We are family

We are family

Sorry Sofina, but it's not a list

Despite its brief, impractical existence, flowers are still passionately popular as a gift for fellow man. Yellow roses to express appreciation of friendship; Red for relationships more complex and treasured. White carnations to show sympathy and sorrow for a great loss. Lilies to celebrate the ascension from an institution of education. Holly to remind us that the annual, loved yuletide season draws close (if the annoying commercials haven't done that already). Despite its brief, impractical existence, the impact of a flower grows beyond its physical and temporal presence. After a good flower withers and exits our view, the effect of its reassuring message and alluring beauty remains within our consciousness.

My very first experience with a principal had been embarrassingly awkward. I stood in my primary school's general office, being there for the first time. Stretching myself to peer over the counter to convey my needs to the clerk was already a struggle, and I did not notice as the then-principal entered the office till she was two steps away. Suddenly aware of her regal, haughty (and thus somewhat creepy) appearance, I spun around to face her and gave an instinctive bow. The action I had already got down pat, but being a primary one student I could not stop myself before the wrong word had left my mouth.

"Hello," was what my voice had managed to choke out. A mistake. She gave a little sympathetic smile, and even as I straightened my back my head did not do the same. "In such an occasion, it would be more appropriate to give a 'Good afternoon, Miss [Censored for my own safety. Take that, online irresponsibility!]'". I stammered out another thank you, and breathed in relief as she ended the distressing encounter and walked away. I tried my very best to avoid her after that.

The lesson caught in my mind, and proper greetings were something that I made sure I did not screw up whenever I meet a teacher or a principal.

6 years later, I made it into Dunman High. The memory still haunted me, and I took extra care to note the appearance of our Principal, Mr Sng, when he went to the podium and spoke to the school. Several weeks later, it paid off, as I found myself walking towards the direction he was coming from. I carefully executed the proper formalities - stop, bow, and give a simple "Good afternoon." I gave myself a mental pat on the back, and was about to be on my way when my mind was blown away - Mr Sng gave a smile, waved and said "Hello, afternoon!" with the warmth of a mid-day sun.

I repeat for emphasis - My mind was blown away. He continued on his way, but I couldn't locate my head to sufficiently garner the same smoothness in pace. Since when did principals say hello?

That was when I started to learn what a principal Mr Sng is. His presence over the years has always been appreciated under all circumstances, all situations, all people. It is an understatement to say that he is well respected by students - an ironically rare characteristic that principals achieve. The short speeches he gives to us at the start of every term are a testament to his perception of himself to the school; There are no marks statistics, no "rules" that they have to enforce upon us, no singling out students who have not been satisfactory in conduct. He reminds us to care for others in not using the lift, he convinces us to work hard for our own sakes, and he lets us know that the school still cares for us as we continue to care for it. Mr Sng is more clear than any of us what Dunman High is - family.

This is the principal that students rave about to their friends in other schools. This is the principal that when you take a photo with him, you gloat about it on facebook (looking at you, JJ). This is the principal that has a fan group of over a thousand members. This is the principal that stops to say hi whenever you say hi to him. This is the principal that says hi even if you're not sure how to greet him. This is the principal that helps to carry chairs after a campfire ends at 9pm. This is the principal of Dunman High. Like I've said - What a principal.

So all that's left to say is to bid a farewell. The parting is every bit as important as the greeting. Close guy friends would just give each other a pat, nod and smirk, but it may be too informal for such an occasion. Close girl friends would exchange a note, a present, 593 messages, a blogpost in dedication and crying faces, but I doubt that's the best tone to end off with. Then there's "May the force be with you" or "Live long and prosper" for the sci-fi fans, but they aren't exactly appropriate. "Have a good one", "" and "IF YOU GO I SWEAR I'LL JUMP!!!" are great in their own right, but still too nonchalant, too cold, and way too creepily desperate.

Thus it is best that we all say our own personal goodbyes to him in our own personal ways, be it through a message, a letter or a wallpost. But perhaps the most important message of all is this - Dunman High is family. Dunman High is love.