Cadets

The Waverley College Cadet Unit

Cadets is a youth development program that empowers students to become active and responsible citizens and leaders. The Waverley College Cadet program is designed to build tenacity, resilience and initiative, along with leadership and management skills. Through collaboration and teamwork, our cadets learn the value of leading, serving and working with others.

The Unit recently formed a new partnership with St Catherine’s School, adding a co-educational element to the program. This exciting development encourages cadets from both schools to develop the kinds of professional relationships that they will encounter in their adult lives and in the wider community.

Cadets attend weekly parades and training, in addition to important ceremonial occasions such as the annual ANZAC Commemoration Parade and the Year 12 Passing Out Parade. Training culminates in the Annual Field Exercise (AFX), a week-long camp that gives our cadets the opportunity to put their newly-honed skills into practice. As a CAS school, our cadets also compete against other Cadet units in the annual CAS Drill and Military Skills competitions. 

The Waverley College Cadet Unit (WCCU) has a long and proud history dating back to 1911. All students are required to join the Unit in Semester 2 of Year 8 and complete three terms of training. From Semester 2 of Year 9 onwards, participation in Cadets is voluntary. Many of our students choose to continue, attracted by the program’s emphasis on leadership development as they progress through the ranks, from Corporal to Cadet Under Officer (CUO).

The Waverley College Cadet Unit has been developing students in resilience, citizenship and leadership in an outdoor education setting since 1911. Now a co-educational co-curricular activity, our partnership with St Catherine’s School, Sydney, provides the opportunity for our youth to work together in healthy, respectful relationships commensurate with the real world. At the Waverley College Cadet Unit, we recognise that leadership comes in many forms and that each and every cadet has the chance to shine, to lead by example, and to serve with integrity.

As part of their Waverley College education, all boys attend Cadets from Term 3 Year 7 until Term 1 Year 8, joining a proud history that goes back over 100 years. The former Governor General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK CVO MC (Retd), former Chief of the Australian Defence Force, 2011 Australian of the Year, and current Patron of Australian Army Cadets, began his leadership training in the Waverley College Cadet Unit. Many students choose to continue Cadets into their senior years, inspired by the enjoyment of the camps, the camaraderie with their rank and peers, and an understanding of the excellent leadership opportunities the Unit provides.

The Commanding Officer, MAJ (AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow, is passionate about youth development and oversees a dynamic and purposeful program packed with unique and engaging activities, supported by the Australian Army.  Cadets are instructed in radio communication, first aid, navigation, fieldcraft, drill movements and service, and develop autonomy and responsibility, with a chance to look up and look out, away from technology.

What to expect in Cadets

Cadets takes place on Friday afternoons from 3.30 – 5.30pm. With a Unit strength of 400 cadets, the collegiate atmosphere of the two schools coming together is something to look forward to as cadets learn the skills they need to camp in the field on our Bivouac and Annual Field Exercise camps. There are many Ceremonial Parades throughout the year, providing the opportunity to serve both the schools and the community in very meaningful ways.

In addition, as a member of the CAS group of independent schools, we collaborate with our friends at other Cadet Units in leadership conferences, and compete in the Annual CAS Drill Competition, and CAS Military Skills Competition. Further opportunities to excel are provided by the Australian Army Cadets at the Adventure Training Award, the Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge, and Drone Racing competitions. Our advanced cadets are invited to compete for the Waverley Extension Camp Award at a Silver or Gold level, competing in a challenging and engaging camp to really extend their field skills, initiative and fortitude.

Those seeking leadership positions attend the Annual Promotions Course Camp, where they are trained in leadership, people management, risk assessment and logistics, and hone their field skills in order to care for our recruits in positions of increasing responsibility. The opportunities to command within the Unit are unique and our cadets take with them a quiet confidence in their many acquired skills into their adult lives beyond Waverley College. Graduation from the Cadet Unit as a senior leader is commemorated with a Ceremonial Parade and a special Military-style formal dinner, where cadets reflect upon their leadership journey and the many friendships they have made.

CAS Activities

As a member of the CAS group of independent schools, the Unit also competes in the annual CAS Drill competition and the Military Skills competition. Other CAS activities involve cadet leaders in an annual CAS Cadet Conference where ideas are shared and procedures discussed. This day ends with a formal dining-in Mess at the host school.

Medical & fitness requirements

Medical conditions do not necessarily preclude enrolment, but rather indicate the extent of activities that can be pursued during Cadet events.

Enrolment procedures

These procedures involve the completion of enrolment forms and health details.