Dear Guides,

In view of the Recruitment Drive which would be carried out on the 10th, you are not required to submit the names for YOG Can!

Instead, all Guides are expected to report to school-you wouldn't want to miss out on the FUN on Recruitment Drive! =) Please collect your consent forms from Natasha, near Guides Notice Board on Tues, 6th January at 2.00 pm.

Hello everyone!

On the 3rd of November, we participated in Queensway Girl Guides' Heritage trail which was successfully organised by ALL Sec 3 guides. Prior to this, much preparations were done to ensure that everyone will have an enjoyable and benefiting time; with enjoyable fun, and knowledge to be acquired. To sum up this heritage trail, we have a write-up done by Sabrina on the historical background of Singapore and an interview on Suyee's thoughts regarding this trail done by Kelly.


Ever wondered what the Merlion Statue symbolizes? Well, with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, this majestic figure relates far back to Singapore’s history when it was only a small fishing village named ‘Temasek’. Standing at 8.6m tall and weighing 40 tonnes, the Merlion Statue, currently located at the Merlion Pier, just off of One Fullerton, was initially designed as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board.

However, to date, it not only serves as a tourist attraction for foreigners around the world, but also serves as a sharp reminder of Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village. Through years of hardship and perseverance, Singapore began to prosper as a vibrant city, full of life, to this very day. In a nutshell, the Merlion Statue reminds Singaporeans not to take the present for granted and to learn to appreciate the past.

Originally, the Merlion Statue was located at the Merlion Park by the Esplanade Bridge, and officially ‘opened’ on 15 September 1972. Presently, its location is just a stone’s throw away, from its previous position. The official launching of its new site was exactly 30 years after its initial opening. It costs S$7.5 million to relocate the merlion, which is now four times larger than its old structure.

Besides the Merlion Statue located at the Merlion Pier, there are also various other locations in which merlions are located in Singapore. Some of them namely Sentosa and Mount Faber.

Source: National Library Board, Singapore and ‘Uniquely Singapore’ website.

Done by: Sabrina Woo
Queensway Secondary School
Girl Guides

1) What is your first impression of the heritage trail?
Ans: My first impression of the heritage trail is that there is nothing special about it and I've no knowledge of the heritage trail at all.

2) What have you learnt in the heritage trail?
Ans: In the Heritage Trail, I've learned many things that i could not learn in school or textbooks easily and I've gained awareness of Singapore's history.

3) Did you enjoy the heritage trail?
Ans: I find the venue of the heritage trail very meaningful and not only does it let me know more about the heritage trail, my fellow sister guides and I are able to communicate better after the heritage trail.

4) If there is another heritage trail being organised, would you come again?
Ans: Yes I will go again because it is really very enjoyable and knowledgeable. And maybe I can gain more knowledge about it that i missed at this trip.

5) Will you recommend your friends and family to come for this trail?
Ans: Of course! I will strongly recommend them to go because i believe that they will learn more about Singapore's history through this heritage trail.

6) Do you think that the duration for the heritage trail is long enough?
Ans: I think it is long enough because if the duration is too long we wouldn't be able to absorb everything and we will get tired too.

7) Do you think that the people who participate in the heritage trail with you are cooperative?
Ans: Yes. Their faces showed that they are very excited, but yet they are cooperative.

8) What age group people is more suitable for this heritage trail?
Ans: I think that there is no age restriction for this heritage trail because I think that no matter you're young or old, we should still have the determination to learn more about the Singapore's history.

9) Do you think that the school should organise such trail for ALL students?
Ans: YES! The more the merrier!

10) Do you think that the other countries students should be invited to join this heritage trail in Singapore?
Ans: YES! We can let foreigners know more about Singapore's history and we can also exchange culture and religion knowledge through the trail and also make more friends!

Hope that this post has given you a better idea of the heritage trail and have a good year ahead everyone!! :)

Yours truly,
Ally.