Raffles Girls' Primary at NE Show 2

Following an all-girls school for the NE Show was certainly an illuminating experience. As we proceeded into the school, we were introduced to Ms Wai Ling, teacher overall-in-charge of today's trip to the NE Show. Entering the school hall, the sea of blue pinafores and red "Raffles" shirts immediately caught our attention. In addition, our presence attracted much giggling and small talk from many of the students.

Thoughts on NDP

We managed to catch hold of some students to find out more about their thoughts and feelings about NDP. Not everything was smooth sailing though, as in the initial segment of our interview, we were met with only unnerving and unsettling silence from the girls.

Undoubtedly, this was due to an unseen generation gap between us and the girls. I suppose such a gap is attributed to the few opportunities these primary school girls get to interact with boys, let alone being interviewed by someone 10 years older than them.

To lighten the mood and bridge the gap, we started off with a series of self introductions to get ourselves acquainted.

When we asked them what did they look forward to the most in NDP, their immediate answers were, “Singing National Day songs, fireworks and of course, goodie bags!”

Goodie Bags – the term triggered memories of my school days, when as children, the greatest excitement was to rummage through the items inside our fun packs. Just seeing how excited these girls were seated before me, it reminded me of the simple joys in life we once held as children.

"What does the Pledge mean to me?"

As I explained to the girls that this year's NDP theme is derived from the Pledge, it started to get them thinking, “What does the Pledge mean to me?”

“To me, the pledge is a guide that points us towards how we should live and how we should be good citizens of Singapore." replied Qiu Jiayu, 11. Natalie Aw, 11, explains, “The pledge's meaning is that we are all equal and we have to treat all races and people with different religions the same.”

We also managed to spend some time with Mrs Zairinah Faizal, the second teacher-in-charge of today's NE Show trip. She shared with us that her favourite segment of the Parade are the solemn segments – the Pledge Taking and Singing of the National Anthem because they reaffirm the conviction of Singaporeans to our nation.

Comparing NDPs of the past against those of the present, she added, “The present NDPs are more entertaining and engaging! They are more 'hip' to cater to the younger generation. With more entertainment value, it definitely appeals more to the masses.”

Distribution of Fun Packs

Alongside the distribution of dinner packs for the students, it was also time to give out the fun packs! Coming in an assortment of colours, the girls instantly began indicating their fun pack colour preferences to their teachers. Shrieks of excitement broke out all over the place as the girls got their desired colours after exchanging fun packs with one another.

At The Parade

Making their way to the Float @ Marina by bus, the moment the girls were seated, they had their drums and the heart-shaped lights out on hand, all ready to rumble and celebrate our nation's birthday!

The moment our hosts for NDP – Gurmit Singh, Mark Lee, Michelle Chong, Vernetta Lopez and Suhaimi Yusof – took to the stage, there was an instant surge of fanatic screaming from the spectators' stand!

Engaging the crowds through a series of mini games, the students were led in the “Marina Wave”, but not without a twist. This time round, the students were challenged to do the fastest 'Marina Wave' in NDP history by pitting them against a motorbike and a car! With exploding energy levels from the Primary 5s, you can be sure who emerged victorious in the end!

As our students got ever more engrossed in the Parade, none of them seemed to have paid any notice to our photographer, who had been intently capturing shots of their smiles and laughter. As we continued in our filming, more and more of the girls began opening up to us. No longer camera-shy, they were absolutely at ease in front of the camcorder and even posed for our cameras! They were no longer the reserved students we knew back at school.

Reactions to the Show

With each act of the show merging seamlessly with the next, the students were rapt in the alluring performances presented before their eyes. In the hour that had gone by, these students had had a glimpse of Singapore's past, meeting the likes of Sang Nila Utama, and dancing to hypnotic beats of the 70s with Night Fever.

The National Day Parade never fails to inspire new aspirations in the children watching it. “I would certainly like to be in the choir if I was chosen to participate in future NDP shows!” remarked Angela Tham, 11.

With popular oldies like “I Will Survive” covered by celebrity actress, Koh Chieng Mun, to songs with an alternative rock vibe, like this year's NDP theme song, "What Do You See?" by local band, Electrico, it's no wonder the Parade had many students up on their feet in song!

As fireworks lit up the Singapore skyline in the Parade Finale, cacophonous exclamations of 'ooohs' and 'ahhhs' could be heard across the entire platform. For all the visual spectacles in the Parade, it ultimately galvanised everyone towards the very crux and meaning behind National Day – in the renewal of our oath to our country.

Our Pledge Moment 

With their fists clenched above their chests, these girls who were giggly and camera-shy a moment ago had now become solemnly resolved, albeit with grins across their faces, as they recited the Pledge – our Pledge – reflecting on it as the compass of our vision for Singapore.

Rallying behind the Pledge in this unique pledge taking moment, it exemplified an unmistakable love and pride that many students had for Singapore. Seeing the zest and passion that they have for our nation, I am sure that the future of our nation is without question, in good and safe hands.