PRINCIPAL’S LETTER
Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of NLCS Jeju
Another academic year has drawn to a close with a week of amazing and wonderful activities for students across the School. The Arts Festival came to a wonderful climax with the Orchestral Spectacular which showcased the musical talents of our students in ensembles, and orchestras with some accomplished soloists across the years. The Arts Festival has grown since its inception when AVP Neil Tamlyn joined the school in 2011. His creative direction has led the Arts Festival and the performing and creative arts development at NLCS Jeju. We are all very grateful and appreciative for his service and commitment to NLCS Jeju and he will be sorely missed. We wish him well on the next adventure in his life.
We also give thanks for their service to the School to those members of faculty who are leaving us this year to continue their careers in other schools around the world. For our graduates of 2024 we wish them every success in the next stage of their lives and for our graduates in year 6 we wish them good luck and success as they transition to the Senior School and begin the next stage of their journey at NLCS Jeju. We wish our year 11 and 13 students success in the IGCSE and IBDP recent examinations when results are published in July and August.
To all our students, faculty and parents we thank you for the different roles you have played in the NLCS Jeju community this year as we break for our summer holidays. We show appreciation to our support staff and services who have ensured our school is operating well and safely to support the high quality education provided. The year has been exciting, demanding, challenging and presented many opportunities which have been grasped with both hands. We wish all a wonderful summer holiday and trust that it will be a holiday for you so that when you return you are ready, rested and able to pick up the mantle and play a full part in the life of the school in 2024-25.
Yours sincerely,
Lynne Oldfield Principal
NLCS Jeju’s new Social Vision Statement
“A welcoming community, where kindness thrives and everyone belongs”
This inspiring statement is a call to the community to work together, focussing on developing a shared school culture of positive relationships, support and inclusiveness. As a school we are committed to creating the best possible environment and educational experience for our students so that they can thrive and develop into respectful and caring individuals.
At NLCS Jeju, our three Pillars of Pastoral Care, Academics, and Beyond the Curriculum produce the opportunities and challenges that grow and develop our students within a supportive and caring environment. Although every one of our students ultimately runs their own race, it should not be a solo journey or an unpleasant experience. Our community exists for the benefit and success of our students so we should nurture and cultivate a healthy community in order to benefit everyone of its members.
We have eight School values which are: Caring, Responsibility, Character, Agency, Critical Thinking, Scholarship, Open Mindedness and Curiosity. These values flow through our Pillars, Houses and Boarding Homes. When students harness these values and apply them to their friendships, approaches to learning or to the many daily interests and passions that they enjoy, the outcomes can often outperform expectations. Nothing gives me greater joy than seeing students graduating who have excelled and thrived in not only their academics but also in their character and values too.
Whether we recognise it or not, we all contribute to the culture and climate of our community. Every interaction, contribution and conversation sends vibrations through the community web and is either constructive and positive or the opposite. We want our community to generate a sense of belonging where students can feel safe and have the time and opportunity to explore their potential without ridicule or prejudice.
“Belonging is a relational, cultural, geographic and dynamic concept, a complex emotion triggered by a range of factors. Belonging can shift rapidly into ‘not belonging’ with damaging consequences for individuals and society.”
(Riley, 2022)
So as we end another school year and prepare to start a new one in August, please think about the part that you play in our diverse rainforest of a community. Kindness costs nothing and we all want to feel a sense of belonging.
Crispian Waterman Vice Principal Pastoral
THE MAIN EVENT
Here are the biggest stories from around the School this week.
SCHOOL
CELEBRATIONS
There are always lots of reasons to celebrate at the end of an academic year, here are the photos from our recent big celebratory events!
VALEDICTORY
As another Academic Year comes to a close, we enjoyed a great celebration at our Valedictory Ceremony. Our Year 13 students have worked so hard to achieve excellent university offers and the valedictory was a great way for us all to celebrate together and wish them well for their future endeavours.
Well done to all - keep in touch! Click for Video
THE MAIN EVENT
THE MAIN EVENT
THE MAIN EVENT
THE MAIN EVENT
Each year, the Alumni Parent Association (APA) generously donates a monetary scholarship prize to three students who have demonstrated selfless acts of service throughout their time at NLCS Jeju.
Students nominated themselves, entries were shortlisted by the School, with the final three being selected by the APA.
Thank you to the President of the NLCS Jeju APA for attending the ceremony and presenting the awards to Stella, Brandon and Keonyi - very well deserved.
THE MAIN EVENT
YEAR 11 - IGCSE CEREMONY
In previous years we celebrated our IGCSE students at the start of their IB journey in Year 12. However, we thought it was important to acknowledge how well they have done and how resilient they have been throughout the rigorous two years and in particular during the last few weeks of exams. Celebrating together before they head off for the Summer allows us to mark the end of a very important chapter in their education and allows us to focus on Year 12 when they return in August.
