BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL TRIO AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS HONOURS

Staff members at one of the North’s leading Combined Cadet Forces (CCF) are celebrating a series of significant promotions made by the Ministry of Defence.

Caroline Connor, Luke Monument and Henry Fairwood have each been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Major and Captain, respectively, at Barnard Castle School’s CCF.

The trio possess 48 years’ collective service to the CCF as adult volunteers alongside their duties as teaching staff and Housemasters at the School. Barnard Castle School’s CCF has in excess of 200 cadets across its Army and Royal Air Force sections, many of whom pursue military careers after they have finished School.

For Lt Col Connor, who is the contingent commander, the promotion coincides with her 20^th anniversary of commissioned service to the Combined Cadet Force. During this time, she has been awarded the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals, a Lord-Lieutenant Certificate for Meritorious Service and a Cadet Forces Long Service Medal with first clasp.

Major Monument and Captain Fairwood both received Lord-Lieutenant Certificates for Meritorious Service earlier this year too, for their outstanding commitment and invaluable contributions to the CCF.

Tony Jackson, Headmaster at Barnard Castle School, said: “Barney’s CCF has grown to become a popular co-curricular activity, which teaches young people important values and crucial life lessons. In the last two years alone, we have seen several cadets recognised as Master and Lord-Lieutenant cadets, as a direct result of their invaluable experiences at our School.

“I am delighted for all three of our staff, who devote a great deal of time and effort to solidifying our contingent’s position as one of our region’s leading units, and these latest achievements are fully deserved.”

Lt Col Connor added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the CCF, no more so than at Barney where it is a major part of School life and continues to thrive year-on-year.

“I am delighted to celebrate such a significant landmark in my career with this latest promotion alongside both Luke and Henry, whose commitment and loyal support of the contingent is second to none, for which I, and the wider School community, are very grateful.”