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23 February 2024

WAGGGS Activity, 23 February 2024

 Hello Guides!

Today, the Year 1s and Year 2s did badgework in their patrols, while the Year 3s did WAGGGS Activities.

Badgework:

For badgework, the Year 1s and Year 2s completed the Speaker Badge, Entertainer Badge and Basket-Maker Badge.

Reflection from a Year 1 in P3:

Our CCA session on 23rd February was my first badgework in Guides. We had badgework with the Year 2s, and we were tasked to do crafts, a performance, and a speaking activity. For crafts, we weaved some baskets with newspapers. During this activity, I found it quite difficult to weave the basket as the instructional video provided was very fast and our newspapers were too thin to weave without it tearing. However, with the help of the Year 2s, we were able to finish weaving two baskets within the time given. Next, for the performance, my patrol performed two songs, Roar by Katy Perry and Fight Song by Rachel Platten. It was quite scary to sing in front of everyone there, but the Year 2s sang confidently and we had a successful performance. Other patrols performed other songs and skits. Lastly, for the speaking activity, we had to have a conversation with one of the Guiders. For us Year 1s, it was Ms Chang. This conversation included a short reading-aloud passage. It was similar to an Oral examination. It was quite fun talking to Ms Chang as she was very friendly throughout the activity. She asked about some current affairs and I had some trouble answering the questions as I am not well versed on this subject, but with her help and guidance, we were able to have a nice and informative conversation. Overall, my first badgework was very fun and I was able to learn a lot from it. I also earned three badges and had the chance to bond with the Year 2 seniors. It was very calm and free of stress compared to the normal 集合 sessions we have. All in all, I enjoyed this badgework activity and I am looking forward to the next one!

Reflection from a Year 1 in P5:

During CCA on 23 February, my batchmates and I made a basket in order to earn our craft badge. As it was my first time weaving a basket, I was very excited yet nervous about how my basket would turn out. For starters, I watched a video tutorial on how to wove the basket. Feeling confident, I thought it was an easy job so I started folding my newspaper to create the base of the basket. However, things did not go as I expected. The newspapers kept moving despite the amount of glue I applied to them and immediately after I started working on my second layer of the base, my newspaper tore which meant I had to start all over again. Frustrated, I decided to take a break by drinking some water. During that period, I reflected on how I could have done better. Indeed, I should have been more careful when handling the thin newspaper and paid more attention to the video. If I had analysed more detailedly, I would have noticed that the different strips of newspaper were supposed to be side by side and not have a huge gap in between them. Tips were even given on how to weave the newspaper more easily. Lucky for me, it was not too late as I still had some time to finish weaving my basket neatly and properly. Overall, I am thankful for this experience for me to learn a new skill - how to weave a basket by using recycled materials, which was more eco-friendly. Although I faced a few challenges, I am glad I was able to overcome them. This was the first badgework activity that I have done with my batchmates and definitely enjoyed it. 

Reflection from a Year 2 in P4:

During Badgework, the Year 1s and Year 2s got a chance to perform together and accomplish our given task, which was to make baskets with recycled materials. It was quite an eye-opener for the Year 1s as they got the opportunity to expose themselves to creative craft as it requires creativity and adaptability to make something out of the materials they brought along. It also taught us the importance of recycling, about how such simple actions could contribute to being eco-friendly. We had a lot of fun creating baskets of different types, for example, woven baskets. Even though some of us did not know how to weave, we taught each other new skills and all of us learnt something new. We also forged stronger bonds with each other while making the crafts and planning the performance such as making jokes and planning what songs to sing. We had a good time together and realized how much joy we could bring to each other. We got to know our Year 1s better and they got to know us better too. The performance was picked by our different tastes and preferences merged into one and it was a very enriching experience for us that I think we should cherish. We also completed the Speaker Badge in which we were required to read out a passage and answer some questions relating to general knowledge. It helps us to be more vocal and confident in speaking. The question also helps us understand more about the Singapore Budget and I realized that I have been missing out on this vast topic, thus it is a reminder to read the news and understand our country better. I believe that badgework really brought about many benefits to us, be it fostering bonds with each other, learning a new skill, or widening our perspectives and knowledge.