Well done to all our students - we look forward to sharing news of their results with you in August.
THE MAIN EVENT
RECEPTION TO YEAR 5 AWARDS
We are proud of all our students, but it is important to recognise when a student has done something above and beyond expectations, therefore we are always delighted to celebrate each other together in the Reception to Year 5 awards. The success of students does not take away from other students - it just strengthens the community and allows us to give thanks to each other. Watch video
They have done it! Our fantastic Reception students have completed their first year of formal schooling and what an exciting year it has been. We are proud of each and every one of them and are looking forward to seeing them in Year 1 after the holidays.
RECEPTION GRADUATION
THE MAIN EVENT
YEAR 6 GRADUATION
Though the majority of our Year 6 students will be returning in August to join Year 7, we always like to celebrate this milestone. Transitioning from the Junior School to the Senior School is an important part of the students educational journey. They have all been remarkable role models for our younger students and we know our current Senior School students will welcome them and guide them from August.
THE MAIN EVENT
ARTS FESTIVAL
What a week! The Festival kicked off on Friday evening and has brought the campus to life - with performances, music and art galore - the students have once again showcased their talents and allowed all other students to enjoy the final week of the academic year.
Thank you to Mr. Dex Masrey for creating this great video! More Photos!
THE MAIN EVENT
FAREWELL, MR. NEIL TAMLYN
Thank you to everyone who helped make this yet another successful year. Thanks in particular goes to Mr. Neil Tamlyn, who will be leaving us today - after being at NLCS Jeju since its inception in 2011. The Arts Festival only exists and is only as good as it is because of him - he will be missed because of this and many other reasons.
Farewell Video
SUMMER FETE
Thank you to our TowerAid students, our Events Prefects, the Beyond the Curriculum Team (Mr. Doug Machin and Mr. Gwangho Im) and the Events Manager (Mr. David Lock), as well as the House Teams and Tutors for a fantastic last day on campus. We will share more photos soon and the total amount raised for charity once we have the figure!
Don’t miss our posts!
Follow us on our social media pages to never miss out! Our recent posts include:
• IGCSE Ceremony
• First Aid Training
• IBDP Gallery Visit
• Shadow Painting
• House Art Competition
FLICKR
Did you know we add all our photos to Flickr? With no restrictions on the number of photos we can share, you will be able to see every photo from all the events around School. Why not have a look now?
NLCS Jeju Awards and Achievements
FOBISIA POETRY COMPETITION
NLCS Jeju are proud members of FOBISIA and are delighted to announce that Benjamin Jun came second in his age category.
Snow upon a Seollal’s Eve Benjamin Jun
I shall smile when I see the snow has fallen all around me, For I love the snow, and I always have, loved it as I never have.
And before the early morning sun Can wash the blackness from the sky, Before the frost has time to thaw, Before the moon has time to dim,
I’ll watch the snow as tiny flakes Are falling all upon me,
Falling on the rusted gates, Falling on the unkempt fields, Falling on the time-worn sickle that my callused hands can wield no more.
Falling on the empty barn, Falling on the leaking trough, Falling on the broken tiles that I call my home.
Dare not I tread upon the snow.
Dare not I take a single step, For fear I’ll wreck the glowing field, the Gelid down of winter gales.
Dare not I even breathe, ‘till I see That I am now completely bleached, That the world is now completely blank, That I may now grind against the dampness of an inkstone the glossy blackness of the nighttime sky And that my brush may write upon The pearly earth, the names that mean, to me, More than love.
So I shall smile, when I know my breath Is not enough to thaw the frost. For I love the snow, and I always have, Loved it as I never have.
Canadian Chemistry Contest (CCC)
Run by the University of British Columbia (BC), the CCC is an annual event for 11th-13th graders to show their advanced Chemistry knowledge in topics beyond the IB curriculum Congratulations to all participants and in particular the 3 students have achieved distinction for performing in the top 20% worldwide. Congratulations to Sunghyun Yoon, Chaehyeon Uhm and Sunwoo Lee on this achievement in a particularly challenging competition.
NLCS Jeju Awards and Achievements
YEAR 6 NLCS INTERNATIONAL MINI-MUN
A great week for NLCS Jeju. Twelve students from Year 6 took part in our first international NLCS Mini-MUN conference in the heart of London, UK. Students consolidated their skills of team-working, public speaking, drafting and amending resolutions. They worked with delegations from our sister schools around the world to solve environmental, human rights, protecting indigenous peoples, international health and economic issues that confront our modern day United Nations.
