Combined Cadet Force

Combined Cadet Force 2018/19

After an outstanding Summer Camp, in which the Contingent won prizes for shooting and overall best School contingent, the year started with a visit from Colonel Fraser-Hitchin as part of our Biennial Inspection. Despite the date being brought forward at relatively short notice, the Cadets and Staff performed admirably in demonstrating the full range of activities on a normal training evening from stands on Camouflage & Concealment and Skill at Arms, to competing against the clock in some demanding Command tasks. We were also delighted to be able to put on a general interest stand with members of the serving forces, allowing Cadets to get their hands on some of the weapons currently used by the British Army from pistols to the General Purpose Machine Gun (GMPG). Over the course of the year Grammar students continued to follow the Basic Cadet syllabus with a focus on Fieldcraft, First Aid, Navigation and Skill at Arms training ensuring they were in a position to shoot safely and accurately. Many attended a training weekend in October and were able to get their first opportunity to put their fieldcraft skills to the test overnight and try out 24 hour ration pack, with the help and guidance of some of the senior cadets.

In the Army Section, Syntax students have continued with the Advanced Cadet syllabus and in the RAF the focus has been on completing their Part 1s and 2s. Our Poets have been focused on Method of Instruction understanding what it takes to stand at the front of students and deliver

a lesson. Both year groups also participated in weekend training days at Colchester barracks to develop their shooting skills, flying opportunities with the RAF and a junior leadership course for both Army and RAF Cadets.

Over the summer it was fantastic to also see so many students taking part in the Camps with the Army Section at Penally in Wales and the RAF at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. Both provided outstanding opportunities for Cadets to develop their skills and push their boundaries on a range of adventurous training activities.

Sgt Rydqvist has led the Section in quiet and determined fashion, mastering the dark art of martialling the whole Contingent on first parade and quite rightly receiving the Sword for Best Cadet at the end of the year. He has been ably assisted throughout by the Platoon commanders Cpl Hanley (Ingouville), Cpl Hartley (Phillipps), LCpl Martin (Whyte) and it has been wonderful to see competition between the platoons bubbling away throughout the year.

We have continued to support John Warner School in developing their own CCF programme and we welcome our ongoing partnership with Goffs School with their students joining and integrating with those from St Edmund’s during weekly training.

Thanks must also go to the many staff and adult volunteers who have given their time over the course of the last year. Major Gledhill, who has taken over as Contingent Commander, providing a wealth of knowledge and contacts from his time with Regional Cadet training teams and Major Jones is a continuing stalwart in facilitating anything and everything.

A special mention also to Capt Kovacevic who this year stepped down as OC Army Section but will remain with the contingent and a farewell to Lt Hebdon who has resigned her commission this year. In her place, congratulations to Lt McCarthy and Lt Scripps (Goff’s), who have completed their commissioning.

Capt Upton Officer Commanding Army Section

Combined Cadet Force 2019/20

The 2019-20 year started with the introduction of a generic skills programme for all Grammar students, combining both Army and RAF basic syllabi. Training for Syntax and Poetry continued much as in previous years and it was wonderful to see students taking full advantage of the opportunities on normal training afternoons and trips at weekends. In particular, the RAF were able to make several weekend trips under the guidance of Pilot Officer Duffy getting some flight time under their belts.

The Michaelmas term saw the first Mess Dinner for several years and it was a wonderful opportunity for Cadets and staff alike, introducing many for the first time to the formalities of a Regimental dinner. Remembrance day was another highlight with the whole College coming together in the Chapel to observe the minutes silence at 11am. A revised order of service and senior members of the CCF lining the entrance added an additional significance with Cadet Sgts Hartley and McMullan laying the wreaths.

This year has also seen John Warner School, who we have successfully supported over the last few years, established as an independent CCF. The success of this is testament to their students and staff but also Major Gledhill and Major Jones in providing them with the guidance and support to do so.

The contingent has been successfully led by our senior cadets with Sgt Ed Hartley leading weekly parade supported by Cpl Martin, Cpl Butterworth and Cpl Stephens. As with so much this year, the CCF calendar in the Lent and Trinity terms was sadly curtailed with the lockdown and move to remote learning. In particular it was disappointing for the cadets to miss out on the opportunity of the annual Summer Camp so often a highlight of the year.

In the best traditions of the military, we will inevitably adapt and overcome and our aim will very much be to ensure our Cadets have all the opportunities necessary to make up for lost ground in the new year.

APF Capt Upton Officer Commanding Army Section