Cadet Recruit BIV at Glendinning Campground

The Annual Recruit Bivouac was successfully held at Glendinning campground, with senior cadets departing on Monday, March 30, and Year 8 recruits joining on Wednesday, April 1.

Senior cadets arrive ahead of time to establish platoon harbours and prepare training areas for the incoming recruits. Their advance preparation ensured a smooth operation when approximately 100 new recruits arrived the following day.

The new recruits arrived with trepidation and enthusiasm as they got their first taste of cadet field experience. The training program included comprehensive lessons covering essential military like field skills:

Radio communication
Navigation techniques
First aid training
Bush craft skills
Field engineering basics

The overnight bivouac experience served as an excellent introduction to field exercises for our newest members, giving them valuable insight into the practical aspects of cadet training. This hands-on approach continues to be an effective way to welcome new recruits into our cadet program and prepare them for future field training experiences.

It was great to see so many cadets overcoming their personal worries and concerns and challenging themselves by attending the Biv. Proving that they are strong individuals that with the right mindset they can achieve anything. Many who experienced their first ever camping experience.

Thank you to the amazing ACS and school staff for ensuring the cadets were well looked after and fed. To Michelle in the kitchen, ensuring some yummy fresh salads for the BBQ tea, home cooked snacks and fresh fruit was readily available for all. Thanks to Andrew Gill for driving out the seniors.

Keep an eye on emails for information about our next camp, which is from Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 9.

ADJT Liam Keable and RSM Seamus Byron

ANZAC Day Ceremonies

Some of our cadets have been working closely with 315ACU Hamilton Community unit practicing and refining their drill for the ANZAC March. It is great to see the camaraderie between the two units.. The Cadet band has also been working very hard to ensure our musicians are ready to make a debut at the Hamilton ANZAC day march.

CAPT Toffolon ran an incursion for the musicians and drummers this week to refine not only their playing but marching and playing as well.

Annual Cadet Camp

After a very successful bivouac, I’d like to remind you that Cadet Camp is the 3rd week of term 2. Permission forms have been sent out on PAM, along with all the information you require.

Year 8 cadets have been emailed a copy of the paperwork.

Things to organise over the holidays and week of camp:

Confirm with your child whether you will be coming to the Cadet Liturgy on Wednesday night and bringing tea to share with them.
- We will need confirmation from your child on Monday at camp, for catering purposes, if you are unable to come or send a meal out with family friends
Your child’s clothing is placed in plastic bags in their gear bag so that it stays dry
Any medication (enough for the week) is in a ziplock bag with original/copy pharmacy label and clearly labelled with their name. (no individual tablets in bags please.)
If your child was cold overnight at biv, could you please ensure that they have adequate clothing and bedding for the week, as May has given us cooler mornings over the years.
For the first day cadets are to supply their own food and drinks, tea will be supplied.
- No food with any traces of nuts or nut products are allowed.
TWO full bottles of water in their webbing before departure from school.

Thank you to those parents who support the cadet unit in ensuring their child has the best experience. Unfortunately we had many mobile phones at biv. (these are prohibited for the duration of camp), some cadets citing that their parents said they could bring them. Could I please ask that you keep your child’s phone and smart watches at home, for both safety of the item and supporting the school camp rules.. Should your child need to communicate with you during camp, we are able to contact you.

It is normal for your child to feel anxious and have worries about the cadet camp, especially as many of our senior students (ex cadets) and old collegians like to share their experiences adding a bit of embellishment that may add to any anxiety they may have.

If your child has any concerns about camp and would like to chat, please reach out to us and we can facilitate a catch up and plan to make their experience more enjoyable. Please do not hesitate to contact myself or CAPT Toffolon at cadets@monivae.vic.edu.au should you have any concerns.

Cadet Camp

Another highlight to end Term 1 was the Cadet Bivouac, held just this week. Well done to all Year 8 students who attended and to the Year 9 Cadet leaders who assisted in running a great camp experience. This camp offered a range of activities designed to build leadership skills, foster teamwork, and challenge students in new ways. From outdoor adventures to team-building exercises, the Cadet camps are always a highlight of the year.

We are looking forward to building on the skills developed next term at the annual weeklong May camp.

Ms Sarah Byron

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