It has been a long while since i wrote in this blog. I want to dedicate this blog post to you.
For the past 3 weeks, there had been alot of activities going on in 45th.
On top of regular parades, we had an annual Enrollment Service on 1st April. I want to thank everyone who made an effort to go for the rehearsal and service. This shows that you put in an effort to participate in the activities that the officers and instructors had designed/assigned you.
Our BB Blaze teams have also been training hard for the BB Blaze competition this Saturday. I have met them on Good Friday for cycling and Easter Sunday for kayaking. I'm glad to say that i have enjoyed these sessions with them.
To BB Blaze team: try to come in as fast as you can. I promise you i will bring your back from YJC as fast as i can (within the specified time agreement).
At the same time, I couldn't help but wonder, what have we achieved in BB45th? What have we done well? We have done well in terms of JMF achievement, BB parades and activities. BUT, does JMF Gold equate to excellence in every area of BB45th? I think the answer is no.
Firstly, in the midst of fighting to achieve JMF Gold, we may lost values that are important to us. Two of it that i can think of right now is: 1) Mindset for Excellence and 2) Discipline. Why do i say so?
I see alot of people just 'going through the motion' during parades and activities so as not to be punished. For example, some just attend parade so that they do not get any demerit points. I have always believed that your attitude will lead to your behavior. A bo-chup behaviour from someone shows that he/she has a 'cannot be bothered' attitude.
This mentality itself has serious implication. If we entrust such a person with leadership appointments and responsibilities, what do you think the outcome will be? A person who is going through the motion will never do well because he/she does not have the drive to excel. Similarly, a person who goes to the school without putting in the drive to excel will never do well.
Ask Boys or instructors such as PTE Junrui, SGT Ashley and CLT Nichloas and they will tell you the effort they put in to do well for their EOY or O levels. (Side note: Congrats!)
The second issue that i am going to address is the discipline level in BB45th. Recent observations in parades, camps and activities have shown that overall discipline level has declined over the years. So much so that Boys do not even know how to address officers. This is something we, as a company, must address before it gets worse. There were several suggestions from the officers and teachers regarding how to improve the discipline level of the BB45th. This is something we, as a officer council, will mull over.
So have we lost all that we have gained? I think not.
Why do i say that? Because i have seen the effort put in by BB Blaze team to prepare for the competition, Because i have seen the effort each one of us (including the Instructors, teachers and officers) in raising funds for BB Week. Based on preliminary calculations, we may be able to raise $4000 as a company. Thank you for your effort, everyone. You effort is appreciated. This shows that if we put a realistic goal in mind and work towards it, we can achieve it.
Do we have alot to improve on? Yes. So how can we improve BB45th?
My challenge to everyone is to excel in all responsibilities that you are entrusted to. Every appointment/responsibilities/rank is a act of faith that the officer, teachers and I have entrusted upon you. Do it to your best capability.
There will also be some minor revisions in parades. Keep a lookout for it.
We will also be making revisions to our promotion criteria. There may be several things we want to add in so that the rank each one of you are wearing has more value and more importantly, an achievement.
Last but not least, we are never perfect, so lets make 2012 a year that we make improvements.
LTA Bay Qin Yao
Captain
BB45th
venue marked with a red star