The Banner 2019 Summer

THE BANNER

LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

summer 2019

Seoul It Takes A Village... Foreign School

Contents 4 LETTER FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL Colm Flanagan 5 LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIR Penelope Kim 6 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Jane Forster 7 OUR AMAZING SFS COMMUNITY 8 THE SEOUL FOREIGN SCHOOL LEGACY 9 OUR SCHOOL TODAY 10 OUR SCHOOL TOMORROW 12 OUR STUDENTS - WHAT MAKES EACH SCHOOL SPECIAL? 15 WHAT MAKES THE CLASSROOM SPECIAL? COVER STORY: High School and Elementary School Science Class with Stephanie Black. Photo by Juhie Suh.

16 THE CLASS OF 2019 18 STUDENTS SHARING KNOWLEDGE Grades 12 and 5 20 STUDENTS WHO TEACH, SERVE AND INSPIRE 22 STUDENTS WHO COACH 23 STUDENTS IN ACADEMIC COMPETITION 28 STUDENTS WHO EXHIBIT IBVA 30 STUDENTS WHO EXCEL 32 STUDENTS WHO LEAD

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LETTER FROM THE BOARD CONTENTS CHAIR

SUMMER 2019 The digital version of The Banner is available on https://sfscom.page.link/thebanner_2019summer.

It Takes a Village... to nurture our amazing SFS students.

A Collaborative Effort - our campus is always safe, welcoming and fun thanks to all our staff and their commitment... whatever the season!

G5 Exhibition

36 PARENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM 39 PTA POWER 40 OUR CHINESE SPEAKING COMMUNITY 42 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES A Holistic Approach 46 TEACHERS AND CLASSES MAKING A DIFFERENCE 48 THE ADMIN BUILDING Who are we?

49 AN INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL AFFAIRS Andy Lee 50 GA SUPPORT Dae Woon Kim, Mrs Bae, Mrs Ha, Jay Park, Simon Lee 52 TRANSPORTED! OUR NETWORK IN SEOUL Hugh Lee and team 53 INTRODUCTION TO FACILITIES Moon Jin Lee 54 SUPPORT NETWORK Chris Kim and team 55 SECURITY AND SAFETY Moon Ki Min and Young Woo Cho

TEAM Editor: Jane Forster Sub-Editor: Sinead Flanagan Designer & Photographer: Juhie Suh Collaborators: Yoojin Um, Jack Moon Address Seoul Foreign School 39 Yeonhui-ro 22-gil Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu Seoul, South Korea, 03723 www.seoulforeign.org The Marketing & Communications Office publishes print versions of The Banner three times a year: November, February and May. Unless otherwise noted, articles may be reprinted without permission - as long as they are not edited or revised - with appropriate credit given to “The Banner, the magazine for Seoul Foreign School.” *All efforts have been made to check details and consistency. Please contact us with any queries.

56 SCHOOL ADMIN ASSISTANTS Grace Song, Hye Sun Woo, Hae Jin Koh, Soora Koh, Jany Shim 58 ALUMNI THROUGH THE DECADES 62 LETTER FROM ADVANCEMENT 63 DONOR LIST 64 FACULTY BABIES!

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LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear

SFS Community MS Voice Lab students walking down to Shinchon ready to embark on their 'Into the Gu' project with Inspire Citizens

Dear SFS Community, Welcome to our final publication of 2018-19.

I hope you agree with me that The Banner has taken on an even more impressive and representative look over the course of this year.

I am truly grateful to our Communications and Marketing Director and her colleagues for the time, talent and commitment that goes in to producing our celebratory magazine.

The Communications and Marketing Team are one team amongst many at SFS and throughout these pages you will see groups of people who are crucial to the success of our school. It really does ‘take a village’ and I am hopeful that having had the opportunity to read this edition, you will know a little more about our community and understand how appreciative we are of their contributions.

Colm Flanagan with the Transportation Team

Let me say a particular thank you to all those parents who volunteer their help. Our PTA, year

after year, make our celebrations, events and school spirit something of which we are rightly proud. We are truly grateful! Our new SFS Ambassadors have been working hard to develop an outreach into the Seoul community and know how important ‘word of mouth’ is in attracting internationally minded parents. I have been thrilled by their creativity and enthusiasm. If you are interested in learning more about how to get involved please contact: parentambassadors@seoulforeign.org.

A massive debt of gratitude also goes to our pioneer donors! Our new High School has encouraged so many amongst our community in Seoul and across the globe to put their name to the future of SFS. Their generosity is recognised throughout our campus and please do take a look at the letter from our Manager of Advancement, Yoojin Um, who has lots of exciting news about our philanthropic efforts!

Let me also mention our Senior Leadership Team.

They don’t often get a lot of recognition and they all work hard, make difficult decisions and cover a lot of ground in the interest of SFS. I appreciate hugely their commitment and leadership.

Finally to the staff, faculty and students of Seoul Foreign School – it is wonderful to see the magic that takes place every day. Whether it is in the classroom, the gym, the pool, the theatre or anywhere else on our beautiful campus, it is these people who keep the school moving every day.

Enjoy the read!

God Bless, Colm Flanagan Head of School

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Photo by Derek Mu (9), HS Photography Club

LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

Message from

Our Board

HS Homecoming Game

Dear SFS Friends and Families, It is that time of year again when Spring wakes up everything all over our 26-acre hillside campus and reminds us what a truly rare treasure we have in the natural beauty of the quiet spot SFS occupies amid the modern, bustling capital city of Seoul.

Spring also marks the school year winding down.

Teachers and students are completing the year's work, our high school seniors are preparing for graduation and their next exciting chapter, and the campus is planning for SFS' annual summer camp sessions. Perhaps most importantly, this is the time of year that we say thank you to all the wonderful people - both the obvious and the lessseen - who make SFS go 'round all year long'. The April and May calendar is full of recognition and appreciation events! At SFS we have an abundance to be thankful for and to take pride in, and so much of this is the result of many caring hearts and hands who consistently go above and beyond throughout the course of the year.

Recently the Board hosted our annual Faculty Appreciation Dinner to thank all the teachers, staff and administrators who form the heart of the teaching and learning community that SFS is all about. Soon we will put on a lunch for the amazing people who are the backbone of our school's operations: our General Administration and school staff. These are only small gestures, but we are glad to be able to express in some way the thanks we have for these important people who make the school the place it is.

Additionally, in late May, as another way of saying thanks, the Board hosts an informational evening reception for parents, centered on SFS' finances.

As stakeholders in the school, we are keen for you to hear and share in this important update from the Board and the Administration.

a parent of either a current student or a former SFS student. All who volunteer for this role do so because SFS and its people are important to us - the faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni that make up our community and we take care to approach what we do understanding our responsibility to steward the school well so that SFS will flourish for future generations.

In this short message, I'm unable to convey the kind of thanks each person who contributes to SFS deserves. We see all over campus every day the care that comes from our PTA and its leadership, contributors to the SFS Annual Fund, our Parent Ambassadors and many other volunteers, not to mention the extra effort our faculty, staff and students give to sports teams and student clubs, projects and activities.

Penelope on Career Discovery Day advising High School students on a career in Law

Each of us playing our own part, together and for others, is what makes SFS the community that it is. On behalf of the SFS Board of Governors, thank you - we appreciate you and all you do! I hope you all enjoy this beautiful Spring season and the upcoming relaxation of the Summer break.

"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:12-13 (NIV) Penelope Kim Board Chair

Every member of SFS' two governing bodies is

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Welcome to Our

Summer Issue!

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Our Technicians

s always a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to let us know how much they enjoyed our last issue. We really appreciate all the lovely feedback and kind compliments. I learned so much about our community as I edited the last issue and it left me with an amazing warm feeling about everyone - and left me wanting to know more!

heroes in school… Most of us know what the Head of School does - or what the Principals do - but what do their assistants do? Are they the ones who really run our school?! Read on and find out. We talk to the lovely Andy Lee - Head of our General Affairs department. He talks about what makes his department tick. Do you stop to think about our cleaners, our gardeners, our drivers, our maintenance department?

Without them there would be no events, no classes, no buses, no gardens.

So much so that we decided to explore that warm feeling with a whole issue dedicated to our very special community. So many times I have met people who try and describe SFS and say, “I can’t put my finger on why - it’s just very special…” Some people cite the teachers, some the students, some the campus and our surroundings. Whatever it is, Seoul Foreign School inspires a loyalty that has grown and now spans a huge alumni and donor community, too. For all of these we are very grateful.

Talking to these GA staff for this issue has been a humbling experience. I was blown away by the sense of belonging they have in the school and the true affection and loyalty they have for the students. I TRULY had no idea how much went on behind the scenes! I really hope you enjoy an insight into this powerhouse...

In this issue we look at what makes Seoul Foreign School the place it is today. Do you know the story behind our school? Why are we here and how did we get here? Do you know your way around school and what each department does? One of the best parts of this issue has been talking to some of our unsung

Many of the community say the best part of our school magazines are the student voices and I agree. They describe our school with such a passion and such joy. We talk to students who inspire, coach, mentor and lead their fellow students. We hear from some amazingly talented students - athletes, academics, creatives. Most of all, they all love Seoul Foreign School - and having such a student body really makes us special.

When students move on they stay in touch - and our alumni community stretches back over five decades. We are so excited to share some of our stories here. If you are an SFS alumn please connect. Share your time and your spirit and your knowledge with the classes of today!

Please let us know what you think of this issue.

We always appreciate feedback and look forward to hearing from you. You can contact me at: jane.forster@seoulforeign.org Jane Forster Director of Communications and Marketing

Photo by Thomas Kang (10), HS Photography Club

LETTER FROM MARKETING THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Photo by Julie Howarth (9), HS Photography Club

Our Amazing

SFS Community BS Dongdaewon Fair

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ES G5 PYP Exhibition

hey say it takes a village to raise a child and our SFS community is that village - all

dedicated to making life on campus the best it can possibly be for every single child. Whatever your age, your history, your heritage or your length of stay there are so many people looking out for you!

Sebi Kim (BS Y5): This school has encouraged me to collaborate and communicate with my friends! I wish other students could experience it.

Abhay Gosalia (ES G3): I love SFS because we have good people and we can make great friends.

Cooper Busbee (ES G3): SFS is special because everyone is taken good care of and we have Dongdaewon and it saves people from TB. Lynne Woo (ES G3): In SFS you have great teachers, friends and staff. Everyone is always enthusiastic and everyone is very supportive.

Nora Wang (BS Y5): I love this school because we learn by collaborating and I like how the teacher teaches us.

Sofia Delaney (ES G3): We get to have fun and learn at the same time and the teachers are very nice.

Sara Evans (BS Y1): I have lots of friends who make me happy.

Emma Wang (BS Y1): My friends are from all different places.

Hugh Hargadon (BS Y1): You learn lots of different things that help you and it's fun.

MS G6 and ES G2 lesson

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LETTER SFS COMMUNITY FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

How to Build

A School

Our history is what makes us unique in Seoul. Do you know how 'The Academy on The Hill' came to be? Where did we begin and how did we develop? Read on to discover an amazing tale of our founders and early teachers who really did Inspire Excellence and Build Character Since 1912

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One of our first whole school pictures

eoul Foreign School is proud to lay claim to being one of the oldest international schools in the world.

We were founded to serve the families of Christian missionaries and provide an education that children would receive back home. One of our first teachers was Ethel Van Wagoner - who then became an Underwood and part of one of our school’s first families. The school was housed in one room and the inaugural classes included the Millard, Twilley and Miller families.

In 1980 we became an IB school making us the first in Korea to offer this world-class curriculum.

The British School joined SFS in 1981 with a new building completed in 1986 and a special Dedication Ceremony in that May. This was followed by our current Middle School in 1989 and then the Lyso Center in 2003. The Elementary School building and adjacent MultiPurpose Center opened 12 years ago in 2007 and then our amazing new High School completed the picture in 2018!

Through the years our student, faculty and staff numbers have swelled but we have always had a reputation for attracting the best students and the best teachers to educate them.

School life included sports and even cheerleading Our history and our legacy have made us from its first days and by the 1920s SFS was what we are today. establishing a reputation for excellence in the theatre with productions like The Pied Piper of Hamelin.

In 1925 we moved to Morris Hall - a building which would be called our home till 1957. This was a time of turmoil, however, and the school closed in 1941-1945 due to World War II and then again in 1950-53 during the Korean War. In the late 1950s we were ready to make a fresh start and moved to our current home in Yeonhui-dong. The site was built up gradually - starting with one building and expanding as student numbers grew and needs changed.

Robb Hall was built in 1964 (astonishing that it is over 50 years old!) and a new High School building in 1967.

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Our School

Today

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ere we are today - coming to the end of the 2018-19 academic year as one of the strongest and most successful international schools in Asia!

Four Schools Elementary, Middle, High, British

Two Curriculums IB Continuum and English National Curriculum

1450 Students A truly International group of students from all around the world

Parents Supporting our students and our school in a myriad of ways

Donors A special group of people who donate to the future of our school, to education and to Korea

Our Seoul Foreign School Village

200+ Faculty From around the world - Korea, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, China and many more countries.

Many hold Masters degrees and all are widely experienced and passionate about teaching your children

Alumni You are an SFS student for life no matter how long or how short - your school life was. Keep in touch. We need you!

Volunteers Behind every event there are passionate parents, teachers and students making it happen!

250 Staff Cleaners, gardeners, drivers, engineers, tech experts, cooks and SO MUCH MORE‌

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LETTER SFS DONOR FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Our Community of Tomorrow Our SFS village has been here for over a century and we are a strong and successful unit. We are always thinking of our school of tomorrow and how our community will thrive in the future.

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any of our past and present community have become a part of our future. Our donors - big and small - are incredibly important to the future of the school. In order to thank and respect so many of our friends who have contributed to the Building for the Future campaign, we have created and installed a beautiful Donor Wall in the stairways of our new High School building. This is a very appropriate place to have this tribute and all efforts have been made to make it a beautiful and fitting reminder that our legacy lives on and will do for a very long time yet.

Building for the Future Donor Wall

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The wall recognises the generosity and forward thinking of this Village of the Future. Take a look at the staircase next time you are passing.

Each and every donation has been credited...

Together they form a tribute which is a work of art in itself.

We hope you like it as much as we do and agree that it adds a very special something to one of the most incredible buildings on this campus!

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Thank You to a Founding Community

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e were truly honoured to welcome many of our SFS community to the Building for the Future Appreciation Night on April 27th. The venue was the Charles B. Moffett Family Roof Terrace - and it looked fabulous set with flowers and plants in the late afternoon sun.

We held the event to thank many of our community who have made a significant impact on our school now and for years or decades to come. We also recognised the generous support of a pioneer donor community who we are delighted to have within our wider community of parents, students and faculty past and present.

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The evening was a huge success featuring some wonderful student musical performances directed and conducted by John Striffler and Ryan Walker.

Our speaker was Dr Yanghee Lee (Class of 1974) who is Professor of SungKyunKwan University and UN Special Rapporteur, Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar. She gave a wonderful speech referencing her years as an SFS student and parent and how they shaped her future and that of her children. We were honoured to hear her words and have them touch so many hearts.

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The evening included refreshments and conversation as the sun descended and as a little bit of fun, we had a special silent auction generously supported by many local companies.

We know that this is the first of many such evenings we will enjoy!

1 6 Clockwise from left: 1. Andy Lee and Colm Flanagan with guests from Soedaemun-gu 2. Guests 3. Ryan Walker conducts a student orchestra 4. The Terrace 5. Bill Majors 6. Dr Yanghee Lee SF S B A N N ER

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LETTER SFS STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Our

Incredible Schools At the very heart of our community are our students. We asked some of our students, “What makes your school special?” The following pages will make you very proud to be a part of these individual schools - and of their greater whole.

Spencer Lee HS Grade 11, talks about what makes him happy to be an SFHS student. We love the way he describes our school as something living and growing - something that will thrive for many years to come...

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It was started by a handful of exceptional people and, for over a century, exceptional teachers have cultivated exceptional students from around the world. As someone who loves to learn, I have teachers who push me so I surprise even myself; as someone who loves to sing, I have a plethora of opportunities to sing to the world; In Grade 9, we found a good four; and just a few and as someone who loves to serve others, months ago, although I was unable to go, my SFS has given me the tools to serve better. I’ve sister found an even dozen. It got me thinking discovered so much about myself here, and … the clover patch must have started off with about how much I can do for the world by being an above-average number of four-leaf clovers; myself. however, as time passed, their seeds began to spread and multiply and their numbers increased The three years I’ve spent at SFS have shown me exponentially. that just as in the clover patch in Jeju, love begets love, kindness begets kindness, excitement begets excitement, and excellence begets excellence.

SFS reminds me of that four-leaf clover patch. hen I was 12 years old, my family went on a trip to Jeju island. There, my sister and I found a clover patch, and to our delight found two or three four-leaf clovers. Marvelling at our find, we made sure to return there every time we visited Jeju island.

