Contingent Commander's Reports
2010
To say the least, all the cadets have been very busy this term, enabling us to complete the year on a high note.
Two of our seniors are off to complete their air cadet leadership course at RAF Cranwell. Also just as we did last year, others worked with Year 6 pupils at St Osmond’s School during the latter’s project week.
Our Ten Tors teams were fairly successful this year with the 35 mile team completing and no fallouts, ensuring they gained individual medals and their team certificate. The 45 mile team voluntarily withdrew after being significantly delayed whilst dealing with a casualty (suspected appendicitis). Nevertheless they have reached their annual charity target of £1000 which this year is for ‘Steps’, a charity for children born with lower limb abnormalities. (See the Ten Tors for STEPS article on the THS website) This makes a total of £6000 having been raised since 2004.
Over the Easter holidays fifteen cadets and two officers spent a week at the Sea Cadet training centre in Weymouth. All gained either their power boat or RYA level 1-2 sailing certification.
At the end of May, another fifteen year 10 cadets went on exercise to Bovington, completing their Method of Instruction for promotion.
In terms of other training, twenty cadets have now gained St John certification as Youth First Aiders and all year 9 cadets have a ‘Heart Start’ first aid certificate from The British Heart Foundation as we are now an official ‘Heart Start’ training school.
In July 35 cadets from our school will be going to Nesscliff in Shropshire for their annual camp, part of which has been organised by us.
Overall staffing has been good this year with a total of forty days having been completed as weekend activities. All staff have now gained the Advanced CCF qualification, ensuring that they are able to conduct all types of cadet military training without external supervision.
2009
Autumn Term 2009
First, the good news:
After another successful recruit evening, the total number of recruits entering the CCF in September 09 amounted to 45, again coming largely but not exclusively from year 9. We have also had a constant trickle feed of others during October and November. Totals amount to 105 cadets and 8 staff. Total annual losses 2008-9 were 30.
Activities cadets were involved in over the summer term included:
A Field exercise at Bovington.
The Ten Tors event, which all teams completed successfully.
Cadet Leadership courses at the Cadet Training Centre, Frimley.
Air experience flights.
Duke of Edinburgh assessed expedition for the Bronze award.
CCF camp at Longmoor.
Visit by Lt Col Eagan, Commandant CTC Frimley.
Staffing:
In the RAF we have lost Karen Bower as an adult instructor due to her move to Dulwich School. Claire Salisbury has been promoted to Flight Lieutenant and still runs the section with help from Tom Fasham and Lyndsay Hilton. In the Army, 2Lt Clive Jackson and Major Dawn Chapple have joined the team. Active adult staff now amounts to 3 for the RAF and 3 for the Army, excluding myself and the SSI. This brings our adult strength up to 8 across both CCF and AT activities.
Cadets:
Cadet Serjeant Megan Coombs has been made a Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet and was awarded her new position for the coming year at a ceremony held at the home of the present Lord Lieutenant on 22nd October. She has completed her first official engagement already at Blandford camp and will be involved in many more over the next few months!
Our summer camp was a ‘Greenfield’ at Longmoor in Hampshire. This was held in conjunction with St Edward’s school, Cheltenham. This meant that we ran a week long camp for 60 cadets using only our own staff without cadet training team support and a great success it was as well. On our final day we had a visit from Brigadier Hodder, commander of 43 (Wessex) Brigade who was deeply impressed by the commitment shown by staff and the enthusiasm of the cadets.
In October we held a very successful recruit weekend at Okehampton for 35 new year 9 cadets all of whom got stuck in to a range of taster activities in both the wet and dry.
Now the bad news:
Due to severe budget overspends at the MOD all cadet forces have had their 2009-10 budgets frozen, all paid training days from now up to April 2010 stopped, all transport requests, range days, field exercises, blank and ball ammunition distribution and adventure training activities suspended from December to (probably) April 2010. As you can imagine the impact for us will be enormous.
Obviously the CCF Association has called on schools and their respective head teachers and governing bodies to make representation to the MOD, although it is interesting to note that in an email comment from Mike Wharmby, secretary of the CCFA he states:
If no complaint is made by the CCF then the cuts will be deemed to be painless and are likely to be repeated next year when they may well be deeper. The trick is to choose the right issues to campaign on because there are those in other Whitehall departments who would sweep away all of the MoD grants which go to cadet units in Independent schools in order to spend this money on cadet units in the state sector schools.
