National Day Parade - National Police Cadet Corps
Transcription
National Day Parade - National Police Cadet Corps
December 2009 Our Future - A Continuity... Nature Walk @ Semakau Landfill MHA SAFE Programme Building a UG Learning Community Asian Youth Games’ 09 Forensic Science Conference Dragon Boating @ Bedok Reservoir National Day Parade Personal Accounts from Cadets in the NPCC Contingent http://www.npcc.gov.sg Events 3 – Building a UG Community 4 – National Day Parade 2009 6 – Overseas Educational Trip to Kuala Lumpur 7 – The Journey to Hong Kong & Macau 8 – MHA SAFE Programme 9 – Asian Youth Games 10 – Dragon Boating @ Bedok Reservoir 11 – Kampung Glam Constituency Civil Defence Emergency Preparedness Bag Giveaway 12 – YouthBridge 2009 18 – Forensic Science Conference 2009 Special Features 13 – Our Future: A Continuity 14 – Message from Commissioner of Police – Mr. Khoo Boon Hui 15 – Message from Senior Parliamentary Secretary – Mr. Masagos Zulkifli 16 – Message from NPCC Council Chairman – Mr. Charles Chong 17 – Message from Commandant NPCC – Rosalind Khoo Community Service 19 – Rustic Reminiscence of Tanjung Piai trip 20 – BLSS @ Beach Cleaning 21 – Nature Walk @ Semakau Landfill Lifestyle 22 – Area 8 • Games Day: Cheerleading Competition • ATC/STC 23 – Bringing High Rope Elements into CDSS! 24 – One Beret At a Time – Life as an ACSI NPCC Cadet 25– NPCC Plus – NPCC Life I & II 26 – Crossword Puzzle – Word Search Puzzle 27 – Mystery Maze – Seeking the Leads 28 – Crime & You Editor’s Note Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Oops some of you may be covering your mouth now. Yes I know we should not sing this at campfires but 2009 has slowly come to an end, so let us join hands and remember the year just past. Indeed 2009 was a year of celebration for NPCC. We kicked off the year with a grand annual parade to commemorate the anniversary and the slew of events that followed culminated in a stately Officers’ Day Dinner graced by none other than the President Mr S R Nathan himself! NPCC is indeed proud to have many dignitaries share our joy this year. A job well done for all who have tirelessly planned and executed the events too! In this last issue of PYA magazine this year, we collected some thoughts from people who are very important to NPCC and saw the wishes and aspirations they have for the Corps for the next 50 years. NPCC has come far since the humble days of the 1950s. Looking at the successful and established organisation it is today, what hopes do you hold for the Corps? Talk to your officers, youth leaders, cadet leaders and all who care about NPCC, and tell them about what you want to see in NPCC in the next 50 years. Maybe one day, we will all have them realised! Not to leave the fundamentals out, go through the essays that many from the Corps have submitted to chronicle the myriad of activities that NPCC cadets get to take part in nowadays. There are many possibilities abound; you can even get your teacher officers to start something that catches your eye! We also aim to make this issue more casual so that everyone can relax in the leisure content while we start on a brand 2010 of buzz and life. Enjoy the expanded puzzles and comics section! Before I end my note, I must thank everyone who has journeyed with PYA magazine through 2009, especially the editorial team that is more than the sum of its parts together. Kudos to you wonderful people! And with that, to 2010! 3 Events Building a UG Community In Bukit View Secondary School, the NPCC unit does not stand alone. We come together with the other five uniformed groups (Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, Girl Guides, National Cadet Corps and National Civil Defence Cadet Corps) within the school to form a learning community. Together, we become a group of people who share common values and beliefs, and are actively engaged in learning from one another. In 2008, NPCC once again organised the Combined UG overseas trip to Bintan. This time round, all the six UGs actively participated. During the trip, we embarked on an island called the “Survival Island” where all of us were to spend a night on a deserted island where there was no electricity, water supply or telephone reception. We slept in tents, and even had to use the big outdoors as our toilets. On that same “Survival Island” night, we had a campfire where all of us gathered and shared different campfire songs. Some of us even put up skit performances by the campfire. After that we split ourselves into different smaller groups comprising a mixture of students from different UGs. We sat by the beach, shared different pointers of our different CCAs and reflected upon the learning points throughout this trip. Through this encounter, we got to know more about the other UGs. This, we could say, was also an unforgettable experience for most, if not all of us; as it was very contrasting to the rather comfortable lifestyles we are used to in Singapore. This year, the Combined UG overseas trip to Outward Bound School (OBS), Sabah, was unfortunately cancelled, due to H1N1-related issues. In place of this, a day camp was organised in our school compound. We had a day of fun-filled activities. One of these was the “Combat Skirmish”, where participants pitted themselves against one another in a laser gun battle. Through this game, we used what we were taught in our own CCAs and applied it through teamwork and unity. There was also an “Amazing Race” where participants had to “hunt” for food in Little India. Amidst the fun and action, the cadets learnt important lessons that were centred around teamwork, synergy and communication. Through this day camp, we felt that we had bonded more with the students from other UGs as a lot of teamwork was needed throughout the camp to accomplish the activities. Combined UG activities are integral in Bukit View Secondary School. The formation of this UG learning community allows us to learn and understand from the other UGs. This broadens our horizons as well as providing us with opportunities for further collaboration with the other UGs. Thus, it is BVSS NPCC unit’s vision to strive to continuously learn and synergise in this collaborative win-win situation. Starting in 2009, the combined UG activities took on a more practical role as well. Together, we worked on many badge work projects together, like the Heritage Badge, where different SSgt (NPCC) Lee Wei Jie SSgt (NPCC) Khoirul Anwaar B Juma’in Bukit View Secondary School Day Camp 2009 Bintan Trips Our journey to build this learning community started in 2007. In the same year, NPCC organised the inaugural Combined Uniformed Groups (UG) overseas trip for the Girl Guides and NPCC to Bintan. The trip boosted our confidence as we were actively engaged in activities like boom-netting, flying fox and coconut tree climbing. All the participants had a great time and it was truly enjoyable. Uniformed Groups did research on different components such as Festivals, Monuments, Heritage sites etc. Then, we set up the Heritage exhibition in school during the National Day Week to showcase our research. We also worked together for the Total Defence badges during the Total Defence Week this year. Secondary 1 students attended a mass introductory lecture on Total Defence, Secondary 2 students went to the army museum for a visit while the Secondary 3 and above students headed to Pulau Ubin for beach cleaning. All these combined activities serve to fulfil the requirements for the Total Defence badges. Events 4 National Day National Day On the evening of 9th August 2009, my heart was racing as I was standing at attention at the National Day Parade. Feeling nervous and excited at the same time, I tried my best not to fidget during the whole parade. After 16 tough trainings in four months, our perseverance was finally paying off. The whole NPCC Contingent stood smartly at attention on the floating platform, singing our National Anthem “Majulah Singapura” with pride upon the arrival of our President, Mr. S R Nathan. Although the trainings were tough, our endurance level has surely improved and we have made new friends from the contingent. The first few trainings were especially tough as we were still not used to the rigours of the parade and the whole contingent consisted of cadets from different schools. There were some who already knew each other because they took part in the NPCC Annual Parade. Being a Secondary 2 cadet who did not attend the NPAP, everyone was a complete stranger to me. It was not easy for me as I had no one to get advice from. Over time, through my new-found friends, I was able to cope with the tough training every Saturday. It is truly a privilege to be part of the National Day Parade 2009 and a memorable experience that I am sure everyone that was taking part in the NPCC Contingent would never forget. NDP‘09. We Make It Happen! LCpl (NPCC) Tan Wee Peng Chung Cheng High School (Yishun) 5 Parade 2009 Parade 2009 Singapore celebrated its 44th birthday on 9th of August 2009. For this special event, more than a thousand students and helpers made their way to the Marina Bay floating platform every Saturday to practice and train for that upcoming day. This year, I am honoured to join in the National Day Parade as a member of the National Police Cadet Corps supporting contingent. It was really a rare opportunity and it is really something I will remember in my life. The first training was held at Nee Soon Camp and during the first few trainings, nobody knew anyone there. The whole NPCC