The HS Walt Whitman Library

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Mirim Suh BS Year 6, tells us about starting at the British School at the age of four and the memories she's made along the way.

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first came to this school when I was four! I definitely was super excited to start a new chapter in my life. One of my first impressions was seeing my preschool classroom (Mrs. Bickel) had a bunk bed reading area. I wanted to pounce on the bed all day. I loved SFS because it offered so many different types of activities, friends with different personalities and more.

Our school offers so many things that others don’t. First of all, the school has so many different types of people who teach so many different things like Mr. Bookhamer with his books and soccer balls! The SWEP activities fascinate me with the varieties, like ‘Urban Farming,’ which was such a great opportunity to farm without soil.

In the British School, I have had wonderful teachers like Ms. Gardner, Mrs. Lycett, Mrs. Hutchin, Miss. Carleton and more. During Year 4, Mrs. Lycett spurred me on to explore so many things like writing, maths and mummifying a dead fish. She made me more confident. Ms. Gardner, on the other hand, has sayings that help my work get better.

I have so many stories of my time here. I remember thinking that there used to be sharks in the pool and Mr. Cary pushed us in! Taechon Beach residential trips from Year 4 to 6 were also highlights. Playing capture the flag, scavenger hunts, nightwalk, sleeping in bunk beds with friends are all memories I’ll keep forever.

Ashleigh Kim BS Year 6, adds her own personal view of her British School journey.

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hen I first joined the SFS community from a relatively small kindergarten almost five years ago, I remember my first impression was being a little scared and intimidated by all of my new surroundings. But now as I am about to move on from KS2 to KS3, SFS represents to me a warm, fun learning environment full of close friends and caring teachers.

There are so many things I love about our school, but probably my favourite aspect is that there is an awesome variety of extracurricular events and activities that allow us to develop even closer bonds between me and my peers.

Some of those activities include the Battle of the Books, FOBISIA sports, Senior Choir and many more.

Many teachers are so dedicated to making such events really come alive. My current teacher, Ms. Gardener, has inspired me to be confident all the time. During Assembly rehearsals, she reminds us that if we all do it together as a whole class, we will feel like a whole team and feel proud.

Our class motto is, “Just do it, do it right, do it right now”. This tells me to always give my 100%... and then some more.

My mind is full of wonderful SFS memories!

Some are pretty silly like getting in trouble on the bus for playing hot potato with a penguin plushie with my little sister and friends. But all of those memories are really part of me now. SFS has become my second home with welcoming and kind friends, teachers and parents who create an amazing village that is Seoul Foreign School!

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LETTER SFS STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Here two of our students talk about why they feel the Elementary School is a caring, special environment. We complete the picture with a description of our Middle School.

Maxine Meric ES Grade 4, tells us her Elementary School story.

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FES is special for me because people here are caring and open-minded. It is easy to make new friends here. Also I like all of my classes because my teachers help me if I don’t understand something, and they make sure I can do it again on my own. Also the Christ-like Attitudes help me to be my best.

like that at SFES we have the ATL’s because they help me like the Christ-like Attitudes do.

SFES is also special to me because we help the environment and also help other people who are less fortunate than us.

At this school I learn new things everyday. I can ask questions without being embarrassed. I also

Doosun Choi ES Grade 4, highlights more reasons the school is special.

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think the thing that makes SFES special is that everyone respects each other like family. An example is when friends disagree on something, SFES students and teachers always respect each other’s opinions.

is hurt someone always helps them to feel better or go to the nurse’s office. One last reason SFES is special is because nobody is left out. When we work or play in groups, we let anyone in - boy or girl, it doesn’t matter.

Another reason SFES is special is because of how everyone cares for each other and acts amicably towards each other. When somebody

Lauren Song MS Grade 8, finishes with an account of life in the Middle School.

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his is my 8th year at SFS. I enjoy going to school at SFS because of the diversity in people, activities, subjects and more. Although people come and go, it prepares students for harder goodbyes and teaches them how to be warm and welcoming to students who have just arrived at SFS. Through school programs I have been able to become friends with people from different grades, ethnicities and interests.

Our school also provides many extracurricular activities such as KAIAC sports (basketball, soccer, badminton, swimming, volleyball, etc.) as well as jazz band, debate, JMUN, bouldering and more. The Middle School community is a

very supportive, caring community. Our student body consists of people who work hard to achieve their goals and help plan house events in order to create a more active environment. We also have very encouraging staff who not only teach us core subjects, but also how to better communicate and collaborate with others.

In addition, parents have a huge impact on our school because they help out with school events.

In my opinion, the school spirit is accepting differences in every individual and showing unity and pride. I think our Middle School is very unique because of the diversity and the environment.

G5 PYP Exhibition

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SFS DONORS

An Atmosphere of

Learning

The SFS Classroom‌ Everyone has unique memories of their classroom and these small spaces become a talisman of our childhood and learning experiences. We realised that there was a lot of interest in naming classrooms so when we designed the new High School building we created several opportunities to be part of the fabric and daily schedule of SFS life.

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e are incredibly proud to share a story of how a HS classroom came to be named The Soonja Lee Learning Space.

Soonja retired in 2013 and now spends her time swimming, at Bible study and babysitting her grandchildren in Maryland, USA.

Soonja Lee was part of the SFS Faculty from 1977-1999. Her family has named a classroom for her so she will always be a part of the school she loved so much.

When Soonja was a teacher at SFS her students were inspired to dedicate the 1990 Yearbook to her. Their message sums up the difference a wonderful teacher can make.

Soonja Lee taught Middle and High School Math for 22 years. She was a dedicated and passionate teacher who made a real difference to the lives of her students.

The 1990 edition of The Crusader is dedicated to a teacher of unwavering enthusiasm and patience. She has instilled in us the confidence to tackle not only algebra, but also life outside of Math. She has seen us grow from rowdy, restless 8th Graders to secure, laid-back seniors, while never forgetting to keep in touch with our daily lives, however trivial they may be.

She graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Chemistry and worked in the US before moving to Korea in 1975. Her bright humor and passion for teaching made her a student favorite and she consistently set high standards for her pupils to achieve. A favorite poster of hers in her classroom was one of Larry Bird, who she used as inspiration on how to consistently improve at something, in this case Math. She could frequently be heard to say, "Practise two hours a day like Larry Bird and you too can be good at Math.�

Mrs. Lee, we thank you for being our teacher, mentor, friend, and for just being there all these years. We will miss you but we look forward to the future, knowing you have prepared us well.

If you would like to explore opportunities like She joined SFS in 1977 so that her three children, this - and recognise a teacher or former student Hera '79, John '84 and Hemi '85 could attend who has really made a difference at SFS then SFS. Both John and Hemi had Soonja as a Math please contact yoojin.um@seoulforeign.org teacher, so both were careful to be on their best behavior in class.

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LETTER SFS GRADUATES FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Forever!

HS Photography Club

School's Out

Senior Walk 2019

A

very special group of students come to the end of their school career this Summer. As we say goodbye and thank you to our class of 2019, we wanted to share with you a very

small selection of next steps. We say it all the time and it will always be true - there is no right path. Just the right path for you.

Alexia Diamany HS Senior, class of 2019 - Glasgow University, UK - Politics and Theatre Studies

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came to SFS in 2012, dead set on studying concert piano or voice at a music school and only that. I still remember the first time I sang at SFS, on the Robb Hall stage while on a personal tour of school with my mum. I thought then that everything would fit into place.

I also remember the first time I performed on the Lyso Center stage. It was Once on this Island and I was 13. I remember holding out the last note of Waiting for Life and watching as the audience stood up to give me a standing ovation. It was then it really all began to fit into place, because I realised that the theatre was not another stage for me to sing on but instead a place where I could be anyone and explore a whole new world in a safe environment.

Long ago, I made a promise to myself to do whatever I could to never feel like my choices, votes or opinions were being condemned to being unheard. I remember when I submitted my application to the University of Glasgow, which had quickly become my dream school.

I remember planning to play it safe and only apply for Theatre Studies but when I chose to do a double honours for a Masters degree in both Theatre Studies and Politics, I finally felt as though everything I had done since 2012 had fallen into place.

Sometimes I wish I had followed that same straightforward, easy path that I had planned out when I was 12, but I know now that my time at SFS taught me to really open my eyes and see

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the world around me. Then, to take what I saw and imagine what I wanted the world to be and what I could do to get there. In other words, SFS taught me to care about things I would not have batted an eyelash about previously and I can say that I am a far better person today due to every test that kept me up at night, every inside joke from a much needed study hall, every class that left me speechless and every bow after a basketball game to our home crowd.

Even though this time next year I will hopefully be bracing the cold Scottish weather, I know that I will always carry a piece of Seoul Foreign School in my heart as I am proud to be a Crusader.

Chloe Han HS Senior, class of 2019 - University of Pennsylvania, USA - Chemistry and Philosophy

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tarting this fall I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania, planning to pursue a major in Chemistry and a minor in Philosophy. I am more than excited to call Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, my home for the next four years as I discover myself and my passions.

When I first visited Penn as a clueless middle schooler, I had never even imagined that I would be returning five years later with moving boxes and textbooks, ready to attend my dream school. Benjamin Franklin, the founder of Penn, famously stated, “The great aim and end of all learning is service to society.” As an aspiring scientific researcher who values practical learning, I naturally found Penn’s academic environment compelling. From opportunities to conduct undergraduate research to communities that foster pre-professionalism, Penn offers everything I’ve wanted and more.

Just as important as academics, I’ve found, is student life, which also played a salient role in my decision to attend Penn. I am beyond excited to have enlightening conversations with other students and to learn as much from them as I do from professors in seminars. I especially plan to use the various colleges within the university; the diverse range of opinions and fields will broaden the modicum of perspective I have as of now.

In speaking of my achievements, SFS has undoubtedly played a meaningful role in my personal growth. Listening to Dr. Brooks’ engrossing lectures about atomic theory, writing my first ever philosophy paper with Mr. Callaghan, and receiving support from amazing counselors and friends all helped me mature as a person and develop my intellectual identity. As I move into the start of a new adventure, I am thankful for everything that I have been through, both the good and the bad; I am proud of who I have become as a product of my experiences.

Hayoon Chung HS Senior, class of 2019 - University of Cambridge, UK - Mathematics

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aving always been a passionate mathematician and scientist, puzzles were a fascinating source of entertainment ever since I was young. My favorite puzzle was one that I created, which attempted to generalize the correlation in the distribution of prime numbers. I was especially drawn to prime numbers owing to the uniqueness of being only divisible by itself and 1 and would spend hours working on a derivation. I was exhilarated when I learned about the Riemann Hypothesis on a documentary and found out that my personal puzzle was actually a famously unsolved hypothesis. This was an important turning

point in my life. I started to see mathematics as not simply about problem-solving through multifarious approaches, but rather as an endeavor to produce an explanation of infinite numbers by creating a logical system.

As a part of my application process, I attended two subject-related interviews in the UK with the professors at Cambridge. These interviews are conducted for every applicant to not only assess their acclimatization to the unique learning environment but also to provide them with an opportunity to see how they adapt to their surroundings. Going through the interview process, it became clear to me that the Cambridge environment did, in fact, suit my learning style; one that engages learning through discussions with the professors and is personalized to better meet my educational needs.

People often say that the interview is the hardest round, but the valuable support from my counselor (Mr. Ekstrom) and the maths department has prepared me well. I have to admit that Mr. Wilson’s rigorous attack on my GPA in Additional Mathematics has definitely humbled me; listening to Mr. Kneeshaw’s British accent for two years has also helped me to pull off one at the interview!

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LETTER SFS STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Students who ...

Share Knowledge

G5 PYP Exhibition

All around school our students are helping each other and deepening our community spirit. It is truly heart-warming to see how many students in our higher classes help those coming up through the school. There are formal and informal ways that this collaboration and mentoring takes place. It can be academic, emotional, spiritual. It occurs within individual schools and across different levels. A lot of it takes place on the sports fields… Without students willing and able to share a passion our school would be a less rich and varied place. We thank them all and here showcase some of the many ways that students help - and how students benefit.

The pinnacle of Grade 5 learning in Elementary School is the Exhibition. This takes place towards the end of the Academic year and this year our Grade 5 students are focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As part of the process all students are assigned a High School mentor to guide them through the process with support, advice, knowledge and experience. Katherine Baird - PYP Coordinator, ES - explains how this works...

Katherine Baird PYP Coordinator

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he end of the school year is always a reflective time. It is an opportunity for everyone to think about the growth and many achievements experienced over the year, and to also dream about the future. This is especially true for our amazing seniors, as they prepare to take their first steps out on their own.

This year, senior Theory of Knowledge students had the opportunity to take their school experience full circle, back to the beginning, by supporting Grade 5 students engaged with the PYP Exhibition. For Grade 5 students, the Exhibition is a big project that requires independence and action, and it starts them on the path of being life-long learners. For the Seniors, it has been an opportunity to share the wisdom and experience they’ve gained over their years of schooling with students who are essentially just starting, and engage with the school community at large, one last time before they leave.

This collaboration has been possibly the 18

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first-ever such initiative globally, and it has been amazing to see the interactions between students. The Grade 5 students found their mentors helpful and supportive. Aidan Song commented, “My mentor was really nice about putting time aside, giving me tips, and showing me good articles.” Zia Hirsch wrote, “My mentors helped make the Exhibition a more enjoyable experience. They were very welcoming and helpful.” Finally, Ethan Kim, “I appreciate Matthew as my mentor for the Exhibition. He gave me significant ideas about taking action and research.”

The Seniors have found the experience extremely rewarding because it has allowed them to give back to the learning community that has been nurturing their own intellectual growth.

Senior student Sunny Kim commented, “The biggest benefit out of this experience is the knowledge that I got to influence and nourish a younger mind in a positive way.” Congratulations to both groups as they take the next steps in their journeys.

Our Grade 5s gain so much from the mentoring process. Here three students explain their experiences...

Michael Jun ES Grade 5

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y mentor's name is Willy. He is for me very helpful on exhibition in many ways.

He gave me some good websites and he guides me in the right direction. He doesn't just tell me what to do. I think that this is good, it lets me do my own things while just guiding me. I think he is a good mentor. He has helped me in many ways such as suggesting possible people to interview and also helping to push me in the

right direction and also pushes me to do more. I think that he is the right balance of help and not too much. My mentor has been like a substitute teacher. When Ms. Bigwood is not there I can use Willy as a sub. I usually go over what I've done with him and he will give me suggestions.

Overall I think me and Willy are doing well together.

Gabriela Moreno ES Grade 5

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he word mentor means an experienced and trusted advisor. And my mentor was that and beyond. She challenged me and helped me reach out of my comfort zone. And really helped me dig deep and perfect my writing. I have learned a lot from my mentor and hope to be seeing her again.

Isabell Jones ES Grade 5

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y mentor (Mehr) helped me organize my information and helps me when I struggle. She helps me feel comfortable doing exhibition. Mehr also helps me to make up questions and helps me find great sources that have lots of good information. Mehr also helps me understand the articles of my topic.

And the Grade 12 perspective‌.

Mehr Lakhiani HS Grade 12

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orking with Isabell as her mentor has been a rewarding experience for both of us. I really liked Isabell's idea of investigating the use of plastic and its effect on the environment and animals as this is something I am personally interested in. This allowed me to be extra helpful for her while also learning new concepts myself.

I enjoy going over to the Elementary School once a week to see Isabell's progress and give her ideas of how she can develop her thoughts.

She is really hard-working and motivated which makes it easier to ensure that she is on the right track.

Initially, I was really surprised that the 5th Graders were required to learn about the UN Millenium goals and create a project of such complex topics. It feels like I myself had just learned about those goals recently! However, working with Isabell on this project has taught both of us the importance of being aware of these issues even as young students because we are the ones who will act upon these in the near

future. Little actions that we do now can impact the environment such as using less plastic and I am glad that a 5th Grader like Isabell has the knowledge and power to spread awareness on this. When giving her advice or looking over her work, I always try to keep in mind that she is a lot younger than me, but it also surprises me how much potential and intelligence she has at this age.

As a senior who has been at SFS since 2nd Grade, I enjoy being able to connect with my school community and going back to my Elementary School for the last few months of High School! With the new High School building, it feels like we are so isolated from the rest of the school but through this process, we are able to interact with another division, creating more unity within the school. I am excited to see Isabell's final project and learn more about what we can do as individuals to promote solutions for such important issues like plastic-usage.

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Students who

Teach & Inspire!

Our National Honor Society fulfils a very special role. Seniors help and support by tutoring students.

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he National Honor Society (NHS) is a U.S. organization established to recognise outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to recognise

those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership of the organization since its beginning in 1921. Each year SFS, led by Doug Klinkerman and Triston McMillan, with the help of a selection committee, choose students who will represent NHS. One of the great services that this group provides is peer-to-peer tutoring.

