Monmouth School pupil awarded Prestigious Army Scholarship

William, a pupil at Monmouth School, has been awarded a prestigious Army Scholarship. William was selected from a large number of applicants to receive one of the limited Scholarships. The Scholarship, awarded to the top pupils in schools throughout the UK whom the Army deems to be most suitable for a place at Sandhurst after university, will sponsor William through sixth form and university.   The Scholarships were made even more difficult for William to achieve because of his young age. At only 16 years old William has been able to demonstrate the qualities needed to be selected despite the majority of the other applicants being eighteen.   To achieve the Scholarship William endured interviews, psychometric tests, numerical assessments, special awareness and verbal reasoning skills, and a number of practical assessments such as command tasks and planning exercises.  Eventually after his final set of interviews, William received a letter saying that he had been successful.

Dr Steven Connors, Headmaster at Monmouth School, said:

“I would like to offer my congratulations to William. He worked extremely hard to gain this Scholarship and is a very deserving candidate.  One of the most rewarding parts of my job is to see the boys achieve their dreams and I hope William will enjoy a long and happy career with the Army.”

Cadet Cambrian Patrol Competition

The Army section took part in the Cadet Cambrian Patrol, with the first day of competition taking place around Sennybridge training area in Powys. Day two involved a march and shoot competition, culminating at a shooting range complex on the training area. 

The Army section took part in the Cadet Cambrian Patrol, with the first day of competition taking place around Sennybridge training area in Powys. Day two involved a march and shoot competition, culminating at a shooting range complex on the training area.

The Senior team (Matthew, James, Ed, Lewis, James, Rhyddian, Ethan, Jamie, Alasdair and Ben), was ably led by the Deputy Head of School, Matthew and the Junior team (Will, Matthew, Hugo, George, Alex, Jacob, Jack, Meredudd and Benedict), was led by senior prefect and Army scholar, Will. The first evening saw a patrol briefing and much team preparation. On the first morning of the competition the alarm clock went off at 0500hrs – very early for an exeat weekend!

Day one was a march in the rough terrain of Sennybridge training area – 25km for the Senior team and 20km for the Junior’s – with a series of six military test stands on route. Both teams were tested against the clock, with penalties awarded for arriving late at any one of the tests. The march began with a kit inspection ensuring that all the team were carrying the correct equipment – each team member carrying roughly 50lbs. Tests along the way included section battle drills, weapon handling, first aid, puzzle solving, command tasks and close quarter battle. Both teams performed well in the stands and we were the only side who managed to complete both the senior and junior course without missing any stands. Both teams then moved into the patrol harbour phase of the competition, staying out  in the forests overnight with their personal skills tested by the officials.

Day two saw another early start and move to the start line of the march and shoot competition. This day consisted of a speed march against the clock with webbing and rifle followed by a shooting competition. Both teams performed extremely well – posting the two fastest times - and were a credit to themselves and the school.

Eventually the teams were called together for the prize giving ceremony. It was announced that the Junior team had won the silver medal award, with the Senior Team being only one of three teams to win the coveted gold medal award. We were placed first out of five school CCFs, and are now the holders of the Western Mail trophy. The boys can be very proud of their efforts, showing determination, dedication and a magnificent sense of teamwork all weekend.

Rocky Mountain National Army Cadet Summer Training Centre in Canada

So where did this epic journey start. We’ve all seen the posters around school advertising the trip of a lifetime. A chance to visit one of the most beautiful areas of Canada for the small fee of £100. Well who wouldn’t be enticed by that. A few months after sending off my application, I received the brilliant news. I had been accepted to join the course alongside 11 other British Cadets from across the country.

The Cadet Leadership and Challenge Course is the pinnacle of any Canadian cadet’s career. It involves a 6 week stay in the Canadian Rocky Mountains on the border of Alberta and British Columbia. The course consists of 6 weeks of Adventurous Training and Leadership. It allows cadets to develop their leadership skills as well as experience activities that they wouldn’t have the opportunity to do before. These activities included: Rock Climbing, Hiking, Glacial and Mountain Climbing, White Water Canoe and Kayaking, Mountain Biking and a week of Leadership lessons. All things considered, a very good deal. When we arrived we were separated and allocated into 6 different platoons. Each of these platoons had around 25-30 Canadians (both French and English speaking) and 2 British cadets.

