12 September 2022 Abingdon News Many congratulations to Kajan Sivakumar who has been awarded The Rank Foundation School Leadership Award. Offered to only a handful of Sixth Form students from across the state and independent sectors each year, and only to those thought to have outstanding leadership potential, the award is an enormous privilege which carries with it a two week placement within a not-for-profit organisation. Driven by a desire to help others, Kajan has been volunteering and helping within his local community for several years, including running a Saturday Science Club for primary school children. However, it was volunteering at a care home during his 3rd Year that left a long lasting impression, making him want to pursue a career in medicine. “I just want to be able to help people and the Rank Foundation Leadership Award will give me so much more opportunity to do that outside my local area. I’m really looking forward to that.” Not one to rest on his laurels, Kajan will be shadowing an ER surgeon and a trauma and emergency gastro surgeon as part of two work placements over the summer; and hopes in the future to travel to Sri Lanka to volunteer in the local community in which his parents were born. Mr James, Kajan’s Housemaster, said of the award: “I honestly can’t think of a more deserving recipient - Kajan has proved to be an inspirational role model, both to his peers and to younger members of James’s House. He is always the first to put up his hand to help and works so hard in all he does. I am delighted for him.” Once Kajan has finished school, he will also be invited to join The Rank Foundation’s alumni organisation with all the benefits that it bestows. A first for Abingdon Easter camp began with excitement and high spirits, luckily not dampened by the bitterly cold Friday morning the cadets set out on. The cadets settled in well, with a busy first few days spent doing Fieldcraft and perfecting their rifle skills. The tuck shop cannot be forgotten and the queues stretched far outside the door when the new stock arrived! On Monday, the recruits had their first experience with live firing which was a blast. Three recruits qualified for their marksmanship badges, a phenomenal achievement for those who hadn’t shot a rifle before. The whole camp enjoyed a well earned rest on Monday evening with a movie night before the AI cadre (composed of 4th and 5th Years) set out on exercise the next day. The first night of the AI 48 hour exercise was exciting with a full ambush on an enemy vehicle checkpoint followed and plenty of ammunition spent as a result. Recruits joined the AI the next day and, after a stormy night, took part in a full platoon attack on the village to capture the elusive enemy. After returning to the barracks, there were a few hours of down time (used for sleep by many!) before drill practice for the passing out parade the next day. The parade was a roaring success and the whole contingent showed their standards to the impressed Deputy Commandant Cadets. Overall, the camp was a highly enjoyable experience and it set an excellent baseline for future post-Covid camps. A massive thank you must go to the staff who gave up their Easter holidays to attend and were instrumental in ensuring the camp ran as smoothly as it did. CCF Easter Camp Canoeing Expedition Over two days in June, six of our 4th Year students completed their DofE Bronze Canoeing Assessment Expedition. Starting in Tonbridge (Kent), they paddled the River Medway to their campsite in Yalding. Exciting canoe shoots and lovely conditions proved for a good first day. On day two, the students paddled to their finish in Maidstone - there was one unfortunate capsize but it didn’t deter their spirits and they all passed with flying colours.
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