2019

Read about how Junyuan Primary School marked International Friendship Day 2019 through games, performances, and activities that brought students closer to ASEAN cultures and communities.

Last updated 18 August 2026

Nurturing the students in the classroom, on stage, and on the field

International Friendship Day 2019

Our school commemorated International Friendship Day (IFD) with a series of activities based on the theme of “Connected Communities” this year. Through these activities, our students were not only led to appreciate the importance of building and strengthening friendships among our neighbouring countries, especially the ASEAN countries, but also deepen the connection with them, as well as nurture the spirit of friendship and collaboration among different peoples.

Fringe activities to foster understanding and appreciation of the cultures of our ASEAN neighbours were organised during recess in the second week of Term 2. Facilitated by parent volunteers from the Parents’ Support Group (PSG), the students participated in traditional games commonly played in other ASEAN countries such as “Semut, Orang, Gajah”, a version of “Scissors, Paper and Stone” played in Indonesia. They also experienced playing “Bamboo Jack”, a traditional game played in Vietnam and Cambodia. During the fringe activities, Primary 5 students entrenched their friendship with their Primary 1 buddies by participating in the activities together. To deepen our connections within the community, we also invited 46 kindergarteners to participate in the fringe activities on IFD as part of the K21 School Experience programme. Our student leaders played buddy to the kindergarteners while participating in the fringe activities and class experience. If you were present at Junyuan Village on 8 April 2019, you would have observed them encouraging their charges to gyrate to the music of Thai Cha-Cha line dance and taking candid shots among the eight standees depicting the ethic costumes of the ASEAN countries.

Last but not least, the students enjoyed a mass assembly concert which started off with a skit based on the book “Crow Boy” written by Taro Yashima which promotes the value of inclusivity among diversity. It spoke about the importance of respecting and accepting the differences amongst us. This value is reinforced through the fringe activity of Inclusivity Booth which promotes the awareness that each student is unique and has different needs and abilities. The concert ended with the singing of folk songs from ASEAN and an energetic performance from International Dance CCA group.

Children in school uniforms gather around tables with science fair exhibits, interacting with displays and an adult.

"Let's play Bamboo Jack, throw the ball upwards and quickly pick up a chopstick before you catch the same ball."

Children in red skirts and adults dance together in a school hall near a TV screen and colorful mural.

"Let's join in the fun at Junyuan Village Thai Line Dance booth."

Crowd of schoolchildren around tables with QR codes, as a teacher hands out papers in a classroom.

"Let's take the challenge by taking part in the IFD online quiz."

Two girls pose with their faces through cutouts of cartoon figures in traditional Southeast Asian costumes labeled Singapore and Thailand.

"Wow! Look at how I have adorned myself with the Thai traditional costume."

A woman in a blue hijab interacts with two young students in cream uniforms at a green table in a school hall.

"Semut!" "Gajah!" I won becayse Gajah is afraid of Semut crawling into his nose or ear.

A smiling woman makes a peace sign while children in uniforms do crafts at a table in a colorful room with a TV.

Doing craft work after watching the video at the Inclusivity Booth.

Children in Junyuan Primary School uniforms gather at an International Friendship Day event under a large banner.

Student leaders played buddy to the kindergarteners at Junyuan Village.