Cadet from SMA detachment wins leadership award

Cadet Lance Corporal Tariq Hemmings, a founder member of the Army Cadet Force detachment which opened at St Matthew Academy in autumn 2009, has been presented with a medal for his leadership qualities by the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters, at a ceremony at Glaziers Hall.

Like the rest of the cadets who joined when he did, .Lance Corporal Hemmings had no musical or military experiencewas but while other cadets saw parade nights as an extension of school, Lance Corporal Hemmings took advantage of the opportunity and quickly grasped the basics of his chosen instrument, the euphonium. He took every moment available to practise. He also learned basic military knowledge and skills and started to demonstrate the self- discipline that many of the others lacked. 

'In the early days of the detachment Tariq could always be relied upon to attend punctually and regularly,' says Sgt Raphael Tettey. 'He quickly started to show signs of leadership by supporting staff in the organisation of cadets on parade nights and on the detachment’s very first weekend away in the field. We are immensely proud of his achievements and wish him well as he takes on his next challenge - A-levels at St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College.'

Read Tariq's story in the South London Press