Written by Kaleb Phoon, Edited by Dylan Lim Following their PSA journey, our JC 1 Ventures conducted their Venture Scout Service Project (VSSP) on 28 October 2023. While there were many challenges faced during the planning and execution of the activity, they were successful in completing their project and giving back to the community. Below is the reflection of Venture Chairman, Kaleb Phoon. Our Project As part of our project, we partnered with The Hut to help provide these children unique experiences through scouting activities. In the previous year, our seniors had already engaged the children through a variety of core scouting activities such as knotting and orienteering. As such, this year we decided to go through outdoor cooking to help engage the children and teach them a necessary life skill. Importance of Preparation Going into the project, as we were going to be dealing with children who were much younger as compared to the Scouts who we often engaged with, we knew that we needed to change up our approach. This meant that preparation had to be more detailed in order to accommodate the skillsets of the children and the potential danger that they may face along the way. For example, for items that needed to be cut open beforehand, such as the apples and bananas, we cut them prior to the children’s arrival, to ensure there would be no injuries from the slicing of the apples and bananas. Being Adaptable Originally, we had planned to engage fully in Backwoodsman with the children as it was what we did as Scouts. This entailed the usage of natural firewood as well as cooking of the food over the open fire. However, along the planning process, we decided to change it to a concept of outdoor cooking where there would be miniature barbecue pits which allowed the children to grill their food over the embers. This was to ensure that even the younger children would be able to engage in our project and have fun whilst staying safe. Thankfully, the children had a good time interacting with us and learning about what we did, whilst all still keeping safe. In conclusion, our project with The Hut aimed to provide younger children with unique scouting experiences, emphasizing outdoor cooking as a valuable life skill. Through meticulous preparation and adaptability, we successfully tailored the activity to ensure both engagement and safety, fostering a positive environment where the children enjoyed learning and interacting with us.

Written by Javier Loo and Kaleb Phoon, Edited by Jaydon Tay As part of their PSA journey, our JC 1 Ventures embarked on their Pioneer Exploration Assessment (PEA) Hike on 29 April 2023. Despite the obstacles they faced, they passed with flying colours. Below are some of their reflections. Being Prepared To prepare for the PEA Hike, we underwent 2 mock hikes of increasing distance and likewise intensity. Knowing that the PEA would not be easy, such preparation served to not only hone our skills, but more importantly gave us the confidence we needed to excel in the assessment itself. Being comfortable with uncertainty During the assessment, we were met with non-ideal weather conditions as there was Category 1 heavy rain that forced us to halt our hikes. However, this did not faze us as we also had to deal with rain during our mock hikes. Therefore, we were able to keep our morale high and push through the hike. Despite the soreness and aches we faced when we woke up on Day 2, we still kept the objective clearly in mind: to give this assessment our all and do it well. With that, we went about Day 2 and finished the hike before the deadline. Tiding through difficult times During this assessment, there were of course many challenges that we faced. Be it juggling the preparation work leading up to the hike and our studies, or during the hike itself where we had to constantly motivate ourselves to push on as we took each step. Though this assessment was not easy, our success was not by chance. It is through the rigorous preparation that we did to strengthen our mind and body, as well as the support from our Troop, that we ended this assessment strong and will continue to do this for any upcoming challenges that comes our way.

