Cadets 

Cross Campus Cadets

Head of TNA - Lavinia De Fazio Year 12, Ridgeway Campus

Each year our school runs an annual cadet camp that takes place at Yackandandah over a five-day period. All students are assigned to their respective platoons, ranks and roles and have specific responsibilities and opportunities to display leadership relative to their role. The camp is student run and is full of unique activities that allows the cadets to practice their skills learnt throughout the year, as well as allow a chance to those with rank an opportunity to lead a group. 

As one of the four members of the senior leadership of our school’s cadet unit, I was given the unique opportunity to plan and organise the camp with my other three seniors; Callum, Charlotte and Lars. Managing a camp to facilitate 400 cadets was a logistical nightmare, however, all our time, effort and hard work paid off in the end and overall, the camp ran successfully. 

For me, this was the best cadet camp I have ever been on. I believe all the new activities went exceptionally well including the military games and free navigation, which had not been done before. As a Year 12 student I also had the chance to take part in a shooting simulation and a military obstacle course at the army base. This was not the only highlight for the Year12s, as we also shared our last night at our last cadet camp together over a bonfire. This was an highly emotional experience, and it was an honour to be able to spend this time with all the individuals we have shared our cadet experience with over the last year. 

Personally, there would have been no better way to end my time in cadets. I am so thankful for this opportunity, and I am so glad I was able to work with the other three seniors through this experience. These individuals have been such a pleasure to work with, I think our strong connection as a team is what resulted in such a good experience and a successful year in general. I am so grateful to have such an enthusiastic and fun cohort of Yesr 12s to be able to share all these cadet experiences with. 

Year 10 Corporal - Lily Veale, Ridgeway Campus

My experience with cadets has always been positive, from beginning as a cadet to becoming a corporal. I think that it is a brilliant way to explore your abilities in a position of authority and learn to manage other people and yourself in difficult situations. Annual camp is the yearly adventure that the cadet unit pursues at Yackandandah campsite. We spent 5 days at the site doing NAV, bull runs, fun activities, and platoon bonding. As a corporal, I am second in command in the platoon, which gives me more responsibility on the camp than I had the previous year, as I must now communicate with the cadets and take control of certain activities. This elevated my enjoyment of the camp because it meant that I have more freedom in the ranks, and that I can help with the organisation of the platoon throughout annual. I would highly recommend joining cadets, as it is an excellent opportunity to bond with people from across all year levels and campuses. Additionally, having the chance to get promoted increases motivation in the cadet unit and makes everyone passionate about their roles. Getting promoted was a fantastic opportunity for me, because I have been able to bond with new people in my grade and become a leader for a platoon of younger students who I can now recognise around school. Overall, cadets is an awesome way to improve your leadership skills and become familiar with more people in the school community. I loved annual camp and I think it was an extremely rewarding experience to finish off the cadet year.