Hey Guides!

We had our first obstacle journey, A.K.A. OJ, for the first time this year. It was a first for the Year 1s who recently joined guides and a good exposure for them. OJ covers many of the skills that we learn in guides and it was a time for the Year 2s and 3s to revise their skills as well. It also includes games unique to guides; games that often have a purpose behind them. 

Below is a recount and reflection of a fellow guide on the OJ: 

 

For OJ, we had 5 stations in total. The stations were: 1) Pavilion at 正心园2) PLTC campsite 3) 4H/I classrooms 4) Red tile area 5) Parade square

Our theme for OJ was collecting eggs! :D Pavilion at正心园- we had to cross the electric fence with all our belongings as a patrol, and it was rather difficult as if one touched the string more than 3 times, one would have to restart. We mainly commando crawled over and did "zhan ma" once we got over to the other side. This station made us exercise caution as we would in a real case scenario. The other part of this station was fire lighting, where we had to start a fire and sustain it with our kindling in order to boil the water in the kettle. It was a good eye opener for the new Year 1s and we let them have a try at blowing the fire too.

The station at the PLTC campsite consisted of 2 parts. Firstly, we had to tie a rope ladder and use short spars in order to climb from the staircase down to where there was a mattress waiting. Our mission was to transport all patrol members and belongings down, but due to a lack of time, we failed. However, we still kept our patrol morale high! Following that activity, we then had to proceed to build emergency shelters to keep our "eggs", which were newspaper balls, "warm". For the year ones, it was a learning of a new skill whereas for the year 2s and 3s, it was a refresh of memory and good practice.

The 3rd station was testing us on our skills of knowing how to handle a gas room situation, and "夜里行军" which means patrol members need to be blindfolded. For the gas room, we had to stand to one side when opening the door, in order to ensure that any dangerous objects that fell out would not hit us. When in there, we had to find the switch to off the gas and open up all the windows and doors. After that, we proceeded to another classroom for "夜里行军". The patrol had to blindfold their eyes and go through it while on the way, the PL and PS who weren't blindfolded picked up eggs. After that was PT, which consisted of a short circuit that we had to do, that included planking, pumping, running and jumping jacks. I feel that this PT helped us to bond as a patrol more and everyone persevered. Though it was hard for the year 1s, they made it through.

For the 4th station, we had to build a roman chariot and carry one person on it while we went around picking up eggs. The difficulties we faced were the lack of time and hence when we carried up the roman chariot, we had to hold on tightly to the knots as some were not tight enough. After that we were tested on our First Aid skills, which included us bandaging up a "casualty". Our FAK was taken during that station and it was terrible as it was a first aid station. A flask flood occurred after that and we had to shift all our things up the stairs. We carried the casualty up by hand as we did not think of building a stretcher, which was kind of foolish. However, it was great fun!

Last but not least the fifth station, we were given 2 paths where only one person from each person could run along and we were supposed to reach the other team's side first with all our belongings too. One path was to test us on our guides skills, and if we answered the questions correctly, we could proceed if not we had to turn back. It was really fun, but we had to learn to take care of our belongings better.

We <3 guides!!

Thinking Day 2012

Hello guides,


Happy Thinking Day! Yesterday, girls worldwide celebrated Thinking Day, a very important day to us, together. It is the birthday of both Lord Baden Powell and Lady Baden Powell; the founders of scouts and guides respectively. On this day, the girl guides of Dunman High School put on our uniform for the day, and greeted fellow guides, in a way unique to us, when we see each other along the way.

For this year, the theme is Girls Worldwide Say “We Can Save Our Planet”, which is based on the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goal 7, which focuses on environmental sustainability. All over the world, guides have activities based on the theme, and it is a powerful movement that shows how we can make a difference and help to save our planet.

Over the next few days, guides in DHS will be exchanging gifts amongst our patrol. It is a time honored tradition in which each batch will prepare gifts for the others. The gifts are mostly handmade, sometimes accompanied by a note card with all our well wishes. The value of each gift would definitely be more than the sum of its parts, and it is to show our appreciation for each other.

For the year 4s, it will be our last thinking day, so this is especially meaningful. Hold close the memories created and they shall last for a long time. For the year 2s and 3s, do cherish the time you have in guides and enjoy yourselves. For the year 1s, this is a new thing for you. Just remember that it is the sincerity and thought into each gift that counts rather than the price.

Finally, we wish all guides Happy Thinking Day, and let’s all do our part to save our planet!

