Earth Day: Students as Leaders across the Dulwich Community
Information provided by Head of Y10, Ms Maria Villaescusa
As part of this year's Earth Day initiative, many of our Year 10 students, often the youngest cohort within Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou, the visit to Dulwich College Suzhou offered a meaningful opportunity to step into positions of leadership and responsibility. Supporting younger learners from DUCKS Year 1 and Year 2, they moved beyond their usual roles as students, taking on the responsibility of guiding, encouraging, and facilitating learning.
In the lead-up to the visit, Year 10 students worked collaboratively to design activities centred around the global journey of coffee. Each group focused on a different region, including Kenya, Peru, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Yunnan, researching cultural and geographical contexts while curating visual materials to support their sessions.
During the visit, these preparations came to life. Our students guided younger pupils through creative activities, helping them translate ideas into artwork that was later printed onto coffee cups and displayed for sale in the school café. The project brought together creativity, collaboration, and service, while requiring students to demonstrate patience, adaptability, and clear communication.
What stood out most was the way our students approached these responsibilities. They supported younger learners step by step, responded to challenges as they arose, and ensured that every child felt included and engaged. In doing so, they demonstrated that leadership is not defined by authority, but by the ability to guide others with care and clarity.
The experience also highlighted the Vibrant Community at Dulwich. DHSZ students and staff were warmly welcomed into the vibrant and imaginative environment of DUCKS, creating a shared space for learning and exchange across age groups.
By the end of the visit, many students returned with a deeper understanding of what it means to teach, to lead, and to contribute positively to others’ learning. These moments reflect an important dimension of a Dulwich education: learning that extends beyond the classroom, where students are encouraged not only to develop knowledge, but also to apply it in meaningful, real-world contexts.
Student Reflections
They all have unique ideas and are skilled at drawing, with each stroke carrying their own thoughts. I really like them and hope to see them again next time.
They tried their best to communicate with us in English and were very focused when painting.
Some of the younger students in our group were a little shy to begin with, but they were all very good at drawing.
Even when language was a barrier, we found ways to communicate and complete the task together.
A Shared Learning Community
Experiences such as this reflect a defining feature of the Dulwich community: students are not only learners, but also contributors.
Through opportunities to lead, collaborate, and support others, they develop not only academic understanding but also the confidence, responsibility, and empathy that shape their growth beyond the classroom.
Grow in Dulwich, Thrive in Life