Y6 had a visit from a real-life explorer - Al Sylvester. Al is a very well known RAF Mountain Rescue Service leader who as well as being involved on over 400 rescue operations, has adventured to the extremes of the planet, including the South Pole, Aconcagua, Mt Kenya and the base camps of Mt Everest and Annapurna.  His post-military and current educational roles make him a consummate on the parallels between working in the hostile mountain environment, to the management of a company to the modern day classroom.

His main reward was being selected to return and lead the RAF's largest and busiest mountain rescue team at Kinloss. Here he led over 100 operations including the RAF MRS's first overseas aircraft crash to recover the wreckage of a Hercules aircraft in Kukes, Albania. In 2001, he led the operation for the UK's largest military multi-aircraft crash, for two USAF F15 jets that crashed within the Cairngorms mountains of Scotland. He was awarded an MBE for his services to the MRS and for his exceptional charitable work in aid of Cancer Research UK. Utilising his vast spectrum of experience, Al was selected as an assistant controller at the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre where he specialised in co-ordinating search and rescue ground operations throughout the whole of UK.

Year 6 loved hearing all about Al's adventures and experiences and his visit really enhanced their Explorers topic!