Our recruits are already two thirds of their way through their Induction Year of Cadet Training, and have thus far enjoyed Archery, the Climbing Wall, Cover Drill, Ratel, Camouflage and Concealment, Methods of Movement, Scavenger Hunts, Medics Exercises, Drill Competitions and Swim testing in their Cadet uniform.
Thank you to the SUO and her team in RHQ for their constant planning and commitment in executing the Training Program from week to week. Company spirit is high as we break for the year.
We start 2023 on 3 February and look forward to the annual Golden Boot Competition on 10 February, vying platoon against platoon in military skills and cadet knowledge, in a fun afternoon of inter-company competition.
In subsequent weeks, we will refresh your field skills in preparation for AFX and introduce you to Navigation. AFX will be a camp unlike any you have experienced, and your rank are looking forward to working with you on these skills.
A huge thank you to all our rank and staff for their excellent leadership in 2022. Corporals, Sergeants, Warrant Officers, Cadet Under Officers and Directing Staff, I thank you all for your commitment and passion and belief in the vision of this youth development program.
I wish you all a safe and relaxing holiday to give you the energy to hit the ground running in our short lead-up to AFX 2023 at the end of Term 1.
Merry Christmas to everyone in the Unit, to your families, and to the wider Waverley College and St Catherine’s communities.
Bringing together two very different schools as one Cadet Unit every Friday afternoon, provides so many benefits. Our partnership with St Catherine’s allows cadets from both schools to experience a vastly different context to the rest of their school week, and this interaction is key to development opportunities for growth, for tolerance and for building respectful and professional relationships.
While the whole Unit has been informed on our Code of Conduct, the Defence Youth Safety package, and my own expectations of respectful behaviour, it sometimes takes time for our young people to learn how to conduct themselves professionally. They don’t always get it right. But lapses in judgement provide an ideal platform to educate and to reinforce the message of respect, particularly between our two schools.
The Cadet Unit’s core tenets reflect those of the AAC and encourage Service, Courage, Integrity and Excellence, but it is Respect which must underpin everything we do to foster an inclusive, collaborative and positive experience in Cadets. Derision will not be tolerated, and I would encourage all to be mindful of keeping their interactions, be it on social media or in person, professional and respectful at all times.
It takes courage for young people to check their behaviour, to think twice before acting and speaking, and it is not something that the instant, modern world facilitates. I would ask all individuals to be vigilant with their own conduct, to ensure our platoons and companies are exhibiting behaviour of which we can all be proud.
An important day in the Cadet Calendar was commemorated today with both the Remembrance Day Parade in the Centenary Quad, and a community service at Waverley Park for Waverley Council.
Our team of cadets has worked hard across numerous rehearsals after school to ensure precision in executing their drill today.
We are very proud of, and thank:
CUO Kayla Heng
CUO Matteo Paolella
WO1 Angus Birrell
WO2 James Birbas
WO2 Emma Hartwig
WO2 Oliver Malzard
WO2 Meg O’Connor
SGT Thomas Jackson-Whitlock
SGT Declan McAuliffe
SGT Julia Mallam
SGT Zara Wiseman
CUO Mitchell Cahill
CUO Kitty Fitzpatrick
WO2 Luca Patrick-Watkins
SGT Caleb Urquhart
CUO Darius Hall
WO2 Robbie Muir
WO2 Hayley Paddock
SGT Anika Bradford
SGT Remy Frampton
SGT Jack Ryan
SGT Reuben Seroa
SGT Aodhan Williams
CPL Kimmi Bilmon
CPL Ruby Congdon
CPL Natalie Ha
CPL Yannick Hott
CPL Taj Lynn
CPL Lachlan Marzol
CPL Benjamin Webb
CPL Erin Jackson
CUO Paul Muir
CPL Lachlan Isaac
CUO Hugh McDonald
CPL Amelia Avery
CPL Renato Rovacchi
CPL Archie Godby
CPL Rohan Baker
REC Xavier Kopsiaftis
CPL Cate Darling
CPL Georgina Kimpton
REC Finnian McCarthy
And thank you to our Drum Corps and Mr Blenkinsopp and the Cliff Goodchild Band.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
For the past three years, our planned bivouacs have been cancelled due to COVID-19 and/or bad weather, so it was with much excitement that we boarded the coaches to Holsworthy Army Base for a one-night camp on the weekend.