This leaves me in a quandary as I agree with the Whitehall departments. From personal experience I know that the majority of independent school CCFs are well funded by school budgets and the MOD funding is often a top-up. They also make significant charges to the cadets for the privilege of being a member of their CCF, whilst we already work on a shoe string to ensure accessibility for all. Yet I am expected to support their call for protest knowing that we, as a state school, are not really viewed as ‘one of the gang’ and any benefit of a return in funding would be one sided as we do not necessarily have access to other sources of financial support.
The overall impact for us could be enormous unless funding is achievable from either the MOD or some other source as yet unknown and activities are once more made available. The future of the CCF and my ability to staff it effectively without financial incentives becomes questionable and has to be addressed.
To conclude: regardless of the cuts in MOD funding and its implications, we in the CCF hope to have a good, fun, active and exhausting year in terms of activities and time commitment from cadets and staff alike.
To be continued soon in a field near you…….
Summer Term 2009
To say the least, all the cadets have been very busy this term, enabling us to complete the year on a high note.
Four of our seniors are off to complete their cadet leadership courses at the Cadet Training Centre, Frimley. Also just as we did last year, others worked with Year 6 pupils at St Osmond’s School during the latter’s project week.
Our Ten Tors teams were very successful this year with both the 35 and 45 mile teams completing and no fallouts; thus ensuring they gained individual medals and team certificates. They have also reached their annual charity target of £1000 which this year is for the Youth Cancer Trust in Bournemouth. This makes a total of £5000 having been raised since 2004.
Over the Easter holidays fifteen cadets went to RAF Leuchars in Scotland where much flying (including there and back) was had by all.
At the end of May, another fifteen year 10 cadets went on exercise to Bovington, completing their Method of Instruction for promotion.
In terms of other training, twenty one have now gained St John certification as Youth First Aiders and all year 9 cadets have a ‘Heart Start’ first aid certificate from The British Heart Foundation as we are now an official ‘Heart Start’ training school. On top of this 20 year 10 cadets are undertaking their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award through us, having completed their service and skill and their expedition training. Their final expedition is in June, leaving only the physical recreation section needing completion by the end of this term.
In July thirty cadets from our school will be conducting a joint week long field camp with thirty cadets from two other schools at Longmoor in Hampshire; all of which has been organised by us.
Overall staffing has been good this year with a total of thirty days having been completed as weekend activities. Next year will see the addition of more weekend shooting and Easter sailing bringing the total up to forty.
2008
Autumn Term 2008
The total number of recruits entering the CCF in September 08 amounted to 40, again coming largely but not exclusively from year 9. We have also had a trickle feed of others during October and November. Totals amount to 100 cadets and 6 staff. Total annual losses were 32.
Activities cadets were involved in over the summer term included:
The Advanced Infantry course on Dartmoor.
Field exercises at Bovington.
Rotary Young Leaders Award.
Visit to the rehearsal for the Sovereigns Parade at Sandhurst.
Self-sufficiency courses.
Ten Tors
Air experience flights
RAF camp
Greenfield CCF camp
In the RAF we have three new adult officer recruits – Lindsay Hilton, Karen Bower and Tom Fasham – who will be a great support for Claire and enable a wider range of activities to be on offer.
In the Army James Baker has transferred from Bournemouth School CCF having recently joined us as Head of Music. Two other potential adult recruits are due to be on the books to replace Brian Hughes and Dominic Berry. This will eventually bring our adult strength up to 10 across both CCF and AT activities from a starting point of only 4 four years ago.
In July we held our Centenary dinner at the Lulworth Gunnery Mess, with 65 old boys and girls of the CCF in attendance, including Major Generals Chris Stein and John Stevenson, various Brigadiers, Colonels, Majors and sundry others from the alternative services.
A presentation of a Victorian Rifles Officers sword was made to the head teacher, Dr Melvin for his long term support of the CCF.
Our summer camp was a Greenfield at Longmoor in Hampshire. This was held in conjunction with St Edward’s school, Cheltenham. It will be repeated this year coming with the addition of cadets from Christ College, Cheltenham who have joined as part of the St Edward’s contingent.
To conclude: a good, fun, active and exhausting year in terms of activities and time commitment from cadets and staff alike. To be repeated soon in a field near you.
Spring Term 2008
After the success of last terms recruitment and Biennial inspection, we started this term on a high note. It is pleasing to note that we have moved from a ‘satisfactory’ standard grading to an ‘above average’ in the Brigade’s assessment of us.