Any High School student at SFS can receive tutoring from an NHS member who is an expert in a given subject. This service truly embodies our commitment to service, character building and academic excellence. Here we hear from one of our selected tutors and one of the many students helped by this scheme...

Edyn Mayo HS Grade 9.

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n Middle School I was receiving help in Math from the learning support teacher, but I also had a High School student who helped me after school. When I came into the High School I had support again, but felt that I could really use the one-on-one help that I had from a Grade 12 student.

of the year in my Math and that helped me feel more confident in my Math class. I would suggest that any student who would like help in any subject contact NHS to be paired with an older student who is strong in that subject.

My mom helped to set up my tutor - Nick Kim (Grade 12). We met quite a bit at the beginning

Ganghyun (Nick) Kim is a current HS Senior. He explains what National Honors Society involves and how he benefits…

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his year, I was part of the NHS tutoring system, where members of NHS volunteer to help out younger students with their studies.

After learning about the system, I decided to volunteer myself, as I believed it would be a good learning experience for both me and the student.

One motivation to participate in the tutoring system for me was the prospect of developing communication skills, which will be helpful in college and in later life when I come across 20

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situations where I’ll have to explain things to other people.

Another motivation was that through the tutoring system, I can contribute positively to the community I’ve been a part of since 4th Grade and perhaps even motivate younger students to do the same when they are older. I highly encourage other students to make use of this program as well, as it is a good way to gain experience and foster mutual learning between different grade levels.

Photo by Derek Mu (9)

LETTER SFS STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Students also spearhead many service projects. They feel passionate about the causes they support and inspire others to join in with time, spirit and fundraising efforts. Often they start their own service clubs in High School - dedicated to specific institutions or charities. When we looked for students to explain how this works many teachers mentioned Jason Whang for his hard work and dedication. Here he explains what running a HS Service Club entails and how he was drawn to the idea….

Jason Whang HS Grade 11

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y service journey goes all the way back to the seventh grade. I was lucky to have an early exposure to what serving others meant, as it is now an integral part of my character.

I have been sitting on the SFS Community Service Committee (CSC) since 2015. In my eighth grade, I visited the Eastern Social Welfare Society Anyang and Pyeongtaek facilities in preparation for the first iteration of the SO GOOD project. It was my first time meeting the people I was going to serve, which made the experience very meaningful.

I wondered how a little boy I met lived in polar opposite circumstances to my younger brother, both similar ages. Because of the visit, the SO GOOD project became something I was personally invested in. There is often a disconnect between ourselves and those we serve. If the circumstances allow, I urge all students involved in community service to meet and interact with the people you serve.

For Discovery Week, I have been to Thailand, Mongolia and the Philippines on a service trip.

It was tempting to choose the courses that seemed to be more relaxing, but all three service trips were meaningful and worthwhile. I come back from these trips feeling overwhelmed at how much need is in the world beyond my local borders. I still struggle with the frustration of wanting to help everyone and everything but I am restrained by how much I can give of myself.

one of our school’s local partner organizations.

Our school works with the Eunpyeong Boy’s Rehabilitation Center and the Joyful House, housing males and females with disabilities respectfully. SFS HS students go on monthly ‘outings’ with the people with disabilities, and in these outings, we do a variety of normal, everyday activities like cooking and playing sports. The parent organization has a powerful philosophy of “putting yourself below the people you serve.” Through these outings, we hope to build lasting friendships with those we serve. Despite the age, language and ability barriers that differentiates us, our love for common activities is stronger for us to smile and look forward to the next time we meet. Getting to know those we serve on a personal level allows us to recognize their difficulties, and we do our best to accommodate where the actual need lies, not what we think the need is.

Service has had an extremely positive impact on me. I’ve discovered that I am a servant-leader, a characteristic I could not have described myself to be five years prior. I am forever grateful to be part of a school community that supports and encourages my desire to serve others.

SFS recognizes and values the importance of service-learning and is working to establish it as a school pillar. To my fellow peers: start with the opportunities that are given. Take ownership of the opportunity and approach service with an open mindset, and you will discover more about yourself and the world.

I also lead the SFS Angels’ Haven Partnership,

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LETTER SFS STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Sport Superstars SFS is well known for its amazing Sports programs. What is less well known is the involvement of many of the older students. They invest hours of their time every week to making sure that younger players are supported across many sports. Here two students tell us how...

Rachel Kahng HS Grade 10 - Soccer

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ver since I became serious about soccer, I began looking for ways to turn my passion for the sport into something I can use to benefit my community. Although coaching SWEP soccer was the obvious choice, I have to admit that I was hesitant at first. I had no experience with children in general, let alone teaching them how to play soccer. However, I learned that there is a lot more to being a coach than what I had originally assumed. Without being fully aware of it, I had automatically become a role model for these kids. Because of this, I’ve learnt

to appreciate the game of soccer in a whole new light. Coaching reminds me that all I can ask for is that everyone tries their best and that at the end of the day, they should have fun. I think of my own soccer coaches, who are definitely my biggest supporters on and off the pitch. I know that they have impacted me in the same way that I am impacting the children I coach. Turning something I love into a way of giving back is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I strongly encourage that everyone gives it a shot!

Thomas Kang HS Grade 10 - Soccer

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help coach soccer to students from younger grades with faculty coaches and several other High School students. We not only run drills and scrimmages that physically develop these aspiring players but more importantly, we encourage them to gain a more profound understanding of the game while also enjoying themselves.

As a current member of the High School soccer team, I have benefitted immensely from

the coaches, whether it be faculty members or previous, now-alumni students, so I recognise the inspiration and impact such leaders in the school community have on younger children. My way of giving back to the community that has given me so much is to give those in lower grade levels the same opportunity I had - to be able to look up to and learn from older students. One day, after my own graduation, I wish to return to SFS as an alumnus and watch the students I work with today achieve greatness on the pitch.

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hat an uplifting sight it is to see Elementary students run with smiles on their faces high-fiving their student coach after scoring a goal or winning a game. And what a positive sight it is to hear a High Schooler talk his or her team through the disappointment of a tough loss.

High School students coaching our younger students has become a significant and meaningful part of our sports programs. From students volunteering to work in our Saturday SWEP and after school programs, to students volunteering to coach in our MY KAIAC Program, when you look out to the field or in the gyms, you will see young people giving of their time to the next generation.

Just like for our adults that coach in the school, there are high expectations for our High Schoolers as they demonstrate and model the behaviors and qualities of character that we expect at our school. This expectation and high standard is a transformational experience for our student coaches as they take on the responsibility of teaching and mentoring the students that will become our future MY and HS athletes.

Paul Rader, Sports Coach and Director of Sports, 2019~20

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A Competitive

Edge

One of the things that sets SFS apart is our willingness to enter national and international competitions. This involves many hours of extra work. Competitions require commitment on the part of the student - sacrifice, brain power and creativity - and they often depend on our incredible faculty putting in extra time. They are going on all the time - sponsored by companies or organisations. They range from the smallest Seoul based essay prizes such as the SIWA Essay Contest to US based Scholastic, National Merit and NHD which are generally acknowledged to attract the very best students in the world. Here we explain how and why students enter and showcase some of the results. We don’t have enough room to show them all so please get in touch with our faculty if you’d like to know more!

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

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ince 1923 the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have recognized the vision, ingenuity and talent of creative teens across the States and international schools worldwide. Each year, increasing numbers of teens participate in the program, and become a part of the Scholastic Awards community - young artists and writers, filmmakers and photographers, poets and sculptors, video game artists and science fiction writers - along with countless educators who support and encourage the creative process. We are incredibly proud to have past and present entrants and medal winners in our Middle School, High School and British School.

Cameron Munce who oversees the MS Writing entrants adds, “It is such a hotly contested competition that the rules and regulations are quite stringent. Student submissions are meant to be original pieces and awards cannot be given for work that is not their own nor that they have had guidance on. As such, it is definitely a competition that best suits students who enjoy working independently on an area of interest or passion.”

More than 300,000 students enter these prestigious awards each year in 29 categories - and our winners should be very proud! On the following pages we showcase our three National Medal winners though we had many more Regional Medal winners, too. If only we had more space!

Ian Park, HS Grade 10, 'Delve Into A New Universe' - Silver National Medal

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LETTER SFS STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Here are two opening excerpts from our Writing Gold National Medal and Silver National Medal winners. We wish that we could publish the whole works but if you’d like to know more or read more please contact Paul Rader or Cameron Munce who can tell you more.

Leah Park BS Year 9. GOLD NATIONAL MEDAL winner - Flatline (EXCERPT) ‘She will never dance again.’

Your mind is blank, despair slipping to emptiness in your eyes. For perhaps a split second your grief was suspended, the surprise protecting you until it shattered like glass.

Then it begins, insides contract, you start to hyperventilate. They look at you with pity, disguised with reassuring smiles.

But they don’t understand…

You’ve always wanted to be a world renowned ballerina. Your mother had been a gifted dancer herself, but for reasons unknown to yourself, she hadn’t made it very far. Since a young age, she urged you to complete her dream of become a famous ballerina. It was something most people would have developed resentment and animosity towards their parents for. But for you, what had started out as your mother's aspirations had quickly become yours as well.

That was before the car crash.

Before the cold, miserable winter’s day, where the trees stood starkly in the winter morning like x-rays of their summer selves, only in reverse; black on white. The desolate winter wind howled, and the world seemed to lie barren and lifeless; destitute of inhabitants.

Before that slippery slope, when the impending car swerved out of control and flew towards him. Your best friend. Before you ran into the encroaching gloom, your dark hair whipped in the wind, glazed green eyes fixated on the car. Before you pushed him out of the way. Before you saved his life.

They said it was a miracle that no one was really hurt. The driver had veered after the intersection and managed to slow down the car - only suffering a minor head concussion.

Your best friend had managed to get away with only a few bruises from being pushed away and falling. And because you had a head start to push him out of the way, you also managed to avoid being run over by the car down the slope.

Seungah Lee BS Year 9. SILVER - White Lies, Crystal Tears and Gray areas (EXCERPT) Sookja “Bye, dear! Have a good day in sch-” Slam.

Of course, she doesn’t reply.

My dear little princess, Inhye… I only want the very best for her. She will not - must not - find out about the harsh truth of this world.

What people do to hurt each other… if she finds out, it will be too much for her young and immature heart. The most I can do right now with my worthless body is to pay for her school, where she’ll be protected the most.

School.

It was always a place that I could only blindly dream about; Inhye would not have to do that.

She wouldn’t have to reach out desperately for 24

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something she can never reach… if I work as hard as I can.

My lovely daughter already has enough things to worry about at school, I can’t make her worry about money as well.

After all, if I could just have been a more obedient and womanly wife, he would have stayed with us. It’s entirely my fault, and I’m taking responsibility for my fault.

Inhye is all I have. I must do everything to keep her as the happy girl that she is now.

Pushing back grief, I force my aching body to stand up and go to work. I am painfully aware that an agonizing time of humiliation awaits me.

Writing Success A smaller competition is the SIWA Essay Competition which is open to students of selected international and local schools. This year the judges selected Andrew Kim of our Middle School as the Junior level winner. He wrote personally and movingly on the subject of gender inequality and progress. He used the example of his own mother’s sacrifices and we are proud to share the opening paragraphs here.

Andrew Kim MS Grade 7

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t was a difficult decision, but it was one she knew and wanted to make. She hesitated as she handed in her letter of resignation. She always knew that she might have to make the choice between motherhood or her career, but it was still a hard one. This describes some of the emotions that umma and many women feel as they make the decision to start a family. They are told that they can have both - career and family but the truth is that outdated labor practices and cultural pressures make this a challenging undertaking.

Umma has shared this story with me only recently. I knew she had a job before, but I had only ever pictured her as my umma. In my memory, I see: Umma busily chopping away over the cutting board with stew simmering on the stove. Umma looking worried, watching over me with a cool towel in one hand, a thermometer in the other, as I lay in sick from a fever. Umma sitting in the middle row of the theater, clapping for me as I finish my violin recital. Hearing the story of how umma chose to leave her career in design felt bizarre: why would she give up her dreams for my brother? Umma had always told me to pursue my own dream, why had she given up on hers?

What shocked me more was that umma’s story was not unique; it echoed the stories of millions of working women around the world.

This dilemma made me realize that despite appearances, sexism subtly pervades our world, testing the woman I care about the most umma. When I looked further into this issue, I found, to my surprise, that while many countries have laws related to maternity leave to protect women’s jobs, the protection offered by law is

very limited. In Korea, for example, women can take 90 days of maternity leave; however, only 60 days will be paid leave. Furthermore, the laws cannot prevent companies from subtly pressuring women to quit their job. Umma’s close friend, for example, was abruptly transferred to a different office far from her home after her maternity leave. Since the commute was too difficult, umma’s friend had no choice but to leave the company. That’s not all. The stories of umma and her friend are representative of the gender-biased demands placed on women.

Although women are now encouraged to pursue higher education and their own careers, there is still a cultural expectation, especially in East Asian countries, for women to be the primary homemaker and caretaker as well. A well-kept house and home-cooked meals are expected.

Involvement in the children’s extracurricular activities, attendance at recitals and even birthday party planning are also part of what is expected.

For a woman to actively pursue her career and provide all that is expected of her as a primary caretaker, she really would have to be superhuman! This was the case with umma.

Although no one explicitly told her these things, umma described it as a silent, but understood expectation. Understandably, it was too much for her to handle all at once, and she selflessly chose to prioritize the family.

Andrew reading an excerpt at the prize-giving ceremony

The SIWA Essay prize entry details 2020 will be announced in January 2020. *All three pieces of writing are partial.

Please contact us to read more.

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LETTER SFS STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Let's Hear it for

the Scholars National Merit Scholarship Program

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he National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High School students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.6 million entrants each year.

The stated aim is: •

To promote a wider and deeper respect for learning in general and for exceptionally talented individuals in particular

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To shine a spotlight on brilliant students and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence at all levels of education

•

To stimulate increased support from organizations that wish to sponsor scholarships for outstanding scholastic talent

As one parent said, “This is a very BIG deal!” So we were delighted to have four of our High School students named semi finalists - stand up Brian Rhee, Austin Kwak, Chloe Han and Tiffany Whitfield. Only 16,000 students achieve this! Of the four, Brian, Austin and Chloe became finalists and we are delighted to reveal that Chloe Han received the highest honor of a scholarship worth 2,500 USD. HS Counselor Joachim Ekstrom with (L - R) Austin Kwak, Brian Rhee, Chloe Han, Tiffany Whitfield.

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National History Day National History Day or (NHD)® is a nonprofit education organization based in College Park, Maryland. NHD offers year-long academic programs that engage over half a million middleand high-school students around the world annually in conducting original research on historical topics of interest.

NHD was established in 1974 and has been a source of inspiration, information and support for teachers and students ever since and we have long embraced it at Seoul Foreign School.

The largest NHD program is the National History Day Contest that encourages more than half a Ethan Cho, Kate Choi, Toni Ban and Jessica Kang million students around the world to conduct historical research on a topic of their choice. Students enter these projects at the local and affiliate levels, with top students advancing to the National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park.

This year’s subject was ‘Triumph and Tragedy in History’. All our entrants received support from Cameron Munce in Middle School and Peter Hutchin in High School. These teachers encouraged our students to explore and succeed. It’s no mean feat to enter NHD as it’s highly competitive and involves hours of extra work in very busy schedules. We are very proud of all our students and highlight our winners here.

Middle School 1st Place Gold Medal Winner Individual Paper Kate Choi - The Atomic Bomb: Scientific Triumph or Humanitarian Tragedy?

2nd Place Silver Medal Winners Individual Website Ethan Cho - Under One Flag, Racing For Another Individual Documentaries Toni Ban - Triumph, Tragedy, Thalidomide: The Drug That Transformed Pharmaceutical History Individual Paper Jessica Kang - The Netherlands’ “Mad Artist” - Vincent van Gogh’s Triumphs and Tragedies

High School Kate Kim - 1st Place Exhibition

Ethan Cho MS Grade 7, explains briefly about the entry process in NHD. NHD appealed to me because I could learn more about the unfortunate history of my country (the Japanese occupation). I chose my topic (Korean marathoner Sohn Kee-Chung) after reading about him in a book a few years ago. This project requires a lot of work, but it eventually pays off when you see your final product.

When I was announced as second place, I was extremely happy but also excited, as I was given a chance to participate in the national contest in Washington.

I'd encourage others to participate in NHD as it’s a fun learning experience outside of school.

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LETTER SFS STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Making an

Exhibition The culmination of Visual Arts at Seoul Foreign School and requirement of the IB Diploma Programme is the Exhibition. We are privileged to get an insight into the hearts and souls of some of the school’s most talented artists.

This year saw some of the best student work to date using a variety of themes and mediums.

Harrison Creech, our Visual Arts teacher in the High School explains the process...

