It has been an honour and a privilege to help establish the sports provision here at Dulwich College (Singapore). Rarely in education does one get the opportunity to start a programme from a completely fresh start. In 2014, I had the pleasure of leading the inaugural sports team to develop a sports provision that engaged every student and enabled everyone to enjoy playing sports and lead healthy lifestyles in a fun, challenging and safe environment. That was our target then and remains our ambition and determination today.
Within the first term of opening, we had already entered our first competitions and enabled students to enjoy the touring experience. Seeing our first rugby team run out at the Australian International School in their International School’s festival in September 2014 only one month after we opened was a statement of intent. The Dulwich students played with such courage and determination to reach the semi-finals in this inaugural event, and it was such a proud moment to see our students really embracing the challenges put in front of them. From that moment we were committed to delivering a programme based upon character values, Dulwich College (Singapore) was focused upon being Determined, Courageous, Skilful and Gracious from that point forward.
In those early days, we were teaching on the DUCKS corridors, marking netball courts out on the 3G sports pitch and imagining what our swimming programme would be like whilst the pool was waiting to have water in it. It proved that where there was a will there is always a way. Looking back now at the terrific facilities and resources we have we truly are privileged to work in this environment. In the first year, the sports department had to prove their resilience and adaptability yet proved that although we desire the best facilities possible delivering outstanding results is not dependent upon this.
Our footballers reached the quarter-finals of the BISP Soccer 7s in November and in March we took 28 students to the Dulwich Olympiad and came away with the trophy as the most successful school there. Focusing on enabling people to be determined to give their best, courageous to perform with positive mindsets, focus on developing skills and tactics to mastery and above all being gracious and having an attitude of gratitude has become the bedrock of our provision. It enables us to focus on people rather than results, yet builds environments that foster positive performances. We have so many talented students and staff, and the focus throughout the past ten years has been to get the very best out of all of these individuals.
Over ten years in an international setting, we have seen thousands of people come and go, passing through the College. I hope the sports programme has resonated with all of these students and enabled them to go on and lead successful lives from the lessons learned through our provision. Certainly seeing and hearing of former students' successes is incredibly gratifying. So many of our students have gone on to achieve so much in their young lives. We have students with NCAA scholarships in America, at Premier League football clubs and even gaining international honours. Nic Rutherford has swum for South Africa, whilst Luke Rawlings this year has played for England U16s and joined Harry Birtwistle at Wolves. All started their sports journeys here at Dulwich. These are of course wonderful success stories for the most talented but beyond that it is gratifying to hear of all the students now leading active lifestyles and just being determined to be the best versions of themselves. Seeing our former students re-visit the College and speak fondly of their memories and the teachers that impacted their lives so positively makes this job incredibly rewarding.
As we move into the next chapter of the College’s history, we hope that the hard work of these foundation years has created an environment where anyone who comes to work and is taught in the sports department is inspired to be the best versions of themselves. Focusing on the development of the whole person, their physical, cognitive, skills and lifestyles creates an environment that is not focused on results, but leads to outstanding performances that we can all be proud of.
This year already we have become FOBISIA netball and South East Asia Touch champions and continue to put more school teams out than any other school in Singapore. It is this commitment to providing opportunities for all that has been at the heart of the provision over the past ten years and I hope will remain. We move towards creating environments where everyone is celebrated and enabled to become the best versions of themselves. We seek to provide the best environment possible for people to engage in sports and learn to play without fear and pressure.
Everyone who has been involved in the sports provision since we started in August 2014 has been committed to being the best versions of themselves. We hope this bedrock of hard work, fun and commitment to excellence will enable future generations to become Determined, Courageous, Skilful and Gracious in all areas of their lives. If we can produce young people who hold these values close to their heart and live and breathe them, I hope this future generation of young people will create a world we can all enjoy living in.
