Skills Training, 12 August 2024

Hi Guides!

Today the Year 3s did WAGGGS and Year 1s and 2s did Badgework. 

Reflection from a Year 3 in P3 on Fishbowl Activity:

The fishbowl activity went like this: six people sat in a circle while the rest sat around the outside, listening. At any time, observers could jump in by touching a guide's shoulder and swapping places. The 'fishbowl' debated on a provided topic related to healthy food choices and personal nutrition. The 'fishbowl' discussed the topic for five minutes. During this time, each observer has one opportunity to jump into the conversation. In the first round, I was in the circle. I was hit by that mind-fog of being put on the spot, for our debate topic had been a little odd; it was a question, that since 70% of the human body was made out of water, what did the body use all the water for? We bounced from metabolic processes to waste clearing systems, and even talked about internal cell movements (cytoplasmic activity); it was then that the biology students including myself took over the conversation, and it became increasingly less like a debate and more of a brainstorm. People were tapped in and out so quickly that before the 5 minutes were up we had all been inside the fishbowl at least once. It was a new experience for the first round of this activity and we all thought it was fun and interesting. The second round was more engaging. Having gotten a better feel of how the activity should go, we talked more fluidly and the conversation flowed. The second topic was on the necessity of regular checkups, and so we debated on the effectiveness and need for such policies, weighing between regular basic checkups and major healthcare coverage - which to subsidise? Overall it was a very enjoyable, insightful activity. Besides learning more about the different topics, I also gained a new level of insight into my batchmates' beliefs; I would like to do it again, on topics that we were more familiar with and interested in.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P1 on Guess the Food Activity:

During the Guess the Food Activity, we first had to make a list of the ingredients present in our favourite dishes, before taking turns to read them out for others to guess the dish. The objective of this was to make us more conscious of what we consume on a regular basis, allowing us to determine the healthiness of such decisions. We were all able to guess each others’ favourite foods quite easily, and realised all of them included quite high amounts of table salt. Later on, we were taught about the importance of a balanced diet and good nutrition to keep our bodies working well, with a strong immune system. On top of this, we found out that eating a variety of foods is also important, and we should avoid eating the same dishes everyday. An abundance of varied vegetables and fruits is required for a balanced meal, and we noticed a lack of this in some of the foods we had listed. For example, chicken rice usually only contains a meager portion of cucumber slices, which contributes inadequately to a healthy and balanced diet. The high amounts of sodium in many of the dishes we brought up is also a cause for concern, for instance in French fries, known to be very salty. Apart from this, we should always make sure we drink lots of water every day. The consequences of not having good nutrition, which requires us to have 3 balanced meals daily, were also brought to our attention. If we do not receive the nutrients our bodies need, we may get tired and sick easily, possibly suffering from malnutrition. Hence, from the Guess the Food Activity, we were made more aware of whether our current food choices are healthy, and what we should do to improve our nutrition. Overall, it was a very educational and helpful activity.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P4 on Serious Scenarios Activity:

During our batch’s first WAGGGS activity as leaders, we participated in a series of activities centered around the critical issue of malnutrition among girls in countries such as Madagascar, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Tanzania. One of the most impactful activities was the “Serious Scenarios” exercise, where we were tasked with exploring the severe consequences of malnutrition and some of the side effects that come along with this pervasive issue. In this exercise, each group was provided with a scenario to act out, designed to illustrate the real-life challenges faced by girls growing up in malnourished conditions. My group was given a scenario that revolved around a young girl who had grown up malnourished. When she became a mother, her child was born with a weak immune system and iron deficiency. Initially, the scenario appeared somewhat amusing to us, but as we delved into it and began to rehearse our roles, the gravity of the situation became strikingly clear. We were confronted with the harsh reality that many girls around the world face, especially in underdeveloped regions. Through this activity, we learned that iron deficiency, a common issue in malnourished populations, is caused by a lack of essential foods like fish, eggs, and whole grains—foods that are often inaccessible to children in these low-income countries. As a result, these children grow up with severe developmental challenges, both physically and mentally. Moreover, we realised that these issues are compounded by a lack of education. Many of these girls are unaware of the implications of pregnancy and childbirth, leading them to become mothers when they are not fully prepared to support a child. This cycle of malnutrition and poverty continues, perpetuating the struggles faced by these communities. The five minutes we spent assigning roles, discussing how best to portray the scene, and rehearsing it were enlightening. It deepened our understanding of the complexities surrounding malnutrition and the urgent need for global action to address these challenges.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P5 on Family Menu Activity: 

