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Combined Cadet Force

Royal Navy

Royal Navy

S adly, this is my final report on the year. It was great to be able to take a small group of cadets down to Portsmouth for the return of our Summer Sailing Camp, during which they sailed a yacht and piloted a Fast Motor Launch to the Isle of Wight and back, sleeping on them overnight. Another of these Sailing Camps will take place at the end of the Summer Term and it is wonderful to see cadets signing up for it again, having enjoyed it so much the previous year. It will be my last trip with the MTS CCF. It has been great to get the cadets out on the water over the past few weeks. Indeed, we took every opportunity we could throughout the year, and between them the cadets have sailed, paddled kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, rowed bell boats and ASCs, and driven powerboats. It was great to be able to hold a residential camp for the March Field Day at the Welsh Harp Reservoir, hosted by the Sea Cadet Boat Station, where many of our NCOs passed their RYA Powerboating qualification. Royal Navy Section at MTS, but there have been many highlights in my final

Other trips included a visit to the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth for Year 10, where they were able to get a taste of the history of the Royal Navy. It was also great to return to HMS Collingwood for the first time since the pandemic with Year 11, where the highlight was the low ropes activities; it was a pleasure to be able to see a working Royal Navy base for the first time in three years. The Royal Navy Section has always encouraged leadership opportunities for the Lower Sixth and they have been a particularly strong group this year. Seeing how well they came together to participate in and lead the teams at Inspection Day was a particular highlight for me, but throughout the year, their dedication and innovation in lesson and PLT planning have really moved the section forward. The quality of drill for the whole section keeps getting better. Not only does the section always look good at every parade, but many remarked on the quality of every RN cadet at Inspection Day, and the quality of the routine that Petty Officer Sarah Harrison choreographed for her drill squad that day was remarkable.

I would like to take this opportunity to mention and thank the amazing SNCOs who have worked hard to push the section on and ensure that all cadets have learned something, developed discipline and had a fun time throughout. These SNCOs have demonstrated extremely high levels of commitment, especially considering they are in Upper Sixth, preparing for their A-Levels and applying for university. I was proud that a cadet from the section, Max Witt, was the Cadet Under Officer for the entire Contingent this year. Thank you to Warrant Officer Seraj Ali and his dedicated team: James Ward, Nina Chana, Roxanna Brealey, Ashmeet Toor, Narissa Patel and Ben Hellewell. Although we have fantastic outdoor facilities at the MTS lake, we are unable to offer the activities provided by the Boats Team at HMS Excellent, the amazing Sea Cadet team at the Welsh Harp Reservoir in Wembley, and our new regular team supporting us at the Phoenix Outdoor Centre, also at the Welsh Harp Reservoir. Finally, it is with sadness that I depart the MTS CCF, although the section would not be the success it is without the dedication and work put in by the other officers and volunteers. I therefore give a heartfelt thank you to SLt Evans-Evans, SLt Whaley, SLt Tait (who sadly left the section after a huge impact in February), Mr Oxenham, Ms Knight, Ms Wallace and Mr Talboys for their invaluable commitment, work and support. Lt K. Bulman

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