contingent wasn’t noisy compared to the other uniformed groups. It wasn’t until we had a few parade trainings in Nee Soon Camp before we began to talk to one another. The training there was tiring compared to our school parades. Although the trainers there were nice, they were very serious about marching and will scream at any one for making serious and grave mistakes. Also the weather was extremely hot. It was not surprising to see cadets falling out due to the heat. Before long, we started our training at the Marina Bay floating platform. By then, the whole NPCC contingent was like a big family for everyone, and including me, everyone there made new friends. Over the past five months, I made friends with cadets from Yuan Ching Secondary, Yu Hua Secondary, Beatty Secondary, Assumption English School, CHIJ St Nicholas and many other schools. I really loved the days when we were marching together. Events ourselves to look good in front of the audience at the floating platform or for spectators watching us on TV. They were the ones sacrificing their times training us without getting anything back in return. They were the ones showing us care and concern when we needed medical assistance. During the actual day, everyone was on their best form and wishing to do well in the evening parade. As we marched in, singing the song “We Are One”, 30,000 audience on the grandstand, waved the heart-shaped torch and the Singapore flag and cheered us on. The audience really made me feel that I had not joined National Day Parade for nothing! Everyone did perfectly well that day and the errors that we made were minor or none at all. However, after the parade, we had something even more tiring for us to complete. We got to march 3.25km around the Marina Bay area before ending our final day. This 3.25km march was tiring but we had the moral support of the spectators outside the floating platform, our contingent mates and our Cadet Inspectors with us. Everyone finished the march without anyone reporting casualties! This year’s National Day Parade was the best, and I do really hope to have another chance to participate in the NDP again. From the first training at Nee Soon Camp to the actual day at Marina Bay Floating Platform, the humid weather did not pull our morale down .It was the endurance, the passion and the commitment that we had put in into this parade and the love for our nation which kept us going. Also, the Cadet Inspectors and Field Instructors teaching and guiding us were an important part of the parade. We wanted to give Singapore the best parade. And we did it. At least, I think we made it. Like what the parade commander told all the cadets who participated in this year’s parade, “You guys are the charcoal; dull and look insignificant. However, I can see that every one of you here is burning with passion. And what your trainers are for, they are the fire starter; they are the ones who will start to make everyone here burn with passion. And because of them, you all have become the diamonds in NDP ’09.” This sentence truly made sense as they were the ones who made us improve Singapore this is my homeland, where I belong. I will definitely miss everyone who participated in NDP ’09. NDP ’09, We Make It Happen. Every hand reaching up, every heart reaching out! Sgt (NPCC) Lim Yang Tee Boon Lay Secondary School Events 6 Overseas Educational Trip to K.L. The NPCC Kuala Lumpur Educational trip organised by our Unit was held on the 24th and 25th October 2009 and it was one of the most enjoyable trips that we had. 19 selected cadets from the Secondary Three and Two squads went on this trip, accompanied by two teachers, Mrs Ramesh and Mr Salizam. The tour guide, Paul, for the trip was very knowledgeable about Malaysia. He shared information about the country during the bus journey. As it was an educational trip, the objective would be to gain knowledge about the Malaysian Police Force, build team spirit and increase rapport among the teachers and cadets. We arrived at the Batik Cottage, our first destination. Batik making is extremely labour intensive. This requires drying, boiling and drawing. This could explain why the prices in the batik shop we went to were so high. After this, we had a better appreciation for this traditional way of batik making. The next location that we went to was the rubber plantation. “Injuries” were created on the rubber trees to extract the latex for rubber production. This is one of the things that are not taught in school. Some cadets touched the latex and felt that it was rather sticky and had a bad smell. Then we went to visit the Royal Malaysian Police Museum. It was rather big. We viewed the exhibits mostly about the old uniforms and weapons used in the past by the Malaysian Police Force. It was surely an eyeopener. We gained knowledge about the history of the Malaysian Police system and the present rules and laws of the Malaysian Police. There were many similarities between them and Singapore Police Force. Our next destination was the Batu Caves. Everyone had to climb up 272 steps before reaching the cave. It was a healthy walk up and everyone managed to overcome this 272 steps obstacle safely. Resilience was developed among us. We learnt about that the Hindus celebrating their Thaipusam festival there every year. We also had an amazing view of the busy city of Kuala Lumpur at the top of the Batu Caves. We noted that the buildings of the bustling city were all beautiful and tall with the architects ensuring that each estate had a different identity. Going down the steps was very scary as the steps were very steep and small. But overall, we certainly enjoyed a wonderful and fruitful experience. At the end of the day, we settled down for the night at the famous Federal Hotel. We were too tired after all the activities and had a good rest in the comfort of the hotel. First thing in the morning the next day was breakfast. After which, we checked out of the hotel and we could not wait for our paintball session. The place was rather big. First and most important of all, the instructor briefed us on the rules and the game play of the paintball session. We were paying full attention to the instructor as we wanted to play safely and enjoy the game. We were split into two groups and the main objective of the paintball session was to shoot our rivals to win. This involved group strategy and teamwork. The impact of the paintball pellets was painful and some of us were injured by the fast moving pellets. During the paintball session, we learnt to communicate more with our group members and to have teamwork, if not the group will struggle and lose. Despite the pain and sweat, we still enjoyed the game. Sgt (NPCC) Nur Masturina Sgt (NPCC) Chium Feng Yong Boon Lay Secondary School We jumped for joy when we were given time to shop since we showed discipline and punctuality for the trip. The most interesting thing was that we were having lunch at an Indian restaurant. The amazing part was that we had to eat on a banana leaf using our bare hands. It was fun to see our friends eating with their hands. With a full stomach, we headed back to Singapore. We had a knowledgeable, memorable and fun time with our fellow cadets and teachers during the 2 day 1 night trip. We enjoyed this trip very much and we hope that there will still be opportunities for us to participate in overseas trips in the future. 7 Events The Journey to Hong Kong & Macau On 17 November 2009, a special group of people, who consists of 2 Staff Officers, 3 Teacher Officers, 1 Honorary Officer, 4 Cadet Inspectors and 30 cadets visit to Hong Kong together. The cadets are chosen from different Units and Areas. Together with all the new faces, we started to make new friends and learnt something valuable from the trip. The cadets were split up into four different groups and each group was lead by a respective Cadet Inspector. As representing National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) and part of educational programme for the cadets, we visited a number of Hong Kong Police Units and learnt something new from it. First of all, we visited the Hong Kong Old Central Police Station. There was a tour guide leading us to tour around the buildings and at the same time, they were telling us about the histories of these buildings. Apart from it, we had also visited the Hong Kong Police College, which is also known as Police Training School in Hong Kong. When we reached there, we proceed on to their lecture room and had a presentation from the Police Officers there. After which, we had a chance to tour around the Police College, get to know their training facilities and had a short view of their drills training session. Interestingly, they built a stimulation centre, which built similarly to the public places in Hong Kong, such as ‘Restaurants’, ‘Bars’ and ‘train’. These allow the Police Officers to be familiarized with the situation outside and have better trainings. Furthermore, we had also visited the Police Tactical Unit (PTU), the Police Marine Unit and the Police Dog Unit in Hong Kong. In Police Dog Unit, we were entertained by the performances put up by their Police’s dogs and also know more about the trainings in their Dog Unit. One of the days, we had visited the Hong Kong Police Headquarter (HQ) and the Central Police Station. We wore our Full NPCC Uniform on this day as a form of respect. At the Hong Kong Police HQ, we had our exchange programme with them. From NPCC, we had CI Kevin and CI Terrence represent us in presenting