Finally, this year's assessment for promotion to warrant officer is over.
Each batch of ZestherZ will have to complete two assessments - one at the end of their first year and the other in the beginning of their second year.
The scores from both assesssments, together with their attendance at the regular ZestherZ meetings will be calculated. Upon passing, they will be promoted to Warrant Officers.
Assessments are hands on activities that test them on what they have learnt in the programme so far, leadership, facilitation, planning and leading skills.
One group was assigned to help at a junior company combine annual camp.
It is a new experience for the girls to be working with different age group, officers and culture.
The second group organised a full day ZestherZ training session which include classroom session on Conflict Resolution, mini Total Defence trail and a graffiti project.
The session ended 3 hours beyond expected time 'coz the group was determined to complete the painting that day. Now, when you enter GBC , you will be greeted with the ZestherZ graffiti on the 4Fs of GB.
Watch out for more exciting ZestherZ activities...
Coming up next: Outdoor adventure camp & Residential Project in Cambodia
9 comments:
The TD day camp was a great learning experience because my group was in charge of organising the camp's programme and logistics and that was something none of us have done before. It was not a very easy job because there was so much to consider before we assign a programme into a certain slot. There were issues like whether it will be too hot for the girls to paint or will the food be sufficient for every body. It wasn't easy to come together as a group to plan for the event as our time-table did not allow us to even meet online frequently. We had to compromise our time and during that short frame of time, I found myself building up more patience and resilience since there were hiccups like Reena being away during the only period when I'm free. Hence, Alecia had to be the one making sure that both of me and Reena are of the same frequency when it comes to the plans. We also have to be more understanding towards our differences in our thoughts and personalities and because of the short period of time given, we found ourselves compromising a lot in order to get things done. Thankfully, the programme flowed well on that day even though the portion for lunch could be improved.
The TD Trail was particularly memorable because it taught us about the aspects of total defence in a more interesting way. It was good because there was a lot of hands-on things that we get to do like taking pictures of the aspect assigned and presentation of whatever we've captured earlier on. The painting of the walls was also special because it was something out of the norm and it was definitely fun-filled because many of us were able to foster stronger bonds through it.
The camp was indeed beneficial as it enhanced our understanding of the 5 aspects of TD and it allowed us to work together as a team, whether we like the grouping or not. It also allow us to build a stronger friendship with one another too.
Yvonee, on behalf of Grp1
TD camp on sat was a fun-filled experience for us!
All the plannings and discussion started on Tue itself. Where all of us post sec girls went down to GBHQ to do the discussions and plannings for the painting! We drew out the outline and showed to Mdm Png and after that we decided on the budget for the paint and who to bring the particular items ( e.g. paintbrush, pails)for the painting on Sat. We're to think of the visuals about 4Fs; Fun, Fellowship, Friends and Fullness.
We all came back to GBHQ on Fri again! Some of the girls came back in the morning to draw the outline and the rest came on the evening to continue the outline! It was successful and we managed to outline it with crayons.
On sat which it the TD day camp, we reported at 9am and we started by having a worship session lead by grp 1 . Worship was simple and great ! Followed by a session on conflict resolution where we learnt what's conflict all about and how do we go about solving it.
After a nice lunch, we went out to take pictures relating "economic defence". That's what our grp was supposed to do. We learnt more about what economic defence is all about through the taking of pictures and reading the infomation what was given to us!Kaiping, shiping and me discussed and we went to kovan mall and we took pics. We all had to co-operate with each other and listen to one another's opinions .
After taking the pics, we headed back to GBHQ and did a mini powerpoint presentation! We shared our ideas and comments together and did the ppt! Listening to other groups presentation, we know more what Total Defence is all about!
Last event was the painting of the walls. I think that this is the most memorable event because we don't get to do it often! Grp 2-5 are supposed to be in charge of the paintings.
We discussed and allocated roles like who should paint the backgrounds and who should paint the people on the walls.
Thank God that the weather on that day was great! We managed to finish painting the walls and though it was a tedious job painting, it's worth it by looking at our painting results! (:
All in all, i feel that this TD day camp is one interesting event as it teaches us patience, resolving conflicts, bonding, team work and also knowledge!
Amanda(:
( behalf of grp2 )
The Total Defence day camp was a unique experience for all of us. Although we were supposed to have a 2 days 1 night camp, I guess having a 1 day camp had the same effect and learning experience for all of us. And having a different method of learning "classroom", I feel it taught us more because everything was hands on and not just given to us just like that.
Preparation started earlier in the week amongst us as a group and also as a whole. Because 4 groups of us were in charge of the planning of the wall murals, a lot of compromising of time, sorting out of necessary equipments and also discussing with group 1 to get things done. Although the timing of discussions were short, we managed to get information across and things finalised.
The camp started with a simple praise and worship followed by a session on conflict resolution. Following that a briefing on our coming Cambodia trip and then lunch at the canteen.
After lunch we had a hands on project on what is Total Defence and has Singapore done a good job in passing the message of it. We had to go out of GBHQ to snap some pictures that might tell us more on it. We were given Psychological
Defence and as a group and we went around Outram and Kovan looking for pictures to snap. After that, we head back to GBHQ and did a presentation on all our topics assigned.
After all this, we get on to the carpark and started with our wall murals. Getting the colours right for the paintings were a problem but we managed to put it off in the paintings. We had to wait for the paints to dry and then apply on the finisher to protect the paintings. In total, we spent about 5 hours sitting there and painting the wall. However, the outcome of the painting was a great sense of acheivement and was well worth it.