Reflection from a Year 2 in P6:

Badgework was a good experience for us to bond together as a batch and become closer and more familiar with the Year 1s. For badgework, there was the basketmaker badge, the speaker badge, and the performance badge. For the basketmaker badge, it was a good opportunity for us to interact with one another in the patrol. We could help one another to make the basket so that we would be able to finish the basket on time. The speaker badge allowed us to learn more about current events and things that are happening not only in Singapore but also around the world. We were able to check if we were informed enough about the things happening in other countries. This is also important as it helps us to step out of our comfort zone more and interact with other people by keeping them engaged for three minutes, helping us build our confidence and speaking skills. The performance badge was a good opportunity to bond more with one another. We had to decide what to perform and as we were picking, we were able to learn more about one another’s preferences and dislikes. By performing in front of other people, we were able to step out of our comfort zones again and have fun together performing in front of others. It also allowed us to be more relaxed and comfortable with one another. In conclusion, badgework was a beneficial and fun experience for us as it helped us to bond and grow closer to one another.





WAGGGS Activity:

Aligned to the theme "Our World, Our Thriving Future", the Year 3s completed a few activites that widened their insights related to environmental issues. 

Reflection from a Year 3 in P1:

On Friday, the Year 3s engaged in games and discussions related to the World Thinking Day theme – mostly emphasising environmental sustainability. For instance, we played a plastic sorting game that involved shuttle runs between 2 points in a race to sort various types of plastics into their corresponding piles. Plastic is a common material, and this activity served as a reminder that many items in our everyday lives can be easily recycled instead of thrown away. ‘Technology’ was later introduced to the gameplay, where each person could carry 2 articles of plastic with them to be sorted with each shuttle run instead of the initial 1. As a result, the whole process was much faster than before. This was an analogy for the efficiency that technology brings to us in terms of recycling, demonstrating a significant positive effect of our relentless pursuit of technology on the environment. However, advanced programmes and machinery have cons as well, and we were tasked to list both the benefits and detriments of technological developments. During this portion, I believe we could have been more focused on the subject of discussion instead of ricocheting into multiple tangents that ultimately distracted us from the crux of the conversation. Other than that, many of us were able to provide various insights that expanded our understanding of technology and its impact on the environment. Hence, it was still a rather fruitful discussion. Afterward, we were tasked to each draw an image representing our projected visions of a thriving future before combining them into a collective artwork depicting our hopes for a sustainable future. As a group, we arranged the sheets of paper together before drawing a big globe – such that each sheet had one portion of ‘Earth’ to fill in. The result consisted of drawings that delineated environmental sustainability in various industries such as food and education. Overall, this was an insightful and fun session.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P5:

We spent WAGGGS doing a variety of games that have to do with Our World, Our Thriving Future which calls us to center our focus on the environment and gender equality. We played two games, one of which was sorting out plastic according to its type and also making drawings that encapsulate the sustainable future we want. First, we were split into three groups consisting of two patrols each, and P5 was partnered with P6. We were then each given a piece of plastic that was labelled either PPE, PP, PVC, or PET. We had to race with other groups to reach the final line, sort our plastic by its type, and then run back before the next person could go, like a relay. We had to go more than once. Then, the next round was for us to each put two down at one go without sorting the plastics, so we each only had to run once. This was to teach us about the difference between technology and by hand, whereby hand was slower and more tiring, yet we could sort the plastics for recycling and reusing according to their different properties and types. On the other hand, the technology simulation was much faster and completed with less effort but was unable to be sorted out accordingly for proper recycling. Upon reflection, we proposed that both technology and the ability to sort out the plastic be implemented for the plastics to be sorted out faster and accurately. The next game was the drawing game. In each group, we were supposed to draw according to a reference picture but add more sustainable and interactive drawings that we want to see in the future that we call home. My group was tasked to draw a neighbourhood with many trees, animals, and people. We were given 6 different papers and were supposed to do the drawings individually with different aspects each, but then link it all together afterward. I learnt the essence of teamwork, innovativity, and most importantly, the importance of a sustainable future, which our future generation would have to live in the world we create due to our actions of today. We have to be more careful of our actions and not hurt the environment.



