Total Defence Day

On the 15th of February, we observed Total Defence Day, a day when we reflected on the 65th Anniversary of the Fall of Singapore in 1942, and contemplated what lessons can be learnt from it in order to secure our future. The girls from Red Cross and Girl Guides wore their respective uniforms, and even Mr. Tan Eng Whay, our Operations Manager, wore his police uniform to school!

We started the day with the national anthem, the raising of the flag, and the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by a message read by Mr. Fausta Tan to the whole school. We were told how important it is to keep up our country’s defence; not only against military threats, but disease, disasters, and environmental threats. Later, our Principal, Mrs. Regina Lee, was escorted by one of the Red Cross girls to review the girls from Girl Guides and Red Cross who were standing at attention on parade.

NEWater bottles were then distributed to the students and were encouraged to finish the whole bottle! There was no marching that morning as students were quickly ushered back to class for lessons. However, students were encouraged to take a look at the exhibition displays outside the school office to understand more about why we celebrate Total Defence Day. This year the displays showed the experience of the POWs in Singapore during the Japanese Occupation through their letters, paintings, and photographs.

No lights and fans were to be switched on and this helped us to feel how it was like to be lacking the basic necessities, just like the people who lived through wartime. There was also a special programme put on for us during recess where the Red Cross girls performed emergencies rescue techniques which marvelled us. Thanks to the programmes that were put on for us during Total Defence Day; we had a better understanding of people’s lives during times of war, disaster and emergency.

Written by Seraphina Tan Sec 3/2 & Zhang Huijuan