The River Thames outside DLD College London

From The Principal

24th December 19

So the Christmas spirit has finally arrived at DLD this week and it certainly feels likes Christmas now. With the Christmas tree looking splendid. Decorations and tinsel in Reception, classrooms and Global Kitchen, carols playing in school and the students taking part in Christmas Jumper Day in support of The Waterloo foodbank. After all it is December (oddly enough there is the small matter of a general election next week) and all we need now is some snow…  I would like to wish our students all the best in their milestone tests this week and hope that the extra work and effort has paid off and of course to our Oxbridge candidates who have been invited up for interview to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge next week. We are very proud of their achievements and wish them every success. They have been preparing feverishly this week and have had tough mock interviews with colleagues who have been putting them through their paces.

I am sure this passion for learning both inside and outside of the classroom will continue long into the weekend, when the boarders will be having their Christmas Party and also making preparations for next week’s Christmas Concert and Awards Ceremony, whilst our scientists are at GCSE Science Live today listening to world-class speakers such as Professor Jim Al-Khalili and Professor Robert Winston. Later on this evening our scientists will be at the world-renowned Royal Institution watching the world famous Christmas Lectures being filmed; what a unique learning opportunity for them! With art trips, faculty lectures, ice skating at the Tower London and ballet at the Royal Opera House, there are plenty of opportunities for our students to learn, grow and develop.

Our basketball team are also away at my old school (Whitgift) this afternoon hoping to cap a pretty successful season. It will no doubt be a competitive fixture played with much spirit and sportsmanship (much like the general election I hope!); I wish both teams (and all parties) well in their endeavors. Let’s hope that snow doesn’t stop play!

Irfan Latif – Principal