St Mary's Calne
This has been another busy term completing activities towards two different badges with some girls looking at Life Skills such as changing a fuse in a plug and budgeting skills, with others considering campaigning for a cause that they are passionate about. We were pleased to enroll two new LIV into Guides just before Half Term, who did their promise in front of their parents and fellow Guides and Rangers. Over Half Term, the Rangers (Heidi and Tara) independently completed their Cooking badge, and one of our newest Guides, Catherine, did her Mixology Badge. These will be presented to them at our next meeting by the District Commissioner who is coming to visit.
Trip to Longleat for Thinking Day
Over Half Term a number of the Guides joined with the wider Calne District on a trip to Longleat Safari park. As well as celebrating the founding of Girlguiding and Scouting, this particular event was organised to celebrate the splitting of Girlguiding Wiltshire County into North and South so there were several hundred members from all over Wiltshire seeing the animals, taking part in promise renewals and getting lost in the Longleat Maze! It was a good opportunity for the St Mary’s Guides to get to know the ones from 1st Calne Guides as well since a number of them will be joining the District for Summer camp.
Cooking Chinese Confectionary
On our first meeting back after Half Term, Mr Huang and Mrs Mitchell were kind enough to teach us how to make a Chinese confectionary called Tanghulu (sticky fruit on skewer). As well as having lots of fun making (and eating) this can also be put towards the Guide Confectionary badge. I am very grateful to the MFL Department for running this activity.
International Women’s Day: Girlguiding
As the biggest global organisation to represent Girls and Young Women, Girlguiding and Girl Scout groups around the world (all members of WAGGGS) is perhaps the best example of celebrating women’s achievements over the last 115 years. IWD is celebrated worldwide and this year has joined with WAAGGS to create resources to celebrate it IWD: Download IWD resources educating about women’s rights and encourage girls and young women to be aware of their rights.
In Girlguiding in the UK there is already a Women’s Rights badge for the Rangers to complete, and a Human Rights badge for the Guides. We will be using these WAAGGS resources in our meetings to ensure our Guides and Rangers are aware of the importance of IWD and celebrating Women’s History month.
More broadly, our Guide and Ranger unit has been successful in giving our girls experiences and skills that will help them in life beyond Calne. From DIY skills, to communication and even lighting fires, no other group gives girls the complete balanced package of talents that will make them successful young women, able to stand up for themselves.
Mrs Sam Handy, aka Tulip
Leader of 2nd Calne Rainbows, 1st Calne Guides and 4th Calne (St Mary’s Calne) Guides and Rangers