The Family Menu Activity really made me understand the importance of planning a balanced and healthy meal. We split up into 3 groups, with about 4 members each. Through this activity, we had to ensure that we keep to the requirements while planning for a family's 3 meals for a whole week. At first, it had to be just a healthy, tasty yet affordable meal. We had many ideas, starting off with a good Granola Breakfast to a Salad for dinner, but we slowly ran out of ideas as we wanted to give this family we were planning for an interesting and personalised touch to every single meal. We were in a dilemma to balance out the cost of each meals across the day so that relatively more expensive meals are paired up with relatively cheaper ones in the same day, to make it affordable. However, we could not put any cheap meals like Instant Noodles as it is neither nutritious nor healthy. Thus, to strike a balance between affordability, healthy and tasty was what made this activity so thought-provoking and immersive. We realised that it was a difficult task and understood the importance of planning the week's meals out, especially for lower-income households that have to watch their expense while still wanting to provide a healthy and tasty meals for their loved ones. While we almost completed the week's meal plans, we were suddenly interrupted by our ICs - We now had to include iron-rich food as there is a teenage girl in the family! This made the activity even more complicated as we were not as familiar with what nutrients were in different kinds of food, except the bigger categories such as poultry, fish, vegetables, grains, dairy and fruits. Thus, we had to request for some help from people who are more well-versed on this aspect and they told us that iron-rich food included strawberries, watermelon for fruits, whole meal breads for grain, tofu and beans, eggs, chicken and pork for poultry, and spinach and sweet potatoes for vegetables. We then realised that many of these food were already in our planned meals before the side quest so we were glad to add on even more iron-rich food. We then completed the task well with a "Great Job" from our ICs. We are now pleased to say we are ready to plan affordable, healthy and tasty meals for our families.

Reflection from a Year 1 in P6:

On Monday, we had a 集合 where we did badgework. The seniors told us to bring some foolscap paper and recyclable materials for the activity. We quickly assembled for the  集合 and the seniors gave us instructions to go to the 1L classroom to start our badgework. We were all instructed to start the badgework by drawing. We were all supposed to draw still life, a Girl Guides friend or batchmate and our patrol flower, which in this case is a Morning Glory. After about half an hour, we were done with our drawings, the seniors instructed us to write a letter to a teacher or important person to persuade them to talk at a 集合. We were then instructed to build three useful items with at least one knot, or one braid and so on. We had to include a braid or a knot as it is linked to Girl Guides. Through this activity, we learnt to think out of the box and be creative as there are countless possibilities for the structure that we were going to build. I learnt that we each have our own sense of creativity and unique ideas. Everyones’ ideas and finished products were all very interesting. Some of us had built weaved baskets by folding pieces of paper into thin strips and others had baskets with braided handles. I made a Chapteh themed toy made up of a top of a can and also ripped some paper into thin strips and twisted them around to make the “feather” on a Chapteh. I had so much fun and I am sure my batchmates did too!

