Reported by:
Chloe Soh Ke Er Jr3Z(6)
On the 19th of January 2023, Kuen Cheng High School hosted the annual Chinese New Year (CNY) Temple Fair which had been delayed for 3 years due to the pandemic. The theme for this year’s fair is called “Happy TU-gather”, which is the Chinese homophonic for rabbits as this year is the Year of the Rabbit.
After the usual flag-raising ceremony, students lined up in an orderly manner and went to their respective places for the Chinese Calligraphy Competition. Jr2 and Jr3 students went to the open-air parking lot, 2022 Sr2 students went to the basketball and volleyball courts while 2023 Sr1 and Sr2 students stayed in their respective classrooms. School staff also gathered in the lobby for their category of calligraphy writing.
Students writing calligraphy
School staff writing calligraphy
After the calligraphy writing, it was time for the Fair to begin. Students and teachers prepared several games, exhibitions, and performances.
CNY Performances
After a simple introduction by the emcees, Principal Dr. Chua Lee Lee gave a brief speech. She stated that all of the students and teachers started to prepare for this day at the end of last year. She thanked the Academic Department, the Co-curricular Department, the Chinese cultural societies, and the service societies for making the temple fair happen. At last, she wished everyone a happy new year.
Without further ado, the performances started with the twenty-four festival drums. Then, it was a must-have lion dance performance by the Lion Dance Club. Next was the Diabolo Club with their amazing performance. The Harmonica Club followed up with a classic CNY song called “Spring Returns to the Earth”. The performances were then paused and a fashion show was held. The judges for the fashion show are from the Art Department, who are Ms. Ong Sook Wan, Ms. Tiong Lay Ling, and Ms. Liew Pei Wen.
A fashion show themed “Cute Rabbit and Wealth God”
After the fashion show, the performances continued with the Drama Club performing a drama on the do’s and don’ts during CNY. After that, the Chinese Orchestra performed some CNY songs. The following performance is a Chinese folk dance by the Chinese Folk Dance Club. The Guitar Club then performed, played and sang a medley of 12 CNY songs according to each zodiac year. Last but not least, a wushu performance by the Wushu Club perfectly ended the spectacular event.
Culture and surname exhibitions
In the school hall, exhibitions about the different origins and different Chinese surnames were held. The origins included Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien, and much more. Histories of many different surnames were shown on strings.
The different Chinese surnames
Games
Lantern riddles were exhibited in the hall for students to guess. Other activities held in the open-air parking lot included an egg tray pitching game, ping pong cups, guessing gestures, rolling money, and guessing the wealth god. A photo booth was also held in front of the canteen, where students could take pictures with different props.
Students solving lantern riddles
Egg tray pitching
Guessing gestures
Activities in class
Some classes held games while some classes held the traditional yee sang dish. Some classes were also creative with yee sang by using snacks instead of the normal ingredients like radish, pickled ginger, raw fish, and much more. The prosperity toss resembles bringing good luck to yourself. The students and teachers had fun tossing together.
Yee Sang in class
Awards
Last but not least, a simple award ceremony was held at the basketball and volleyball court. The awards were given out for the recent competitions.
Firstly, the respective winning classes for the CNY class decorating competitions for the junior category are Jr3Z(6) and Jr2S(5) as the outstanding awards, Jr3Z(1) as the 2nd runner up, Jr2Z(1) as the 1st runner up, and Jr2Z(2) as the champion, while the senior classes have Sr2ComA and Sr2B as outstanding awards, Sr1B as the 2nd runner up, Sr2C as the 1st runner up, and Sr1ScB as the champion.
Winning classes for the junior category
Winning classes for the senior category
Next, prizes were given out for the school staff category of the Chinese calligraphy competition. The merit winners for the non-Chinese category are Cikgu Intan, Cikgu Norafiza Arpai, Cikgu Malida Ismail, Cikgu Haslida, and Cikgu Nor Azreen. The 2nd runner-up goes to Cikgu Siti Humeirah, 1st runner-up goes to Cikgu Fadila, and the champion goes to Cikgu Masturi, while the merit winners for the Chinese category are Ms. Avlyn Lau, Ms. Hee Siaw Fuey, Mr. Kek Li Yuan, Ms. Ong Sook Wan, and Ms. Choe Yee Yun. The 2nd runner-up goes to Ms.李乐怡, the 1st runner-up goes to Ms. S’ng Yien Ping, and the champion goes to Ms. Ong Chor Hoon.
Lastly, the awards for the fashion show were given out.
Winners for the fashion show