On 27 Aug 1996, I asked my wife Fey Shien to accompany me on a visit to my primary school. I had been travelling past the school on the MRT everyday on my way to work. And I was curious how the school looks like now. It has been more than 10 years since I stepped into the compound.
The previous time I went in was in the late 1980s. I had cycled there. Bah Tan Road was empty of the houses that once lined the road. The Primary 3 block was about to be demolished. The classroom wall partition were almost torned down. Anyway, I still explored a bit and managed to find little souvenirs like library cards and pockets at the Primary 2 block. It was feeling a bit quiet and eerie so I left. It was after I left that I thought I should have made a rubbing of the stone plaque that said when the school was open and by whom. I wondered who kept that piece of stone?
Back to the story. I hurried my wife that evening. For I wish to capture some pictures before it gets too dark.
When we reached the Sembawang MRT, I took a picture from the station. The place looked cleaner than I last saw it. I also noticed that there were only two main buildings left. The Primary 1 and 2 blocks. And both have been converted to the Swami Home for the Aged Sick. At least the school has been put to good use and not demolished yet.
As I entered the home from the main gate, I noticed that the book shop still stood there. I fondly remembered myself buying stationery from the shopkeeper through the window. I asked Fey Shien to pose for me so I can take a few pictures to make a montage as shown here. If you look closely, you can imagine that the MRT is standing exactly where the basketball court, canteen and the Primary 3 block once occupied.
Everything was neat and quiet inside. The old folks were resting in the
rooms. I asked Fey Shien to take a few pictures of myself standing outside
the office onced used by our Principal, Mr Goh Hiap Suan (sp?). National Day
was just over so they still had the flag flying.
As I looked around, I noticed
the weather vane was still there - minus the cockerel (or was it an arrow?).
Interesting that thing was still there. I bet it's not working right now. I
used to look at it while queueing up for class outside. I remembered also
playing one-leg just outside the principal's office. It was so much
fun.
It was getting darker and we don't wish to disturb the old folks. So we left. Outside, I found that the shophouses still stood there. We used to buy our sweets, have our prata and tea. But now it catered to the construction workers.
I returned a year later in Dec 1997. But sadly, to see the school demolished. The last remnant of the school has disappeared. The only markers left were the trees. I picked out several tall palm trees that once stood beside the badminton court. This time I didn't even get down to take a closer look. I just snapped some photos through the MRT windows.
Update 29 Oct 2008: With satellite technology, we can see that part of the school field is still around near the Sembawang MRT.