The Pocklingtonian 2018/19 | Page 43

CCF// REPORT
Combined
Cadet Force
report
We have had an extremely busy year
of training with 149 cadets across four
year groups making up the Contingent.
Our Fourth year recruits have risen
to the challenge and I would like to
congratulate Eleanor Broadbent and
Harry Chacksfield who were awarded
Recruit of the year for the Army and
RAF respectively. Almost 50 Fourth
year cadets have opted to stay with the
CCF into the Fifth year which is a record
number and I hope they enjoy their
advanced skill at arms and leadership
training along with many other training
activities that they will take part in.
Henry Foster has ably led the
Contingent as Cadet CSM this year,
well supported by Cadet CSgt Grace
Birch. Henry and his team of Senior
NCOs have worked hard to provide a
high standard of training, whilst leading
from the front at all times.
the participating CCF and ACF
teams is always keen with stands run
by different sections of the Armed
Forces. The competition included:
indoor rock climbing, code breaking,
first aid scenario, bridge building,
vehicle recovery, indoor clay shooting,
orienteering, obstacle course, trim trail
race and pneumatic powered cars that
were built by the teams and was decided
by the furthest travelled car. They
achieved an impressive 6th place (out of
24 teams). FAM training & the blue and bronze
wings packages. A record breaking 15
cadets flew and obtained their blue
wings in June.
The Fifth year Cadre end of year
exercise took place at the end of the
Lent term and despite the very cold
conditions, the patrols, section attacks,
ambushes and ration packs were
enjoyed by all. 8 cadets have been awarded the Blue
Musician Badge for their ability at
playing a variety of different instruments.
24 cadets journeyed to Warcop
Training Area for Summer Camp
2019. The training was excellent and
included: advanced fieldcraft, TIBUA,
a day live firing on the range and
adventurous training. The training was
delivered by regular and reserve army
personnel who were hugely impressed
by the skills, camaraderie and positive
approach demonstrated at all times by
the Pocklington team.
On Sunday 11th November 2018, 50
cadets and 5 officers took part in the
Pocklington Town Remembrance
Parade. This is one of the most
important events in our calendar and
the cadets did themselves and their
school very proud by showing the
highest level of respect and humility
throughout the afternoon. During the course of the Summer
holidays Cadet Sgt Lauren Watkins-
Hargan took part in a two week long
fieldcraft exercise supporting cadets
visiting from Canada, whilst Cadet Sgt
Afonso Spencer and Cadet Sgt Edward
James were selected to complete the
Master Cadet course at Frimley Park.
Congratulations to these cadets who will
take on our Senior NCO roles next year.
Lt Andrew Scrowston joined the team
of officers in September 2018 as School
Staff Instructor and he has proven to be
an invaluable asset for the Contingent. THE RAF SECTION
HIGHLIGHTS:
THE ARMY SECTION
HIGHLIGHTS:
10 Fourth year cadets took part in
the Welbeck STEM Leadership
Competition. The rivalry between
RAF Cadets have regular visits to RAF
Topcliffe to the VGS to undertake the
Aviation Training Package. We have
snapped up places when they have
become available and all cadets who
have wanted have been able complete
their Ground Training, Aviation
Training Package (ATP) doing the
26 RAF cadets completed the Heartstart
First Aid training package.
As part of the RAST at INSKIP, our
RAF cadets competed in command
tasks, RAF knowledge, drill, Shooting,
First Aid & Aircraft Recognition. The
team was ably led by Esmé Littlewood.
We have been working more on Methods
of Instruction. Esme Littlewood passed
all her assessments and we hope more
will follow in order to get their gold
instructor cadet lanyard.
RAF Summer camp this year was at
RAF Halton, near London. Activities
included: command tasks and low ropes
led by the RAF Halton staff, high ropes
at Go Ape Wendover, drill, various
sports and we also had a day off base at
ESSA Water sports Centre. We visited
Hendon RAF museum near London
and the Trenchard museum on base
at RAF Halton. With dry weapons
training and a full day on the ranges as
well as a visit to the RAF police dogs
section it was an action packed and very
enjoyable and rewarding week.
ADVENTUROUS TRAINING
This was a brilliant week for both CCF
RAF and CCF Army cadets. They had
a fabulous time taking part in a wide
range of adventurous training activities
in and around Keswick, Cumbria.
Activities included climbing and
abseiling, fell walking (across Blencathra
in the snow), ghyll scrambling and
mountain biking. A highlight was the
overnight Bushcraft activity where we
canoed across Derwentwater and wild
camped on St Herbert’s Island.
Sam Cheadle
THE POCKLINGTONIAN
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