Reflection from a Year 2 in P4:

The Year 1s and Year 2s were tasked with completing badgework that consist of artistry and writing skills. Before the day of badgework, we were required to prepare recyclable materials and four foolscap papers, as well as essential items for arts and crafts like scissors and glues. The badgework was very fun as it consists of several options one can choose from to draw and write or create. It really gave us an opportunity to put our critical thinking and innovation into action. Firstly, we were given options ranging from drawing still life, your very own patrol flower, a portrait, a creative drawing, and a scenic landscape. Secondly, we were asked to write a formal letter, an essay or a poetry. Last but not least, we must create a usable or ornamental objects using the recyclable materials we possess. Various people have different strengths and abilities and the diversity of options was great to showcase hidden talents of our patrol mates. We were given a limited amount of time to complete all the tasks. At first, we took a long time deciding on which to work on, which is rather time-consuming and unproductive. Thus, we soon realised the time strain and quick work on deciding. We drew our patrol flower, the orchid together and had a whale of time coaching each other to draw various things. Though the subsequent projects are different, we worked together as a patrol and helped each other when in need. One of the Year 1s had difficulty weaving a basket, as one of the task include weaving out of items we brought. It uses our problem-solving skills as we searched for alternative material or methods to best support the criterias as well as take the limited time into considered. Since there was only paper available for weaving, the Year 2s taught the Year 1s how to weave properly, simultaneously working on their own projects. After the badgework, we showcased our works to one another during patrol corner and we all found the designs interesting. The badgework helped us to understand the importance of time management, coordination and problem solving skills which will last with us forever in our Guiding journey. 

Hope that everyone had fun during this 集合 although the batches were split. We definitely had a good time learning new facts on Girl Powered Nutrition, the theme for WAGGGS, as well as having fun attaining badges through our creativity!

Published by:
Chan Zi Xuan
56th 届 Secretary

Passing Down Parade, 18 June 2024

Hi Guides! Today was the day the Year 4s handed over the 团 to the Year 3s as the new 领导层, which was a bittersweet experience.


Reflection from a Year 1 on Mass Games:

On the day of the Passing Down Parade, there was a Mass Games event where we had to play games for clues to figure out the identities of 3 unknown identities of the Year 4s. For the first game we played, we had to light matches to start a Signal Fire and keep it burning for two minutes. Although there were many failed attempts at lighting the fire, we encouraged each other and ultimately lit all three matches required to start the Signal Fire. The next game we played was “Human Knot”, where we had to stand in a circle and hold the hands of the person opposite us. Although some Patrol mates found it a little awkward at first as they were uncomfortable with physical touch, all of us quickly became fine with it. During the game of “Human Knot”, there was some confusion in the first two rounds as to where we were supposed to position ourselves and move to, for example, which led to some of us getting stuck in an even messier “Human Knot”. Nevertheless, in the third round, we quickly untangled ourselves, so we did not 过时. After we finished the “Human Knot” game, we were going to play another game when we encountered another Patrol. Some members of the other patrol tried to rip off the pieces of duct tape on our sleeves since it was past the thirty-fifth minute mark into the game, which resulted in some chaos. After the encounter, our patrol played the last game, where we had to find several post-it notes scattered about the location of the game and answer the questions on them. Since our patrol had forgotten to revise the Guides Notes, we had difficulty answering the questions, which in hindsight, could have easily been resolved. However, we still managed to answer all questions after some consideration. Before long, the Mass Games had ended and we had to 集合. We did not manage to complete all the games but we had one of the closest guesses for who the secret Year 4s were out of all the patrols. In conclusion, it was an exciting activity to foster trust and teamwork between patrols. Through this experience, I also realised that I needed to study the Guides Notes better.

Reflection from a Year 2 on Mass Games:

During the Mass Games we were required to find different stations to obtain clues on three unknown identities of our Year 4s. The first station that we went to made us play the game “Human Knot”. The first round was extremely hard for us, and we were almost unable to unravel ourselves within the time limit. However, during the second round, our communication and problem-solving skills improved, and we quickly managed to unravel ourselves in about 2 minutes. The next station required us to sing Guides songs. As the Year 1s were unfamiliar with the songs, it was mostly the Year 2s and Year 3s who were singing. Nonetheless, they tried to include the Year 1s as much as possible by singing and dancing slower so that the Year 1s could keep up, giving us an opportunity to bond as a Patrol. Following that, we had to search for seven post-it notes containing trivia questions on the Guides Notes’ content. Initially, we struggled as we did not revise the Guides Notes. Nonetheless, after some hints, we managed to get all the answers within the time limit. While travelling from this station to the next station, we came across another Patrol and ended up attempting to grab their duct tape, spending a lot of time doing so. We should have kept track of time better so that we would not have wasted so much of it trying to get the duct tape. In the end, we did not manage to complete all the stations and we 过时 by about 5 minutes. Nevertheless, this was still a fulfilling experience in terms of Patrol bonding, and I learnt the importance of constantly keeping track of time and will put in more effort into studying the Guides Notes.

