Online Events at 21K School: Exploring Assemblies, Debates and Fests
Shared experiences give learners opportunities to explore interests, express ideas, collaborate with peers and take the lead—from wherever they learn.
A school community is shaped by far more than lessons. At 21K School, online events create shared moments for learners to explore interests, discover strengths, express themselves, collaborate with peers and take the lead.
These experiences bring learners from 78 countries, 46 nationalities together across classes, cities and cultures. Whether your child is presenting a project, debating an idea, performing for peers or listening to another learner’s perspective, they are learning through participation, not simply observation.
The event calendar evolves through the year. Opportunities vary by grade, programme, cohort and capacity, and families receive the relevant details through the school calendar.
Assemblies that make one school from many cities
Regular class and cohort assemblies where learners present, perform and share.
Online assemblies that bring learners together
Regular class and cohort assemblies create space for learners to present, perform, share experiences and celebrate as a community.
Class and cohort assemblies are regular moments of connection. Learners may present, perform, share experiences, mark important days and learn from one another. These occasions help children see themselves as part of a wider school community, even when they learn from different locations.
Festival celebrations, cultural moments and school-wide showcases create room for learners to share traditions, talents and perspectives with respect and confidence.
Four academic festivals across the school year
Science Fest, Mathalon, Lit Fest and Art Fest turn learning into shared work.
Science Fest: Inquiry, investigation and ideas in action
Learners ask questions, investigate ideas and share their thinking through age-appropriate projects, presentations and discussion.
Science Fest gives learners a reason to ask questions, investigate ideas, test explanations and share what they discover. It brings inquiry-based learning to life through age-appropriate projects, presentations and discussion. The emphasis is not only on displaying a finished result, but on observing, thinking and explaining the learning journey.
Mathalon: Problem-solving, reasoning and mathematical thinking
Learners tackle unfamiliar problems, explore different approaches and explain the thinking behind their answers.
Mathalon invites learners to see mathematics as a way of thinking. Through problem-solving challenges, creative approaches and collaboration, learners can explore multiple routes to an answer, explain their reasoning and build resilience with unfamiliar questions.
Lit Fest: Reading, writing and finding your voice
Learners explore stories, ideas and perspectives while developing confidence in how they read, write, listen and express themselves.
Lit Fest celebrates reading, writing, listening and storytelling. Learners may engage with fiction, poetry, non-fiction, personal narratives and ideas that matter to them. It is a space to discover different voices, exchange perspectives and develop a more thoughtful relationship with language.
Art Fest: Imagination, expression and creative exploration
Learners explore their artistic interests, experiment with ideas and share their creative work with the 21K community.
Art Fest creates space for imagination, expression and creative risk-taking. Through displays, performances and creative experiences, learners can explore their artistic interests and share their work with the 21K community.
Talks, debates and Model United Nations
Learners research, argue and listen across more than one perspective
Learner talks: Ideas worth exploring and sharing
Learners explore topics they care about, organise their thinking and practise communicating ideas to an audience.
Idea-sharing sessions give learners the opportunity to explore a topic they care about, organise their thinking and speak to an audience with purpose. Thought-provoking talks, discussion and reflection can help learners make connections between new ideas and their own lives.
Model United Nations: Research, debate and global perspectives
Learners explore global issues, represent different perspectives and work with peers through research, debate and negotiation.
Model United Nations experiences encourage learners to engage with global issues from more than one perspective. Learners research, debate, negotiate and collaborate as they work towards possible solutions. These cover building critical thinking, respectful communication and a stronger awareness of the world beyond themselves. For example, our learner, Sanskriti, shortlisted for the John Locke Prize
Debates and public speaking: Building confidence to speak and listen
Learners develop ideas, listen to different perspectives and practise expressing themselves clearly and thoughtfully.
Debates, speaking forums and discussion-based events help learners form a view, listen carefully, respond thoughtfully and communicate with clarity. For some children, these experiences become a first step towards speaking up in a group; for others, they are a chance to refine an already confident voice.