HAPPY THINKING DAY!

we <3 guides

Hi guides,

Last week, we had a special party to celebrate two things. Firstly, it was a party to welcome the year 1s into our family; secondly, we celebrated Chinese New Year together, once again reenforcing our strong ties to each other. It was truly a unique party where we bought the raw materials and tried our hand at making our own popiah. The following are reflections by 2 of our year 3s on the day's activity. :)

From P7:
For P7's patrol activity on Friday, the year 2s taught the year 1s to tie the square lash and diagonal lash, while the year 3s built a standard baggage rack. The year 2s got to revise their own skills and the year1s learned the basic skills required to build even more complicated gadgets.
For the baggage rack, we wasted a very long time tying the main frames and made quite a lot of mistakes like not tucking in the loose ends of the strings. However, we managed to finish it within 40 minutes. It was quite an accomplishment for us as we only had 2 people to tie.

Afterwards, we had the Popiah Party which was very fun as we got to make our own Popiahs. It was a unique experience for me as I had never made popiah before. The popiahs were really nice and filling and the feedbacks from everyone were really good. After the party, we cleared up and had patrol corner. It was really interesting as we got to know each other better, and bonded more as a patrol.

From P8:
Today, we had a patrol activity where the year 3s and 2s had to build a kitchen dresser and the year 4s taught the year ones how to tie lashes. We were given 45 minutes to tie the kitchen dresser and so we started off by tying two tripods. We had to re-tie one of the tripods as the lash was too loose but luckily we did not face the problem of unequal legs as we had supported it against a flat surface well enough. We then proceeded to measuring the tripod and tying the supports to it. After finishing the two completed tripods, we tied the diagonals below for stability. We realized that time was running out and so we sped up a little. When we wanted to tie the area where we were supposed to do our chopping and miscellaneous stuff, we realized that we needed more gadget poles. After retrieving them, we continued tying and finally got the basic shape there.

However, not only had we exceeded the time limit but we also did not manage to start netting due to our poor time management. We have learnt from this patrol activity that we must make sure all our lashes are tight, logistics all taken and make better usage of our time the next time. The year 4s and 3s proceeded to explaining to the year 1s the usage of the kitchen dresser. Then, we were given three minutes to untie everything and return all the logistics back to the guides’ room. After that, we ran to meet everyone at the canteen to have our Popiah Party.

we <3 guides

A Warm Welcome to All Year Ones!!

Hello Guides,


Last week, we welcomed the next batch of girls to our loving family! The arrival of the year 1s have been anticipated for quite a while, as we all look forward to meeting our new juniors!

Firstly, the year 1s had a short session to learn about this new family, such as what we do, what to expect and look forward to. Then, they were split into their respective patrols and we got to know each other better through numerous games. Next, the patrols went around the stations so as to experience firsthand what happens during Guide meetings. There were the songs we sang, the games we played and the skills we learned.

To all the Year 1s,
Welcome to Guides! We really hope that you will grow to love guiding like we do! It is not just a CCA, but a huge family that will see you through the entire 4 years in junior high. No matter what your choice was, it was fate that had brought you to guides; accept the good with the bad, embrace each lesson learned. Put in your best efforts and attend each meeting with enthusiasm and joy. Do get to know your patrol mates, as they are the ones whom you will spend the most time with; learning and striving together. Lastly, know that your seniors are always there to help you; turn around and we will be behind you!

We <3 guides!

2012

Hey Guides,
All of you girls may be busy preparing for the Chinese New Year or getting used to your new curriculum, but do take some time to appreciate all your friends and family and thank them for all that they have done for you.
It is 2012 now and many of us would be taking on new roles in guides this year. This is a good chance for us to reflect on 2011, think of the mistakes that we made and the dreams that we have achieved. We should learn from them and improve ourselves mentally and physically. Do set some goals for 2012 and work hard to achieve them!

To the year 2s, this year you girls will be receiving the year 1s and you will have to teach them many guiding skills and introduce them to guides. You girls will be their direct batch of seniors and set a good example for them to follow. We trust that you girls have the potential to develop them well and unleash their potential. Furthermore, take this chance to lead your juniors too and improve your guiding skills. And don't worry, your seniors will always be there to guide you! :)

To the year 3s, year 3 life in guides is one of the most exciting year and you will experience many things that you might not have before. This is a year for you girls to step up and take the initiative to lead your juniors. There will be many chances for you girls to shine during this year and take the opportunity to develop your potential. Guide your juniors throughout their guiding life too and we are sure that you girls will not let us down! All the best in everything! :)

To the year 4s, Girl Guides has definitely been a great and enriching experience for all of us and we are going to look back and smile at the memories. This year is going to be hectic but we will go through it as a batch! Jiayou year 4s! :)

“Other people may be there to help us, teach us, guide us along our path, but the lesson to be learned is always ours.”

 

 Love guides <3