Skills Training, 26 August 2019

Hello Guides!

For this week’s 集合, there were 2 activities: Photo taking and ATC’19 Precamp Lecture. 

Photo Taking

After having Attire Check, we headed to the Foyer to take Yearbook photos! We had a formal photo as well as a few fun shots, including poses such as indicating our Batch number with our hands (eg. 51st Batch) and our patrol pose. We also got to see our Year 4 seniors that had passed down in June. :) 

ATC'19 Precamp Lecture

Next, it was ATC’19 Precamp Lecture. This marks the beginning of the Guides’ ATC’19 journey and preparation. Information such as logistics and Patrol Allocations were given. For the Year 1s, this would be their very first ATC, while it would be time for the Year 2s to step up and lead during their second ATC. The theme for this year’s ATC is Asterism, while the tagline is: United We Shine. Due to CCA Stand Down until examinations are over, we will begin ATC preparations later in the year.

We hope everyone is excited and ready for ATC’19 Preparations!

Published by:

Heather 

51st Batch Secretary

Skills Training, 23 August 2019

Hello Guides!

This week’s 集合 was a little different, as the Year 1s were excused and the Year 2s only attended the later half of the 集合. With only the Year 3 batch present for the first half of the 集合, we decided to complete Batch PT!

Batch PT

As it had been some time since the Year 3 batch had Batch PT, we were excited and glad that we were able to spend some time with one another. We were to complete as many circuits of the following PT as possible in 30 minutes with water breaks between each circuit:

1 length of Lunges

1 length of Crab Walk

30 Buddha Claps

2 minute 站马

20 Jumping Jacks

1 round of running

Reflection from a Year 3:

During Batch PT, we completed a total of 3 circuits in 30 minutes with 1.5 minute water breaks in between. As it had been quite a while since we had Batch PT together, we took this opportunity to gain some stamina. Although the PT was tough and tiring, my batch mates and I were able to get through it with encouragement from one another. Even though we could not cheer loudly due to ongoing examinations, the cheers kept us motivated and allows us to keep going. We often 等人 to ensure no one was left behind and that we completed each activity together. In all, Batch PT was an experience that bonded us and I am glad to have had my batch mates beside me during this PT, like they have been throughout my Guiding journey.

Charades

Next, the Year 3s played a game of Charades, where we had to act out random words for others to guess. Each Year 3 had a chance to act out a word for the others, and we had much fun trying to guess. Ms Chang, our Guider, even acted out a few words for us to guess!

Broken Telephone

Lastly, the Year 3s played broken telephone! We were split into 2 groups with an equal number of Guides on each team, and tried to relay a message to one another until it reached the last person. The team with the most number of messages relayed accurately would win. We had a lot of fun trying to pass the message to one another without the words changing, and it really bonded us as a batch!

Alien Invasion

When the Year 2s joined us for 集合, the ICs explained the storyline of the game, where some of the Year 3s were to chase the Year 2s around as “aliens” and in order to return to their patrols, they needed to answer questions such as: When is World Thinking Day? The objective was to find post-its with clues written on them and solve them in order to decode a phrase that would save them and end the game. The phrase was “Teamwork makes dreams work”. The patrols who had been caught by “aliens” the most number of times would have to perform a forfeit which was to dance and sing to Maboleh and Chek Chek Goleh.

Reflection from a Year 2:

For Friday's 集合, we had a relaxing and fun-filled session of post-it hunt which contained questions for us to answer.  The questions were mainly guides-related and tricky but interesting riddles which had us cracking our brains. The activity had helped us bond as a batch as it required us to work together as a 团 in order to find all the post-its in time. Furthermore, it had helped us revisit our guides knowledge. Together as a 团, we shared the codes for the different levels where the different post-its were located. It was also challenging as the zombies, who were the Year 3s, were roaming around the different levels, which made it difficult to reach the next post-its without being caught. After sharing the information among the 团, we have managed to gather majority of the letters needed to crack the code. It was "Teamwork Makes Dreams Work" which was the main learning point of the whole activity. I have enjoyed the activity and am grateful as it has helped me and my batchmates de-stress from the upcoming EOYs and Weighted Assignments.

