Anthony, a native Brit, teaches Film, English, is a Head of Year at Dulwich College Shanghai. He has lived in Shanghai for 7 years with his wife, Maria. Before coming to China they lived in Maria’s home town of Bogota, Colombia. Since being in Shanghai they have had two small children, both of whom were born here. On his radar at the moment, and taking up a good deal of his free time, is the realization of a 13-year dream in the opening of an orphanage in rural Uganda. The Peace Centre opens its doors to 20 orphans on the 2nd of February. Anthony, along with a couple of friends and in conjunction with a dedicated team of students, has built the orphanage in the last year via many fundraising initiatives and through actually visiting Uganda for 3 weeks in the summer of 2014.

If you have a dream, pursue it. Chase the dream. Hunt it, and make it a reality.

Show Notes

Why China

Having taught in Bogota for 5 years, Anthony was ready for a change. So he and his wife, Maria, went to a job fair in London for international teachers back in January 2008 and interviewed for many schools around the world. They had interviews for China, Tanzania, Korea, Dubai, and The Philippines. But China, and Dulwich in particular, was the school that felt right. Having lived in Europe, South American and Africa, he was excited to move to Asia.

A typical day

“A school is a school wherever it is the world. There really are very few differences,” Anthony says. There are always the routines of staff meetings, planning, teaching, grades, more meetings… It doesn’t matter if you are in England, China or Colombia, schools are very similar. One difference in everyday life in China is the fact that there is household staff, or ‘ayis’, that can help with transport to and from school and household duties. Especially with their daughter at school all day and their son just in the mornings, doing three runs to school each day would be much harder without the help.

Greatest victory

Going back to the long-time dream of opening The Peace Centre in Uganda, it’s happening in a matter of days (Feb 2015)! Months and months of hard work, partnership with administration, teamwork with faculty, staff, students and parents are all culminating to the exciting moment when they get to open their doors to orphans in Uganda, transforming lives in the process.

What’s great about Shanghai

For Anthony and his family there are always activities going on with their church and with the school community. It’s most definitely hard to be bored. Shanghai is also a great home base for traveling around Asia.

What do you love about Dulwich

Dulwich has students from over 40 countries, which makes for a really diverse school community. Anthony also talks at length about the quality and dedication of his colleagues, that the school has very good results and is well resourced. Besides just strict academics, Anthony is quick to note Dulwich’s outstanding music, arts and sports programs as well. There’s something for everyone.

Who would be a good fit

Because of the busy nature of the school, the right person is going to be someone who wants to get involved. Every teacher is involved with at least one activity each week, and many do more than one. There is so much opportunity to pursue your passions and bring the students along with you on the journey.

Parting wisdom

If you have a dream pursue it. Chase the dream. Hunt it, and make it a reality.

Episode Links

• Dulwich College Shanghai
• Friends of Dulwich (FoD)
• DUCKS – Dulwich College Kindergarten, Shanghai
• The Peace Centre

Connect with Anthony

Message Anthony through www.thepeacecentre.org