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isual Art is made to be shared, grappled with and ultimately enjoyed. Students were independent in creating a curatorial rationale, part of the process of self-reflection, decision making and

understanding of the relationship between artist and audience, and were responsible for the installment of their work. This was an extremely rewarding experience for our students as they were able to share their voice and be heard. Our exhibition is another important contribution to the vibrant fine arts program our school is so proud of. This event is additionally special in that it involved a wonderful variety of faculty and staff we do not regularly get to work alongside and collaborate with, and in that way, it was truly a communal adventure. As an art educator there are few experiences which are more gratifying than seeing young artists find authentic satisfaction in sharing their creative gifts in this way.

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LETTER SFS STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Inspiring Excellence We have so many amazing students in SFS it is hard to keep on top of all the ways that they succeed. Here we showcase just a few students who are excelling in sports, music and many other areas. Some are able to shine through school. Many others take lessons and practise outside school. We have national and international champions in our classrooms. A small selection of our winners explain how they became passionate about their chosen fields!

Ethan Um MS Grade 8, has been quietly making a name for himself in international fencing. His achievements are incredible and include 1st Place in the Y12/U13 at USA National Championships. He also finished 1st in Y12/U13 National Point Standings at end of season and has represented Team USA at the Cadet (U17) Pan American Games. Here Ethan explains his motivation...

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initially started fencing around the middle of 4th grade, a few months after I recovered from surgery for a broken right arm. In the beginning, I did it for fun, but I began to enjoy it more and started taking it competitively. I continue to fence because it’s a good break from studying and encourages me to use my brain a lot more than some other sports.

I hope to continue medalling and staying at the top of my age category. In a few years to come, I also hope to make the USA Cadet Team and go to the Cadet World Championships.

Fencing is not without challenges. Often during

the match I might begin to feel frustrated or impatient if things are not working out well. I have to keep my cool even if I am losing by a lot so that I can make the adjustment and win the match. Outside of fencing, a difficulty I still struggle with is having to balance my academic life with my fencing.

But it’s all worth it. I encourage others to try fencing! Even if you are not that athletic, you can still be good and have fun since a large part of it has to do with skills and being smart (it’s nicknamed ‘The Physical Chess’). There are various clubs around Seoul where you can start fencing.

Two young Elementary School students show how it is never too soon to find your passion!

A brief snippet on what both are doing “on top of their day jobs!” We absolutely love hearing about students who excel. Share your story with us and we can shout about it!

John Ahn ES Grade 3 - Harp

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ohn Ahn is an Elementary Schooler in 3rd Grade. He made the decision to focus on a very unusual instrument - the harp! And it has paid off… This Spring he won the 2nd place in Harp at the 37th Haneum Music Competition.

This annual competition is one of the most prominent competitions for junior students. He played Danza de Luzma in a very competitive 30

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arena, and emerged triumphant. John is supported by his parents and by his teachers and he is motivated to succeed. We can’t wait to see what he does next!

We love to see students with a passion for something inside or outside of school. You don’t need to try and win prizes - you may have other reasons to pursue your goals. Here Jazmine

Jones, a High School

student, describes how she found her passion for boxing.

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he amount of times that I’ve heard that I was too aggressive or that I needed to “calm down on the feistiness” is more than you would think! I’ve always wanted to do something where my aggressiveness wouldn’t be an area of conflict but something that would be valued and respected.

The summer leading up to my freshman year, my Dad took me to a boxing ring near my house as I had mentioned countless times that it was something I wanted to try as a hobby. As soon as my boxing glove touched the sandbag, I knew boxing was going to be more than just a hobby, it was going to be something that I identified with and something that would shape my character.

Fast forward three years, the passion and love I have for this sport hasn't budged a bit. Not only is it my outlet for the stress and anxiety built from the pressures of being a High School student, but it has cultivated a new found confidence that I needed.

Although in the beginning, I was almost embarrassed to say that I was in a boxing club due to the societal connotations linked to a female participating in such a vigorous sport.

To my surprise, I have found that people are extremely supportive and encourage me to continue what I love doing and even share it with those who have the same passion.

Min Wang MS Grade 7, has a passion and talent for chess.

What started as a passing interest in

kindergarten has turned into a way of life.

W

hen I was in Kindergarten, all my friends were starting to play chess and I got really curious and asked my mom if I could learn with them. I started to play and since I was very little, it was just like another board game to me. It was fun, challenging, and it just made me smile every day. My mom saw how much I enjoyed and encouraged me to take private lessons. I was improving a lot and got an opportunity to compete in my first chess tournament.

Across all my chess tournaments, I have been awarded over 25 first places, 10 second places, and 6 third places. Also when I was in 2nd Grade, I got a great opportunity to compete in an international chess tournament held in Macao, China. I’ve also been to a lot of regular chess tournaments mostly held in America.

Recently I got an opportunity for my first Korean national competition and I got first place. It was probably my biggest achievement.

As for the future, in chess, there is something called ranking, and it’s basically numbers showing how strong a chess player you are.

1000 is the lowest and as it goes higher, you are a better player. I want to raise my ranking over 1400. I also hope I can win more nationals and hopefully get more invitations to international chess competitions.

Everyone has things that they really want to do but for me once I know what that is, I am fully dedicated. I really love playing chess and, of course, I try my best to always be the best chess player I could be. But as I grow up, I have other homework and things to do so I can’t put my full time into it. I definitely encourage others to play because chess is not only a fun board game but it develops your thinking skills and Math skills. There also aren’t a lot of chess players out there so it would be like the special talent you have wherever you go. Many people think that chess is a game where ‘boring people’ play, but it’s actually a mental sport that once you play, you can never let go. If you are interested, the best way that you could start is to first get a private tutor because you will learn more about chess even if you go once a week.

Jemma Synn ES Grade 2 - Art

J

emma Synn is an artist-in-waiting! She loves Art and has been drawing and designing since a very tender age... Earlier this year she was awarded a prize for the 13th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest in Korea. She designed a futuristic

art paint palette car that could make the world more beautiful. Her work is way beyond her years! Jemma won a certificate of commendation that the CEO of Toyota Korea awarded himself.

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photo by Thomas Kang (G10)

LETTER SFS STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Creating

Future Leaders Alexandria Chang HS Class President, explains the responsibility of the role of Senior Class President… Who knew there was this level of attention to detail...

I

grabbed the juice carton and gulped down its contents as I desperately tried to alleviate the burning sensation spreading in my mouth.

I took a deep breath, then continued the Q&A livestream while eating the spicy tteokbokki.

Believe it or not, the seemingly simple yet entertaining food livestream campaign was a result of much contemplation. I knew too clearly the consequences of being unable to fulfill my responsibilities as Senior Class President, and felt a great amount of pressure knowing that my actions could affect our last and most important year of High School. However, I also felt a great amount of motivation to make our 9 months of college applications, IAs and exams bearable, and if possible, enjoyable.

These two contrasting emotions lingered as I carried out my presidential duties, which ranged from ordering 120 purple bandanas for Field Day to planning the Busan Senior Trip. The trip

was by far the most challenging task because there was no senior class that had gone to Busan before, meaning the itinerary had to be made from scratch. I found myself wound up in the same place as I had started: worried. What if there weren’t enough chaperones to come with us? What if it rained? What if the tour buses didn’t come on time? I tried to push away such uncertainties and worked harder, ultimately leading me to go to Busan two times to try out the courses myself.

To my great relief, the eight chaperones were all very helpful, it began to rain just as we left Busan, and the tour buses (mostly) came on time. In retrospect, I don’t think the end product mattered as much as I had obsessed over it. I learned through my leadership role that what mattered more was my mindset: if I poured my everything into the given task, positive results were a natural by-product.

photo by Derek Mu (G9)

Some of this year's Senior Class

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Casts of The Syringa Tree, photo by Siwon Lee

The Syringa Tree, HS play, April 2019

Crusader Live

Siwon Lee HS Grade 9, from Crusader Live, was the first name that came up when we asked for someone who sets a great example via their work in theatre. Siwon is responsible for amazing pictures and so much more. John Black, Theatre Manager, considers her a fantastic role model in her enthusiasm and talent...

As a shy but avid lover of musical theatre, I was thrilled to see a large drawing of the ‘Crusaders Live’ logo displayed on a wipeboard during my first week of High School. After brief conversations with some trusty upperclassmen, and a quick peek at the Crusaders Live website, I decided that this club could provide me with opportunities in theater which I had hoped for in High School.

Immediately, I was thrown into a group of welcoming, enthusiastic and lively personalities to work in a dim, saw-dust filled scene shop where everyone was quick to welcome; and I was overwhelmed by a sense of community and

belonging. Not only was I welcomed by amazing people, I was also welcomed by the amazing opportunities to learn how to build sets, take photos, learn lighting and sound and more.

Working in the scene shop encouraged me to look at theater from a different angle and appreciate not only the people standing in the spotlight but also the people who work hard backstage to learn how to shine the spotlights.

Crusaders Live not only taught me how to take photos and build sets but the importance of communication and teamwork which are assets that I will carry with me even after Seoul Foreign School.

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LETTER SFS STUDENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Faith Dallao ES Grade 5, ES Library Leader

H

ello, my name is Faith. I am a student librarian. I wanted to be a student librarian because I love to read books. I especially like books about animals that are realistic fiction.

I also thought that being a student librarian would be fun because I always wanted to learn how to shelve books and I always wanted to try!

I also like how we have lots of library events.

For example, we currently finished a book that the whole school wrote together about Pale and Popcorn. I also want to help other kids get better at reading. Maybe I can go around classes and help some kids at their reading skills.

Rehan Oumarkatar ES Grade 5, ES Service Leader

I

chose to be a service leader because I really wanted to take some action for the school. My experience in being a service leader was amazing and one of the most memorable things that we did as a team was that we helped with so many things, for example, Dongdaewon. When I was chosen to be a service leader, I felt very excited

and proud. Being a service leader is amazing and how we helped was also amazing. I thank all the people from this school for being great helpers for all our projects.

Olivia Kim ES Grade 5, ES Blue House Captain

B

eing House Captain at SFS allows me to be a leader and to make a difference. House sports day is one of the best days. All the houses come together to have fun, to show the skills that we have and to learn new abilities. Learning that you have good sportsmanship, athleticism for sports and being a leader. Winning or

losing doesn't matter as long as everyone has a fun time. Telling students to have good sportsmanship isn't always easy, but it makes a difference as they learn how to care and respect others. That's why I chose to be a Blue House Captain.

Zia Hirsch ES Grade 5, ES Student Ambassador

I

wanted to be a ES Student Ambassador because this is one of my first opportunities to help lead our Elementary School community.

It is a chance to make a difference. I am usually a person that goes with the flow and I want to lead because I have been told that I am creative at solving problems. When I do express my

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ideas they are usually reasonable, workable ideas that can help create a better future. For example, this year the Student Ambassadors discussed instead of doing shamograms which felt exclusive and caused of a lot of hurt feelings, we did free dress on Wednesdays.

Middle Years Christmas CT

Elected BS Head Girl and Boy, Georgie Clare and Daechang Suh, explain what this responsibility entails. What were their expectations and have they all been fulfilled?

Georgie Clare BS Year 9, Head Girl

I

decided to stand for the role of Head Girl because I wanted change, and I realised I had to be that change. Our school has areas that needed improvement, so I decided to step in.

Being Head Girl has given me so many amazing opportunities and I am so grateful for them.

The most important aspect of the role for me is being approachable - students need to know that they can approach me, and that I am a voice for them. A challenge is living up to the students’ expectations. Students all want too many different things, and it is impossible to achieve everything. I had to realise that it is okay to ‘fail forward’.

Someone who has been a big help to me is Mrs. Olivier. She leads the parliament and works so hard, giving so much of her free time to help all her students, even at lunchtimes and after school.

I would encourage other students to run for the role. Even being part of the process or being a member of Parliament teaches you so much, and you gain so many life skills. Everybody is given a voice, and Parliament helps you learn how to use that voice, and take action.

Daechang Suh BS Year 9, Head Boy I decided to apply for Head Boy because I believed that our school had areas that could be improved, and I wanted to be that channel for students. I felt that color and communication needed to be improved because school is supposed to be an environment where students are able to be creative and discover themselves.

I would say the biggest role is becoming a strong role model, and to facilitate between the principal and the student body. Younger kids really look up to you so this is important. But this role comes with its challenges. I found living up to the name Head Boy the hardest. Whenever you do or say something, you have to first think, “Is this what a Head Boy would do?” and act accordingly, while still being yourself. I think I

have made the choices that reflect who I am, and what kind of person SFBS has built.

Mr. Freeman has been a big source of inspiration, because when I first met him he asked us what we would like to do. It impressed me to have the chance to define what the student parliament can and cannot do.

Students should run for the role if they care enough to change what they think can be improved. You gain so much from being a Key Stage 3 representative. From attending meetings and preparing events for all the students, you learn how to become a follower and a leader. I think that’s what they call character!

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LETTER SFS PARENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Parent Ambassador Program E

arlier this year Seoul Foreign School decided to introduce a brand new Parent Ambassador Program. There is no greater recommendation for any school than a

happy and positive parent and this scheme allows all our parents to contribute and share their love of SFS both inside our community and outside. After an intensive process with world renowned consultant, John Littleford, we commenced the recruitment of our initial Ambassadors. We were delighted by the enthusiastic response and are very happy to share some of their stories here.

Sun Hye Yang Chair

S

un has long been a loyal, enthusiastic and committed member of the Seoul Foreign School community. An SFS parent since 2001 and a long-time DramaMama and previous PTA volunteer and Chair she knows a lot more than many of us on faculty about the school!

We are delighted that she is now leading our Parent Ambassador Program and here talks about why our community is so special and why it’s important to all our children that we all get involved.

Sun was brought up in Korea but moved to the States in Grade 10. She credits her parents with blessing her with the ability and opportunity to try whatever she wanted. She never felt the fear of rejection so she felt she could take a risk and apply to the best schools! Sun chose Harvard but firmly believes that each child has their own path in this world. She believes there is no finer start in Seoul than Seoul Foreign School and she wants to share this enthusiasm with the world (or our world at least) and this makes her the perfect person to be our Chair…

Sun gave up her job as a Foreign Tax Consultant when her children were small and became the Chair of the ES PTA. She felt this helped her

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really make a difference and also to learn about the whole school and the curriculums. Since starting this role she has been happy to be around school almost daily - getting involved in auctions, fairs and events. “This helped me grow as a person and taught me the ways I could give back.”

Sun believes that there is a role for every single parent in school life. “Many parents want the chance to contribute but need to know how!

We need to give people a platform to share their positive feelings about school. Our Parent Ambassador Programme will help people learn about our school in a very personal way. Let’s get this school out there being talked about.”

Sun explains how we can make little changes.

She cites her own husband who was asked about schools by new neighbours… He replied “Come in, let’s have coffee and let me tell you about SFS...”

Let’s learn from this example!! If you have any questions about this scheme and want to get involved please contact Sun: sunhyeyang@ hotmail.com

Julie Won Co-Chair, Internal Marketing Julie and her family have a different story. Julie, her husband Walter and her three children Skylar (G8) Sienna (G6) and Schaeffer (G4) had been completely settled in Houston Texas all their lives. Their Korean heritage led them to say yes to the opportunity of relocation. As Julie says, “Anywhere - anywhere - else in the world we would have said no. But Seoul offered a chance to teach our children about their roots - and learn about ours!”

They chose SFS because of its long standing legacy and reputation. They have not been disappointed and after three and a half very happy years Julie says, “What continues to impress me about SFS is that they not only have academic rigour but the curriculum

includes important life and career skills such as communication, sustainability, intercultural awareness and a globally-centric perspective.”

As Co-Chair of Internal Marketing Julie is hopeful and passionate about their role. “Our goal is to build engagement and increase awareness of interests and involvements within the SFS community.”

Julie encourages everyone to get involved and she is completely realistic: “It doesn’t necessarily have to be the Parent Ambassador Programme.

It can be anything that fits into your schedule or matches your interests. If it takes a village to raise a child then we need a whole tight knit community to raise a school full of children!”

Yvonne and Markus Stehle Co-Chairs, Admissions and External Marketing Yvonne and Markus Stehle have stepped up as a couple to support the Parent Ambassador Programme. Both taking on Committee roles Yvonne as Co-Chair - Admissions and Markus as Co-Chair - External Marketing - they are very enthusiastic about the potential for this idea.

two youngest children - Pauline (HS) and Jakob (BS) are now citizens of the world. Teachers here really do care. The children know that they have the potential to be anything that they want to be. Jakob is proud to wear the British School uniform as he has a deep sense of belonging.”

Markus works in the automotive industry and Yvonne admits she was the prime mover in the move to Korea eight years ago. Even though they had lived in Mexico and Istanbul, Turkey as well as their native Germany, Yvonne said she had little enthusiasm for another move until the suggestion of Seoul! She threw herself into life here - starting a neighbourhood expat support group in Sombeok-dong. “We welcome newcomers, say hi, arrange dog walks and pot-lucks and generally try to help new people. We want to be cross-cultural and cross-generational.” These are all things that she wants to continue in welcoming newcomers to SFS. Her view is: “... it’s not just the student and the student’s academic life that is important - it’s a whole family! The parents need to feel welcomed and supported, too.”

