Graduation Day 2007: I'll never forget the years I spent with my class, 4H, the teachers, fellow schoolmates and everyone else in our Victorian family. I wish you guys well in the coming years and I hope to see all of you soon. Besides, I doubt many of us consider ourselves as graduated yet, have we?
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Graduation Day 2007
The day started off as per normal. We assembled in the parade square and I proceeded to try and assemble the class into 2 rows. One thing about 4H, if you guys already do not know is that, after almost 2 years together as a class, it is virtually impossible to get the entire class to sit in 2 rows. Ah, the dilemma a monitor (Matt and I) has to get into every morning.
The front part where I usually sit is fine, but from then on the rows just become long and snake-like. Who wouldn’t get frustrated? Sometimes, miraculously, the class sits in 2 rows and wow, that really puts a smile on my face and I think I have done my job for the morning. Then again, these occasions are but rare.
I whipped out my attendance book and I already knew in my heart that I might be taking attendance with my all-too-familiar attendance book for the last time, I mean who knows when I’ll get the chance again? I think Amos reminded me about it too as I was lamenting aloud about my last few days taking attendance.
After the flag-raising ceremony, we were promptly dismissed to our classes. I whipped out my attendance book and checked the attendance today. I think the “giant” in our class was missing that day. Hmm. Yeah, so then my dear classmates got into their positions and started rearranging the tables. The bridge gangs got together and started their routines. I sighed, but left them to be, I didn’t want to be a wet blanket on the last day of school. The noise started building up and the classroom was as raucous as ever.
First teacher who came in was Ms Raksha and she gave each of us a Ferrero Rocher packet. Each packet had a simple, yet meaningful message on it that she had personally typed out and signed on. Rayson told her that she spelt my name wrongly and she was apologising profusely to me, but I said it’s ok. I’m used to it! Let me share with you what Ms Raksha said to me:
Dear Nicholas,
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You’re on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
Best wishes,
Raksha
10/10/07
Aww, thanks Ms Raksha! I loved the little poem! I’m going to keep that little note you typed out forever, stashed away in my file of memories where I put all my greeting cards and class photos!
Secondly, Mrs Setho came in and started giving little pep talks to our class but I doubt hardly anyone was listening to her. Then she started handing out chocolates to every single one of us. She gave most people Kinder Bueno chocolates and Wei Jie commented she was “budget” as those were the three-in-one kind. I was surprised that she didn’t give me any Kinder Bueno and turned a blind eye to me when she was handing them out. Haha, well that’s because she gave WJ, Matt and I Cadbury chocolates instead! A whole chocolate bar! See for yourselves!
Mrs Setho and her chocolate junkies, namely, Me, Weijie and Matt, together with an extra camwhore Farez at the back!
Pile on the calories baby!
After Mrs Setho left, we began to watch a movie on our class screen. Told Rayson to play 200 pounds beauty because I haven’t watched it yet. We continued watching for a while until our dear principal Mr Low, walked in with a stack of report cards in his hands. With a solemn look on his face, he talked about how he felt about our cohort and how each of us deserved to go into a JC.
After his little “speech”, he began hading out the report cards, I think I shuddered during that moment as I was a little intimidated by his presence, or maybe it was the mere thought of receiving my report card from him. When he finally called my name, I collected my card and he actually complimented me, wow. Mumbled a little thanks and went back to my seat.
When he was done, I think the class heaved a sigh of relief at our liberation from his presence. Resumed watching the movie for a few minutes before Mrs Bala walked in!
Mrs Bala also gave the entire class Ferrero Rocher and some Japanese biscuits which were absolutely delish! She told us about how she enjoyed teaching our class and wished us all the best before she took her leave. Thanks Mrs Bala! =3
Hopefully we score as many A1s as possible for Humanities! *crosses fingers*
Yeah, so basically we spent the entire morning watching the show before we left. Went out with Rayson to MOS and had a nice lunch together with him. Made my way back to school and did a little Biology revision in the library until about 3+ when we had to go to the hall for a formal presentation.
In the hall, the monitors had to go on stage to collect the tie pins and the flag souvenir (it’s called a pennant by the way). Matt carried the pennants while I, the tie pins. Mrs Setho put on the pin for us first since we were the monitors, and Mr Munir presented us with the pennants. Mrs Setho made her way down the rows, presenting the tie pins to each of us, talking to us and dishing out advice to everyone. 
Our dear form teachers all on stage!
Do you think they were raring to go? 
Mr Low presenting the tie pins to Firdaus, Paul and Chin Boon!
They were the first to receive the tie pins!
Mrs Setho & Javin!
