Combined Cadet Force Army and Royal Marine sections meet Light Dragoons

Tags

Arm, CCF, Combined Cadet Force, Light Dragoons, RAF, RHS, royal hospital school, royal marines, royal navy, the royal hospital school

Two glorious days of sunshine provided the backdrop to the RHS CCF field days at the end of the summer term.

The Royal Navy section were afloat on the School’s fleet of four Cornish Shrimpers and they also visited Chatham Historic Dockyard and conducted training in the local area. The RAF section visited RAF Hendon museum and took part in range work, laser quest tactical exercises and command and leadership training.

The Royal Marines and Army sections deployed to Stanford Training Area near Thetford for some intensive tactical training involving an overnight ambush. The arrival of a troop of Light Dragoons from Swanton Morley, caused much excitement on the second day. They were taking a break from their current operational training and the RHS cadets were able to clamber over four of their Jackal armoured fighting vehicles and in one of their Panther Command and Liaison Vehicles. The Squadron Commander was pleased to give the pupils an insight into the role and capability of the Light Dragoons.

 

Three Collingwood boys take on the Paras 10 Endurance Race

Tags

CCF, charity, para10, parachute regiment, paras10, rcdm patient welfare fund, RHS, the royal hospital school

Three Year 12 Collingwood boys will be tackling the gruelling Paras’ 10 on Sunday 18 May in Colchester. Sean Cuddihy, Cameron Fairrie and James Parker have been training hard in any spare time they have found outside of school for, what has been called, ‘the ultimate 10 mile endurance race’!

James Parker (left) and Cameron Fairrie (right) run the mini-marathon in full kit to train for the Paras 10

The Paras’ 10 is a 10 mile cross-country run carrying a 35lb (16kg) Bergen (this excludes water and food) while wearing long trousers and military style boots. The race was founded in 1982 by WO1 JJ Wilson and was hosted by The Parachute Regiment in Aldershot from ’82 – ’93. Alongside the Paras’ 10 is a straightforward running race over the same course but without the extra weight or clothing.

Sean Cuddihy (left) and James Parker (right)

The boys have trained together to be ready in time for Sunday, running both with and without packs mainly around neighbouring Alton Water reservoir. They also ran the School’s 10.5 mile mini-marathon held last weekend with James and Cameron, running with the full pack and kit, finishing in just 18 minutes past the cut off time for P company!

The boys are raising money for the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine Patient Welfare Fund. If you wish to support them in this both physically and mentally challenging endeavour for a worthy cause, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/James-Parker16

Starred Distinctions in BTec First Diploma in Public Services for brother and sister

Tags

Btec, CCF, CVQO, First Diploma in Public Services, RHS, royal hospital school, the royal hospital school

The BTec First Diploma in Public Services is nationally recognised academic qualification awarded by Edexcel Pearson.

The award is taken by cadets at the Royal Hospital School alongside normal CCF activities and involves coursework, leadership training, physical fitness, adventurous training, navigation and expedition skills.

Melia and Alex Crawford-Ewart, both in Year 13, have each achieved a starred Distinction, which is the equivalent of four A*s at GCSE, and they are now continuing with the full diploma. Well done to both!

 

Royal Marine Cadets take part in the Pringle Trophy

Tags

CCF, rhs royal marines, royal marines, royal marines ccf, the pringle trophy, the royal hospital school CCF

The RHS Royal Marines CCF detachment took part in the annual Pringle Trophy competition. The competition is named after Lt. General Sir Steuart Pringle who suffered serious injuries from a booby-trapped car bomb.

The competition involved 19 Royal Marines CCF detachments and is held at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon. It is a gruelling 48 hours that is designed to push the competitors to the limits in terms of physical stamina, determination and teamwork.

