Than Hsiang Kindergarten Graduation

-A A +A
kindy16.jpg

The Multi Purpose Hall was packed full of parents, guests, reporters, photographers, and teachers of the Than Hsiang Kindergarten on Saturday, 14 October 2006. Everyone had gathered there well before the starting time of 2.00pm for the Kindergarten's 15th Graduation and Annual Concert.

The event started off with the playing of the Negara Ku followed by the Triple Gems Song. Venerable Wei Wu, in his speech, said that the kindergarten started in 1991 with four classes of 90 students. After much effort put in by all the teachers, there are now 27 classes of 509 students, divided into morning and afternoon classes. This year 180 students would graduate

Venerable Wei Wu informed that Than Hsiang Kindergarten had opened a branch in Taman Puteri Jaya in Sungai Petani, Kedah and this branch would start with its first intake of students in January 2007. Based on the conviction of the Young To Learn , progress would always be found in ourselves. The teachers would continuously upgrade their knowledge and teaching skills with the aim of giving their best to the children.

Besides educating the children following the Education Ministry syllabus, emphasis was placed on fostering their moral education and cultivation, as well as training them in basic living skills to be independent. The learning ability of the children is strong, so during this period, proper education will bear a strong influence on their moral development in the future.

Children's education requires the coordination of both teachers and parents. Thus, Venerable Wei Wu hoped that all parents could attend the children psychology course (organized by Than Hsiang Mitra Welfare Centre) and learn how to build up a good relationship with their children. Venerable Wei Wu also hoped all those who graduated would one day come back to Than Hsiang to provide service, thus completing our conviction of:

The Young To Learn,
The Strong and Healthy to Serve,
The Aged and Sick to Be Cared For,
The Departed to Find Spiritual Destination.

The Acting Principal of Kindergarten, Sis Fu Yek Ming, next took the stage to give her speech. She said that out of the 180 students graduating, 22 of them were the first batch to graduate from Sungai Ara Kindergarten. She stressed that Than Hsiang Kindergarten's principal focus was to provide for the overall balanced development of the children through the integration of various areas of learning. Through knowing the “Ten Good Deeds” and the Great Heart Sutra, the children learnt to be filial to their parents and respect their teachers. Sis. Fu voiced her appreciation of the selfless group of Ai Xin Ma Mas for their invaluable help. Their gentle hands and soft voices were greatly needed in helping to care for the lovable and gentle, little ones.

Prizes were then presented to the winners from the various grades followed by presentation of certificates to all the 180 graduating students. Congratulations to all the successful students and to the teachers for another great year! All the graduating students got on stage to sing the Graduation Song. Following this, the curtains went up for the Welcome Dance, which was the start of many lovely dances performed by the children in fantastic costumes. Such was the variety, complexity, colour, and scope of the nineteen dance performances; it makes you wonder how the teachers and students managed to achieve all that. Unbelievable!

The event drew to a close with the Candle Light Ceremony. All the students and teachers went up on stage and the lights were dimmed. Venerable Zhen Chan was invited up on stage to light a candle from which, various candles were slowly lit one by one until the stage was like a fairy land of lights. Then the lights went down to the people in the hall and slowly the hall light up with a multitude of flickering lights.

May the Buddha Light shine forth and illuminate the world for eons to come. Amituofo!

kindy14.jpg
kindy4.jpg
kindy3.jpg
kindy1.jpg