Issue Issue 9191 January January 2015 2015
From the Courtyard
sac scouts newsletter
From the Courtyard feature of the month
World War I - A War to end all I was looking forward to seeing the play ‘World War I - A War to end all wars?’. When we arrived, I was confused as I did not see any familiar faces. Luckily we met Chill as she was helping out and informed us that the other cubs were stuck in traffic. Within minutes, we were ushered along with Naxxar Cubs to the entrance of Fort Madliena and the show started. The first clip showed a couple who were just married driving off in a car. Suddenly, someone fired a pistol and killed the groom, after which, the murderer took some pills and killed himself by jumping into a valley. The setting of the next scene was in a village square where children painted signs to encourage men to join the army. In a corner, there was a woman who was crying as she saw her son leaving on a train to get to the battlefield. During a raid, people were chatting away in the shelter. They were being entertained by reading letters received from their loved ones out loud. Some others, who were more nervous, preferred to stay alone whilst the raid lasted. In the meantime, doctors and nurses at the hospital ward camp were doing their best to help the wounded. People needed to eat during the war as well. They queued to take their daily ration while the children played together with whatever they found. The final scene portrayed the soldiers laying sandbags to make a wall. Suddenly, there was a sound of gunfire as the enemy attacked. The soldiers also opened fire on the enemy but had to make a hasty retreat because of the number of casualties. At the end, fireworks were heard to celebrate the end of the war. However, World War I was definately not the war to end all wars! Written by Cub Scouts Neal and Alec Borg
From the Courtyard
GSL’s note
Issue 91 January 2015
2015 January has already passed us by but the Group has been very active so far. A number of sectional activities have been organised and more are to follow in the coming weeks. We appreciate that at this time of year once again our members are facing mid-year exams or O and A levels, besides University exams for some leaders. We encourage members to manage their time well and participate as far as possible. All work and no play makes Bob a dull boy. The Group has already set out its plans for the year and each section will be providing the relevant information to its members on a quarterly basis as sometimes there needs to be some changes to our original plans. The main events for February are the parents meeting that shall be held on February 20th at 18:30 at the College Sixth Form Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to inform parents and members of Cubs, Scouts and Ventures about developments in the Group and we shall also be holding an investiture ceremony for cubs and scouts.
GSL’s note
On Sunday 22nd we shall be helping out at the Malta Marathon. We shall be assigned to the ta’ Qali area again. Scouts and Ventures will be asked to help out on the day (07:00am to 11:30am).
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Other activities are planned for February, however please take note about Easter Camp dates from now. Easter Camp shall be held at Ghajn Tuffieha Camp Site between March 28th to April 4th. Each of the four sections however will be at camp on different days so please take good note of the circulars being sent. February 5th February 5th 2015 marks the second anniversary of Cubbie’s passing away. During the meeting of the 4 th February the Group plans to hold a short remembrance ceremony at its HQ amongst it members. Time will pass us by but he will not be forgotten.
Annual Subscriptions Forms have been issued to members to pay their annual subscriptions. We kindly ask those that have not paid to submit their forms and subscriptions by 11th February as we have to pass on some of these funds to pay our Annual Group fees to the Scout Association of Malta.
From the Courtyard
PACK TREASURE HUNT IN MDINA
Issue 91 January 2015
On Sunday 25th of January, the St. Aloysius Cubs organized a treasure hunt in the ‘silent city’ of Malta, Mdina. At nine o’clock, we met at the Rabat playground next to the Mdina gate.
From the Pack
We were sent to the treasure hunt by sixes and each group was led by a leader. My six was the first one to enter Mdina. All of us had a job: remembering the way, answering the paper, finding streets and shops etc.. First we tried to convert a roman number into a date. Then, we saw the majestic cathedral of St. Paul and we took a photo next to one of the cannons. We walked through the narrow, medieval streets and looked for five shops and ten different streets. Afterwards, we took photos of different niches and statues , which can be found in different locations in Imdina. We also admired the bastions and majestic walls of the medieval city.
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Since we finished first, we had time to eat our lunch at the Rabat playground. As we did so, we fed the birds some crumbs from our lunch. Some of them fought for the crumbs, which was really funny. When we finished our food, we played in the playground while we waited for the others. After this we found a big space where we played some of our usual HQ games. This was a great idea, since it was very cold and we could warm ourselves by running about. Later, we rushed to the Mdina ditch where we played a game called Piff Puff before we met our parents and went home. Written by Jake Borg, Sixer – Grey Six
From the Courtyard
SCOUT INVESTITURE
Issue 91 January 2015
From the Troop
At the end of the month, the Group will hold the Investiture ceremony, this is the time when a Scout, by means of the words of the Scout Promise, formally announces their commitment to the Scout Law. At the ceremony, the Scout says the Promise to the Scouts and Leaders of their troop. Such ceremonies are an important and traditional part of Scouting. They need to be short and simple and follow an established pattern, so that, individuals know what to expect and do.
