3rd and final term of the school year

Again, I have to document the differences between Japanese junior High schools and Singapore’s Secondary schools.
At the start of every school term, all students and teachers will go to the gymnasium (multipurpose hall) for the speech by the school Principal. All students will carry their chairs from their classroom and bring it down there. There’s even a banner hung up at the stage area that says “3rd school term etc etc”.
After the “vocal warm-up” is done, the school song will be rehearsed, usually twice or thrice; led by the music teacher.
Everything is done in prim and proper fashion. Very formal.
Once the Principal’s speech is over, students will go up to the stage to present some good news like their recent win in the basketball or handball tournament, or other accolades. The principal will be there to congratulate them formally.
Oh, and there’re no lessons on the first day. Whoopedeedoo!
 
In Singapore, the start of a new school term sees students and teachers going back to classrooms, recapping on what has been taught before the term vacation and life just goes on without much of a fanfare.
Oh and lessons starts on the first day. Bummer.
An interesting note: Singapore students in the schools will not carry their chairs from their classrooms to the multipurpose hall. They will all sit on the floor in the hall.
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