News / Nunn Road / 2005 / No.41 March 2005

Dear parents,

I hope you and your child had an enjoyable holiday. Nania was too quiet when we came back to clean up and do some preparation work during the school break. I missed the children’s voices and laughter.

Sara, who graduated last year, came for a visit before the school break. The children who know Sara were excited by her visit. It feels like they miss their ‘big sister’. That morning, the children made a paper garland for Sara. Some also gave colourful strings they made. Sara is now attending Standard One class in S.K. Amamjaya, Sungai Petani, Kedah. She told the children about life in her new school. Sara’s mother says Sara is doing well in class although it is in Bahasa Malaysia. She is making friends and picking up Arabic and Koran reading. We are happy for her.

Some parents are concern that our “Curry Rice” lunch may be too spicy for the children. For clarification, it is Japanese curry rice we are serving, which is savory and sweet, not hot or spicy. The Japanese children and also many others love it! They “complain” once a month is not enough. There is also some concern about the outside play time (11.00 to 11.30 am), that it is a hot time of the day. We share the concern but feel there is adequate shade in the garden. Children are always reminded to wear their hats and those who feel too hot can return to class. An earlier outside play time will disrupt the rhythm of the day.

Lastly, Junko and I will attend the Waldorf Education Teachers’ conference in Taiwan in April, the first such conference to be held in Asia. I am looking forward to meet other Waldorf teachers from different countries. Please note that Nania will have a special break from Thursday April 28th to Friday May 6th to allow Junko and I to attend the conference.

Teacher Thian

Coming events

Easter Spring (1st April 2005)
We will celebrate Easter Spring on 1st April. Children will colour eggs in the morning and enjoy a puppet show. Later, they will go out for seed planting and egg hunting in the garden. They will bring home their eggs on that day.

Play Dough (22nd April 2005)
Children will bring home their homemade play dough on that day.

Sports / Family Day (24 April 2005)
We are having our Sports/Family day on Sunday, 24th April this year. The whole family (fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters) is welcome to join the morning full of movement and fun even. It will be held at the indoor sports hall of the Penang Japanese School. Further details will be given at a later date. This event is organized together with parents’ input in our Sports/Family day committee.

Kodomo-no-hi / Boys’ Day (5th May)
It is a Japanese custom for families with boys to put up thekoinobori, or carp streamers, in their garden or on the roof on this day. The koinobori carps appear to be swimming vigorously against the current as they flatter in the wind. It symbolizes boys should face and overcome their personal challenges with the same positive spirit.

At Nania, we celebrate this event on 27th April 2005. The children will make a koinobori and a Samurai hat as part of their class activity and take them home on that day.

Holidays

21st April (Thursday) ? Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
28th April (Thursday) ? Sports Day replacement
29th April till 6th May ? School special break

Children’s world
A boy wanted some toys from the doll corner. The children playing in the corner refused to share. I help the boy to make some ‘money’. The boy went back to the children to ‘buy’ the toys. The children were happy to sell them to him.

Koinobori carps