Hello guides.

On Tuesday 16th of March, the year 3s had their rockclimbing course. The year 3s took the rockclimbing course level 1 and we were to report at 8.00am sharp in school. The bus took off shortly after everyone has reached and very soon, we arrived at Safra Yishun, the place whereby we actually got the chance to scale a 25m high rock wall!

The year 3s and 4s were separated next to their own courses. Year 4s learnt abseiling, while the year 3s went into a room to learn more about the basic theories of rock-climbing. The instructors Azmi, Osman and Sophia taught us the basic knot we had to tie for the person climbing, and it was the double figure of 8. We were also introduced to terms like "climbing commands", belaying, and also learnt the correct method of belaying using the 5 steps.

We also had a chance to learnt the physics of how a carabiner works and how at different parts of the professional climbing carabiner can affect the load carried. For example, the heaviest the carabiner can hold is 25kg max. Shortly after approximately 2hours of theory sessions, it was finally time for a little practical.

Everyone gathered at the 25m beginners wall and tried belaying with the guide of our instructors. The instructors made sure everyone till the correct methods of belaying before our fellow guides could actually scale the wall as safety is extremely important in this case. After everyone had tried, we went for a 1hour lunch and reported back at 1pm.

We were finally allowed to scale the rock wall and were all applying the skills we had learnt for us to successfully climb! All of us attempted at least once and some of us made it quite high, we cheered each other on and gave each other support. In all, it had been a meaningful day for all of us as we had all learn something new :)

On Tuesday, the year twos, year threes and year fours went for some enrichment courses. The year fours went to SAFRA Yishun country club for an abseiling course.

We were greeted with a familiar face once we reached the country club. The instructor taking us for abseiling was the same instructor who taught us rock-climbing :) As the equipments and techniques used in abseiling were similar to rock climbing, the instructors let us practice the most basic skill in rock-climbing and abseiling -- belaying. This was a good revision for us, as many forgot how to belay. Belaying ensures the safety of the person doing rock-climbing and abseiling. After practicing belaying and doing a bit of rock-climbing, we proceeded to do abseiling.

Abseiling was quite different from rock-climbing. In rock-climbing, belaying was done by the partner of the climbing. In abseiling, however, belaying was done by the person abseiling. We have the belay to slowly drop ourselves lower. On the first try, many of us could not overcome the initial fear of dropping ourselves down the wall before abseiling. However, once we managed to drop ourselves down, we found abseiling rather relaxing and enjoyable. Everyone got to experience abseiling twice before lunch.

After lunch, we continued to learn a higher level abseiling skill. We had to lock the equipment and hang ourselves in midair for at least 5 seconds. It was difficult to lock the equipment as it require a certain amount of strength. Also, we had to hold the string tight to prevent ourselves from slipping down slowly. Many of us could not pass at the first attempt, but managed to do it after practice.

Overall, abseiling was a very new and unique experience for us. It was not a common sport that we will get to try in our daily lives. It not only tested our courage, but also showed us the importance of cheering each other on when we face a challenge.

Love guides! :D

Hello guides :D

Yesterday, we built gadgets and had PT during jihe.

As usual, we jihe-ed outside general science lab at 2.45pm. After taking attendance, we were given 7 minutes to take the mu we needed for our gadgets from tuan bu. We jihe-ed back at the general science lab and broke off to build our gadgets. For my patrol, we built an easel. Even though we managed to finish it just in time, it was not very stable and the knots were not very tight too. After that, we had evaluation and saw other patrols' gadgets. Other patrols' gadgets were very creative as well, such as P2's broom and dustpan, P6's music stand and table, and P8's swing. We learned that we should have a rough idea of how we are going to build the gadgets, and the different things to take note of when building them. Every knot should be tight so the gadget will be stable.

Then, we had 20minutes of patrol corner, bonding with our patrol. Following that, we had PT with our batch. The year 1s had their PT for the first time! For year 2s, we ran up to the fifth floor. We did our warm-up and started PT. While the rest ding boys' style pumping position, 3 pairs will go up and do wheel burrow along the corridor, crab walk and do 15 pumping before running back to join the rest. We changed position after we managed to ding boys' style pumping position without anyone falling out for 2minutes after quite some time. Each time one person fall, we had to restart. We changed to leg raise and after quite a while we tried our best not to fall as we know everyone is doing with us even if we were all very tired. We tried to do proper leg raise for 2minutes. However after many attempts, we could not hold there for 2 minutes. After the seniors reduced to 1 minute, we managed to hold there and got up. We did sit-ups and jumping jacks before running up and down. After a few round, we ran to the balcony on the 4th floor and did cool-down exercise. Also, we did kallang wave pumping with our seniors and we definitely enjoyed it. I had a sense of achievement as I felt that I really pia-ed till the end.

