Outdoor Pursuits
COMBINED CADET FORCE
CC
The Combined Cadet Force at St John’s School said goodbye this year to its Contingent Commander
Lieutenant Colonel Ainsley Rawlings. Lt Col Rawlings has been an amazingly positive figure for the CCF here at St John’s over 10 years and has left the unit in strong position for the future. She has developed the Contingent to become one of the strongest in the Brigade and leaves behind a lot of cadets and
staff who will miss her enthusiasm and drive. Major James Hewitt-McEyeson took over in January 2020 and joins us from the National Cadet Training Centre in Frimley Park.
The Contingent received another successful Inspection this year when it welcomed inspecting officer Lt Col Mike Potter, Commandant of Surrey Army Cadet Force. Lt Col Potter praised the Contingent for its fantastic turnout and emphasised to the cadets how impressed he was on the day. ARMY SECTION This year has been another good year for the CCF, which has been capably led by the OC Army Section Captain Lucy Hems and Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major Henry Benzikie. Cadets of the Lower Fifth were introduced to basic military training and learnt skills ranging from campcraft, skill at arms, marksmanship, and drill and turnout. They enjoyed a rather damp but high spirited Field Day in February where nearly every cadet in the year group passed their basic marksmanship test as part of their Army Proficiency Certificate (APC). The Upper Fifth cadets within the section began to build on their training with more advanced topics in map and compass, first aid, and fieldcraft. They were also introduced to CFIT (Cadet Forces Instructional Technique) in preparation for them developing as potential instructors and Cadet NCOs. The Upper Fifth took part in a very engaging leadership training day which saw them develop their teamwork, communication and co-ordination.
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The Johnian 2020
Sixth Form cadets continued to support the OC in running the section and in being responsible for a vast amount of teaching. Lower Sixth NCOs undertook and passed a Method of Instruction Cadre to enable them to gain the skills and techniques required to be effective instructors. They have been ably mentored by the most senior cadets in the section, the Upper Sixth NCOs, and are poised for leadership roles in the next academic year.
Special thanks must go to Cadet RSM Henry Benzikie and his team of NCOs who have put so much time and effort into building the Army Section to its great strength today. It is also thanks to the support of a number of staff that activities are able to take place; we are very grateful. Capt Lucy Hems, the shining star of the Army Section, sadly leaves us at the end of this academic year. We owe a great deal of thanks to Lucy for her passion, drive and creativity in ensuring our cadets have the best experience possible. We also thank Kate Symes-Thompson for her several years of support and wish her well as she moves into a new role within the School. Finally, the Section’s success as always is largely due to the hard work of WO2 (SSI) Steve Vine and Lt Col Patrick Noble, whose efforts behind the scenes do not go unnoticed!
