Seventy years ago, Lian Hwa opened with four classrooms and 180 students in a converted shophouse. On Saturday night, more than 3,000 people came back to celebrate on the school field.
The anniversary weekend brought together current students, parents, retired teachers and alumni from as far as the class of 1962. It was planned for a year by a committee of teachers, the Parent-Teacher Association and the alumni association.
A night built by students
Almost every part of the evening was made by students. The 24 Festive Drums troupe opened the night. The choir sang the school song in Mandarin, Malay and English. Senior 2 art students painted the 30-metre timeline wall that guests walked past on the way in.
"We practised every afternoon for six weeks," said Teoh Jia Xin, a Senior 1 drummer. "When the first drum hit and everyone went quiet, I forgot I was nervous."
Alumni come home
Alumni filled the classrooms on Sunday morning for a walk through the old blocks. Many found their old desks marked on a map drawn by the history society.
The oldest guest, from the class of 1962, rang the original school bell to close the weekend.
What comes next
The anniversary fund raised from the dinner will go towards the new science and makerspace block, which the school board expects to open in 2028.
Parents who would like to see the timeline wall can visit it in the main hall until the end of November, on weekdays from 3pm to 5pm.
Photo above: The 24 Festive Drums troupe opens the anniversary night on the school field.
