Army IT and Communications Challenge Day

On Wednesday 25th February a team of 10 AS Computing students took part in an IT and Communications Challenge Day organised by the Army, at Baker Barracks, Thorney Island, Emsworth.

The team were in competition with several other colleges and schools in Hampshire.  They were set a number of tasks by the Royal Signals which required teamwork, initiative, stamina and problem-solving skills to complete them successfully.  The team did particularly well on orienteering, a camouflage challenge, an obstacle course and making up computer network cables.  They also heard about the role played by the Signals in supporting the rest of the armed forces, and the equipment used to establish and maintain communications in the event of major incidents.

On a very cold day, team Totton performed really well and came a very creditable 3rd place, behind Medina and the winners, South Downs College.

Totton College students comments on the day were:

'the physical challenges were exhausting, but we worked hard...the best activity was the camouflage challenge as we worked fast and well as a team, 'Communication is key, over and out', James Adamson

'Physically and mentally exhausting, but the most fun I've ever had' said
Tsvetan Zhivkov.

'I really enjoyed the orienteering and observation post activities - they were made to seem like real missions, you could get a real grasp for what life in the army is like’, Jacob Dunning

'The army day was a great experience in which we were challenged in several different ways. I really enjoyed the orienteering task, and everyone worked really well together on the camouflage task. Some of us had a job to walk the following day', Sam Hayward

Picture: Totton College students ready for an exercise.