The day camp brought a lot of us together, knowing, learning and working more with each other. I am glad that we did this camp with something different for a change to bond us together as a post secondary group.
- Pearlyn =)
On behalf of Group 3
The junior GB-BB combined camp was a great experience for me since it was my first time attending and helping out in a primary school camp.It was a total different way and style of doing things in camp. Even though those kids are very playful, they are simply amazing in their own ways.I remembered during the night game where the kids were supposed to become 'soldiers' participating in a war game, there was this primary school girl who tried ways to camoflourage herself using leaves 'poking' into her hair. It is just one of these many cute and hilarious ways that the kids never fail to amaze me. Kids are kids after all,I had to handle them in a different aspproach from the secondary school girls. The kids were always so eager at every little time that you do.They love to ask questions at little things and I loved the fact that they respected us in a 'teacher-student' way yet at the same time they see youas a big sister. I had to also watched out for them in the image of a 'jie jie'.They expect you a protective sheild for them even if they were simply just afraid of going to the restroom in the middle of the night. It was indeed a very different kind of camp for me.
I was very excited when I first heard that our promotion criteria included conducting a camp for primary school children because it would be an experience to engage campers that were of a relative young age whom I have never met before. Moreover, Macpherson Primary School has a very high ratio of international student, which promised more new challenges.
The Macpherson Primary GB-BB camp was conducted with the hope that the girls and boys in the respective companies would be able to build friendships with and learn how to cooperate with each other. Thus, it was extremely heartening to see the change in the children’s attitude towards each other through the duration of the camp. The initial hostility between some of the boys and the girls eventually gave way to kind gestures and words. Some of the girls even took on the role of looking after the younger boys, which was very heartening.
Also, I enjoyed working with the GB and BB officers from another company to ensure the smooth running of the camp. Although we only met once prior to the camp, we were able to communicate and cooperate well with each other, which led to the camp’s successful implementation.
Most importantly, I learnt the importance of using positivity to encourage children. For example, instead of telling a child that what he or she has done is wrong, we should instead show them what the right way is, and then encourage them when they show improvement. Also, we should also praise the children for their good behavior in front of their peers so that their friends can see them as a role model.
Not having had much experience working with primary school children, it was a new and enjoyable experience helping at the Macpherson Primary GB-BB camp. With children from ages about 8 to 14 and who come from several different nationalities, we had to try different approaches to keep everyone engaged. Quite a challenge, but it helped that we were each attached to a group and it was great getting to know the children better as individuals. It was also very encouraging to see the older children looking out for and helping their juniors, and I was amazed by the energy and enthusiasm the girls and boys showed throughout the camp.
Of course, the main people in charge of the camp were the officers and helpers from both the BB and GB companies, who also guided us as we planned a few segments of the camp. Their dedication to nurturing their young charges was inspiring and we could really see their genuine love and concern for them through their efforts to plan a fun and meaningful camp, and also how they would spend time talking to each of the children.
I came away from the camp learning much from both the children and the adult organisers, and I pray that our newest company, 82nd (Primary) may continue to grow as a company that will touch the lives of many girls.
The GB-BB camp was a very new experience for me but for that reason, it was a very refreshing one. I was happy to hear that the brigades were making their presence in a school like Macpherson primary, where there were so many different nationalities around. GB and BB would be a great way to gel these children together and introduce many of them to Christ at a young age.
It was quite amazing to watch the camp taking effect on the children and watch them grow throughout the duration. It may be difficult to imagine how attitudes can change so quickly over such a short camp, but this was truly apparent. At the start of the camp, I sensed much hostility, especially between the GB girls and BB boys and many were quite restless. Yet, I saw this change during the camp was encouraging as they began to help each other out and cooperate as a team. I was especially heartened by the outdoor-cooking segment. My group members were eager to learn to cook for themselves and for each other, and only asked for my help in lighting the fuel. I was very encouraged to see them sharing their food and cooking for each other when only hours earlier, they had been 'enemies'.
My role was to be a group mentor. It was a very different form of leadership role from what I was used to. I realised that the 'commanding' method would not be as effective with these children as showing them kindness and yet, being firm at the same time. I learnt that demonstrating a good attitude myself and listening to the opinions of every member of the group would encourage the children to do the same. I pray that through GB and BB, these children will continue to build up a good moral foundation and firm faith that will uphold them all their lives.
Of course, the camp was also fun as it was a time of bonding among us post-secondary girls, especially when we were all tired and aching together. being with my post sec friends and with the children was an experience that i treasure and made for a very enjoyable promotion assessment :)
Being part of the GB-BB camp was a whole new fresh experience for me. The children came from very varied backgrounds (different ages, nationalities and gender) and at first I was very apprehensive about how they will respond.
My biggest challenge perhaps would be communicating with the children as they were of different nationalities. Though this, I learnt that the best means of communicating would be in actions and leading by example. As leaders in the camp, the children respected and looked up to us and observed our body language and the huge responsibility of being the "big jiejie" lied on us.
Through the course of the camp, my perceptions changed. the children were very open to learning new songs, games and very engaged in the camp. and that only spurred me on to put in my all in serving. I still remember how my thighs were aching after leading praise and worship with Lydia on the first day. However what I found to be the most heartening was when I saw the older ones helping out the younger ones, which was especially evident during the last day when they were cleaning up.
At the end of the camp, I came to realize the importance of brigade's presence in our schools. For most of these children, brigade will probably be the only way they will ever hear about Christ. So apart from empowering girls and developing them as leaders, GB was also an agent to spread the good news to all these children, and its indeed a great privilege for us as post-sec to be part of this camp and be His little shining lights to these children=)
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