Pei Tong Primary School at NE Show

Orientation

Watching the students stream in from the school gate, our team cannot help but get nostalgic about our own primary school days. Dressed in red shirts, these students had smiles plastered all over their faces, all excited and ready to be part of National Day. Today, the students of Pei Tong Primary will be getting this opportunity we once had to come together to celebrate our nationhood. 

As we were ushered to the canteen to begin our media coverage, we could not help but be drawn to the shouts of inexplicable joy and laughter by students gathering in the canteen. By this juncture, our photographer had already deployed his tool of trade, capturing expressions of the students in their candid moments – their smiles, giggles and laughter. 

With the help of Mr Chin, a teacher of Pei Tong, we were introduced to a group of students sitting in a corner. When our cameraman began filming, some of them turned camera shy and kept finding ways to avoid the camcorder. It definitely took some time for our team to prep and warm the students up before they could relate to us what they felt about the upcoming NE show. 

Before the journey began, a safety brief was conducted to inform students of the precautions they had to take and steps to follow should they get lost. Hearing teacher-in-charge, Mdm Tay Siew Gee, brief the students, it definitely reminded me of my primary school Discipline Master who would conduct such similar briefings before every excursion.  

In view of the H1N1 situation, thermometers were issued to the students for temperature checks to ensure that they were all fine and ready to go.

Our Mentors

Bringing one entire cohort on an excursion could seem like a logistical nightmare, especially to the teachers. For that, Mrs Nusraat and Mrs Jalil, both teachers of Pei Tong, shared with us the challenges they face bringing the students to the NE show and what they hope students can learn from it. 

What are the challenges faced when preparing for this NS Show?

Mrs Nusraat: Transporting the students! In the previous 2 years, we used to have school buses to ferry the kids to the platform. However, congestion and confusion over which buses to board prompted the change to take the MRT instead. 

Mrs Jalil: For me personally, the biggest and most important challenge is the safety of the students. With the H1N1 situation, precautions like temperature taking to ensure social distancing is a great challenge in itself. There is also the possibility of children getting lost as it is a long walk from Raffles Place MRT to the Floating Platform. Another issue would be the tolerance of our pupils for walking long distances as some might not be accustomed to it. 

How would you compare the actual National Day Parade with the NE show?

Mrs Jalil: For the NE show, the students are in the company of their classmates, so the Parade brings them together onto a common focus. It somehow brings out their love for the country when they watch the show together and it is an opportunity for them to witness and celebrate our nation's achievements. 

What do you hope your students can take away from this NE show? 

Mrs Nusraat: Being a multi-racial society, we have different races living together and working hand-in-hand to form a peaceful and prosperous nation. I want the students to see that although Singapore is a small country, we are very strong in maintaining social harmony. 

Mrs Jalil: What I would like the students to take away from this NE show is to be proud of our achievements as a nation and be appreciative of the many things that Singapore has. 

To what extent do you personally think the NE Show is able to impart the message of social cohesion and pride of our achievements to the students? 

Mrs Nusraat: I think perhaps not directly but of course at the back of the students' minds, they will be thinking about it. 

Mrs Jalil: I believe the message will reach them but it is our duty as teachers to reiterate it to them after the NE show. 

Breaking the Ice

After finding out the teachers' perspectives, we proceeded onto a group of students sitting near us to interview them. The group of 4 girls and 4 boys were hesitant at first, but after some persuasion by their form teacher, they agreed to it.

Being interviewed by people much older than them seemed terribly daunting for these students, as the entire group was shy and unresponsive. 

Faced with such a situation, one of our team mates said "We just have to let out the kid within us!" With that change of approach, we began to make progress engaging the students. It was fun but hopelessly tiring as their enthusiasm translated to hysterical laughter and non-stop fidgeting. Numerous times we had to get them back on the steps so that our cameraman would be able to get the necessary shots.  