Hope everyone learnt something new and bonded well with their patrolmates and batchmates today!

Published by:
Chin Yan Tong
55届 Secretary

16 February 2024

Skills Training, 16 February 2024

 Hi Guides!

On 16 February, we had contingent practice, in order to prepare for the World Thinking Day contingent that would be held on 26 February. It was the Year 1s' first time doing contingent, and it was also a good opportunity for the Year 2s to Year 4s to revise their contingent skills. 

Reflection from a Year 1 in P4:

On 16 Feb 2024, we Year 1s had our first contingent practice. Two Year 4s taught us the basics of contingent on General Science Lab (GSL) level 2. They explained to us how to do the contingent step by step. For example, firstly, we need to arrange ourselves in a line from tall to tallest, then number ourselves, Satu and Dua. The Year 4s told us our commands and we noticed that all of the commands were in Malay, like “Semula”, which means redo or start again, and “Satu”, which means 1, and “Dua”, which means 2. We learnt a lot that day and got to experience contingent for the first time. We could have been more in sync and neat as a batch while carrying out the contingent, and we can try to remember all the steps quicker and more efficiently next time. It was tiring for us as it was our first session of contingent training but it was fun to learn something new. 

Reflection from a Year 1 in P6: 

I found contingent training very insightful. Since young, I have been watching National Day Parades on television with my parents and I always see Uniformed Groups marching. I used to think it was very simple and did not take much practice to be in sync. However, after trying it for the first time, I realised that that was not the case. Being in sync with my peers is not at all simple and it also takes a lot of brainpower to be able to remember all of the commands. Looking back at that day,  I realised that there are many things I could have done better. For example, remembering the commands better. Even though I was not the timer, I should have tried my best to remember most of the commands. That would have made it much easier for me to keep up during practices. Also, I should have remembered to 对脚 without my peers reminding me. To be honest, the only command that I have to say is still not that clear to me. Now that I have experienced contingent before, I hope that the next time I do it, I will be much better at being in sync, remembering commands, and remembering to constantly 对脚 with the people behind, in front, and next to me.

Reflection from a Year 2 in P1:

During the contingent practice, I was confused at times as I had forgotten many of the commands and often checked with the wrong foot. After a while, the commands began to sink in, especially with clarifications from seniors and those around me. However, I still feel that I should have better familiarised myself with the various procedures before the practice, as this would have allowed the whole session to run more smoothly. I also felt that it was quite messy as we lacked synchronisation, especially during marching. This could have been improved with greater awareness of our execution of the commands, which would have allowed us to make adjustments more readily. When we combined with the Scouts to practice, it was quite confusing as some of the commands were different and we had trouble memorising them in a short time. The Scouts who gave the commands also said them much faster, so we had trouble keeping up at times. In conclusion, I think we could have done better by memorising the commands in advance and paying more attention as the commands were being said.

Reflection from a Year 2 in P2:

On 16 February, we had contingent practice. They first told us to line ourselves up in a line with those who were tall on the left and tallest on the right. After that, we numbered ourselves 'satu' and 'dua'. Then we had to step forward or step back depending on our number. The IC had to check our steps to make sure we checked correctly, with our legs at 90°. After that, we turned either left or right and marched to form 3 rows. I was not sure how to march correctly so I just walked while moving my hands. Thankfully, my batchmate taught me the correct way to march afterward. After a few more commands we reached the "Baris Sediah". When the commander says "Baris", we are supposed to lower our hands. However, it always catches me off-guard so we end up having to redo it multiple times. I learnt to be more aware and pay more attention to the commander. Also, I have to familiarise myself with the commands for future contingents.





Hope everyone gained something valuable from contingent practice, be it hard skills or bonding time with batchmates or patrolmates!

Published by:
Chin Yan Tong
55届 Secretary

2 February 2024

Skills Training, 2 February 2024

 Hello Guides!