In February thirty cadets had a days shooting and visit to the Tank Museum at Bovington. This enabled all to pass their .22 rifle tests and three achieved the standard of Marksman. One year12 cadet, Sophie Copson, was awarded a place on the Rotary Young Leaders Award over half term which she thoroughly enjoyed and recommended.
Two teams have been entered for the Dorset Cadet Challenge in March which comprises a march and shoot competition as well as an assault course run. Also 14 cadets will be attending the rehearsal for the Sovereigns Parade at Sandhurst in April, which will hopefully inspire them on to great things.
Three cadets are attending a self-sufficiency course over Easter with others on sailing and walking trips.
Ten Tors training is well underway and we are nearing the final selection of those who will comprise the two teams. This has been a difficult, challenging but enjoyable task due largely to the very high number of cadets who wished to take part this year and training having taken place on Dartmoor every alternate weekend (weather and staffing permitting).
In the RAF we have two new adult officer recruits – Lindsay Hilton and Karen Bower – who will be great support for Claire and enable a wider range of activities to be on offer. Rob Oakley passed his Airmanship Two exams and Claire is now range qualified for full bore shooting along with Gill Copson from the Army section. Both attended an intensive course over half term.
Finally, in the summer we will be holding our Centenary dinner at the Gunnery Mess in Lulworth.
2007
Autumn Term 2007
The CCF started the new academic year with its recruiting and prize giving parades. The main prizes were awarded for enthusiasm and commitment to the CCF and as usual there were far too many cadets to choose from. The Governors Sword for the best overall senior cadet went to Flight Sergeant Sean McArdell; the Hardyeans Cup for best year 9 cadet to Luke Rodway; the Tizzard Trophy for best senior army cadet to L/Cpl Pippa Bearman and the RAF Trophy to Cpl Iona Bewers. The Community Shield was awarded to all members of the Ten Tors teams who, over the past three years, have raised over three thousand pounds for local charities.
The total number of recruits entering the CCF in September amounted to 54, again coming largely but not exclusively from year 9. We have also had a trickle feed of others during October and November, including members of the sixth form. Totals now amount to 100 cadets and 6 staff.
Summer camp was an excellent event, being held at Penhale in Cornwall, during the camp’s only dry week in July. 40 cadets and 5 staff attended. For 2008 our camp will be a ‘greenfield’, meaning that we will be organising it ourselves in conjunction with one other school-St Edward’s, Cheltenham. One reason for this is the increased overloading of camps by schools due to demand caused by the reduction in organised camps by the army. This is due largely to cuts in budgets within Brigade areas and operational commitments, which has left many Cadet Training Teams short handed.
On October 19th we had our Biennial Review which was taken by Air Commodore Barbara Cooper. She had the opportunity to inspect and watch the cadets whilst they were involved in a wide range of activities. From her comments she left quite impressed and particularly remarked on how the cadets all seemed so enthusiastic and happy. Over the half term three cadets, Marcus Cribb, Adam Fry and Tom Way also attended a week long Advanced Infantry course on Dartmoor from which they emerged with exemplary reports.
In November the unit took part in both the Dorchester town and school remembrance services with our Corps of Drums once more playing a leading role.
Fifty cadets and staff also went on a one day field exercise at Bovington. The intention was to give all the new recruits their first taste of outdoor living as well as enabling us to continue producing our Films For Learning aids for the cadets (do see our new website). We have also arranged a joint exercise with Budmouth and hopefully Woodroffe School to increase the levels of joint activity and cooperation between Dorset schools.
Overall, the year has started well, fully staffed and over strength. Long may it continue happening.
Summer Term 2007
To say the least, all the cadets have been very busy this term, enabling us to complete the year on a high note.
Six of our seniors represented the school and the CCF at the unveiling ceremony of a commemorative plaque to the Dorset Regiment in County Hall, acting as an honour guard for the Duke of Kent. Also just as we did last year, others worked with Year 6 pupils at St Osmond’s School during the latter’s project week, allowing our cadets to demonstrate the levels of confidence and team work that being a ‘Hardyean’ can enable you to achieve.