Yvonne and Markus were attracted to SFS after seeing our confident and self-assured students around at events and in the community. “Our

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LETTER SFS PARENTS FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Veronica Lee Co-Chair, Admissions

V

eronica Lee is our new Co-Chair of the Parent Ambassador Admissions Committee. She has a rich and varied history having arrived here at Seoul Foreign School via a truly global route. Brought up in Sydney after emigrating aged 10 from Korea, Veronica and her family have lived in New York, San Francisco, London and Tokyo.

This is actually their second stint at SFS - and as Veronica explains they enjoyed their first experience of SFS so much it never crossed their mind to go anywhere else. When the family returned to Seoul both Veronica and her younger child, Max, were able to pick up earlier established friendships. Max was a baby the first time so Veronica could not take up many volunteering opportunities - but this time things were different!

Veronica explains, “Volunteering gives you so much practically and spiritually. You learn and you develop as a person. When you are involved you are not only being of service to an organisation but also to yourself.”

Veronica and Sun have been friends for 15 years and Veronica explains that Sun’s passion and enthusiasm for the Parent Ambassador Programme have really made the difference to her getting involved. She adds, “our children are our core common interest. It is a privilege and a blessing that SFS offers these opportunities.

Many schools keep parents out! This is a wonderful way to be part of our village.”

On her involvement with the Admissions Committee Veronica says, “We want to help make people realise they are making the right choice!”

*With parents like Sun, Veronica, Julie, Yvonne, Markus and many more already signed up we feel sure our Parent Ambassador Programme has built the foundations for success.

Please contact Sun to talk about getting involved - or catch up with any current Ambassador and learn more!

WHAT IS A PARENT AMBASSADOR? Parent Ambassadors welcome everyone to Seoul Foreign School. They are key to creating a positive, community feel on campus and in the wider Seoul community. They answer questions from prospective and current parents and complement the work of the PTA. They can also be part of Admissions, Internal Marketing or External Marketing teams.

All you need is a positive, welcoming outlook and a real desire to share what you love about our school. Our current Ambassadors would love to explain more. Just get in touch at: parentambassadors@seoulforeign.org

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PTA Power!

We are extremely lucky to have our PTA as the backbone of our parent community. Our PTA committees and their teams of volunteers have worked tirelessly for decades to support our children and the work our school does. Our PTA really does exist to enrich the lives of all SFS families. They support student and teacher initiatives, organizes events, welcome newcomers and provide a social framework for the school. Read on to find out more...

High School

Middle School

Our chair, Sarah Yeo, says, “The HS PTA is a wonderful team of 16 parents that organize and volunteer for events throughout the school year. We have monthly PTA coffee meetings open to all HS parents where Jeff Holcomb discusses different and relevant issues.

Our Middle School PTA team support Justin Smith and his team. Chair Rosie Goodinson always has a fabulous willing team at all the events for Grades 6-8.

The team provide snacks - often home-made for events and productions. The onsite ice cream van was a very welcome sight on the last day of term.

Some of our events for HS are new family registration, field day lunch, thanksgiving celebration, Christmas bazaar, preparing Christmas presents for students and staff, moms to moms gatherings outside SFS, Easter celebration, Teacher and Staff appreciation, serving food for APAC events, last day ice cream and our various senior graduation events (IB release lunch, senior send off Dinner, graduation reception and more.)

The team also go on hikes and explorations. "The aim is to promote a sense that it’s not just our children who are in school. Parents are all welcome too."

Contact the Middle School: mspta@seoulforeign.org

We are busy all year, but so fortunate to have many HS parent volunteers and the support of HS admin. We love working with our students and teachers."

British School

To join Sarah and the team mail: hspta@seoulforeign.org

Joelle Lewis is the Chair of the British School PTA. She has a team of amazing volunteers who participate and organise a variety of events such as:

Elementary School Lynette Walsh and Tara Striffler are joint Chairs of the Elementary School. Both are sub teachers at school so they are well placed to lend a hand at all grade levels.

"There is such a lot going on in support of Damian Prest and his faculty. The PTA organises the school wide book fair, a house disco party, the 4th Grade play, teacher appreciation luncheon, 5th Grade promotion and FAMILY FUN DAY!" Please contact: espta@seoulforeign.org

World Day (students) Disco (students) Quiz Night (parents) Welcome Drinks at the British Embassy (parents) “There are also a myriad of coffee mornings, information sessions and trips where we always look for BSPTA mums and dads to help. We have such a positive spirit in the British School. We really feel like a close, happy community and would love any British School parents to join us."

Contact: bspta@seoulforeign.org

There are many roles available in all our PTAs for 2019-20. Please get in touch if you can help in any way. Make new friends. Get to know our faculty and students. Learn more about our children’s days. We’d love to have you!

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LETTER SFS FAMILIES FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Our

Chinese Community Our SFS families come from all backgrounds and from all around the world. Our international mix is based on us being a Christian school for everyone. Here we hightlight a strong and growing community from China.

Jenny Tang World Languages Coordinator explains our links with the Chinese community and her own Chinese heritage…

I

grew up in the northeast of China, which was known as Manchuria and there are a large number of ethnic Koreans living in the region of my hometown. My elder brother fell in love with an ethnic Korean girl when he was in high school. Of course, both families forbid this unarranged, teenage love and the girl’s family even transferred her to another school in a different city. My brother was devastated and he talked to me a lot about this girl. Because of this girl, I began my life-long fondness of Korean people, along with many aspects of Korean culture, particularly my love for Korean food.

Coming to Seoul, in many ways, felt like I was going back home. The climate, traditional buildings, seasonal fruits and crops reminded me of many wonderful childhood memories. It was my first time in 20 years, since I had left my hometown that I experienced the distinct four seasons.

Prior to our arrival at SFS, I did not realize that there is a relatively large Chinese community within our school community. According to the data, 6.4 percentage of students at SFS have indicated that their home language is Mandarin Chinese, which is right behind Korean and English as home languages. We expect even more ethnic Chinese students will enroll in our school once the mother tongue Mandarin program is added to our school’s world language program.

Although Mandarin is the newest program to the world language program, starting in the 2013 school year, it has grown rapidly and is now the second largest of the languages offered at SFS, right after the Korean program. Thirty percent of our students from Kindergarten and Year 1 to grade 12 are currently enrolled in the Mandarin program.

ㅇㄷㄱ다Derek Mu HS G9 tells of the enormous challenges he faced arriving at SFS from Shenzen, China, only 3 years ago. You would never know that he hadn’t been speaking English all his life. He is an incredibly enthusiastic member of our SFS community. We work with Derek in Marketing and you have seen his wonderful photography across social media and this very magazine...

I

n my personal opinion, SFS is one of the most challenging schools that I have ever seen in my life. When I arrived at SFS on January 15, 2016, I faced a great tragedy. I didn’t speak English. I was raised in Chinese ways. My culture and habits are Chinese and my primary language is Chinese. Which means, everything in this school was unfamiliar to me, especially the education methods were most difficult to understand since debating and communication are the major goals.

During the short term in 6th Grade, I was surrounded by chaos. However, thanks to the enthusiastic support from the SFS community, I was able to overcome the obstacles and

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successfully integrate into this school.

Besides all the international schools in Korea, I chose Seoul Foreign School because of one reason, the ‘harmony of diversification’. SFS is one of the most historic international schools in Korea. The only reason that SFS has remained successful until today is because of harmony.

Unlike other schools, SFS successfully combines the differences in cultures and guides all of the students to understand and respect each other in a Christian spirit. Of course, I am one of those people who received support from the community and I really appreciate all of the support I have received.

Alina Fang

HS Grade 9, moved to SFS from China with her diplomat parents and has had to adapt to

a whole new way of life. Alina has made a huge success of learning English and she credits Ms Kuhl and Ms Guderyon with helping her. Here she describes the transition - and we share a poem she has written about someone starting afresh in a completely different world. It is so relevant to how many of us feel as we move around the world...

2

017 February, I moved to Korea from China.

I was different from other kids who moved for their parents’ work - I chose to move to Korea and enter an international school because I personally strongly dislike the education system and culture in Chinese public schools.

I could barely speak any English when I entered SFS. The new language, new education system and new culture was really not easy. However, at SFS, I saw an environment that I liked. SFS culture is really different from the Chinese public school where I used to be, in a better way.

At SFS, I have a chance to do what I like and I have met a lot of amazing teachers and created friendships with people from different countries and backgrounds. And I realized life has a lot of possibilities and there is infinite hope in the future. I realized the dreams that I only dare to dream about may really come true.

I’m really passionate about writing, I have a dream that I can use my writing to change something in China, or even in the world. I want to use my writing to make China and this world a better place.

The Sun Will Rise by Alina Fang In your world you were the top speaker.

In your world you were the top writer.

People were surprised by your talent.

You were the shining star in this world.

But when you moved to a new country, everything changed, You couldn’t express what you mean You couldn’t even write a simple paragraph People misunderstood what you said You were not shining anymore You broke down Your whimper mixed with your heavy accent People couldn’t even understand why you were crying.

This new life in your beautiful dream compared with the reality You realized No one can help you unless you help yourself.

Allowing yourself to live in depression will help nothing

Tears can’t solve anything Make your dream about a new life become reality You lock yourself in your room hours and hours to practice speaking You try to read those profound and boring books to learn vocabulary You know how heavy your accent is but you still keep talking And swallow your frustrating tears when people say “pardon?”

What you want is not too much-----Live like everyone else Over time You begin to have a normal life You still have a long way to go But you already walked a long road Just keep working and walking The sun will rise every morning

Jack Jin MS Grade 8, has been at SFS for four years and has made the most of his years with the support of our faculty and the whole SFS community.

I

have been at SFS for the past four years, starting in the 5th Grade, when I arrived here from China. Chinese is my nationality, but I am a Chinese Korean. I am from Yanji, China.

It’s a city with a unique mix of Korean and Chinese culture, so I grew up learning both the Chinese culture and the Korean culture. I had never been out of China until we left in 2015 to come to SFS. I didn’t know English at first, struggling with many different aspects of the English language, which required me to carry an electronic dictionary with me at all times, just so I could communicate with people. I’ve become better at English since then, but I still have a long way to go.

I really appreciate the fantastic teachers at SFS, they have gone above and beyond to support me in my journey. Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m currently interested in Film-making, and the VoiceLab program in 8th grade has really helped me to get more familiar with making videos, by giving us different types of equipment to create content that allows us to unleash our creativity.

In short, I’m blessed to have the opportunity to go to a school that cares so much about its students; a school that has an amazing diverse culture, and its range of courses. I really love the experiences I’ve had at SFS so far, and I am excited to see how this journey plays out.

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LETTER SFS FACULTY FROM&THE STAFF HEAD OF SCHOOL

Every Child Matters

One of the things that sets Seoul Foreign School apart is our commitment to respecting differentiation. We are a school with an incredible academic record but we recognise that with 1450 students there are a wide and varied range of needs. Not many schools offer such access to individual support teachers and an ELL (English Language Learners) network. We have an experienced counseling team in each school so every child has someone to talk to whenever they need the space. We also have a Speech and Language Therapist and a School Psychologist on campus. We are very proud to offer all of these services. When we say we offer a holistic approach we mean it.

Bryan Coogan School-wide Learning Support Coordinator

B

ryan Coogan is our school-wide Learning Support Coordinator. Bryan is responsible for ensuring that all our students have access to the support that they need. He tracks developments in teaching and learning and creates support systems and networks for each individual child. Bryan is keen to point out that ANY child might need some extra support at some point in their school life or in a certain subject. Seoul Foreign School is committed to giving support wherever it is needed. Learning Support might be offered outside of the classroom or within the structure of the lesson.

It might be given in specially selected groups or individually.

Bryan and his family came to us from Dubai.

He says that the reason he received his Masters in Special Education was that he felt it was important to give back and provide support to students who have learning difficulties and struggle to advocate for themselves.

He works in the Middle School but is happy to discuss support of all forms throughout the school. Here he explains the Seoul Foreign School philosophy behind his department:

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“Seoul Foreign School is committed to promoting a safe, supportive and holistic learning environment in order for all students with learning needs to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

We believe in an integrated inclusive approach for children with individual needs, thus increasing access and engagement in learning for all students by identifying and removing barriers. This can only be successfully achieved in a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, support and problem-solving. Inclusion is the learner profile in action, an outcome of dynamic learning communities. It is the aim to respond positively to each individual’s unique needs and is not about marginalizing students because of their differences.

Our students will be provided the opportunity to fulfill their potential and be prepared to access an international education to the highest recognized academic standards. We are committed to inspiring educational excellence and creating meaningful educational experiences, access to curriculum and providing an environment in which diverse learners excel.”

James Hopkins BS ELL & Student Support Services Coordinator

“D

on't compare your child to others.

There is no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it’s their time to shine.” (Quote from an unknown Author) Growing up on a farm in the rugged West of Ireland, I soon realised that the harshness and unpredictability of farming life wasn't for me!

After graduating from university, I spent an amazing eight years as a mainstream classroom teacher. At that point, my Principal asked me if I would be interested in specializing as a Student Support Teacher. Without hesitation, I grasped the opportunity of further study and have enjoyed every moment since as I find my job at the British School incredibly rewarding.

At the British School, we value, respect and understand diversity. We believe that every student is unique, and we take great pride in encouraging them and helping them to reach their full potential. We also believe that, over the course of the school year, students may need a little bit of extra support to help them on their learning journey. For some students, this extra support may be needed when they first arrive if English isn't their first language. We are always amazed to watch the English language skills of these EAL learners flourish. For other students, they may just need a little bit of academic support because they might have small gaps in their learning.

Howard Gardner wrote extensively about different types of intelligences and in the Learning Support department we certainly see lots of evidence of this. For example, we have the privilege of working with students who often have incredible musical skills, artistic skills, sports skills or people skills, but may need a little extra support with literacy or maths. We try to present learning material in a different way because we know that students learn in different ways.

At Seoul Foreign British School, our culture is based around six core values. These help guide learners in all aspects of school life. One of these values is ‘Reflection’ and so we encourage students to reflect on their learning so that they can make connections for new learning based on previous experiences. A second personal value that we believe is important is ‘Courage’ and so we encourage students to accept challenge and failure in pursuit of new learning and experiences.

One of the biggest advantages of learning in the British School is the small school, familylike atmosphere and sense of teamwork that goes with it. Because of this, there is a close relationship between support teachers and mainstream class teachers. We collaborate, communicate and work together to ensure that all British School students reach their full potential and shine.

Adam Teather is a High School Learning Support and Math teacher. Adam has been at SFS for 11 years and really believes that all children can learn with the right support. Here he explains the basis of the HS support program...

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s a result of the new High School master schedule, the Learning Support Program has evolved from a mostly pull-out support model to a more inclusive push-in structure where the support teachers are involved in planning and delivery of lessons. Learning Support and ELL teachers are working together to provide push-in support across a variety of academic subject areas.

High School Math Teacher and Mr. Teather, a Learning Support Specialist who is also a Math Teacher.

While most of the student support takes place within academic classes, there is still an opportunity for students to get some one-onone support outside of classroom time.

This year we have piloted a math support class in both 9th Grade and 10th Grade. These classes have fewer students, they have one additional class period per cycle than regular classes, and they are staffed with both a regular

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LETTER SFS FACULTY FROM&THE STAFF HEAD OF SCHOOL

Holly Hitchcock our Head of Student Support Services in the Elementary School and an extremely experienced ELL teacher explains how ELL teaching works at SFS. Holly has been here for seven years and is part of a network of ELL teachers schoolwide.

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t Seoul Foreign School, our English as an Additional Language (EAL) program endorses a model of enriched language education with the goal that English Language Learners (ELLs) acquire English, while also retaining their own ‘Mother Tongue’ and/or acquiring proficiency in another world language.

Being bilingual or multilingual are assets and we do not seek to replace the ‘Family Language’ with English. We strongly encourage families to maintain their ‘Family Language’, speak, read, and write it in the home, and support their children in continuing to grow their skills in all areas.

The language acquisition process for ELLs simultaneously involves learning language - as learners listen to and use language with others in their everyday lives; learning about language - as learners grow in their understanding of how language works; and learning through language as learners use language as a tool to listen, think, discuss and reflect on information, ideas and issues (Halliday 1980).

The goal of our SFS EAL Specialists is to support students in developing an appropriate level of English language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, speaking and viewing, such that all non-native English speakers can access the full range of curriculum offerings and experience maximum success. To accomplish this, we operate from a positive, ‘Can Do’ perspective.

Across all sections of the school, EAL Specialists work closely with teachers and teams.

We consult, collaborate, coach, and/or co-teach to provide ELLs with an enriched language immersion education that meaningfully connects second language acquisition principles to daily classroom practices, in which English is the primary language of instruction.

