1st of March, 1963 is a historical date for our scout troop. With a passion for scouting, our founder, Mr. Bao Wen Hua, established Holy Innocents’ Scout Troop, making it the 13th scout troop in the Serangoon district.
Mr. Bao had always participated actively in scouting activities during his early years, ever eager to promote scouting in Chinese schools. During the years from 1957 to 1959, he was the Group Scout Leader of the Chinese High Scout Troop. After that, he even extended the scouting spirit overseas, setting up several Chinese scout troops in both Malaysia and Indonesia.
Well, life has been difficult for the HI Scout Troop during the first few years. Without any equipment and not a single cent in the fund, the scouts have to start from scratch. However, it was their ‘courage in all difficulties’, the passion for scouting, the common goal, the endless efforts contributed to the troop that helped HI Scout to slowly stretch out its wings. With augmentation of each year’s recruitment of new scouts, our scout troop had managed to open up 6 patrols in 1970. Following the entry of many leaders into our troop, our scouting activities had become increasingly exciting.
In 1971, Mr.Xie Chao Liang became the scout leader of our troop. He was our first “home grown” scout leader, trained by very our HI Scout Troop. Our Cub Scout troop was formed as well on the 22nd of February in the same year. In the mid of the same year, our very first batch of HI Venture was formed. This was a milestone in our troop history as a complete HI Scout Troop has been formed, with the 3 main scouting elements installed.
In 1974, the recruitment for secondary one scout was so overwhelming that the number of patrols was increased to 7. With more people joining in, the activities had also become more happening. Beside the usual Pulau Ubin camping, we also participated in the National Day Parade.
Throughout the years, outdoor activities and physical training has always been one of the main focuses of our scout troop. Inter-patrol challenges were held weekly to promote scout patrol spirit and competitiveness. This can be traced back to 1975 when Mr. Xie Chao Liang took over Mr. Bao’s position and became the GSL of the scout troop. Similarly, Mr. Zheng Xiu Fa took charge of our cadet scout troop. Under Mr. Zheng’s recommendation, both Mr. Ng Hui Ling and Mr. Zhang Wen Xing joined the scout leader section. These four scout leader worked hand in hand, focusing on improving the scout’s existing leadership & skill training.
In 1977, with sufficient manpower in the leaders section, the leaders were able to cover a wider job scope. The tasks were sectioned down into greater details and distributed more evenly, allowing each scout leader to focus on the work delegated to them, and at the same time, further pursued their own interests. In the same year, the QM room was also opened. With the help of school servants, we constructed our own store rooms and wood shed for our equipment, coming up with our own furniture such as shelves for proper storage of our equipment. Apart than that, our new GSL, Mr. Ng Hwee Ling received the wood badge and became the 4th person to receive it in our troop. Additionally, Scout Leader Mr. Ong Boon Qing, CPL Ang Kah Xin and PL Peh Yong Xian represented our troop to participate in the 9th Thailand Jamboree. Our troop also achieved commendable results in areas such as Job Week, when we collected $1300, breaking the record then. Furthermore, we have clinched the champion in our district’s telematch. Indisputably, 1977 had definitely been a fruitful year for our scout troop.
By the year 1978, our troop size was well over hundred.
Today, as we look back at our scout troop history, we feel proud of our previous leaders and scout mates. It is because of their hard work that allows Hornet to be what it is today. At the same time, we are glad that we are able to tell them that we have done our best, as a scout member, for the Hornet Scout Troop, just like what they used to. We have done well in many aspects during the recent years. We emerged as champion in events during the Pioneering Competition 2001 Venture Tower and National Patrol Camp 2001. Our troop continues to produce President Scouts in concessive years since 2000. Our leaders have been extending their scouting spirit beyond our school boundaries, assisting in Headquarters events such as ASPIRE and camps as part of the organizing committee. Our scout troop had also received the Frank Cooper Sand Award last year. But most importantly, we have learnt and enjoyed every single scouting activity.
As our leaders have told us: Once a scout, Always a scout. This is our Hornet’s belief. We are proud, yet not satisfied with what we have achieved. We will always try our best to bring Hornet to the next level.