Written by Siauw Yu Chuan and Tan Jen Kai Below are the reflections of our Rover Scouts on the relationship between scouting and the military. All photos used were taken following current SMM or pre-pandemic. SIAUW YU CHUAN (SPL 2017, COMBAT ENGINEER OFFICER – CBRD) The scouting experience in CHS provides a good foundation for military performance as Scouts progress into their National Service. Today, many of my scouting brothers go on to do well in the army, 6 of us commissioning together as Officers, some graduating as specialists and some making their way into the elite units. There are many parallels between the CHS scouting experience and the military. From inspections and force preparations to hikes and route marches, hard skills such as survival, knots and navigation all come in handy giving us an edge in the field. But beyond the hard skills, scouting has taught us to always be resilient when facing challenges, to be kind and benevolent and most importantly to be prepared… During CBRD training, when the words “Gas, Gas, Gas!” are shouted, we only have a few seconds to mask up to protect ourselves from potential chemical threats. CBRD responders are trained to operate in contaminated environments to tackle invisible and silent killers. From chemical warfare agents, biological weapons as well as radiation devices, a single drop or whiff of these substances is fatal. Being prepared is the most important lesson I learnt as a Scout. Reminiscing the VOJs as well as the sudden late-night evacuations, I realised the importance of being adaptable and mission-focused. Training in CBRD brought back memories of SRIT, being thrown into all sorts of scenarios and expected to come up with a solution. Every scenario is special and requires a unique solution. What does it mean to be prepared? It is to be comfortable with change and adapt to the scenario. There is no model answer, only a better solution. It takes both knowledge and creativity to come up with an informed solution to solve complex problems. To the current Scouts and Ventures, throughout your scouting journey and in NS, things may not always go as planned. There will always be a chance of human error and changes in the environment, but never lose sight of the end goal. We need to adapt and persevere through unforeseen circumstances. From pioneering in the rain to reacting to an evac at night, we learn to become comfortable with change. This attitude will bring you far in the future. Planning is important, but never fall in love with your plans, always be prepared for the unforeseen and unexpected. “Be Prepared... the meaning of the motto is that a Scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practising how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise.” ~Robert Baden-Powell TAN JEN KAI (PL 2017, ARMY INTELLIGENCE OFFICER - GUARDS) The Army Scout’s primary function is to operate as the eyes and ears of the battlefield, constantly collecting key elements of information and intelligence that will shape the course of the battle even before the H-hour. Inserted deep behind enemy lines, it is a dangerous vocation that requires mastery of reconnaissance competencies, but beyond that, critical soft skills such as discipline, self-awareness and strategic planning, of which the scouting experience in my formative years provided a strong foundation. One can certainly appreciate and draw the parallels between scouting and National Service more after going through both phases of life. Scouting or Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) in a broader view and National Service serve as a rite of passage for every Singaporean student and son, providing valuable experiences outside of the classroom to develop core competencies in a 21st Century, VUCA world. My experience as a Patrol Leader could be described as a grand world tour, allowing me to travel to corners of Singapore I had never visited in my life, venture through swamps, wetlands and nature reserves, while meeting peers from all walks of life and having the opportunity to lead some of my juniors in a Patrol. Force preparation, a military term for pre-mission packing and rehearsing, was practised in Scouts through the open and closed, standardised inspections we carried out before moving out to Ubin or Sarimbun. This earlier experience in scouting stressed the importance of being prepared before a mission or any execution and allowed me to adapt quickly to the Army’s method of inspection. Before every orienteering hike, we would be involved in the planning phase, plotting out hike routes and checkpoints and securing all logistics and manpower. 知彼知己，百战百胜. I truly recognised the gravity of this adage, espoused by our Volunteer Scout Leader Wei Long, when I was introduced to mission planning as a Specialist Staff Officer, where every line drawn on the topographical map represents real lives and every military symbol placed has a resultant effect on the mission success. This demanded stringent analysis of terrain and a deep understanding of the enemy’s intent to ensure decisions were made to minimise casualties and guarantee a swift and decisive victory, something which was instilled earlier on in scouting as well. Operating on the ground as an Army Scout brought back many fond memories of the scouting days as it reminded me of the time we spent camping and being outdoors. The training camps in Ubin and Sarimbun also educated us to be alert and aware in foreign environments, as we performed sentry duties and eventually on the last night of each camp, had to “extricate and evacuate” from our campsite to safer ground. Similarly, I was able to apply my learning during scouting to the Army during our reconnaissance missions. As an element that operates behind enemy lines, the threat of facing enemy contact is always real and such encounters could present life or death situations to our teams. This required steadfast discipline and sharp awareness of ourselves and our surroundings, to not reveal our position while approaching the enemy’s objective. It was a game of 追踪 in real life, but with much more dire consequences. Overall, my years spent in scouting and National Service were instrumental to my development as a Scout, soldier and leader. There are not many other institutions or organisations that can provide the same life experience and lessons. While National Service has been an endeavour with adversity and challenges, the values inculcated in scouting definitely helped me to adapt quicker, think deeper, and lead more effectively.