As EAL Specialists, we believe that learning an additional language is a developmental process and that each student will develop as his or own individual pace. In fact, research shows that most students develop full academic language proficiency in English in 4-7 years. In all school environments, confidence and a positive selfconcept are the foundations for developing social skills, as well as the academic language skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking. A strong partnership with and good communication between school and home is important for the success of our English Language Learners.

Finally, at SFS, EAL Specialists also work seamlessly with the Counseling Department, Learning Support Specialists and Administrators as a team to make sure that the varied needs of all English Language Learners are successfully met. Our EAL programs and support are holistic in nature, and the individual needs of the student are always at the heart of what we do!

Hearing from our teachers is one thing - but how do the students who learn feel? Golden

(Hao)

Zheng is from China. Golden is in 3G at the ES and is 9 years-old. His support team has included Steven Gange, Susan Park and Deborah Chu. Golden's story shows how we welcome and support ALL students...

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came to SFS about 2.5 years ago, and I had learned a little bit of English before I came.

But the first day I went into my classroom, I was super-nervous about I can’t speak English.

I couldn’t communicate with other students. So at that time I don’t have any friends. When time passed, I found one friend that I could speak Chinese to, so I became friends with him. So no matter I don’t understand, he translated to me in Chinese.

The first ELL teacher I met was Ms. Susan. She helped me a lot about the start of English, so I could learn how to form a sentence. My second year, my ELL teacher was Ms. Chu. She also helped me a lot in the morning in her room and

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also in the afternoon in class. She would give us books, and we would read. She would make sure that we knew what the meaning inside this book was. We did a lot of stuff.

I think my ELL teachers were my English lifesavers because if they weren’t here, I would have been like, ‘Oh no, I don’t know what’s going on!’

If a new student came to SFES [without much English] I would say to them, ‘Don’t feel nervous. You’ll get things, and you’ll learn as your friends speak to you in English. Also the ELL teachers will be very nice to you, and they will help you improve a lot.’

Kerry Mees is our Speech and Language Therapist. Many schools do not have such a role so we are very privileged to have Kerry Mees full-time working between the ES and BS with a brief to support and assess our students schoolwide.

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erry Mees, originally from Kansas, USA, has a Masters in Speech Language Pathology, a background in a hospital setting and she works as a Speech and Language Therapist exclusively at SFS. Kerry explains that her role involves the diagnosis and support of speech language differences. She believes very much in early intervention so her work centres on our younger children - though she may be also called upon to help High School and Middle School students when children come to SFS from schools where there was no such support.

Speech and Language Therapy may be required in the following instances:

• Articulation - or pronunciation • Stuttering/stammering - disfluency • Receptive language difficulty - what we hear or read • Expressive language difficulty - how we communicate • Social communication - how we use language • Voice disorder - for example vocal nodules or hoarseness Students will be referred to Kerry via the Counseling team. She is very clear that when she meets a child for the first time, “we look for the strengths not the issues. We look at how we can support them wherever they need support. There is no stigma attached to needing help. If parents support the process then this makes a big difference to the child accepting and succeeding with therapy.”

“It’s about teamwork. This department works with the counselors and with Dr Cho. We screen, we assess, we treat. The result is achieved via the child, teacher, support, parents and teachers all working together.”

SFS also has its own Educational Psychologist, Dr

Soo Jin Cho. It is extremely rare for any school

let alone an international school in Korea to have one, so we are incredibly proud to be able to offer this service. Educational psychology is the study of how humans learn and retain knowledge, primarily in educational settings like classrooms. Areas of focus in this branch of psychology might include: teaching and testing methods, classroom environment, and learning, social, and behavioural problems that may impede progress. Should any of our students need help and support in these areas they can be referred via our teaching, learning support and counseling staff. Rest assured that we will be ever vigilant for ways to enhance the learning ability of all our students.

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OUNSELORS - are a critical part of the support team - on site to support our children.

Each school has its own counseling team. The role of a counselor is many and varied -

they are there to support students who might have emotional or social issues or they may have a problem affecting their learning or they may just need to speak to an interested and supportive adult. If you’d like to know more about our counselors do get in touch - they are all very welcoming… BS - JESSIE GOCHAR; MS - MARGARET PARK; HS - JOACHIM EKSTROM, JENNIFER HOLCOMB, TU ANH GILMORE, REBECCA MAYO; ES - LISA ADAMS, HEATHER MIN.

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Service at the Heart of our Community Dongdaewon Art Auction, Spring 2019

We are very proud of our service ethic at Seoul Foreign School and of our desire and commitment to think globally. We try to persuade and support our students to help others, to think about the world on a grand scale and to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. All around campus there are incredible examples of what motivates our students to action. Projects big and small are being actioned and displayed. Take a look around and you will see so much.

Here we highlight just a small selection of initiatives, teachers and projects.

Jo Bigwood ES Grade 5 Teacher - Dongdaewon

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hen we think of teachers who inspire our community through great service work, Jo Bigwood is one of the first names that come to mind. As a school we have supported the Eugene Bell Tuberculosis Center in North Korea for 20 years now. This year’s logo was Twenty Years of Unity. It’s hard to imagine the difficulties that are involved in supporting North Korean citizens - but we have made the effort an effort spearheaded by Jo Bigwood for some years now.

The whole school gets behind this project in February and March so prolific are the fundraising events. This year we started with a Faculty panto directed by Edie Moon. Captain Hook’s Revenge, starring some of our favourite teachers, brought the house down over three performances. Jo credits not just the fantastic actors but those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes on stage and set, teachers and parents who set up stalls and donated food and drink to

be sold. Every single person made a difference.

The panto made over 10,000,000 KRW and we were off to a great start.

Students designed the annual T-shirt which was sold around school - and this year we added notecards featuring student artwork.

Then followed an art auction run by Jo and Libby Beaty - we had the chance to bid for our favourite works by staff, parents and students.

The schools all ran Dongdaewon Fairs where students played games, took challenges, ate treats and generally had a whale of a time all in aid of a good cause.

Last year we raised 50,000,000 KRW and we are hoping to better that when all the numbers are in for 2019. If you have any questions please contact jo.bigwood@seoulforeign.org.

Please consider donating your time and your enthusiasm for Dongdaewon 2020.

Claire Olivier BS Key Stage 3 English Teacher - Nanumi

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he Nanumi project coordinated by students under Claire Olivier has grown almost by stealth. Originally an initiative by a British School student who volunteered in a homeless shelter and was moved to make it a regular thing - this has grown to encompass different groups, many teachers from all parts of the school and also parents.

Our students go weekly to the Nanumi Project and help out with cooking, preparing and serving food. They wash up afterwards and clear away. They talk to the shelter’s visitors and treat them with kindness and respect.

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IN

CI

SPIRE

TIZ ENS

A True

Inspiration I

nspire Citizens (also known as Steve Sostak and Aaron Moniz) have been running a series of workshops and projects this year and have worked with almost all parts of our school. We are committed to collaborating with them long-term and ensuring that our students become both inspired and inspiring global citizens.

Inspire Citizens work around the world in various schools and they are also keynote speakers at environmental, education and media conferences. Importantly, they feel passionately that all students should benefit from their messages and they shun the profit-making of many companies in favour of affordable learning!

Aaron and Steve have been in school working with students on journalism in our neighborhood with the ‘Into The Gu’ project. They also launched the inaugural Global Youth Media Conference in our Middle School in early May. This attracted over 120 students from SFS and other schools as far afield as the UAE. Follow them on Twitter - @inspirecitizen1 and @inspirecitizen2

(Left) Aaron Moniz with our MS VoiceLab students in Shinchon interviewing the public.

(Right) Steve Sostak insturcting students from various schools at the GYMC

Lauren Teather arrived at Seoul Foreign School over a decade ago and along with her husband, Adam, and two daughters has become a mainstay of our faculty. We are so lucky to have teachers like her who keep their eyes and ears open for opportunities to benefit our whole community. Lauren describes her meeting with Inspire Citizens and how she knew this was a relationship that would benefit so many of our community!

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rian Hall and I met Aaron Monitz and Steve Sostak at EARCOS several years ago and we were instantly inspired by their enthusiasm for their work. They had such an energetic and inspiring way of connecting students to their learning and making it relevant. They were full of energy and we thought it would be awesome to have that kind of energy at SFS. With the launch of MYP I know that we were all trying to wrap our heads around the "Global

Contexts" and thought that Inspire Citizens could be a good resource for making our units relevant and connecting students personally to their learning.

When I returned from EARCOS, I gave all of their information to Justin and told him about what I had learned and how to get in contact with them, etc. Justin jumped on it and boom we have a partnership now.

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LETTER SFS FACULTY FROM&THE STAFF HEAD OF SCHOOL

Welcome to the

Admin Building Many people pass by the building daily but never guess what is going on beyond our Reception. The building houses the departments that make the school run smoothly. Here, the schools income and expenditure is processed. Decisions are made on employment and on all type of contracts.

Senior Leadership Team Colm Flanagan, Head of School, and his Senior Leadership Team are based here. Colm is assisted

by Grace Song who makes sure that everything runs like clockwork.

Clif Wilcox - CFO and AHOS, Operations, Jan-Mark Seewald AHOS, Academics and their assistant Hannah Kim work with their teams from the 3rd Floor.

Finance We have a big Finance Dept responsible for the payroll of Faculty and Staff. They also process all incoming fees and payments and administrate any donations and capital expenditures. They make sure our balance sheets are completely transparent - incredibly important for such a big school and a not-for-profit. Clif Wilcox leads a fantastic, hardworking team.

HR Our HR Director, Barry Benger and his team are responsible for recruitment and processing and welcoming all new Faculty and Staff. They are dealing with many prospective employees, with government departments and our own. Contact barry.benger@ seoulforeign.org 48

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Alumni

Advancement

Our Alumni office is run by Jack Moon. He has worked at SFS for a very long time! A science teacher and sports coach in a previous SFS life, Jack is now the point of contact for our newly graduated classes and our very substantial list of previous students. He is the protector of our legacy - and can answer all your questions about SFS history. Contact jack.moon@ seoulforeign.org

YooJin Um is our Advancement Manager. She is the driving force for any donations that we receive.

YooJin also helps organise various events including award ceremonies, Grandparents Day and our Golf Day. She has been with SFS since she graduated and is a crucial part of our community.

Contact yoojin.um@seoulforeign. org

Marketing Our Marketing team are responsible for creating this magazine and all our other brochures and publications for SFS. Jane Forster, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Sinead Flanagan, Marketing Coordinator, work on our print and digital publications. We also run the school’s social media and website and liaise with all parts of the school on events and newsworthy happenings (there are A LOT!) Our Designer and Brand Curator, SFS Alumn, Juhie Suh, makes our students and community look wonderful. Contact jane. forster@seoulforeign.org with any questions.

Admissions Madeleine Kim and her team - YhuBin Lee, Jinny Kim and SeulGee Lee - welcome all prospective parents to our school.

They help everyone make the best decision about which path each student should take. They take many calls, answer many many queries and run tours around campus every single day.

They also support current parents with re-enrolment and related issues. Contact admissions@ seoulforeign.org

Have you ever thought about how much our amazing GA department do? Without them there would be no clean classrooms, no swept paths or mowed lawns. Our rooms would not be set up or cleared. We need GA to support everything we do in school. Here GA Director, Andy Lee, tells us all about his role and that of his department in making school run smoothly...

Andy Lee Director of General Affairs

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ndy Lee joined Seoul Foreign School in 2001 and has been helping to keep our school running smoothly ever since. His role is to provide facilities back-up to our teaching staff and to ensure that the buildings and grounds are safe and secure and functioning to their best potential.

Andy joined us from Daewoo where he was based overseas in sales promotion, admin and marketing. Andy was attracted by the academic environment of our school - it appealed as he, too, wanted to study further and better and challenge himself. He was able to fulfil all the (challenging) requirements for the job including being bilingual and bicultural thanks to a lengthy period working in the States.

Andy’s loyalty to SFS extends to his wife, Joanna, who joined SFS in 2001 and works as an ES/ MS Korean Language Teacher. His daughter, Heather Lee Wang, left SFS in 2005 after her High School years and now teaches Grade 4 in the States. His granddaughter, Elise, is only two but she may well join SFS one day!

Andy is responsible for a team of 125+ workers - both regular and contracted. These include Facilities, Transportation, General Support, Housing and much more. If you think of any element of school, Andy and his teams will help with it. Andy also liaises with the Korean government departments and provides crucial advice about respecting the laws, culture and customs of our host country.

Andy is incredibly proud of the average length of employment of his teams. “They like the environment and they feel respected,” he explains. “Mr Flanagan and Mr Wilcox join our regular meetings and listen to our staff. Our teams feel that they are up to date with school and office events and are listened to. Again - this doesn’t happen everywhere.”

Andy describes an excellent relationship between the teachers and Senior Admin and the staff. He explains that there are Appreciation Evenings and faculty send cards to their local counterparts. No one is made to feel that they don’t count.

Andy cites many examples of what makes him proud to be in this role… “I particularly love how we go out into the community. We are a very fortunate school and we share our good fortune. Local schools come to us to benchmark when they build and develop. We introduce them to our teachers and make sure that they build the best local schools that they can. Local schools such as EHWA Girls' Foreign Language High School have followed our designs to build science labs. We see this as giving back to the community. Giving this advice and sharing makes me very proud of SFS and very happy to be here.”

Andy is incredibly approachable and welcomes any feedback on his teams.

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We highlight here more crucial roles in our school. Have you ever wondered who buys all our supplies so our classrooms and events all run like clockwork? Who organises the permits and visas to allow us to bring in the very best teachers for our students? You are about to find out!

Dae Woon Kim

is an integral part of our GA system. As GA Manager, he describes his role as

“Overseeing Checks and Balances!”

D

ae Woon provides invaluable support to Andy Lee and works as the School Architect and Designer on projects big and small. Like many of our other GA staff, DW came to his role after his previous company were involved in a project here on theatre acoustics.

DW manages our security, technicians, housing and general support staff. His responsibilities are many and various but include crucial components of school life such as CCTV, sound, light and fire alarms. He tries to find compromises and solutions to any questions that arise on campus. Clif Wilcox, our CFO, calls upon his expertise on a daily basis!

DW is always involved when we look at maximising efficiency around campus. What works best and how can we make it happen?

How can ventilation and light and sound create the best environment for our children?

DW cites one of his favourite moments of his job as when the children let him know how his projects have enhanced their school life. He brings out a brochure made for him by our ES students when he helped design and build the new playground in 2016. “Their thanks make it all worthwhile…”

He says modestly, “I’m not superman - I just try and help in a small way…”

Soo Jung Bae Teachers' Business Representative, has been working at SFS for an incredible 31 years now! When new faculty join us, they are told, “Mrs Bae will handle that. Leave it in her capable hands…” And how true that is!

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rs Bae is in charge of the visa and permit process for all our faculty. Essentially she helps all our teachers and their families enter and live and work in Korea. She has built up an incredible knowledge of the process and knows the timings and required documents like the back of her hand. Mrs Bae prepares 2000 documents a year and is busiest between MaySeptember when our new teachers are preparing to move and arriving here. There are also renewals going on. After this period and when all the teachers are here safely she tells herself, “I did a great job!”

Mrs Bae has seen many changes over the years

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both in school and in Korea. She came to SFS after graduating in Public Administration from Sookmyeong Women’s University. She realised that she would need to keep learning and challenging herself over the years - in a country that did not have equal opportunities for women some three decades ago. She realises that this attitude has helped her succeed. As she says “I always concentrate on my work with both a true affection for it and the view that it is my family’s work rather than just a school job.”

“When I joined there were 700 students and 70 faculty. Now I can barely count them accurately - we have grown so much!”

Jee Hye Ha Administrative Assitant, sits alongside Mrs Bae and has been here almost as long - 27 years! She joined SFS in 1991 after she got married. Her previous role was at Samsung.

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rs Ha is the GA Department Assistant.

She is responsible for supporting our classified staff and making sure all the relationships work well and the administration is smooth. She helps maintain thousands of Help Desk requests every year! She processes around 5000 documents a year - which is no mean feat!

Like many of her colleagues Mrs Ha works in both English and Korean - she often is called upon to translate documents. She describes qualities needed to be good at her job - and a good part of GA as, “smiling, generous and

gentle” and this really sums up not just Mrs Ha but many of the GA team! Mrs Ha describes the 3rd Floor as a lovely atmosphere: “Everyone is caring and calm.”

Mrs Ha is also amazed at the changes at SFS over the years. She has seen four Heads of School in her time. “Students are so lucky to have such fantastic conditions and facilities. We have changed and adapted with the times.”

Working with Mrs Bae and Mrs Ha is Simon

Lee. Simon lived in the US and Dubai before settling back

in Korea and coming to work at SFS. Simon describes his current role in GA Admin Support as: “ a dream job.