We were thrown in at the deep end very quickly, with a fitness test on the second day and then the real training started. The 6 weeks is broken down into 6 cycles, with each cycle consisting of one activity. My first cycle was Hike. This involved 1 day of preparation and a 4 day hike through the Rockies. Simple enough, until you factor in the altitude (6000 – 8000 ft), temperature (30°C) and the local wildlife (bears, moose and cougars). Luckily we encountered no mishaps and were happy to have made it through the first week.

The second week was Leadership. During this week we were tested on our Leadership skill in a series of both practical and classroom lessons. It also provided us with the chance to do some community service in the form of Trail Breaking in the Banff National Park. Designed as a team building exercise that would also show us some of the benefits of community service, it also gave us an insight into how the area in which we were training was both developed and maintained.

The third week saw us climbing to new heights on the rock climbing cycle. Arguably one of the more fun cycles, we spent the week exploring some of the best climbing in Canada including a multi-pitch climb to over a 100 ft. Through wind, rain and shine we took in some of the most spectacular views I have ever seen from a vantage point that not many people could reach. I have never been a big fan of heights but the instructors and the rock climbing cycle, helped to overcome this and allow me to actually enjoy making it to the top, though looking down still wasn’t an option.

The fourth week saw us embark on the most daunting cycle of the entire summer. We were on the Glacier Program and I had got myself selected to take on the most challenging climb. We were going to climb Mt. Des Poilus, a 10,600ft mountain with a glacier running around its base. After the two hour trek to get to base camp, we set about learning to complete a rope rescue. After a day of waiting we got the break in the weather that we were waiting for. After a 3am start, an hour and a half trek to get to the ice field and a 6 hour ascent of the mountain, we finally reached the summit. The view was amazing, until the cloud rolled in and all you could see were your hands in front of your face. Pity really.

The fifth week saw us rolling into my personal favourite, the Mountain Bike cycle. This was a combined navigation and bike cycle, which saw us testing both our technical skills and our leadership abilities whilst under pressure. With our guru like instructor Steve we set off on four of the most fun days I had during the summer. We spent the week exploring new trails and then passing the nights away around the campfire. Utter bliss.

The final cycle was the Water cycle. I had opted to go for canoeing. We were eased in gently but soon found ourselves running (and enjoying) rapids with names such as: the Spatula, the National, Double Edge and Witches Cauldron. The week definitely ranks up among my favorites’ if only because the instructors were hugely confidence inspiring and I did learn to respect, but not fear the rapids.

My trip to Canada was one of the most inspiring I have ever undertaken and I would wholly recommend it to anyone who has the option to apply. You make friends who will last a lifetime and memories that you will treasure forever. Applying for that course was one the best decisions I have ever made and I will never regret it.

Commando Challenge

On the 26 April, five teams of young, fit and healthy cadets went down to Exeter for a charity competition. The teams of six, ranging from cadets to army fitness instructors to old men took part in many competitions throughout the day. Men’s, Women’s and Mixed teams battled through bad weather, injuries and a tough course to finish in respectable times and their pride still intact.

After a thorough warm up and pep talk from Mr McQuitty all the Monmouth teams set off, after memorising 40 items, in a staggered start for a 4 kilometre speed march. After the run, the items were recalled and we were sent on to our next memory test. The next task was to perform the Towers of Hanoi in a timed exercise in mental agility and team work. Next was the stretcher carry which was a 400 meter sprint across harsh ground with a four- man stretcher with two jerry cans full of water. This was followed by a point-scored grenade throwing exercise and a message memory and recall at the end of the return 4 kilometre journey to the start/finish line.

All teams did well in the competition, but special mention must go to the all-girls team who far exceeded expectations.