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CO-CURRICULAR 15
Bancroft’s RAF Compete In AST Trophy
On a rainy Saturday, twelve of the
Bancroft’s RAF Contingent cadets
and NCOs gathered under the
tower, ready for the East of England
heat of the Air Squadron Trophy
competition.
During the journey to RAF Honington, Cpl
Tom Dean went through our drill routine
with us, explaining how to do the various
sequences we would soon be carrying out
in front of an RAF sergeant. The competition
consists of various rounds: drill routine
and kit inspection (all twelve members
performing a series of commands in sync,
whilst also being scored on their uniform);
fitness test (a ‘bleep test’ carried out by
four members of the squadron); a command
task (a puzzle to solve involving working as
a team and communication skills); a first
aid test (four squadron members were
given scenarios to which they reacted
accordingly); a shooting test (in which we
were scored upon accuracy of firing), and
written and computer tests on RAF history
and aircraft recognition. These aspects of
the competition are all highly enjoyable
and allowed us to make use of skills that
we do not always have an opportunity to
demonstrate on a Tuesday after School. I feel
that we worked together nicely as a team,
and were placed a very respectable fourth
overall. I certainly enjoyed myself, and would
like to thank Dr Hunn, Miss Stewart and
Miss Brand for their help in our preparations
leading up to the day.
Top Award For Bancroft’s CCF Commander
Rob Hitching, Contingent
Commander of the Combined
Cadet Force (CCF), was one of 43
London Reservists and Cadet Force
Adult Volunteers to be recognised
by the Lord Lieutenant for Greater
London for outstanding service
to London’s Reserve and Cadet
Units. He was named as recipient
of the GL RFCA Award to the Most
Outstanding Combined Cadet Force
Contingent Commander 2017.
The award was presented by the
Lord Lieutenant of London, Sir Ken
Olisa OBE, at the Greater London
Reserve Forces’ And Cadets’
Association Lord Lieutenants’
Awards held on 15 March.
Major Hitching, who has served as
Bancroft’s Contingent Commander for ten
years, was given the award on the basis
of a glowing citation from SSI Damien
Pascal. The citation highlighted his tireless
work, commitment, and “determination to
ensure that the Cadets get the very best
experience that can be squeezed into a very
busy school calendar.” Damien Pascal also
wrote, “The programme offered is diverse
and challenging and much appreciated
by the approximately 100 cadets of all
ages and experience who attend. The
programme is varied and ensures that
every level of experience is catered for
and plenty of opportunity is given to more
senior cadets to develop their skills of
leadership. He will always also go that
extra mile to ensure the programme is full
and exciting.”
U6 pupil and Contingent Sergeant Major,
Ben Harris, said, “I think it’s fair to say that
my years in the CCF would not have been
half as good without Major Hitching. He
has always been fully supportive of all the
cadets and helped them to get the most out
of the CCF calendar. Major Hitching is the
driving force and without him it would not
be possible. His award is well deserved.”
Not only is Major Hitching the Contingent
Commander, but he is also Housemaster
of School House as well as teacher of
Geography and Politics. “That he seems
to manage both equally effectively and
impressively is a testament.” (Damien
Pascal). The citation concluded, “I
would say Bancroft’s School is an incredibly
lucky school to have such an Officer in
charge of their Contingent.” Any Bancroft’s
staff and pupils who have been involved in
the School CCF will echo this sentiment.
Major Hitching himself commented, “I am
both honoured and genuinely surprised
to receive the award. The success of the
Contingent lies with the cadets and the
staff as a whole and my part in it is just one
element. It is always nice to have a pat on
the back and I see this as just that both for
me but more broadly for the efforts of the
cadets and staff who have been involved in
the CCF at Bancroft’s over many years “
CCFFieldDay
Anissa Patel, L6S
Early in the morning of 26 March
the CCF contingent met at school
to travel to Thetford Forest to
undertake a fun day of activities at
Viking Laser Sports centre. Being
a L6 cadet, this was my second
time participating in this trip so I
knew what to expect, however the
excitable L4 and U4 cadets were
looking forward to an enjoyable
day off from School!
When we arrived, we were placed into
designated groups, with a range of pupils
from L4 all the way to U6. This was a great
experience as it allowed us to get to know
other students from different year groups
that we would otherwise not mix with.
The first activity my group took part in
was by far the best of the day: the laser
tag ambush. This consisted of the group
being divided into two and playing a laser
tag battle amongst abandoned buildings
and caravans. This always proves the most
popular with the cadets using simulated kills
and hits to win the ambush! After this we
were whisked away to learn how to battle
with lightsabres with a Jedi and then with
swords and horned Viking helmets which
was a new experience for everyone but very
entertaining.
Following on from this, we were taken to
the airsoft area where we practiced our
room clearance skills with spherical plastic
BBs launched from replica weapons, proving
to be a very energetic and fast-moving
activity. This
imitated the
pressures
in a real-life
situation.
Finally, to end
an amazing
day out,
our group
concluded
with a practice
patrol activity
with laser guns
which was a
useful insight
into the patrols
carried out at army camp in the summer.
After an action-packed day exhausted and
tired, we all boarded the coach back to
School and most of us fell asleep. It was a
fun day and I for one will be sad not to be
able to attend the next field day here.