With a string of top prizes from national competitions, it's hard to believe that the school's Lion Dance CCA only began in 2002. For two years running, the troupe has bagged the top spot for primary schools in the prestigious Ngee Ann City National Lion Dance Championships. Even more impressive is the fact that in 2008, the pupils were ranked 24th out of 54 lion dance troupes across all categories, edging out many more seasoned performers.

Building strength and character

Despite its Chinese roots, the CCA has managed to forge cultural bridges across the school's multi-ethnic community. Past cohorts had included Malay pupils who pranced alongside their Chinese schoolmates. Currently, the CCA counts a Filipino boy, Florida Jared Austin Cayabyab, as one of its members.

Drumming up excitment in sync with the lion's heartbeat.

Asked why he chose to take up lion dancing, Austin replies, "I was curious about this CCA and thought it was interesting." The Pri 5 pupil adds that he does not feel out of place as all instructions given by the coach are in English.

It's a demanding CCA, but there are no auditions to pass if a pupil is keen - a convincing show of commitment and interest is the key criteria. The CCA consists of only 15 members, so every applicant is well aware that the troupe will undergo months of rigorous training and each member is expected to fulfil his or her role to the fullest. A qualified coach coordinates the troupe's choreography and supervises the pupils as they practice.

"It's a CCA that builds the pupils' character and teaches them resilience and teamwork," says Ms Quek Sr Ling, teacher-in-charge. "At the same time, they learn about the cultural aspects of the sport, such as the different forms of lion dance and the cultural significance of these differences."

Safety first

Lion dance involves acrobatics such as choreographed leaps and standing on your partner's shoulders to mimic a rearing lion. But are young pupils equipped to handle such stunts without injuring themselves? As Austin states, "My parents were quite worried about safety at first." So how does the troupe ensure that risks are minimised all the time?

Lion dancers rehearsing a new stunt.

Safety precautions are taken seriously. "The coach and teachers select pupils for the stunts with much care, based on their readiness," explains Ms Quek, adding that this is possible due to the troupe "having a dedicated coach who has been with us since the CCA began."

The coach is thus familiar with the strengths of every team member and assesses each pupil for readiness before allowing him or her to perform more complicated stunts.

According to Ms Quek, the troupe has seen no major incidents. "We've had some minor falls in the past," she says, "But we have put in place standard operating procedures in case of emergencies."

Let me show you how it's done.

Mental strength and discipline are also essential elements that contribute to a successful performance. The coach plays a vital role - as Ms Quek explains, "He helps the pupils to feel assured, confident and motivated."

The team captain, Ian Tan, is also responsible for keeping things under control and in good order. "I help to ensure discipline and encourage members to show respect for the coaches, teachers and seniors at all times," says the Pri 5 pupil.

Next year, the troupe plans to perform on the eve of Chinese New Year as part of the school's celebrations to usher in the Year of the Tiger. There are also plans to increase their involvement in the nearby community. And of course, the entire team is gearing up to train hard and maintain their status as one of Singapore's top primary school lion dance troupes!