It tests 12 facets of military training including:

• Military Skills: navigation, weapon handling, camouflage and concealment, snipper stalk, battle skills and combat medicine.
• Turnout, drills and knowledge of the history of the Royal Marines
• The infamous Commando Assault Course – the same course used by the regular Royal Marines Commandos

Congratulations to the following Royal Hospital School pupils for receiving their Pringle Competition Certificates:

Max Khan	Year 13	Nelson (Anson)
Manisha Kala	Year 13	Nelson (Anson)
Adam Hare	Year 13	Nelson (Collingwood)
Sean Cuddihy	Year 12	Collingwood
Cameron Fairrie	Year 12	Collingwood
Liam Crismani	Year 12	Hawke
Jordan Scott	Year 12	Howe
Sophie Opielok	Year 13	Nelson (Cornwallis)
Matthew Everest	Year 13	Nelson (Collingwood)

What we did on our holidays!

Tags

CCF, CCF Summer Camp, Cornish Shrimpers, Cornish Shriper Cruise, duke of edinburgh, Gold D of E, Gold Duke of Edinburgh, RHS CCF, RHS Summer, The Royal Hospital School. RHS

Over the summer break both pupils and staff took part in a range of trips and extra-curricular activities.

These included a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Expedition to Northumberland, the CCF Summer Camp and a Cornish Shrimper Cruise.

Please see the gallery below to see what they got up to:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

A Day in the Life of an Officer for CCF Royal Navy Cadets

Tags

CCF, Combined Cadet Force, HMS Collingwood, royal hospital school, royal navy, the royal hospital school

45 cadets from the Royal Hospital School Royal Navy CCF visited HMS Collingwood as part of their Biennial Inspection, accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Marc Godfrey and Warrant Officer1 Karl Weaver.

The cadets undertook a tour of the Close Range Weapons section looking at the mini gun simulators and the Ships Combat System and they had the opportunity to test their leadership and teamwork skills on the low ropes course at the Royal Navy Leadership Academy.

Cadet Petty Officer Emily Hassall, whose father is a Marine Engineer for the new Queen Elizabeth Air Craft Carrier, observed: “It’s been interesting, especially the simulator, I can’t believe how complicated they were. The visit to HMS Bristol was a great opportunity for the CCF. I have been fortunate to have been on board before, but for many others it was their first time. Their faces on arrival, were a picture.”

The visit to the base was part of wider programme which saw the cadets visit HMS Bristol and Longmoor Barracks. Those cadets keen on a career in the RN were joined by Commodore Michael Mansergh CBE Royal Navy as they embarked on Fast Motor Launches in the Solent and Royal Marine Cadets experienced some training on the RN field gun.

Visit Liaison Officer, Lieutenant Darren Belcher RN, a former pupil at the Royal Hospital School, enjoyed being on hand to ensure the activities ran smoothly.

Colonel Marc Godfrey said: “It’s been insightful; one of the best things I’ve witnessed around the establishment is how firmly it supports the powerful RN ethos. Everywhere one looks the core values of integrity, respect and loyalty resonate, whether in the excellent branding, or in the training. It’s important for the cadets to see that the CCF values also reflect those of the modern RN.”

HMS Collingwood is the home of the Maritime Warfare School which contributes to the operational capability of the Fleet by providing first class training to all officers and ratings of the Royal Navy in their professional specialisations which include, Weapon Engineering, Communications, and Warfare. The training they receive is relevant, agile and flexible in order to keep pace with the challenging operational needs. HMS Collingwood is also the Royal Hospital School’s partner establishment supporting the School’s CCF.

Pupils from Royal Hospital School Combined Cadet Force (RHS CCF), Holbrook, experienced a taste of Royal Navy life when they visited HMS Collingwood, Fareham, Hampshire

CCF Extravaganza at RHS

Tags

cadets, CCF, CCF Field Day, Devizes to Westminster, education, Pringle Trophy, royal air force, royal engineers, royal marines, royal military police, suffolk weapons company, the royal hospital school, Windsor Horse Show

Sunday 3 March was a busy day for members of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) as the four sections were entertained by a variety of visitors to the Royal Hospital School.

