Sports fun for National Day

Meridian Primary is one of several schools that focused on play for nation's birthday

In another part of the school, pupils were having a great time tackling an inflatable obstacle course.
In another part of the school, pupils were having a great time tackling an inflatable obstacle course. PHOTO: DON WONG FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Ian Yeo, from Primary 4, taking aim during an archery session.
Ian Yeo, from Primary 4, taking aim during an archery session. PHOTO: DON WONG FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Primary 4 classmates Lance Paglinawan (left) and Matthew Tan from Meridian Primary having a go at cup stacking.
Primary 4 classmates Lance Paglinawan (left) and Matthew Tan from Meridian Primary having a go at cup stacking. PHOTO: DON WONG FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Reiko Tan (left) and Alyn Jay Acosta Agustine from Primary 5 duelling with Nerf guns as part of the celebrations.
Reiko Tan (left) and Alyn Jay Acosta Agustine from Primary 5 duelling with Nerf guns as part of the celebrations. PHOTO: DON WONG FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Primary 5 pupils from Meridian Primary during a Nerf gunbattle. The school had 22 sports activities spread out within its premises for the carnival that it had organised as part of this year’s National Day celebrations.
Primary 5 pupils from Meridian Primary during a Nerf gunbattle. The school had 22 sports activities spread out within its premises for the carnival that it had organised as part of this year’s National Day celebrations. PHOTO: DON WONG FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

Meridian Primary School celebrated National Day, which falls tomorrow, by going sporty last week, one of several schools nationwide to do so.

Some 1,500 people, comprising pupils, teachers, parents and other community stakeholders, got moving in a huge sports carnival, the school's second such event. It was supported by the GetActive! Singapore's Active Enabler programme, which funds community initiatives for sports-focused and lifestyle-driven ideas, to encourage everyone to develop a sporting habit.

In all, the new programme has given 74 schools funds to carry out their various ideas.

Cedar Girls' Secondary School did a mass run around the Marina Bay area, while Hai Sing Catholic School and Poi Ching School had dance workouts comprising of K-pop, Bollywood and Bokwa routines.

At Meridian, the funding allowed the carnival to grow bigger and better: the pupils enjoyed 22 different activities spread out over three levels of the school, compared to just 10 last year.

Pupils dove behind several fortifications as they fired shots at opposing teams during a Nerf gunbattle; slid their way through a slippery bouncy castle obstacle course that was hosed down with water; and navigated a "minefield" blindfolded, based on instructions from their teammates.

For Primary 4 pupil Sarvesh Chandrasekar, 10, the obstacle course was a clear favourite.

"It was very bouncy, so I enjoyed that a lot. I didn't even notice that it was wet," he added.

Schoolmate Dylan Gan, 11, preferred the air rifle, where pupils were required to "shoot" a maximum of five yellow rubber ducks, with only four darts.

The Primary 5 pupil said: "It's because I have a thing for Nerf guns and darts. I hit three ducks!"

Primary 6 pupil Nur Iman Shah, 12, had a philosophical take on the carnival's benefits.

He said: "It's good to do sports because the PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) is just around the corner, so it's a way to release stress after studying. It's a way to stay fit and healthy so you don't fall sick during the exam period."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 08, 2016, with the headline Sports fun for National Day. Subscribe