about the NPCC. At the mean time, there was also a representative from the JPC in Hong Kong presenting about their organization. After all the presentations, we were given a chance to buy some souvenirs from the shop in the Hong Kong Police HQ. After that, we proceed on to visit the Central Police Station. The officers there brought us to tour around their police station, look around at their facilities, as well as knowing about their working system. After all those visits, I believe all of us had a better idea of Hong Kong Police. Besides having the knowledge and histories about Hong Kong Police, we also get to interact with the members of JPC. JPC is an organization that is quite similar to NPCC. They take in youths from various ages, starting from 9 years old. JPC is also formed in various schools in Hong Kong. We had visited their club houses and had some activities over there. We took a ferry of Hong Kong Marine Police to Chung Cheu Island and visit the JPC Club House in Chung Cheu. We played some games over there and also touring around the Island. Other than JPC Club house in Cheng Cheu, we also visited JPC Club House in Tai Po. Over there, we interacted with their youngest Junior JPC members by having some snacks and some activities. The most enjoyable and memorable day was the day when we had Barbeque (BBQ) Session with the JPC members. During the BBQ, we had some sing-along session, which entertained us most and bond us together. Time past very quickly, it’s time to say goodbye. I think that it is a small world for all of us to meet each other and have fun over these 7 days of educational trip. This is a very fruitful trip for all of us, in gaining knowledge about Hong Kong Police, viewing scenery of Hong Kong, enjoying the wonderful meals and most importantly is our friendships. Even though this is a short trip, however, over this period of time, I believe most of us have learnt something new from one another, personal life skills and some important values. I hope we can share our joy and knowledge that we had gain from the trip with our own respective units and finally I think this is a very enjoyable and memorable trip for all of us. Sgt Wiky Ang Greendale Secondary School During the trip, I had learnt a lot about the Hong Kong Police Force and we certainly had enjoyed ourselves. I would like to thank the officers from guiding and reminding us during the trip and looking over our safety. This 7-day-6-night trip was certainly an eye opener for me and I hoped to attend more overseas trip with NPCC if I would ever get one again. Another valuable thing that I gained was the friendship between the officers and the cadets. Before the trip, we were 40 individuals; after the trip, we become one NPCC family. We had many great times together and we even had a small party at the hotel on our last night as we played games together and had fun. We were so bonded as one that we were so reluctant to leave the airport on the final day. We took countless of photos with one another to remember this friendship and wonderful opportunity. I hoped to sustain this priceless friendship and meet up often. I will never forget this wonderful trip! SSgt (NPCC) Siow Zheng Qian Catholic High School The JPC organises their own activities and also help the Police in protecting the city. We could look around at the historical police building and learn more the history of the police force in Hong Kong. It was a big place including old jail cells, court and barracks. Our excitement rose as we visited the next place after lunch, the Hong Kong Police College. The Police College/Training School we always see in the Hong Kong dramas are finally right in front of us! We went through a short lecture and a tour around the place. Luckily, we also had an opportunity to look at their drill session, with trainees in their smart green uniform. We learnt that only the top 10-20% applicants can to train as a police in their 14 weeks training. We went to their Police Tactical Village there and learnt how the police train in their weapons. Durinf dinner, we interacted more with the JPC members, we shared our NPCC experience with them and they shared theirs. We had sing-along with them after that, where we practiced songs we learnt as well as learn new songs from them. It was like a mini campfire and everyone felt very high! During our visit to their Police Tactical Unit located in New Territories, we were also allowed into their Tactical Vehicles used for riots and emergency. Hong Kong Police Dog Unit was our next stop. It was an interesting place located at the New Territories. We were introduced to the dog unit with us learning interesting facts, including 101 dogs working in the unit and dogs being trained to patrol, sniff out drugs and detect bombs. Very useful in protecting the country from any terrorism or crime. Demonstration of the dogs in training and their very own dog examination were shown to us before we had photo taking session with the Police Dogs. It was a totally great experience! Cpl (NPCC) Chiang Zhi Wen New Town Secondary School Events 8 MHA SAFE Programme In early 2009, our OC Unit received the invitation to participate in the Safety Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) Programme initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). 8 months later, 3 of our cadets have successfully completed the project, positively contributed to their community, and received a Silver award in recognition of their effort. The MHA launched this new programme in January 09 in the hopes of seeking collaboration of the education and learning fraternity with MHA in dealing with the challenges posed by today’s security environment. The programme seeks to find ideas and innovations that can resolve challenges posed by 4 key security-type issues namely personal, community, social and physical security . Project teams are to be formed and a project proposal be written and submitted to the committee. Once approved, the team will be given seed money in order to carry out their project. The team also gets privileged access to Home Team (HT) facilities and mingle up close with HT officers to further develop the project idea. Our cadets were all given this piece of information and they were encouraged to form their own groups and brainstorm on possible project ideas and submit it to the teacher officers (TO) for feedback and later, approval. TOs then chose the proposal submitted by three cadets, LCpl (NPCC) Ong Phng Ming, LCpl (NPCC) Tan Qiao Wen and LCpl (NPCC) Zhuang Junjie as the project that would represent the unit and submitted it to MHA. It was soon approved and the cadets got down to planning the details. Their project was a simple but meaningful one. They wanted to increase awareness of security issues among the residents around the school, which were mostly private houses. They went to about 50 homes and conducted a simple survey on In Place Protection (IPP), fire safety and crime prevention. The results showed that the residents were indeed aware of the measures they needed to take to prevent burglary in their homes but they were not entirely sure of the proper equipment needed and the procedure with which to put out fires in the home. An alarming number of residents also showed that they had no clue what IPP even was! The cadets then put together an action plan to combat these worrying findings. They decided to hold an exhibition called “The Awareness Exhibition” in school. They enlisted the help of officers from the Marine Parade NPC and the SCDF 2nd Division to assist them. The officers gladly took on the project and were a big help. They agreed to hold talks on safety issues and the SCDF even volunteered to conduct live demonstrations on how to put out a fire using an extinguisher. This involved hands-on sessions for the residents as well, something we teachers call experiential learning. It was really a nice touch indeed, which thrilled the cadets even more. In order to address the lack of awareness on IPP, the cadets put together their own version of a home IPP kit, which included a plastic bag, scissors, a small radio with batteries, scotch tape as well as their very own IPP postcard which they designed. This postcard had instructions on how to carry out the IPP procedure in the case of an initiation by the SCDF. This humble kit put together by three Secondary Two students could very well save lives during emergencies. The exhibition was a success for the most part. The cadets were slightly disappointed at first as they expected more residents to attend it but the ones who did learnt meaningful lessons indefinitely and they got to carry home with them an IPP kit. The feedback they gave was very positive and soon, the cadets felt proud of themselves for coming up with a thoughtful project which had simple but practical attainable objectives. With every project that has to do with the community, there had to be a celebration to close the project and give those involved a pat on their backs along with some recognition for their effort and innovative ideas. The MHA organised an exhibition to culminate all innovations in 2009 and all groups that took part in the SAFE Programme were invited to showcase their projects. The cadets again, amazed us TOs with their confidence and pride in illustrating to the public what their project was about. When the judges went to their booth to rate their work, they commented that although their project was simple, it was effective and it aimed to address the issues they noticed in