When Zachary of Class 5C was asked what he would do to defend our nation, he replied without hesitation, "To serve National Service!" His commitment certainly impressed our team, who ourselves are still in National Service. 

Journey to Outdoor Lesson @ The Float

As placards went up in the air, we quickly joined the remaining cohort of students to begin our journey to the Float @ Marina Bay. Walking through the neighbourhood to Clementi MRT, the sheer amount of red shirts certainly attracted many curious stares from members of the public. 

At 1640 hours, our specially chartered train finally arrived. We were thereafter joined by other schools in subsequent stations as we took a non-stop train ride towards Raffles Place Interchange. 

During this time, I managed to interview Haizaid, another student from Pei Tong. Similar to many of us, he was fascinated by the thought of taking an express MRT that did not stop at stations for other passengers to board. This was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience not just for him, but for all of us onboard the train. 

At 1700 hrs, we finally arrived at our destination. Leaving the train station, all students were immediately gathered in open space to account for their presence. As this was being carried out, a slight drizzle caused a commotion amongst the students, who by then were busy reaching into their bags for ponchos. Despite the rain, Mdm Tay remained optimistic that the students will not lose their zeal and excitement for the parade. With roads sealed specially for the students to cross, our walk towards the platform began. 

Although it was a 15-minute walk, not a single student complained but everyone took it with a cheerful spirit and good joy. Entering the queue for funpacks, many students began to discuss just what kind of goodies they will be getting. As they settled into their seats, this officially marked the beginning of the biggest outdoor lesson for the Primary 5 students of Pei Tong Primary School. It will definitely be an unforgettable lesson that they will stay with them for a long time – something that still strikes a chord in our hearts till present day. 

Timeline of Events 

Date: 11th July 2009

Venue: Pei Tong Primary School 

Time: 1400 hrs 

Walking towards the school gate, we were stopped by the school's security guard. As we explained to him our purpose, students were seen streaming in and walking towards the canteen. Thereafter, we proceeded to the General Office to liaise with the teacher-in-charge for today’s event. 

Time: 1415 hrs 

We were ushered to the canteen to meet up with several of teachers and students. All the children were dressed in red shirts. A group of students were seen chatting at one corner of the canteen. We introduced ourselves and found out that they were students from Class 5C. 

Time: 1420 hrs 

A safety brief was given to the students, reminding them to take their temperature in view of the H1N1 situation. All the students took out their thermometer and followed instructions from their form teachers. 

Time: 1430 hrs 

Packed dinners were distributed to the students. Students also begin writing their personal particulars on a piece of sticker pasted on their chest to identify themselves from other students. 

Time: 1440 hrs 

We commenced an interview with two teachers from the school. Meanwhile, the students continued mingling with one another in the canteen, getting ready for the trip. After that, we continued our interview with the school students. 

Time: 1550 hrs 

Over the announcement system, students were told to gather in the canteen and form up in rows of two. Class by class, the students began walking towards Clementi MRT station. 

Time: 1600 hrs 

The students have arrived at the MRT station and are waiting patiently at the platform of the train station. Several teachers began snapping away shots of their students. 

Time: 1640 hrs

The East-Bound train arrives and students were instructed to board the second cabin of the train. The atmosphere in the train was filled with excitement as the students got into fervent discussion about the upcoming NDP show. 

Time: 1700 hrs

The train arrives at Raffles Place MRT station and the students of Pei Tong Primary were brought to an open space for attendance taking. Roads were sealed to allow the students to cross and make their way towards the platform. 

Time: 1745 hrs

Reaching the platform, students were distributed the NDP funpacks. Comparison of the funpacks quickly began amongst the students. However, no time is wasted as students are quickly ushered to their seats to watch the NE show. 

The start of the show signifies the end of the journey of Pei Tong Primary School to the NE Show. Although it was only a short journey that took a couple of hours, it was definitely an experience that will be remembered by the students for a long time to come.