By Tan Jen Kai Raising the 五层旗杆 is one of the several yearly traditions that Catholic High Scout Group celebrates in commemoration of our troop birthday. It is also the biggest challenge that the scout troop faces during this occasion. Building and erecting this monumental flagpole requires the ability to plan strategically, coordinate and stay calm at times of adversities and tunnel vision focus to succeed on the first try. When building the 五层旗杆 flagpole, we adopted different measures to prevent as much flexing of the flagpole as possible. A slight bend could cause the wooden pole to succumb to the sheer weight of the entire flagpole and split the pole into half. We chose five wooden poles as the main frame for the flagpole. These poles were specially chosen based on the weight, number of hairline cracks and straightness. The configuration for the 五层旗杆 was Yellow, Yellow, Blue, Blue, Blue, with yellow being the thickest and heaviest pole and blue being the thinnest and lightest pole. After tying 12 sheer lashes on the 4 intersections of the main frame, we added one yellow base on the first level and one white base on the second level of the flagpole, with the intention of strengthening the flagpole and lowering the centre of gravity to increase stability of the structure. Next was the 6 guylines on the flagpole. The guylines play a pivotal role in the raising process as they guide the flagpole to a vertical position and control the flexing of the flagpole. To determine the placement of the two sets of guylines, the scouts lifted the flagpole at an angle, with the base still in contact with the ground, to deduce the turning point of the flagpole. The turning point allowed us to find out the weaker points of the flagpole and attach guylines which will reinforce the strength of the flagpole and reduce flexing when being raised. After the attaching of guylines and pulley, it was time to raise the 五层旗杆 for the first and last time. Upon securing the base of the flagpole to the inting, two equilateral triangles were marked out with intings at each corner, to mark out the end point of the guylines. It was important to ensure that the guylines were 60 degrees apart from each other so that the tension in the guylines would be shared equally. Slowly but surely, the scouts raised the flagpole with their feet on the ground, then on a table, until the A-frames came into action. By using the previous method of finding weak points along the flagpoles, several scouts utilised the A-frames to support and push the flagpole higher. While raising the flagpole, everyone was focused on the task at hand and coordinated with each other to ensure that this would be a success. After many attempts to raise the flagpole metre by metre, one last push was given as the guylines tensioned to stabilise the flagpole. We had accomplished the 五层旗杆 on our first try. “Success on the first attempt.” This is a core principle that is deeply rooted in Catholic High Scout Group. Whether it is in scouts or in our daily lives, scouts are encouraged to strive for perfection and achieve the greatest results on the first try. Having this goal in mind motivates the scouts to push themselves beyond physical and mental limits and contribute as much as possible, as failure will lead to wasted time and effort and bring down a team’s morale. This principle will also guide the troop in preventing scouts from falling into the trap of cutting corners or taking shortcuts just to “get things done”. With a strong driving force to succeed, the scouts will have the capability to transform complex set of ideas and intangible dreams into a reality of end results. This is why we strive for success on the first attempt. This is why we can achieve results surpassing those of average people. As the flag was raised by Jann Lim, Senior Patrol Leader of 2018, the next morning, everyone was beaming with pride while watching the flag reach the peak of the五层旗杆and wave in the gentle and refreshing breeze. Once again, we had put the troop at the top. This process of building and erecting the flagpole displayed the strength of our scout group and served as a reminder to all scouts of what we are capable of if we hold dearly to the principle of succeeding on the first attempt. This process has also paved the way for future successes and Catholic High Scout Group can only go onwards from where we are today. 日行一善，深谋远虑，智仁勇!