Our Ten Tors teams were very successful this year even though the Army had to terminate the event on the Saturday night due to the atrocious weather conditions on Dartmoor. For the first time we had entered three teams, the addition being a 55 mile ‘old boys’ team. All were on target to finishing successfully but understood the need for safety first. Nevertheless they all gained their medals, bronze, silver and now gold as well. The number of voluntary helpers has continued to grow and as I have said previously, such support is invaluable in enabling the cadets to train effectively over six full weekends between February and May and thus gain the most from the experience this gives them.
Over the Easter holidays fifteen cadets enjoyed a week of sailing at the Sea Cadet centre in Weymouth. All gained at least their level 2 dinghy qualification, whilst others were able to notch up additional log book experience towards becoming qualified instructors. The latter included Callum McArdell and Pilot Officer Clare Salisbury.
At the end of May, another thirty went on exercise to Bovington, putting all of their field craft skills into practice in preparation for summer camp. Luckily the Saturday night was clear and balmy, so sleeping under a poncho proved less of a trial than it potentially could have been and all enjoyed the thrills of night ambushes, dawn raids, appalling food, bushy topped hills and making loud bangs.
This year forty cadets are going on summer camp to Penhale in Cornwall with fifteen girls putting their names forward. This is up from ten last year and sees a continued steady increase in the involvement of young women which is helped by our now having two full time female members of staff.
As I said in my last report, staffing is now complete and not only on paper. For example, Gavin Pearce has done sterling work in developing the training programme for the army section and Gillian Copson has been a real boon in working with the Dartmoor expeditions. Clare Salisbury has ensured plenty of flying experience for the RAF cadets and has made great strides in enabling us to fully implement the BTEC programme in Public Service.
To conclude, once again this has been a busy but productive year for the CCF. We have gained tremendous support from both the Headmaster and 12 Cadet training Team at Bovington as well as Major Steve Proctor, SO3 G7 Cadets at 43 (Wessex) Brigade, Bulford. Special recognition must go once more to Mr Peter Kircher-Smith who, with tremendous patience and diligence in the role of SSI, has enabled the CCF to function effectively. By the way, I also got promoted for spending too long in the job.
Spring Term 2007
After the success of last terms recruitment, we started this term on a high note. Our retention of cadets has been excellent for the second year running, due largely to a varied and active programme which has kept their interest and sense of progression going. The majority of the new recruits are now in the process of passing their rifle tests (as well as gaining the right to wear their cap badge by doing so) and have fired on an electronic range at Bovington Camp. Other areas of training have included First Aid, Leadership, Orienteering, PT, the Combat Swimming Test and Field craft.
The army section rebadged in February along with all affiliated, territorial and regular members of the Devon and Dorset Regiment. We now wear the silver crown and bugle of The Rifles.
One team was entered for the Dorset Cadet Challenge in March which comprises a march and shoot competition as well as an assault course run. They did extremely well coming in the top third of teams entered (fifth out of fifteen).
Senior cadets have been undertaking their Method of Instruction (MOI) course with staff from the cadet training team which will give them the appropriate skills to teach other cadets.
Ten Tors training is well underway and we are nearing the final selection of those who will comprise the two teams. This has been a difficult, challenging but enjoyable task due largely to the very high number of cadets who wished to take part this year and training having taken place on Dartmoor every alternate weekend (weather and staffing permitting). We have also entered a 55 mile ‘old boys’ team although given their availability to train we shall have to reserve our opinion on whether they eventually participate in the final event in May.
The RAF has had a good term with two flying sessions taking place and all recruits passing their rifle handling and Airmanship part 1. Numbers are also up for them and seem to be holding well.
2006
Autumn Term 2006
The CCF started the new academic year with its recruiting and prize giving parades. The main prizes were awarded for enthusiasm and commitment to the CCF and as usual there were far too many cadets to choose from. The Governors Sword for the best overall senior cadet went to Sergeant R. Kircher-Smith; the Hardyeans Cup for best year 9 cadet to Robin Flello; the Tizzard Trophy for best senior army cadet to L/Cpl Claire Lillington and the RAF Trophy to Sean McArdell. We had the additional award this year of the Community shield for the cadet who has made the best contribution to the school or local community at large. This year’s winner was Helen King for her work in the Girl Guides movement.
The total number of recruits entering the CCF in September amounted to 60, again coming largely but not exclusively from year 9. We have also had a trickle feed of others during October, which has compensated for any losses although these have been very small. Our biggest problem has been kitting them all out as we are now over our establishment and it is a case of persuading 43 Wessex Brigade to allow us to increase our size and receive the necessary clothing allowance. Retention has also remained good amongst the senior cadets and we are turning into a cadet force to be reckoned with!
