CCF Inspection, Friday 6 May 2022
Our annual CCF inspection was held on the afternoon of Friday 6 May, with Reviewing Officer Group Captain Richard Hobson RAF (Ret’d). Our Contingent Commander Major Andy Garvie, Miss Norman and our Senior Cadet RAF Section James had the pleasure of welcoming Captain Hobson to the School for what was set to be a fantastic showcase of all facets of the Woodbridge School Combined Cadet Force.
The inspection commenced with a parade of all sections – Army, RAF and Navy – in the blazing sun while all cadets stood to attention in turn to greet the Reviewing Officer, before doing their section specific displays.
The Army display was carried out by the Combat Cadet Team who demonstrated several military manoeuvres in a patrol, fight and retreat exercise, all in full camouflage and led by our Head of Combat Cadet and Head Boy Mak.
The RAF Drill Team then took centre stage in the parade square to show exactly why they made it to the RAST National Finals this year with their drill display, deftly called by Year 13’s Emily, and delivered precisely by the team.
The Corps of Drums, all made up of Navy cadets, rounded off the display with a fantastically coordinated drumming routine.
All attendees, including parents, special guests and several Old Woodbridgians, then had the opportunity to tour the grounds and see our CCF activities in action including the confidence course, climbing wall, zip wire, weapons handling, paintballing, axe throwing, raft building, low ropes and flight simulator.
The gun run came next in the schedule which is the final round of the Trower Trophy intersection competition. It involved five teams competing to dismantle a gun, take it across an obstacle course and put it back together. This has to be done twice before pulling the gun and racing against each other one final time. Real excitement enjoyed by all the spectators and the participants!
The afternoon finished with the final parade, a chance to hear Group Captain Hobson speak about his experiences and military career and the awarding of the following prizes:
Winners of the gun run: A flight, RAF section
Overall Trower Trophy winners: A flight, RAF section
A huge amount of preparation and effort goes into running this event and special thanks go to our officers commanding each section – Lieutenant Bradshaw of the Royal Navy section, Captain Capjon of the Army section and Flight Lieutenant Tattoo of the RAF section. Behind the scenes our School Staff Instructor, Warrant Officer Stollery put in a huge shift setting up all the equipment, but more importantly ensuring that all our cadets were kitted out in the correct uniform, looking smart and had practiced their drill. Thank you all!
Regardless of future career choices, the CCF at Woodbridge School gives all students an opportunity to develop the powers of leadership by means of training that promotes responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance, perseverance and a sense of service. All our committed cadets and dedicated staff should be really proud of this excellent display across all sections.
