A Decade of Growth and Impact with Worldwise Events
The Worldwise Events programme was launched more than a decade ago, with the initial goal of providing students at Dulwich College International schools with opportunities to gather, rehearse and perform music. This led to the forming of now-iconic festivals such as the Dulwich Festival of Music, an annual music festival for Senior School students and ISCMS (the International Schools Choral Music Society), one of the biggest and most prestigious annual music festivals for international schools in Asia.
Since those first years, Worldwise Events have grown both in depth and breadth, adding several new elements to the annual programme such as the beloved MADD (Music, Art, Drama, Dance) Festival that welcomes hundreds of Junior School students from across the schools; the prestigious Shackleton Lectures inviting world renowned adventurers and explorers inspiring our communities; the Student Leadership Conference training senior school student leaders; and the famous Dulwich Olympiad hosted every 4 years, where hundreds of students come together for a week of music, drama, arts, dance and sports activities in world-class locations such as Queen Elizabeth Hall and Olympic Park in London, and National Stadium in Singapore.
Today, we are honored to have a conversation with Edgar Zillmann, Group Head of Events and Educational Partnerships sharing fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and profound insights from his extensive experience in orchestrating events and fostering educational collaborations.
Edgar Zillmann
Group Head of Events and
Educational Partnerships
Joined: 2016
A Year of Reconnection
The 2023-2024 academic year marked a significant milestone for the Worldwise Events programme. "Our aim was to bring back all in-person events and support them with online engagements where needed," Edgar notes. With over 150 event days across the network, it was the busiest year in his tenure. The overarching theme was "Reconnection," bringing together students, teachers, staff, alumni, and parents.
Highlights included the Dulwich Shakespeare Festival in October, hosted by Dulwich College Beijing, where students from seven schools delivered moving performances. The Dulwich Festival of Music in November saw record participation and a stunning gala concert at the Yinshan Lake Grand Theatre. Other notable events included the Dulwich Games sports competition and the Students Leadership Conference at Dehong Xi'an School.
Edgar also mentioned the MADD (Music, Art, Drama, and Dance) Festival at Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, where students showcased their talents in a world-class setting. Additionally, the Dulwich Game Jam allowed students to develop new computer games from scratch under the theme "Life on Land," mentored by experts from a renowned game development studio Ubisoft.
The pinnacle of the year was the Dulwich Olympiad in Singapore, with over 1,000 students from all Dulwich and Dehong schools participating. "It epitomizes everything that Worldwise Events stands for," Edgar says proudly.
Partnerships also played a crucial role, notably the ongoing collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). "This year marked the eighth year of our partnership, with successful events like the Shakespeare Festival, RSC Drama PD, and RSC Residencies," Edgar highlights. One school even visited the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, where primary students enjoyed a special backstage tour during their spring break.
Guiding Principles
and Future Directions
Planning for the Worldwise Events programme starts in the second term of the previous academic year, based on feedback from schools. Edgar emphasizes a core principle: "Students Come First. Every decision we make must bring the best benefits to our students."
The programme considers three key factors for new projects:
- hands-on experiences (combining theory and real-world application),
- holistic perspectives (giving students interdisciplinary touchpoints),
- and collaborative engagement (engaging multiple schools in the network).
Once these criteria are met, the project goes through several iterations involving a wide range of stakeholders until it reaches its final format. Marketing and communications then play a crucial role in promoting the events.
Looking ahead, Edgar envisions a continued focus on in-person experiences, supplemented by targeted online engagements. The growth of our group presents new opportunities to build connections across schools. Integrating newer members, sister schools like Dehong, Sherfield, HIF, Green School, etc. into the Worldwise Events programme will be a priority. This inclusivity will be reflected in renaming events, such as transforming the Dulwich Games into the Worldwise Primary Games.
Community and Collaboration
The past year witnessed fantastic collaboration within our communities. Edgar observes, "Students made friendships and worked together effortlessly, whether performing Beethoven's Mass in C, exploring media and culture, or developing a computer game under expert mentorship."
Shared values and a common credo enable students to connect and collaborate seamlessly. Teachers also played a vital role, providing exceptional support and leading projects with professionalism, requiring constant cross-school collaboration.
The Worldwise Events programme has significantly enriched our educational landscape, fostering a sense of community and collaboration that sets our group apart. Looking to the future, the programme's vision and dedication will undoubtedly continue to drive its success, creating unforgettable experiences for our students. With a commitment to inclusivity and innovation, Worldwise Events are poised to further enhance connections across our schools, inspiring anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead.
What are Worldwise Events?
Worldwise Events are hands-on collaborative learning experiences for members of the EiM community combining theory and real-world application to foster meaningful, long-lasting connections across our schools and colleges. For students, these events allow further understanding of their world and their ability to make an impact while developing socio-emotional competencies and preparing for life beyond school. For teachers, these experiences provide unique opportunities to connect, share best practices and learn from each other while developing themselves professionally with world-renowned practitioners and educators. As both audience members and active participants, parents and alumni are able to play a core role in the global Dulwich family. Worldwise Events are thrilling experiences for everyone involved, an inspiring demonstration of the talent, dedication and collaborative power within our community.
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