Brentwood School - Brentwoodian 2020

95 Having been promoted to Second in Command (Bosun) for the Royal Navy section for the 2020/21 school year it has been such a pleasure to work alongside Eleanor Griffiths, my fellow Upper Sixth form students and staff to create an enjoyable and educational syllabus for the younger students. Although tough at times, due to Covid-19, I feel we have had a successful time over the past year. We reflected back on our memories of the Royal Navy as younger students and put together a series of Field Day activities that we felt we would’ve loved as younger students, all of the activities giving an insight into life of someone employed under the Royal Navy such as the gun running races. I am truly saddened that it will be my last year to experience and take part in CCF at Brentwood School; it has formed such a great part of my school life and I would experience it all again in a heartbeat. The Royal Navy section has formed such a ‘family-like’ community with all the years from Third to Upper Sixth and staff grouping together in fun activities that isn’t gained in any other part of school life. I hope over the next year we can continue to do Navy activities every Friday and take part in Field Days and trips. I am certain students for years to come will love, just as I have, what the Royal Navy Section has to offer. I thank Mr and Mrs Clark for giving me the opportunity to become Bosun. Over the years the Royal Navy has been an experience like no other and I have learnt so many new skills that will continue to help me in my life ahead. By Clarke McGillicuddy - Upper Sixth Being given the opportunity to lead the Royal Navy Section at Brentwood School as Warrant Officer has been my greatest achievement. Throughout this year, the section has been challenged due to Covid-19 but I believe it has come out stronger, more resilient and more united than ever. Looking back on my time in the Royal Navy, I most greatly appreciate the lessons I have learnt and the relationships I have built along the way. I am beyond happy to be sharing my last year in the Navy with such amazing students and staff, many of whom have been on my Navy journey with me from Third Year all the way to Upper Sixth. This year the commitment that the Cadets have to the Royal Navy has been more evident than ever, and it is immensely pleasing to see so many younger students enjoying their time so much within the Section. Throughout the lockdown period, the creativity and innovative thinking of the cadets really shone when creating lesson plans and inclusive activities that were Zoom-compatible. I strongly hope that this creativity and enjoyment is something that we maintain within the Section now that we are back at school. The lockdown period was arguably most challenging for the Sixth Formers and it was so great to see them rise to the occasion and become even stronger cadets in the process. My love for the Royal Navy was ignited by Mrs Clark all the way back in Third Year and it was such an honour to be offered the position of Warrant Officer for my final year in the Section, a position I had been hoping to achieve since I first joined the Section! I have so much gratitude for the amazing work and dedication of the Navy staff, who work incredibly hard to make our Friday afternoons so enjoyable. I know that I will carry the skills I have learnt in the Royal Navy with me for many years to come and I hope all other Navy Cadets will do the same! By Eleanor Griffiths - Upper Sixth