Corporate Development
NIE Staff Lunch 2012
By Staff Welfare and Recreation Fund Committee 2011/2012
Dr Thomas Browne discusses monkey business with the Emcee
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| Final touches on airbrushed tattoos | Caricature drawings for a great momento |
The NIE Staff Lunch 2012 was anything but boring on 11 February 2012 at the Grand Mandarin Ballroom. The theme “NIE Goes to the Movies!” transformed the venue into a colourful masquerade of Hollywood “stars” by staff of National Institute of Education (NIE). They arrived in their favourite movie themed characters for a Saturday afternoon packed with exciting activities – games, performances and awards, just to name a few.
Dressed to the nines on the red carpet, guests who arrived early received Early Bird Gifts, proving to be an incentive with three to choose from – thumb-drive, shopping vouchers or movie vouchers – some arrived as early as 10 in the morning. Others found the draw of the pre-event activity booths irresistible with the offering of glamour photos, faux hair extensions, airbrushed tattoos, silhouette cutting and caricature portraits.
Making a “James Bond” worthy entrance was our very own NIE Director, Professor Lee Sing Kong, who was flanked by two beautiful “Bond Girls” complete with fake weapons and black outfits. With a protection detail of two swanky bodyguards and action characters as well to save him from a mock attack onstage, Prof Lee kept his “007” cool as he stepped onto the platform. After his welcome address, Prof Lee presented the Long Service awards to recipients in order of years 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35. Adding to the 20-year category of recipients was Prof Lee who also received his own award for long service.
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Buffet lunch was a highlight too with scrumptious offerings such as Mandarin Hotel’s popular local delights. The ballroom was divided into two teams for games and labelled Antarctica and Bigfoot. Associate Professor Maureen Neihart from Psychological Studies Academic Group was the team captain for the former and the latter was led by Dr Thomas Browne from the Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group. The two captains were great examples for the teams as they were dressed as the lead characters from popular movies “Happy Feet” and “King Kong”. For being good sports and great mascots, they each won the “Most Uniquely Dressed Actress and Actor”.
In particular, nine were nominated and invited onto the stage to get into character in a twenty-second jig to clinch the Best Dressed Male and Female awards. Based on the applause from the floor, Mr Christopher Foo (GPL) and Ms Julisa Sulaiman (PESS) were crowned “Award Winning Action Hero” and “Award Winning Femme Fatale” respectively. Four “Best Dressed Tables” were also spotted and given due recognition for their efforts in dressing up. Their characters were inspired by movies and theme like, “The Flintstones”, “Bollywood”, “The Expendables” and “Harry Potter”. The Staff Welfare and Recreation Fund Committee members received positive feedback that the event was great fun.
The Committee wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation to all for making NIE Goes to the Movies a swinging success.