football matches and increase engagement with varsity sport. 

Student-led Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs), including Earth Stewards (formerly Eco Warriors), Junior Librarians and the ever-popular Ssaem - which matches students with upper-class students as mentors and students teaching Korean to teachers - further model responsibility and initiative. Evanna G, Year 6, who is part of Earth Stewards and has previously served on the Student Council, said, “We have raised awareness about food waste and are working to reduce our carbon footprint. I hope to be a confident and empathetic leader who listens to others and speaks up to create positive change.” 

Philanthropy and community service also provide powerful platforms for leadership. Whether supporting local charities or participating in service initiatives, students learn that compassion and self-awareness are at the heart of meaningful impact. We recently held a successful Community Service Day in honour of our 15th anniversary, where our entire student body of 740 made more than 600kg of kimchi for the elderly in need. Our Primary School’s Charity Committee raises funds through bake sales and other initiatives to benefit groups the committee has identified as partners, including Korea Legacy Committee, Open Arms, and a library in a small community in the Philippines, to name a few. Our Senior School offers vast number of channels for community service, including through a Dulwich College Seoul branch of New Global Normal, an NGO started by an alumnus that aims to increase intercultural understanding.   

Outdoor education and adventurous journeys further supports leadership development. Through challenging expeditions and collaborative problem-solving, students develop resilience, courage, and trust.  

Leadership also extends beyond campus through opportunities such as the Annual Education in Motion (EiM) Student Leadership Conference, Model United Nations (MUN), overseas competitions and performances, to name a few. By engaging with peers across the Family of Schools, students deepen their understanding of global citizenship and their responsibility within an interconnected world. 
 

At Dulwich College Seoul, leadership is not defined by position, but by purpose. Our students are developing the confidence to take risks, the courage to act and the empathy to serve. Through experiences both inside and beyond the classroom, we work to inspire our students to grow into leaders who make a positive difference in the world.