Combined Cadet Force Army and Royal Marine sections meet Light Dragoons

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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.

 

Commodore Rupert Wallace speaker at Scholars Dinner

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Academic, RHS, royal hospital school, royal navy, scholars, the royal hospital school

 

Commodore Rupert Wallace

On Thursday 13March, the Academic Scholars were treated to a dinner and talk by guest speaker Commodore Rupert Wallace CBE on the subject of the Middle East, specifically the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Head Scholar, Alistair Green, summed up the evening:

“The talk took us through the history of the conflict dating back to 1250BC when the land which would come to be known as Israel was first conquered by the Israelites. We all benefitted greatly from the deep knowledge and years of experience that Commodore Wallace has in this area. As well as giving us insight into the history of the most influential conflict of our time, he shared with us his predictions for the future and made it clear that a solution to this would be the main challenge for our generation’s politicians. This talk sparked many questions from the floor, with the debate carrying on well into the meal. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening for everyone involved”.

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

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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

RHS300 Founders Day Service this Weekend

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Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent, chapel, founders day, Rev Mark Goodman, RHS300, royal navy, the royal hospital school

Founders’ Day this weekend will include whole-school Divisions and a special Chapel service and we are delighted to welcome our visiting Inspecting Officer and guest preacher in our tercentenary year.

The Inspecting Officer is Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent KCB CBE who will be accompanied by his wife Lady Mary (Marie) Burnell-Nugent.

Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent

Admiral Burnell-Nugent was a submariner and he has commanded ships and submarines at just about every level in the Royal Navy up to the Rank of 4 Star Admiral when he was Commander In Chief Fleet. He left the Royal Navy in 2008 and now runs Orchard Leadership.

Through Orchard Leadership, Admiral Burnell-Nugent is the International Strategic Advisor to Shell on Maritime Security, the Advisor on Maritime Security to the Oil Companies International Marine Forum, Strategic Advisor to Risk Intelligence, Senior Advisor to the leading investment banking boutique Evercore Partners and Advisor to the New York private equity investment firm JF Lehman & Co. He is a special advisor to Regester Larkin. He is also a Non-Executive Director of QinetiQ Group and Plymouth Marine Laboratory and is a Senior Fellow of the One Earth Future Foundation, through their work Oceans Beyond Piracy.

Specifically on leadership, he is advising Newton Europe on leadership development and application across the company.  Also he has had opportunities with the EU, Dutch Multinationals, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Church of England and several Government Departments.  He has also worked with Corven on leadership and management of change issues.

He is a member of the Kilfinan Group of Mentors for the charity sector, mentoring the CEO of a substantial national charity and is a regular contributor to The Windsor Leadership Trust. He is an ambassador for the HMS Alliance Appeal and a member of the fund-raising committee to replace the Sea Cadet flagship TS Royalist.

The guest preacher at the RHS 300 Founders’ Day Service is the Rev Mark Goodman.

Rev Mark Goodman

Mark was a pupil at the Royal Hospital School from 1974-81. After leaving school he read Political and Religious Thought at Lancaster University. Following graduation he worked as an actor, sold second-hand and antiquarian books and worked in prisoner rehabilitation. Between 1987-90 he read Theology at Nottingham University. After a curacy in Denton, Manchester, between 1990-93, he moved to Scotland to become Rector of Dalkeith and Lasswade in the Diocese of Edinburgh. During this time he became Synod Clerk of Edinburgh Diocese and Canon of Edinburgh Cathedral.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Theology and Ethics of Communication from Edinburgh University and has a particular interest in writing and religious broadcasting. Since 2006 he has been Chaplain at the Stamford Endowed Schools in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Mark is married to Gwen and together they are parents of Peter (21), Alasdair (18) and Elspeth (14).

Divisions 17 March

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Divisions, royal navy, the royal hospital school

The Royal Hospital School Divisions on Sunday 17 March, inspecting officer, Captain Richard Murrison of the Royal Navy.

Heads of School pay respects to Admiral Arthur Phillip

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Greenwich, merchant navy, rememberance, royal navy, St Mary’s Le Bow, the royal hospital school

On Monday 4 March, Clare Lambert (Head Girl) and Cameron Cullen (Dept Head Boy) attended the Admiral Arthur Phillip Memorial Service in St Mary’s Le Bow in the City of London.