To be in the middle of a growing industry like where SFS is now…”

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imon has a multi-purpose role and four parts to his responsibilities. “I act as Admin Assistant for the Juridicial Foundation of SFS. Plus I look after our sign work. Recently I set up the SFS LED sign board on the top of HS North Wing. I am also a safety engineer and I arrange and renew our insurance.”

our position with the insurance companies.

Like his colleagues, Simon feels a strong part of the SFS community. “I’m so happy to have the chance to work for SFS and want to return a good performance…”

Simon would be key in a fire emergency or natural disaster. He would assess damage and

Jay Park

is our Purchasing Agent. Without his know-how we would not be able to get the best range of

everything from pencils to snacks to musical instruments. He is a crucial part of the whole buying process.

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orn in Seoul with stints living in England, Canada and New Zealand, Jay has been with us for ten years and like many of our staff he got to know Seoul Foreign School while he was working on the other side. An experienced English teacher, he was selling English Language texts to our previous Purchasing Manager! When she left she knew only one person who could take over and that was Jay. Jay has many strings to his bow. One of his major responsibilities is to complete the overseas purchasing. This involves a big bulk order which arrives during the Summer. While most of us are away Jay is receiving, sorting and distributing goods coming in from around the world.

orders go through Jay. He visits Costco and Alpha and countless other stores. Whatever our faculty and students need! Jay also runs the mailing and orders customised posters, cards and other printed items.

As Jay says, “What I do helps our students and by helping them I’m contributing to the future. I love seeing what they do with what I buy. For example the wooden tree in the HS reception started out life as a sheet I bought.

My role is one of many in school that go on in the background. Often no one notices - unless something goes wrong!”

Happily, not much goes wrong…

As well as these major orders all the smaller SF S B AN N ER

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Transported!

The first people that our children see in the mornings are often our bus drivers and bus monitors. These are very important roles - we trust these carefully chosen people to keep our students safe and secure in heavy traffic. Hugh Lee is the Head of Transportation. Here he explains what the role of the department is and then we hear from Driver Mr Hong Seo Koo and Bus Monitor or “Supie” Cho Long Jung...

Hugh Lee Head of Transportation

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(Left to right) Hong Seo Koo, Hugh Lee and Cho Long Jung

ugh Lee has worked at Seoul Foreign School for six years and came to us after 15 years at the US Embassy.

Hugh said he was drawn to our school and looked out for an opportunity to join. As soon as a job came up he applied.

His enthusiasm for school and for the students is very apparent. He lights up as he talks about the students in his care.

He remembers so many of them by name and goes back to his early days when a child was not collected by a parent at the bus stop. Hugh looked after the child and frantic calls were made until the child’s grandfather picked him up who said, “I trust SFS, I knew you would protect him.” Hugh says this sums up his role! He instructs all the transportation staff to “Drive safe, drive slow, let the students take a rest…”

He reveals that he feels, “healed by the smiles of the students every morning!”

Hugh is responsible for employing all our drivers and bus monitors. They are all employees of the school - not agency or hired workers., They all become part of our family. We have 25 drivers and 25 bus monitors. Hugh looks at safety records first. “If they are not clean and clear they won’t work here…”

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Hong Seo Koo is one of our trusted drivers.

He drives Bus X (into the US Base) and has been here at SFS for 8 years. He joined after visiting SFS many times when driving for another school. He came and watched many of our sports competitions and liked what he saw!

He saw that our students were nice and kind and wanted to work here.

Mr Koo is responsible for driving the bus but also for maintaining it and checking the routes and that all the stops are in the right place… He also looks after our Head of School when he needs driving and he looks after his car. He takes students on field trips, too.

Two of his three children are grown up and he has a wonderful rapport with all children. He believes it’s important to speak kindly and firmly; to establish a good rapport with each and every student.

Cho Long Jung was working as a teacher in a Chinese Academy when she applied to work at SFS. She is the Bus Monitor on Route T which serves part of the Yongsan area. She says that the first thing she does is check all the students are secure. “Safety first…” She talks to the children, she calms them, she deals with queries from parents and children…” Cho Long says that the job can be like a flight attendant with constant requests and questions!

Our students are in very safe hands with Hugh and his team and we are hugely grateful to them all.

Into the Depths Moon Jin Lee Head of Technicians. Talking to him one morning and being taken on a tour of (literally) the deepest recesses of school was an incredible eye-opener! This team of six is responsible for so much as Moonjin share with us. is to keep all our students in the healthiest, safest indoor environment possible. He wants to create “the perfect study climate.”

Moonjin plans fire escape routes and regularly walks the school checking possible hazards and obstructions. He manages fire doors and automatic systems and ensures that should the worst happen - we are ready to go!

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oonjin has been in his position at Seoul Foreign School for 5 years, reporting directly to Andy Lee. Before he came to us he qualified in Electrical Engineering and Project Management and then spent 20 years working for a construction company overseeing the building of apartment complexes, offices and even the World Cup Stadium in Jeju. Moonjin and his wife and two daughters are like “expats” in Korea moving from region to region to begin and complete projects. Luckily for us they are now all settled here in Seoul!

As Head of Technicians Moonjin oversees all our power supplies, the mechanics and our heating and cooling systems. He believes his role

Moonjin has an office in the UAC and he is visited regularly by students. He is impressed by the questions our students ask him. “They ask about practicalities relating to their lessons and show a deep understanding and sense of responsibility about sustainability and environmental issues. I feel like I offer some support in terms of real life! The answer to their questions is of course that we try as hard as possible to be environmentally friendly. For example in the new High School building we have a tank which collects rainwater for use watering the grounds and cleaning out the basement.”

Moonjin’s team also help set up events speakers, lights, screens etc. They want all parents to know that the children are in safe hands. They make school as safe as possible and carry out every check. They feel supported by the Senior Leadership Team and Head of School who take their advice seriously and prioritise their concerns.

If you see our facilities team around - say thank you! They are safeguarding our children and our future!

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A Support Network Chris Kim and his General Support team are perhaps some of the most visible on campus. You see the cleaners and gardeners everywhere. You might see tables being moved or screens appearing out of nowhere so you can watch a presentation. Read on to hear what’s involved…

Chris Kim has been in General Support at SFS for seven years - heading up the team since 2014. Chris has an interesting history - the son of a Korean diplomat he was relocated to London aged 10 and enrolled in a local UK school for three years. At the time Chris spoke no English and had to sink or swim. Now he speaks with a noticeable British accent - and has a very good understanding of what life is like for many of our students living as expats.

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hris worked in one of Korea’s biggest general food companies before coming to Seoul Foreign School. He is very experienced in finance and business planning.

He is keen to stress that it is not him alone - it is his team who do all the work and who should get all the credit! A team of six are responsible for Maintenance and Repair. They are the ones you see at events - they respond to requests on campus; they set up and take down; they prepare the rooms and leave them as they were. The department also includes 19 SFS cleaners and 20 contracted cleaners and our gardeners.

(Left to right) Geum Ja Kim, Chris Kim and Yong Min Choi

Chris says that all his team feel a sense of ownership and belonging at SFS. It’s not just a job. They are attached to the students and the families and enjoy getting to know people better. Some of the jobs can be thankless tasks - how do Chris and his team cope with that?

He says the key things are, “to be forgiving and to be fond of children.” This summing up is echoed by two of Chris’s team…

Yong Min Choi is an SFS gardener

Geum Ja Kim has worked as an SFS cleaner for 15

who has been at SFS for 32 years.

years.

H

S

e is in awe of how the school has developed and grown over the last few decades. He says, “I have tried to help make the environment more beautiful for the students. When the trees and flowers blossom then students and faculty are happy. That is how I find meaning in my role.”

As he approaches retirement his hope is that he can return to campus occasionally and “be surprised at what happens next!” Min Cho has many personal stories of students over the years.

He recalls Helena Prest as a baby crawling around campus and saying hello to him. He smiles as he says “she still says hello today and I love to see her and her friends grow up.”

he explains that she and her team of red-shirted colleagues are all very loyal to the school and consider this a place to stay for a long time.

Mrs Kim works in the Lyso Center and in the ES. She has also loved seeing the school grow and change around her. The Lyso was brand new when she started. She also has fond memories and stories of faculty and students past and present. “I remember Daryl Roddick, ex Theatre Director, very well. He was scary but he had a very warm heart - like all of our teachers.”

When we ask Mrs Kim what we can do to help she gives this simple but effective piece of advice. “Separate your trash - especially if you are at an event. If you don’t put the paper, plastic and food in separate bins - someone else has to. And that someone is me and my team. You would make our work easier with this one small thing…”

Let’s appreciate and help with this small thing….

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Two other crucial departments are Security and Housing Services. Here we talk to the teams and find out what goes on in these departments. Both men have been in their positions for over 25 years and their loyalty and love for the school shines through!

Moon Ki Min is our Head of Security leading a team of nine security guards. Some may say he has the most important job in school as he keeps all our students safe each day. He says proudly “Our number one priority is to keep the students safe…. And our number two….And our number three!”

I

t’s reassuring to hear that we are in very safe hands with Moon-Ki - when he served in the army he was in one of the toughest regiments!

He laughs as he says, “But I’m really not scary at all!!” He’s very softly spoken and kind and speaks with calm authority of the methods in place to protect our campus. All parts of campus are observed by 183 cameras running at all times. The security team also patrol campus and doors are securely locked. Visitors check in and must provide advance information.

sensible gun control guidelines.” Moon Ki adds, “I heard about SFS in the 80s and was so grateful to get my job here in 1990. I will go on being grateful and proud to be here for many years to come.”

We thank all of Moon Ki’s team for keeping our children safe and secure.

He adds, “South Korea and Seoul itself are very safe. For this we thank our army and our

Our Head of Housing Services - Young

Woo Cho - may not come into contact with many students

but his role is important nonetheless. Previously an interior designer he has been part of the SFS village since 1992. He has always worked in Housing and considers every day a learning process.

M

r Cho looks after the buildings housing our faculty and answers requests regarding electrics, furniture, utilities, decor, mosquitos and gardens. He might get 15-20 requests a day…

Unlike many of our GA staff he does not meet many students or teachers as he works in the day while the apartments are empty. But he says, “That is how it should be. We work to make sure the homes are perfect so the teachers can teach and not worry about their homes.”

Mr Cho has lived within the community for many years - he has to be on campus in case of emergency. He is grateful and amazed at the way our teachers took his son (who is differently abled) into their hearts. He has always been welcomed.

Harlan Lyso, a previous Head of School gave him a piece of advice that he uses as a personal creed. “Always be honest, no matter what.” This is how he lives his life and enjoys his work.

He has many happy memories of teachers. After one teacher was sick and returned after a year they tied yellow ribbons up the road and hill to welcome him back all the way home. He also remembers posting ‘Welcome Home New Baby’ when John and Stephanie Black had their first baby…

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LETTER SFS FACULTY FROM&THE STAFF HEAD OF SCHOOL

The Power Behind the Thrones Our Administrative Assistants have a very special role. Here we highlight the Assistants to the Head of School and our four school Principals. They have a unique working relationship with the faculty - and also have great relationships with the students, too. Read on to find out what brought these ladies to our school - and what keeps them here...

Grace Song Administrative Assistant to The Head of School

G

race Song is one of the most integral parts of our community. As Assistant to our Head of School, Colm Flanagan, Grace says that her role “involves shadowing Colm, knowing where he is and what he is doing.” She believes that the role is to make Colm “the best that he can be!”

Grace has the ideal background for this role and this school. Born in Korea, the child of missionaries, Grace was brought up in Kenya and Uganda. She understands very well the demands placed on a child within an International School context. This definitely helps her empathize with cultural differences and act accordingly.

Grace works on the Third Floor with the Senior Leadership team. She has a wonderful description

of a floor where so much goes on and so many decisions are made. “Some people think the atmosphere might be intimidating but actually, it’s like a puzzle with everything coming together with one common goal. That goal is to make Seoul Foreign School a great school.” Grace also highlights how she is just one of an extensive team of people dedicated to the service of the school. “People work tirelessly to make this a great community!”

A standout moment for Grace was the opening of our High School in August. Part of Grace’s role was to coordinate with Embassies and other VIPs. She says “I felt like I was in a film. I was top security personnel for a moment!”

Life is never dull!

Hye Sun Woo MS Administrative Assistant

M

rs Woo joined Seoul Foreign Middle School in 1988 - the year of the Seoul Olympics.

She laughingly says she is the “first and the best” Middle School Assistant there has ever been!

After 31 years in the same role there are not many on campus who have seen and experienced as much of school life!

Mrs Woo was originally attracted by Seoul Foreign School and its Christian Mission. Her husband is a pastor and faith is central to her life. She also wanted to be a good mum to her young children and working in a school would offer that.

As she started, the new Middle School building was opening. She walked into an empty building and has been sitting in the same seat for 31 years!

“The Middle School has changed a lot. When I joined there were 30 faculty and the Principal was Dr Borden. Now there are over 50 faculty working with Justin Smith.” Key changes that she

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notes are the introduction of the Design Lab and the building of the wonderful new library. “Times change but students stay the same!!”

Mrs Woo has a very clear take on what the Middle School is there to provide…. “We are helping kids to grow up. In Grade 6 they are little children and we prepare them academically, physically, emotionally and mentally to survive in High School! We support them all. Middle School is like a rugby ball - the years are so important as the child can land anywhere.”

Mrs Woo manages the Principal’s calendar and schedule. She supports teachers and is the first point of contact for many parents and students.

She feels close to all the students and tells a story that sums up her role. Returning students coming back year after year to SFS say, “Please stay here forever, Mrs Woo, so we can visit you and remember.”

Hae Jin Koh BS

Administrative Assistant

M

rs Koh has worked as the Assistant to the Principal of Seoul Foreign British School since 1991. She has always worked with British bosses since graduating from college! Before arriving at SFBS, Mrs Koh worked at Glaxo Pharmaceuticals. She has a very simple way of summing up what she does in her day: “I am doing most everything so that students/parents/teachers can make school life easy and comfortable. I have never thought about a favorite part of the job.

If students/parents/teachers are happy with my services, it is enough.”

Mrs Koh cites a very strong colleague with a wonderful work attitude who inspired her over 30

years ago. “When I first started in the company, I worked with an executive secretary (an over 40 year old lady) who had a good academic background and brilliant working career. She was willing to fulfill any hard work or even minor things and never said “NO” when her boss/or colleague asked something. Her attitude was very impressive to me, and I decided to learn it as she did. “I love all BS students who are still in school or who left school long time ago. If possible, I try to remember good things about students!”

When asked if she has one message about her role she says, “Thank you for good people in such a good environment.”

Soora Koh HS Administrative Assistant

S

oora Koh is the perfect choice to be the High School Assistant. She has such a rapport with the students that she is often mistaken for one of them… She knows pretty much every student by name and personality - and it’s her ambition to be perfect. “I sometimes stumble on a Freshman” she confides! It’s an amazing achievement in a school with over 450 students - each with an individual timetable!

Soora joined SFS in August 2017. Educated at Sogang University here in Seoul - her childhood was spent abroad in Panama and Brazil. She was working in a British Kindergarten when the job came up. She felt she had to apply - even if other candidates might be better qualified - as SFS is seen as one of the best overseas employers in Seoul (and “very picky!”) It was her dream to get this job! There had not been a vacancy at Seoul

Foreign High School’s Principal’s office in 43 years!

Soora says working here is actually better than she imagined. She describes her average day as super busy. She supports Jeff Holcomb and Assistant Principal, Kelly Gilmore. She answers student, parent and faculty queries. She is also involved in preparing for events and talks and allocating facilities and materials. Soora assists with school calendaring and liaises with other school sections and HS Clubs.

Her ambition is to be here as long as she can. She jokes with High Schoolers that one day she will have them babysit her own children. Soora keeps a picture of her first Graduating class - the Class of 2018 - on her wall. She will add to this every year and remember each class “as if they are my own children!”

Jany Shim ES Administrative Assistant

J

any Shim joined the Elementary School at the start of this year and works with Damian Prest, ES Principal. Before she came to SFS Jany worked at Yonsei and at another International School.

Jany wanted to join SFS as it has a strong reputation as one of the most prestigious schools in Korea. She knew that the school also provided great support for the staff to learn, develop, and achieve higher goals. “I had great interest in being part of such a supportive community! Another attractive factor is that SFS is a Christian School.

I had looked forward to working at a school that focuses not only on academic excellence but also a healthy balanced spiritual life and biblical values.

I am happy to contribute to a school that nurtures children to love, share and care.”

Jany’s work is to support the Principal, students, parents and teachers with requests or questions. She also helps organize Elementary School events, such as Back-to-School Night, Parent-Teacher Conferences and Student-Led Conferences. Every day is different with something new and fun. Her favourite part of the job is helping students with questions or any assistance or support they might need.

Jany sums up the Elementary School: “It is the community that makes it special. We have a wonderful team of dedicated and caring teachers, TAs, administrators and staff who are always seeking better ways to promote better education and we also have a team of wonderful parents (PTA) who support children and school activities.

