DESS is a school with a rich calendar and a real sense of tradition. Throughout the year, students, families, and staff come together for events that celebrate learning, culture, and the unique community we have built here. These moments create lasting memories, showcase the talents of our children, and remind us all of what makes DESS such a special place to belong.

Award Ceremonies & Celebration of Success

There are few things more uplifting at DESS than gathering together to celebrate the achievements of our students. Our award ceremonies recognise excellence across every area of school life — from academic accomplishment and outstanding effort to leadership, kindness, and community spirit.

These occasions reinforce the values we hold dear: that hard work matters, that perseverance pays off, and that every child has something brilliant to offer. For the students who receive recognition, and for those who cheer them on, award ceremonies are days to remember.

Sports Days

Sports Day is one of the highlights of the DESS year. Organised around our House teams, the day is full of energy, enthusiasm, and wonderful sportsmanship as students compete across a wide range of athletic challenges.

Every child takes part, and that spirit of inclusive, joyful competition is what makes Sports Day so special. Whether crossing the finish line in first place or cheering a classmate on from the sidelines, every student leaves the day feeling part of something bigger — and with a huge smile on their face.

Cultural Festivals

DESS is home to students and families from more than 20 nationalities, and our cultural festivals are a wonderful celebration of the diversity that makes our community so rich. Through performances, art, music, food, and shared traditions, students develop a genuine curiosity and deep respect for cultures from around the world.

These festivals are among the most vibrant days of the school year, and they beautifully reflect one of our greatest strengths — that at DESS, the world truly comes together.

International Day

International Day is one of the most colourful and joyful days in the DESS calendar. Students dress in traditional clothing from their home countries, share cultural displays, explore food from around the world, and take to the stage with performances that fill the school with pride and excitement.

It is a day that celebrates identity, belonging, and global citizenship — a reminder that our differences are something to cherish, and that together, we are stronger.

Science & STEM Fair

The annual Science and STEAM Fair is a showcase of the brilliant, curious minds we are so lucky to have at DESS. From innovative experiments to engineering designs, coding projects to creative inventions, students present work that demonstrates real inquiry, imagination, and critical thinking.

The fair is open to families and is always an inspiring occasion — proof that the scientists, engineers, and innovators of tomorrow are already hard at work in our classrooms today.

House Events

The House system runs right through the heart of DESS, and House events are where that spirit really comes alive. From sports and arts to academic challenges and whole-school activities, there is something for every student to get involved in and contribute to.

House events build relationships across year groups, develop leadership and teamwork, and give every child a sense of pride and belonging within their DESS family. The pursuit of the annual House Cup is a friendly but fiercely contested journey — and one that students talk about long after they have left.