Haberdashers’ Monmouth School’s CCF Summer Camp 2024, hosted at the prestigious Sennybridge Training Area, offered our cadets an unforgettable experience, showcasing their dedication, resilience, and skill development.
Arrival at Sennybridge
Our 30 cadets, joined by 14 from Collegiate School Bristol, set up their base at Farm 16, Sennybridge Army Camp. This strategic location served as the headquarters for a week packed with activities designed to build both essential skills and team spirit.
Skill-Building Activities
The initial days featured a round robin of engaging activities, including archery, navigation, and casualty evacuation simulation training. These exercises were not only fun but crucial in preparing the cadets for the tactical challenges that followed.
Advanced Tactical Training
As the week progressed, cadets underwent advanced tactical training, including the Cadet Live Fire Progression and Qualification package using the GP Cadet Rifle (L98A2). This rigorous training enhanced their marksmanship, discipline, and firearm safety skills.
Urban Warfare and Reconnaissance
A key highlight was the Training in Built-Up Areas (TIBUA) exercise at Cilenie Village, where cadets advanced their Close Quarter Battle (CQB) skills. They executed complex street clearance operations in a purpose-built German village, a significant upgrade from previous house clearance exercises.
The cadets also participated in reconnaissance patrols, gathering vital intelligence on enemy positions. This information was pivotal in planning a dawn ambush and a section attack, executed with precision. These operations tested their ability to apply training in real-world scenarios, enhancing teamwork, leadership, and strategic thinking.
Survival Skills and Physical Fitness
Throughout the camp, cadets were taught essential survival skills such as building shelters, making fires, and purifying water. These lessons, combined with rigorous physical activities, improved their physical fitness and environmental awareness.
Final Challenge and Leadership Recognition
The week culminated in a major operation involving overcoming multiple enemy positions and managing a surprise casualty evacuation. This final challenge demonstrated the cadets’ ability to execute complex missions under pressure.
The cadets’ hard work did not go unnoticed. Headmaster Simon Dorman and Deputy Head David Edwards (The Royal Welch Fusiliers) praised their efforts, with special recognition given to RSM Seren Holiday and CMS Egor Tseliev for their exceptional leadership. Additionally, three Year 11 cadets, William Adam, Sam Carver and Hugh Major received field promotions to Lance Corporal, acknowledging their outstanding contributions.
Support and Gratitude
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Alex Warner (Monmouth Old Boy), former head of core, for his invaluable support to our senior cadets. His expertise played a crucial role in the success of the camp.
Conclusion and Reflection
The camp concluded with an adventurous training day at The Wave in Bristol, rewarding the cadets for their dedication and hard work. This final day provided a chance to unwind and reflect on the skills and friendships developed throughout the week.
The 2024 CCF Summer Camp was a resounding success, underscoring the dedication of our cadets and the high-level training provided by our staff. This experience fortified their skills, fostered personal growth, and perfectly reflected our school’s core values.
Contingent Commander’s Statement
“I am immensely proud of our cadets and the remarkable achievements they demonstrated during this year’s CCF Summer Camp. The experience was a true testament to our school’s core values. Our cadets showed respect in their interactions, kindness in their support for one another, resilience in overcoming challenges, creativity in their tactical problem-solving, and integrity in every task they undertook. This camp fortified their skills and fostered their growth as individuals, perfectly reflecting the principles we promote at our school.” – Major Andrew White.
This year’s camp, held right after Speech Day on 6th July, was organised with the invaluable support of Collegiate School Bristol’s CCF staff. We look forward to building on this success in the coming years, continuing to provide our cadets with opportunities to challenge themselves and grow both personally and professionally.