Through this jihe, I learned that we must not give up and fall out just because we are tired. As everyone is doing the same thing as what we are doing.

Love Guides! :)

Hello guides :)

Yesterday, we had jihe and skills training. We tied our creative gadgets and had physical training.

Firstly, we were given 7 minutes per company to chou mu. We did not asked for time extension so it could be considered as a good start. Next, every patrol went on to tie their creative gadgets their year 3s designed previously. We were given 50 minutes and we were supposed to use this time to teach the years 1s on the lashes and gadget uses. At first, most of us were so anxious in tying the gadget that we forgot to teach the year 1s. It was only after the year 4s reminded us then we realised our mistake. Luckily it was not too late and we managed to teach the year 1s some stuffs such as netting and diagonal lash. Jiayou!

We learnt that when tying the dingjiao, 2 person must tie at both sides to balance the mu and prevent it from getting loose. This requires teamwork and coordination as from this, we learnt that one person will not be able to tie tightly with the other side hanging loosely. We also learnt that as the purpose of netting is to be able to put something on it, thus if the spaces between each netting is too big, the things may just drop into the space. Hence, we have to minimise the spaces. All patrols managed to complete our gadgets within the stipulated time, so good job.

Then, we had different patrols to explain their creative gadgets to us. We learnt many new ways and ideas through this exchange of ideas.

One lesson most patrols learnt is the construction of quadrapod. We learnt that the tying part is just the same as that of the tripod, just that 4 mus are used instead of 3. When opening the quadrapod, its crossing between the 1st and 3rd mus as well as the 2nd and 4th mus. This is very important to prevent feijiao. Not forgetting the lesson we learnt almost every week that is teamwork. Without teamwork, the gadget could not have been constructed only by a pair of hands. Without teamwork, the gadget would not be as successful as it turned out to be. Without teamwork, the gadget would not have been done in such a short time. Thus, teamwork is very important and we have to bear this in mind that together, we make things happen.

After that, we had patrol corner and we chai-ed and keep the mus back. For the remaining time, we taught our year 1s some basic guides rules and pumpings.

Lastly, we had physical training by level. For the year 3s, they ran many rounds up and down the junior high block and ding some positions in between. I feel that we can improve next time by caring more for our jie mates. There were large gaps between some of us when we were running and we should have told the people in front to slow down but we did not, thus we should think more of others and care for them. We have to always bear this in mind as this not only applies to guiding but our school motto- To Care. We work as one and run together, so if there are gaps in between, it does not reflect well on our unity, hence we have to show more concern to others, not leaving anyone out, so we can bond together more as a jie, as a company.

We are sure that after this day, we had learnt more, bonded more and cared more, therefore wishing better achievements in future activities!

Love guides!

Yesterday, we had initiatives and dragon boating during our jihe :)

Jihe-d at 830, then broke off for inter-patrol games. We had four different ball games, namely soccer, floorball, captain's ball and netball. We competed against different patrols and took turns playing the different sports. Through this, we definitely bonded more with our patrol. Teamwork is especially important in sports, although strategising also played a relatively important role. Im sure everyone had a lot of fun, cheering on for their respective patrols, celebrating over victories and encouraging each other when they lost. Overall, P4 attained first, P5 & P6 tied for second place. However, i believe that everyone played their best and positions do not matter, for we reaped morals such as teamwork from it.

After a delicious lunch of chicken rice, we then proceeded to Kallang Water Sports centre for dragon boating. We were split into five boats, and were assigned two instructors each. A safety briefing, life buoyancy vests, a paddle, and we were all set to go! First we practiced rowing in the water, and learnt how to co-ordinate. After mastering the basic four commands, we then had fun in the water, playing tug-of-war and going around splashing at other patrol's boats :p Our session ended with a race between the five boats, where teamwork and co-ordination played a huge role. Once again, this helped us to build up our communication between not only our patrol, but with others in the same boat as us. Before we knew it, our time in the water was up and we had to return back to shore.

Overall, im sure all of us learnt something from yesterday's jihe - teamwork. This does not apply only in sports, but also in our everyday lives, and of course, guides. With teamwork, we can achieve greater, we can achieve so much more :)

TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More. There is never an 'i' in teamwork. Its only together with your patrol/jie, that you can overcome all the obstacles in guides.