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ZRTU2D    -! F 2                                                                                               Z  Z    * % .2M*  +     2




      Topping-Up                       Z   . - 2                                                                                                      Z -   2D    -! F 2
      Ceremony of                                                                                 Topping-Up
      BBN baseball                                                                                Ceremony in Oslo,
      stadium, USA,                                                                               Norway in 1959                                                  Z   . - 2
      2017



                                                  By Amanda Tan,
                                                   Cha Min Kyung
















            What is a topping-up ceremony?                                                                                                A childhood memory of mine awakens          classes, which were previously limited due to

                                                                                                                                   with the story “A Bundle of Sticks,”  which        space and equipment constraints.
                   Coming from Asian culture that                                                                                  teaches us  that a difficulty  faced  alone can
            emphasises on having auspicious days, feng                                                                             be easily overcome with unity. In the same                The Co-Curriculum Activities Centre,
            shui and symbolism in architecture, having                                                                             way, a single organisation, such as the school     established  behind the Administration Block,
            topping-up ceremonies among the common                                                                                 administration,  carrying the  financial burden    is expected  to be officially opened  by the
            folks as a marking of the completion  of a                                                                             for the construction of a building could be        end of the year. It has been constructed with
            building's structure or reaching its highest point    Topping-Up Ceremony cum Mid Autumn                               overwhelming. However, the unity between           adherence  to the regulations and conditions
            is  no surprise.  However, did you  know that         Celebration 2019 Bukit Bantayan Residences                                                        various organisations and the enthusiasm of   of The Construction Industry  Development
            there are topping-up ceremonies in the Western                                                                         all CHKL students made it possible to raise the    Board    (CIDB)     to   ensure    sustainable
            cultures as well? Apparently, the construction            In contrast, Eastern cultures, particularly                  once seemingly unattainable amount required        development. Additionally, many laboratories
            of a building has always been an important         in countries like China and Japan, have their                       to complete the Co-Curriculum  Activities          and auditoriums may be relocated to the Co-
            reason to celebrate throughout the world in        unique ways of marking this construction                            Centre, an amount that increased significantly     Curriculum Activities Centre, where most sports
            history.                                           milestone. In China, the ceremony is deeply                         due to the Covid-19 pandemic and inflation         activities will now be held. This relocation will
                                                               rooted in feng shui principles and often includes                   in the following years. Ultimately, it was the     free up plenty of space, offering an excellent
                   In Western cultures, particularly in the    rituals to appease spirits and ensure good                          cooperation among communities that unlocked        opportunity to accommodate a thousand more
            United States and Europe, the topping-up           fortune for the building and its occupants. These                   the path to this remarkable achievement.           students each year,  giving greater hope  to
            ceremony often involves placing a tree or a leafy   rituals might involve the burning of incense, the                                                                     students who are one step away from enrolling
            branch at the top of the building. This tradition   lighting of firecrackers, and the offering of food                        Be prepared to be  amazed. The rise         and beginning their new chapter in life at
            has its roots in ancient Scandinavian customs,     and wine to deities. Red banners and lanterns,                      in funds also facilitated the expansion of the     Chong Hwa Independent High School.
            symbolising  growth, good luck,  and the safe      symbolising prosperity and happiness, are                           Co-Curriculum  Activities Centre, which now
            completion  of the building's basic structure.     commonly displayed. Despite these differences,                      spans 20,000 square metres. This increase in              None of this would have been possible
            The ceremony typically includes speeches by        the essence  of the topping out ceremony in                         size allowed for the installation of new facilities,   without the extraordinary spirit of Chong
            key stakeholders, such as architects, builders,    both Eastern and Western cultures remains a                         including an Olympic-sized swimming pool,          Hwa Ren — the beating heart of our school
            and clients, and sometimes even a celebratory      celebration of  progress  and achievement in                        a basketball court, a ping pong court, and a       community. It was truly inspiring to witness how
            meal or refreshments for the workers. The event    the construction process. It underscores the                        gymnasium. These additions will likely lead to     the entire Chong Hwa Independent High School
            is both a morale booster for the construction      universal  human desire to mark significant                         changes in the variety of Physical Education       family came together as one: our dedicated staff
            team and a public relations opportunity for the    milestones with rituals that invoke protection,                                                                        and teachers, passionate students, supportive
            project developers.                                prosperity, and communal joy, albeit expressed
                                                               through culturally distinct practices.
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