In the spirit of international cooperation and team building all students bonded over lacrosse, cricket and table tennis. They also attended forums headed by UN speechwriters, UK diplomats serving in the International court of Justice and listened to one of the founders of the Model United Nations Society. The Jeju delegation used these experiences to forge alliances and build friendships with other NLCS students from Dubai, Singapore and London.
Jiwon was one of the first to speak and was selected to be the main submitter of the health committee’s resolution, which sought to deliver universal global health care. She also opened up the floodgates for excellent counter-proposals and rebuttals from Lena, Dahyun and Belle. Philip and David spearheaded a motion in the crisis committee that would have protected the earth from alien invasion by decoding Alien languages using existing decrypting Korean technology. In fact, every one of our students spoke and questioned motions that led to their group winning an award or they themselves being recognised for their incisive contributions.
In amongst all the serious business of drafting resolutions, speaking for and against operative clauses and finally voting on motions, Jeju students had a packed extra curricula agenda. They went around the Tower of London to see the crown jewels, take a selfie with one of the infamous ravens of the Tower, and talk with one of the first female beefeaters (castle guards). They also observed the raising of Tower Bridge, took in the sights of Kensington Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester and Trafalgar Squares, as well as educating themselves in the Museums of Natural History and Science. They also saw the musical Matilda, observed the city from the London eye, and experienced the magic of the Harry Potter Studios.
This packed agenda invigorated our students and entrenched their positive attitude to protecting our planet and humanity as a whole. In doing so, they learned to expand their world view, identify solutions to international problems and forge long lasting partnerships. In effect, NLCS Mini-MUN showed us that our students can lead the way to making the world a better place.
Awards
• Jay C (Distinguished delegation, UK, Crisis)
• Aiden K (Best delegation, USA, General Assembly)
• Lena K (Best delegation, USA, General Assembly)
• Joowon K (Best delegation, USA, General Assembly)
• David K (Distinguished Delegate, South Korea, Human Rights Committee and Best Delegation in Crisis)
• Philip J (Best Delegation, South Korea, Crisis)
• Jungwoo S ( Best Delegation, South Korea, Crisis)
• Dahyun Y (Highly commended delegation, Greece, General Assembly, and Best Delegate in Environment Committee)
• Belle J (Distinguished delegation, India, General Assembly and distinguished delegate of the SOCHUM* Committee)
• Jiwon S (Distinguished delegation, India, General Assembly)
• Nayoon K (Distinguished delegation, India, General Assembly)
• Yonjay N (Highly commended delegation, Greece, General Assembly)
*Social Cultural and Humanitarian
Other News
GRIMM FOREST
As part of Year 4’s study on twisted fairy tales in English, they visited the Grimm Forest in Jungman. There were opportunities to admire the fantastic artstyle, the history behind famous fairytales and take part in some drama! Year 4 will be able to implement a lot of what they have learned in their graphic novels that they are creating on a twisted fairy tale.
Other News
FINALISTS!
We are delighted to confirm that NLCS Jeju is a finalist in this year’s National Awards for Pastoral Care in Education, in the International Contribution to Pastoral Care category.
Well done to everyone involved with providing exceptional pastoral care and support to our students.
Winners will be announced in October.
SAVE ABANDONED DOGS
In June members of Save Abandoned Dog (SAD) and Beyond the Shelter prepared key rings and sticker sheets to raise money for animal shelters on Jeju Island. This was a collaboration event with Branksome Hall’s Pawssible. The money will be used to support the welfare and care of abandoned in local shelters.
The event was shared by local media and the interview has been published on YouTube.
HALLIM PARK
Our Year 2 students enjoyed an enriching trip to Hallim Park as part of our science topic on living things. They observed various plants and animals, investigating how these organisms get the essentials they need to survive. The students also noted physical and behavioural adaptations that help these species thrive. This hands-on experience enhanced their understanding of ecosystems and fostered a deeper appreciation for nature’s balance. It was a day filled with discovery, learning, and fun!
FIRST AID TRAINING
Well done to Sunwoo Hea (Y12) and Elizabeth Han (Y12) who, with the support of Mr. Mark Kim (Biology Teacher) and the ABO Supporters, arranged First Aid training on campus for our Year 11 and 12 students, as well as ABO Supporters and staff.
After undertaking First Aid training, Elizabeth wanted to ensure more students had an opportunity to learn these lifesaving skills, such as how to use an AED machine and how to do CPR, she therefore contacted the Korean Red Cross and arranged the event! Thank you to everyone involved, we are all grateful to have so many additional first aiders on campus.
Other News
CALENDAR COMPETITION
We had 37 entries hoping for a chance to have their photo on the front of the NLCS Jeju desktop calendar! The Marketing team reviewed the photos and the top four were selected and given to the Senior Team for the final vote.