The LKY-ARE Award is a national level award for achievement in education that was presented since 2005. It recognises well-rounded students who have excelled in both academic and non-academic spheres, and who exemplify the qualities articulated in our desired outcomes of education. This year, Damien Kang Jun Heng has been awarded this prestigious accolade for his contributions to Catholic High Scout Group whilst attaining excellent results in his GCE O Level Examinations. He has demonstrated excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, whilst displaying exemplary conduct, being an inspiration for his fellow peers. Below is Damien's reflection on attaining this award: I am very honoured and humbled to have received the Lee Kuan Yew Award for All Round Excellence. It was a pleasant surprise when I got the news, and I had to think hard and reflect about my journey to where and who I am today, and I feel that a large part of this growth that I had was due to Scouting. In my Sec 1 and 2 years, I was a much more reckless and ignorant student who felt that I was the top of the world, having Scouts and being part of Council. Of course, all of this fell apart when I got in trouble and I was removed from Council. This period of time was a really tough period of time for me, because I had felt really alone and it was difficult to find hope in this dark spot of my life. I had to spend time reflecting and my values and convictions were tested as I needed to be decisive: whether I wanted to just give up, or I could fight back and strive to improve myself, to win back the respect of my teachers and peers. During this period, I feel that much of my time was invested into Scouts to distract me from all the problems that I had faced outside of Scouts. To me, Scouting was a respite from my usual problems, and I poured my heart and soul into the Troop, doing stuff such as preparing equipment for our November Camp or preparing for SLC 2017. Scouts was a place where I never felt discriminated against for my mistakes, and this gave me the opportunity to regain my confidence and grow myself as a person. Getting in trouble was a turning point for me, and after that, in Sec 3 and Sec 4, I strived to be a better person everyday, trying my best to turn a new leaf. Being promoted to a Patrol Leader in Sec 3 also gave me the opportunity to lead and be a leader. I realised through this that I had an obligation to my juniors to be a good role model, and to stay out of trouble. I kept the troop values of 智仁勇 in my head and based all that I did from these 3 values, so as to give myself the time and space to grow as a person. Of course, the journey to repent has not been an easy one, and it can be really difficult, but I am glad to have people in Scouts that I can turn to when I face difficulty. Looking back, Scouting was an avenue for me to escape and not face the problems of my life. Scouting gave me opportunities when nobody would, and I am eternally grateful to Catholic High Scout Group for this. This is partly why I am so attached to my Scout Group, because without Scouts, I have no idea where I would be. I have learnt so much in my time in Catholic High Scout Group, and I am still learning from the leaders and even my juniors when I go back to Scouts. I am proud to have the opportunity to represent the Troop and the school in receiving this award. To have the opportunity to bring glory for the troop and give back to the troop is an opportunity that I really treasure, and I will continue to do my best in everything that I do.

Written by Josiah Chia, Edited by Jaydon Tay Every year, Catholic High School conducts its annual Open House to showcase to parents and potential students the best of Catholic High. And every year, the Catholic High Scout Group never disappoints. To showcase a part of what students can learn and achieve as a Catholic High Scout, we built a model campsite consisting of a gateway, a pounders tent, and a kitchen shed containing a variety of gadgets made from bamboo. We also ran a booth at the plaza, displaying our achievements and the activities students can expect to do as part of the Troop. Some of our exemplary Scouts, including our Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), were also there to engage with the parents and students by sharing their own experiences. Even though we could not build large structures there due to space constraints, we were still able to construct a miniature gateway in front of the booth as a testament to our pioneering ability. Of course, Scouting is not merely about learning to tie knots and build structures. Although difficult to express through words alone, one could develop and benefit from many more things under us, such as values, leadership, and an unbreakable brotherhood. Through this Open House, we hope to have given visitors a better understanding of the unique and rewarding experiences that await them in the Catholic High Scout Group.

