<
WE LOVE NPCC!!!!! @ {5:22 AM}
I hope that there would be more games and fun activities going on in the future. I also think that we can learn new things and drills faster in the future as well. I think the past npcc events that we have are challenging and exciting. Eg. the unit camp, the batminton match, and some of the lectures conducted. Once again, i hopefully feel that my next two years in npcc can be a fruitful one.
posted by : bernard lim
squad : sec 2
9:30pm
PASSION TO SERVE
♥ LOVE
WE LOVE NPCC!!!!! @ {4:59 AM}
To us, the best event tt we hav experience from np was e unit camp. It was an interesting event and the best part of it was e campfire. We sure had lots of fun during tt time. it was os a gd time to bond wth each oth not onli from different lvls but oso from our squad. another fun event to us was e tug-of-war. We rarely experience this game and we were pleased and excited when it was our turn to compete wth e oth teams. We hope tt dere will b another event lyk this nxt time. We would nvr hav experience this hav we not joined NP. We look forward to mor exciting events lyk this... XD. We are glad we joined NPCC. =D
Shu Bei
Adeline
Sec 1'o7 squad
PASSION TO SERVE
♥ LOVE
WE LOVE NPCC!!!!! @ {4:05 AM}
Kranji NPCC 11th NCO Camp
During the March school holidays, we had a three-day-two-night NCO camp in school. We looked forward to spending time in the camp with our squad mates. Upon reaching there, we were each given a “Non-Commissioned Officer Modular Course” booklet which contained all the information that was needed for the lectures. A number of lectures were held during the camp conducted by our mdm and Cadet Inspectors.
The first lecture was on Uniform and Etiquette (U&E), which was conducted in the classroom. It was then followed by a series of other lectures, for example, flagstaff and pioneering. Although these lectures were rather dry and boring but the knowledge we gained on the different components made it worthwhile. We could pass this knowledge on to our juniors.
Dinner was a unique experience as we had to do the cooking ourselves. In our groups (allocated before the camp), we shared our rations wisely and cooked food for each other. It was definitely a fun experience to cook meals in an open area with our peers.
After our “sumptuous” meal, we were given about 2 hours to prepare the upcoming campfire which was to be held at night on the second day. We were under a lot of stress as we had to organize the campfire ourselves for the first time! Though disagreements arose, fortunately they were not serious and we managed to complete the discussion.
Then, it was lecture time again; it was on “Radio Communication Etiquette”. We tried using the walkie-talkie, from this lecture; we learnt the importance of proper communication.
The next day, we woke up at around six in the morning and washed up. It was mass PT time, which was what we dreaded the most. We did the Five Basic Exercise (5BX), ran around the parade square and did a series of push-ups, jumping jacks. Then, we had our breakfast and carried on with more lectures. We were already worn out from the mass PT and had no energy to concentrate during the lectures but we had to endure and bear with it. Our endurance was definitely put to a test!
Changing parade was another challenging task for us. We needed to change from Full-U to PT kit and vice-versa. This taught as to discipline ourselves.
“Campfire burning, campfire burning; draw nearer, draw nearer” At last, it was the long awaited, CAMPFIRE TIME! Some of the seniors who had graduated from the unit came back to witness this event and joined us to watch us perform. Although it was not a flawless performance, the fact that it was the first time we organized this, and we had done our best, we had no regrets at all.
On the last day of camp, we packed our backpacks and cleaned up the bunks, toilets, and canteen areas. When it was drawing near to the end of the camp, we had a water parade and Officer in command- Ms Foo declared the campfire closed.
We had mixed emotions when the camp ended. Although it was physically tiring and mentally exhausting, we learnt how to lead our squad and be independent when making decisions. This camp allowed us to know more about leadership and be well-prepared to lead our juniors. It was really a meaningful camp and enriching experience! I am glad I made it through the camp. We are very thankful to the effort put in by our CIs and officers.
Done By:
Gwendoline Ng
Yee Kwai Ga
PASSION TO SERVE
♥ LOVE
WE LOVE NPCC!!!!! @ {4:03 AM}
This year, our school’s NPCC unit camp began on the Friday afternoon of 18 Oct 2007. First, we were divided into groups with a mixture of secondary 1 to 3 cadets. Then we placed our bags in the classroom bunks and got ready for our outing to the Old Ford Factory at Bukit Timah. This is a museum that houses our nation’s wartime memories. During the fruitful visit, we learned more about the hardships and struggles of local people under Japanese Occupation.
In the evening, two hours were set aside for us to study and do homework after dinner. This was a special but useful arrangement as we normally do not have time for studies during camps. After the evening study, we had a briefing for tomorrow’s campfire, followed by a light supper. Finally, we washed up and went back to our bunks for a well-deserved rest.
We awoke early next morning to do circuit training, which was quite fun because the different groups race against each other. Following training, we had breakfast and started to prepare for the campfire. Everyone put a lot effort in the preparation as we wanted the teachers, parents and seniors to enjoy a good show during the campfire.
As for lunch, we cooked field rations, competing with one another to see whose food looked the most appetizing. After lunch, we did pioneering challenge, and constructed many creative structures based on the themes of NPCC, games and maths. Next, the different groups pitted their strength against each other in a grueling tug-of-war.
As the evening drew near, the much-anticipated campfire finally began. Mr Yeo, our school’s vice-principal, gave a welcoming speech to all the cadets and guests. Then, we all watched and wowed in amazement as the “fireball” lighted up and rolled down spectacularly from the hall to the campfire site. Then, the cadets took turns to perform songs and cheers, with plenty of fun and enjoyment around the campfire. To round off the evening, the seniors and juniors engaged in a final tug-of-war. After a delightfully tiring day, we washed up and rested our exhausted bodies in the hall.
