Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool is celebrating its 10th anniversary and invites alumni and parents to join in a reunion. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
"Happy Birthday!"
Amidst cheers as the cake was cut, Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool celebrated its 10th anniversary. On 24 August 2024, the school invited alumni and parents to celebrate the special occasion. 80 families made up of 300 students and parents came together at the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre to witness this milestone.
Since its establishment in 2014, Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool has expanded to three campuses in Yishun, Toa Payoh, and Sengkang. During the celebration, preschool alumni performed a drum ensemble rehearsed for nearly three months as a tribute to their alma mater. Parents shared stories of how their children learned independence and good habits at the preschool, expressing gratitude for the school’s dedicated nurturing.
Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) CEO Low Swee Seh (fourth from left), Head of Tzu Chi Mission of Education, Tai Nyeok Moi (second from right), along with board members and management, jointly presided over the cake-cutting ceremony. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
Alumni Gather to Offer Their Blessings
One of the highlights of the celebration was the drum performances by an alumni drum troupe, delivering a dynamic opening and closing performance as a tribute to their alma mater. The 12-member drum troupe aged 9 to 15 began weekly rehearsals three months prior to prepare two specially arranged pieces: Return and Original Aspiration.
The opening piece, Return, symbolised the welcoming of the preschool's old and new friends, celebrating their reunion. The closing piece, Original Aspiration, conveyed the preschool’s unwavering educational philosophy over the past ten years and encouraged graduates to hold onto their original ideals.
With passionate drumbeats, preschool alumni practiced for nearly three months to offer their blessings to their alma mater. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
Years after graduating, both the children and their parents were incredibly excited to reunite. Chee Gin En, now a Secondary 3 student at CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School, was one of the alumni performing in the drum troupe. Enrolled in the preschool's inaugural 2014 cohort, she shared shyly, “Coming back to perform on the drums, seeing my classmates from ten years ago, and meeting the current preschool children brings back memories of my childhood and time in class.”
Chee Gin En reflected, “After many rehearsals, I came to appreciate that this was all to celebrate Tzu Chi’s years of dedication to education and to mark this day together with everyone.” One of the values she has carried from preschool is environmental awareness, which she often shares with her school friends.
Another drum troupe member, Chai Zhi Shan, also a first-cohort graduate, is now in Secondary 3 at Christ Church Secondary School. She initially agreed to join the drum performance for fun, but the repeated practices brought back memories of her preschool days.
Chai Zhi Shan shared, “What I learned at preschool was gratitude, to have a grateful heart toward those around me.” She explained that, for instance, when she sees cleaners at school, she would take the initiative to express her gratitude, as this was instilled in her during her preschool years. “Gratitude has become part of my life and habits,” she said.
Drum troupe members Chee Gin En (left) and Chai Zhi Shan (right) reunite years after graduation. Both are among the preschool’s first graduating class. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
Parents Witness Their Children's Growth and Transformation
The journey of Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool has always relied on the trust and support of parents. Parents are not only participants in the preschool’s development but also witnesses to it. Why did they choose Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool initially? What mutual growth and achievements have they shared with the school over the years?
One parent-child pair sharing their experience included an 11-year-old alumnus, Liang Leqi and his mother, See Yanhong. After graduating from preschool and moving on to primary school, Leqi has retained the excellent habits cultivated during his preschool years. On stage, Yanhong recounted happily, “In preschool, he learned to fold his clothes, wash dishes, and more, which fostered habits of self-organisation and initiative in Leqi. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty, and I feel this resilience is a valuable trait he developed.”
80 families, totaling 300 students and parents, gathered at the Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre to celebrate this ten-year milestone. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
Besides fostering children’s independence in daily tasks, the preschool encourages them to try different vegetables. While most children tend to be picky, especially avoiding bland vegetables, Leqi not only eats various foods but even enjoys vegetables that other kids typically dislike, such as petai (stink beans) and bitter gourd.
Yanhong proudly praised her son, “Not only does he eat everything without fuss, but he also finishes all his food because his teachers taught him not to waste.”
After moving on to primary school, Leqi continues to embrace eco-friendly habits such as avoiding plastic bags and often sorting recyclables on his own. Even when his classmates jokingly call him “karang guni” (rag-and-bone man), he doesn’t mind. Instead, he takes the opportunity to explain the importance of sorting waste and turning recyclables into valuable items.
Yanhong said, "This is the cultivation of moral education in the Great Love Preschool. I am also honoured to share with you that Leqi has been the government's Edusave Scholarship winner every year since first grade."