This year’s winner is Mr. Paul Smith with their fantastic photo of a Jeju port.
Mr. Paul Smith
Well done to the three runners up -
Ms. Jiwon Kim (School Nurse) - photo of a canola field
Ms. Lindsay Lee (Biology Teacher) - photo of a view from an Oreum
Ms. David Moore (History Teacher, TOK Teacher) - photo of Halla in Winter
Ms. Jiwon Kim
KOREAN FOLK PAINTING WORKSHOP - YEAR 11 ENRICHMENT
Year 11 personal development workshop provided students with the unique opportunity to learn the beautiful art of Korean Folk Painting. Thank you to Wonjun Cho’s Mother - Ms. Saeng Kim, for arranging and providing her skilled instruction for this activity for our students. It was much appreciated. Thank you also to the PRG members who supported.
Ms. Lindsay Lee
Ms. David Moore
AI WORKSHOP - YEAR 11 ENRICHMENT
Thank you to Jae Hoon Lee who visited campus recently to provide a workshop to our Year 11 students on Chat GPT and AI in education. This was part of the personal development programme for our Year 11 students. The workshop covered focus on Chat GPT, provided practical applications for teachers and emphasised using mind maps.
Other News
BEHIND THE SCENES
With so many events taking place on campus, we must not forget the hard work and dedication that takes place behind the scenes to give the impression that events appear and run smoothly - as if by magic! We recently interviewed our excellent Events Prefects to find out more!
Who are you - Alexa Han
We are the ‘Events Prefect’ in the school who mainly focuses on working with the major events and activities the school holds. This year, we have been working on Year 7 Open Houses, Year 10 Information Sessions, Christmas Bazaar and a few more amazing events! We also work on the duties that we are designated. We stand by the corridor of the library to ensure that students are walking in a safe and organised manner. Sometimes, we also tell them to wear lanyards!
Why you chose to work in events - Gaby Oh
I chose to work in events because of the unique opportunities it offers students. Becoming an Events Prefect was a way to become more involved in the non-academic aspects of school life. We are given the chance to participate in various events which are not usually accessible to students. By partaking in the preparations, we are able to work with not only students but also faculty members as well as support staff members, which enables us to observe the workflow of projects run by actual companies.
What are the highlights of the role - Emma Chung
In my opinion, the highlight of this role is the fulfilment when we see you having fun! We put a lot of effort into preparing each event and it gives me a sense of accomplishment when it pays off. The preparation process has also been a great experience. It always amazed me how the Events Prefect Team can put together something incredible that impacts the whole school, which would not have been possible by a single individual. Working with my friends has strengthened our bonds
What are the challenges - Hanju Park
The challenges that I have faced while doing prefect activities were on time management with academics.
The academic workload as an IB student is high since there are assessments and assignments due every week, and these work loads do not decrease during even weeks of school.
During the preparation of Christmas Bazaar, I face difficulties in preparing for my academics after doing Prefect work in school for at least 5-6 hours.
However, I found a mechanism to manage my time through experience, which made me think these perfect activities are more helpful for IB students in terms of personal development
What are you looking forward to the most - Soomin Shim
I’m looking forward to the Summer Fete that will be taking place at the end of the year. Summer fete is one of the biggest events in school, which is an opportunity for every tutor group of all houses to participate in a major school event. Although it requires hard work, students feel a sense of accomplishment and learn important qualities such as teamwork which makes Summer Fete truly valuable.
I’m most passionate about all the commitment from the Events Prefects and individual students as I guarantee that everyone will put in their greatest efforts to make Summer Fete the best memory of all time.
What has been the most memorable event you have done - Elizabeth Han
Serving as the Events Prefect of the school provided us with numerous opportunities to contribute to various events. However, among all the experiences, this year’s Christmas Bazaar stands out as the most memorable and rewarding.
The event held particular importance as it marked the second Bazaar organised after the challenges imposed by COVID-19 with the unprecedented level of student contribution. The enthusiasm and active involvement of the student body, faculty, and staff made the event not just a seasonal celebration but solid evidence of our school community’s unity and vitality.
The most gratifying aspect was seeing the joy on the faces of the students who needed a well-deserved break and a bit of Christmas Magic after the stress and hard work of the term.
Other News
Although there were hardships behind our work, the success of the Christmas Bazaar has been an immensely fulfilling experience, which made us look forward to the Summer Fête. We look forward to applying the lessons learned during the Bazaar to make the Summer Fête an equally memorable celebration.
Message to those who are thinking of joining the team - Jiah Jung
The Events Prefect role is a wonderful opportunity to deeply be involved in various school events like the Christmas Bazaar. Like myself, people who are passionate and are willing to take on creative opportunities would therefore enjoy this role very much.