Next morning, we had a short stretching exercise, and played a game of captain’s ball. Then, we did area cleaning, packed up, and gathered togther for the closing speech before breaking camp. I believe that this camp had enabled cadets from different levels to learn more about themselves and about each other. It also enabled all of us to bond together as a unit.
SGT Zheng Yanfu and P/Insp Yeo Wee Seng
Kranji Secondary School
PASSION TO SERVE
♥ LOVE
WE LOVE NPCC!!!!! @ {4:00 AM}
The Negeri Sembilan trip
Twelve Sec 3 Kranji NPCC cadets went on a trip to Negeri Sembilan, which is also called "Nine States", for it once consisted of nine separate districts, its capital is Seremban.
It was definitely a fruitful and wonderful experience. All of us really enjoyed ourselves a lot. During the trip, we stayed with different Malay families and followed their practices. Though it was a short trip, the sweet memories we had there would stay with us forever.
NPCC emphasizes on bonding between different races, for example, the NPCC March states, “Between all races, there is no barriers”. Indeed, between individuals in the squad, we should know each others’ races well, so that we will be sensitive and understanding towards each others’ feelings and practices.
At Negeri Sembilan, the majority of the people were Malays. We, especially the Chinese, truly understood how Malays in Singapore feel, with the Chinese as the majority race. Being the minority race, when most people speak their mother tongue, some will not understand and join in the conversation and thus, feel left out. This really made me understand the importance of speaking English and not speaking our mother tongue during NPCC training. We have to put ourselves in others’ shoes. Now, during trainings, we would make it a point to speak English.
During the trip to Negeri Sembilan, we learnt their dance, attended their “wedding” which was actually put up by our friends dressed up in their traditional wedding attire, wore their costumes and even played their musical instruments. Through these activities, we got to know more about the Malay customs. We also ate with our right hand for all meals. Using the right hand is a form of respect and courtesy. During the “wedding”, the host spoke in Malay and broken English most of the time. Our Malay NPCC squad mates helped us to translate, so that we could understand more about the “wedding”.
During the trip, we trekked a distance and displayed initiative and willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need and the will to carry on during tough times. We helped each other through difficulties such as climbing over huge boulders and motivated each other to carry on despite feeling tired. These are all the qualities we had picked up through our years in NPCC.
In conclusion, the short three day-two-night trip was beneficial and was indeed a great learning experience where cadets learnt teamwork and the importance of racial harmony. The stay had changed all our mindsets about each others’ culture. Harmony and mutual respect are the key towards developing a deeper bond with each other.
Yee Kwai Ga, Sgt
Kranji Secondary School
PASSION TO SERVE
♥ LOVE
WE LOVE NPCC!!!!! @ {7:19 PM}
On the sunny afternoon of 17 August 2007, Kranji NPCC unit embarked on a fieldtrip to the Old Ford Factory at Upper Bukit Timah Road. This factory was the venue where the British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese during World War 2. Now it stands as a modernized, air-conditioned museum that houses our nation’s wartime memories.
The trip turned out to be a very enriching and educational experience for us in various ways. First, fascinating photographs, interesting artefacts, war documentaries and oral history recordings all combined to make history lessons about Japanese Occupation come alive at the museum. For example, we could feel the atmosphere of uncertainty and fearful apprehension as we listened to the interviews giving eye witness accounts of Sook Ching, a purging operation that killed many innocent people. Next, we also discovered that the local people found many ways to overcome the difficulties of the Occupation through clever innovations and persistent determination. For example, they used coconut husks to make stools, ate tapioca skin as if it was noodles, and substituted cod liver oil with palm oil.
Last but not least, we learned that we cannot depend on others to defend our country and protect us from our enemies. We have to be responsible for our own destiny. The oral history interviews of the survivors bear testimony to our need to be self-reliant and independent.
Here are some appreciative comments from some of the cadets after the visit.
“I felt happy as I got to know more about Singapore’s history outside the boundaries of the classroom. It taught me to appreciate the freedom that I have.” (Nurul Asyikin)
“It was very fun and interesting as I got to see real guns that the British used last time.” (Ng Jing Wen)
“I learned that war is cruel, and I feel fortunate to live in a peaceful environment.” (Edmund Lim)
P/Insp
Yeo Wee Seng
Kranji Secondary School
PASSION TO SERVE
♥ LOVE
WE LOVE NPCC!!!!! @ {7:07 PM}
It was a crowning moment of glory at the Inter-unit Basketball competition held at Fajar Secondary School. The competition kicked off with several matches by other schools.
Teams from different schools displayed a range of abilities, so did our opponents. We started our first match, against Evergreen Secondary School. On an encouraging note the great performance of the first team players from secondary Three’s (Shun Yu, Wei Chang & Chin Seng), and the secondary Two’s substitutes (+++) allowed the team to emerge champions. The players went on to win the second match against the team from Hwa Chong Institution and entered the semi-finals. In the semi finals, the players met Hua Yi Secondary School, whose players performed well with eagerness.
It was definitely challenging for the players and heart-thumping for the supporters. After a draw in the last eight minutes of play, an additional two minutes of tie-breaker was added.
After a close fight, we earned our chance to move on to meet Chai Chee Secondary School in the quarter finals, whose players played really well.
Nonetheless, we outperformed them after an eventual 2 minutes of additional time, with our skilful and experienced team players. It was finally the deciding round as we vied with the school for championship after four tiring matches. Both teams played really well as the spectators watched intently. With due credit given to our five skilful players, we ultimately emerged as CHAMPIONS! We busked in the glory as the Kranji NPCC unit was number one in the tournament. We received the plague and trophies while our supporters cheered on.
Vernon Lim
Kranji Secondary School
Sec 3'07
PASSION TO SERVE
♥ LOVE
