It all came together from September 4 to 6, when more than 100 students hit the stage for memorable performances of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic set in Thailand, with its rousing songs and choreographed dances.

'There were a lot of challenges but I was really moved by all the effort students put in to make it work,' production manager Kitty Ting said.

'I thought everyone was very professional.'

Clementi Secondary School

The Clementi Secondary School 2009 Variety Show was held on September 3 in the school hall. The show was the climax of weeks of rehearsals over the summer months and an opportunity for many of the school's students to showcase their skills in front of special guests, schoolmates and teachers.

The show opened with the school harmonica team performing the William Tell Overture and Trumpet Voluntary. The principal then gave a warm welcoming speech, followed by the chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association, Yeung Sai-man.

The show that followed featured several songs from the musical The Sound of Music by the school orchestra, which was conducted by Ng Chun-yin, a former student at Clementi.

There were Putonghua and Cantonese poetry readings, and a short drama. One of the best-received numbers of the afternoon was Tribe by the School Dance Troupe.

Aplichau Kaifong Primary School

As always, Aplichau Kaifong Primary School understands that a pleasurable learning environment enhances learning and teaching. So the school has been organising once-a-month birthday parties for pupils born in that month.

Normally, pupils born in September get the least in the way of celebrations due to the new school term or due to Primary One pupils' unfamiliarity with other new students. But Aplichau went ahead and hosted a birthday party anyway.

The pupils born in September gathered in the school hall one afternoon, and were greeted by a big birthday cake and lots of fresh fruit. Each birthday boy and girl received a custom-designed birthday card and a birthday present. In addition, they were given a fresh fruit instead of a customary 'red-cooked egg' in the hope of encouraging them to eat more fruit. When they got their presents, the pupils laughed with joy and sang Happy Birthday, before cutting the birthday cake.

They shared the cake around and chatted with the teachers.

They all agreed the birthday party was memorable, and made them feel the school really loves and cares about them.

Now they can't wait for next September to come around.