Reminder about Scout Meetings

Dear All,

This is a reminder that All Scouts are responsible for checking this blog for updates as often as possible.

In addition, all Scout meetings, weekdays or weekends, are COMPULSORY. This is because your attendance is reflected into the school's admin system. i.e. CCA attendance is as important as class attendance. If you fail to turn up for a meeting without a doctor's MC, your record will be reflected as a wilful case of truant by MOE's system.

This is something very much beyond the teachers' ability to control, and the consequences are severe: not only will you be blacklisted on a national system, you will very possibly lose out a lot of CCA points, which can help you shave off 2 marks on your GCE 'O' Level exams if you get an A grade. So, help us to help you by simply coming down for meetings!

On our part, your PLs, APLs and Leaders have been reminding one and all to attend the meetings. Should there be any problems at home or your life that prevents you from coming down for meetings, please do not hesitate to approach your PLs or Leaders. The Wichita family will always be here for you!

YIS
Owl

The Owl Speaks (January 2010)

Dear All,

As promised, this year will be another full and fulfilling programme for all Scouts. I have 2 announcements to make:

I. Upcoming courses
II. Scout Standard tests (meeting on 24th Jan Sat - Compulsory for all! except Sec 3 overseas campers)

I. Upcoming courses
There will be several upcoming exciting courses for you to join for interest (& to make your sleeves wonderfully bulletproof). Here is the list of them:

A: INTRA-UNIT
These courses are conducted within Ngee Ann Wichita. Participants are expected to wear the Unit Scarf.
Interested applicants please contact the Troop Scribe aka Zhao Meng who will submit the list to Hearty Gorilla and me.

1. Unit Civics Proficiency Badge

Course Date: 30th Jan 2009 Saturday
Time: After Scout meeting, TBC
Venue: Ngee Ann Secondary School

Course Fee: FREE

Only Scouts with at least a Scout Standard and in the Upper Secondary Stream (i.e. have taken at least 2 years of Secondary school History and/or Social Studies) may apply. Participants will attend a day workshop and be expected to complete a written project to attain the badge.

B. INTER-UNIT
These courses are conducted on the National level. Participants are required to wear National scarves. Venues and Dates are to be confirmed: Interested participants are to sign up for the course and the Leaders will arrange for a slot. Be Prepared to go for the course at Any of the slots. As this is a National level course with Many interested participants, the faster we can compile our namelist, the better our chances in getting a favourable slot.

Interested applicants please inform your Patrol Leader ASAP. PLs please compile the lists and submit the namelist to both Hearty Gorilla and Mr. Joseph Teo.

2. Civil Defence Badge Course for 2010

- Open to Scouts (aged 13-14 years) or Sec. 1 & 2.
- Course Fee: $3.00 per participant/Scout
- 4 Intakes / Dates: 20 March, 03 June, 07 September and 30 November.

3. SANA Badge Course for 2010

- Open to Scouts (aged 13-15 years) or Sec. 1 to 3.
- Course Fee: $10.00 per participant/Scout
- 7^th Intakes / Dates: 18 March, 17 June, 18 June, 09 September, 15 November, 16 November and 18 November.

II. Scout Standard Tests

All sec 2s will be having the rest of the Scout Standard tests they have yet to complete. On the (hopefully) bright and sunny Saturday morning of 24th Jan, your dear Troop Leader has planned for you a series of tests to give you the Scout Standard by that day! (if you complete all requirements that is)

The list of tests will be:

1. Scout Standard Knots (all standard knots)
2. Tent pitching (4-6persons pitching/striking a tent in 10 minutes each + Know how to pitch properly)
3. Highwayman Code (written test; MCQ format, no. of questions and passing grade TBC)
4. Drill test (static drill)
5. Simple Cooking test (maggi mee, eggs, sausage and kailan using gas stove)
6. National Flag Anthem and Pledge
a) Know the meaning of the symbols and colours on the national flag
- full definition of colours, 5 stars and crescent moon
- dimensions and ratio of flag
b) National Anthem
- translate anthem into English
- Explain the coat of arms (tiger, lion, shield, red, white, banner)
- know the history of the Anthem (composer, when it was composed)
c) Pledge
- Recite the pledge in your Mother Tongue
- know the history of the Pledge (Writer, when it was written)

Good luck!