Written by Lucas Loh On 5 May 2023, our Chief Commissioner, Mr Desmond Chong, paid us a visit to understand how scouting in Catholic High is conducted. He was joined by the Assistant Chief Commissioner and two other National Commissioners. The visit comprised of engagement sessions with the Cub Scout, Scout and Venture units of the group along with various sharings by our Ventures with the guests. Our Principal, Vice-Principals and HOD of PE & CCA also joined us on the occasion. Our Scout Group, less approximately 20 Ventures and 10 Rovers. "DON'T CAP THE TOP, UPLIFT THE BOTTOM" (保底不封顶) During the engagement session, our Chief Commissioner acknowledged that Catholic High Scout Group is one of the stronger Scout Troops in Singapore, and encouraged us to continue to outdo ourselves. Our Principal, Mr Poh Chun Leck, seconded this with the above quote by then Minister for Education, Mr Ong Ye Kung. Catholic High Scouting has always strived to do better and achieve excellence, and we were heartened by their words of encouragement. In addition, he also noted that we are one of the few fully formed Scout Troops with all four units, namely the Cub Scout, Scout, Venture and Rover units. This gives us the advantage of being able to see through the development of youth from ages as young as nine into their early adulthood. Finally, the Chief Commissioner called on us to support him in "uplifting Scouting for all" while continuing to achieve excellence in scouting. We welcomed his challenge, to continue our legacy as a pillar of the scouting scene in Singapore while maintaining our strength. The Chief Commissioner engaging our Ventures and Rovers. SCHOOL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS School support was also highlighted during the engagement as one of the key factors to the continued success of the Scout Group. On the ground, teachers play an instrumental role in developing the boys and supporting programs initiated by Volunteer Adult Leaders. They also represent the best interests of the school and the Scout Troop to ensure sufficient support is provided to make outdoor education effective. In addition, the School Leaders and wider teaching community at Catholic High also lend their support and understanding towards the Scout Troop to make sure our boys get the best Catholic High has to offer. Being the largest CCA in the school with over 200 members, the School Leaders agreed that additional support should be given to continue the good work we do here, be it in the form of facilities or funding. Finally, Catholic High scouting has a strong of alumni to rely upon, which is a source of strength for the Scout Troop and the school. Being the oldest CCA (and for a period of time, only CCA) in Catholic High, the Scout Troop continues to be a family for which our alumni are strongly supportive of, giving us the networks we need to engage the best people to shape our boys into men. Our guests touring our Scout Den, Campsite and QM Store.

Written By Siauw Yu Chuan, Edited By Dylan Lim On 19 March 2023, Catholic High's Rovers and Ventures Unit successfully summited Mount Ophir. The first summit since the last Ophir expedition 20 years ago, it was a huge step forward in resuming our full-scale scouting activities. Preparing For The Summit What does it take to conquer a mountain? It takes perseverance to pull through the sore. It takes courage to overcome any obstacles. It takes uncommon grit to advance and summit the peak. Scaling Mount Ophir requires a good level of physical fitness. Our expedition team chose to embark on the difficult route, famously known as the "Killing Fitness Centre". The route involves a sudden descent followed by a few caves, steep slopes and shallow streams. Despite this, our group did not back down in the face of adversity, choosing to press on and test our strength. The Journey Up Every mountain offers a different set of terrain obstacles. The team had to ascend multiple 60 degree slopes with only a rope and flights of aluminium ladders as well as enter several caves, reminding us to stay humble and not underestimate the challenges on a mountain. Training our Ventures and Rovers to appreciate the terrain and to be alert on the trail, the challenge Mount Ophir offers has put our resilience and grit to the test. Accomplishing The Goal At 1300 hours, the team was greeted with a breathtaking view on the summit of Mount Ophir. To stand on this giant makes one feel small and in awe of the majestic views at its peak. We could not help but feel a sense of accomplishment and a sense of pride in persevering all the way to reach the peak. It was undoubtedly worth going the extra mile. New Frontiers The trip was one of many firsts for our Ventures and Rovers. From drinking from the streams to traversing waterfalls and caves, it was an expedition to remember. “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” ~Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to summit Mount Everest. The mission to summit the peak was important, but the journey of overcoming the trail is what truly builds character and resilience. Ophir is only the start of a new adventure ahead. Our Ventures and Rovers will continue to seek new adventures to open new doors for the Scout Troop.