Arthur Philip

Admiral Phillip was an old boy of Greenwich Royal Hospital School who joined the Merchant Navy as an apprentice on a whaling vessel straight from School. As war approached with France at the age of 17 he joined the Royal Navy. After the peace of Paris in 176,3 he was on half pay before returning to service in the Diplomatic Corps for a number of years.  He then returned to the sea and after a number of appointments was promoted Master and Commander in 1779. He was appointed to command the first fleet to New South Wales, there he established and became the first Governor of Australia.

The memorial service included an address by the Rt Hon the Baroness Liddell, former High Commissioner to Australia, attending the service were many notable personages including the Lord Mayor of London, the Lady Mayoress, Alderman Sir Michael Savory, the Hon. Juliet Evans Alderman and Sheriff Jeffrey Evans and the High Commissioner of Australia.

After the Service there was a luncheon in Grocers Hall with a number of dignitaries, many of whom were complimentary about the pupils and the School.

Statue in Sydney

Percival Serle wrote of Admiral Phillip in his Dictionary of Australian Biography:

“Steadfast in mind, modest, without self seeking, Phillip had imagination enough to conceive what the settlement might become, and the common sense to realize what at the moment was possible and expedient. When almost everyone was complaining he never himself complained, when all feared disaster he could still hopefully go on with his work. He was sent out to found a convict settlement, he laid the foundations of a great dominion.”

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

RHS300 Trafalgar Night Dinner

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lord nelson, RHS300, royal navy, the royal hospital school, Trafalgar Dinner

320 guests attended a spectacular evening on the 13th October at the RHS300 Trafalgar Night Dinner. Guests were greeted at the entrance of an adorned Jelicoe Room with flame torches and the sound of seagulls and waves breaking. After champagne and canapés, drummers called for silence and the bugle followed by pipers called guests for dinner.

The doors of the Dining Hall were opened and there a 2-metre ice sculpture of Nelson’s Column stood. Once the guests were seated at their tables, the Master of Ceremonies, John Snoddon, introduced the formalities of the evening. Andrew Walker, Head Chef of the School caterer’s Chartwell, talked the guests through the 5-course meal. The Corps of Drums then performed to a memorised audience.

The Baked Norfolk Crab starter was delivered by 26 pupils who waited on the guests with complete professionalism. The next course was ‘Grog’ representing Nelson’s blood with cane syrup, egg yolk, cream, and rum. This was followed by an outstanding Baron of Beef paraded around the room accompanied by two drummers. The highlight of the menu was 32 handmade chocolate gallons comprising 60 separate layers of sponge, chocolate masts and rice paper sails brought in to a re-enactment of the Battle of Trafalgar. Six steel ships, suspended on the walls above the diners, created a gun battle ensued with vigor using pyrotechnics and specialist lighting effects. Finally, ‘Ships Biscuit’ was served with plum chutney and ‘weevils’ of Chinese artichokes.

The Headmaster introduced the Guest of Honour, Rear Admiral Woodcock, Naval Secretary and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) who gave a speech and toast to Lord Nelson. Director of Music, Peter Crompton, led the Sea Shanties including ‘Drunken Sailor’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ from the mistral gallery.

The evening finished with ‘Sunset’ – the lowering of the flag to the Last Post and cannons firing confetti. It was an extremely memorable evening and fitting celebration of 300 years of RHS and its long association with the Royal Navy.

The Royal Hospital School is a coeducational 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

Choir Sing at Admiralty Carol Service

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admiralty carol service, choir, first sea lord, RHS, royal hospital school, royal navy, St Martins in the Field, the royal hospital school

On Monday 3 December thirty-two Royal Hospital School choristers attended the Admiralty Carol Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London.

The choir led the hymns throughout the service in the full-capacity church and also sang four pieces conducted by Mr Peter Crompton and accompanied on the organ by Mr William Saunders – Mid Winter, by Chilcott, I wonder as I wander, by Rutti, and Candlelight Carol and Angels’ Carol, by John Rutter.

The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope described the RHS choristers as “brilliant” and had also appreciated their efforts at St Paul’s Cathedral and The Royal Albert Hall recently.

The pupils enjoyed the experience enormously and Mr John Snoddon MBE, Head of Ceremonial at the Royal Hospital School, who attended drinks afterwards, was requested to pass on the comment that “the Choir’s singing was quite beautiful”.

The Royal Hospital School is a coeducational 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