From the Principal #123
24th September 21
Walking around College and seeing students and staff in classrooms, the Atrium, the boarding house, the Global Kitchen, and the Sports Pitch and Wellbeing Garden have been heartening and reassuring. The last remnants of summer have no doubt helped too with students enjoying our outdoor facilities. I have been delighted by how everyone is adapting back to school life. I believe it is a testament to the DLD spirit where everyone goes that extra mile and where nothing is impossible. And speaking about the impossible, in this week’s assembly, we reflected on the remarkable achievement and success of Emma Raducanu, the 18-year-old British tennis player who won the US Open tennis championship at her first attempt and as a qualifier after completing her A Levels only three months earlier. She made history at only 18, barely a year older than our current Year 13 students at DLD – so there is everything to play for.
The success of our new House system, based on the iconic London Underground tube network, where our students benefit from even more unique learning opportunities, to the quality of service by our brilliant catering team in the Global Kitchen, has shown us what we can achieve when we come together as a community. Everyone is working hard to ensure that it’s business as usual for our students and staff. And everyone is enjoying being back!
Our new football and netball teams (great turn out, by the way!) are preparing for the season ahead. Staff are showcasing the extensive co-curricular activities (CCAs) programme and academic societies that started this week. And with over 50 CCAs to choose from, there is plenty of choice for your students to develop and grow. It was great to see the Lower School House system well underway this week, promoting healthy competition amongst our students (and staff!). Our boarders too, who have completed their ‘cocooning’, have now joined the college community and are settling into the new rhythms and routines of school life and making new friends.
Yes, it is different from the last 18 months, but we are adapting and adopting a new pedagogy. We are committed to providing an outstanding world-class education with excellent pastoral care for all of our students, whatever the weather. And who knows, there may well be a grand slam champion in our midst. Nothing is impossible.
Best wishes,
Irfan
Irfan H Latif
Principal
