STUDENTS are on the crest of a wave after enlisting in the Royal Navy Cadets.
Around 30 students from South Shields School have shown an interest after funding was secured to develop a Combined Cadet Force.
South Shields School has opted to form a Royal Navy Cadet Force and four students have been selected to lead the unit, comprising Tyler Wallace, 15, Ellie Crompton, 14, Nuria Pilatos, 15, and Rhya Watkinson, 15.
Cadets will get the chance to develop a host of skills, from watercrafts including powerboats, kayaking, scuba-diving, life-guarding, to teambuilding, leadership and mentoring skills that will boost their learning and self-confidence.
PE teachers Ian Middleton and Martyn Brown have been given the task of organising the force, which meets at school for two hours every Wednesday night and have undergone training giving them the honorary rank of sub lieutenant.
Mr Middleton said: “We are delighted with the level of interest shown already in the cadet force. Students will be able to develop a host of practical and emotional skills which can’t fail to impress when they move on to further and higher education and employment.”
Ellie, whose granddad was an oil tanker captain, said: “I would love to experience something of what he did in his career.”
Nuria added: “This is something very exciting and new to do after school and it is great to be part of it.”