Pitching real ideas to real problems
Learners find a problem, build a solution and pitch it for feedback
Innovation challenges: From real-world problems to ideas
Learners identify problems, develop possible solutions and practise presenting their ideas through research, creativity and collaboration.
Entrepreneurship experiences invite learners to identify real-world problems, imagine possible solutions and explain why their idea matters. As they build and pitch an idea, learners practise research, creativity, persuasion, collaboration and the ability to learn from feedback.
Design, coding and future-focused challenges may also be offered through the calendar, giving learners opportunities to connect ideas with action.
Leadership through Student Council and conferences
Learners lead, serve and speak about their own progress.
Student Council: Leadership through participation and service
Learners take on responsibilities, represent their peers and contribute to the wider life of the school.
Student Council, investiture and learner leadership opportunities help learners contribute to the life of the school. Leadership is not treated only as a title. It is about service, sound judgement, preparation, follow-through and working towards a shared purpose.
Learner-led conferences: Reflecting on progress and setting goals
Learners share their achievements, challenges and next steps with parents, building reflection, communication and ownership of learning.
Learner-Led Conferences give children an opportunity to reflect on their progress and speak meaningfully with their parent or guardian. Learners share achievements, challenges and goals, building self-awareness, communication skills and a greater sense of ownership over their learning journey.
Career talks, showcases and guest sessions
More opportunities for learners to discover interests, encounter new perspectives and explore possibilities beyond everyday lessons.
Career and passion sessions can help learners encounter different interests, possibilities and future pathways. Cultural showcases, informal peer sessions, guest interactions and other enrichment opportunities create further spaces to connect, question and contribute. New formats may be introduced as the school calendar evolves.
Seven skills learners practise through events
Events create repeated opportunities to communicate, collaborate, think, create, lead, solve problems and grow in confidence.
Each event has its own purpose. Together, they give learners repeated opportunities to:
- Communicate with confidence and share their voice.
- Collaborate with others and value different perspectives.
- Think critically through discussion, debate and inquiry.
- Create by exploring ideas and expressing themselves.
- Lead by taking initiative and contributing to a shared goal.
- Solve problems through experimentation, reflection and feedback.
- Build confidence by trying something new.
Just as importantly, these experiences can help a learner notice something about themselves: an interest worth pursuing, a strength that is emerging or a new way to contribute.
Events designed for different ages and stages
From stories, movement and show-and-tell to presenting, organising and leading, participation evolves as learners grow.
Events are planned for relevant ages and cohorts. Younger learners may participate through music, movement, stories, show-and-tell and simple group experiences. Older learners may take on more responsibility through hosting, presenting, organising, competing or leading teams.
Not every event is offered to every learner, and participation may be optional or subject to eligibility, registration and event capacity. Families receive details in advance so they can understand what is available for their child.
The event ends. The learning continues.
A presentation, debate, challenge or conversation can give a learner something new to try, question or explore next.
A presentation can give a child the confidence to speak up again. A collaborative challenge can reveal the value of listening to others. A conversation about a career can spark a new ambition. A learner who takes on an unfamiliar role may discover a capability they did not know they had.
21K School has provided an outstanding experience for our children, from engaging daily classes to inspiring guest speakers. We truly appreciate the way the school hosts events like Artmatica and Artfest that encourage students to think creatively and beyond the classroom.
When online classmates meet in person
The classmates your child knows from assemblies, fests and clubs meet at Sports Days and on learning journeys.
At sports days
On trips and tours
Upcoming online events
Questions parents ask about online events
Are online events compulsory?
Some school assemblies or academic experiences may form part of the programme. Clubs, festivals, competitions and special events may be optional. The school will share participation details with the relevant cohort.
Can learners participate rather than only watch?
Yes. Many experiences are designed around presentations, performances, discussions, competitions, collaboration or leadership. The form of participation will vary by event and age group.
Are online events recorded?
Yes, all events are recorded and access depend on the event, consent requirements and school policy.
How will we know which events are available for our child?
Families receive relevant opportunities through the school calendar (online and copy sent along with learning kit) and school communication channels. Availability depends on the learner’s grade, programme, cohort and the event calendar.