News / Nunn Road / 2008 / January 2008 (E75)

I hope you have enjoyed the year end break with your children. It is nice to have the children back in Nania. I was told that many children had been asking their parents when they could come back to Nania. I hope that we will have another wonderful year.

During the holidays, we rewired and painted the premises. In the garden, we cut off the old tree from which the children collected red flowers to make colour water. In its place we planted the Longan tree. Longan means dragon’s eyes in Mandarin. Longan fruits are small brownish balls shaped like eyes. We also planted Bohemia that will prodece beautiful yellow flowers. On the first day of school, we brought the children out for an excursion around the garden.

Last year, we introduced Kuih Kapit Baking Day. Families that joined us commented that it was a special experience for them. To those who are new to Kuih Kapit, it’s a traditional snack for Chinese New Year. It tastes like love letter but is folded into a triangle. The details of Kuih Kapit Baking Day is enclosed with this newsletter.

Chinese New Year is the most important festival for the Chinese. It is a time for a family reunion. In Nania, it is a time when everyone comes together as a family to prepare for and celebrate a new year while wishing for health, happiness and good luck. The display corner is now decorated with fire crackers and beautiful plum blossoms to bring in the festival atmosphere. The children have started to practice poems, songs, dances and the drums. As mentioned, we will celebrate the Chinese New Year festival on 1st February 2008. I hope to see all of you on that day.

I am sad to inform you that three teachers are leaving. Teacher Tan is leaving for her voluntary work in India. Below is her letter to you. Teacher Joyce wishes to spend more time with her grandchildren. Meanwhile, Teacher Lim is ready to continue her studies in early childhood education. They have contributed a lot of energy, love and ideas while working here. I appreciate their support very much. I wish them all the best in their future. May they be always happy. On the other hand, Teacher Stella will join us to help in the kitchen. We will have another two teachers to help us.

Teacher Thian


The children are busy making cookies
Let’s make colourful stars
End of the year report cards

Chinese New Year Festival Programme
(1st February 2008)

Looking forward to a cheerful celebration with all of you

Coming Events

Setsubun/ Japanese Bean Throwing Festival (4th February 2008)
This festival takes place on the day before Risshun, the first day of spring on the Chinese calendar. Soybeans are scattered in and around the house to drive out sickness and misfortune which are represented by a demon. (This custom is called mamemaki.)

For the celebration, children will make origami boxes for storing soybeans and also a mask of the demon or the god of happiness. On that day the children will wear masks and scatter soybeans. We will celebrate the festival in the garden.

Holidays
6th to 8th February 2008 Chinese New Year Holidays