their community. And this I felt, was what won them their Silver Award that day. The cadets had a tough, challenging but fruitful learning experience teaching others in the community. They made full use of the passion and knowledge they gained during their years in NPCC and went the extra mile to pass this on to the community, in the hope that there would be positive changes. They did indeed impact the lives of those who attended the exhibition and this is what being an NPCC cadet should be about. Insp (NPCC) Latifah Abdul Latiff Chung Cheng High School (Main) 9 Events Asian Youth Games This year, a team of 30 Year Four NPCC cadets, together with two Teacher-officers, is proud to be selected to be part of the workforce for the Asian Youth Games Team Welcome Ceremony (AYG TWC). The event spread over four days, from 26 to 29 June 2009, where student- and teachervolunteers from Dunman High School NPCC witnessed the team welcome ceremonies for over 30 National Olympic Committees (NOCs). Besides being the placard holders for these ceremonies, the students had the chance of being the flag-bearers and flag-hoisters too. Whilst the students were hard at work, the two teacher volunteers were also tasked with the job of being the emcees for the team welcome ceremonies. Indeed, the four days volunteer service at the Games Village at Swissotel Hotel was a refreshing experience for both students and teachers. Prior to the actual four days of Team Welcome Ceremonies at the Games Village, the students had two training sessions at the National Stadium on 23rd and 24th of June. Being totally inexperienced in such welcome ceremonies, the trainings with prototypes were invaluable to us. We believed that practice makes perfect, and hence, made full use of the free time we had, to rehearse the procedures over and over again. Being fully aware of the importance of the event and our roles as flag-bearers and flag-hoisters, we gave our best to ensure that any possible imperfections were kept to the minimum. On a typical day of the Team Welcome Ceremony, preparation work started as early as 7.30am as student and teacher volunteers checked for technical problems and made necessary adjustments to the day’s schedule. It was finally down to the actual ceremony and all eyes were on the students as they bore the flags of the participating NOCs and marched gallantly into the ceremony venue. The flags were raised up in an orderly manner as the anthems of the NOCs were played. Applause erupted from the audience every time a flag was fully hoisted and this was perhaps the most rewarding moment for the AYG TWC workforce. The solemn atmosphere lasted throughout the whole ceremony until the departure of the teams. However, there was no time for the volunteers to relax as preparation jobs for the next team welcome ceremony took place simultaneously. When all team welcome ceremonies had ended for the day, all student and teacher volunteers gather again for the hoisting of the State Flag of Singapore flag, the flag of the Asian Youth Games and the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia flag. The raising of these three flags officially marked the end of our responsibilities for the day. At the end of these four memorable days at the Games Village, it was finally back to normal routine for the students and teachers of Dunman High School. Although we may have given up part of our June holidays for this duty, we have taken with us the most invaluable experience from the inaugural Asian Youth Games. SI (NPCC) Mok Wen Tian Dunman High School A typical Team Welcome Ceremony at the Asian Youth Games. The AYG TWC Team with the Village Mayor, Mrs Lim Thian Loke, (3rd from left in the first row) & the Team Leader, Mr Tan Kok Wah, (1st from left in the first row). Frasia, the AYG mascot, with the Singapore’s State Flag and the flags of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Asian Youth Games. Events 10 Dragon Boating @ Bedok Reservoir On 30th Octorber 09, I made our way down with my unit to Bedok Reservoir for my very first dragon boat rowing experience. This year, our unit organised a dragon boat enrichment course for all Secondary One to Three cadets. When we reached the destination, we were assigned to four groups. The dragon boat instructors briefed us on how to use the paddle and other safety precautions. After some physical training, we went onboard. There were approximately 20 cadets and an instructor on each boat. We were taught commands, like ‘easy’ means ‘stop rowing the boat’ while ‘paddles up’ means ‘to get ready to row’. At first, we were not able to synchronise properly, resulting in the boat moving slowly. Then, the instructor asked Sgt (NPCC) Jeffrey Seow to give commands for us to follow. We followed the commands and noticed a huge improvement in our speed. Just as we were having fun, the sky turned dark. Rain would come at any time. For safety reason, the instructors had to end the activity before time. We ended the session with a mini race and our boat came in last. It was a tiring but enjoyable day. It has been a wonderful experience for me as it was my first time rowing a dragon boat. Other than learning the basic skills of rowing a boat, most importantly, I learnt about teamwork. You cannot row a dragon boat alone or have everyone rowing at different pace. We need to work as a team to get the boat moving fast. Other than teamwork, I also see the importance of a leader in a team. A leader is indispensable as the team needs someone to give a direction so that everyone moves in unison. I thank the school and the teachers for organising such a meaningful excursion and I look forward to more of such activities. LCpl (NPCC) Koh Yi Fan Maris Stella High School 11 Events TKGS NPCC in Kampung Glam Constituency Civil Defence Emergency Preparedness Bag Giveaway On Sunday 15 February 09, Tanjong Katong Girls’ School NPCC unit took part in an event that no other NPCC unit had done before: assisting a constituency for the Civil Defence Emergency Preparedness Bag Giveaway. Early that morning, our Secondary 4 cadets headed down to Kampung Glam Multi-purpose shelter/pavilion to carry out a Community Involvement Programme activity coordinated by our teachersin-charge, Mr Vincent Low and Mr Teo Siew Leong. We were to distribute emergency bags to the residents of Crawford GRC as well as to assist in the opening of a new playground. Although we were initially unsure of how best to help, we were still looking forward to taking part as Kampung Glam is the first constituency in Singapore to organise such an event. Our first task was to pop the confetti poppers after Ms Denise Phua, MP for the Jalan Besar GRC, had officially declared a new playground in the area opened. We were given instructions on how to operate the confetti poppers as well as safety precautions. Needless to say, we were very excited to carry out that task as the confetti poppers were of an intimidating length of almost one metre! After the official unveiling of the playground and a performance by the pupils from PAP Kindergarten, we then had to head down to our respective stations so that we could help distribute the emergency bags. We had to ensure that each household only collected one bag, and that they were from the correct residence. Initially, many of us were very apprehensive as we were afraid that we would make a mistake, especially in the recording process. However, the presence of very helpful and supportive GRC volunteers was a source of comfort for us as they patiently briefed and guided us. The most impressive part about the GRC volunteers was how they seemed to know everyone who turned up at the booths, so much so that they could vouch for the people who turned up without identification cards. This CIP event has made the Secondary 4 cadets more aware of the importance of emergency preparedness. It was constantly reiterated at the CD Emergency Preparedness Bag Giveaway that the bag was to contain emergency supplies like a radio, batteries, non-perishable food and other necessities and not for carrying groceries and the like. Also, the significance of community bonding was exemplified here, and we were very inspired by the camaraderie shown by the members of the GRC in ensuring that every resident in the area was aware of what they had to do in a crisis. The Secondary 4 cadets also had a wonderful time doing their part for the community, and would not hesitate to get involved in such activities again. SSgt (NPCC) Ayeshah Mirzha Tanjong Katong Girls’ School Events 12 YouthBridge 2009 On 10 September programme Drug Abuse, Illegal 2009, 10 of us from the Secondary 2 squad attended the Youth Bridge organised by the Hougang NPC. It included several talks: Peer Mediation, Anti cigarettes in Singapore and Crime Prevention. When all of us reached Montfort Secondary School, which was the venue, everyone felt awkward at the beginning as we were quite unfamiliar with the surroundings. We were led to the Auditorium where we were each given a number tag for the grouping for an activity in the later part of the day. This was followed by the opening address by Mr Mohamed Deen, who was in charge of the programme. Then, we participated in an exciting ice-breaking game where members from all the different schools got to know each other better. The AVA room was full of joyous laughter and noise while the icebreaking activity went on. I must say we really enjoyed getting to know more people! After ice-breaking, there was a Peer Mediation Talk conducted by the Community