The River Thames outside DLD College London

From the Principal #95

20th November 20

Earlier this week I opened my mail in my office and I was surprised to find a Christmas Card, in November! Firstly, I was surprised at the efficiency of the sender, and secondly, it alerted me to the fact that we are just five Fridays away from Christmas. Is it me, or does Christmas seem to be arriving earlier every year? The John Lewis ad (apparently this signals the start of Christmas), the annual battle of the supermarkets, Black Friday (now Black Friday week!), the Sunday supplements teaching you ‘How to cook the perfect Turkey’ (last weekend) and Christmas trees that will pop up around the college and in the Boarding House this weekend. And it is still only November! So we are officially in the festive season.

This week we have seen a veritable feast of opportunities. We had a student-led assembly on Anti-Bullying Week, which included students and staff supporting Odd Socks Day,  FTP Live, the Senior UK Maths challenge, Oxbridge interview preparation, House competitions, School nutritionist visit and of course, our annual Movember charity fund-raising event. Alongside all of this, our very own Christmas preparations are underway; I noticed that the Christmas tree was delivered to the Atrium earlier this week and decorations are coming out of the College store. The boarders will be decorating the Christmas tree and a number in the boarding house common rooms. Christmas Movie night this weekend and preparations for the virtual Winter Concert next month – do join us online for the yuletide festivities. We are preparing the Christmas Lunch menu in the Global Kitchen, Christmas Jumper Charity Day, the DLD Christmas Card, Student Council Christmas Song, carol singing and plenty more.

However, there is still much work to be done before Christmas arrives (in December I hasten to add!); there are mock and public exams to prepare for in January 2021, end of term reports to write and the completion of UCAS personal statements and applications to name but a few. Although it is only November, I think everyone will be in the Christmas spirit soon, though some may be spreading the Christmas cheer at College a little bit early…

Best wishes

Irfan

Irfan Latif, Principal