Written By Darren Goh, Edited by Chey Jedd Catholic High Scout Group recently participated in the National Mind Quiz(NMQ) 2023 Competition organised by South Area. It has been ages since NMQ was held in person due to the pandemic, hence our Cub Scouts and Scouts were excited to test their knowledge against other Scout Troops and were determined to put the Troop at the top. The Competition Before the competition, the Cub Scouts and Scouts were briefed on the NMQ format which had two rounds; a preliminary round, and a final round between the top 5 teams from the previous round. The preliminary round was an MCQ test of 45 questions, while the final round was a mix of questions held in different formats. The Troop sent a total of 7 Cub Scout teams and 2 Scout teams to compete in the competition. Our participants were prepared and confident to answer questions ranging from general knowledge, to scouting history, to scouting skills and knowledge. This was only possible after countless hours of research and studying, pouring through several documents that previous teams had already compiled in the past that were stored in our vast digital archives. High-Score With so much preparation in place, it was no doubt that many of our teams breezed through the preliminary round. Hereupon, we are proud to announce that CHSG(Primary) Team Six, Team One, and Team Two placed First, Second, and Third respectively for the Cub Scouts while CHSG(Secondary) Team One came in Second for the Scouts. Congratulations to our teams for your incredible efforts and accomplishments! Below is the list of our competing teams: CHSG(Primary) Team 1 [Overall 2nd; Gold]- Christopher Koo, Wu Tong, and Mok Zheng Huan CHSG(Primary) Team 2 [Overall 3rd; Gold]- Dylan Lin, Matthias Ho, and Aedus Foo CHSG(Primary) Team 3 [Silver]- Lee Meng Hao, Nigel Lim, and Dominic, Siau CHSG(Primary) Team 4 [Silver]- Kieren Ching, Lucien Yeo, and Loo Zhuo Xi CHSG(Primary) Team 5 [Gold]- Darrus Chan, Isaac Chan, and Karl Tan CHSG(Primary) Team 6 [Overall 1st; Gold]- Jace Tey, How Jian Kai, and Joshua Tan CHSG(Primary) Team 7 [Bronze]- Leondard Lai and Chad Tan Tze Yong CHSG(Secondary) Team 1 [Overall 2nd; Gold]- Darren Goh, Raphael Tham, and Kiefer Yew CHSG(Secondary) Team 2 [Silver]- Josiah Chia, KieranTan, and Lim Zhu Zheng Value of Learning NMQ was certainly an exciting experience for our Cub Scouts and Scouts. The intangible enrichment from learning so much more about scouting history, scouting skills and knowledge, and even general knowledge of the world truly impacted them immensely, giving them a much greater appreciation of their roles as Scouts. Although we performed very well and achieved a lot in the competition, we would not get complacent and are determined to continue seeking improvement to develop ourselves into better Scouts for the next challenge; physically, technically and of course, intellectually.