Cadets in the field is a very different experience to Cadets on Friday, and the military base provided an authentic context in which to train our recruits in preparation for AFX. Hutchies were well constructed; ration packs expertly cooked, and understanding the importance of daily routines in the field, much appreciated.
A variety of activities across the weekend entertained whilst still honing field skills. And all pitched in to help with the logistics of providing for 200 people in the field.
Our leaders worked incredibly hard as they practised their leadership skills, caring for their companies, running the Command Post and Logistics, working well together as a team, and taking initiative whenever possible. They are now very much the wiser as they prepare for AFX 2023.
I thank the recruits for investing in the weekend with such a positive attitude, and I thank our rank for their professionalism and dedication to making bivouac an amazing experience for all.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
With just one week to go until Bivouac 2022 at Holsworthy Army Base, rank and staff are busy preparing the stores, activities and logistics for those attending the 24-hour camp. Friday afternoons allow our rank to practise the skills they need on AFX in terms of personnel accountability, ratel, initiative, leadership and movement about the base, and bivouac extends this opportunity to further hone field skills in an external environment. With COVID-19 restrictions now behind us, it is fabulous to once again have camping on the agenda each term.
A reminder to all as we come into the warmer weather, that the Cadet Uniform must be worn in its entirety and with respect. The DPCU shirt must be worn at all times. If cadets are hot, they may remove the undershirt, but not the DPCU. When outside the school gates, headdress must be worn. I thank you for your support in ensuring our cadets look their best at all times.
Once a year, the CAS Milskills Competition tests the military skills of Navigation, Ratel, Fieldcraft, First Aid and TeamWork and Leadership exercises across cadets from Barker, Knox, St Aloysius’, Trinity and Waverley.
Our team of 14 cadets from Years 9 and 10, had to pass a Barrier Test to get into the team, and then spent many training sessions after school and after Cadets coming together as a team and honing their military skills in preparation.
WO2 Oliver Malzard and Meg O’Connor, with the guidance of CUO Matteo Paolella, led the whole experience – and I mean the whole experience – they developed their own training materials, their own training program, they ran the training sessions, ensured the team was well-kitted out, well prepared and most importantly, functioning as a team.
And I am proud to announce that on Saturday, we won, and we were awarded the CAS Milskills Trophy for 2022!
CAS Milskills Trophy 2022
In the team were:
WO2 Oliver Malzard, WO2 Meg O’Connor, WO2 James Birbas, WO2 Deuchar Dezarnaulds, WO2 Emma Hartwig, WO2 Robbie Muir, SGT Remy Frampton, SGT Declan McAuliffe, SGT Campbell Porteus, SGT Aodhan Williams, CPL Rohan Baker, CPL Archie Godby, CPL Lachlan Isaac, CPL Tom Jackson-Whitlock.
And we also thank Ruben Stock and Campbell McCarthy for running the First Aid stand, with Matteo Paolella as the patient.
Congratulations to the 2022 CAS Milskills Team!
Each week, O Group – comprising the Senior Rank of RHQ and Company Commanders – meets on Monday afternoons to plan the upcoming weeks’ Cadet activities and set the Routine Orders to be passed down the Chain of Command.
The Chain of Command is an important aspect in building trust in the Unit, and is part of the incremental leadership training our rank undertake when fulfilling their responsibilities.
Passing commands down the Chain of Command says to lower ranks, “I trust you in your role and I trust you with this information. I know that you will pass it on for the care of your cadets.” To the higher ranks it says, “I trust that the information you are giving me is correct and I respect that you have entrusted me with this duty.” The Chain of Command is an effective communication tool that allows all to work together for the good of the Unit.
A COY COMD – CUO Matteo Paolella
At O Group on Monday, the SUO reminded all rank of the importance of respect when communicating with cadets. This was reflected also at the Leadership Assembly this week, when the Unit’s Logistics Warrant Officer, WO2 Bert Cottell, in his role as College Vice Captain, spoke of the importance of servant leadership and treating people with respect.
The motto for the Class of 2023, “Speak with Respect. Act with Integrity”, is an important message for all to consider and one that we heartily support in the Cadet Unit.
