Sands Of Missions

Serangoon JC students build Singapore's longest sandcastle
By Joanne Leow, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 08 August 2006 1906 hrs

Some 1,600 students from Serangoon Junior College celebrated National Day in a rather unusual way this year: they got together to try to build Singapore's longest sandcastle.

It was no child's play but four days of hard work were needed to build the sandcastle fantasy - with help from some experts.

Shannon Tan, Serangoon JC, said: "The most challenging is all the little bit of details, because you need to be very accurate to actually carve out the shapes."

But all this did not daunt the students who were still at it till the very last minute in a bid to make it to Singapore's Book of Records.

Koh Yihan, Teacher, Serangoon JC, said: "When you build a sandcastle there are a lot of lessons you can learn like teamwork, the importance of building a foundation before you build the castle and you must be careful every step of the way, so it doesn't crumble in the end."

Kaladevee, Student, Serangoon JC, said: "When we were young we really didn't do much, just play around with the sand that's all. But now with equipment you can build a better sandcastle and you feel the joy again as a child."

Noorkiah, Student, Serangoon JC, said: "We're gonna have exams soon so it's a good de-stressing time right now."

The bid was also part of the junior college's fundraising efforts for Tan Tock Seng Hospital's Community Charity Fund.

The school has raised over S$36,000 so far and the sandcastle is a way to show their gratitude to the donors.

The magnificent sandcastle is also to wish the nation a happy birthday. - CNA/ch


Source taken from: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/223788/1/.html