Written by Tan Jen Yih, Edited by Jaydon Tay 16 March 2023 marked the start of the Troops' 3-Day-2-Night March Camp, where the Scouts would be challenged as individuals while allowing for bonding amongst the new Patrols of 2023. Day 1 The camp started off with a lesson on bag-packing and inspection to set the proper standards for the Scouts to follow, followed by the construction of their campsite. They then moved on to play Patrol-bonding games, where the new Patrols could get to know one another better and build their Patrol spirit. To end the day off, the Scouts had a leadership lesson conducted by our Scout Leaders before eating supper and turning in for the night. Day 2 Upon finishing inspection in the morning, the Secondary 2 and 3 Scouts set off for their Patrol hike of around 24km. Although the journey was long with the Sun beating down on their backs, everyone persevered while continuously motivating and pushing one another forward. In the end, many Patrols finished the hike way before the stipulated cut-off time. Scroll to check out the rest of the photos As they were still relatively new, the Secondary 1 Scouts stayed in school to learn critical scouting skills such as lashings and orienteering through theory lessons. They then consolidated their learning through hands-on activities like building a ladder and orienteering games to help them with their navigational skills. Scroll to check out the rest of the photos In the evening, the Scouts got ready for the Inter-Patrol Stove Cooking Competition. The Patrols were tasked to cook creative and delectable dishes to be judged by the ingredients they were provided and those they brought to camp. Ultimately, the Patrols impressed the judges with their unique cooking methods, the presentation of their dishes, and the amazing taste of their food. After dinner, the Scouts played Night Games which challenged their codebreaking and deduction skills, ensuring that they would have to work together within their Patrols to succeed. Day 3 Upon daybreak, the Scouts tore down their campsite as it was the final day of the camp. Then they went through a series of Situational Response Initiative Test (SRIT) stations to challenge their leadership, teamwork and communication skills along with their scouting skills. After a Troop debrief on their overall performance during camp, the prize presentation for the Best Patrol of March Camp 2023 commenced. Winning by a slight margin is Shark Patrol! Congratulations to Shark Patrol for being crowned the Best Patrol! Building Strength as a Group Throughout the camp, the Scouts built trust between each other and as a Patrol. The fiery competition drove them to greater heights while the inter-Patrol camaraderie remained in the face of gruelling challenges that everyone had to face together. As the year progresses, the intensity of training will only get tougher but as long as the strong bonds between the Scouts remain, they will be able to overcome any obstacle, be it in their daily lives or as a Troop.

Written by Xavier Tan, Edited by Chey Jedd On 16 March 2023, the Troop gathered in the school hall to officially welcome our new Level One Scouts into Catholic High Scout Group. Previously, they were given the opportunity to witness the Investiture ceremony for our Patrol Leaders' Council of 2023 and even got to join in on activities. Inspired by their seniors' strong commitment to scouting and the Troop, the newly inducted Level One Scouts are now one step closer to following in their footsteps, learning and working alongside them. The Ceremony The Investiture ceremony is one of paramount significance, opening a new chapter of scouting for the Level Ones as they get formally recognised as Scouts. Standing in a 马蹄 formation dressed in their uniforms, the Scouts eagerly anticipate the beginning of the ceremony. In addition, for the first time since the pandemic, the parents of our Level One Scouts were invited to show their support to their children as they get inducted. This boosted their morale and confidence as they all wanted to look their best in front of their parents. Scroll to check out the rest of the photos As they were called upon from their individual Patrols, they stepped forward with pride and confidence. Led by their Patrol Leader who would take up the responsibility of mentoring them for the coming year, they marched in unity towards the front of the 马蹄. As they stood in attention, our Scout leader, Mr Cai Wenchuan, alongside our Venture Council donned the National scarves on them, formalising the trust placed upon them to always follow the Scout Law and Promise. Officiating the induction of the Level Ones was our GSL, Mr Andrew Chua, being the first to welcome them as they begin their journey as Scouts. Scroll to check out the rest of the photos Afterwards, the Level Ones placed their left hand on the Troop flag, before raising their right hand to form the Scout salute. Together with their fellow Scouts, they recited the Scout Promise, representing their commitment to their duties as a Scout, a member of their community and a citizen of the country. To end off the ceremony, the Scouts were given some time to mingle with their new Patrols and families. The Journey Ahead Under the tutelage of their experienced seniors, the newly invested Level Ones would become physically and mentally resilient while being nurtured into independent leaders. They will pick up numerous soft and hard skills that will prove useful in their future endeavours. This marks the start of a new beginning for them, and although the journey ahead will be tough, the lessons and friendships gained will be priceless.