Summer camp was an excellent event, being held at Crowborough in East Sussex during the hottest week of July. Nevertheless, 35 cadets had a great time and we achieved third place overall in the interschool championship; even after having split our forces to come to the aid of Wymondham School who did not have enough cadets to compete on their own. We also found out at the end of the camp that L/Cpl Jake Hussey had won a place at The Sixth Form Defence College -Welbeck, making him our second successful entrant this year.
In skill at arms, our first meeting at Bulford on the 7th October resulted in a reasonable position of 11th out of 20. As with last year we tried to ensure that more of our junior shooters had an opportunity to compete and we also had a 50/50 split male and female for the first time.
During the October half term CSM Spriggs, Sgt Kircher-Smith and Cpl Harraway took part on the Advanced Infantry course on Dartmoor. Entry onto this course is very competitive and is viewed as being for the elite of the cadet force, both ACF and CCF. All three passed with flying colours with Sgt Kircher-Smith being given the award of top cadet in his section.
In November the unit took part in both the Dorchester town and school remembrance services with our Corps of Drums once more playing a leading role. Fifty cadets and staff also went on a field exercise at Bovington manned and run by 12 Cadet Training Team but with our very own Capt. Pearce in overall charge. This was the largest group we have fielded for some time on such an activity and gave the recruits a chance to practice their new skills of fieldcraft. With an eye to safety and our duty of care all cadets slept in barracks overnight, giving them a taste of the delights of army living.
We have also been approached by Budmouth School, on the recommendation of 43 Brigade, in order for them to find out about organising and running a contingent. They are one of the six schools included in the Government’s new initiative to increase the number of CCFs in the state sector and we are apparently one of the top three CCFs for management and organisation in Dorset – well done to the SSI Peter Kircher-Smith!
In December the old Ten Torers will venture out onto Dartmoor for their Christmas walk, staying in Okehampton Camp and feasting locally. This year we will be joined by 12 cadets and staff from St Edward’s School, Cheltenham whom we are helping to establish their own Ten Tors training regime in preparation for the coming year.
Overall, the year has started well, fully staffed and over strength. Long may it continue happening.
Summer Term 2006
All the cadets have been very busy this term, enthusiastically volunteering for the various opportunities the CCF has to offer, even if it does involve looking like a bush whilst being eaten alive by midges.
Five of the senior cadets have been awarded places on either the Advanced Infantry course at Okehampton on Dartmoor or on the Leadership course at Frimley in Surrey. Both courses are much sought after and competition for places is intense. As well as this, another senior, Chris Jones, has gained and passed his Gliding scholarship and can now fly solo.
Some of our seniors also worked with Year 6 pupils at St Osmond’s School during the latter’s project week. Over two morning sessions a hundred ‘Saints’ were entertained by six Hardyeans, who put them through their paces in terms of camouflage and signals skills. As the Head of Year 6 commented in her letter of thanks, we ‘should be justly proud of young people who can work on their own initiative in such a professional way.’ Quite so.
Adam Fry was the first cadet to be awarded the newly inaugurated Community Service shield which is now to be given annually to the cadet who demonstrates the highest degree of commitment to either the school or local community through voluntary work. Adam has done so via his long standing membership of the St John Ambulance Service. The aim of the shield is to recognise that members of the CCF carry the willingness and selflessness to serve others into the world at large.
Our two Ten Tors teams were very successful this year with both teams completing the challenge in our fastest times yet. The number of voluntary helpers continues to grow and such support is invaluable in enabling the cadets to train effectively and gain the most from the experience.
Fifteen cadets enjoyed a weekend sailing in Weymouth which, although too short for them to gain any qualifications, was a great taster for most since only four of them had sailed before. Next year we are going to offer a week at Easter with the opportunity of gaining dinghy certification.
Another thirty went on exercise at Bovington, putting all of their field craft skills into practice. Luckily the Saturday night was clear and balmy, so sleeping under a poncho proved less of a trial than it potentially could have been and all enjoyed the thrills of attacking bushy topped hills and making loud bangs.
This year thirty five cadets are going on Summer camp at Crowborough in West Sussex with the highest number of girls for quite a few years-ten in total-putting their names forward; thus proving that the CCF is not all about toys just for boys but girls as well.