On 2 February, we welcomed new Year 1s as new members of our Guides family! While the Year 1s had a welcoming lecture, the Year 2s and Year 3s built indoor fire altars for outdoor cooking, which was followed by lash training cum patrol bonding!

Indoor Fire Altar:

Before the Year 1s joined us for the 集合, the Year 2s and Year 3s built indoor fire altars, to introduce outdoor cooking to the Year 1s when they joined. 

Reflection from a Year 2 in P2:

On 2nd February, we built an indoor fire altar combined with Patrol 1 (P1). After collecting our logistics, we started building it by tying two tripods with three 中长木. While one tripod was being tied, we realised that the other three 中长木 were too different in length, so we had to send someone to take another 中长木. During that time, we tied the 定脚s onto the tripod. After that, we had nothing to do for a while because the 中长木 was taking quite long to come. When the second tripod was tied, we already used 22 minutes, while we were given only 30 minutes, hence I think we could have chosen better 木 to save time and also work on our sense of urgency. We also noticed the second tripod was loose so we had to retie it, taking more time. After both tripods were done, we connected both of them with 长木s. The zinc plate kept falling off the 短木s so we had to move the diagonal 定脚s to make the tripods closer. While doing that, the Year 1s came which was a little awkward because we were in the middle of something but we clapped for them. In the end, we took 37 minutes to finish our indoor fire altars. I felt that we could have had better manpower allocations because there were a lot of zuobos.

Reflection from a Year 2 in P6:

During 集合 on 2 February, we were given 35 minutes to build an Indoor Fire altar. Firstly, we had to go collect the logistics needed for Outdoor Cooking and the 木 to build the Indoor Fire altar. After the collection, we started building the structure. As our patrol combined with Patrol 3, we had more manpower than usual to build the structure. However, through the entire building of the structure, I think that we could have worked better by having a sense of urgency, and we had to ask for time extensions several times. We took very long to get our tripod up because we had to retie the tripod as it was loose, and we had to keep remeasuring and this wasted a lot of time. I think we should have tied it once, and tied it right so that we could have finished the structure earlier. Because we were not as fast, the new Year 1s had to wait for us to finish the structure. In the future, I hope to be more familiar with the structure and work with a better sense of urgency.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P2:

On Friday, we needed to build indoor fire altars before the Year 1s came. Two patrols were supposed to work together to build one fire altar. My patrol was grouped with Patrol 1 (P1). During the building of the indoor fire altar, we were faced with challenges such as not having enough 中长木 to build the tripod for the indoor fire altar. Hence, we had to send someone to get the missing 中长木s that we needed. As a result, it took a very long time to finish the structure. As we worked very slowly, the Year 1s came in the middle of us building the structure. I felt that we should have worked a lot faster by ensuring that we have the right amount of 木s in the future. There were also times that I was zuo boing. Instead of zuo boing, I should have asked my PL or PS if I needed to do anything. I also should have 报时 more to ensure that we are on task. In the end, we managed to finish building the indoor fire altar and we all felt accomplished.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P6:

Last Friday, we welcomed the new Year 1s and before that, we had to build an Indoor Fire Altar. My patrol merged with Patrol 3 to complete the task. Both the tripod lashes were not very tight, which was a problem because it could lead to the structure collapsing. However, we managed to solve the problem by tying two square lashes above the looser tripod lash to secure it. We learnt from our mistake and tied the other lashes better and tighter. In the end, we managed to finish building our Indoor Fire Altar with a bit of time left so we allocated manpower to other groups to help them finish their Indoor Fire Altar. We could have 照顾好人,照顾好东西 better as a few logistics got kapped. Our sense of urgency could have also been improved as we had to ask for a few time extensions before we managed to finish the structure.






Lash Training:

After the new Year 1s joined their respective patrols, we did lash training to introduce them to what we do in Guides, and to help them familiarise themselves with their patrol.