Mediation Centre. It taught us how to help our peers solve their conflicts by talking honestly about the problem and also to come up with a solution to the problem. We got to learn that peer mediation gives similar ground between students that may allow more flexibility in the discussion, leading to the problem being solved. At around 10 a.m., the Central Narcotics Bureau conducted a talk on anti-drug abuse. We got to know the different kinds of drugs and inhalants that are commonly seen in Singapore. The tell-tale signs and penalties of a person taking drugs were made known to us so that we will think twice before trying them. The presenters also challenged us to help spread the anti-drug message to our friends so that they may benefit from it too. Next, a few officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore conducted a talk on the issue of illegal cigarettes in the country. We were also informed of the penalties for possessing and selling illegal cigarettes. It was the first time we were told that all duty-paid cigarettes have a tiny “SDPC” marking on them – talk about missing the small things! The officers also told us the negative effects on health if we smoked fake cigarettes; it was really shocking to find out that dead flies and even excrement were found in the cigarettes. I think we would all be more careful about that innocent-looking white stick from now on. Subsequently, a Crime Prevention talk was conducted by the police officers from Hougang NPC. It was a brief talk telling us not to commit crimes and also how not to fall prey to crimes. It was pretty informative as well. After lunch, another round of ice-breaking was conducted by the NACLI (National Community Leadership Institute). It was then followed by a “Key Punch” game. The game was about hammering the numbers (1 to 50) written in different languages and signs on sheets of paper. The objectives of the game were to teach us about communication, teamwork and perseverance. Therefore, the group that demonstrated all 3 qualities won the whole game. Even though my group did not win, I thought the hidden messages were useful in real life. After Key Punch, we took part in another game called Ready Bag. The objective of this game was to answer as many questions as possible to get coupons, which were then used to buy the necessary items at various stalls to be placed in the Ready Bag, which is used during any emergency evacuation. From now on, I think I would prepare one at home! After all the fun activities and interesting talks, the day finally came to an end. Many of us couldn’t bear to leave our new friends, young and old, policeman or not. If given the opportunity, I will surely attend a similar event in the future. Cpl (NPCC) Teng Jun Tat Xinmin Sec Sch Introduction to Our Future: A Continuity 13 Special Feature Our FUTURE lies in the hand… “FUTURE…What will the future be? What is the future that you hope to see? Some may say “leave it to Fate” while some others believe that we can shape our own future. What do you believe in? Many of our early generations of NPCC leaders and members knew that the future of NPCC laid in their hands. The success of NPCC in this present time did not happen by chance. It is the result of the hard work and dedication of our past and present members. While we cherish the past and celebrate the present glory, we must plan for the future. The word “Future” seems so far but yet so near. Whatever future that we desire, we must start doing whatever is needed now as apples do not just grow on trees at a click of the fingers! We must have big dreams and great visions for the Corps. The future of NPCC depends on each and every one of us. The seeds that you sow today will bear fruits tomorrow. As the baton is passed from one generation to the next, we must not forget our roots which give us the strength to remain steadfast in the ever-changing world and at the same time, possess the skills and ability to remain relevant in the society we live in today! Let’s work together to bring the Corps to a greater height and an even brighter tomorrow!” …of the generation we groom TODAY Special Feature 14 Events Message from Senior Parliamentary Secretary – Mr. Masagos Zulkilfi Uniformed Groups have been an integral part of our nation-building efforts since the early days of self-governance. Over the past decades, NPCC has always played an active role in developing our youths into caring and responsible citizens. Rooted in strong traditions and values, the Corps, I trust, will continue to develop in our youths concern and responsibility for the safety and security of the community. I congratulate NPCC on its success in this endeavour of character building and leadership development among our youths. I also encourage NPCC to continue developing exciting and enriching programmes and working closely with our schools to achieve the desired outcomes of education. I wish you continued success and urge the Corps to go beyond the familiar and to aim for greater heights so that you can continue to grow. Mr Masagos Zulkifli BMM Senior Parliamentary Secretary Ministry of Education & Ministry of Home Affairs Message from NPCC Council Chairman – Mr. Charles Chong 15 Special Feature Generations of young men and women have passed through our ranks and I am confident that the experiences they had in the Corps shaped or moulded them, in some shape or form, into the men and women they are today. I see the Corps as a training ground not just for physical growth, but also a place when our Cadets can develop socially and intellectually. We also want to continue to actively encourage good citizenship and to instill in our Cadets a sense of social responsibility. While we cherish and celebrate the past, we should not become overly attached to it and must adapt to societal changes. The youth of today have different needs and interests from the youth of 1959; we recognise this and our training programmes have evolved over the years to try and meet these needs. For example, as we have generally become more international in our outlooks, the Corps has also sought to build ties with similar bodies overseas, thereby facilitating the development of inter-country relationships not just between organisations, but also on a personal level. We also have to embrace an increasingly technologically rich and varied world and harness technology to meet our training needs and to promote our activities. Virtual space is becoming more and more part of the real world and we will need to accept this, along with the challenges it poses. Cyber-crime is one of the unfortunate by-products of increasing online activity and one change I envisage is that cyber crime prevention will, in the future, play a greater part in our programmes. The last 50 years have allowed us to grow an organisation we can be proud of; the next 50 are full of promise. The baton has now passed to us and it is up to us to continue growing the Corps so that it remains relevant to our Cadets and, more generally, to Singapore. CHARLES CHONG MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT PASIR RIS – PUNGGOL GRC CHAIRMAN NPCC COUNCIL Special Feature 16 Events Message from Commissioner of Police – Mr. Khoo Boon Hui Fifty years ago, the NPCC was established with the aim to cultivate in youths a greater sense of discipline and act as a bridge between people and the police force. It has now grown into a thriving youth organization, instilling important values in our youths; creating greater awareness amongst them and through them to the community at large on the safety and security of our homeland. The NPCC would not be the largest uniform group today if not for the strong dedication and contributions of each and every member. To all NPCC members, I urge you to keep the passion burning. In a highly globalized world with many unknown challenges ahead, we must continually seek ways to excel and continue our fine tradition of turning out caring and responsible young men and women. Remain steadfast in our course, be creative and dare to tread into uncharted waters. Leveraging on its close affiliation with the SPF, I am confident that the NPCC will continue its relentless pursuit of its vision of “Moulding the Builders of a Safe and Secure Home”. KHOO BOON HUI COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Message from Commandant NPCC – Supt Rosalind Khoo From a humble beginning of merely 30 cadets, the NPCC has grown into a vibrant and credible youth movement over the last five decades to be one of the largest uniformed youth organisation in Singapore. Our success today is largely due to the strong sense of commitment and valuable contributions by members. I salute the many men and women, past and present members, who have devoted many hours, days and years of their lives in helping to develop our cadets into caring and responsible citizens. The immense amount of energy shown by our members and the spirit of volunteerism in NPCC is indeed inspiring. Let us keep this spirit alive! We must constantly innovate and reinvent ourselves to remain relevant and appealing as a uniformed youth organization. United by a common vision and purpose, coupled with the strong support of the SPF and MOE, I am confident that NPCC will prevail as a CCA of choice among students and provide a rewarding experience to all. Let’s continue to pursue this meaningful cause of moulding the builders of a safe and secure home! Rosalind Khoo Commandant NPCC 17 Special Feature Events 18 Forensic Science Conference 