Mrs Setho & Javier!
Mr Munir shaking someone's hand!
He looks "serious"! xD
I couldn't help but giggle at this picture.
Don't ask me why... Haha.
As Mrs Setho made her way down the aisle of our class (we were seated in 2 rows of tables), she was all smiles and showed no sign of sadness till she was at one of my classmates, I can’t remember who. Then she just burst out in tears…
I was taken aback by the emotional scene and fought back my own tears. That’s me. I can’t help but start crying when I see someone else cry in front of me. Put my arm around her shoulder and consoled her whilst taking out tissue paper for her to clear her tears. Mrs Setho took a deep breath and continued with the pinning of the tie pins…
After most of the form teachers had given out the tie pins and flags to the entire class, the hall exploded into screams and laughter as each class started gathering together and spammed class photos. Students ran around grabbing teachers to pose with them and many were seen jostling with one another for a particular teacher. It was absolutely crazy and euphoric at the same time! 
My camera was taken and used to take all these photos!
Why never ask me to join in?!?! >:( 
Class photos with our form teachers!
Oh my, I just realized I look like I'm humping Matthias' leg!
Does this mean I'm a bitch?
Looks kinda wrong though. =X
I heart you, Ms Raksha! =)
Chester, this is for you!
The Sec 4 cohort then proceeded to the auditorium where we had our formal prize presentation and the screening of our graduation day video. Mr Low gave his speech by reading out penned down thoughts of some Victorians that had been compiled in the Voices of Victoria book. One memorable quote by a fellow Victorian was something like this:
Victoria School is like a bra; it supports you and is close to your heart.”
Very creative huh? Put a smile on my face and this was received with a loud round of applause!
Next up was the GOH who gave a really long speech about his days in VS. But hey, I guess we were already prepared for it, That’s what the GOHs usually talk about anyway. Listened to what he had to say and I did agree with some of his words. Had to shush a certain idiot from a neighbouring class who kept making snide comments, go away loser!
Camwhores:
Kevin Ng, Nicolas Yee, Kevin Ng.
Prize presentation was really tedious and we had to continue clapping for a long time. I did clap and cheer loudly for people whom I thought were really deserving of the prizes of course. Mr Siow then played the graduation video. Click here to view it.
The video was comical and very meaningful, I’m sure all of us enjoyed it very much! But I'm sure it would have been much better if our class was in it! Too bad we couldn't think of any good ideas as many people didn't want to cooperate.
Well, after the entire ceremony, we headed downstairs for our reception. Ms Tang got us a lovely chocolate cake that was absolutely sinful but she and the other senior leaders of 2006 wouldn't let us get near the cake unless we did something for them. Ended up standing on the table with the SLs and SPSLs and we did the Banana Song in front of everybody. Due to my nervousness, I think I thrusted my hips too wildly at the wrong time. Ooops, my bad.
Some pictures to sum things up a little!
Ms Tang bought the student leaders a cake!
Yum.
Thanks! ^^
Class photo with Mrs Lee!
She actually requested to take a picture with us!
Aww.
Look at Vincent's expression when the person in the middle changes!
Whoa, scary!
JX is just sniggering away... I wonder at what, or whom?
Camwhoring with Qamarul.
Extra Ernest in the middle... *rolls eyes*
Ms Tang cutting the cake for us while being distracted by someone.
I finally managed to take this picture after Qamarul and Ernest kept blocking my camera lens many times!
Take that! Wahaha.
Emo-ers...
Rachit acting (weirdly) cute amongst the Emo people!!!
Haha.
Ms Yeo and I!
Forgot to put my tie back down and ended up looking like a shoddy retard.
Damn.
Me: Hi! This is Yang Han!
YH: That's me!
NUMBERING OFF!
CAMWHORE STYLE!
Can you see what word we're forming?
Ernest is pointing to something OVER THERE!
Shoot him please!!!
VP & I!
Well, you only get this one chance!
A night of laughter, joy, cheers and of course, whore fun. (hor fun, geddit?)
Definitely a night to remember in all of our hearts.
No matter what we have gone through in our lives, this would be one of the days that I will look back, say, "Hey! Look what we were doing then!" and grin widely.
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Oh wow, I finally managed to get this post out after so long.
I guess that uexpected incident kinda pushed me away from facing up to this event that happened in my life, but now that this post is completed, I do hope I can be at peace with myself even more through these happy memories.
So I shan't brood over it and continue to live my life to the fullest.
Do enjoy the pictures that I have posted!
I know many of you from 4H have been asking me for them so here ya go!
And yes, you are very welcome! =)
Hail Mary.