CC F Re vie w
Our mentoring of Knole Academy CCF had a second successful
year and they are now in good enough shape to set up as an
independent contingent this coming January. It has been great
fun working with them and we will continue to organise joint
exercises and camps.
Training continues to be characterised by tactical, fun activities,
from the Year 10 evening exercise in Knole Park and visits to
military bases and open days, to generating experience and
leadership through pressurised situations in field manoeuvres,
boat navigation, adventure training, command tasks etc. We also
sent OC Theo Duke adventure training in Bavaria, SSgt Alex May
on a rock climbing course and CPO Isobel Willis on a Day Skipper
course, while AC* Sophia Anderson competed in the Uniformed
Services Show Jumping competition (where she came first in the
Fault and Out competition and second in the team competition).
The Founder’s Day drill squad led by Cdt George Cox provided a
rifle retort to start this year’s Field Gun Competition, which was
won by the Army team, led by George’s brother, Sgt Tom Cox, in
a new record time.
Lt Col P Bassett
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TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES
The Royal Navy section continues to prosper with
a wide variety of activities taking place this year
including kayaking, diving and climbing alongside
regular Thursday afternoon sailing sessions. The move
to Bough Beech from Chipstead has enabled cadets to
have access to a better sailing programme. They have
also enjoyed field days to Portsmouth, visiting the
historic dockyard and navigating the yachts and Swan
motor boats to the Isle of Wight. The addition of a
new staff member, SLt David Roche, has strengthened
the section. We say goodbye and thanks to this year’s
senior leadership team – WO1 Henry Jones and CPO
Anna Surgeoner.
WO1 Alex Huisman and CPO Gaby FitzGerald, Lower Sixth
The RAF section has enjoyed a full calendar this year,
starting with three cadets on adventure training
in Cyprus over the summer for ten days. A trip to
Duxford explored the huge array of historic vehicles
and aircraft from icons like Concord to the Vulcan,
and the Summer term finished at RAF Coningsby, a
Quick Reaction Alert base for Eurofighter Typhoons.
Cadets saw a flying demonstration, flew in the training
simulators, got up close to the jets, and even had a
tour of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft;
there was also the incredible experience of a tour
inside the Lancaster, one of only two flightworthy in
the whole world. The whole Year 10 contingent have
passed their Part 1 and are well on the way to Part 2.
A fond farewell to the Upper Sixth who have guided
us through the year, especially Flt Sgt Maike Lenz, our
Section Head.
This has been an extremely successful and active
year for the Army Section. The Year 10s enjoyed an
exhilarating several months in the training section
where they got a chance to build their teamwork
and confidence via activities such as overnight
exercises and inter-platoon challenges. Following
this, some Year 10s went on to join the military
skills team, participating in the external Military
Skills Competition. This three-day competition was
extremely challenging but also very rewarding, and
ended with a gruelling march and shoot in which
Sevenoaks were placed third. We also did particularly
well on the Command Task, Skill at Arms and Military
Knowledge stands.
A dozen cadets from Year 11 passed their MOI
Cadre, which qualifies them to become junior non-
commissioned officers. Others were awarded the new
Cadet Radio User qualification, and many passed
their APC Basic Award while some of the SNCOs were
awarded their APC Advanced Awards.
The year concluded with the annual summer camp
in Crowborough where we were joined by 14 cadets
from Knole Academy. All cadets took part in a wide
range of activities including kayaking, rafting, climbing,
mountain biking, clay pigeon shooting, axe throwing,
archery, survival skills, tracking, first aid, shooting and
of course fieldcraft training. We picked up medals in
seven events and won second place in the overall best
contingent. Sgt Tom Cox was awarded the Sevenoaks
Best Cadet trophy.
S E V E LCpl
N O A Ned
K S Geake,
S C H O Lower
O L 2 Sixth
017-2018
C/Sgt Ivan Avanesov, Lower Sixth
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