YIS
Owl

Wednesday 13 January & Friday 15 January

There will be meeting this Wednesday so please fall in outside the auditorium at 3pm. Please be in your Red Wichita shirt and PE shorts with your Wichita Kit. All Tigers & Rayfishes please collect sufficient backwoodsman materials for each of the two individual patrols.

As For Friday, bring your Black Wichita shirt and PE pants with your Wichita Kit and fall in outside the auditorium in your Full Uniform, not forgetting to submit your $2 for the Scouts Fund if have not done so. Thanks (:

YIS,
Darren xD

10 January 2009

Please bring along $2 during the next meeting to pay for the Scouts Fund. Those who have already paid do not have to pay again. ( Unless you want to, we won't mind! xD)

YIS,
Darren xD

**NAWST AGM 2010**

Dear Wichita Scouts,

Notice is hereby given for the 1st Scout meeting of the year, which will also include our Annual General Meeting for 2010. Traditionally, we will kickstart each year's Wichita Scout meetings on a Saturday with a renewal of the Scout Promise, reviewing everyone's performance in the past year, announcements and some good clean fun. This year will be no different!

Ngee Ann Wichita Scout Troop 1st Meeting of the Year

Reporting Venue: School Field
Duration: 0745 - 1300
Date: 9th January 2010 Saturday

Do note there are no consent forms issued as this is a regular meeting.

There is no Duty Patrol for the 3-2-1 Flagpole, this will be done by the Sec 3s. IC will be Edward Lau.
Masters of Ceremony will be the TL and PL Panther. Please come with all badges sewn. If you still lack badges or nametags please approach the Teachers.

As this is the First meeting of the year with plenty of announcements, attendance is compulsory. Please come with all your necessary Scouty gear (Wichita Kit, change of PT attire)

YIS
Staunch Owl
Asst Scout Leader
Ngee Ann Wichita Scout Troop

PLC Survivor Camp 2009

Dear Silver Stallions,

Please report in Ngee Ann in front of the flagpole at the carpark
by 0800hrs in your full scout uniform with PT shoes.
Make sure you have your bag and ALL the neccesary equipments in it.
Equipment list have been sent to your emails respectively.
Logistics should also been pack and arranged into the plastic boxes
to make it easy for you to carry.

Your reporting attire and attitude
will determine the LOAD you will have to carry.
So i hope you get my message :)
Wish you all the best in preparation for the Survivor Camp.

By the way, some equipments such as Gas Stoves and Canisters are with the ventures,
We will bring it down on the 28th by 10am.

YIS,
Jingyang.

2010

Dear Scouts,

The year 2010 is about to come. There are several things that I, as the TL, has realised throughout this year. Obviously, there are good and bad things. Lets start with the bad things first. The troop is usually not punctual and it refers to even when the meeting just starts and people are already late and during the meeting itself time extensions are frequently requested.

However, there are also good things. The entire PLC can see that everyone of you guys have to potential to be a good PL or even the TL of your batch. So, it is up to you guys to work hard, especially for the current Sec2s as it is almost time for us to step down. Currently, time is running out for you guys to prove yourselves to us so work and hard and good luck!:)

And also, I would like to thank all my PLs for assisting me throughout this year and not forgetting the leaders for having patience with us as a PLC. Also thanks to the APLC that the meetings were able to be successfully completed and also thanks to those members who constantly came( esp OWL PATROL).

The new year is coming and soon none of you guys will be sec1 juniors anymore. Please set a good example for your juniors ( Even if you are sec3 or 2 next year) by showing them the standard. By the way, there will be an Annual General Meeting on the 9 Jan 2010. It will be our first meeting. Further details will be released to you guys closer to the date. All Sec4 and 3 scouts(2010) please stay back after school on 4Jan for PLC. Thanks and enjoy your holidays, well whats left of it.(:

YIS,
Nigel

Sentosa Trip

Dear Scouts,

For those interested, there will be a trip to Sentosa on Wednesday, 16Dec. This is not an official meeting so no consent forms will be given but parental consent is still needed. Attire will be anything but keep in mind that we will be at Sentosa. The meeting place will be at Pasir Ris MRT at 0900 and we will go to Sentosa together. On a final note, the Girl Guides will be going and they are the ones organising this event.:) Reminder to all to do their holiday homework also. Please inform Alexus at 93209984 if you are going. Thanks.