Overview… - Regis Yang (Senior Prefect 2023-24)
It was a genuine pleasure to work with the Events Prefects in organising the Christmas Bazaar and last year, the Summer Fete. Each and every decoration, booth, and token holds meaning to us because of the amount of effort that went into each aspect of the event: we hope it was noticed by all the participants.
Final Words - Mr Lock
This is the third year of working with a group of students as Event Prefects and I really enjoy this aspect of my role. Seeing their passion and dedication to learn new skills outside of the classroom is very rewarding. Each year the role is growing and I know the Summer Fete will no doubt be the best yet!
BOOK DONATION
“Year 8’s Haewoon (Simon) Lee (pictured) is leaving NLCS Jeju for the US, but his love for reading will stay behind! Donating his personal collection to the library, Simon ensures his classmates can keep exploring literary adventures.” - Mr. Jonathan Taylor (Librarian). “I thought it would be a great opportunity to give back to the school community. And I did in the best way I know, sharing knowledge with books.” The library is thrilled with the diverse collection and Simon even offers a tip for fellow bookworms: “Just pick a genre you like and dive in!”
Other News
UKMT JUNIOR MATHS OLYMPIAD
“Over 40 qualifiers from Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 took part in the UKMT Junior Maths Olympiad, including two of our students currently in the UK on a school trip, a truly international competition. Approximately 300,000 students all over the world take part in the Junior Maths Challenge every year, and only the top 1200 are invited to the Olympiad so our students have done fantastically well just to get this far. We will await the results over the summer to see if any of our top mathematicians have reached the medal positions.” - Will Hebbron (Maths Teacher).
JEJU STORIES
“Jeju Stories is a new CCA that started this term in which students learn drama and script writing in Jeju dialect. For their final project, students wrote a short script and performed a street play at the entrance of Sanbang Mountain. The play is titled ‘The Reinterpretation of Kongjwi and Patjwi’, a classic fairy tale adapted from a modern perspective. Despite having a small audience, they were highly engaged and thoroughly enjoyed our students’ performance.” - Ms. Boyoung Kim (University Guidance Counsellor).
Well done to Jinyoung Kil, Chloris Kim, Eileen Lee, Lana Lee and Simon Lee. The group are planning to participate in a drama competition at the Jeju Cultural Festival in October.
Other News
SPANISH COOKING LESSON
“Recently, our Year 10 students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Spanish culture by cooking one of Spain’s most traditional dishes, the tortilla de patatas.
During the activity, the students were divided into teams and competed to create the most authentic tortilla. They thoroughly enjoyed learning the entire process, from preparation to cooking, and the results were impressive — all the tortillas were absolutely delicious! Many students have expressed their eagerness to try making the dish again at home.
We believe this activity not only enriched their cultural understanding but also provided a fun and interactive way to practice their Spanish language skills.” - Ms. Lopez
JUNIOR SCHOOL FLOORBALL MATCHES
“Our School’s first floorball (floor hockey) team had friendly matches with local schools in Jeju. On 15 June, our players quickly moved to the stadium right after Bryant ended, and we played against five teams from Samhwa Elementary School and Bukchon Elementary School. All players showed their best passion and performance, resulting in thrilling and exciting matches. Moreover, it is very proud that, despite being a new team, we achieved an excellent result of 3 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses. We hope that our floorball team will continue to develop and participate in official championship matches in Jeju.” - Mr. Seongil Lee
SOIRÉE FRANÇAISE
“On 14 June, the Soirée Française made a triumphant return to NLCS Jeju, celebrating French language and culture. 120 French students performed in various capacities, demonstrating their passion and enthusiasm for French.
Other News
SOIRÉE FRANÇAISE
The evening was filled with a diverse range of activities including presentations, exciting cooking competitions, captivating plays, and songs. The students’ performances were met with great admiration, especially their courage to present in front of a large audience, impressing both peers and teachers alike.
Students were treated with a taste of French cuisine, enjoying cheese and macarons that added to the cultural experience.
A special thank you goes out to the dedicated students (Y10/11/12) who helped set up the event, ensuring everything ran smoothly. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the European Languages teachers and our two MCs, Gabrielle Oh and Sam Kim, for their contribution to the evening’s success.
Thank you to everyone who participated and supported the Soirée Française, making it a memorable celebration of French culture at NLCS Jeju.” - Ms. Laetitia Choi
Other News
CNS Concert
“Behind the Scenes,” a service initiative for CNS workers, hosted a student recital last Friday.