Reflection from a Year 1 on Batch Activity:

On 18 June, we had our batch training. We did 3 sets of two minutes leg raise, one minute 站马, 15 burpees and 15 jumping jacks. It was extremely tiring and very draining but fun enough for us to enjoy. While doing the physical training, we did some guides cheers as a batch to motivate and cheer one another on to continue pushing on. Some of our Year 4 seniors were there to support us throughout the training, giving us their encouragement. After the 3 sets, which is only the 1st round, we did another 35 minutes alternate leg leg raise and a few runs around the level while holding 2 of our batch mates’ water bottles. To do that, we were separated into 2 groups. We decided to take advantage of the situation we were in by having one group cheering us on while the other group ran. During the run, some of us were already exhausted, so we decided to brisk walk. The other group said that it was alright, but we felt quite bad after we did two rounds to see them struggling to keep the leg raise. The Year 4 senior accompanying us reminded us that our batch mates were still doing the leg raise, getting us to pick up the pace. We checked in on each other to see if she was alright, showing the care and concern among batch mates, which was endearing. We did all together (number) laps around the level. After finishing off our physical training, we did Just Dance, which was really fun and we were able to relax and enjoy our time together for a while before our batch activity was over. We danced to many Just Dance videos, which includes Waka Waka, Happy, Call Me Maybe and many more. Through that morning's batch activity, we learnt to train up our stamina and work together as a batch. This training has helped us bond together more and build stronger friendships which one another, which is a important aspect in getting though Guides CCA. Adding on, we are glad to have officially enrolled into Girl Guides too!

Reflection from a Year 2 on Batch Activity:

We started off with collecting our logistics to build a Shoe Rack , Emergency Shelter and Kitchen Shelter. The collection of logistics was quite slow but I think the batch improved from previous times as we had more communication this time round. After collecting our logistics, P1 and P2 grouped together to build a Shoe Rack and later on, Kai Xin and Kyla joined in. P4 and P6 grouped together to build the Emergency Shelter. P3 was taking the Metal Mallets for our Kitchen Shelter with Ms Chang. It was our first time building a Shoe Rack on our own but we remembered how to do it from previous 集合s. Despite this our Shoe Rack 飞脚 a lot and later on I learnt that this was due to us not 顶ing the structure well enough. P4 and P6 finished the Emergency Shelter and came over to help us complete our Shoe Rack. After that we started building the Kitchen Shelter. We were given 50 minutes. We started off with laying out our Canvas Sheet. That took us awhile as the space was limited and we had to lay it out correctly so there would be no complications later on. After that we laid out our 木. After tieing both the Square Lashes on the 深蓝木, we found out we were supposed to tie a 八字结 to the Canvas Sheet and then Timberhitch onto the 深蓝木 to start the lash. Hence we had to re-do it and that wasted a lot of time. Our batchmates who had nothing to do had to do forfeits while we re-did the lashes to get us to be more efficient. Then we finally 起ed the Kitchen Shelter. After that we took pacings and hammered the Arthurs into the ground. Then we connected the guylines and started to 抽. It took us awhile as we had to 重抽 some of the guylines. After that we secured the 青木s in place with guylines. This in total took 55 minutes. This surpassed the standard timing and I think that in the future we can work with a better sense of urgency , allocate our manpower better to make sure work is getting done and also 报时 more to let the whole batch know how much time we have left. I think someone should have stepped up to look at the bigger picture and also to make sure we were all on task and knew what was happening. We did have a high morale and were cheering every 5 minutes.

