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 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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