National History Day Competition
On 6th June Mr Sannegadu and Mrs Baird took five students to Washington to take part in the National History Day Competition. Thousands of students enter the competition each year and conduct historical research on a chosen theme. Students then have the opportunity to create projects in various formats, including documentaries, exhibits, performances and websites. The theme this year was ‘Turning Points in History’, and students were asked to consider questions of time and place, cause and effect, change over time, and impact and significance. The competition is highly competitive and has a number of benefits for students. It teachers critical thinking, writing and researching skills and enables students to gain a deeper understanding of a particular topic. The students chose to work on exhibits on the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics and the discovery of Penicillin.
Mr Sannegadu said: “I am incredibly proud that our students got the opportunity to attend the finals and their exhibition and preparation was exceptional. They represented themselves and school with distinction and although they did not win, the skills they gained will set them up well for the future.”
Other News
We also found time to visit several sights in Washington, and at the end of the trip, New York. We visited the Capitol Building and several parts of the Smithsonian, namely, the Holocaust Museum, the African American Museum and the Museum of American History. We went to the National Habour and we watched a baseball game at the Nationals Park. We saw the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial and the Korean War Memorial.
We travelled by train to New York and visited the Empire State Building, Times Square and had an evening bus tour, the highlight of which was the Brooklyn Bridge. The next day we had a guided boat tour along the Hudson and past the Statue of Liberty. We briefly visited Central Park and saw the Plaza Hotel of Home Alone fame. We ate the obligatory pizza and ended the trip with a celebratory dinner at a very special steak house.
Mrs Baird said: “The whole trip was hugely enjoyable and exciting. The students were a pleasure to be with and I was impressed by their maturity, flexibility and helpfulness. Their camaraderie was also evident throughout. I was also extremely impressed by the way they communicated their depth of knowledge about their chosen topics.”
Hyeonbeom (John), Shin, Choisung (James) Park, Jaehyun (Jayden) Kim
Our project was on 88 Seoul Olympics and how it has transformed social, political, and economic landscapes on both domestic and international levels. When we first conducted research, we aimed to focus on the game’s contribution to the economic growth of South Korea, alias, “the Miracle of Han River.” However, while conducting research, we have realised the Olympics have also catalysed the democratisation of the country and the resolution of the Cold War in the international arena. We then created an exhibition using a wood board, as tall as 180cm, decorated with LED lights and some real-life 1988 artefacts that we were able to find in our grandparents’ houses.
National History Day Competition Other News
Our dreamlike time in the United States was nothing short of a miraculous experience. Despite the long journey, the wonderful experience that we were able to enjoy was beyond what we had expected. We stayed at the campus of the University of Maryland for the first 5 days of the trip. There, we participated in the national round of the NHD competition where we made valuable friendships with students from all 50 states of the United States and across the world. We also visited various historical and political sights such as the United States Capitol, Supreme Court, Smithsonian Museum, and much more. All of these sights broadened my academic knowledge. Our time in New York, after the completion of the competition, was beyond what any of us could have imagined. The concrete jungles decorated by brightly lit LED screens were enough to amaze us and I can still recall the hotdog smell that diffused through the city.
Ahyoung (Bella) Kim, Seokyung (Shayla) Hwang
Our project was on penicillin, the antibiotic and the ‘miracle drug’, a name earned during WW2 when its life saving properties revolutionised the state of the war. Although we started off barely acquainted with its name, we found ourselves emerging as experts of the topic by the end of the competition. But subject knowledge wasn’t the only thing we gained - we learned valuable team work skills such as being able to communicate and actively listen, and the fact that we all have our strengths and weaknesses, which we must embrace and optimise for the benefit of the group.
BOARDING NEWS
ENGLISH
As part of our Academic Enhancement in boarding and to strengthen our student’s English oracy skills, English lessons will be provided to all Year 7 and Year 8 boarders in the comfort of their own home. The lessons will be provided as one or two hour sessions, in small groups and led by our trained teachers. Year 9 and 10 students can also take advantage of these lessons, though optional for them.
These lessons will support students with sentence structure, increase their vocabulary, give them the skills to avoid translanguaging and decrease the lag of transition between English and their mother tongue. This is particularly important when students return from long holidays and decrease the lag of transition between English and their mother tongue. This is particularly important when students return from long holidays and may not have used English as often as they would have when at School.
We encourage all our boarders to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity - we also encourage you all to keep practising your English skills over the break - students with a more fluent understanding of the English language perform better in their exams.
Arts
HALLABONG ORCHESTRA
Thank you to our talented Junior School musicians who recently performed for us on campus. We are always amazed by your musicality and professionalism. Well done all!a more fluent understanding of the English language perform better in their exams.
Another great Sports Day took place this week in our Senior School, despite torrential rain trying to scupper our plans! Our students showed great teamwork, resilience and sportspersonship! Thank you to everyone who helped arrange the event (a day earlier!) and well done to all our students. Here are just some of the photos from the great day!
