The Banner - Winter 2018

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2018-02-20 오후 5:11:51

Letter from the Board Chair

Welcome

from our Board Chair and Head of School

Dear SFS Community, Happy New Year! I hope you’re staying warm and healthy during this very cold winter season. As we all hurry indoors it may not be easy to notice, but the new SFS High School construction project is making impressive progress toward its scheduled completion in the summer. In November, the Board welcomed two of our Ennead architects to consult and approve a mockup of the building façade. We also reviewed with them the full current version of SFS’ Master Plan to help inform Board thinking on what may be next for our campus.

At our January meeting, the Board discussed the High School project with Doosan Engineering and Construction executives and the Site Construction Manager. We conducted a full walk-through of both wings of the building – from the basement parking garage to what will be the rooftop outdoor learning space. It was meaningful to see the familiar architectural drawings beginning to take shape for our students. We trust you will share in our sense of anticipation as you look through this issue of the Banner.

As always, the Seoul Foreign School Board extends to you and your family best wishes for the year ahead in 2018. For our school and all of you who are our community, we pray, “May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you." (Psalm 33:22) Sincerely, Penelope Kim

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2018-02-20 오후 5:11:53

Letter from the Head of School

Dear SFS Community, Welcome to our Special High School Edition of The Banner. In the Fall of 2018 Seoul Foreign School will be opening the doors to a beautiful High School facility.

In recognition of this major development in the SFS history books, we are devoting the Winter Banner to the excitement and opportunity that this new building will bring.

In November of last year, as part of our Grandparents’ Day, the 2016 Alumnus of the Year - Peter Underwood, our Drama Director - Edie Moon and our Alumni Relations Director - Jack Moon, joined forces to deliver a wonderful presentation to the visiting grandparents. It focused on the history of the school and how the campus of SFS has mirrored the incredible developments of Seoul and the Yeonhui-dong area. As well as being a fantastic history lesson, we walked away with a clear sense of how the school has continually updated itself and made bold decisions to provide the very best for our students. In this context, our new High School facility is just the next brave but logical step for our community.

It has been a wonderful experience, watching a process of demolition, excavation and construction over the last 18 months. Frank Lloyd Wright once said: ‘No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and house should live together each the happier for the other.’

I believe that through the work of committed and passionate Board members, visionary architects, construction experts, builders, administrators, staff and faculty we have honored this notion. The result will be a facility worthy of our ‘school on the hill.’

Please enjoy our Special High School Banner edition.

Best wishes and God Bless, Colm Flanagan

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2018-02-20 오후 5:11:56

FACULTY PROFILE From Other Contributors

November 17, 2011 the date the SFS School Board began a new Master Facility Plan. I am proud to have been a member of the leadership team who had the foresight to create a building plan for SFS. Seeing the plan come to fruition instills confidence that SFS’ current leadership continues to create a vision for the future. I pray that those who pass through the doors of the new High School, and all of SFS, be filled with the knowledge, understanding, peace, joy and kindness that only God can give.

Kelly TomHon, Former Board Chair

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2018-02-20 오후 5:11:59

The decision to build the new High School was a watershed moment in the long and storied history of Seoul Foreign School. The construction of a stateof-the-art facility is central to the educational and Christian ethos of the school positioning to maintain a reputation as the premier international school in Seoul and a leading school in the region.

Graham Dodds, Current Board Member

What was clear to all of us on the Building Committee was that we were not just in need of a larger facility but really a new “home” for our High School that embodied the school’s mission statement and ethos in a physical way. First and foremost was a facility that would nurture and allow for community building, not just among students but also between students and their teachers. Next was a demand to create learning spaces that allowed for best teaching practices that are in step with current technology and learning methodology. Finally, the committee wanted to fulfill a long term need to create physical space that would allow for the high school to grow.

Peter Choi, Current Board Member

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2018-02-20 오후 5:12:00

FABRICATION LAB

A Preview from the Principal

A look into the

SCIENCE LAB

High School

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2018-02-20 오후 5:12:05

CLASSROOM Exclamations of surprise and wonder mingled with senior sighs as pictures of the new High School building were unveiled at the opening High School Assembly. The privilege of being the last group to inhabit the current building and the anticipation of next year’s paradise bounded audibly across the Lyso Center.