The ES is a fun, exciting and eventful place full of surprises, like a box of chocolates!”

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LETTER SFS ALUMNI FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Through

the Decades We are proud and delighted to have an active and engaged alumni community. Our alumni stretch back decades - and even if they were only in school a few years they still hold the memories in their hearts… Each decade has its own story to tell…

Alumni Director, Jack

Moon is keen to contact any alumni who’d like to celebrate their own decade with

us. Tell us your stories and organise a get together. We’d love to be part of your memories and relive some of our own!

1960s I

n the 1960s we had moved to Yeonhuidong and were beginning to create the very beginnings of the campus we see today.

Benjamin Van Lierop studied here then graduating in 1965. He tells us all about the village he encountered in those years…

“It was the 1950s and the early 1960s when I attended SFS. Korea was crawling out from under the destruction of a devastating war.

It was a period of political uncertainty and economic chaos. During this period, SFS and the surrounding community came together to nurture their children, and provided a strong community to guide us with values based on their faith, and hope for the future. Love was at work.

SFS was a very small school then by today’s standards. The K-12 students numbered just over 130. Consequently, those of us in High School had the opportunity to get involved in all sorts of activities apart from our academic work. We all had to participate in sports, be part of the school choir, write the school newspaper, join the Crusader Yearbook Committee and of course be part of the school theatre productions, or there would be no plays or musicals for the year. This situation encouraged students to learn new skills and to take on leadership roles in the school. I believe that because of this experience, it was easier for me to make friends and live life with more confidence when I left SFS.

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Another important influence for me was the teaching faculty and staff at SFS. These were dedicated people, many of them missionaries, who saw their work as a spiritual calling.

Learning at SFS was not just about getting good grades. The teachers wanted us to develop and grow as individuals and become leaders in the society wherever we might go. The teachers and the staff made me feel that they cared about me as a person and I have carried that spirit of trust with me throughout my life.

Finally, SFS surrounded me with a community that was inclusive of all people. We were part of the Korean community all around us. We were encouraged to be compassionate in our work and in play. I saw this in our sports when we played Korean high school teams in soccer and basketball. The parents and leaders in the school were positive, affirming us in the development of our skills and talents. We were encouraged to try new things and learn from our mistakes. I remember Dick Underwood encouraging me to try something new, and if I made a mistake, to learn from it and find a way to get better at what I was trying to accomplish. I felt above all that the community cared about us and through their actions showed their love towards us.

I felt cared for and affirmed as an individual, one loved by God and the community, at SFS.” Benjamin Van Lierop, Class of 1965

1970s T

he 1970s was an important time for SFS. The school was starting to resemble the school that it is today with individual school buildings and Robb Hall. School spirit was alive and well. Lori Reed tells us all about SFS in the 70s…

“Forty five years have passed since my very memorable graduation from Seoul Foreign School but the people I met and the experiences that were shared live on in me to this day.

As I reflect on my years spent in Korea, I realize that every moment of time spent there epitomizes the nurturing concept that, "It takes a village to raise a child".

In looking through old yearbooks, pictures and articles that were saved during this time, I remember the many wonderful teachers like Mrs. Barlag who facilitated wonderful discussions in World Literature; Ms. Smith in Art class who let us play the Moody Blues while we worked on our Batik projects; Mr. Eng and Mr. Underwood who kept things running smoothly, the secretaries, cooks, guards, bus drivers and of course friends with whom we shared a unique camaraderie - one that binds us together to this

day. Each and every one there as I remember it promoting an environment of kinship, care and support.

The support, and oversight was not limited to the school, as my classmate’s parents welcomed us warmly into their homes, and we shared holidays, vacations at the beach, accidents, protests, curfews and martial law. My admiration for all parents coming from different countries and all walks of life has grown over the years as I look back and I realize the passion and strength they demonstrated in helping the country and people of Korea grow during the challenges of the times.

The people of Korea impacted me greatly as I learned of and witnessed first-hand their passion and dent-of-will as they faced seemingly insurmountable struggles. It has left me with a never ending respect for the growth they have achieved.

I am blessed and will forever be grateful to have experienced the diverse global village that was and is SFS.” Lori Reed, Class of 1976

Scenes from our Alumni Reunion in Seoul at SFS 2019. Jack Moon (above center) invites you to contact him at: jack.moon@seoulforeign.org

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LETTER SFS ALUMNI FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

1980s I

was nine months old when we moved to Korea and In 1967 we moved to a newly built house on the SFS campus (where the new High School now sits.) From that perch I began life as an expat kid for whom Korea was simply home.

My first playmates were children of the SFS guards. When it came my turn to start first grade (I went to a Korean kindergarten in another neighborhood), we may not have lived across the soccer field anymore, but the SFS campus was already my village. I will always remember the dedicated teachers who came from all over the world and the coaches who motivated me to do my best. But it is the staff I now recall with the most fondness. Even as a kid I knew that without them, life as we knew it at SFS would not go on.

I can still picture the faces of the dear cafeteria ladies who, year after year, served up the most

L

ooking back to my time at Seoul Foreign School and thinking of how SFS helped shape me to become who I am today, I am reminded of so many that touched my life.

About midway through seven years at SFS (I started in 6th Grade and graduated from high school) it was in the 9th Grade that the guidance counselor, Dorothy King, recognized there was a timid 15 year old boy who needed to be pulled out of his shell. She managed to convince me to join in the HS play - Guys and Dolls - and gave me a leading role. Not only did I appear on stage - I had to sing as well. This led to a “stage career” at SFS - I joined many plays after that.

In 1983, I received a tap on my shoulder one November noon while standing in the lunch line – a fellow student introduced me to a beautiful girl named Angela (Jeffreys). Angela even asked me to the prom that year and we went together.

Twenty four years later we reconnected and have now been together for the past 11 years. Cupid was right after all. The lunch line was never the same after that day and meant a lot to me, I remember Mr Suh, and the cooking staff in the cafeteria very well – as well as the 5000 won lunch chit and the (heaven help me) BLP.

delicious ramyun lunches from huge simmering pots. I will always recall with deep fondness the school guards who greeted me morning after morning, and always remembered me when I returned later on, after I had graduated, to visit.

There were so many Koreans who formed the fabric of support that kept SFS going. The young man who sold stationary, lunch chits and the brown paper SFS text book covers I was so greedy to get my hands on each year. The men who drove the buses that brought my friends from all over the city. The women who cleaned our halls and classrooms. With dedication and kindness, these people not only helped keep SFS going. They helped raise us. They were not nameless faces. They were people near and dear to us. They were an integral part of my SFS village, and I will always be indebted to them.

Liz Rice, Class of 1983 passion was in aviation. I spent 15 years in airline operations control for the Dutch flag carrier KLM. Dr. Blanks knew that aviation made me tick, and whenever science or health came up (I had both classes with him) and aviation could be included in some way, I was allowed to do so. After moving to Canada, I embarked on my second career – Photography - and have a successful architecture and real estate photography business. Jack Moon was the Photography specialist at school and he taught me my first basics, encouraged me to seek new perspectives, focus my talents and develop my skills…all puns intended.

To say that it “takes a village” to raise someone was especially true of my time at SFS and I will always be grateful for the years spent in that nurturing environment.

Marc Geuzinge, Class of 86

As far as my career path is concerned, I had two that encouraged me to follow my passion, Dr. George Blanks and Jack Moon. My first

1990s 60

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Share your 1990's stories with us!! We will feature them in the next issue.

2000s

2010s

O

ur classes of the 00s - our real Millennials have gone on to do some amazing things.

We are so lucky to still keep some of them here at SFS with us… Six of our students from the classes of 2004-06 now teach at SFS - sharing the spirit they took away with them - with brand new generations… Thank you for all that you

10

s The decade of our most recent alumni.

They remember the school as it is and many have returned to reconnect with current High School classes and share their knowledge and experiences. It has been incredibly powerful to have events at school with students from 2, 3, 4 years ago sharing real college experiences with those beginning their journey. Many of our students return to Seoul and to SFS in vacations. Camp SFS - our Summer Camp at school - is run almost entirely by counselors who attended SFS and know the facilities like the backs of their hands!! Andrey Ten, an SFS Camp Counselor and current student at University College London tells us how his SFS years - and all involved in them - helped shape and guide him.

“Two years after graduating from SFS, I still believe that a large part of me today was shaped by the community at the top of the Yeonhuidong hill. Interactions with people around me in both academic areas and extracurricular activities had been a strong influence which lasts even today.

do at school - John Black - Theatre Manager; Stephanie Black - HS, Science; Harrison Creech - HS, The Arts; Kristen Creech- MS, Christian Studies; Paul Rader - HS, Language and Literature; Susan Kong - HS, Individuals and Societies.

the opportunity to gain experience in theatrical productions. During my High School years, I was part of Crusader Live, a club which allowed me to participate in various productions as technical crew. Here I had the opportunity to learn and experience the technical aspects of a theatrical production from professional technical staff members. Many of my friends and I took part in the annual High School musical as cast, crew or pit orchestra which was a joyful and meaningful experience for all of us. Each student in the production was guided by a professional faculty member or by a more experienced student. Putting on a production such as this was a collaborative process, requiring many people’s work. Additionally, the support from the rest of the SFS community was always necessary. Providing each student in the production with the experience in theater was, therefore, a work of the community as a whole.

This is one of many examples where I witnessed the SFS community come together to nurture each student. Undoubtedly ‘it took a village’.”

Andrey Ten, Class of 2017

For students including myself, SFS provided SF S B A N N ER

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LETTER SFS DONOR FROM COMMUNITY THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Letter from

Advancement Dear SFS Community: The 2018-19 school year has been yet another busy and wonderful time for the Advancement office aiming to build full community participation and continuing to generate a culture of philanthropy at SFS. We are delighted to announce that since the launch of the Annual Fund, this year, we have had the highest participation from a variety of constituents in our community, while continuing to keep up with the momentum from last year’s success. We are truly grateful to you all for your generous contributions and help to enhance the educational experience of our students.

This past Spring, our Building for the Future Donor Wall was installed in the stairways of the High School building. We are honored to have recognized all gifts big and small and making the first ‘Building for the Future’ campaign a huge success. While we have closed all donations for the donor wall, our Advancement Program for the Naming Rights and Centennial Stones are still open. If you would like to have your name permanently recognized and to be a part of our legacy, please consider joining us.

Together with our Building for the Future Advisory Group, the Advancement office hosted our inaugural ‘Building for the Future Appreciation Night’, our first opportunity to

2018-19

Annual Fund Donations As of May 7, 2019

say a huge thank you to each and every one of you who have made a significant impact on our school and to recognize the generous support of our pioneer donor community. We are delighted to have created a community dedicated to the progress of philanthropy and ongoing advancement at SFS. We would also like you to save the date for our upcoming events in the next school year, hosted by the Advancement office: The Golf Tournament, September 25th and Grandparents Day, November 20th 2019. More information and details will be shared closer to the events.

As a reminder, if you have not participated yet, we would like to encourage you to consider supporting the Annual Fund, which seeks contributions until June 30th. The 2018-19 Annual Fund will support the purchase of equipment for the new Multimedia Recording Studio.

We thank you for your confidence and continued support to the school.

With much appreciation, Yoojin Um Manager of Advancement yoojin.um@seoulforeign.org

THE HERITAGE CLUB (Donated $100,000 or more)

In honor of Soonja Lee

THE MILLENNIUM CLUB (Donated $10,000 or more)

Insung ’19 and Hyunsung ’22 Bang The Haelyung Hwang Family Rayoung (Madeline) Lee ’21

RED AND BLACK CLUB (Donated $5,000 or more)

A Huge Thank You To… 62

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Rana ’91, Dana ’93 and Anna ’96 Cho P.L.C. ’15* and J.L.C. ’19 Edward Y., Henry C., and Emily S. Chung Elizabeth ’22 and Katherine ‘25 Chung Colm and Sinéad Flanagan IBK Yeonhui Branch Celine Jin and Anna Kim Caleb ’18 and Caden ’21 Jang Jamie ’20 and Jay ’21 Jones

The Kahng Family Alessandra ’17 and Anastasia ’20 Kim Claire ’21 and Chloe '25 Kim Sebi Kim ’27 Ashley ’21 and Kate ’22 Koo Joonmo Koo ’22 Jeena ’21 and Jeean ’25 Lee Lauren M. ’18, Ethan C. ’21 and Erin G. ’22 Lee Lynn ’21, Winston '23 and June Lee Eunseo Lim ‘21 In Honor of Kevin and Ellen O’Donnell The Rathbun Family – John & Joyce, John Mark ’75, Joel ’78*, James ’80 and Joanna ’84* The Rudolph Family – Harry, Linda and George ’07 Peter Shim ’88, Jane Kim, Teri Shim ’23 and Alexander Shim ’26 Soojin ’23 and Soobin ’27 Shin Clare ’23 and Sydney ’25 Sohn Teo ’20 and Temin ’22 Sohn The Striffler Family – John, Tara and Piper ’29 Evan ’10, Ryan ’12 and Ethan ’19 Yi Michelle, Alissa and Alex ’23 Yoon

THE CREST CLUB (Donated $1,000 or more)

Anonymous Seungho Chae, Ahyeon Jung, Ian ’26 and Ethan ’30 Chae Young Min Choe Minsoo Choi and June Kang Peter Choi, Nina Kim and Kate ’23 The Feitosa Family James and Sarah (Hubbard) ’71 Gunberg Ian Wonwoo Kim Jee-Hee Kim Jayhee Lee ’26 Jack and Edie ’77 Moon Katherine ’18 and Justin Oh Peter ’77 and Janet Pin Scott Schrader and Yunah Kim Michael Stern ’78 KeeHyun Sung Jessica ’15, Michael ’18 and Stephanie Woo

CENTENNIAL CLUB (Donated $100 or more) Anonymous Katherine Baird The Beaty Family Elizabeth Boughey The Busbee Family Andrew Callaghan and Rebecca Mayo Hanna Choi The Church Family The Creech Family Kang Hoe Do Young Woo Cho The Doherty Family – Jeff, Marieke, Mathilde ’21 and Hugo ‘26 Lydia Forster Andy Freeman The Gilmores – Kelly, Tu Anh, Autumn, Kaden and Cash Jee Hye Ha Caroline Hahn Janet Hahm Brian and Lisa Hall Sophie and Ryan Hammerberg The Holcomb Family James Hopkins Byeong Guk Jeon Celine Jin Jehane Johnson Matthew Johnson Anna Kim Chris Eensoo Kim Crystal Kim Dae Woon Kim

Dohyun Kim Doyeon Daisy Kim HakSoo Kim and KyunCha Ju Yerin Amy Kim Yoo Soo Kim Jade Kipa Mike and New Chaiwut Knox Sammy Taeyoung Kwon Jae Eun Lah Andy and Joanna Lee Chang Hee Lee Eun Joo Lee Hugh Heung Sang Lee Jeehae Helen Lee Jina Lee The McNair Family Mariana Miroui Young Sik Moon Michael O’Donnell ’70 Byung Sil Park Margaret Park The Prest Family Paul ’04 and Hannah Rader Jan-Mark Seewald Jany Shim Justin and Shannon Smith Grace Song In Jin and Deborah Song The Stuart Family Yuki and Haruka Sugita Juhie Suh ’92 Christopher Sykes Jenny YuHong Tang Insil Tak Adam, Lauren, Jade ’18 and Ella ’21 Teather Prema Thomas and Elish Pangiraj Yoojin Um Nico, Carolyn and Kaspian Visahan Megan and Nathan Walker Esther Washburn Smith Clif Wilcox and Melissa Villa Hye Sun Woo In honor of Myeongho Yeom The Yap Family Judy Yoon

THE LEGACY CLUB (Made a monetary donation) Anonymous (4) Hannah Kim Lisa Adams Jinny Kim Heather Adkins Jung Soo Kim Danny Ahn ’20 and Annabelle Kang ’20 Nam Pil Kim Young Bo Bae Hong Seo Koo Jo Bigwood Ryan and Lindsay Kuhl Phil Carr Byung Ju Lee Taryn Carr Jae Hun Lee Ja Yong Choi Jung Young Lee Jong Cheol Choi Seulgee Lee Deborah Chu Seung Woo Lee Byung Sik Chung Heather Min Jacquie and Bryan Coogan The Munce Family Tom and Faith Ford Seung Min Nam Seong Hoon Hong Diana Peterson Walsch ’72 Shirley and Peter Hutchin Heather Wirch Menya Jefferson Woo Chul Seol Woo Tak Jeon Sarah Shafer Jin Hyuk Joo Dong Jin Shin Calvin Kamphuis Marion Statton Dong Suk Kang Chang Geun Yang Sang Oh Kang Jessica Yang Rachel Kask Joanna Yoo Chul Hoi Kim SF S B AN N ER 6 3

From the Newest Members of the SFS Village Have a Wonderful Summer!!