I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and bonded with one another!

Published by:

Heather 

51st Batch Secretary

Patrol Activity, 19 August 2019

Hi Guides!

These are some of the reflections from the Year 2s about the Patrol Activity.

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 1:

For Patrol Activity, we had to think of a structure which could protect at least half our patrol members from poisonous snakes in the storyline. Before the activity started, we were allowed to go around GSL Level 1 and 2 to search for post-it notes which represented questions that we had to answer in exchange for extra logistics within a given timing. At first, it was hard to look out for the post-it notes as it was well-hidden from our eyes. After a thorough search, we were only able to find 7 out of the 10 post-it notes that were hidden. After time was up, we went to 集合 and handed the post-its over to our Year 3s. It was fun as we got to answer tricky riddles and do tongue-twisters. After answering all the questions given to us, we were able to take 3 extra logistics which would be used to build our shelter from snakes. We were given 35 minutes to build a creative structure. During the 35 minutes, we were careless and unobservant, which led to our logistics and manpower being kapped. However, there was a slight improvement from our last Patrol Activity as we had managed to successfully complete our structure without 过时 -ing. Furthermore, our Y1s had stepped up more and were slightly more confident in their lashes. They have also took up the initiative to 报时 and cheer, which has increased our patrol morales. From the activity, I have learnt the benefits of using our surroundings. We were able to shelter every Year 1 and Year 2 in P1 from the "snakes", which was a good thing. From the activity, my patrol batch mates and I have realised our weaknesses in terms of lashes and we hope to be able to work on it and improve ourselves from there.

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 2:

During Patrol Activity, we were tasked to build a Kitchen Table with 40 minutes. It was my 2nd time building a Kitchen Table and the 1st time we built it, we 过时 terribly and did not complete the structure. I was nervous at first that we would disappoint the seniors again. However, our patrol worked pretty efficiently as compared to last time and the Year 1s were more initiated too. Although we faced some difficulties at the start and had to ask for time extension, we still managed to 起 a stable tripod without having it 飞脚. Although we did not meet the standard timing of a Kitchen Table, we managed to successfully complete a kind of standard Kitchen Table before the end of Patrol Activity. I was glad and proud to see the Year 1s constantly improving, more remarkably tying lashes faster and more standardly. Towards the end of 集合, the Year 3 seniors also bought drinks for each and everyone of us to celebrate the last Patrol Activity of the term.

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 3:

For Patrol Activity, we did Fireman's Ladder (FML) and played Capture the Flag. After building the FML we tried it one by one and I thought it was a really exciting experience because we got to overcome our fear and trust our patrol mates more when attempting it. It was a little intimidating and scary at first but it turned out to be pretty fun. Then we played Capture the Flag, where we split into two teams and were given some time to make a structure and plan out our defense. We were given a roll of masking tape to hide and protect from the other team and when the game started, we split up to attack the other base and defend ours at the same time. It was really fun and we played a few rounds. After the first two rounds, we started working together better and started formulating strategies. It turned out to be a patrol-bonding experience and a really fun Patrol Activity.

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 4:

This week’s Patrol Activity was a rather special one as we got to combine with P6. The first activity was to build a Kitchen Shelter. I feel like this activity helped me a lot because it allowed me to familiarise with the building of a Kitchen Shelter and also take note that it should be facing the wind direction so that it will not kua. I also learnt more about allocating manpower and the importance of communication. The 2nd small activity was to name how to build a particular structure. I got the opportunity to teach a Year 1 how to build a Fire Altar and also at the same time revised how to build one. After that, it was station games combined with building a shoe rack. We split up into 2 groups. As a Year 1 was not here, I had to work in a group of 1. From this activity, I learnt how to build a Shoe Rack and also tie my lashes tighter. All in all, I feel that this 集合 has really allowed me to further familiarise with the structures and the procedures to build them, as well as the precautions needed.

