77 The RAF motto ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’, ‘ Through Adversity to the Stars’ continued to be the driving force for training this year. The pandemic still had a major impact on courses, camps and parade afternoons for most of the academic year. The cadets did not have the opportunity to experience a full CCF calendar, however they did enjoy a taste of the activities under the expert guidance of Cadet Warrant Officer Jemima Parasram, ably assisted by Flight Sergeants Ethan Barton, George North and Keanu (Ziggy) Wamae whose enthusiasm and commitment to delivering high quality lessons in a COVIDsecure manner was second to none. Pre-recorded lessons and outside training featured high on the programme, the military humour saying that the “RAF check in and don’t dig in” was certainly not true this year. Many cold and damp Friday afternoons were spent outside, ensuring that the NCOs could deliver the training to the younger cadets in their year group bubbles as planned. Remembrance Day was a particular highlight of the Michaelmas Term, with the School doing its first ever live stream for Remembrance Day, a very moving ceremony. We welcomed 38 newYear 9 cadets into the Section; online lessons on drill instruction, first aid and leadership were well received with the Most of all, throughout all of my years within the RAFAC, I have found that the people make the RAFAC the amazing experience that it is; whether it’s polishing parade shoes together the day before a competition or performing a gruelling fitness test at 5.30 am, the people you get to meet in the RAFAC are the RAF family you get to keep far beyond CCF. By Jemima Parasram
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