Since my arrival at Bosung, I
have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of both staff and students
at the school. I was welcomed to the school with meetings in the first few
days with the school Principal and Minister. Bosung is located in the heart
of Seoul - Yongsan-dong on the Southwest side of Mount Namsan. Very lucky for
me, just two bus stops away from where I am staying!
Bosung
has a rich history and tradition both middle and high school are Christian
Academies. Founded in 1907, it sought to provide Korean girls with the best
academic and spiritual environment, which it continues to this day with morning
worship for the staff and a weekly service for the students. Originally, Bosung
was located in Pyeoung-buk, North Korea. However, the school moved to
Busan during the civil war conflict and then to Seoul under Japanese
oppression, when the school refused to change its religious status. Since 1955,
Bosung has been operating in Seoul carrying on the traditions and the ethos set
by the schools founding missionaries.
Bosung
Middle School has 35 teaching staff led by the Principal, Vice
Principal, administration team and support staff. Next to the middle
school is the high school which both consists of 3 grades in each. Each
grade has six classes with about 30 students in them. The total number of
students in the middle school is about 520. The students in the middle
school are the same age as our year groups 7, 8 and 9.
Initially,
it was strange being in an all girls school, but the students share the same
traits as our own students, with being glued to their phones and constant talk
about celebrities, hair and makeup. Each student is extremely polite,
opening doors, greeting with a bow of the head. There are a number of students
whose English skills are very high and I have had many conversations with them,
but even the students who can speak very little have taken the time to say just
a few words.
However,
there are some key differences in the school. Students have a home room which
they stay in all day, except a few key practical lessons such as art,
science, English and music. Their teachers are the ones that move round and it
is the class responsibility to maintain the cleanliness of the room. The last
period of the day is spent sweeping and mopping the classrooms. On rotation,
designated students clean the communal areas and the staff room.
Classroom
atmosphere is lively but they respond well to instructions. I have not heard
one raised voice! However, some students fall asleep in some lessons due to
heavy schedule of extracurricular lessons in mathematics, English and Art
institutes. These additional classes which are of great expense to parents are
held between 1- 4 hours in the evening and considered a guarantee for students
to gain acceptance to the best Universities.
The
school day consists of 6 periods (excluding lunch) and there is no official
break time in the morning but 10 minutes movement time between each
lesson. There is a school shop on site that students can buys snacks, drinks
and stationary. This is very popular with students and is open all day.
Gemma
Billson