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 5:

During Patrol Activity, we did creative gadgeting for the first 45 minutes. We had to come up with a structure in order to hold our cutlery, utensils as well as to have a chopping corner. Our patrol came up with a structure and completed it within the given time. although we had one 飞脚 , I think the overall structure was quite well done and our lashes were tight. For the rest of the Patrol Activity, we played some games. The first game was where we had to balance a bottled can on a strand of dry pasta with two people holding it in their mouths, and turn one round while squatting. Even though, none of us in the patrol manage to complete it, we had a lot of fun. Last but not least, we played charades. We all had a chance to go up twice to act out what word was given to us to the other patrol members and it definitely strengthened our bond.

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 6:

For this Monday’s Patrol Activity, we did pioneering and played station games. First, we built a Kitchen Shelter for pioneering, and learnt that we don’t need to 起 the 青木 first and we should 打进 the main guidelines first. For station games, I had a little difficulty trying to answer questions. First we were told to treat a fractured collarbone, and I did not know to tie an elevated sling, since I was not familiar with the steps. We were also asked to describe the steps for treating lacerations, which I did not know either. It showed how I was not familiar enough with the Guides notes, and I will try my best to familiarize myself with it if possible. That also includes the Guides code. All in all, I feel like I am not very good at remembering procedures and steps, whether it is building structures or FA, Guides code etc. I think it is important to remember such procedures, or it would be a big problem to me during ATC and PLTC. In overall, I will need to try remembering the procedures, and improve my hard skills too.

I hope that everyone had a fun time with their patrol and bonded with one another!

Published by:

Heather

51st Batch Secretary

Skills Training, 16 August 2019

Hello Guides!

For this week’s 集合, we had Batch PT (Physical Training), built Patrol Flag Poles, and also completed a 团 activity!

Circuit PT

After mass changing into the PT Kit, the Year 1s and Year 2s headed to different locations for Batch PT. Each batch was tasked to complete Circuit PT.

The Year 1s were to do as many circuits of the following PT exercises as possible within 25 minutes:

- 1 length of lunges

- Running 1 round around the level

- 20 burpees

- 2 minute leg raise

- 20 jumping jacks

The Year 2s were given the same amount of time, but slightly different PT to complete:

- 1 length of lunges

- 1 minute pumping position

- 1 length of crab walk

- 20 burpees

Both batches had a 1 minute water break after every circuit was completed. In addition, they also had to set their own goals for the number of circuits they aimed to complete. This allowed them to set a target for themselves but also allowed them to think realistically.

Reflection from a Year 1:

It was a new experience as we did not have this activity in the past. We were confused in the beginning as there were no Year 2s to lead us. Therefore we had to take the initiative to step up to lead the group. There was a little confusion and miscommunication at first due to us being unsure of what to do. However we managed to solve it by ensuring that everyone was clear on the instructions before continuing the activity.  Throughout the activity, we were rushing through the exercises as we needed to complete the amount of circuit we set for ourselves which made some of us forget to 等人 and having the senior to constantly remind us to do so. I feel that we didn’t look out for one another much as we were too focused on completing the task. Besides that we learnt to look out for one another and 照顾好人 as we are a batch. However, I also observed some of us took the initiative to cheer and 报时 although it required some prompting in the beginning. The cheering also helped to boost the batch morale. Overall, although some things required some reminders from the Year 3s, there was an improvement from over the months since we joined Guides.