August 2018 will see the launch of a new academic year in a state-of-the-art learning facility. How will this be different? The new building embodies the values of Seoul Foreign School in its very architecture. Our commitment to academic rigor is evident in large modern classrooms with writable whiteboard walls, multiple projection capabilities, and exceptionally equipped science labs, design space and art loft. The centrality of community is expressed visually through a university feel - a student commons, cafeteria that blends into working space, a large multi-purpose room and collaborative student spaces throughout the building.

And yet much will remain the same. The most important ingredients - the heart and soul of SFS - will simply move to a fantastic new location. Hard working students, driven to serve and demonstrating character. Caring faculty who provide exceptional support and deliver challenging lessons - in and out of the classroom. And a strong support network of parents, alumni, and friends of SFS. All these ingredients will continue to make SFS exceptional while taking up residence in a 21st century learning space!

Jeff Holcomb High School Principal

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2018-02-20 오후 5:12:12

Site Preview

We’ve all got used to seeing the building site at the top of the hill when we come in every morning. But what’s actually happening in there? We had a sneak peek this week.

In short - progress is amazing! The building’s full structure is in place and we were able to envisage student life as it will be in August! We saw that the building is designed to make life easier and to allow seamless access between study and social areas. There are no windows in yet but the views are spectacular from the upper floors.

We were able to go out and view the solar panels and the roof terrace and see how aesthetics and efficiency have been prioritized. We stood on the imposing stone steps leading into the main hall and admired the ramp that will run alongside and allow access to all.

We stood in the “mock” classroom, appreciated the cafeteria and open presentation areas, the art studios and design labs. We loved seeing the Principal’s office and the admin areas - even if they currently feature concrete, dust sheets and cables! There are countless teams of efficient builders all over the place and it’s definitely in safe hands.

Keep a lookout on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more updates and visuals over the next few months.

“We are making great progress and the whole team on site are working hard to make our deadlines. The inaugural students are a very lucky group!”

YoungJoo Roh High School Building Project Manager

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2018-02-20 오후 5:12:22

From the Former Heads

Richard Underwood, First Head of School, 1961 - 1992 During my time as Head of School there was an enormous amount of construction of many different kinds.

One of the first was our crude High School Chemistry and Physics labs. I designed these from memory of the one in my High School back in Brooklyn! Then we converted part of the basement into a cafeteria. Beams were so low that we bashed our heads a few times till the instinct to duck was fully instilled.

I dealt with many different construction firms and architects and the financial constraints were endless. We learned about quality over quantity and to test things out ourselves. We learned the ways to save money and often had to make modifications to original plans. We made our mistakes along the way and I once even designed underfloor supports in a gym by reading an encyclopaedia article!

Teacher housing was a major part of our construction on campus. All the teachers knew we were poor so they were most cooperative and uncomplaining (though one art teacher did paint his entire apartment black!)

We used a lot of sand in one construction leading to a standout incident. We were using ocean sand as the river Han sand was used up. Our Buildings Supervisor, Mr. Shin, told me he’d refused delivery as it was too salty. I asked him how on earth he had tested it. “It was simple. I tasted it” came the reply.

I learned about construction on the job. God has blessed me greatly and the joy of conceiving, planning and completing physical structures is exceeded only by the joy of seeing God work in the lives of those teachers, students, parents and staff who have served SFS over the years.

Harlan Lyso, Second Head of School, 1992 - 2008 Many SFS alumni who graduated in the late 80s or early 90s find very little that they recognize when they return to the campus today. This is mainly due to a commitment of a percentage of the SFS tuition each year to be allocated to fund construction projects. This means we can make constant improvements and construct an array of new buildings while ensuring we never incur debt.

A constant demand for additional instructional space led to many developments in all parts of school including doubling the size of the British School, renovating the gym, building a swimming pool and much more.