Reflection from a Year 2 in P1:

During last Friday's 集合, we welcomed the new Year 1s in. When they came, we had Lash Training with them and taught them how to tie square lashes, diagonal lashes, and A-架s. They learned very quickly, with the Year 1 that I taught being able to tie an A-架 after just one demonstration. My Patrol had 3 new Year 1s, and we got to know them a little better through this Lash Training. Afterward, we had Outdoor Cooking and were able to eat food like sausages, marshmallows and smores! We then had Patrol Corner where we rated the day, with the Year 1s saying that they enjoyed their first CCA session. After this session, I think that I can improve further by tying tighter lashes faster to set a good example for the new Year 1s, as well as to bond with them throughout their time in Guides and continue to make them feel welcome. I hope they learnt a lot through this Lash Training session, and look forward to spending more time with them.

Reflection from a Year 2 in P4:

It was the first 集合 for all of the new Year 1s who joined Guides. After we finished our indoor kitchen altars, we sat down with them to teach them how to tie a square lash and a diagonal lash. First, we showed them the steps to tie the lash that we were teaching them. It was tough at first, as we did not have much experience teaching anyone to tie the lashes. However, we were able to teach them the proper way to tie square and diagonal lashes in the end. It was a good experience for us, as we now know how to better teach them new lashes in the future. Although their lashes were not very tight, it was their first 集合, and we can help them improve their lashes in future co-curricular activity (CCA) sessions and during lash training sessions. I look forward to the next CCA session we will have with our Year 1s so that we can teach them more and get to know them better.

Reflection from a Year 2 in P5:

Last Friday, the new batch of Year 1s came in and I was excited yet nervous at the same time. One of the activities we had prepared for the Y1s was lash training. As it was my first time teaching someone how to tie a lash, I was a little unsure of how to properly teach them. I found myself stepping into the role of a mentor, unsure of how to guide the Year 1s. However, after I looked for my seniors for guidance, I tried my best to explain the lash to my juniors. I taught them the basic structure of the lash to how to 抽 tightly. Despite my initial concerns, I was pleasantly surprised at how fast the Year 1s learnt the lashes! Witnessing their progress, my chest swelled with pride. Through this experience, I learnt how to step up and guide the new Year 1s. I also had a better understanding of patience and communication skills.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P1:

On Friday the Year 1s came in and joined our Patrol. This was a big change for the Year 2s and Year 3s as they had to step up more to lead and teach the new Year 1s. The Year 2s spearheaded the teaching of lashes to the Year 1s. They started off by teaching them how to tie a square lash, with the Year 1s given their own set of 木 and 白绳 to follow along while the Year 2s demonstrated. This allowed them to learn more effectively in an interactive and hands-on manner. Next, the Year 2s taught the Year 1s to tie a diagonal lash. Surprisingly, they managed to learn it quite quickly, contrary to my own experience in Year 1 as I found diagonal lashes very confusing. Finally, the Year 1s were taught how to tie an A-架. This was a harder lash to tie and the Year 1s struggled a little more, but eventually they all managed to tie the lash. At the end of the session, all of them managed to learn how to tie all 3 of these basic lashes, and the Year 2s led this activity for the first time. As a Year 3, I hope to nurture our Year 2s into good leaders and set a role model for our Year 1s as well. I also feel that I could have taken more initiative to speak to our Year 1s in order to make them feel more welcome and comfortable. In future sessions, I will put in my best effort to guide the Year 1s and help them improve.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P2:

Last Friday, the new Year 1s joined us for the very first time. While some of the Year 3s were dealing with the fire for outdoor cooking, the rest of us were doing lash training with the Year 1s. Although the Year 1s managed to learn the lashes extremely well and tie them correctly on the first try, we spent a little too much time teaching them the actual lash, causing us to only manage to teach them square lash and diagonal lash, instead of teaching them square lash, diagonal lash and tripod lash like we were supposed to. We should have worked faster and been more aware of the time instead of talking so much with them. The lash training provided a great bonding experience for us and probably made the entire experience more comfortable for the Year 1s. Overall, lash training was very fun and allowed us to get to know our Year 1s better and be more bonded as a patrol.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P4:

Friday was the first session we, as a 团, had with the new Year 1s! It was really exciting as we were all really curious to find out who all our new juniors would be. As we had hoped, they were all really cute and excited to be part of a new co-curricular activity (CCA). For my patrol, we had three new Year 1s. While the Year 1s had their CCA briefing, the 团 was busy making indoor fire altars. As such, when the Year 1s came, they had the opportunity to experience Outdoor Cooking, the Guides style, for the first time! We had s’mores, maggie noodles, and sausages prepared for them and they seemed to really enjoy it. For lash training, we witnessed the Year 2s attempting to take charge and guide their juniors in tying the new lashes. The way my patrol went about teaching our new juniors the new lashes was that we would demonstrate each of the lashes, before having another Year 2 or Year 3 Guide to help the Year 1s one-on-one to tie the lash. I would say that it was quite a successful session and I am looking forward to teaching my juniors more skills in the future and bonding with them as a patrol!





Hope everyone had fun getting to know each other, and made valuable memories as a patrol!

Published by:
Chin Yan Tong
55届 Secretary

26 January 2024

Skills Training, 26 January 2024

 Hello Guides!

On 26 January, we had the first 集合 of the year. During this 集合, the Year 2s and Year 3s built Kitchen Shelters.

Kitchen Shelter:

As this 集合 was the last CCA session before the new Year 1s came in, the Year 2s and Year 3s built a Kitchen Shelter to ensure that their hard skills were up to standard, so that they could teach the Year 1s. 

Reflection from a Year 2 in P1:

During Friday’s 集合, we were tasked to build a Kitchen Shelter, which was a simple but daunting structure to build. We struggled at first to 起 the structure and only managed to after about 20 minutes. I was tasked to 定 the structure while the others 打进 the arthurs before preparing the guylines to be 抽ed. It was extremely difficult to build the Kitchen Shelter as the wind at the time was extremely strong and caused the Canvas Sheet to billow around and the structure to move a lot. It was especially draining as we had been in the sun for a long time and had to make sure that the structure did not fall. Furthermore, the 麻绳 kept breaking and we had to retie it many times, causing us to 过时 and ask for multiple time extensions. Moreover, the ground was too soft in some regions and caused the Arthurs to come out and our structure to come loose. Overall, while we did manage to complete the Kitchen Shelter at a much-improved speed compared to last year's Annual Training Camp, the structure could not quite stand without someone supporting parts of it. Therefore, we should have paid more attention to various details, such as the angle and distance we used to 打进 the Arthurs, as well as the distance between the Canvas Sheet and the 青木. In the end, I was grateful for the practice and hope to improve in future sessions. 

Reflection from a Year 2 in P3:

Last Friday’s building of the Kitchen Shelter was very productive for me. Before 集合 started, I was a bit nervous about building the Kitchen Shelter (KS) as pioneering is usually very tiring when dealing with the many heavy logistics, especially the 木s. I was thus hoping we would not have to do pioneering, much less have to build KS, which we always struggle to finish on time. However, I tried to remain upbeat under my seniors’ encouragement. When building the Kitchen Shelter, I realised that I had forgotten how to tie some lashes, for example, the timber hitch. But with the help of my batchmates and seniors, I was able to recall how to tie the lash. Another thing I realised when building the Kitchen Shelter was that I did not know most of the steps in building a Kitchen Shelter as I did not read the guides notes beforehand. Through this, I noticed some of the things I needed to make improvements on. From this 集合 onwards, I will make sure to remember to read through the guides notes before coming to CCA to familiarise myself with the different logistics and structures, especially since this year, I am no longer a Year 1, a junior, but a Year 2, and I will be a senior. Overall, building the Kitchen Shelter last Friday was quite a productive session as we were able to build our structures quite quickly with few mistakes. I felt satisfied and glad with the Kitchen Shelter my group had built and I look forward to our next 集合!