Reflection from a Year 1 on Passing Down Parade:

A few days before this last Guides 集合 with the Year 4s, it was very hectic as I had to get ready my 全制 for the first time. As it was going to be my first time wearing the full 全制, I wanted to perfect everything. As it was the first time that I was attending the Passing Down Parade in Guides, I did not know the procedures well. The first activity for the Year 1s was Physical Training. It was one of the first few group PT sessions that I had attended and it was certainly not easy. After this PT session, we proceeded to play Just Dance with two Year 4s who were facilitating the activity. They were both coincidentally from my patrol and they livened the atmosphere by dancing enthusiastically. After lunch, we were tasked to write a letter to our future self. I found it very meaningful as it was something I had always wanted to try but did not make time for. After this, we had Mass Change. We were only given seven minutes and as it was my first time, I required lots of help from my seniors with my 全制. Then, we had the PDP and Enrolment Ceremony for the Year 1s. It lasted for a long time and I was finally officially a Girl Guide! I had a great surprise when Cheryl from my patrol had become the next Company Leader. I was truly ecstatic. We gathered in the Music Atrium for our batch performances and “thank you” speeches to our Year 4s to bid them goodbye. For the Year 1s, we sang “High Hopes” and danced to “Happy”. Then, Year 1s from each patrol thanked our seniors for the time we had spent with them. Every batch had their performance and soon, it was over. All the Year 4s gathered on stage and sang a song, and thereafter they shared their experiences in Guides over the four years. The Year 4s shared how they managed to cope, and their memories over the years. A lot of us got emotional and teared up. What motivated me most was that some Year 4s shared how they had disliked Guides at first, but grew to love and treasure it. Lastly, the day ended with our gift exchange and hugs. I am really thankful to the Year 4s who have guided and gifted me advice and knowledge, making the first half a year of my Guiding journey so memorable.

Reflection from a Year 2 on Passing Down Parade:

I believe passing down parade was a very meaningful and important event. First, we had mass change. As the year ones have not experienced mass change before, it was quite messy and unorganised and as a Year 2, I quickly changed into my 全制. However, in my rush, I forgot to 报时 and we were had to be reminded to 报时 more often. After changing into my 全制, I went to go help the year ones with arranging their scarves and hang their PE uniform on their hangers. This reminded me of the importance of constant 报时 in order to keep track of time and ask for time extension before we 过时. During passing down parade, we had to 拍马蹄. However, it was a bit messy as some of us did not memorise the procedure. Hence, I learnt the importance of familiarising myself with the procedures a day before. Familiarising myself with what the steps after forming the horseshoe formation are is also of utmost importance. We also had to properly memorise the commands. After that, we had the year one enrolment ceremony. During the enrolment ceremony, everyone except the year ones who had not enrolled yet had to 敬礼 to the flag as the colour party walked behind us. As the year ones recite the Guides Promise, everyone except those who were not enrolled had to recite the Guides Promise with them. This was a very meaningful experience watching the year threes become 领导层 and get new patrol and 团 roles. This also encouraged me to work harder in the future and try my best. Overall this is an experience that allowed us to learn and grow despite being the last 集合 with the Year 4s.

Reflection from a Year 1 on Batch Performance:

As I reflect on my batch's performance of "High Hopes" and "Happy" during the Passing Down Parade, I am filled with a mix of emotions, happiness and sadness. Happiness, because I got to be a part of this amazing Uniformed Group, Girl Guides, and create unforgettable memories together. Sadness, because it was our Year 4s’ last 集合 with us, and it was hard to say goodbye. Singing "High Hopes" and dancing to "Happy" was a blast! Seeing everyone's smiling faces, hearing our voices harmonise, and feeling the energy of the crowd was incredible. It was a moment of pure joy, and I felt so proud to be a part of Guides. We worked hard together, supported each other, and lifted each other up, which is what Guides is all about. As I looked around at my fellow Guides, I saw the Year 4s beaming with pride, and my heart swelled with gratitude. They have taught me so much about leadership, teamwork, and resilience. They have shown me that even during tough times, we can find happiness and support in each other. During the performance, I remembered the times they encouraged me to take risks, to try new things, and to believe in myself. As we danced and sang together as a batch, I felt a sense of sadness wash over me. I did not want this moment to end, did not want to say goodbye to our Year 4s. In the end, our performance was more than just a song and dance, it was a celebration of our Guiding journey thus far together, of the laughter, tears, and memories we have shared. It was a reminder that even as we move on to new chapters in our lives, the lessons we learn and the friendships we make will always be a part of us.

