CVQO Inside Track

Showing 14 posts tagged acf

High-res Congratulations to Cdt LCpl Harry Neville from Greater London, South East Sector ACF receiving his BTEC Music Diploma (Distinction star) from Lord Lingfield on the Final parade at Longmoor Band Camp last week. CVQO’s Gil Singleton and Richard Allen worked with 37 Cadets from across the UK on their Music BTECs. Photograph courtesy of Michael Nolan

Congratulations to Cdt LCpl Harry Neville from Greater London, South East Sector ACF receiving his BTEC Music Diploma (Distinction star) from Lord Lingfield on the Final parade at Longmoor Band Camp last week.

CVQO’s Gil Singleton and Richard Allen worked with 37 Cadets from across the UK on their Music BTECs.

Photograph courtesy of Michael Nolan

High-res From Cadet to Instructor with success at every level Devon ACF Instructor takes Gold with the DofE Award  At CVQO we are always very happy to hear how our successful learners have got on after gaining qualifications through us. Recently we caught up with Chloe Mitchell who had achieved a distinction in her CVQO-led BTEC in Public Services through Devon ACF. Teignmouth’s Army Cadet Force Instructor Chloe Mitchell (21) from Newton Abbot has achieved her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It completes the set of three for Chloe, as through the ACF she has also earned her bronze and silver. In achieving the award, Chloe has gone from teaching cadets in Teignmouth to the tall ships’ race in northern Spain. She now has an invitation to receive her gold award at the palace. Lt Col Alistair Spowage, Chairman, ACFA DofE Advisory Panel, says “Many former cadets remain in the ACF as Adult Instructors and it is fantastic when they are motivated to continue with a DofE programme. Here we have an excellent example of an ACF adult volunteer gaining a very high quality Gold DofE award. This is the real “something extra” that we can offer young leaders and officers.”  What is really great for the organisation, too, is the fact that as well as getting all three awards Chloe has successfully completed the Introduction to the DofE course, and is training to be a DofE leader through the Modular Training Framework.

From Cadet to Instructor with success at every level
Devon ACF Instructor takes Gold with the DofE Award 

At CVQO we are always very happy to hear how our successful learners have got on after gaining qualifications through us. Recently we caught up with Chloe Mitchell who had achieved a distinction in her CVQO-led BTEC in Public Services through Devon ACF.

Teignmouth’s Army Cadet Force Instructor Chloe Mitchell (21) from Newton Abbot has achieved her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It completes the set of three for Chloe, as through the ACF she has also earned her bronze and silver. In achieving the award, Chloe has gone from teaching cadets in Teignmouth to the tall ships’ race in northern Spain. She now has an invitation to receive her gold award at the palace.

Lt Col Alistair Spowage, Chairman, ACFA DofE Advisory Panel, says

“Many former cadets remain in the ACF as Adult Instructors and it is fantastic when they are motivated to continue with a DofE programme. Here we have an excellent example of an ACF adult volunteer gaining a very high quality Gold DofE award. This is the real “something extra” that we can offer young leaders and officers.” 

What is really great for the organisation, too, is the fact that as well as getting all three awards Chloe has successfully completed the Introduction to the DofE course, and is training to be a DofE leader through the Modular Training Framework.

RUN THE BRIGHTON MARATHON FOR EDUCATION CHARITY CVQO Eleven Army Cadet Force (ACF) adult volunteers from across the South East are taking part in CVQO’s first major sports sponsorship initiative – the Brighton Marathon 2013. They now need four more team members to join them, and raise their initial fundraising target of £5,000. Last week, Team CVQO met for the first time at South East RFCA headquarters in Aldershot, Hampshire, where team leader Fred Hughes and CVQO Fundraiser Jeanne Peterson briefed them on what to expect from the 26.2 mile run in April, and how to make the most out of their fundraising. The current team consists of instructors from the ACF in Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and IOW, as well as Fred Hughes, the Corporate Communications Officer at South East RFCA. All of the runners are keen to overcome their own personal challenges, and raise money to offer more educational opportunities to young people with CVQO’s qualifications. Fred had been keen to assist CVQO with fundraising for a while, and was responsible for recruiting and organising the current team. He said, “Getting involved to raise funds for CVQO is a fantastic way for the adult instructors of the ACF to thank CVQO for their work in vocational qualifications. These qualifications are not just certificates, but a platform for college, university, and the future!” Jeanne Peterson says, “The Brighton Marathon is a fantastic event. Where could a run like this better finish than right by the seaside! This year we have 15 charity places to offer and already we have 11 supporters signed up and ready to take the challenge. All funds raised through their sponsorship will go directly to help us provide young people with the chance of gaining valuable qualifications through our charity.” If you are interested in one of the remaining places and wish to join Team CVQO, contact Jeanne at fundraising@cvqo.org.