Reflection from a Year 2 in P6:

Building the Kitchen Shelter was a good learning experience. While building the Kitchen Shelter we could have 报时ed more often and tucked in the 鸟绳 so that it looked neater if we were not doing anything. We have to keep track of the time and constantly 报时 so that we do not 过时 and the Patrol Leader can ask for a time extension if required. Taking note of protrusion is also important in making the structure look neater. We can also ask the Patrol Leader or Patrol Second if there is anything we can do or check for loose lashes to 重抽. When tying the lashes, we have to hold tension to ensure that our lashes are tight. Besides the tightness of the lashes, we also have to take note of the timing we take to tie each square and diagonal lash. When we 起 the structure we also have to ensure that we 顶 the structure properly so that it does not drop and hit someone. We have to ensure that there are three points of contact, the hand, knee, and foot. We could have also cheered more often, in order to boost morale. Overall, it was a good learning opportunity for us to figure out what soft and hard skills we can improve more on.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P3:

The events of the day unfolded smoothly, making it a commendable attempt to build our Kitchen Shelter (KS), one that I am very proud of our patrols for. Prior to this day, I have never been able to properly finish building a KS within the 1 hour 30 minutes target, so I am now very satisfied and hopeful after successfully doing so. Despite not being Patrol Leader (PL) or Patrol Second (PS), I did all I could to contribute to the structure and grouping, going around teaching the Year 2s 活结 and chatting with them. I also explained to them the function/reasons behind the way we do specific things, explaining to them the things to watch out for when we do a particular step in building, and taking over their role to 顶 the 木 so they can take a water break, trying to keep morale and productivity up. This too was a time for me to recall and re-immerse myself in the KS building procedure, as our PL and PS ran like clockwork, communicating openly and giving instructions timely, I was called upon to do and subsequently supervise the carrying out of duties like to take pacings, 打进 arthurs, and 抽绳. A few drawbacks of the day, however, included: 青木 chosen was Non-Load Bearing (NLB), which made it less than ideal for usage as a supporting 木, 麻绳 chosen for 抽 was of bad quality and hence continuously snapped when we tried to 抽 tightly, canvas sheet had a hole made primarily of duct tape which resulted in it being pulled out when we 起 the structure and the winds blew, and lastly the length of the 红木 chosen being very different which resulted in some of the height of the taller 红木 being wasted. To summarise, I found the whole session quite therapeutic and it gave me more insight into the thought process and attitudes of the Year 2s.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P4:

Patrol 4 (P4) was grouped up with Patrol 2 (P2) for this activity. We have learnt the importance of stepping up to lead our fellow juniors and effective communication. Especially with the new Year 1s coming, we need to be confident to be a role model for the Year 1s to follow. As we are stepping up to become the next 领导层 this year after the annual Passing Down Parade (PDP), we need to have effective communication so as to not only guide just our patrol members, but also the entire 团 together with our other batchmates. Compared to Annual Training Camp (ATC) 2023, we managed to cut our timing by almost half. However, our sense of urgency can still be greatly improved to achieve the standard timing. We have also learnt to choose better 木 as we wasted much time trying to get another 深蓝木 due to it being too short. We also need to be more prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. This could be seen in how we checked our lashes multiple times along with the 麻绳 to prevent lashes from snapping when we 抽. This allowed us to save a lot of time and was a great improvement from ATC 2023.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P5:

This 集合 session was our last one before the new Y1s joined, so we were all hoping to do our best during this session. While collecting our logistics, we struggled a bit to communicate effectively between the different groups of people and ended up taking too many spars. However, after that, we were able to bounce back and recover from the mistake by ensuring someone was communicating with all the different groups of people. We also could have allocated our manpower more effectively as we did not send enough people to 团部, which wasted a lot of time. During the building of the Kitchen Shelter, we had to reposition the canvas sheet many times as we did not lay it out properly the first time, which resulted in us taking longer than expected to 起 the structure. We also could have improved our sense of urgency as many of us were not doing anything at the beginning. However, we managed to recover from our mistakes, and in the end, we managed to complete the Kitchen Shelter with the help of the Y4s. One other challenge we faced was that our 麻绳 kept breaking. In the future, we must make sure to choose good 麻绳 in order to prevent this. All in all, this 集合 session was quite a fruitful and insightful experience and we will make sure to make use of the things we have learnt in future 集合s with the Y1s. 





Hope that everyone learnt something from this experience and is ready to welcome the new Year 1s!

Published by:
Chin Yan Tong
55届 Secretary