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Posted on: 08/05/2018

CCF Commissioning Ceremony 2018

Fitzalan High School CCF receives Royal approval

The first Royal Navy Combined Cadet Force (CCF) unit in Wales has held its first commissioning ceremony and received Royal approval.

29 pupils from Fitzalan High School in the west of Cardiff were inspected by Commodore Jonathan Fry, Head of Youth and Cadets, Ministry of Defence.

He was accompanied by The Queen’s representative for South Glamorgan, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Morfudd Meredith.

More than 90 people attended the event on Thursday 26 April, including the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, senior civic dignitaries, parents and members of the local community.

The CCF unit started in November 2017 after Fitzalan High School joined the UK Government and Welsh Government-backed School Cadet Expansion Programme. The objective is to increase the number of young people in state schools who are able to access the benefits of the Cadet experience.

Fitzalan High School is a highly inclusive school and a caring community. It provides outstanding support for pupils’ wellbeing, which contributes to their high standards of moral, social and cultural development.

16 year-old Faris Malik said: “Joining the CCF has given me a chance to develop my leadership skills and improve how I work in a team with other pupils.

“I can feel the difference it has made to my self-confidence and I’m more comfortable when I take on new challenges. It’s also helped me to be more organised and that is reflected in my school work, too.”

Combined Cadet Force (CCF) units allow pupils to undertake military-themed training alongside their studies and within the education structure of their school. This benefits their personal development, access to positive life-changing opportunities and nationally-recognised qualifications.

Since the CCF unit opened in Fitzalan High School, the Cadets have taken part in First Aid training with St John’s Ambulance as they work towards Awareness Certificates. The school’s swimming pool has enabled kayaking training and they have also visited HMS Express to see the different roles carried out on board.

Major Stephen John, School Cadet Expansion Officer at the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales, said: “There are currently seven schools in Wales who have unique educational partnerships with a CCF unit. This has allowed young people to develop their self-confidence, improve their performance in school and enhance their chances of employment and further education.

Over 200 state schools from across the United Kingdom have joined the Cadet Expansion Programme. This has helped to improve pupil-teacher relations, behaviour and discipline, staff development and the reputation of schools in their local communities.”

There are over 4,400 Cadets in Wales who enjoy fun with friends at more than 200 unit locations spanning the length and breadth of the country. They gain nationally recognised qualifications, such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, St John’s Ambulance First Aid and BTEC awards.

Cadets from all walks of life gain new personal and practical skills to use in everyday life, which often takes them to new places through exciting activities and adventurous training.

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