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After experiencing their first overnight
CCF exercise in Aldershot, putting their
campcraft skills to the test, as well as
learning some basic leadership skills, Field
Day held at the end of term saw the entire
M4 year group visit the Royal Military
Academy (RMA) Sandhurst.
On arrival, the cadets were split into
two groups with half touring the buildings
and, following a BBQ lunch, the other half
taking part in leadership-based activities.
Cadets were shown the famous parade
ground, were the senior NCOs of the
British Army were engaged in the Pace
M4 CADETS AT SANDHURST
Stick competition prior to the World
Championships.They sat on the steps of
Old College and were told about the
history of the foundation of the RMA that
led to training officers for the British Army
and how the Military Academy came to be
at Sandhurst. Before the RMAS, it was
possible to buy any rank, and lead an army
without training.
The group then entered Old College
and viewed the India Room, which was
originally the Chapel of the RMA, and
was consecrated in 1813. However, when
the number of Gentlemen Cadets rose
following the abolition of the purchase
system for commissions, it was no longer
big enough to act as a Chapel and became,
in turn, a model room, museum and later
a cadet dining room where Winston
Churchill dined while a Gentleman Cadet
in the 1890s. Afterwards, they visited
some of the rooms and saw old uniforms
and some of the gifts given to RMAS in
grateful thanks for training officers for
armies overseas.
The cadets finally moved on to the
Chapel, which was dedicated by King
George VI in 1937.The memorial stained
glass windows in the Chapel honour
various regiments and some memorials are
carved into the black marble flooring. On
panels devoted to the particular campaigns
in which they lost their lives, are the
names of ex-cadets killed in action.
Cadets were asked to remember the
motto of the RMAS (Serve To Lead) and
it was then explained what it meant to be
trained as an officer to lead soldiers,
hence the motto.
ABOVE: The entire M4 year group at the
Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst
LEFT: Captain Fi Drinkall with M4 cadets
College prefects took part in a day-long training programme
during the last week of term to prepare them
for life in the U6th when they return at the start of
the Michaelmas term this September.The day, run by
an outside company,Team Thinking, covered a number
of topics including Effective Problem Solving, Human
Behaviour, Exploring the Situational Styles of Leadership
and Role Play, led by the College’s senior Housemistress,
Helen Keevil.There was also an opportunity for indoor
and outdoor team-building activities. Prefects are pictured
right tackling The Swamp, an exercise which tests
their team-working skills. George Hatfield from Fayrer
House has been appointed Head of School for the
Michaelmas Term.
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