Reflection from a Year 2 on Batch Performance:

During our CCA session on 18 June, it was the Passing Down Parade, which meant that our Year 4 seniors would be stepping down and would no longer be attending any more 集合s. Leading up to the day, we wanted to make sure that our Year 4s had a memorable CCA session, and that we could commemorate our last 集合 together with our performance and video montage. During our batch performance, we sang two Taylor Swift songs: Long Live and Love Story. The two songs represented the time that we have spent with our Year 4s seniors, our appreciation towards them, and our sadness to see them step down. After we finished singing, we passed thank you cards to our seniors to show how grateful we were to them for all that they have done, and their guidance throughout the past one and a half years that we have been in the Guides CCA. After our singing performance, we also watched a video montage made by one of our talented batchmates. The video had pictures of our many 集合s and Patrol Activities with the Year 4s, and other events such as last year's Annual Training Camp and our 55th Anniversary Campfire. There was also a clip inside the montage, and some messages from the Year 2s that we wrote to show our appreciation for the Year 4s seniors.It was truly sad that the Year 4s were stepping down, but we are all grateful for the help and advice that they have given us during their time in Guides. Time really flies, and although we wish that they did not have to step down so soon, we do know that is not possible, and we wish them all the best.

These memories will stay with us forever, as we bid farewell to our Year 4s. As pictures say a thousand words, here are additional pictures.

To our seniors, we will miss you! And to the new Year 3s who are going to lead the 团, good luck to them! 

Skills Training, 10 May 2024

 Hi Guides!

Today was the last 集合 of the term and of the Year 4s' leadership journey as Guides, but the Year 3s were unfortunately absent as they were preparing for their upcoming PLTC. During this 集合, the Year 1s and Year 2s completed lash training for both gadgeting and pioneering, and also tried out Fireman's Ladder (FML) and 绳桥, which were built by the Year 4s. 

Reflection from a Year 1 in P1:

During 集合 on Friday, activities were split by batch. During the collection of logistics for Year 1s, there was some confusion as to what logistics we were meant to collect, and we ended up 过时-ing. This could have been prevented with better coordination during the memorisation of logistics needed. Afterward, we did lash training, during which we found out that we had forgotten a few items and had to retrieve them halfway through, using up extra time. Hence, we also 过时-ed during lash training and did not hit the intended time. However, from that experience, we learnt how to tie different types of lashes as well as the importance of time management and good organisation skills. After that, we climbed the 绳桥 and Fireman’s Ladder (FML) that the Year 4s had built. That was the highlight of the session as there were many cheers and lots of laughter during that time — we even found out two of our seniors’ phone passwords. All in all, this 集合 taught us to 报时 more, as well as how to climb the 绳桥 and FML which was a fun and enriching experience.

Reflection from a Year 1 in P2:

During the 绳桥 and Fireman's Ladder (FML) 集合, I managed to bond with people from other patrols and get to know them better. It also helped me to have a sense of urgency when doing the lashes. We learnt about new lashes and how to make lashes tighter. Although we 过时-ed and did not ask for a time extension, this experience taught us that we should always work with a sense of urgency. The most memorable experience was when we were climbing the 绳桥. All the guides encouraged each other to persevere when doing the 绳桥 and also helped each other. Another activity that I enjoyed was the FML. Although I was too scared to climb it and did not want to do so, I enjoyed holding the ladder while the other people climbed the FML. One important thing that I learnt while holding the FML was to be observant and look out for other people‘s legs. Overall, it was a memorable and fulfilling experience.

