The highest honour awarded to the UK’s leading Cadet.
Lauren Rynsburger, in Year 12 was awarded the prestigious Cubby Sword which is presented for leadership to the most outstanding Air Training Corps Cadet in CCF in the UK. Lauren led the RAF section of CCF at Oxford High School with the rank of Cadet Flight Sergeant. The Group Captain George Cubby MBE Memorial Sword is presented to the ATC/CCF (RAF) cadet considered to have shown the most leadership potential during the four Air Cadet Leadership courses held each year.
Lauren was presented the Cubby Sword by Wing Commander Robert Chalklin, MBE, who is The Wing Commander CCF, accompanied by Squadron Leader Taylor, Office Commanding Training, Evaluation and Support, West Area.
Around 800 cadets are nominated to take part in the Leadership courses, with only the top 200 being selected for the final line-ups. To be judged the top cadet out of so many is deemed to be an outstanding achievement. The Air Cadet Leadership Courses are designed to develop and test cadets from both the Air Training Corps (ATC) and CCF (RAF). They bring together cadets from all over the UK and within the week-long course the cadets are expected to build a strong team, both within their flights and as a course, all while developing their own leadership skills. The course involves high standards of discipline including teamwork, lectures, drill, fitness, lectures, navigation, two days in the field and command tasks – all designed to build leadership and teamwork.
Lauren attended an Easter Camp at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus where she was awarded best cadet for the camp and was selected to attend RAF Cranwell for ACLA, a cadet leadership course. Lauren is committed to pursuing a career in the RAF after university and is intending to apply join the University Aid Squadron.
Pictured are Lauren Rynsburger, Head Judith Carlisle, Wing Commander Robert Chalklin, Squadron Leader Taylor, Mr Richard Hypher (Group Leader) and Mr Andrew Jarvis plus the CCF girls from Oxford High School.