CCF News
NIA CCF cadets visit Royal Navy School of Firefighting and Damage Control
Twenty-four cadets from NIA CCF attended HMS Excellent Whale Island the Royal Navy’s School of Firefighting and Damage Control to learn how the Royal Navy maintain the safety of its personnel.
The cadets started the day receiving briefs on how the Royal Navy fight fires onboard its ships, they then had chance to try on the kit and attempt to fight fires themselves, Once the team had dealt with a number of fires, they tried out all the different firefighting equipment, including what is being used on the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.
After a well-earned lunch the team moved over the Damage Repair Unit where they undertook several briefs on how the Royal Navy deals with damage to ships at sea and how they keep them afloat should the worst happen. Once the briefs had been completed and the safety kit issued the cadets joined the ship to prepare to deal with several floods onboard. Quickly moving down into a Mess Deck area the cadets were faced with a number of areas that had damage, where water flooded in. They quickly got to work with wooden wedges to block the gaps and stop the water. During these exercises the cadets not only had to show independent determination and fortitude, they also had to work in teams both small and large to achieve the task of stopping the flooding.
The Cadets had a great time and enjoyed being able to see and hear from Royal Navy staff about how they keep the ships safe and working 24/7.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Year 10 students Nico, Georgia and Raluca who made the journey down to HMS Sultan in Fareham, Hampshire for the three-day leadership course held at the home of Defence School of Marine Engineering (DSMarE) and the Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival School (RNAESS).
The primary function for HMS Sultan is to supply the fleet with engineering Officers and Ratings of the highest standard. They took part in several training events both in and outside of the classroom, including practical leadership tasks, orienteering, snap talks and Drill. The junior leadership course is the foundation for leaders within the Royal Navy Cadets and is the first step on the way to becoming a Senior Rate.
These cadets are the first to attend an external course run by the Royal Navy and all of them have returned having had an amazing experience and are already encouraging others to book on the other activities that take place. Well done!
NIA signs Armed Forces Covenant
Northampton International Academy’s Royal Navy Combined Cadet Force (CCF) have been officially presented with two new ceremonial banners.
The banners were generously funded by Jim Wright of Wright Logistics Services and will be used in ceremonial duties such as school parades and public events.
The school’s CCF has gone from strength to strength since being established in 2022, regularly taking part in events at the school and local civic events such as Northampton’s Remembrance Day parade. Students take part in regular training at the school and also access afloat training and adventurous training in activities such as sailing, paddle sports, canoeing, mountaineering, first aid and much more.
The new contingent banner is believed to be the one first of its kind to bear the Tudor Crown featured in the new cypher of His Majesty King Charles III. It is embroidered by hand in gold bullion and coloured silks, upon a ground of Royal blue, sleeved in red, with edged gold metallic fringe and matching gold metallic cords and tassels.
At the same time Northampton International Academy also pledged its support to the armed forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. The Covenant is a national responsibility involving government, businesses, local authorities, charities, and the public.
The school hosted an event in February where they joined four other organisations that made the same commitment.