The end of term 3 means summer season approaches. Being the end of the term, it also means fun night, and this term’s activity was bowling. Officers managed to hold their own for a while but a mixture of strikes and gutter balls was not enough to hold off some of the NCOs. A good time was had by all.
Also on the agenda at the end of each term is a thorough clean ship. Having kept the hall as tidy as possible over the winter, this meant we could put some elbow grease into getting the boat shed ready for the start of summer. A flurry of activity overseen carefully by the Petty Officer and Leading Cadets means that we return to swept floors, tidy boat gear and everything in its proper place. A few adjustments to routine and this should be maintainable for the whole season.
Over the holidays two of our number attended the Junior NCO course at Burnham. ABCDT Bellamy passed the course with flying colours (metaphorical colours this time) and I survived my first appointment as Course Director. The course included training and assessment in squad handling, drill instruction, leadership and public speaking and was attended by 14-17 year olds from around the South Island. There is no Senior NCO course run during the September break.
