CADETS have been on a successful mission to stay active despite being isolated by the global pandemic
COVID-19 put paid to a host of Combined Cadet Force activities, including exercises, summer camps, range days and parades.
But Barnard Castle School’s CCF ingeniously used the digital platforms set up for home learning to become one of the few units to remain in service virtually from home.
Every week three separate parades were delivered during lockdown, for new recruits, the Army section and RAF cadets.
Commanding officer Major Caroline Connor said: “They also really enjoyed tuning in to take part in a host of challenges, including quizzes, recording themselves practising drill and taking photos of themselves in neatly ironed uniform with polished boots.”
The contingent welcomed 56 new Year 9 cadets who took part in a number of military lessons, including turnout, drill, observation and the rank structure.
The highlight of their virtual training programme was when they each received a box of cam cream through the post. “This provided much entertainment as they were able to cam up as they received their live lesson on this subject,” Major Connor said.
Cadets Charlie Thompson, Henry Thompson and Hamish Ross were quick to win high praise for uniform and turnout, drill and observation, respectively.
The Year 10 and 12 Army cadets received a number of lessons online including the code of conduct, making leaders, safe handling and maintenance of the cadet rifle, drill and observation.
Year 12 cadets also delivered well-rehearsed pre-recorded lessons as part of the training programme, with special praise going to colour sergeants Hamish McAllister, Teddy Hamilton and Kieran Bleasby and sergeants Zara Gilbert and Joseph Gibbons for their efforts.
Awards for excelling in the virtual weekly challenges went to Colour Sergeant Keiran Bleasby for uniform and turnout and Colour Sergeant Katie Baxter for rifle drills.
Old Barnardians, 2Lt Seb Hampson and 2Lt Owen Greaves delivered insightful presentations to cadets on their new careers in the armed forces.
RAF cadets enjoyed a virtual training package which allowed them to continue building their skills and knowledge for rank promotions.
Sergeant Rob Harris and Sergeant Alex Scopes delivered sessions on the principles of flight, while cadets were also able to watch a virtual Battle of Britain memorial flight and gain virtual work experience on the life of an RAF fighter pilot.
An armchair airshow allowed cadets to watch top teams, pilots and aircraft feature in a four hour live broadcast.
Members of Barney CCF joined 1,400 army cadets from all over the UK in the Army Cadet and CCF Army Inter-county/battalion/sector one mile virtual running race. Cadets taking part included Henry Turnbull, Harry Maude, Georgina Robson, Scarlet Sinclair, William Whitburn, Hamish Ross, Maisy Squires and Eric Proud, as well as Lance Corporals Johan Eckhardt and Olivia Crusher and Colour Sergeants Kieran Bleasby and Teddy Hamilton.
Barney cadets also completed the Army STEM Challenges, which use an Army training scenario to explore a range of science, maths and design and technology topics.