Sea Survival Course

Background

In January 2002, Springfield Secondary School became one of the first two schools in Singapore to form an NPCC (Sea) unit that provides maritime-based training to cadets. One key component of the challenging maritime programme is the Sea Survival Training Course. After learning basic sea survival skills through this course, cadets would then be allowed to participate in other sea activities such as the Navigation Sortie and Rafting.

Sea survival 2015

In March this year, a fresh new batch of Secondary One cadets from Springfield Secondary School joined cadets from four other sea units in attending the day-long Sea Survival Course at Loyang Regional Base, Police Coast Guard.

At this course, cadets learnt how to deploy life rafts, throw life buoys and jump off the jetty into the sea safely. They got the opportunity to do the jetty jump and climb on board an actual life raft! 

Learning to deploy the life raft

SCI Hidayat with the life raft

Throwing the life buoy

Jetty Jump - success!

Swimming back in caterpillar formation

Reflection on OBTC and Joining the Springfield NPCC Family by Ms Kee

Featuring Ms Kee (right) before jumping off the jetty :D 

OBTC: The highlight of my November 2014

When I first joined npcc in July 2014, I was clueless about the CCA. I was from a concert band myself, back in my secondary school days, and have had no experience in a uniformed group. It was quite strange being one of the teachers in charge of a CCA when I knew even less about it than most of the students.

Thus, I was pretty excited about going for the Officer Basic Training Course (OBTC). Finally, I would be better able to understand how npcc works!

The OBTC was a 2 week course - 1 week non-residential at HTA, and 4 days 3 nights at the Pulau Ubin campsite.
It was a fortnight of many firsts - my first time wearing the uniform, first time shooting a revolver (!!!), first time learning police unarmed tactics, first time pitching a modular tent, first time sleeping in a modular tent, first time on a flying fox, first time jumping off a tall, thin pole (pamper pole!).
I tried many new things and made many new friends. I had a lot of fun, and I also got to experience some of the key activities that our cadets will go through. I think this will be very helpful - knowing what's going to happen, how they may feel, the kinds of challenges they may face, and so on will enable me to contribute more effectively to the unit and better help the cadets.

Officially a teacher officer

Now that I am officially an npcc teacher officer, and in charge of the Sec 1 squad, I think it's going to be an exciting new year ahead. Although we may face many challenges as we strive to bring the unit to greater heights, I am optimistic as we have a wonderful team of TOs, HOs and CIs in Springfield.

I am really thankful to be working with this team - Mr Chong, who's always so positive, fun and full of energy, Mr Chew, who's full of wisdom and experience, Miss Revathy, our VIA expert, Miss Lim, who's bringing a new bundle of joy into the world soon :)  
Also our HO Jeremy, CIs Hidayat, Cheryl, Raymond, Safiuddin, Xin Yi, Zhi Wei, Agnes - your dedication towards npcc is inspiring - hope this passion will continue to burn strong and be passed on to the cadets!
Thank you all for your guidance and patience!

And to the Sec 1s, you guys have been awesome. We are proud to see the commitment and enthusiasm that you have for npcc. Not just turning up for every single training session, but actively volunteering to participate in other activities. You have had a strong start, and we really hope you will keep up the good work and keep the npcc spirit alive!

- Insp (NPCC) Ms Kee Zhi Yin 

Reflection by Mr Chong on taking up the OC Role 2015

I am privileged to be appointed the OC of Springfield Secondary School NPCC (Sea) Unit in 2015. Special thanks to the former OC, Mr Chew Yin Chia, for his guidance and advice. Mr Chew has been the OC of Springfield NPCC (Sea) Unit for the past 10 years, and his dedication and passion towards NPCC have been a hallmark for all of us to follow. Being the DyOC this year, Mr Chew is ever so willing to guide me while I continue to learn the ropes. Thank you Mr Chew!

We have a team of committed teachers as well. Credit goes to our teacher officers, Miss Revathy, Miss Kee Zhiyin and Miss Eunice Lim, who are willing to go that extra mile for the cadets. This year, VIA will be under the purview of Miss Revathy who will ensure cadets are engaged meaningfully. Miss Kee Zhiyin will be in charge of the publication of the unit's newsletter as well as ensuring that the unit blog and facebook page are constantly updated.

I'm very proud to say that we have a group of dedicated HO and CIs. They are the 'true-blue' who are in the best position to pass on the knowledge to the cadets. What delights me most is that all of them share a common goal and philosophy and they are able to work as a team, and it will only bode well for the unit. I can't thank the HO and CIs enough for the hard work they have put in.

The cadets are the reasons why we are putting so many activities into place. I assure the cadets that throughout this journey with us, you will be developed into great leaders with character and values. I sincerely hope that you will enjoy your time in NPCC. 

All of us are in this journey together. A quote from Helen Keller "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much", let us work hand in hand together, and may Springfield NPCC (Sea) unit soar to greater heights!

