Learning about the Singapore History through Stamps!

The visit to the Singapore Philatelic Museum was most rewarding. The children were told the fascinating stories that inspired some of the series of local stamps and briefly traced the history of our nation from a fishing village of mainly orang lauts to a cosmopolitan, global city of the 21st century.

We are thankful to Ms Michelle (our museum guide) who shared her knowledge and expertise on stamps with us and for bringing us through an enriching session of hands-on activity to deepen our understanding of the different racial and cultural groups living in Singapore.

Some of the children had the opportunity to wear ethnic costumes and handle some less known instruments.

Our Indian family, celebrating Deepavali.

Our Eurasian community, celebrating Christmas.

Our Chinese family, with their crashing cymbal!
Our Malay family, complete with the songkok and hand drum.

Others had to piece together cut-up versions of local stamps depicting Singaporeans celebrating National Day. One group, in particular, affixed their jigsaw pieces so neatly that Ms Michelle praised them for having the best-finished product that she had seen from schools thus far. You have done your class proud!

The group that won the accolade for the perfectly fitted stamp (thunderous applause, please)

(from left) Shaun, Xin Yi, Dao Xuan, Rachel (from left) Aaron, Dave, Bryan (from left) Yong Ray, Grace, Anna

(from left) Jun Kiat, Shermin, Jeanne, Nigel

Finally, the children had some time to browse the different sections of the museum at their own pace.

It didn't take the boys long to discover the DC Superheroes exhibit.

They played 'postman'...

And even warmed the seat of the postal motorcycle...

The children got acquainted with the Penny Black, the first adhesive postage stamp of the world produced by the Great Britain and most of them expressed an interest in taking up 'philately' as a hobby after the trip to the museum. It was a smashing success!