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Many groups have evolved their own particular way of doing things but it is important to ensure that any ceremony does not become complex or boring for those involved. In Scouting, whilst many ceremonies may have quite a history to them, they still play an important part today. They provide the opportunity to welcome people into Scouting, into another Section, recognise someone's achievements, and at the same time encourage self-discipline and mark a clear beginning or end to events. The Investiture, or joining up ceremony, is one of the most important events in a Scout's life and should be treated with respect. It is vital that the member is well prepared and fully aware of the Investiture ceremony procedure. The Investiture ceremony should be well practiced during scout meetings beforehand. It is considered to be good practice to hold a ceremony to mark the transfer of a young person between sections. Good transfer arrangements encourage young people to continue with Scouting, and this is a responsibility of all Leaders. These ceremonies need to take place at a convenient time for both sections. Whether it is a Cub moving on to Scouts or a Scout moving on to Ventures, they must not be made to feel awkward, but seen as members who have enjoyed their time in the section and are now looking forward to the challenges, opportunities and fun they are going to experience in the next section.
From the Troop
From the Courtyard
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SCOUTCRAFT AFTERNOON 31 JANUARY 15
Issue 91 January 2015
From the Courtyard
O-LEVELS!!
Issue 91 January 2015
From the Unit
January has been the first episode of the exam season for our ventures facing the O-Level ordeal. We therefore had no activities in order for everyone to study.
I’d like to share this with you during such a time of stress. Its a quote from our very own Baden Powell who learnt this while fighting the Ashanti in West Africa in 1895.
It says: If we go forward we die, If we go backward we die, Better go forward and die, Although a bit dramatic it signifies the courage we must have when facing any obstacle. Shying away from an obstacle will still not get it tackled. So face it in full and give it all you’ve got! Good Luck! Andre
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From the Courtyard
ROVER BIKE HIKE
Issue 91 January 2015
This activity was held between the 3rd and 4t of January. The morning haze is thinning out as I run down the street. I round the corner and burst through H.Q’s door. “ EJJA!! Wasalt flahhar? “Sorry I’m late guys.” “Coffee?”
From the Crew
And so, after a hasty brew, we crammed into the cars ( C.S.V : Cyclist support Vehicle) & (C.T.V: Cyclist Transport Vehicle ) and headed for Gozo, to start the bike hike that had been planned for us By Emanuel Lewis and Meli (Mathew Zammit). Everything had been sorted out buy the two of them, a few weeks previously and I must point out that they put in a lot of effort.
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We hopped off the ferry and met the man renting out the bikes to us. As we helped him unload the bikes off his truck we selected our steed and got used to the way they worked.. or didn’t. The theme for the weekend was flavored according to current affairs: ISIS, had captured Brangelina and we were the elite team selected to save them.
The following is the description of just a fraction, of the multiple checkpoints we had all along the hike. Our first stop was in Imgar Ix-Xini, our beloved organisers (from the comfort of the C.S.V) pointed out that we had to retrieve a capsule that had been seen falling out of an I.S plane (a bottle floating in the sea tied to a stone) to get the coordinates. Gabriel changed his attire to fit the challenge with haste, and waded in to the clear waters… cold clear waters, much to our amusement.
At another check point, the challenge, was that the militants were transporting their documents in ice balls and had inside these robes there was a charge that would ignite if presented with direct heat and a vile that if shattered would destroy the note. (So no mallets, dropping, lighters and stoves) unfortunately Meli got a bit exited and presented us with a hail stone the size of a football!! Thankfully after the best part of two hours we were given the next check point told to proceed, out of pity. ( thanks guys)
From the Courtyard
ARTICLE TITLE
Issue 91 January 2015
That evening we slept near Ramla l-Hamra where we were constantly battered by strong winds, all through out the night. George then met us and joined the team with his car (C.S.V.2) The next morning, to get us even more accustomed to our bikes, every one had to remove and reassemble their front bike wheel, to be aloud to proceed on the hike. The Final check point was in Nadur, which meant that we had a nice long down hill to the ferry. In my opinion it was one of the best and funniest activities we have had in a while due to other obligations. I'give it a ten on ten all round. Can't wait for next year!
From the Crew
Simon.G Photos courtesy of Emanwel Lewis. Most of the evil courtesy of Matthew Zammit.
Participants L to R : Gabriel Rizzo, Emanwel Lewis, Albert Galea, Simon Gauci, David Pace, Matthew Zammit, (photographer George Zammit Montobello)
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