Written by Kaleb Phoon and Sim Hon Jui, Edited by Jaydon Tay 75 years ago, on 24 January 1948 at 4 p.m., the Catholic High Scout Group was founded. We were joined by Rev Fr Edward Becharas, Founder of Catholic High School. 7 years later, we produced Singapore's first-ever Queen's Scout Award recipient, the first of many achievements that illustrate our 75 years of commitment to scouting excellence and pride. On 28 January 2023, our group and its alumni gathered to kick off our 75th Anniversary celebrations with a High Tea for our alumni. Even though the ages of our approximately 400 guests ranged from 93 to 9 years old, one commonality shone through all our lives; scouting and its transformative impact on all of us. A Remarkable Display To do justice to this remarkable occasion and as a tribute to our alumni and their passion for scouting, we had to prove that we, the Catholic High Scout Group of today, are worthy of representing the 74 iterations of predecessors before us. Of course, this came in the form of pioneering, a time-tested strength of CHSG. In many ways, this gateway represented our bold spirit of adaptability especially these past three years, as we erected these tall structures without the use of anchors. Celebrating 2022 Like the gateways, the past year has been marked by change and progress, as we re-emerged from the pandemic and returned to the new normal. We finally were able to hold physical camps in June and November, pushing everyone to a new level as we continued to strive for excellence. We also participated and dominated in the North Area Backwoodsman Competition and South Area Orienteering Competition. Twelve of our Scouts achieve the Chief Commissioner's Award and two of our Ventures the President's Scout Award, the greatest milestone in their scouting and venturing journeys respectively. These talented Scouts not only brought pride to the Troop, but had also left a legacy that inspired many junior Scouts in the Troop to set their sights on reaching their level. Aside from our internal success, we looked beyond to contribute towards Singapore Scouting as the pandemic has taken its toll on the local pioneering scene. The first of such projects was executed in December 2022, as we invited Ventures and Rovers from other groups to take part in our Pioneering Course. Coming up soon is our Pioneering Book, a detailed guide on pioneering design and building processes, written by our Rover Unit. High Tea Celebration It was an inspiring yet nostalgic moment. The large turnout reminded us all of the significance of Catholic High Scout Group and the lives it has transformed, while the alumni rekindled old memories and friendships. The event was graced by our GSL Mr Chua, school leaders from the primary and secondary sections, and Scout Leaders from all units. One highlight was the 捞起 between scouting brothers, as today was also 人日. To say the least, it was an occasion of great significance for them to reminisce the memories made and bonds forged during their time in the Troop. Old friends came together to enjoy a scrumptious meal while catching up with one another like old times. Booths were set up to commemorate the Troop’s rich history, reminding our alumni not only of their experiences as a Scout in the brotherhood, but also of the achievements they helped to attain alongside their fellow brother-in-arms. It was truly heartening to see Scouts old and new looking through old artefacts, flipping the pages of past Patrol logs and recognising parts that they themselves had contributed. Photo booths were available for the guests to capture these moments of joy and to help preserve them as memories. Troop Spirit In the spirit of the Lunar New Year, there were Lion and Dragon dances to welcome another 5 years of excellence. Finally, the Cub Scouts and Scouts both gave various musical performances, showing off their skills while providing entertainment for our guests. We would also like to congratulate our Cub Scout Leader, Mrs Lim Ong Hong, for receiving the Distinguished Service Award for her long and outstanding service towards our Cub Scout Unit. Near the end of the Anniversary High Tea, everyone came together to sing “朋友”. Peers, seniors and juniors put their arms around each other as they sang, representing the strong bonds and deep love for one another in the brotherhood. The celebration concluded with reciting the Scout Promise and a mass photo-taking session, immortalising this joyous occasion not only through photos, but also imprinted into the minds of everyone present. A New Chapter That day, we not only celebrated the Troop’s birthday, but also aligned ourselves with the Troop’s vision and renewed our commitment to building the long-running legacy.