High fives were the order of the day as HMS Sultan hosted a combined visit of excited youngsters from Bedenham and Holbrook Primary Schools, for a look at Royal Navy training.
The group of 18 six to eleven year olds spent a morning enjoying fun and games with the Establishment’s Physical Training Instructors (PTIs), who taught them about the importance of healthy eating and keeping fit.
After a visit to the Warrant Officer and Senior Rates Mess for lunch the children spent the afternoon looking at diesel engines and airframes within the Defence College of Technical Training’s Defence School of Marine Engineering (DSMarE) and the Royal Naval Air Engineering & Survival Equipment School (RNAESS).
The children were all from families with a forces background. Sue Edwards, Home School Link Worker at Bedenham Primary School said: “We have a number of Forces Children and we thought it would be nice for them to see what their mums and dads do, including where they eat and where they train.”
“The response from the children has been really good, they were all so excited this morning and kept asking what time we were leaving, and they’ve absolutely loved the day.”
“A massive thank you goes out to everyone at HMS Sultan for making us feel so welcome.”
Ten year old Alex Reeves said: “I thought we would be learning about the ships, but there’s lot more to look at, like learning about all the different engines and aircraft and helicopters.”
“We did some fitness, like push ups and sit ups and building up strength and rowing and it was quite hard, it really tests how strong you are and your abilities to move and balance.”
“There was a really loud noise when the engines started, I didn’t know how loud they were until I actually heard one.”
“It’s been really fun looking at the helicopters, there’s so much to get in to.”
Visit Liaison Officer, Petty Officer (PO) Kerry Stockton said: “The children seemed to really enjoy the day; POPTI Steve Lockton was just brilliant in answering all the children’s questions and organising the sports activities.”
“Bringing the children in to some of our technical facilities will have given them a good understanding of some of the work we do here. Hopefully it will help them to feel proud of the roles that their parents fulfil in the Armed Forces.”
