Cadets

The Cadet program offers ongoing opportunities for personal growth in a challenging yet nurturing multi-age environment. Students typically join the Cadet program in Years 7 – 8, with students from Years 9 – 12 working co-operatively to mentor and train junior cadets. The program develops leadership, fosters teamwork, and encourages an ethic of service and self-discipline, while also building friendships across the School. The Australian Army Cadets (AAC) core values of service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence are highly relevant in a rapidly changing world and fit perfectly with the School’s commitment to Positive Psychology.

Cadet training is mandated by the AAC and equips students with the skills they need for a six-day outdoor experience at Puckapunyal in September. For this reason, a minimum commitment of one year is required.

The minimum age for cadets is 13, although students may turn 13 during the year they join. In the first year, Cadets learn the basics of living and surviving in the field, as well as customs and traditions, navigation, drill, cooking, and first aid. Importantly, training is conducted by Cadets for Cadets, so it is our Senior Cadets who plan, conduct, evaluate and improve training. Cadet Staff are present in a supervisory and administrative capacity only.

Each year, the Australian Army Cadets offer a range of opportunities to Cadets at all levels of their training. Junior and Senior Leadership and CUO/WO courses are conducted at Puckapunyal during the July and December school holidays. These courses provide Cadets with a range of valuable leadership and instructional skills, which enable them to take on rank and leadership roles within Cadets. Other courses may include Weapons Training, Survival, Robotics, Engineering and Drone Racing. Senior Cadets may contribute as Assistant Directing Staff at these courses, giving them valuable teaching and leadership experience. Examples of other opportunities taken up by eligible cadets include: The Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge, Deputy Chief of Army Adventure Training Award and the Army Drill Competition.

Cadet activities include:

• Membership of Australia’s leading youth development organisation, the Australian Army Cadets.
• Participation in Anzac and Remembrance Day ceremonies within the School and the local community.
• Classroom and practical sessions to learn key skills.
• Three-day weekend Bivouac camp in April.
• Annual camp at Puckapunyal Army Training Area.
• Courses camps at Puckapunyal in July and December.
• Authentic leadership opportunities and ongoing tiered training.
• Live weapon firing.
• Annual Dining-In evening and Prize Giving Ceremony.
• A range of fully funded opportunities to take part in skill development and national team challenges.
• Potential funded opportunities to travel overseas.

The Unit is staffed by a dedicated team with experience in the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools as well as a member of the ADF reserve. Many cadets go on to hold Prefect and leadership positions within the School and beyond in civilian life as well as the military on occasion and they credit their time in cadets with assisting them in their leadership roles.

Cadets also have the opportunity to use elements of their Cadet experience to contribute to the successful completion of the Compass and Duke Of Edinburgh awards, both internationally recognised programs.

The Cadet program offers your child many opportunities to develop new skills and experience a range of activities within the Unit with a wide cross-section of students from across the School. It is a unique example of vertical leadership. Camps are held during a weekend in April and the final week of Term 3.