2009 Forensic science is the application of science in the solving of crimes. Just like it is on the hit TV series – CSI. In real life, forensic scientists put on laboratory coats and use chemistry, biology and physics to help solve crimes. On 17 September 2009, 14 of us from Xinmin Secondary School NPCC Unit went for a Forensic Science Conference that was held at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Before stepping into the lecture theatre, we were treated to some of the gruesome yet fascinating CSI exhibits that were shown outside the theatre. There was a corpse, fake blood and murder weapons. Through interaction with the organisers, we found out that there is a Forensic Science Quiz, which would give us a chance to investigate this simulated crime scene; we jumped at it! After racking our brains and handing in the forms, we went on and looked at the other booths where instruments used in forensic science were on display. When we were done, we were led into the theatre to be seated. The first item was an amazing dance number put up by the Ngee Ann Polytechnic students. Their moves were really marvellous and captivating. It really perked everyone up for the event. The opening performance was followed by talks by forensic scientists and investigators who gave gritty details of some of their most exciting cases. We were first enthralled by Mr. Lim Seng Kim, Commandant of the School of Criminal Investigation from the Criminal Investigation Department, who spoke on Crime Scene Investigation procedures. Through his speech, we got to know more about how the police are able to solve crimes in Singapore and bring criminals to justice. It seemed like our police force is an effective group of people – I feel so safe living in Singapore! The whole talk was enriching as we gained knowledge that could not be found in our school textbooks. Next, Dr. Christopher Syn, Senior Forensic Scientist from the Health Sciences Laboratory, revealed to us how DNA profiling is used to solve crimes. We laughed uncontrollably while we learnt more about DNA profiling as Dr. Syn was humorous throughout his talk. We didn’t know that the Spartan and lifeless laboratory could create so much humour! It was useful to see how DNA profiling can pinpoint guilt so accurately; it makes anyone in the auditorium think twice about committing any crime! Lastly, Dr. Yao Yi Ju, Laboratory Director from the Analytical Toxicology Laboratory at the Health Sciences Authority spoke on how drugs and poisons are detected in forensic work. These substances are sometimes used in crimes and it is important to screen them rigorously so as to help solve the cases. We now see how the science learnt in the classroom is actually used in real life! At the end of the talks, there was an announcement of the Forensic Science Trivia Quiz results, which was conducted before the talks started. Though neither the ten of us were lucky enough to be drawn to receive the prizes, we were glad that some of us actually achieved full marks for the quiz. Through all the talks and the quiz, we learnt many things about crime scene investigation and also about forensic science. It was indeed a fun and interesting experience for all of us. We enjoyed this learning experience very much. To add on, I am glad to be an NPCC member as it is NPCC who gave me this rare opportunity to learn about things that we do not find in textbooks. I would be sure that I would be the first to grab hold of such precious opportunities in the future! Cpl (NPCC) Siow Wei Ling Xinmin Secondary School 19 Events Community Service Rustic Reminiscence of Tanjung Piai trip Revitalizing cerulean firmament gradually engulfed the torpor ebony of twilight, heralding dawn and the beginning of a great journey on 24 November 09. Before us, 29 Sec Two, Sec Three and Sec Four cadets, 2 Cadet Inspectors and 2 Teacher-officers from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) was a rustic, quaint resort, Tanjung Piai Resort, enshrouded within the somnolent forest. The quiescent breeze gently stroked by our apparels, revealing no signs of the incandescent expedition ahead. Enervated by the long bus ride, we bore a visage of lethargy and lassitude, very much unlike the camp’s vision of producing sagacious leaders with perseverance and fortitude. Upon embarking on the activities on the first day, our weary attitudes were immediately torn asunder, infused with jubilance and agog. As we thread our way through the obstacle course within our group, our puissant ego overtook the tenuous bonds in our team and we focused on triumph. After a multitude of stumbles amidst the pernicious exchange of words between the competing groups, we gradually realised our lapse. The course was a race against time with teamwork as our weapon and our sole opponent was the natural elements, not one another. Mustering our remaining strength, we aided each other in passing the remaining obstacles that apparently stood impregnable, trudging through the viscous river adorned with mud and manure. Now, at the apex of the course, victory was trivial, we knew we had overcome our fears and advanced to greater heights as a team. On the next day, we had a humbling experience at the local School for the Mentally-Disabled during our Community Involvement Programme. The smile of joy on the faces of the residents as they welcomed us, the city-dwelling teenagers, with a traditional dance and the ‘Chicken Dance’, made us forget their differences. We indulged ourselves in removing weeds, ploughing the vegetable farms and general cleaning of the compound together with our new-found friends. After the laborious but pleasurable task, we were treated to a sumptuous lunch cooked by some of our hosts. Back in the resort, we were literally scaling heights. The daunting coconut trees stood rooted before us, its haughty elevated trunks taunting us to overcome. With the aid of our instructors and the unwavering support of our teammates, one by one we defeated the vertigo-inducing heights of the trees. The taste of success came in the form of the succulent coconut juice that came after the climb and reminded us of the fruition of our unit in the turbulent year. The final day saw our challenge against the elements of the sea. Rowing through the unrelenting seas on a meager sampan, it was the decisive test against our minds. Though our destination was far beyond our sight, our camaraderie and amity kept us in great anticipation. Singing with gung-ho to the tune of NPCC songs, our weariness was numbed and our goals have been achieved. We gained dominance over the furies of the seas, through our union as one unit. When we reached our destination, the next activity saw us putting our skills of outdoor cooking to the test where we had to prepare quick-fix dishes by cooking on makeshift stoves on the ground. When we were done, as we chomped away, the grumbling in our stomachs was finally satisfied by the delectable products of our kampongcooking culinary skills. Under the lulling hue of the moonlight, cheers or great gusto resonated through our campsite with alacrity, our stentorian voices burning with greater passion than the flames of the Campfire. Recalling the days that passed, it bore a poignant and nostalgic semblance to our unit’s journey throughout the year. Braving through all the obstacles that came by, we repelled the malevolence of failure. We triumphed as one as the rustic reminiscences of the adventure in Tanjung Piai Resort in the southernmost tip of Peninsular Malaysia remains etched in our minds as a perfect finale to a rewarding year, 2009. Sgt (NPCC) Tay Yuan Teck Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Community Service 20 BLSS @ Beach Cleaning What a fun day it was! On 21st August 2009, my CCA, the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) unit of Boon Lay Secondary School organised an event for the entire Secondary 2 squad and a few cadets from the Secondary 3 squad. The activity was held at East Coast Park Beach Cleaning- Community Involvement Programme (CIP). Before reaching East Coast Park, our teacher officer, Mr. Salizam, grouped us under three different Secondary 3 leaders. He also reminded us to keep in mind ‘Safety First’. When we reached East Coast Park, we moved to the main assembly point, which was outside the McDonald’s restaurant. Next, Mr. Salizam issued us a trash bag and glove per person. Then, he asked us to work as a team and help each other. Later, we were divided into different groups and headed to our respective destinations to carry out our beach cleaning. The most interesting thing which occurred during this activity was when our officer caught a small crab. My group gathered to have a look at it. Later we took out a glass bottle which we picked up and filled it with sand and some water. Then, we placed the crab into the bottle. After a while, we set it free on the beach. My group then went picking up rubbish along the pathways. We were having so much fun singing NPCC songs and challenging each other to see who could pick up the most litter. By doing so, a lot of rubbish was collected. Then, our officer brought us to the next destination which was the beachside. We started to pick up litter such as straws, tissue paper, paper cups and even scattered pieces of glass which were hazardous to the environment as well as to people. Without even noticing, time had passed so quickly. As the amount of rubbish accumulated, most of our trash bags started to tear and had big holes. We then put the torn trash