GOING BEYOND THE BOOK AT DULWICH COLLEGE, SINGAPORE

School librarians Jane Hayes and Fiona Shea describe how Book Week has developed into Literacy Week at Dulwich College, Singapore. By leading this transition, they put the library at the centre of the school community.
Tradition meets innovation

For over a decade, Book Week at Dulwich College, Singapore has been a cherished tradition – an annual celebration of stories, imagination, and community. However, in 2025, the College embarked on a transformative journey: Book Week evolved into Literacy Week, a whole-college initiative designed to reflect the diverse ways students engage with language, meaning, and the world around them.

This wasn’t just a name change. It was a strategic shift in mindset, pedagogy and practice – one that required thoughtful planning, collaboration, and communication across the entire school community.

Why the shift?

The transition was driven by a growing recognition that literacy is no longer confined to reading and writing. In today’s world, students must be fluent in multiple literacies – digital, visual, auditory, media, emotional, physical and cultural. Our three libraries, already hubs of inquiry and creativity, were ready to lead this evolution.

To ensure the change was embraced, we framed Literacy Week as an enhancement, not a replacement. Familiar traditions such as author visits, Book Character Day, storytelling, and buddy reading remained central, now woven into a broader tapestry of interdisciplinary learning and global engagement.

Planning the transition

The change process began with a clear plan and a shared vision. We communicated the rationale to staff, students and parents through presentations, newsletters, and community events. Teachers were invited to explore what literacy meant in their subject areas – from scientific reporting to visual analysis, persuasive writing to presentation skills, and mathematical reasoning to musical interpretation.

This collaborative approach fostered ownership and creativity across departments, allowing Literacy Week to reflect the unique voices and strengths of our entire school community.

Library leadership and innovation

As Co-Directors of Libraries, we led the transition by working across stages and disciplines to embed literacy into every corner of the curriculum. Our team curated inclusive and engaging activities aligned with our values of global citizenship, sustainability and well-being.

Signature initiatives included:

  • Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) moments
  • Parent Academy workshops with guest storyteller Andy Wright
  • Book Doctor clinics for parents with Denise Tan from Closetful of Books
  • Books in the Sun and Book Swap events promoting sustainability
  • Buddy reading with students reading together across the three schools
  • Bake-me-a-Story, combining culinary creativity with literature
  • Stories Worldwise, a bilingual storytime led by parents

Our impressive Greenhouse Auditorium became the hub of Literacy Week, hosting a curated book fair, film screenings from Room to Read’s She Creates Change series, and celebratory events like the Friends of Dulwich Tea Party.

Balancing tradition and innovation

We were intentional about preserving the spirit of Book Week. Familiar elements remained central to the week, now enriched by interdisciplinary learning, including a focus on student-led events. This balance helped ease the transition while introducing new features that reflect the evolving educational landscape.

Reflections on the change process

Transitioning to Literacy Week required:

  • A clear and compelling vision
  • Collaboration across departments and age groups
  • Transparent and inclusive communication
  • Flexibility to adapt based on feedback

By broadening the focus, we not only celebrated the joy of reading but also embraced the myriad ways literacy empowers individuals to connect, create, and contribute to the world.

Looking ahead

Literacy Week is now considered a cornerstone of our annual calendar, reflecting our commitment to preparing students to be thoughtful, informed, and ethical global citizens. As we continue to refine and grow this initiative for 2026, we remain guided by the belief that literacy – in all its forms – is the foundation of learning, connection, and empowerment.

We hope our journey might inspire other schools to reimagine their own traditions and explore how literacy can be woven into every aspect of school life.

Jane Hayes is the Co-Director of Libraries and Teacher Librarian (Senior School) at Dulwich College, Singapore

Fiona Shea is the Co-Director of Libraries and  Teacher Librarian (DUCKS) at Dulwich College, Singapore

All images kindly provided by Jane and Fiona.