11 Apr 2015 - ACS Carnival 5

Post date: Apr 29, 2015 12:26:5 PM

by Natasha D'costa

The ACS carnival showcased the true spirit of the values ACS aims to uphold. It was delightful seeing students past and present come together to enjoy a day of food and fun with their families and friends. We as parents were asked to help in any way possible, some of us offered to run the food stalls and others, the games.

It was my son's first experience selling carnival tickets. I feel it was a good move on the school's part and it is important to allow students to learn to sell tickets as it teaches them many skills, compassion, diligence and brought them together in working towards a common goal. Although the boys may not enjoy the new facilities, there is no doubt in my mind that they have learnt a valuable lesson in paying kindness forward and paving a path for future generations to tread.

It was a lovely experience working alongside the ladies at the laksa stall as I did not know any of them, but they made me feel so welcome and were extremely kind. We worked like a well-oiled machine, no one took a break till every single bowl of laksa was sold out. As our children came by, they saw what it means to support the school for the greater good.

The carnival has truly taught the boys the meaning of giving freely and with an open heart. The school offered many avenues for the boys to contribute such as financially and by offering their time. I do not know a single boy who did not have fun doing their assigned duties. It also instilled in them a sense of pride and belonging.

by Sophia Kan

When I first stepped into the school compound on carnival day, I made a mental list of all the things which I had expected would add up to a rather challenging day ahead.  Having to pacify my bunions for the four hours that I would be on my feet; having to weave through swelling crowds; and having to fend off tots' trailing balloons that aimed for human faces with fair precision.

Now, with the benefit of experience, here is a recommended roadmap for the meek-hearted (like me), not only to survive the cacophony but even thrive on the swirl of activity of a carnival.

Firstly, it helps to have a few sensory 'points of focus'.  When you feel overwhelmed by the onslaught on your senses, seek refuge in the friendly voice of a fellow-volunteer or class parent.  Find amusement in the courtship display of stallholders who beckon you to part with sheets of carnival coupons through lots of eye contact and by making you feel like their most important customer.  As for smells, there is always the comfort of chocolate...

Secondly, fortune favours the prepared mind.  This means zeroing in on your must-haves (mine being popiah, pizza and a pint of ice cream).  Keep the nice-to-haves as Plan B, for when you discover a surplus of coupons as the beef cheek cost less than expected or when you manage to hit the stalls only after 2pm, at which time that carrot cake or those baby back ribs might have sold out.

Finally, while fortune favours the prepared mind, embrace the serendipitous moments too. Like the chance encounter with a long-lost friend who happened to be at the carnival because she now lives across the street from an ACSian.  Or even discovering PR skills you never knew you had -- that simply borrowing a leaf from the ACS tradition of addressing others as 'sirs' and 'madams' does wonders for sales at your stall.

To sum up my carnival experience, I discovered that swelling crowds meant brisk sales for all carnival stalls, especially felt when it was my turn to brandish tongs behind chafing dishes; trailing balloons meant there was something for everyone, even the very youngest -- and that it was really mind over matter when I lay my worries at my digitally-challenged feet.

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