Senior NCOs lead by example

Many congratulations to Head Boy, Alex Connolly, who has been appointed the school's Senior Cadet. Last Easter he successfully completed a demanding leadership course at Nesscliffe Training Camp and has since had a leading role in organising the weekly training of cadets in the Army Section. As Senior Cadet his main responsibility will be working with the Contingent Commander to prepare for this summer's Biennial Inspection when the Commanding Officer of HMS Triumph, Commander Rob Dunn, will visit the school and inspect the cadets on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Helen Craig, Senior Prefect, will now take full responsibility for Army Section training having shared this role with Alex over the last few months. Helen has also completed a leadership course, a week of demanding activities at Frimley Park Cadet Training Centre last summer for which she received an excellent report.

Michael Yaxley, School Prefect, is the senior NCO in the RAF Section and the Royal Navy Section is led by Senior Prefect Alasdair Humphries with the support of Head Girl, Jennifer Carpenter. Alasdair and Jennifer successfully completed a leadership course at HMS Raleigh last summer and Jennifer has recently been awarded an Institute of Leadership and Management Certificate in Team Leading.

Over twenty Year 11 cadets have recently been accepted on the BTEC in Public Services programme, a vocational qualification equivalent to four GCSEs at grade A*-C for which they will carry out a mix of theory and practical work. This is an opportunity to hone their skills in leadership, teamwork, communications, problem solving, and fitness. The course also includes the development of useful life skills, like how to write a good CV, interviewing techniques, communication, first aid, adventure training, health and nutrition.

There are opportunities coming up for the younger cadets too. Early next term a team of Year 10 cadets will take part in the national Welbeck Leadership Competition and a few weeks later Year 9 and Year 10 cadets will have the opportunity to take part in BegaBanga, a weekend of activities organised by St Bees school where they will compete against cadets from the other CCF schools in the area.

Posted by: A J Treharne
Date: Friday 10/02/2012

  • Senior NCOs lead by example