News / Nunn Road / 2016 / July & August 2016

We were blessed to have a wonderful sunny day for our Lantern Festival.  The children’s prayer helped.  They folded the “teru-teru bozu” i.e. the Japanese ‘sunshine dolls’ enthusiastically to help to keep the rain away last Thursday.

For the children, last Thursday was an eventful and exciting day.  In Nania, children learn to count-down to the festival’s date by referring to the number of nights that they sleep.

On the morning of the awaited festival, they were shown how to make ‘dango’.  They sang the ‘Dango song’ during the process of making them.  To us there is no wrong or right size of the ‘dango’ that the children make.  If they make them too small then we just combined a few small ones to make it larger.  If they make them too big, we just break off a little bit in order to make them smaller.  Thus everyone had an enjoyable 30 minutes making ‘dango’ that morning.  Actually after a few attempts, the big children in the class were able to make perfect ‘dango’ that everyone tasted and ate in the evening.

On the afternoon of the same day, we went out to the garden to hang the lanterns that they had helped to cut continuously for a few days. They were excited to see the transformation that the little lanterns did to our garden. 

Your effort to come to the festival on time was much appreciated and also helped the children to be ready for their presentation.

Everyone had a good time watching the children recite poems, sing songs and dance.

We went for our Lantern Walk after the ‘dango’ snack break.  This year, it was an enjoyable outing for everyone as none were frightened by the barking dogs in the neighborhood.

All in all, even though it was a long and tiring day for everyone, especially the children, we think the effort has been worthwhile as another festival has been imprinted in the children’s memories. They will remember festivals as part happy growing-up moments.

As you may have noticed, Teacher Doreen is no longer with us.  She had difficulties with her work and could not resolve them during her probation period.  We wish her well in her other endeavors.  A new assistant teacher will join the class in September. 

In the meantime, Teacher Sim is helping out.  As some mothers have pointed out, Teacher Sim already knows the children well and thus I am sure that the children appreciate her love and attention. She plaits beautiful hair styles for the girls.

Once again I would like to remind you to send your child to school on time as more and more children have been coming in late recently.  Some have even missed the morning artistic activities. I thank you for your co-operation in advance.

We are approaching our two-week term break; I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday.

                                                                                                 Teacher Nora

Lantern Festival

   

  

   

  

  

  

   

Tanabata Day

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Hari Raya Celebrations