RUN THE BRIGHTON MARATHON FOR EDUCATION CHARITY CVQO

Eleven Army Cadet Force (ACF) adult volunteers from across the South East are taking part in CVQO’s first major sports sponsorship initiative – the Brighton Marathon 2013. They now need four more team members to join them, and raise their initial fundraising target of £5,000.

Last week, Team CVQO met for the first time at South East RFCA headquarters in Aldershot, Hampshire, where team leader Fred Hughes and CVQO Fundraiser Jeanne Peterson briefed them on what to expect from the 26.2 mile run in April, and how to make the most out of their fundraising.

The current team consists of instructors from the ACF in Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and IOW, as well as Fred Hughes, the Corporate Communications Officer at South East RFCA. All of the runners are keen to overcome their own personal challenges, and raise money to offer more educational opportunities to young people with CVQO’s qualifications.

Fred had been keen to assist CVQO with fundraising for a while, and was responsible for recruiting and organising the current team. He said,


“Getting involved to raise funds for CVQO is a fantastic way for the adult instructors of the ACF to thank CVQO for their work in vocational qualifications. These qualifications are not just certificates, but a platform for college, university, and the future!”


Jeanne Peterson says,


“The Brighton Marathon is a fantastic event. Where could a run like this better finish than right by the seaside! This year we have 15 charity places to offer and already we have 11 supporters signed up and ready to take the challenge. All funds raised through their sponsorship will go directly to help us provide young people with the chance of gaining valuable qualifications through our charity.”


If you are interested in one of the remaining places and wish to join Team CVQO, contact Jeanne at fundraising@cvqo.org.

Enjoyable and productive visit to the Jersey Outreach Programme

Earlier this week, CVQO Chief Executive, Edward Woods had the opportunity to visit an outreach programme in Jersey run for 14-15 year old learners from Cornwall. This was the second stage of the scheme, as a result of the first stage, four young people have already joined local cadets units. 

During the day, Edward was able to see some of the activities which included sand yachting, coast steering, climbing, abseiling and a tough high wire course, he said:

“During my visit, I have been so impressed by the professionalism of the Cornwall ACF staff, and the teachers helping from Cornish schools. Morale is very high and I have heard from the three senior cadets here that there has been a noticeable increase in the confidence, understanding and teamwork of the young people here. They are doing a fantastic job”. 

Photos to follow…

Report from Gil Singleton our Music Ops Manager who attended the ceremony where Luke Horobin from 425 (Aldridge) Squadron was presented with the Dacre Sword by the Commandant Air Cadets (Air Commodore Cooper).

The presentation took place in the Officers Mess at MoD Stafford on Tuesday 12 June 2012, and CWO Horobin was well supported by Family, Wing and visiting ACO staff, friends and cadets. VIPS included the High Sheriff of Staffs, and the last Lord Lieutenant. (Luke was a Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet last year). Wing Commander Grant Kearns, OC Staffordshire Wing, opened the proceedings.

The citation, read out to one and all prior to the handing-over, was a glowing report of his achievements thus far. As well as his sporting prowess, musical career with both squadron and National Concert Band, and his care-in-the-community work, great emphasis was placed on his BTEC achievements (PS and Music) as well as being one of the successful Duke of Westminster finalists from 2011. The South African trip was also mentioned!

Suffice to say, an excellent evening and a worthy recipient.

Update from Steve our Regional Ops Manager from South Central & SCC

Yesterday he met Sussex ACF VQO, Maj J Harms GCGI, who was running an Outreach project at Crowborough CTC for pupils from a Sussex secondary school.  The students had been on the watermanship activity during the day and were now playing football. Watching them was Sussex ACF Honorary Colonel, (Maj-Gen John Moore-Bick CBE DL).  Two cadets from Sussex ACF claimed their BTEC Diploma in PS. Well done to them both. 

There was also a visit to TS Cossack, Crawley SCC, to review their learners on the PS BTEC.  The cadets had spent the evening on the water at Hedgecourt Lake, rowing, sailing and canoeing. 

Monday will see the Sea Cadets taking part in a 15km Kayak Challenge on the River Wey, whilst the Royal Marines Cadets will be completing the same course on the Tuesday. Good luck to the kayakers!