Reflection from a Year 2 in P2:

On 10 May, we did Fireman's Ladder (FML) and 绳桥. The Year 2s were told to collect our 木 from a pile at GSL and move them to the road. We thought it would be easy but it was not because the connecting part was blocked off for the Rangers and Ventures to paint our new 木 and so we had to go the long way. We also had to take the helmets. This caused us to waste a lot of time. In the end, we did not get all of our logistics in time because our batch was not really close and not all of us wanted to speak up to tell us the logistics they remembered. Also, half the batch was on the other side of GSL so it was also hard to communicate. In the end, we forgot our bottles and had to go back and get them. Then, we did lash training. Most of our lashes were tight and done within 4 minutes, which was the given timing, but some still needed extra practice so we ended up re-doing our lashes a lot of times. But it was all good because during that time, our Year 4s finished building our FML and 绳桥 and when we were done with lash training, we could go straight to climbing and flipping. It was very fun and in the end, Gwendolyn managed to do her very first FML flip.

Reflection from a Year 2 in P4:

During the last 集合 with the Year 4s, we were able to enjoy 绳桥 and Fire Man Ladder (FML). However, before we could have fun, we had to go through lash training. Everyone had to tie a tight lash within the time limit and we would do it over and over again until all our lashes were tight. It was especially challenging due to the hot weather and we were all extremely drained from the Year 4s constantly pushing us. However, some of us were unable to tie tight lashes despite putting in all our strength and pulling as hard as possible. I was glad that we all pushed through and never gave up. After the tough lash training, we were finally able to participate in the fun activities. We all enjoyed the activity as it was a great opportunity for us to have fun together and appreciate our last moments together with our lovely Year 4s.

Hope that everyone has learnt a lot from this last 集合 with the Year 4s, and that also enjoyed their time with their batchmates, juniors and seniors!

Published by:

Chin Yan Tong

55届 Secretary

Patrol Activity, 6 May 2024

 Hello Guides!

Today was unfortunately the last Patrol Activity with the 55th 届, and here are the reflections about the PAs from the Year 3s of each patrol. 

Reflection from a Year 3 in P1:

For Patrol Activity (PA) on Monday, we did pioneering lash training, Fireman’s Ladder (FML), and played Captain’s Ball. During lash training, the Year 1s were taught in-depth to tie pioneering lashes, while the rest of us practiced tying them tightly and within standard timing. Morale was initially a bit low as we were all feeling a bit fatigued from the day, and some of our lashes were not up to standard. However, the excitement of FML soon lifted our spirits. After building the ladder, a few seniors demonstrated flipping over it first before letting our Year 1s try. With some guidance, one of them successfully made the flip for the first time, which we were all incredibly proud of. Although not every patrol member was willing to try, our ladder was still used by others outside of the patrol, including a Guider. Afterward, we split into 2 teams – Year 3s against Year 1s and Year 2s – to play Captain’s Ball. After a few intense and exciting rounds, the Year 3s emerged victorious, and the other team had to sing and dance to ‘Maboleh’ as a forfeit. However, they were not familiar with the lyrics and actions, so the Year 3s had to demonstrate anyway. The juniors were quite receptive and quick to learn. As it was the last PA planned by our seniors, they kindly bought us drinks to end the day. Overall, it was a very fun and memorable session, and I will miss attending PAs with my patrol.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P2:

On Monday, we had Patrol Activity (PA). We were building a creative pioneering structure which was a swing. I would like to think that building the swing at least once a year is kind of a tradition within our patrol. The Year 3s were told to take turns being Patrol Leader every 30 mins. we built the structure quite quickly and efficiently as it was not the first time we were building the structure. the structure was slightly 飞脚 especially when we swung a little too hard on it but it was generally fine. However, 拆掉 took quite a long time as we were slow in returning the logistics to backstore. As such, we overran by quite a bit. Although this was a PA, we should still have worked with a sense of urgency. Overall, this was a very fun PA and we will take note to work with a better sense of urgency in the future.

