Jude T: A Fumble with the School Flag....

How many of you have had a chance to raise a flag...any flag?
Read about Jude T's unforgettable experience!



My most memorable time in school must be in the year 1981 when I was in Secondary Four.

Our school had very limited space and it was in the heart of town in Middle Road.

I remember fondly the small quadrangle, slightly bigger than the size of a basketball court. We did almost everything there together at school gatherings, from daily assembly time to prayer/ hymns sessions, announcements, physical exercise and even at recess time where we ate and played basketball and other games there.

As a school prefect that year, I had the privilege of raising the National and School flags. The prefects took turns to do so, according to duty roster.

It was always an honor especially to raise the National flag. All the more so.. to me because our cohort were born in 1965, the same year as the year Singapore gained her independence. So, as Singapore turns 47 today, we turn 47 this year too!

The first time I raised a flag was the School flag. It must always be raised slower and lower than the National flag.
On that day, as usual, the school gathered daily at the quadrangle for the National Anthem. As they sang Majullah Singapura, they looked up to the first floor where the flags were being raised. Of course, with pride and joy, I raised the school flag. But in my eagerness and enthusiasiam, I had raised it faster than the other prefect who was raising the National flag!
This was a no-no. I realised the mistake only at three quarter of the flag's way to the top of the pole. I was so embarrassed that I blushed like a shy child and instinctively stuck out my tongue, in full view of the school, much to the laughter and smiles of those who saw me doing that.

Such were some of the fond and beautiful memories of yesteryear...