“The 2023-24 academic year has been a truly remarkable season for the NLCS Jeju Table Tennis Squad. Our students have enjoyed thrilling matches and achieved significant successes throughout the year. I would like to personally thank each member of the squad for their dedication and commitment to the sport. A special thank you goes to our three captains for their exceptional leadership. I hope all students are proud of what they have achieved this year, not only on the progress they have made in table tennis but on their team work, commitment to practices and building a strong team that we are today. Good luck to students who are departing NLCS Jeju, I hope you will keep playing and for the others I hope to see you in August!” -
Ms. Laetitia Choi
CAS TRIP
We shared the news in May of CAS trip to Malaysia. Year 12 Yoonkyo Kang and Hyunseo Kim really enjoyed the trip and shared their experiences.
What was the primary motivation that inspired you to sign up for the CAS trip?
First of all, we were willing to complete the CAS project with fun activities while engaging ourselves in a new culture in a new environment. As IB students, we wanted to be involved in the community, trying new experiences and taking risks.
What was the most memorable moment from the CAS trip?
The most memorable moment from the CAS trip was planting mangrove trees. This was very special, as we got to know the local Chinese communities and understand their lifestyles. Moreover, this CAS project raised our awareness about the problems regarding illegal shrimp farming and the lack of government care. Throughout this CAS trip, this provided a lens to understand how environmental destruction directly impacts the local community.
Would you like to recommend participating in a CAS trip for younger students? Absolutely! Although there were some challenges we had to overcome, such as adapting to traditional exotic foods and harsh environments, we were able to build teamwork and establish strong cooperative communication skills. Being in a new environment with my friends taught me how to adapt quickly, support each other, and work together as one. It was a valuable experience that enriched my overall CAS experience.
Apart from the CAS trip, can you share another CAS experience that you enjoyed or found rewarding?
My favourite CAS experience, particularly in the ‘creativity’ section, was participating in the Molecular Gastronomy CCA. This activity was a unique combination of chemistry and cooking, where we utilised the principle of chemistry to create food decorations. In the ‘service’ category, I actually enjoyed the Jenam service bryant. This experience fostered my nurturing and caring skills as I took responsibility for guiding young children through various activities. It was rewarding to get along with the younger kids and help them engage in different tasks. These interactions enabled me to develop strong interpersonal relationships.
FOCUS ON SIXTH FORM
Yuna has had a very successful year, and it is wonderful to see her take her Dance IB to another level during the Arts Festival.
“Yuna’s commitment to dance is inspiring, extending beyond the studio. Her dedication to researching dance for her Extended Essay project demonstrates a genuine passion and a desire to deepen her understanding of the art form. Additionally, her connections with Luxbit Dance Company showcase her proactive approach to networking and building relationships within the dance community. Yuna’s enthusiasm and initiative are not only commendable but also reflect her genuine love for dance. I am excited to see what next year brings!” - Ms Stella Taylor, Head of Dance
Dancing and performing in the IB dance course is a journey filled with joy and triumph. Each movement expresses pure happiness, fueled by the rhythm of the music. Though mastering complex choreographies and techniques presents significant challenges, overcoming these hurdles brings immense satisfaction. The dedication and perseverance required transform not just the dancer’s skills but also their spirit. Each performance becomes a celebration of life and personal growth, making the IB dance course more than an academic endeavour—it’s a transformative experience that intertwines the joy of dancing with the fulfilment of personal achievement. Within the dance course, busking opportunities and leading the dance society also led to huge growth of myself as a dancer. The dance experience I had for a year made me grow tremendously.
Freesia took on the role of Year 12 House Competition Assistant this academic year, and she managed to maintain a good relationship with her House and the younger students in Senior School.
YEAR 12 SARAH HOUSE HOUSE COMPETITION ASSISTANT
FOCUS ON SIXTH FORM
Moving on from House Captain of Sarah House to the House Competition Assistant role in Year 12, I could carry on my House spirit and recall happy memories. Helping younger year groups in House competitions, offering guidance and support to ensure their active participation and helping organise and manage activities were the main roles. House Assistance is a great opportunity for Year 12 students to feel a sense of freedom as it offers a welcoming break from the heavy academic IB life and most importantly maintains a strong connection within the House, fostering teamwork and unity among members!
THREE CHEERS FOR THE CLASS OF 2024!
The Class of 2024 Valedictory held on Saturday 8 June, was a wonderful event that concluded the Year 13 students’ time at NLCS Jeju. It was lovely seeing parents, grandparents, and teachers join the celebrations. Despite the rain, the PAC stage was full of sunshine!
Well done Year 13 students, best of luck, we will miss you!
