The College Cadet Force has had another hugely enjoyable, rewarding and fulfilling academic year. Cadet numbers continue to be extremely high, with pupils attracted by the ability to develop their leadership skills, learn new things, have fun outside the classroom and build confidence which will serve them well, long after they have left the school.

Over the last year, we restructured the Contingent so that all cadets were placed in vertical platoons, allowing new Fourth Form cadets to learn from more experienced students in Upper College. In addition, we ran several inter-platoon competitions through the year which were hotly contested. Cadets starting with us in the Fourth Form, took part in six three-week rotations, covering first aid, navigation, leadership, drill, fieldcraft and military knowledge.

Our Spring Term field training day saw pupils supported by regular soldiers from The Queen’s Own Gurhka Logistics Regiment, based at Imjin Barracks, and involved a variety of learning activities.

On Summer Camp, our cadets took part in three days of tactical training at Caerwent before a day of adventure training, canoeing down the River Wye or a multi activity day at Northleach, and then a final day of reflections, prizes and stores management. Our senior cadets continue to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, using their service and leadership within the organisation for their Volunteering Section.

Our cadets are hugely fortunate to have keen, willing and enthusiastic instructors, whether they be our adult volunteers or senior cadets, and I am most grateful for their continued support. Senior cadets have grasped the opportunities presented to them, volunteering to promote and support the Contingent, whether at Remembrance Sunday or at this year’s act of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in October.

A highlight of the year was the Sword of Honour Parade and Dinner Night which saw Colonel Gordon Clifford come and inspect the Contingent, followed by a formal dinner where he gave a speech alongside the Head of Corps. We were delighted to be joined by parents of our Upper Sixth cadets, and we were able to thank the students for their four years of service within the Corps. The Contingent is in good health: numbers are strong, cadets enjoy the rich and varied training programmes, and the offer of tangible leadership opportunities is something Cheltonians seek with great interest.

Major Steve McQuitty, Contingent Commander