Mr Pooley enjoying his day

The Royal Marine Visibility Team and the Royal Air Force Engagement Team provided a range of practical activities and an insight into life as a Marine or a member of the RAF Regiment. The Army Air Corps provided a forward arming and refuelling point with associated vehicles and troops. The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers had some hands-on equipment for cadets to demonstrate their skills in operating a crane, while the Royal Engineers provided some excitement by giving rides in their ‘Wimik’, a close fire support vehicle.  The Royal Military Police made an audible contribution by allowing cadets to operate the sirens on their police vehicles and a number of cadets also had first-hand experience of both handcuffs and the back of a ‘Paddy Wagon’. In the range, the Suffolk Weapons Company provided a display of over 30 different weapons and cadets had the opportunity to fire a number of them.

Contingent Commander, Marc Godfrey, explains, “The CCF at the Royal Hospital School is compulsory for Years 9 and 10 and voluntary from Year 11 onwards, although many progress to officer roles in the Sixth Form. Not only do the 300 or so cadets get an opportunity to take part in field days and learn navigation, survival and camp-craft, there is also the chance to sail, fly, shoot, ride and canoe amongst other adventurous activities and to compete at an inter-school and national level in events such as the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Marathon, the Windsor Horse Show and the Pringle Trophy. Through the CCF our pupils are taught self-reliance and confidence, the importance of teamwork discipline and leadership skills – all good training for life beyond school”.

RHS pupils awarded National Citizen Service Certificates

Tags

Army, CCF, Lord Tollemach, National Citizen Service Certificate, RHS, royal hospital school, the royal hospital school

On Tuesday 5 March, the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lord Tollemache, K.St.J., J.P., presented Cadet Corporals Edward Bourne and Adam Hare, both in Year 12 Collingwood House, with their National Citizen Service certificates at Ipswich TA Centre.

Edward Bourne and Adam Hare with Lord Tollemache

National Citizen Service (NCS) is a Government’s flagship programme that aims to promote a more cohesive, responsible and engaged society by bringing young people from very different backgrounds together to make a difference in their communities. The first pilot took place in 2011 and involved over 8,000 Year 11s. In 2012 around 30,000 young people took part.

Recognising the value of cadet training, the NCS team invited 700 members of the Army Cadet Force and Combined Cadet Force (CCF Army) to take part in a special pilot scheme that uses cadets’ normal activities towards many NCS objectives.

Contingent Commander of the CCF at the Royal Hospital School, Marc Godfrey, explains “As senior cadets, Edward and Adam were expected to have played a role in leading and mentoring younger cadets and they attended a residential leadership course to develop these skills. Subsequently, they joined other NCS participants for a team test weekend in December and worked on a series of tasks and challenges that showcased their aptitude for leadership and team work”.

As a result, both were presented with NCS certificates signed by the Prime Minister and were congratulated on their achievement by Lord Tollemache, who reinforced the positive addition to their CVs and university applications.

Michael Stokes accepted onto RAF Flying Scholarship Course

Tags

cadets, CCF, RAF, RAF Glider, scholarships, success, the royal hospital school

Having already achieved a solo flight in an RAF glider, RHS pupil Michael Stokes applied for and has been accepted on to one of just 50 flying scholarship courses offered nationally by the RAF each year.

As a result, much of Michael’s Christmas holiday was spent at Tayside Aviation in Scotland learning how to fly the Grob Tutor.

After just under 11 hours of instruction, Michael was allowed to complete a 15 minute solo flight in what turned out to be poor weather, requiring him to fly some of the circuit on instruments.

In addition to the flying, Michael also had to pass an exam on Air Law, Airfield Operations, Emergencies, Navigation and Weather which he did with a commendable high score of 84%.

Michael’s course report rated him as either outstanding in a number of categories and said that ‘he showed very good potential as a future pilot’.

Congratulations to Michael – a great achievement for him and the Royal Hospital Schools’ Combined Cadet Force.

The Royal Hospital School is a co-educational boarding and day school for 11 to 18 years olds set in 200 acres of Suffolk countryside overlooking the River Stour. http://www.royalhospitalschool.org