Ash Manor Blog
Ash Manor CCF: A Season of Achievements
Over the past few months, the Ash Manor Combined Cadet Force (CCF) has been busy with a variety of activities, training sessions and competitions, demonstrating dedication, skill, and teamwork. From swimming tests to music achievements and military skills competitions, our cadets have excelled in every challenge they’ve faced.
Year 7 Swimming Test – February & March 2025
Our newly joined Year 7 cadets took to the water at Aldershot Garrison Pool to complete an essential swimming test. This test is designed to assess their ability to stay afloat in the event of a capsized sailing boat, a vital skill for those in the Royal Navy section. The cadets showed great determination and resilience, proving they are well-prepared for future challenges.
Air Rifle Shoot – Tongham Scout Hut – February 2025
A group of cadets had the opportunity to put their air rifle training into practice at Tongham Scout Hut. This session allowed them to refine their marksmanship skills in a new environment, gaining valuable experience and confidence. Every cadet performed exceptionally well, making the most of this hands-on training.
Promotions & Awards Parade – 10th February 2025
On this proud occasion, cadets from both the Royal Navy and Army sections paraded together to receive well-earned promotions, awards, star badges, and berets. With parents and teachers watching on, the cadets upheld themselves with discipline and professionalism, marking a significant milestone in their CCF journey.
HQSE Music Weekend – February 2025
Four cadets from our Corps of Drums (COD) took part in the HQSE Music Weekend alongside fellow CODs and bands from Hampshire, Surrey, and Berkshire Army Cadet Forces. For these cadets, it was their first experience training as part of a military band. Over the weekend, they learned to march while playing their instruments, memorised a full song, and performed in front of senior cadets. Their hard work paid off, earning them their COD badge.
Just weeks later, these cadets achieved their 1 Star Music Badge, demonstrating their knowledge of music theory and their ability to perform four military marching songs. With the National Music Camp during the Easter holidays, they are eager to continue their musical development alongside bands and CODs from across the UK.
Ex. Hermes – February 2025
While the Music weekend was underway, more than 20 cadets took part in Ex. Hermes at Ash Manor School. This intensive training focused on the use and implementation of signals and different radio systems, led by a Radio Instructor from Gibraltar Barracks. Despite the complexity of the training, all cadets successfully earned their Radio Badge, qualifying them to use these systems during future fieldcraft exercises.
HQSE Military Skills Competition – March 2025
Ash Manor CCF proudly sent a team of eight cadets to compete in the HQSE Military Skills Competition, facing off against 18 other CCF schools from Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, and Berkshire. This was only our second time entering the competition, and despite the cold and foggy conditions, our cadets performed admirably, securing 15th place. They competed in a range of challenges, including shooting, military knowledge, command tasks, navigation, and physical skills. With valuable experience gained, the team is already planning for next year’s competition, determined to climb even higher in the rankings.
Looking Ahead
The past few months have been a testament to the dedication and resilience of our cadets. Whether in the pool, on the shooting range, in the parade square, or out in the field, they have embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and commitment. With upcoming events and training opportunities on the horizon, we are excited to see what our cadets will achieve next.
Y10 – Media Studies – Sky Studios Elstree
The Media Studies department recently organised a trip for our Y10 Media Studies students to Sky Studios Elstree in Borehamwood, an extremely prominent, fully-working production space which has been the location for filming blockbusting films such as ‘Wicked’, ‘Paddington in Peru’ and ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’.
Before embarking on the trip, students received an in-school masterclass, organised by Sky, where they were coached through the pre-production processes of how to plan and create an idea for their own short films.
Once we arrived at the studios, students were given the opportunity to develop three of the best ideas that had been created in the masterclass in school into real life pitch videos.
Students did so by acting on a film set using different costumes and props; filming using sophisticated high definition videography equipment and editing in sound effects and different set designs.
Students were also given a tour of the studios where they saw the Jeep that was used in the original Jurassic Park films, as well as the gigantic soundstages used by productions like ‘Wicked’. Students were able to ask questions about what it is like to work in the film and TV industry as well what steps the Sky employees took to get into the jobs they are in today.
Additionally, all students received a 30-minute session about careers in this field; students learned about the different stages of production in more detail and found out more about the thousands of jobs that are available in the film and TV industry. Moreover, students were shown videos featuring what happened behind the scenes of ‘Wicked’ and interviews with several different members of staff from Sky, where they discussed their roles in more depth. Students were then given the opportunity to reflect on what sort of career they might be interested in and how their strengths and preferences as individuals might lead to a career in the world of entertainment.
This was a unique chance to explore the inner workings of the visual media industry, getting a first-hand experience of the processes involved on TV and film production. We truly hope that the students enjoyed the experience and that the world of TV and film production feels that bit closer for anyone thinking of pursuing a career in this incredible industry.
Thank you to Miss Lindsey for organising the trip, and Miss Whitfield and Mrs McGill for accompanying.
Previous Blogs:
Y10 Students Reach the Stars - 2.4.25
PD Day - 31.3.25
Widening Participation and Outreach - 28.3.25
Jamie's Farm - 24.3.25
Royal Navy STEM challenge - 27.2.25
CCF Sharpen their skills - 11.2.25
GCSE Citizenship Students Explore Democracy in Action - 31.1.25
Youth Speaks - 29.1.25
Personal Development Day - 15.1.25
Curious Incident of the dog in the night time - 10.12.24
Remembrance Week 15.11.24
Cadets out in the Field 15.11.24
PE Blog - Autumn 2024 11.11.24
L&T Blog 22.10.24
Year 9 Geographers Explore the Tropical Rainforest 19.10.24
Cadet RSM Neame and WO2 Chalmers Honoured 17.10.24
PD Day 15.10.24
Brooklands 11.10.24
Silver Duke of Edinburgh 7.10.24
Community and Excellence on show at Open Evening 30.9.24
Geography Year 11 GCSE Residential Field Trip 23.9.24
