I just wrote a letter to Ministry of Education and also my younger son’s secondary school querying the rationale of siting a school hall above ground level.
In my younger son’s case, the school hall was located on the fourth floor. During the first week of January 2011, I attended his orientation finale at his newly enrolled Secondary School in Choa Chu Kang vicinity.
During their finale, the entire cohort of Secondary One students were stomping and stamping their feet in rhythm to their song and dances. This was perfectly alright and welcoming. But what was worrisome was that even though we, parents were sitting on plastic chairs, we could clearly feel the ground vibrating quite strongly as they entire Secondary One cohorts stomped their feet as they attempt to sing in unison.
My question to MOE, is the rationale to construct the school hall above ground level. Imagine the if the entire school students and teachers were to assembled there, including the Secondary Two, Three, Four and Normal stream students. If they were to jump up and down in unison, this would generate a far greater force and load” that was possibly not even catered, planned or anticipated for. The resonance and vibrations generated could lead to immense stress to the supporting beam below.
Worst still, as the hall does not have any vertical supporting beams in the centre, the attenuation force would be able to resonate even far greater. It may be a relatively new school but I wonder how long can this structure keep up if the mass gathering including jumping and stomping activities. It can also pose a danger to those classrooms below the elevated school hall like falling pieces of cracked concrete, not to mention a possible total collapse during mass gatherings of maybe 2,000 students and teachers.
School hall should simply be used as a hall for large assembly but maybe for minor gymnasium activities like badminton, volley ball with not more than 100 people jumping up and down vigorously. But definitely not too good for 2,000 people stomping simultaneously and rhythmically ! Good Grief!
Anyway, I am sure this is not the only school putting their school hall above ground level. Perhaps there is a good rationale for it and I would appreciate if engineers can enlighten me.
Parents should make an effort to attend their children orientation, at the very least, not only to show support to their kids and also to appreciate the school facilities and learning that they would be taught over the next few years.
I saw that the principal, teachers and students were great and sincerely hope that the foundation would continue to support their fine effort. Cheers!
Take Care
Mikey
Shananarocks Again! 