As I said in my last report, staffing is now complete, if only on paper. Actually getting volunteers passed all of the security checks and eventually commissioned takes an interminable age but we are getting there, slowly. Mr Gavin Pearce in Social Sciences, Mr Eric McConkey in Reprographics and Mrs Gillian Copson, a parent, are joining the Army section and Ms Clare Salisbury in Science is joining the RAF section.
To conclude, this has been a busy but productive year for the CCF. We have gained tremendous support from both the Headmaster and 12 Cadet training Team at Bovington as well as Major Steve Proctor, SO3 G3 Cadets at 43 (Wessex) Brigade, Bulford. Special recognition must go to Mr Peter Kircher-Smith who, with tremendous patience and diligence in the role of SSI, has enabled the CCF to function effectively.
All of us are looking forward to the next adventure.
Spring Term 2006
After the success of last terms recruitment, we started this term on a high note. Our retention of cadets has been excellent due largely to a varied and active programme which has kept their interest and sense of progression going. The majority of the new recruits have now passed their rifle tests (as well as gaining the right to wear their cap badge by doing so) and have fired on an electronic range at Bovington Camp. Other areas of training have included First Aid, Leadership, Orienteering, PT, the Combat Swimming Test and Field craft.
Two teams were entered for the Dorset Cadet Challenge which comprises a march and shoot competition as well as an assault course run. Both did extremely well coming in the top third of teams entered.
Senior cadets have been undertaking their Method of Instruction (MOI) course with staff from the cadet training team which will give them the appropriate skills to teach other cadets and three have been selected to attend an advanced infantry course in Shrewsbury.
Ten Tors training is well underway and we are nearing the final selection of those who will comprise the two teams. This has been a difficult, challenging but enjoyable task due largely to the very high number of cadets who wished to take part this year and training having taken place on Dartmoor every alternate weekend (weather and staffing permitting).
The RAF has had a good term with two flying sessions taking place and all recruits passing their rifle handling and Airmanship part 1.
Staffing has improved with four new officers due to be commissioned, three for the army section and one for the RAF, although the latter has yet to be processed. All bar one of these has come from within the school and now brings our contingent staffing up to full strength. I shall give a more detailed account of those involved in the summer report.
Finally, it is my pleasure to report that Callum White (11JB) has passed selection to attend Welbeck College. This is a tremendous achievement and another success story for a CCF cadet.
2005
Autumn Term 2005
The CCF started the new academic year with its recruiting and prize giving parades. The main prizes were awarded for enthusiasm and commitment to the CCF and as usual there were far too many cadets to choose from. The Governors Sword for the best overall senior cadet went to RSM Keith Gould; the Hardyeans Cup for best year 9 cadet to Sophie Copson; the Tizzard Trophy for best senior army cadet to Gwynne Griffiths and the RAF Trophy to Mark Smith.
The total number of recruits entering the CCF amounted to 51, coming largely but not exclusively from year 9. By the end of November only one had dropped out which reflects well on the revamped introductory program that aims to get them actively involved in the core skills of the CCF straight away-less classroom, more action.
In skill at arms, our first meeting at Bulford on the 8th October resulted in a comfortable middling position of 9th out of 18. Many of our normal team shooters were unavailable and so it turned into an excellent opportunity for some of the younger ‘seniors’ to demonstrate their proficiency.
On 14th October we had our Biennial Inspection which was conducted by Colonel Snagge, commander of 43 (Wessex) Brigade. We passed with a good report which included comments on the fact that the cadets obviously take a pride in themselves, their school and their contingent.
Just before the half term break, 7 senior army cadets attended the Royal Marines Commando Challenge at Lympstone and came away with credit. Although no prizes were won, they were the youngest team to enter and, after an obstacle course run over 7 miles, they came 31st out of 130 competing teams.
In November the unit took part in both the Dorchester town and school remembrance services with our Corps of Drums playing a leading role.
In the RAF section, Corporal Max Woollard was awarded a distinction on his leadership course by his external assessors. This places him in the top 2% of cadets nationally. Four cadets have attended a Gliding induction course at Upavon and it is hoped that the cadets will get some flying in before Christmas, although three previous attempts had to be abandoned due to the weather. Finally, in November a very successful visit took place to 702 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton where cadets had a chance to enjoy the delights of the Lynx helicopter.
Finally, it is a pleasure to welcome our new SSI Mr Peter Kircher-Smith, who also has responsibility for implementing Health and Safety policy in the school.