Reflection from a Year 2:

We had Batch PT and we were to complete as many circuits as possible. We were to do 1 length of lunges, 20 burpees, 1 min pumping position, 1 length of crabwalk and run 1 round around the block. We were unable to complete more than 2 circuits under the given timing as we had not undergone PT sessions for a long time. Through this, we realised that we should improve on our stamina as we had difficulty completing the PT and took a long time. However, PT felt less stressful as we got to do it as a batch, cheering as a batch has increased our morale and distracted us from feeling tired. From that, I have also realised the benefits of cheering as it has made us feel happier while we cheered one another on, encouraging one another. On the other hand, I realised that we had to work on our sense of urgency as the PT could have been completed faster. Overall, this session of PT has indeed brought our batch closer and trained our stamina.

Building of Flag Pole

After both batches had completed their Circuit PT, the Year 1s and Year 2s mass changed out of their PT Kit and into their PE Attire for the next activity, the building of their Patrol Flag Poles!

Each patrol built their Flag Poles at the D Area. This helped to better prepare the Guides for Annual Training Camp (ATC) as they practiced how to build the Flag Poles. It helped improve their sense of urgency and allow them to work together as a patrol. Year 2s could learn to step up and lead the patrol. 

Reflection from a Year 2:

On Friday's 集合, we were tasked to build a Flag Pole. When collecting logistics, our patrol had forgotten to take a rubber mallet. Luckily, Patrol 1 took an extra one and were kind enough to lend it to us. As we had tied a Flag Pole in a previous Patrol Activity planned by our seniors, we were somewhat familiar with the structure and managed to get it up in the end. As the mud was too dry, our 银锭 kept falling out despite countless times of trying and even resorted to adding water to the mud. While building the structure, we should have been more aware of our surroundings and 照顾好人和东西 to prevent our manpower and logistics from being kapped.

团 Activity

Lastly, the Guides had a 团 activity, where each patrol had to retrieve a different number of logistics, and come together as a 团 to ensure each patrol can build an identical structure within 35 minutes. Every 5 minutes, 1 Guide from every patrol could see what the proposal diagram of the structure looked like. 

Reflection from a Year 1:

During the 团 activity, we moved really slowly and 过时 often. This reminded me of the importance of working faster and together to be more efficient and to really 报时 more to keep track of time so that we could ask for time extension before the time is up. I also learnt how to build a new structure which is a flag pole. The Year 2s explained a lot to us so that we could learn how to build it. I also once again managed to practice tying my lashes so that I can improve on it and hopefully, I can tie faster and tighter in future and apply this skill when building structures.

Reflection from a Year 2:

During 集合, one of the activities we had to complete was a 团 activity. We had to build a structure which has to be standardised to a certain patrol. As each patrol was given a different amount of logistics, we had to move around to other patrols which had more logistics than us and this share it with them. In my opinion, it was very messy as many of us did not know which patrol has more logistics and we were all over the place. Furthermore, each person in the patrol had to go up to the IC to look at the diagram given for 40 seconds. This also tested our communication skills with our patrol as well as with the 团 because we had to tell them which 木 has to be place where and what 木 to be used. Thus, I think that we should all step up more and increase the spirit between our 团  by working together instead of just within our patrols.

I hope everyone learnt something and bonded with their batch during the 集合. Rest well!

Published by:

Heather

51st Batch Secretary

Patrol Activity, 05 August 2019

Hello Guides!

Here are some of the reflections from patrol members on this week’s Patrol Activity!

Reflection from a Year 1 of Patrol 1:

I feel that the second Patrol Activity has been very meaningful as I got to brush up on my knowledge on building an Emergency Shelter and Baggage Rack. I have realised the importance of time management and how we should plan our time well in order to be able to complete all the tasks given. I have also learnt that although we have to fully utilise our manpower, we should not split ourselves into too many groups and try to do too many things at once. This has caused us to only have 2 people building the Emergency Shelter at first. This resulted in us not having enough time to complete it on time. In addition, as we did not plan from the start, we could not complete the Baggage Rack in time as well. I hope to have more Patrol Activities similar to this in the future so I will get used to the ways and methods we can adapt in order to meet the standard timings.