Both Yanhong’s children graduated from the Great Love Preschool. She said, “Thanks to Great Love Preschool for nurturing my sons. My neighbours also told me that my two sons are very polite to others. I believe this is due to Tzu Chi’s education.”
After his mother’s sharing, Leqi took the microphone and a scribble sheet to share his memories of early childhood education with everyone. He mentioned experiences such as practicing environmental protection and donating to bamboo bank. The most unforgettable thing for him was the Jing Si Aphorisms - "Speak good words, think good thoughts and walk the right path.” He said, “Tzu Chi has taught me a grateful attitude, but I hope everyone can remember these Jing Si Aphorisms. The Jing Si Aphorisms not only make our life better, but also bring happiness to others.”
Parents are participants and witnesses of the development of Great Love Preschool. Parent See Yanhong and her 11-year-old son Liang Leqi took the stage to share their growth after leaving preschool. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
Paying tribute to teachers’ hard work through a skit performance
During the celebration, the skit titled "An Unending Glass of Water" resonated with the audience. The short play portrayed the daily life of a preschool teacher who had such a busy day of work that she did not have time to finish a glass of water. The dedication of early childhood education teachers is not easy.
How many teachers have had a similar experience of "an unending glass of water"? Early childhood education work is known to be tedious and stressful. What makes early childhood educators stay committed to their roles despite the pressure when they encounter difficulties and challenges?
The skit titled "An Unending Glass of Water" resonated with the audience. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
Preschool teachers vividly acting as lively and active preschool children, bringing laughter to the audience. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
Chinese language teacher Guan Rui Xia who has worked at Great Love Preschool for ten years, has always shown her love for early childhood education and her dedication to Tzu Chi through her actions. Rui Xia recalled her initial brief encounter with Tzu Chi and her perseverance to this day. She admitted that difficulties and challenges are inevitable in any job, but she always adheres to the principle of "don't talk too much, just do it".
Teacher Guan Rui Xia specifically mentioned that Tzu Chi’s educational philosophy has given her great support and motivation. She said, “I like this job very much. The leadership’s tolerance and consideration, along with the help and cooperation of my colleagues, make me feel supported so I can simply focus on my work.” Guan Rui Xia’s outlook is simple: she hopes that she and her colleagues stay healthy so they can continue working together.
Chinese teacher Guan Rui Xia (left) has worked at Great Love Preschool for ten years. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
Actively integrating into a warm campus
Teacher Leck Li Wen, who joined in August 2023, is a new member of Great Love Preschool. Reflecting on her first impression of the preschool, she used the word “friendly”. She shared, “Although I was new and unfamiliar, the senior staff warmly offered their support. When working with other teachers, everyone helps each other without fussing over small matters. This environment feels very friendly and warm.”
Li Wen especially loves the word “gratitude” and speaks it from the bottom of her heart each time she says it. She firmly believes that children growing up in such an environment, filled with gratitude and love, will have warmth and care in their hearts.
Teacher Leck Li Wen (right), a new member of the early childhood education center, described her first impression of the early childhood education center as “friendly”. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
Cecil, an English teacher from the Philippines, has been working at Great Love Preschool for four years. This is her first job since coming to Singapore. Compared with her previous work at a kindergarten in the Philippines, Cecil shared that this job has not only allowed her to teach but has also changed her lifestyle.
Cecil explained that she teaches her students to care for animals and be compassionate, and she has started to apply these concepts in her daily life. She began eating less meat, bringing reusable bags when going out, and even got used to bringing reusable cups for buying milk tea. She said humorously, “These changes are interesting to me. Although a bit strange at first, they’re good changes. While I’m not a vegetarian yet, I feel the power of compassion myself.”
Addressing the common remark that salaries in early childhood education may be slightly lower than in other fields, Cecil expressed a different perspective, “Being a teacher is not about making a lot of money, although money is still important. Being a teacher is a passion. It’s a profession of giving and a career about life.” She expressed her gratitude for being able to work at Tzu Chi, saying, “I feel very lucky. My passion is also my source of income, so I am very grateful and will cherish it all the more.”
Preschool children singing and dancing on stage. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
After ten years of nurturing and building a shared future, the Tzu Chi Education Mission is firmly taking root in Singapore. Great Love Preschool emphasizes both moral character and academics, educating children with heart and cultivating talents with hope for society as it crosses this ten-year milestone, moving towards a lasting future.
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