Memories of Mattar Primary School

Mdm Gurmit, Mdm Sakinah, Mdm Siok Hwa, Mdm Peck Hoon, Mdm Gek Lan, Mdm Woon Jin and Mdm Yew Khuan were born in 1961, 53 years old, and came from Mattar Primary School. All of them are also the dancers of a performing group. They recalled how this performing group was no official CCA like today. They were 10 years old (Primary 4) when their teacher Ms See roped them into one group. Together, they spent many memories of daily rehearsals, performances and special moments together. About the Performing Group The dancers consist of 4 different groups: grass cutters, fishermen, porters, hawkers. They were as such because those were the trades of that times. Hawker: Gurmit, Sakinah, Peck Hoon The second photo is a picture of Peck Hoon, showing the outfit of a hawker. They would wear an apron and straw hat. Dance actions would include shouting for customers, pushing the carts, sounding the horn etc. As the hawkers were explaining, they were quick to clarify that these are not the hawker centers these days, but the street hawkers with push carts which were rampant. Fisherman: Woon Jin The third photo is a picture of Woon Jin showing the outfit of a fisherman. They would be holding nets and wearing straw hats (not depicted in the picture). She also added how honourable and “a big thing” it was then to be that family would go to studio to have this photo taken. Families were really proud when their children were part of this performing group. Porter: Gek Lan Grass cutter: Siok Hwa, Yew Khuan Grass cutter was unique in its outfit because it was the only dancers who would not be wearing a hat, but only somewhat like a head band tied to the head. There were four different trades which required different sets of costumes, make ups, dance choreography etc. But regardless of which aspect, Ms See was really dedicated and did everything from head to toe. Rehearsals were flexible and sometimes daily, especially nearing the competition. Timetable were to Ms See’s advantage as flexibility was inherent in the curriculum. She could easily pull students out of their classes—girls to rehearse and boys to watch the rehearsals. “That’s why the boys, they all know our dance.” Her efforts were not gone to waste. The group attained a 2nd prize in this competition of what the dancers called to be SYF equivalent in today’s CCA context. Hence, the dancers performed on RTS (Radio Television Singapore). RTS were equivalent to Mediacorp today. Enthusiasm overflowed as they reminisced how it was really a glorious, impressive and highly regarded for event. Families would take photos in studios. Neighbours, family members, friends who all scamper around to find TV sets in their neighbourhood, whether kampongs or HDB flats (not all families have TV sets then). “It was like the whole village”. They also recalled how this was also a big hit in the school and it really rallied the whole school together, being the rare happenings in Mattar Primary School. They recalled this to be only activity for their whole 6-year education. About Academic The fourth photo is picture of a report card for Mdm Yew Khuan. 43 years ago, there were PSLE and 4 examinable subjects as well. Unlike our PSLE now with 6 options and a nicely laminated certificate, previously it was just a piece of paper as such in their report book. No grades, no results, and just two choices to choose their schools. In fact, the actual scores hardly mattered anyway. Parents those times just looked out for 1 colour – any red marks would be deem to be bad. Otherwise, it’s deemed good – 100 would be as similar to 51. Whether one gets one’s first or second choice for PSLE would reflect if the grades were good or bad. Choice of schools was mainly determined by the proximity to the house. Transport was limited to only buses and no MRT nor cars. Hence, close proximity of schools would be essential to be able to attend schools daily. The ladies, girls then, recalled about how one of their classmates, Mr Sim, had chosen a school blindly based on his other friend as that friend was a son of a teacher and he was absolutely clueless about the choices. In the end, he ended in Victoria School which was very far away from his house in Macpherson. Mdm Yew Khuan laughed heartily when she mentioned our Mr Sim would always be late for school, and Victoria school. She remembered when he was finally able to be on time for school was when he had a bicycle and was frantically cycling to school. About School Life One significant part of everyday school life would be this brief case. Everyone carried this square-like, brown brief case made of cardboard material (for there was no plastic at that time). They recalled how useful the brief case was. They would sit on the brief case during assembly, given that floor were not nicely tiled but just rough concrete. At the topic of assembly, Mdm Sakinah remembered about the marching song everyone would sing. She liked the song so much that she could still chant to the song today. They also remembered how the vice principal Ms Lai would be present. Ms Lai had a very fierce persona. Mdm Yew Khuan also mentioned about music conductor present during the assembly. Mdm Peck Hoo remarked that at those times, they were trained to be patriotic; hence many of these songs. Mdm Siok Hwa cited one of the examples of such to be tooth brushing. She remembered it to be very systematic. Everyone would take a beaker and tooth brush, brush teeth together and gargle together. It was to the extent that they would even count the times they brush. Apart from toothbrushing, Mdm Sakinah also mentioned how school life entailed much discipline and moral. They would have duty roster. Mdm Peck Hoo and Mdm Gek Lan listed some of the tasks to be: picking up litter, dusting the duster (filled with chalk) after every lesson. It was deemed to be an honour and privilege then to be tasked with such duties. Students would do it on their own initiative and definitely without any complaints. Some of them would even go to school earlier to do their duty. Nevertheless, they remembered all the fun they had during recess time! Games they played were: chapteh, goli (marbles) etc. Mdm Siok Hwa recalled how they would play very hard during recess because once they are going home, there would not be any more play time. One challenge however would be uniforms. Most of them would only have 2 sets of uniforms. Thus, usually, they would wear 1 set of uniform for the entire week and wash on Friday. Should there be rainy days, it would be really bad news for their uniforms. The more they play around, the dirtier their uniform would become. Nevertheless, Mdm Yew Khuan mentioned about how all of them would smell together and play together. Mdm Peck Hoo, Mdm Gek Lan and Mdm Woon Jin also recalled about this strategy they have to counter the sweat. They would use a handkerchief fold it to fit it nicely into the back of the neck. This way, it could be used to absorb the sweat and it can also function as a bib such that their uniform would remain as stainless as possible. Everyday, lessons end about 12pm or 12.30pm. Mdm Woon Jin also recalled how their mothers would wait outside school and they would all walk back home together, with their neighbours too. School was really in the heartland amongst the flats and all. It was so close that some boys who are late for school could possibly approach from the flat, pull the fence up to enter. Mdm Sakinah also like how the bonding between the parents and children was very good then, especially because parents could visit their children during recess. Often, they would bring food for the children. About Reunion Vague memories of one another were kept from the autograph books every had. During graduation, girls would typically carry a nice book for all to sign off. The group did not stay in contact until, 1978 in Sec 4 when the group visited Ms See’s house and had a BBQ session. Thereafter, they lost contact with Ms See. However, one of their classmate, described to be like a “PI” went to old address of Ms See. He did not manage to find her, but wrote a note to leave it with her neighbour’s house. Thankfully, the neighbour passed the message to Ms See’s relatives who were residing at that house currently and Ms See eventually received the message and could contact the PI back. That way, they managed to get back in contact with Ms See in October 2013. All the while, the PI has also kept in contact with the 44 of them in one class. He had this contact book with everyone’s names and phone numbers—of which he would call and check should there be any gathering. (Interviewed and written by Janice Soo)