News / Halaman York / 2015 / August 2015

Dear parents,

We are sure that children told you about Bento Day. Recently we had Bento Day and some of the new children wondered what this special day was about. It is a special picnic day where the kitchen staff set up a “Lunch Box shop” in the garden. The children make ‘wallets’ and ‘money’ during the morning artistic activity. Then, they all queue up to “buy” the ready lunch box with food that is neatly packed in compartment boxes.

One of the boys requested to buy three additional Bento sets, for his “papa, mama and che-che [elder sister]”. They were excited but unfortunately it was raining almost every day before the Bento Day. The children started to worry whether they could have their picnic in the garden. On that day, children started to sing …

“Rain rain go away, come again another day

Rain rain please don’t stay, little children want to play”

Children were very happy when we are able to have our Bento Day in the garden. They had a fun and merry picnic lunch in the garden. It was a new experience for them.

Now, we are counting down towards the Lantern Festival which is in September. This family celebration incorporates some elements from the Chinese Mid-Autumn festival. This is one of the major celebrations in the Chinese calendar which celebrated on the 15^th day of the eighth month. This festival is also known as the Moon Cake Festival because a special kind of sweet cake prepared in the shape the moon and filled with lotus paste is served as a delicacy.

Last year, the blue Butterfly Pea flowers and pandan leaves were collected from Nania Nunn Road for colouring the skin of the winter moon cake. This year, the blue flowers in our Nania York garden are ready for children to harvest. So, the children have been gradually picking the blue flowers and passing them to Aunty Anny to be used as food dye.

On the festival day, children will make their own winter moon cake in the morning. They will also make colourful lanterns to decorate the garden. During the Lantern Festival, we will enjoy the moon cake, the children’s presentations and also participate in the lantern walk with the children’s hand-made lantern.

Presently, the children at Nania are busy making lanterns and preparing for the festival. Each child will make his or her own lantern.

In Nania, we use candles for story time, birthday and farewells. Candles as lights on the earth bring a sense of dignity to the children whenever it graces their activities. The lantern walk during the festival offer a beautiful moment as they sing and cheer that evening up.

The festival will be held in the evening in Nania’s garden. Parents and siblings are very welcome will to join us. On that day, the children will leave for home earlier, that is, at 1.00 pm. They will return to Nania for the Lantern Festival with their families after dinner at 6.15 pm.

Lastly, we would like take this opportunity to wish all of you “Happy Holidays !” as we are approaching the one week term break in September. Do share with us the wonderful times that you have with your children during the holidays.

                                                                             Teacher Chithra & Teacher Kerry