Open Day 2012

Open Day for us at Kembangsari is a big affair. Preparations for the day begin right from after Chinese New Year, as parts of the preparation involves daily routines, such as filing and class displays. For educators who diligently perform their daily tasks, Open Day is a breeze.

Of course, the few days before the big day are the most stressful, as everyone race to put final touches to their displays, ensure that progress reports are filled, that walls are re-painted.

Bright and early on the actual day, the colourful flags and balloons go up. The gates are left open and chairs are lined up. Gradually, cars line up in front of both premises and the mixed chitter chatter of adults and children fill the air.

Open Day for us at Kembangsari is mainly for us to have a detailed conversations with parents, conversations which we normally are not able to conduct during normal business days. These informal chats allow us to understand further their goals and priorities for, as well as understandings towards the education and care of their children. We also use these chats to gauge how they view the centre-parent-child relationship we share with them.

Of course, the event also allows parents a chance to become more familiar with the people and place that make up a big portion of their children's lives. They get to admire the displays throughout the building. They get to share their children's enthusiasm for sand play, water play and gardening. They get to bring their books and other works back home after some brief explanation by the educator in charge of the group.

In addition, they also get the chance to have a look at photographs of daily activities and other events, such as excursions, incursions and Children's Day. On top of that, there is free lunch, which normally is nasi lemak with some other dessert, fruits and juice.

The best part of Open Day is the part where siblings of current students come along, many of them who were previously with us, too. Some even older students also drop by to say hi. Gives a really cosy feeling when we see them all grown up and doing well.

We may dislike how busy and stressed out we feel before the event but during and after the event, we are left with feelings of contentment and happiness, especially when parents show appreciation for our effort and when ex-students walk in and treat the place like home. Of course, parents who leave feedback that are negative, we accept and bring up for discussion during our staff meetings. Feedback of any sort, work as both encouragement and reminder that we constantly have room for improvement, that we must always put our best feet forward.

One down...

... and one more to go.

You have no idea how much is lifted off my shoulders. The feeling is of relief, happy relief, that is.

Judging from the response of the families and the children, as well as the staff, this weekend was a success. How can it not be a success when you have children bathing in sweat from running all over the school with their friends? Is it not a success when you have families bringing other families for great nasi lemak and not wanting to leave? What about the smiling faces and glorious laughter?

The crowd trickled in slowly from around 10am onwards. I mean, it is understandable as haha, how many of us bother waking up in time for a 9 o'clock appointment on a cloudy weekend morning? Ok, unless you are really pious, that is.

The children were really shy, as they had mummy and daddy to hide behind. The normally out-going ones were really introverted. It was so funny just watching them curl up into their little shells.

While some were not their normal selves, some were very much at home. They could not care less about what the teachers had to say about their progress in school. Neither were they bothered about how their parents reacted. All they could think of was, "I have to play as much as possible today as I won't get this chance again!" And play, they did!


It was good catching up with the parents, some of whom have been supporting us for a long time. One family have been coming to us for 10 years, another for 8 years. It was even better when ex-students dropped in to say hi. A big thank you and bear hug to Chee Kin, who came despite not having Jie Hui's company. Also, to the Lee-Tay-Chong clan of monkeys: Chui Mun, Li Xin, Jian Jun, Munn Yee and Shin Yee.


I think the 'it moment' of the weekend would be when Mum looked at Jian Jun and asked, "Who is this ar?"

Laughter.

Yes, Jian Jun, you have really grown! All of you have grown, really. Looking at you guys made me reflect on our teaching and also on my own up-bringing. I sure hope we did an okay job with you guys.


Many families stayed for a long time but it did not seem to disrupt the flow of people and cars. No major dramas in traffic. Although we panicked slightly when we saw that we may not have enough food to serve, it was all settled with the help of Puan Nisma and Puan Emi. Luckily, these two became instant chefs and whipped up more sambal for all of us. Thank you!

Most of the families came to collect their children's books and progress report.


Dad mentioned that the sale of photographs looked to be better than last year's despite having less than half the amount available for order this time round. We'll see when we get down to really sorting the orders out.

Now that this is crossed off the calendar, the next big item on the list would be the year-end celebration. I have started listening to songs and soon, I will be selecting songs to distribute so, my dear teachers, do not rest on your laurels too much, yea?

Oh, but I am sure looking forward to the Japanese buffet we will be going to next Sunday!

A big thank you to all staff! We had a great time, did we not? (Nods all around). Even the lilies in our pond concur...