Gazette January 2020
39
C H A R AC T E R DE V E L O P M E N T
Leadership Through Cadets The King’s School Cadet Corps is the oldest and largest unit in Australia, engaging close to 800 boys in various military themed actives. With 153 years of tradition, the origin comes from a time where Cadets was recognised as an important and dynamic part of the School’s curriculum. Today, this notion remains much the same as the Corps stand as a premium leadership activity offered at the School. Leadership building is the primary agenda of the Cadet Corps. From the moment boys start their Promotions Courses in Term 3, they are participating in confidence and leadership training activities. Pulling from the best aspects of military training, focusing on drill, dress and discipline, boys’ demeanour changes as does their behaviour in class. In fact in any aspect of the School boys are transformed as their uniform now stands as a reminder of their commitment to the Corps and the service to others.
The Annual Field Exercise (AFX), a camping excursion to the bush, is a prime example of how Cadets “do” leadership. Boys are provided with all the necessary safety measures, as they are sent out with their platoons on overnight treks to various camp sites. By putting them in a new and perhaps uncomfortable situation, boys are compelled to make unusual decisions leading to resilience, resourcefulness and strong leadership. Cadets must resolve issues on their own and deal with conflict within their platoons, an ideal platform for leadership initiative.
“Corps is not about the fearless boy who is able to abseil down the cliff because he’s not scared of heights, but is about the boy who can’t do it and the boys who gather around him, encouraging and helping him get through this challenge,” says Brendan Stewart. The modern-day Cadet Corps is an important aspect of the School as it aids boys in developing confidence in their own abilities, as well as promoting the development of independent individuals for future life
Brendan Stewart Commanding Officer Cadet Corps
Passing Out Parade 2019 As has been tradition for 153 years, The King’s School Cadet Corps Passing Out Parade takes place at the conclusion of Term 2 and the cadet training year. Cadets march on to the annual Regimental Passing Out Parade (RPOP) where final year cadets will graduate (Pass Out) from the Corps and CUOs symbolically handover their responsibilities to the incoming ranks. The RPOP allows the unit the opportunity to demonstrate to their peers, parents, Old Boys, guests and the invited Reviewing Officer the Regiment’s high standards in dress, drill and discipline and its ability to honour the military customs and traditions we dearly respect. There is much ceremony surrounding the carriage of devices such as flags, standards, colours and banners on parade, honouring the history and traditions that have been passed on from generation to generation over our long and proud history. The unit’s full strength is on display on the hallowed grounds of the JS White Oval, with the unit ADJ and RSM, with the assistance of the CSMs and CUOs commanding the RPOP. It is an impressive display and a very special day for Year 12 cadets as their four years of service reaches an end. The King’s School Cadet Corps is the premier leadership program offered by King’s, as it builds leaders for the future, converting boys into confident young men. We do this by aligning our training activities with the Australian Army Cadet values which include respect, teamwork, courage and initiative.
https://vimeo.com/channels/kingscast/page:1
