This half term has been busy for St James CCF. Our first trip of the year was our annual battlefield tour. As a CCF we visit three locations and rotate the trip each year. visiting Arnhem, the Somme, and on this occasion, the D-Day beaches of Normandy ( as we highlighted in last week’s Newsletter)

We have also taken on our new group of 25 Year 9 cadets, who are quickly and enthusiastically learning drill and Skill at Arms; the drill being particularly important as we rapidly approach the most important event in the CCF calendar, Remembrance Sunday. This year Remembrance Sunday will fall on the 12th of November and shortly an invitation will be sent to parents . The event will be held at school, as in recent years.

The final event of this calendar year will be Christmas Camp held at Pirbright, with our formal meal being held once again at the Artist Rifles (21 SAS) club house, a venue that we are honoured to be able to use. Again information on this camp will be sent out shorty by Mr Paul.

As a CCF and a school we are very proud to announce that Harry M in Year 13 has passed the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) and has been offered an Army Scholarship and following university, a place at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Harry was one of thousands of applicants for this year’s scholarship, of which only 410 made it to the final stages at Westbury where the ASOB process has taken place for nearly 100 years. During the grueling three-day selection  process Harry has to complete leadership tasks, interviews, physical tests and academic assessments. Of the candidates that made it to the finals stages, Harry was one of only 29 candidates reported to have been offered a scholarship. An incredible achievement. When awarded his certificate in assemble this week, Harry thanked Mr Lempriere and Mr Johnson for all of their help with the process. Harry is the third St James student to have applied for the scholarship in recent years, with all three being successful, a great achievement for the school. our CCF and the individuals involved.

Captain J Johnson, Contingent Commander