President Guide Award Ceremony

The day started off when the 7 President Guide Awardees (PGA) from other schools like Raffles Girls’ School, Nanyang Girls’ School and Sengkang Secondary School assembled at the Guide House promptly by 9.30am. Ms Alsagoff was our Marching Trainer, and before the bus that was supposed to bring us to Istana arrives, she led us to a round of saluting practices as an attempt to perfect our salutations.

Before we were able to enter the premises of Istana, we had to go a round of body and baggage check to ensure that no sharp or explosive objects are being brought in.

Our first Full-Dress Rehearsal was carried out the State Room together with the 7 other President Scout Awardees. Since Ms Alsagoff has been training us in our marching up and down for the past 2 days, the PGAs were relatively familiar with the procedure, despite some of the minor changes made. With a few more practices on our own, we were mentally and physically prepared by the third Prize-Giving ceremony rehearsal, and have the ensured that the rehearsal proceed smoothly without much hiccups.

By 3.30pm onwards, guests began to arrive, and our Patron, Mrs. S R Nathan made her appearance at roughly 4.10pm, together with Mrs. Joy Balakrishnan, who is the President of Girl Guides Singapore.

The ceremony commenced when Mr. S R Nathan took his seat on the stage. Mr President gave out a dummy scroll to the President Scout Awardees, followed by the President Guide Awardees. Henderson Girl Guides was the first on alphabetical order, followed by PGAs from Nanyang, Raffles and Sengkang.

A photo-taking session with Mr. Nathan was promptly prepared, whereby the Awardees together with her invited guests were able to take a picture at a concaved painting. Our SAC (School Advisory Council) Chairman, Mr. Leong Mun Sum and Mrs. Yeo, together with Henderson Girl Guides 1st COY’s Guiders Mdm Abby Choo and Ms Gloria Leng was also present to witness the ceremony.

After a few more photo shoots with Mr. and Mrs. S R Nathan, Mrs. Joy Balakrishnan and the Commissioners from both Girl Guides Singapore and the Singapore Scouts Association at several venues in Istana, Mr. and Mrs. President then took their leave, and this declared an end to the ceremony.

This being my first time entering Istana, I was overwhelmed with a mixture of feelings. But the climax of my emotions was probably when I finally met up with my parents and mentors. Bursts of happiness and gratitude erupted in me as I looked at the proud faces of my mentors, which led me to recall our school’s aphorism – Today I’m proud of Henderson, Tomorrow Henderson will be proud of me.


By: Lim Shiyan




posted by: lakshmi