YIS,
Nigel

Gauntlet Final Details

Dear Sec 2 campers,

Here's the long-awaited packing list. It's nothing new compared to what you need to bring for your usual camps.

GAUNTLET 2009 Packing List

Personal Packing List

Full Scout Uniform	X1 set
Black Leather Shoes	X1 pair
T-shirts and shorts	Minimum x3 sets
Socks	X4
Toiletries	X1 set
Talcum Powder	X1 bottle, small
Torch (with functional batteries)	X1 set
Eating Utensils w/ mug	X1 set
Mess Tin	X1 set
Log Book	X1 book
Test Card	X1 book
Writing Materials (pens, pencils, OHP markers, protractor)	X1 set
Watch	X1
Poncho	X1 piece
Groundsheet	X1 piece
Sandals/slippers	X1 pair
Cap/hat (optional)	X1
Medicine for self (if any)*	Subject to leaders’ inspection
Rags	Min. x3 pieces
Plastic Bags or ziplock bags	∞
Swiss Army Knife	X1

Personal Water Bottle (1.5l)

X1

Thermometer

X1

Group Equipment

8-men tent (working condition)	X1 set
Mallet	X2
Pegs	Store Item
Spars (pylons)	Store Item
Gadget poles	Store Item
Lashings	Store Item
Twine	Min. x2 balls
Canvas Sheets	Min x2 pieces
Tables (for kitchen shed & admin)	Min. x4
Benches	Min. x4
Pails	Min. x2
Jerry Can (for water)	Min. x1
Toilet Roll	Min. x3
Matchbox	X1 box
Group First Aid Kit (to include at least as many triangular and roller bandages as patrol members)	X1 set

For money, do not bring more than $10 per camper. Come with your EZ-link cards in case we get to go out of Ngee Ann (e.g. beach runs at Pasir Ris Park, etc...)

And here are the Camp Rules, just in case:

Ngee Ann Wichita Scout Troop Camp Rules and Regulations (estd. since 1994)

1. The Scout Law is the Law of the Camp

2. All campers and staff are to be dressed appropriately at all times

3. Participants are not allowed into ‘Out-of-bound’ areas

4. Respect the Camp Staff at all times

5. Upon meeting any camp staff, greet immediately without prompting

6. No Vulgarities and Fighting is allowed in this camp

7. No Vandalism of School/camp and public facilities

8. Smoking is NOT ALLOWED in this camp

9. Participants are NOT ALLOWED to wear sandals and/or slippers during the daytime; they are only allowed during bathing time and sleeping time.

10. Participants are advised to seek for First Aid if they are injured.

11. Report any sickness or injury to the Medical Officer-in-charge ASAP

12. Participants are to march or jog in a brisk and orderly fashion, as a Patrol, from point to point AT ALL TIMES

13. Participants are to maintain camp cleanliness and hygiene at all times

14. Participants are to wear their scarves AT ALL TIMES during training

15. Be friendly to Nature

16. No lights and movement in camp after Lights Out

17. No lamps, naked flames or flammable devices inside tents

18. No camp raiding (a.k.a. sabotage)

19. Participants are to maintain a strong sense of discipline AT ALL TIMES

20. Honesty and Integrity is expected out of all Campers and Camp Staff

Note: Participants who fail to comply with the Camp Rules and Regulations will be strictly disciplined.

Last but not least, here are some advice for my dear Campers:

1. Participants are advised to help one another and foster a strong team spirit

2. Please strongly waterproof your bags and equipment

3. When in doubt, ask. Ignorance is dangerous.

4. Do not bring more than $10 to camp

5. Do not bring expensive or restricted items. You are responsible for your own belongings and valuables.

6. Handphones can only be used outside of training hours.

7. Restricted items include, but are not restricted to, poker cards, games, snacks, etc…

8. BE PREPARED

Good Luck! and Sempre Alerta (Be Prepared)

YIS

Staunch Owl

Gauntlet Camp Chief

Energy Conservation

Dear Scouts,
This is to remind you guys of the
energy conservation course part two tomorrow (2/12/09).
Please be at tampines mrt by 0800 hrs.
If you are making your way there yourself please be there by 0900 hrs.
Reminder to all pls bring your Home Audit, pencil, pen, eraser and calculator.

Attire will be up to you but long pants are advised.

Any questions please contact me at 96391944.

YIS,
Marcus