Orient - The Official Magazine of the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore - Issue 72 June 2019
Dulwich Olympiad 2019
Are any schools in Asia 400 years old? Dulwich College (Singapore) is in a year of celebration as its founding College in London celebrates its 400th anniversary. As part of this exciting year Dulwich in London hosted the Dulwich Olympiad 2019 for nearly 1000 students across the Commonwealth of 11 Dulwich Colleges worldwide.
Edward Alleyn founded his College of God's Gift in 1619 and, four centuries later, we have a global community of 10,000 Alleynians. 130 students from Dulwich College (Singapore) travelled to London to take part in this unique celebration of sport, drama, art and music. It was a week of memories being made, history being written and friendships being built.
The week started with an Opening Ceremony at Dulwich College with flag parades and Dulwich College Beijing, the hosts of the previous Olympiad in 2015 handed over the Olympic torch to London. Sports students competed in football, touch rugby, netball, badminton, athletics, basketball and swimming in some of the UK’s most iconic venues, including The Aquatics Centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, The London Community Track at the London Stadium and The Copper Box.
Nearly 200 Olympiad musicians performed in combined ensembles and choirs at the Queen Elizabeth Hall at Southbank. The programme of music reflected the diversity of musical cultures in the eleven schools and included both Taiko and Korean drums, local Singapore pieces and arrangements by a range of European celebrated composers.
Drama students also performed at the iconic QEH with a wonderful production of Faustus. Every College was responsible for two of the deadly sins which were, created, devised and pre-rehearsed in separate countries and then performed in front of a full house in London.
The art programme included an array of masterclasses with professional artists and designers culminating in every student and staff member involved in Making It!, a growing installation where the entire Dulwich community added their 'mark' in the form of drawings and sculpture.
Add to this Saracens vs Harlequins at the London Stadium, Fulham vs Manchester City at Craven Cottage, England vs Czech Republic at Wembley, West-End shows, a Thames boat trip and jaunts to both Cambridge and Stratford-Upon-Avon, the students could be forgiven for thinking the UK was the best country ever, especially as the Spring sun shone down for the entire 10 days.
The Dulwich Olympiad 2019 will not only serve as one of the most memorable experiences for our students and staff, but marks what will be a continued collaboration that truly builds bridges across the world. Next stop Singapore in 2023.
Find out more about Dulwich College (Singapore) at singapore.dulwich.org