Of course the most ambitious projects involved new construction and resulted from enrollment growth, the need to broaden educational opportunities and implement researched best practices on how kids most successfully benefit from their school experience. We also approved a new performing arts centre.

Then in 2004 we instructed a comprehensive facilities review resulting in a campus development plan. This involved a total reconstruction of the Elementary School, Robb Hall, the cafeteria, library and school chapel.

For decades students have benefited from facility enhancements funded by a portion of the fees. God has richly blessed Seoul Foreign School. I am eternally grateful to the Board members with whom I’ve worked for their collaboration and responsibility which brought about the remarkable facilities which current SFS students enjoy.

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2018-02-20 오후 5:12:23

From a Current Senior

Goodbye to the Old

By Janet Lee - High School Senior

In a few months time, the walls that hold the memories of High School for decades of Seoul Foreign alumni will be broken down, and all that happened throughout the years will soon become the talk of the past.

I’ve walked through the same hallways for the past four years. I can describe the layout of every single classroom in detail, explaining the little quirks that have accumulated in the room throughout the years. I have distinct memories of every location in the building. Slipping on ice while walking through the senior walkway; filming spirit videos in the math building; staying overnight for the student council lock-in! Finding the warmest spots in the library during the cold winter months; grabbing animal crackers from the counselor’s lounge; getting the entire class ready for field day each year. All of these and so many more.

I will return to Seoul to see a new building in place of the one I called my home for the past four years, but I know that what the new High School has in store is so much better than the old!

To the upcoming classes of Seoul Foreign High School - utilize the abundance of resources this new building has to offer you. Build lasting relationships with mentors and friends. Learn to learn, but also learn to laugh and learn to love.

The memories you form within these walls will be with you for years to come. Make the most of your short four years — it’ll go by faster than you could ever imagine.

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2018-02-20 오후 5:12:31

From Our Future Freshman My name is Stella, and I have been going to SFS for about four years. All of us have seen High School as quite a scary thing at some point. The construction of our new High School has caused so much excitement, I have a feeling students will embrace it. The new High School will be spacious, modern, organised, and will even have its own cafeteria. All of us Year 9 and 8th grade students are pumped to start High School in this stunning building.

Stella Nass - SFBS

Although coming into High School is usually a scary experience, I think I am going to have lots of fun exploring the new building and continuing the next chapter of my life. I believe the new High School will be a great opportunity for me to bond with other students (especially from the Middle School) and work with teachers to progress in my learning.

Furthermore, I have extremely high hopes for the new building and I am excited to see the outcome of the new building. I am sure I am going to have a wonderful time there.

Joohun Kim - SFBS

My name is Joanne and I'm currently in the Middle School and have been here at SFS for four years. I'm really excited to be going into a brand new High School for the next four years. I am really looking forward to using the new facilities - particularly the science labs as I'm very interested in science. It's great that SFS is bringing in all this new high tech equipment.

All my friends are excited, too. It's so good that we are the first ones to start High School in the brand new building. It's very special...

We don't really feel sad to say goodbye to the old High School just happy to have this new opportunity!

Joanne Lee - SFMS

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2018-02-20 오후 5:12:38

How you can Participate

Some of my fondest memories and strongest friendships were built during my time at SFS. It is only natural that I would want to leave a footprint behind to stay forever connected with the school. I hope that our support will help the school build many more lasting memories for students in the years to come.

Nicholas Park '93 2017 Alumnus of the Year

Dear SFS Community,

We hope that you will be able to be part of this exciting development. The success of the project depends on the support of the whole community.

We have devised several ways that you can get involved. These include Naming Rights (to a capped number of areas), Centennial Bricks (limited numbers), and general donations which will be recognized on a donor wall in the High School lobby.

In the first instance we invite you to contact Yoojin Um in our Advancement Office (yoojin.um@seoulforeiogn.org). Yoojin can explain the options and methods and work with you as you decide what’s right for you.

We will be contacting all members of our community over the next few months with various opportunities but we have been overwhelmed by interest and wanted to answer some early queries as soon as we could.

Look out for more messages from the Advancement Office very soon.

Sincerely, The Advancement Office

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2018-02-20 오후 5:12:42