News / Nunn Road / 2015 / November 2015

The graduation day of our 5 big children dawned bright and sunny. Our graduates arrived happy, excited and very smartly dressed! The younger ones looked admiringly on as they congratulated their ‘ko-ko’ and ‘che-che’ on this important day.

The children ‘spring-cleaned’ the class-room a few days before the celebration. On the graduation day, all the teachers helped to put in the final touches to beautify our class-room with flowers.

While waiting, the children played happily and creatively in the Japanese classroom as it was a day off for the Japanese children. Reluctantly they cleared up when it was time to do so and proceeded to have the morning snack.

The children sang and prayed for their absent friends while waiting for the arrival of the parents of the graduates. I would like to thank the parents for being punctual.

Once the ceremony got underway, the graduating children took over the morning presentation. They stood upright and brilliantly presented one after another the programme for the day.

They gave speeches, sang, recited Chinese moral verses and Bahasa Malaysia suku-kata well and even play a game or two with the younger children. I must say the younger children co-operated very well. Not only did they sit down patiently during the hour-long presentation, they also congratulated the ‘ko-ko and che-che’ by giving their drawings as presents to them.

The highlights of the ceremony have to be when they recited the action poem ‘I am a Star’. They wore their beautiful drawn ‘star crown’ on their head. Next they sang and danced the song “Rasa Sayang” to the accompaniment of the musical instruments that they had made themselves earlier.

The smaller children watched in awe at the performances by their ‘ko-ko’ and ‘che-che’ and I am sure they look forward to the day when it will be their turn to do so.

These 5 children have spent many meaningful and wonderful days with us in Nania. I have grown to love them and they me. I have watched them transform into little boys and girls who are capable, creative, caring and independent. They are all ready to take on the challenges that they will face next year when they enter primary Year 1.

Like many boys and girls before them, they will one day come back to tell me that they are doing fine and they miss the days at Nania. Recently, a child wrote a note telling me that she is going to miss Nania and hope that I’ll let her come back to Nania. I told her that Nania’s door is always open to those who wish to return for a visit. But of course we have to make some arrangements.

During the sharing session, the parents shared their views and happiness when they observed the difference in their children after they have spent 2 to 3 years in Nania. We thank you for your kind words and comments. You have played an equally important part in their lives too. Your help and support will be their guiding light from now on. Gampateh, everyone!

As their teacher, I may not have the answers to every situation but I have always given them the best guidance that I know and teach them based on my life experiences. I always try to lend them my ears before deciding on how to respond to any particular situation. Often, I am humbled by the way children view things and have learnt some valuable lessons along whilst dealing with their daily issues.

We are now preparing for the upcoming Christmas festival on the 11^th of December (Friday). I hope to see you and your family on the festival day.

Teacher Nora

Congratulations to the 5 graduating children

Graduation day was beautiful and memorable. As I rushed back to Nania 1 after Nania 2’s graduation ceremony, I was filled with the warmth of fulfilment. At Nania 2, I witnessed 2 children graduating with confidence. At Nania 1, 5 other children were awaiting a big moment in their life. Along my journey to Nania 1, I was imagining their smiling faces.

I’m very sorry that my arrival time was so close to the ceremony.

As expected, the room was filled with the warmth and love radiating from their parents, classmates and teachers towards the 5 graduating children.

It was wonderful to watch the 5 children recite poems, sing, speak with confidence and also care for the younger children as they played and sang with them. They stood upright to signal their readiness to go on a new phase in life.

Having finished this phase with joy and confidence, I believe each of them will continue to journey on to become who they truly are and who they want to be.

The parents’ messages also touched my heart very much. I wish the graduating children and parents many happy and fruitful years to come. I’m very grateful for your support and please keep in touch with us.

P.S. Some graduating parents asked me to establish more branches or a school. I will take little steps forward. I plan to have a monthly session next year for Holistic Early Childhood Education at Nania 1. Currently, we already have an after care programme for primary school children at Nania 2.

I understand that the education system in government schools is very strict for the children. We created an after school programme for them to relieve some of these tensions by having a warm atmosphere, eating organic and healthy lunches, homework guidance and some artistic activities.

If you are interested please contact us for more information. Thank you.

Junko