bags into good ones. However, eventually the only one good trash bag also tore, so my group decided to strategise. We decided to carry the heavy trash bag as a team. The boys were carrying the back of the bag and the girls, the front. We had to stop a few times before we reached the garbage bin. During the activity, we had our photos taken while we picked up litter. We also enjoyed the natural environment while my group and I were standing at the beach. I felt that this activity taught me and my squad to care for nature so that we may enjoy it. We even built a sandcastle together to remember our time there. It was quite big as all of us participated. Despite the tiredness that we felt, all of us were elated to complete the task as one. In my opinion, I felt that the purpose of the activity was to strengthen the relationship with our squad mates. Most importantly, it was also to care for nature and to learn to be responsible for keeping our country clean and green. Later, we bought food and drinks at McDonald’s and waited for the bus. On board the bus, we shared our experiences about the activity with each other. I had lots of fun and excitement with all the rest of my squad mates and officers. After the activity, I realised that one’s burden is halved with teamwork; which I enjoyed during NPCC with my squad mates. I hope to participate in more fun and valuable events organised in the future. Cpl (NPCC) Jinitha Babe Boon Lay Secondary School 21 Events Community Service Semakau Nature Walk It was really an excellent educational nature trek to Pulau Semakau. It was really a unique place to be and I never knew nature was so lovely! We took a ferry there from Marina South Pier. Before we went for the walk, we were briefed on the DOs and DON’Ts. First of all, we were supposed to follow closely the trail of our guide from the National University of Singapore (The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research) to minimise damage to the marine animals. We were also asked to check with our guide before touching anything as there might be poisonous and venomous marine organisms. Some of the marine animals might bite in order to protect themselves. Lastly, we had to wear covered footwear to protect our feet. Then, off we went for our Semakau Nature Walk. At first, most of us were extremely careful not to step on any living creatures. But we soon realised that it was really difficult as there were lots of marine animals which were masters of camouflage. During the walk, we had the opportunity to see a variety of marine animals such as the goby, massive corals, haliclona sponges, coral reefs, mushroom corals, faviids, anemone corals, sinularia soft corals, star corals, anemone shrimps, blue spotted fantail ray, cone snails, sea cucumbers, octopuses, hermit crabs, starfishes, crabs and flatworms. We were only allowed to touch some of them as some were too fragile to be touched, too fast for our hands to reach or harmful to us. Other than just looking at the animals, we were fortunate enough to see a few cone snails laying eggs! I was very glad to see that, as this meant that we will still get to see cone snails in the future. We also saw a certain type of stingray called the blue spotted fantail ray, which had many blue spots on its body. We saw small octopuses, flatworms of different colours and various types of sea cucumbers. I particularly liked the starfish which was red with black dots on its body. I also learnt an amazing fact – the starfish and sea sponge do not have a brain! To reach our destination, the Coral Reef, we had to walk through a scary, creepy forest. It was so muddy and slippery that I almost fell many times; Our guide gave us an introduction on the coral reefs in Singapore. According to our guide, they can be found off the islands south of Singapore, like Kusu, St.John‘s, Sisters, Hantu and Semakau. We were allowed to touch the corals. This was something different because different corals had different textures. After the walk, we learnt some useful knowledge about some of the marine animals. For example, octopuses are probably the most intelligent invertebrates around; starfishes need to be in the water in order to survive and each anemone can only allow a pair of anemone shrimps to live in. It was a very fruitful trip for all of us and I think all of us enjoyed ourselves! I would definitely bring my friends and family to Pulau Semakau next time! LCpl (NPCC) S.Priyalatha LCpl (NPCC) Vivian Wong XinYi Serangoon Garden Secondary School Leisure 22 Area 8 Games Day: Cheerleading Competition Early this year, the Area 8 Games Day 2009 was held by Dunman Secondary School NPCC Unit. We are proud to organise this year’s Area 8 Games Day. There were many events but the highlight of all events would surely be the Cheerleading competition! Everyone was enthusiastic and the Indoor Sports Hall was filled with cheers and air of excitement from the spectators, as well as the competitors! Everyone was geared up to showcase their talents and their skills in cheerleading! Participating schools did their best and gave their all in their performances! Games Day has successfully gelled different NPCC Units closer together. Despite our differences, this day has shown that we are all working towards one goal – which is the NPCC Mission. The bond created during those few hours would help us in our future endeavours, which requires teamwork and communication, for example in the annual ATC / STC. With such, Area 8 cadets will learn to prosper together and work together towards being caring and responsible citizens. The Judges had a difficult time in selecting the winner for the event as all the performances were terrific! Finally, after much discussion, they decided that the winner of the Area 8 Cheerleading Competition would be Dunman Secondary School! Personally, I felt that the Area 8 Games Day has helped in strengthening the bond between my Unit mates and I. In addition to that, with the collaboration and participation from other NPCC Units, Area 8 Sgt (NPCC) Nur Shahirah Binte Abdullah Dunman Secondary School ATC/ STC The 3Days 2Nights Area 8 NPCC ATC /STC ’09 were very memorable and enjoyable! My school’s NPCC Unit had a great time at Pulau Ubin. In addition, we have also learnt a lot and made many new friends from Area 8 NPCC Units! The skills that we acquired from this Camp will really help us in our future We found it easier to mingle around with the other cadets from Area 8 as we have already known them from the Area 8 Games Day. Sgt (NPCC) Magdelene Teo Dunman Secondary School 23 Events Leisure Bringing High Rope Elements into CDSS! June 2009 STC / ATC is going to be postponed due to H1N1. We’ll let you know when our STC / ATC is again. Huhhh.. But, we are so looking forward to flying fox and other challenges. Sir, we can’t go? July 2009 Latest News!! Flying Fox and Abseiling are coming to CDSS. NPCC has volunteered to be the first to try out. Really?? We’ll be the first to try? Sir, is it safe? Where’re we going to have the flying fox? August 2009 We are going all out to try the flying fox that spreads the school field and abseil down the 4 storey block! So excited! So cool! But, I’m actually quite scared. Overall Reflection Although our school does not have the facilities for abseiling or zig line, our teachers managed to get vendor to install the equipment in our school for 5 days to allow us to have some fun. After going through it, it has brought me out of my comfort zone and my confidence level has increased. This is fun. It feels totally out of this world when abseiling down school wall. I’m sure I’m prepared for the coming Survivor Training Camp! A/ASP (NPCC) Lim Soo Leng, Chestnut Drive Secondary School Leisure 24 One Beret At a Time Life of a cadet Like that of a beret. Polish your moves till you ‘stand out’ Season the crest till it ‘stands up’ Weathered by time, No time to rest, Self-confidence put to the test. Soaked in sweat, at each parade Each beret drenched of different grade. Feeling faint? Looking lousy? Who knows? Never let it show. Quick! Twiddle your toes. Life as an ACSI NPCC Cadet in Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) A adorned, clad in exultant blue, C courage embedded, discipline imbued. S striding with awe, thread with pride, I impregnable, yet deft like tides, N nostalgia of the jubilance shared, D deluged by euphoria, amity and care, Alas, When beret & crest collide with ground, Right away, You’ll be knocking it down. E eidetic memories of the annual camp, P packed with pathos, joy, shine and damp. E embracing challenge, traversing seas, Yes Sir! No Ma’am! All OK, No KO, NCO! Respect yourself, Respect the crest Always ready to be put to the test. In short, We run a marathon Filled With sweat and tears, One day, All this will pay off …our positive thinking, our hard work …our dreams, our hopes N natural fortress of primal glee. So cadet, Never say Never, Ever! No matter Who, what, why or when, No Problem, Cadets Can! (NPCC) P producing prodigies of integrity. C cephalic symbol of Lion’s prime, C ceaselessly cripple nefarious crime. Cpl (NPCC) Ng Shi Hui Cpl (NPCC) Nur Farah Amirah Bte Aermie Ang Juying Secondary School D drenched with torrents of possibility, E engendering independence, purging apathy. N national emblem of ivory raven, T training leaders in mighty havens. N nurturing youths of sagacity, Sgt (NPCC) Tay Tuan Teck Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) 25 Events Leisure NPCC Plus I drink NPCC Plus filled with natural ingredients NPCC Life II How do you become a better NPCC cadet??? SSgt (NPCC) Lee Wan Ting Naval Base Secondary School NPCC Life I Sgt (NPCC) Terence Tan Xinmin Secondary School Sgt (NPCC) Goh Bing Sheng Xinmin Secondary School Leisure 26 CROSSWORD PUZZLE Across 4. The _______ of the National Police Cadet Corps is to develop its cadets into caring and responsible citizens. 