CCF

CCF 2021-22

With almost two years of pandemic behind us both the CCF staff and cadets were ready to return to a normal training programme. Having missed a considerable amount of training during this period the task would not be easy and the CCF staff understood that they were going to have to ask the cadets to demonstrate some of the core values of the College, namely courage, creativity and confidence. I am pleased to say that they did not disappoint.

Royal Navy Army

The Year 9 cohort experienced a newly developed Field Day alongside the Army Section at Mereworth Woods in Kent in early December and to their credit, early first promotions. The Year 10 cadets, who had a very truncated first year, got off to a flying start with their first promotion, and the PADI Open Water Course in early September. Other key highlights included the Method of Instruction Course for the Year 11 cadets, Danson Park Water-Sports Days, Remembrance Parade, the Cadet Leadership Course in February and two very well supported sailing weekends in May with all participants enjoying sunny days at sea, and for some a short break at Cowes for lunch. Cdr Main, Head of the Royal Navy Section, would also like to thank the small team of Year 13 SNCOs who supported staff extremely well as we got back on our feet, Lt Gemma Davies for all her hard work with Cadet Field Gun - we have a promising ‘legion’ of enthusiasts ready for next year – and S/ Lt Harriet Hughes for her energy as the Diving Officer. The Royal Navy Section looks forward to the coming year, with strong year groups well placed to do well and a particularly large, and strong team of Year 12s providing some good competition for the prized positions at the top of the Section in Year 13. 2021–22 saw the largest ever intake of cadets into the Army Section with over 80 Year 9s signing up which, when combined with a strong retention rate of the ever-impressive Year 10 cohort, meant training over 100 cadets on the weapons system was an ambitious target. Thanks to the remarkable patience and above-and-beyond commitment from staff, and the eagerness of cadets to master a new skill, all cadets had several opportunities to fire the cadet weapon system on range days and field training exercises throughout the year. The Army Section enjoyed being back in the field, covered in camouflage, evading the enemy, and working as a unit to overcome a hostile force. The Year 10 Weekend in particular was a hugely enjoyable event for both staff and cadets, while the Year 9 Weekend also offered the new recruits their first chance to sleep under canvas and eat from a ration pack. Lt Whittaker (Head of the Army Section) was keen to provide the seniors stretch and challenge, and they certainly showed him their potential as future leaders. RSM Nicolas Doddridge and WO2 Freya Jacobs were deservedly promoted to the two most senior ranks and they led the Army Section admirably. The enthusiasm and effort they showed throughout the year, and the way they operated as a team were a blueprint for future seniors.

Corps of Drums

Due to the pandemic the Corps of Drums had had very limited opportunity to showcase what it does best – public performances – and the calendar for the year was still limited due to government guidelines. However, this did not stop the cadets from maintaining their Friday Forder training programme. The dedication it takes to continue to learn new songs and work on musical technique with no performances in sight showed true commitment. The new addition of ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ brought a smile to everybody’s face. It goes with saying that the CCF is only as good as its adult instructors and at the end of the year we welcomed a new SSI, Sgt Ledger-Humphreys into the team. It is fair to say that his induction period was very short – on his first day here at the College he was delighted to be sleeping out on the College fields with over 100 Year 8s during Adventure Week for a five-day camping experience. As always, I would like to thank all the staff for their unwavering support and the ‘bucket loads’ of time given to making the cadet experience what it is here at St Dunstan’s College, but special mention must go to Cdr Main and Lt Whittaker. Both officers show huge levels of commitment to their sections, their officers and support me in providing an outstanding cadet experience. This report would not be complete without a special thanks to S/Lt Zhong Chen who will be sorely missed as she leaves us for pastures new abroad. CCF PRIZE WINNERS

Royal Navy Awards

RN Section Most Promising Recruit Harry Stevens Junior Rate Award Inaya Rouse-Farooq

Collingwood Telescope

Sammy Oswald Barnshaw

Coxswain’s Sword

Scarlett Noraika

Army Section Awards

Army Section Most Promising Recruit Mathis Jouy 100 Trophy Charlotte Windsor

Best Shot Cup Pace Stick Sword of Honour

Gabriel Taylor Freya Jacobs Nicolas Doddridge

Corps of Drums Awards

Commanding Officer’s Bugle Nona McIntosh Drum Major’s Award Agnes Sales