Reflection from a Year 3 in P3:

The 6 May Patrol Activity (PA) was the last PA to be planned by our Year 4 seniors. That day, we did pioneering and built a Kitchen Table (KT). This was the Year 1s’ second time doing pioneering, and they were still uncertain about their lashes, worried that they would not perform well. I, along with my fellow Year 3 and Year 2 patrol mates, reassured them, promising that we would help check their lashes anytime. As a soon-to-be 领导层, I promised to continue giving my juniors advice and assistance whenever they needed it. I remember our choice of logistics for the KT was an issue. We grabbed 木 that had already been 捆ed for our upcoming Patrol Leader’s Training Camp (PLTC). I also chose a table board that was slimmer and lighter, believing it to be beneficial for my patrol. However, we discovered when we placed the table board on our structure that it was too flimsy. When we were building the structure, I was happy to see my fellow batchmates and the Year 2s stepping up to lead the Year 1s and give them instructions. We finished the structure in good time, and we were all very proud of ourselves. Then, surprise! The Year 4s bought Milo and Pocky for us! It was awesome to take a break sitting on the structure and chatting with my patrol mates all the while munching on the snacks. We all enjoyed ourselves immensely. Through this last Patrol Activity, I feel saddened that our Year 4s are leaving. However, I am hopeful for my next phase of leadership and learning. 

Reflection from a Year 3 in P4:

On Monday, for our last Patrol Activity (PA), we had a pioneering activity. We made a Kitchen Shelter (KS) on the elevated platform in front of the hostel canteen. This was the first time we had built a KS there and so we had a few struggles with the orientation and size of the structure which took up quite a bit of time—time we did not have. Additionally, we had to take the time to check the 木 in our 困s as this PA was conducted amidst preparations for the upcoming Patrol Leaders Training Camp. We only had exactly an hour to complete the structure as the CCA session was short that day due to the nature of our timetables so in the end, we overran in hopes of completing our structure—which I am glad to say we did! Another problem we faced was that our canvas sheet broke repeatedly and we had to tape it up or change the holes our 八字结 was attached to repeatedly. All in all, it was an enjoyable last PA with our Year 4s and the last PA before my batch steps up to become the new 领导层!

Reflection from a Year 3 in P5:

On the last PA of the term and the Year 4s' 领导层 journey, my patrol did creative gadgeting of a box tower. The patrol leader and Patrol Second were the only ones allowed to see the drawing of the structure. They then had to lead their patrol mates to complete it. I was given the role of Patrol Second in this activity. At first, due to a lack of manpower as some members were arriving later, we had to work faster to make up for the lack of manpower. We started with the frames, followed by a special quodpod to act as the roof of the quodpod. The PL allocated manpower by splitting us up into two groups to do the frames and quodpod simultaneously. We had a good sense of urgency, but our communication between both patrols could have been improved, as we had to change the size of the quadpod multiple times due to wrong measurements and poor communication. We definitely enjoyed building a new structure designed by our Year 4s as our last PA that is both meaningful and memorable. After that, we had the last Patrol Corner with our Year 4s as they chatted with us sentimentally, and even treated us to drinks as rewards. 

Reflection from a Year 3 in P6:

During our last Patrol Activity on Monday, 6 May, we had to build a Creative Pioneering structure designed by our Year 4 seniors. The creative structure was a slide that was made of a ladder and 2 supporting 木s for the canvas sheet, as well as a box tower to connect the 2 parts. As it was a structure we were not very familiar with, we had to listen and follow the instructions of the Patrol Leader (who was the only person in the patrol allowed to see the drawing of the creative structure) very closely in order for us to complete the structure. We faced a shortage in logistics halfway through the building of the structure and had to go back to Frontier to retrieve the required logistics. We could have prevented the shortage in logistics by communicating across our patrols to have a better estimate of how much to take when we were given the time to collect our logistics. Overall, for this last Patrol Activity with our seniors, I think we managed to meet most of the objectives of this activity and had a lot of fun working together to build the creative structure that our seniors planned for us.

Hope everyone had fun during the last PA with the Year 4s!

Published by:

Chin Yan Tong

55届 Secretary