5. What is the name of our present NPCC Commandant? 8. What is the highest rank that an NPCC cadet can attain in his secondary school years? 9. The NPCC _______ was introduced in 1983 to nurture a distinct NPCC culture. 10.In which secondary school was the first Police Cadet Corps (PCC) unit formed? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Down 1. The _______ of the National Police Cadet Corps is to mould the builders of a safe & secure home. 2. The NPCC Campcraft and Inter-Unit Quiz competitions are conducted _______. 3. The 2 main camps in Pulau Ubin that accommodate NPCC cadets are Bahru Camp and _______ Camp. 6. Which badge is the most prestigious of the NPCC Badges? 7. The 6As Learning Path stands for _______, aspire, aim, achieve, aware and acquire. ASP (NPCC) Asmidah Binte Rahwam Unity Secondary School Answers 1) Vision 2) Biennially/Biannually 3) Noordin 4) Mission 5) Rosalind Khoo 6) Spfnpcc 7) Actuate 8) Station Inspector 9) Pledge 10) Bartley WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Proficiency Badges in NPCC MARKSMANSHIP NATIONAL HERITAGE POLICE KNOWLEDGE POLICE YOUTH AMBASSADOR ROAD SAFETY SECOND CLASS DRILL SURVIVAL CAMP SWIMMING THIRD CLASS DRILL TOTAL DEFENCE The solution for the above word search puzzle is found below. ADVENTURE TRAINING ANTI NARCOTICS CAMPCRAFT CIVIL DEFENCE COMMUNITY SAFETY AND SECURITY CRIME PREVENTION FIRST AID FIRST CLASS DRILL HOMEFRONT SECURITY KAYAKING Solution Find all the 20 possible proficiency badges (as stated below) that an NPCC cadet can attain during his four/five years of membership in the puzzle above. + Y + E + G + F + + + + P + + + + + + + P T + + C + + + + + + + T + C + N + I + + I + + + + + + + O + H + F O + + + + + + + + I + N + I + R H + + + + + + + L + + I I + M + + + + + + + + + R + E + M S S + + + + + + I + + + R + + M + + + + + + + + + + U + F N M + T + + C + C + + + S D + + U + + + + + + + + + + + C A E + I + C R + E + + + T + C + + N + + + + + + + + + + + M E + D + W I L Y + L + A + + L + + I + + + E + + + + + + S + + S + L M S O A L + I + + + A + + T + + + G + + + + + K + + + + T E I U + I S D + + + + S + + Y + + + A + R + + R + + + + + P N T V R + + S + + + + S + + S + + + T + + O A + + + + + R + H O D I + + + D + + + D + + A + + + I + + M A + + + + E + A + S R + C + + + R + + R + + F + + + R + + + + D + + V + M + S + + F + + + + + I + I + + E + + + E + + + + + S E + B + A + + + + E + + + + + L L + E T + + + H + + + + + N A A + L + + + + + + M + + + + + L + C Y + + + L + + + + T + S F C P O L I C E K N O W L E D G E N A + + + A + + + I + S + D E G N I K A Y A K + H + + + + + E N + + + N + + O + A + N + + T + + + + + + + + + + + + + + F D + + + O + N + D + O C + + + Y + + + + + + + + + + + + + E S + + + I + + O + C + A + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + D E + + + T + R + E + + M + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + L C + + + A + + S + + + P + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + A U + + + N + + + + + + C + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + T R + + + + + + + + + + R + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + O I + + + + + + + + + + A + + + S C I T O C R A N I T N A + T T + + + + + + + + + + F + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Y + + + + + + + + + + T + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + G N I N I A R T E R U T N E V D A + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + S U R V I V A L C A M P + + + + + + + + + + + + O Y G E X G D F H X R Q P J D X S J V Z P T A B C F T D N P P D T J C Q N R I J I I X U Q X J D L O J H Q F O L N H V M U Q I I M N K I Y R H H I Z A R L H L M K I I G M B Z X X Y F S A A R V E N M S S Z H S G G M I K P Z R D C M T Z Z L I T M W N Y U Q F N M D T Q C C D C D R I S D O S U M P D E S B K S N T I C A E C I A C R L E T T N T S C U C N L O U W Z S J C Q W S M E Z D J W I L Y O L F A R Q L F O I Z B E E K N M Y A D S S K S Q L M S O A L O I V E D A V A T V R A G K D S E C K Q L N U T E I U O I S D A Y E U S Q Q Y Y G G A C R Y M R C H O L A P N T V R D H S R J F S S M Y S T P Q T H S O A H D C H J R J H O D I G U O D H M G D S D A Y Z N I G O M A T T A U E R A O S R K C S A G R H H R O X F P V Y R Z B U J D C T V T M P S I P F T C M G T I Q I U B E J S T E N A W J V S E A B O A L O G U E G Z V U K L L G E T C Y B H Z B B G C N A A Q L Q P Y S V C M O X F G I L Z C Y B R R L K S L I T V S F C P O L I C E K N O W L E D G E N A L E M A O H E I K S I D E G N I K A Y A K F H Q L G S N E N V H K N H D O K A Z N E A T T M J R G R W G K T H B C L F D Y C E O A N J D Y O C Q T U Y V S V F Y O B K Z U G I D E S Y N V I X A O D C L A S V K R E C V F H V R S E L N P O D E J J F T L R S E T H M T K E N L G Z M A U A Q V P C A C L C V I O A Y A S W F S P X U X O Y J C E S P I B O R D R X A U F D E N F N S S Q J C Z H V B E F T K C O M A W Q M V O T R R F I I X K J O P N R T M Q E O X E H F F P A F S S H A O I Z F G Y T J M Q A Z A T O B S C I T O C R A N I T N A Q T T Y D B N R G Z I V B F V A D G G F U Z F Y P R C S G A I M Y Y H S B F T X X W P T B T P T V A H H N C Z Z P V X V J T V J X V R U G N I N I A R T E R U T N E V D A H F F J B P I L W H E H M H W J Z R G Y G F A U N H B C P C W B T Y R Z K Y E J T U E S R D Z A A S U R V I V A L C A M P U H Z A I D A A E O G H CI Koh Kai Bing Unity Secondary School 27 Events Leisure Seek for the Leads Mystery Maze Mystery Maze The mystery word should be ________________ ___________________________ as given to you Rank & Name: _____________________________ __________________________________________ NRIC : _________________________________ Gender: M/F_______________________________ School : __________________________________ __________________________________________ Area : _________________________________ Contact no.: ________________________________ Email : __________________________________ __________________________________________ Mail to : NPCC Magazine 2009 (December Issue) – “Seek for the Leads” Contest Attn: Head Administration & Finance Home Team Cadet Corps HQ Home Team Academy 501 Old Chua Chu Kang Road Singapore 698928 Work your way through the maze and box up the correct alphabets and rearrange them to form the mystery word! Terms & Conditions 1. This contest is opened to all NPCC members only. 2. Only official entry will be accepted, limited to one entry per person. 3. All completed entry forms must reach NPCC HQ by 12 February 2010. 4. Incomplete entry forms will not be accepted. 5. Winners will be notified via email to collect their prizes from NPCC HQ. 6. The decision for winners made by NPCC HQ is final. National Police Cadet Corps PYA Magazine Editorial Board 09 Prizes Enter the contest to test your awareness on Crime Prevention and win for yourself a 50th Anniversary gift! Gather the mystery word for all 3 issues of Police Youth Ambassador and you will stand a chance to win a MYSTERY prize! Advisor Supt Rosalind Khoo Chairman P/Insp (NPCC) Neo Zhu Lin Chief Editor ASP (NPCC) Tan Thiam Meng Members ASP (NPCC) Dennis Ong Ghim Siong H/ASP (NPCC) Lam Yarn H/Insp (NPCC) How Hui Keng H/Insp (NPCC) Wong Hui Si Theresa Design & Printing HoBee Print Pte Ltd Leisure 28 CRIME & YOU Guarding Against Terrorism! …from the previous issue 3. Be Prepared A terrorist attack may occur without warning. You don’t have to change your life. Just be prepared! If you or your family members have to evacuate, bring along with you the following: • A list of emergency contacts e.g. emergency hotlines and phone numbers of family members. • Identification papers e.g. Passport, Identity card. • First aid supplies and provision for ‘special needs’ of any family member e.g. prescription medication. Pre-arrange meeting locations and alternative lodging in the event of an emergency. If you have to evacuate your residence, school or workplace: • Remain calm and be patient • Shut off all gas, water and electricity before leaving • Lock doors after ensuring that everyone has exited • Wear appropriate clothing and footwear that allow ease of movement and ensure protection. • Follow the advice of teachers or building security personnel, the police or other emergency officials 4. Be Involved Do not let terrorism drive us to huddle alone in fear. Get involved with neighbours and colleagues so that anonymity and apathy on which terrorism thrives cannot take root in your community. Continue to take part in inter-religious and inter-racial activities that promotes greater racial and ethnic harmony to strengthen the cohesion and resilience of your community. 5. Dealing with Information of a Security Threat When a security threat is received: 1. Do not panic. Stay Calm 2. Attempt to verify the identity of the source 3. Call the police 4. Do not spread rumour Take particular note of the following: • Voice characteristics e.g. pitch, male or female. • Language and accent e.g. local or foreign. • Manner of speaking e.g. rapid, deliberate. • Background noises e.g. traffic, music, shouting. A terrorist attack may occur without any warning. But it does not mean you have to change your life. Just be prepared! We can work together to prevent crime! Courtesy from the National Crime Prevention Council