The Record 2014 - 2015

Combined Cadet Force Nick Coram-Wright, Contingent Commander

All three sections of the CCF had a busy year and a very strong team of NCOs and senior cadets led activities both in and out of School. The Navy Section took advantage of warm days early in the Autumn Term and learnt to windsurf on Farmoor Reservoir. During the first Field Weekend they canoed from the school boat club into Oxford, stopping for a refreshing dip at Tumbling Bay, and then returning for supper and a fire-lighting competition by the Thames at Godstow. The second day was spent learning to sail back at Farmoor, with NCO Ed Tanner acting as lead instructor. In the later part of the term activities included building improvised shelters, night exercises on the golf course, and first aid training. During the Spring Term, Navy cadets were among the last pupils to shoot .22 on the school range before it was demolished. For the second Field Weekend, they headed down to Portsmouth to stay aboard HMS Bristol. Very high winds meant that they were unable to sail as intended but they did head out into the Solent for navigational exercises on powered craft. Cadets visited HMS Victory and the Mary Rose, were given a guided tour of the battlements at Southsea by Fiona Wickens, and visited the impressive tapestries and other exhibits at the D-Day Museum. In the Summer Term, along with signalling, archery and leadership exercises, cadets were given a three-week course in punting by veteran puntsman Tony Snell.

The Army Section had another very good year with large numbers of the Fourth Form opting for this section and many from the Fifth and Sixth Forms staying on as very effective NCOs. The Autumn Term camp at Bramley Training area was a great success despite the variable weather. All the cadets stayed out under bashas and the senior NCOs delivered the bulk of the training alongside the permanent CCF staff. The highlight for most was the night-time escape and evasion exercise. The final day was taken up by a busy rotation of basic training including weapons lessons, first aid scenarios and command tasks. The cadets returned to school with a good understanding of what the Army Section had to offer and everyone had a clear sense of purpose for the year ahead. The Spring Term camp allowed the cadets to put into practice the skills learnt over the preceding months. The focus was fieldcraft and there were blank firing exercises as well as simulated battles with laser guns (during the day and at night). Accommodation was in luxurious barrack rooms and this together with hot meals in the mess made the experience very different to the bashas and ration packs of the term before! The prospect of an air experience flight is the reason why many pupils choose the RAF and this year the vast majority of RAF Section cadets flew at least once, either in the Grob Tutor or in a Griffin helicopter at RAF Shawbury. On the Sunday of the Autumn Field Weekend the cadets visited

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