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 1: 

For Patrol Activity, we had to perform basic first-aid on patrol members and then build 3 structures - a dome tent, an Emergency Shelter and finally a Baggage Rack. As we were slightly confident in our first-aid knowledge, we got over the first-aid activity quickly. After that, we had to decide on the order of which structure we were supposed to build first. The main purpose of the activity was teach us the importance of setting our priorities straight and also coach us on the importance of manpower allocation. However, we decided to attempt to build all 3 structures at the same time. We have made an assumption that each structure had enough manpower to build it. On the other hand, we have also realised that we have brought down an uncompleted dome tent down for the activity and thus faced difficulty setting it up. We have also spent over 20 minutes to build a simple emergency shelter, which was disappointing as the standard timing for an emergency shelter was 3 minutes. I hope to learn from my mistakes and cut down the timing for building a emergency shelter as the 20 minutes wasted was unacceptable. The results of spending 20 minutes on a simple emergency shelter led to there not being enough time for us to complete a proper baggage rack. This could have been avoided. On the bright side, I was heartened to know that my Year 1s are starting to take the initiative to ask us, the Year 2s, on what they could do to contribute to the building process. Overall, the patrol activity was fun and very fulfilling and I have learnt a lot from the activity.

Reflection from a Year 1 of Patrol 2:

On Monday, we had Patrol Activity and the first thing we did was for the year 2s to teach the year 1s about the compass and pacings. Since our patrol's compass was spoilt we used Patrol 3's compass. I think it was quite fun learning about the compass and pacings but 1 thing was that the part we were supposed to turn that was on the outer side of the compass was very hard to turn. Then we played a game that involved trekking signs and the compass pacings. We had to collect blue post-its along the way to figure out how to save 1 of our patrol members that were going to ‘die’ in half an hour based on the storyline. After that we went to a classroom to collect pink post its and solve them together with the blue ones. There were many things suddenly happening and we had to multitask but in the end we could not successfully multitask and solve all the post its. We also did not know how to build a catapult properly. I think this was a good activity as I learnt many things.

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 2:

During the Patrol Activity, we used our compass and our knowledge on trekking signs to find clues on post it, which lead to solve a keyword. After successfully solving the riddles, we went ahead to the next activity. During this activity, we had to multitask. We had to build a catapult, find riddles, solve riddles and carry out first aid in the same time. We had trouble prioritising our tasks and allocating our manpower. In the end, we did not solve all the riddles and built a wrong catapult which could not work. We should have solve the riddles while building structures. After that, we had broken telephone and patrol corner. I was happy that our Year 1s tried to cheer during broken telephone and end up laughing at the funny answers we gave. It was an enriching Patrol Activity.

Reflection from a Year 1 of Patrol 3:

Monday’s Patrol Activity was pretty fun as we were challenged to build a house with one person leading the team. I got to test my lash skills and although they can meet the timings, I still think they need work as my clove hitches come out sometimes. I think that the lash that needs the most work is the quadpod as whole tying my 木 kept on falling down and my clove hitch kept on falling out as it was not tight enough. Overall, I enjoyed the Patrol Activity and hope to have more like this one :)

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 3:

For PA, we had lash training and creative gadgeting. We were paired off to practise our lashes, square lash, diagonal lash, tripod and quadpod. The Year 3s gave us feedback and advice which I found very helpful and I got to practise lashes I haven't used in a while. After polishing our lashes skills, we looked for post-its with riddles that held clues for the structure we would be building out of gadget poles. We ended up building a house which was basically a cube connected to a triangular prism. One thing we could have improved on was planning the structure better because we made the cube too big and had to send someone to 团部 to get longer 木 for diagonals.