- Insp (NPCC) Mr Eddie Chong

Orientation Camp 2015

Abnegation-Amity-Candor-Dauntless-Erudite The theme for this year’s three-day-two-night orientation camp was inspired by the popular novel and movie “Divergent”. Held in school, with a one-day trip to Sentosa, it was an unforgettable experience for the cadets, CIs, alumni volunteers and everyone else who attended. It was a chance for the seniors to hone their leadership skills, for the new batch of Secondary Ones to get to know one another better, and most importantly, for us to strengthen our bonds as an NPCC family and keep the NPCC spirit burning bright!           "Before the camp, I was very excited, looking forward to the activities that would be held during the camp. Some of the highlights of this camp were the night walk and the trip to Sentosa. We did the night walk on the first night, and it was just like walking in a horror house in an amusement park. All the lights in school were turned off. It was so dark. Our seniors even jumped out to scare us as we walked around. I was completely creeped out after the night walk. On the second day, we went to Sentosa! We played the “amazing race” there. The race culminated in a “grand battle” where we fought with water bombs to destroy the other groups’ flags! At the end, the CIs even volunteered to be our targets in a free-for-all water bomb fight. It was really fun!    Through the camp, old friendships were strengthened and new ones were formed. I am already looking forward to the camp next year! :) " PTE (NPCC) Goh Jing Han

Area 9 Adventure & Survival Training Camp 2012

Conducted at Camp Resilience, Pulau Ubin from 7th to 9th September 2012, the Secondary 2 and 3 cadets from Changkat Changi Secondary School, East Spring Secondary School, Juyuan Secondary School, Ngee Ann Secondary School, Pasir Ris Secondary School, Springfield Secondary School, St Hilda's Secondary School and Tampines Secondary School,  attended the Area 9 Adventure & Survival Training Camp 2012 respectively.

During the respective camps, campers were able to challenge their fears in the Rope Elements Course, view the landscape of Pulau Ubin and have a feel of the sea in their kayaking and Water Confidence Jump activity.

The Survival Training Camp had an additional element where campers were also educated on several survival skills such as Fire Starting and Survival Cooking.

Despite all the fun and exciting activities, all the campers also had to adhere to strict camp rules, where sense of urgency and teamwork was greatly emphasised.

At the end of the camps, a prize presentation ceremony was held where awards were given out

Here are some of the Cadet's reflection:

STC will be last overnight camp at the Pulau Ubin Campsite, its really fun and I enjoyed myself despite having lack of sleep at night but the main objectives is to have fun and get to know more about other cadets from the other 7 schools in area 9. My favorite part of the camp is Jetty Jump and Campfire, I get to taste the salty sea again! As we are sea unit, and we have gone through things like Jetty Jump when I was a Secondary 1 cadets. I'm really happy that I did it again this time, not once but TWICE! Campfire is like a summary of the camp, everyone will get together and surround the campfire and sing some campfire songs. 

- SSGT Cheryl Tham, Squad Pirates 

School's National Day Parade 2012

Every year we will celebrate our Nation's Independence Day or Birthday Day. Last Year, a group of NPCC cadets from our unit attended the School's National Day Parade. This year, the parade commander of this parade is Haziq Raihan of 4 Integrity. We are very happy and proud of the cadets in the parade that their hard work has pay off. Looking forward to this year's, Speech and Prize Giving Day parade! Let's see what the cadets have to say about their experience below! 

 

Reflections from Cadets: 

As a first timer being a squad I/C, it felt awkward because many people is looking at me including my friends. But its also an honored to have this opportunity to be one, leading the contingent is also a very rare chance to get. As there isn't many parade in our school, except Speech and Prize giving day and National Day. I would also like to take this chance to thank everyone whom believed in me. 

- SSGT Roshahida Said, Squad Pirates

During the National Day Parade training, I learn teamwork is needed in the parade to be perfect. Also, communication is needed. So that if we are not sure of any drills we could ask our squad mates. 

-CPL Robbiatul Adawiyah, Squad Poseidon 

Jetty Jump 2012 !

On 10 March 2012, all Secondary 1 cadets of Springfield, Raffles Girls and Edgefield went on to a sea survival course at Loyang Regional Base. They are require to go through the Sea Survival Training course. On successful completion of the course the cadets would be awarded the seamanship bronze badge. On attaining the badge the cadets would be allowed to participate in other sea activities.E.g. Navigation Sortie and Rafting. We'll leave you to view the pictures and reflection below :) Enjoy :) 

Getting ready to jump, Jump, JUmp, JUMp, JUMP !!  

Reflections from secondary 1 Cadets: 

I had a great day at Loyang with my NPCC squat mates.We first had to put on our life jackets and then we went on to learn how to throw a life buoy then we went off for the jump. I was a little nervous but I still jumped. I had a great experience there at Loyang. After the jump we were given 30 minutes changing up time and then we were all given time to eat. Food was provided. So to sum it up I got a great day.
- Private Soban of 1 Benevolence.