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THE NEW YEAR 12 STUDENTS ARE GETTING READY
On Friday 14 June, the Year 11 students had an IGCSE Ceremony to celebrate the end of exams. Afterwards, they had their Pre-IB programme to acquaint them with Year 12. They had sessions on Global Context, Introduction to the DP, and the Prefect Programme.
FOCUS ON SIXTH FORM
LIFE AT UNIVERSITY: THE REAL DEAL!
Year 12 students had the opportunity to listen to a University Life talk by Dr Sutton, a neuroscientist and Honorary Assistant Professor, who gave our school a visit as part of the Psychology Enrichment Week. The students got a valuable insight into the academic and social ins and outs of studying abroad. He also outlined the key difference between universities in the UK and the USA. The Y12 students learned about the vast career opportunities and pathways, the importance of efficient time management, sleep and a good diet whilst studying, as well as the so-called Freshers Week and the immense co-curricular opportunities the universities have to offer. We hope this got our Year 12 students excited for their upcoming university applications!
HOUSE HYPE VIDEO
Every year the five Senior Houses are tasked with creating a House Shout video! Here are this year’s entries - we are delighted to announce that this year’s winner is MULCHAT!
You can see all their videos here: Click the House crest
CULTURAL AWARENESS COMMITTEE
PRIDE MONTH
As part of Pride Month (June), Jong Gul Lee visited the campus and ran a workshop on the history of LGBTQ+ activism in Korea. Jong Gul is a member of the activism group Chingusai - which was founded in 1994 and is one of the oldest sexual minority rights organisations in South Korea.
There were also a number of corridor activities which took place during the month.
ONLJ
ARTS FESTIVAL
Every year our ONLJ returns to support the Arts Festival. As well as helping our current students with the range of events and activities taking place, there is also an evening dedicated to our ONLJ where our alumni return and perform for us all. This year was incredible and Mr. Mike Kim captured the event for us to enjoy over and over again!
ADMISSIONS NEWS
SUMMER HOLIDAYS
The Admissions Team is here throughout July and August, and will be accepting applications as usual for the year groups where there are a small number of vacancies. If you or your friends have children who would like to be considered for NLCS Jeju and join us in August, get in touch and find out more.
Admissions@nlcsjeju.kr +82 64 793 8004
STAFF NEWS
OLLE SUCCESS FOR 4!
Congratulations to Mr. Sam Wilson and Ms. April Wilson who recently completed the Jeju Olle trails, joined by their four legged friends - the four of them walked the 27 routes totalling 437km. That’s a lot of walking and a wonderful way to see the beautiful island!
AND FINALLY
Happy holidays everyone,
Just because you’re off enjoying the sunshine this summer doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to great books!
The Library would like to remind you that you can still access amazing reads, even when the library doors are closed. Here’s how:
Head to Sora, our digital library!
Sora is accessible from any device you have at home – computer, phone, or tablet. With Sora, it’s really easy to borrow ebooks and audiobooks.
Ready for some summer reading inspiration?
Sora has curated a fantastic summer reading list, filled with books for all interests. From thrilling adventures to captivating mysteries, there’s something for everyone. You can access the reading list here. Linked below are guides to accessing the Sora library.
Important note: Don’t feel pressured to read every book on the list! This isn’t an assignment – it’s simply a way to keep your mind engaged and discover the joy of reading for pleasure.
We hope you have a fantastic summer filled with sunshine, relaxation, and of course, great reads!
Download Links
For App Store For Google Play
A guide to Sora: English, Korean, Chinese
Happy reading, The Library Team
AND FINALLY
THANK YOU, MS. OLDFIELD
At the end of every academic year we always bid a fond farewell to a number of teachers and staff who are leaving the School. This year we are also saying goodbye to our Principal, Ms. Lynne Oldfield.
Ms. Oldfield joined NLCS Jeju in August 2019 - bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role. She faced the usual challenges of joining a new School, however, unbeknownst to any of us that the biggest challenge, a global pandemic, was just around the corner.
During the difficult two plus years, Ms. Oldfield worked hard with her Senior Team and with the support of all teachers and staff around the School to provide an exceptional education to all our students whilst ensuring they were in a safe learning environment - navigating the regular changes to rules and restrictions. It’s testament to her leadership, determination and energy that the School continued to go from strength to strength during this period.
AND FINALLY
Post COVID, Ms. Oldfield’s commitment to the School and dedication to providing a high quality of education to all within a caring and nurturing environment has seen the School emerge from the pandemic, opening up and returning to a level of normality for our staff and children to enjoy.
We would therefore like to thank Ms. Oldfield for all she has done for NLCS Jeju and wish her all the best.
Thank you to all our teachers and staff who have made 2023/24 another great and memorable year.
To those of you returning in August, we look forward to another exciting year ahead, and to those of you leaving NLCS Jeju - good luck and keep in touch!
