MOONLIGHT SERENADE

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2008


As the sun gently faded in the horizon, the lanterns gradually glowed. One by one, the lanterns in Temasek Secondary School’s canteen lit up. It was the evening of 15 September 2008, and the students were

 preparing for the Mid-autumn festival celebrations. The event’s aim was to enhance our international students’ integration into Singapore’s school life. It also gives our non-Chinese international students an opportunity to understand one of Singapore’s local traditional events.

The event kicked off with a presentation of a mid-autumn couplet from the international students to Mrs Ong Hong Peng, Principal of Temasek Secondary School. It was a simple and thoughtful gift. This was followed by a sketch from the students on the legend of the mid-autumn festival. The audience was tickled by the humorous modern depiction of the legendary Hou Yi and Chang Ee. For example, one scene showed Hou Yi shooting down the legendary suns with a modern weapon. This helped everyone to understand about the origins of the festival.
After a hearty laugh, everyone indulged in some delicious snacks. The tables were filled with delicious mooncakes. Most of the mooncakes were kindly sponsored by the Parents Support Group (PSG). They were most happy to share the festive joy with the students. Traditional goodies such as pomelos and yam were also featured. Some also tested their skills at cracking the traditional Ling Jiao (Singhara nuts), to reveal the beige nuts beneath the shiny black shells.
If cracking Ling Jiao was not enough to display one’s strength, the pomelo peeling competition definitely was. Students, teachers and parents gritted their teeth as they used all their might to peel off the thick pomelo skins. Mr Jared Oh, HOD Pupil Development & Aesthetics ripped the pomelo skin with gusto and emerged as the competition’s champion.

Soothing songs followed as the students and teachers sang impromptu. The songs weaved through the cool air of the night, and gently woke the moon. The full moon peeked out from the trees, curious to see the ones who had woken her with the sweet melodies.

Gently and carefully, everyone lit up their little paper lanterns for a little walk around the school. From a distance, the lanterns looked like dancing fireflies. For many students, it was a unique experience and opportunity to know how the school looked like at night. It also brought much nostalgia to the PSG members and teachers, some who last carried a lantern during their primary school days.
Although the event drew to a close, the warmth of the lanterns stayed on to cheer everyone up throughout the night.

Zoontjens Jennifer Annette, a foreign student from the Netherlands who studied in an international school in China before joining us at Temasek Secondary School, remarked cheerfully, “Mid-autumn festival was not celebrated as an event in my former school in China. There were fireworks in the town though, which added much cheer to the celebrations. Celebrating the event in Temasek Secondary School is very interesting too. It’s fun to learn about this traditional Chinese event, and I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know new friends in school.

Yao Yujian, a student from China and the event’s main organizer said, “Back in China, my family members and I would come together during the festival to chat over sumptuous food and appreciate the full moon. My parents would also buy the goodies for the celebrations. At Temasek, I have the opportunity to organise the event. It is interesting to celebrate the event with a huge group of people. As the event organiser, I also had to take the lead in making purchases. Although it was easy to plan the programme, it was challenging to coordinate and execute the event.”

All the hard work was given the thumbs up by the PSG members. “I especially enjoyed the sketch put up by the students, and I have learned something from it as this is first time I have heard of the story. I also noticed the teamwork among the students.  I must say that the students are disciplined, and they made sure that the guests are well taken care of,” said Mrs. Vicky Tjio-Thia. “Bravo & well done!”
Mrs Ong, the Principal,  thanked the PSG for their kind support of the event. “The platform has again provided the opportunity for our international students to experience the warmth of our parents. The PSG has been such wonderful parents to the international students. I am also glad for the interactions among our students, local and international; as well as that between the teachers and students,” she said. “The international students will remember this wonderful experience for a long time.”