Cadets undertake Collingwood leadership challenges

By Maddie Purdy

HMS COLLINGWOOD recently played host to a group of Cadets within the Combined Cadet Force from Merchant Taylors’ School in Northwood; who took advantage of some of the excellent facilities at the Leadership Training Group based at the Fareham establishment.

The activities were designed to teach positive communication and the ability to both fit into and lead a successful team. The cadets took part in a range of challenges on the Low Ropes Course, including the rope swing, the wire crossing and the wall obstacle. The challenges required cadets to work together effectively, supporting one another to ensure every team member successfully completed each task and reached the finish point.

Katie, 16, spoke about the teamwork element of the leadership challenges as she said: “The rope swing was the best for testing how well we could work as a team, as ordinarily this would be okay to accomplish for just one person. ‘

Nischal, 17, said similarly that “as an individual it would be easy to complete, however, coming together and tackling the challenges as a team was the real obstacle. We had to learn to do it the right way as a collective, not just thinking for ourselves.”  Katie further added: “that was what made the activities so enjoyable, assessing how we could do this successfully, as a team, and not just on your own.”

Lt Cdr Firestone, the Contingent Commander, explicated: “As a partnership contingent with St Helen’s School, it is incredibly important that our boys and girls have opportunities to come together and take part in exercises such as these. Not only do they encourage cadets to step outside their comfort zones, but they also foster teamwork, communication, and mutual support. Completing these challenges within a naval establishment allows them to apply the skills and values developed through their training in an authentic environment, further enhancing their personal development and confidence.”

Instructors were on hand to ensure safety and provide guidance where required, but the cadets were encouraged to navigate the course independently, taking responsibility for leading and supporting one another. This was done throughout the activities alongside a chance to putting into practice the leadership principles and teamwork skills learnt in training.

Readers can find out more information about HMS Collingwood by visiting this link, which has details about the training provided and updates from the base.

PICTURED BY KEITH WOODLAND: The group of cadets work together on the leadership challenges during recent training related event.