Reflection from a Year 1 of Patrol 4:

I personally found this week’s Patrol Activity very meaningful. From the lash training, I got to recap on the various lashes that I have learnt in guides. After the Year 3s gave me feedback on my lashes, I was clear of the mistakes that I have made in it and I was able to correct myself and tie a better lash. Before building the Baggage Rack, I was slightly unclear as of how to build it. However, after this Patrol Activity, I am confident that I can build a good Baggage Rack.

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 4:

For the previous Patrol Activity, we did lash training and built a Baggage Rack. We revised the various knots and lashes and I feel that we should meet up with the Year 1s on Friday morning more often to improve their lashes and ours, to familiarise them with the lashes and make them tighter, especially tripod, netting and rafting. For the Baggage Rack, I think that we need to remember and familiarise ourselves with standard structures because we were not very sure about the structure. We can allocate manpower better and work faster. in the end, our structure was shaky because our diagonals were not tied correctly. the A-架 were not opened equally and some of the lashes were loose. I feel that we should have looked at the big picture and be more responsible by looking out for others, instead of focusing on our own work, because everyone needs to work together for the Baggage Rack to work.

Reflection from a Year 1 of Patrol 5:

Firstly, we went around the MRL to look for post-its and we had to answer the questions on them. I was happy that we managed to solve most of them. Thereafter, we used the logistics that we got for each correct answer to do creative gadgeting. The item had to be symbolic of us Guides. We decided to make a representation of a campfire as we felt that it is representative of our Guides spirit. For this activity, I feel that we did well in terms of being aware of our surroundings when the Year 3s tried to kap our logistics and manpower. I also feel that our lashes were tight and we also did not 过时. However, we could have made use of more of our logistics as we had a lot of leftover logistics after building the 'campfire'. I also learnt the importance of communication as some people could not move and some could not speak. Hence, if we did not communicate beforehand, we may not have been able to complete the structure.

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 5:

During Patrol Activity, we started off by having to find post-its around the mrl. The post-its had guides questions on them and we were supposed to get the right answer in order to obtain the logistics we needed. I think my patrol did well on this activity as we managed to answer most of the questions. After collecting all the logistics we have earned, we were supposed to do creative gadgeting which represents guides. My patrol built a campfire as it represents the Guiding spirit. Most of our lashes were tight and we did not 过时, however I feel that we should continue to 报时 more often and have constant cheering. Everyone except the assigned Patrol Leader and Patrol Second had ‘disabilities’ putting them at a disadvantage but we managed to communicate well and get our structure up. Hence, I found this Patrol Activity very fun and we all have learnt something from it.

Reflection from a Year 1 of Patrol 6:

For creative gadgeting, it was difficult to come up with the structure as we were not familiar with the standard structure. This made it a little challenging to attempt to come up with a new structure on the spot. And due to the limitations (some of us were unable to do certain tasks) , we took a longer time to complete one lash or had to sit at the side to 报时. Although it was Patrol Activity, we had to 照顾好人和东西. 2 Year 2s and a Year 1 were kapped as they were separated from the patrol. Through this experience, we learnt to stick closer to each other as well as to be more focused on the task in order to finish the structure within the time given.

Reflection from a Year 2 of Patrol 6:
We had combined Patrol Activity this week. I realized how much I was lacking in speed and hard skills. During the first part, we were told to search for post-its and answer questions that have most of its answers from the guides notes. I was pretty quiet, probably because I am not very familiarized with the Guides notes yet. I recognize most of the content, but I am unable to answer the questions. The second part was creative gadgeting, where we were to create a structure representing guides. I felt like I did not participate enough, and was too focused on preventing the seniors from kapping the logistics. This led to us being unable to complete a good structure (it was very basic). Then we had Captains Ball which was really fun, even though it only lasted a while. The last we had was patrol corner, and i got useful feedback from the seniors. I guess it really is important to improve my skills, or it would be hard to do a good job in everything.

We hope everyone had fun!

Published by:

Heather 

51st Batch Secretary