Senior Cadet Under Officer (SUO) – CUO Kayla Heng
In a compulsory activity, there are always going to be cadets who use their strength of character in unhelpful ways, and addressing these cases with maturity and respect is not always easy, but it is a part of growing up, and learning how to deal with these difficult situations will stand our cadets in good stead in the adult world.
For cadets who make poor behaviour choices on Friday afternoons, there is a simple Charge System to remind them of the importance of working together for the greater good. If your son or daughter has incurred one or more of these 15-minute charges, this will be spent with me the following week, giving back to the Unit the time they have taken from training, in a tangible way in Q Store. I thank you for your support as we work towards respectful and enjoyable relationships across all platoons.
We wish our CAS Milskills Team all the best tomorrow, as they compete in the CAS Military Skills Competition against Barker, Knox, Trinity and St Aloysius’ for the coveted trophy, and thank them for their diligence and commitment to Milskills training across Term 3:
Meg O’Connor and Oliver Malzard (Team Leaders), Rohan Baker, James Birbas, Deuchar Dezarnaulds, Remy Frampton, Archie Godby, Emma Hartwig, Lachlan Isaac, Thomas Jackson-Whitlock, Declan McAuliffe, Campbell McCarthy, Robert Muir, Hayley Paddock, Campbell Porteus, Ruben Stock and Aodhan Williams.
A long-standing tradition of the Waverley College Cadet Unit is the annual Reveille Mess – a military-style dinner bringing together the Cadet alumni of 110 years – this year held at the Stamford Airport Plaza Hotel on Saturday, 17 September 2022.
Postponed from Term 1 due to COVID-19, we were blessed to have Cadet Old Boys and Girls from leaving years 1964 through to 2021, coming together as a community, joined by a collective pride and a shared history of what it means to be a cadet.
There is great value in meeting to rekindle relationships and connections, reminding ourselves of our traditions and values, as we welcome our newest graduates to this strong community of servant leaders.
We were especially blessed to be accompanied by our team of Dining Stewards, ably led by CUO Matteo Paolella, who gave of their time and worked tirelessly all afternoon and late into the evening, to ensure the dinner was a seamless success.
Thank you to: Matteo Paolella, James Birbas, Angus Birrell, Charlie Cooke, Toby Fernandes, Remy Frampton, Blake Khor, Oliver Malzard, Lachlan Marzol, Declan McAuliffe, Hugh McDonald, Liam McEvoy, Luca Patrick-Watkins, Campbell Porteus, Renato Rovacchi, Reuben Seroa.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
As the Commanding Officer, I base my Commander’s Intent on the aims and values of the Australian Army Cadets and the priorities of both schools. While our core values reflect those of all Australian Services, namely Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence; it is Respect that is very dear to my heart, and indeed informs the basis of all we do in Cadets.
Over the past few weeks, all recruits have been presented with the Defence Youth Safety package and the Code of Conduct discussion, which reminds our students that respectful relationships ensure all members feel safe and accepted in this inclusive co-curricular activity.
From time to time, though, our young people need a little reminder, and so I would encourage all members of our community to read the Commander’s Intent below, and to be courageous in supporting their fellow cadets when they see or hear inappropriate behaviours. We are a diverse community, spanning year groups, cultures, genders, interests and rank appointments, and this context allows us to practise and develop the skills and character traits required of professional working relationships; skills that our cadets will take with them into their adult lives beyond Waverley College and St Catherine’s School.
Friday, 16 September is the last Cadets of the term, and I congratulate our newest recruits on their engagement with the program, and their positive response to their rank, as they take command of their sections, platoons and companies from week to week.
Cadets returns on Friday, 14 October in Term 4. The Routine Orders will continue to be distributed from week to week by our rank, informing cadets of the dress, equipment and locations of the various Company activities. Next term, we have some exciting external providers, both in house and at local venues, providing an engaging context in which to learn Cadet skills.
A reminder to parents that Cadets is a required co-curricular activity of all Year 8 Waverley boys from Term 3 until the end of AFX (Cadet Camp) in Term 1. Please schedule medical and dental appointments on alternative days. We have a duty of care for our cadets until 5:30pm each Friday. Should your son be unwell, please apply for leave through cadets@waverley.nsw.edu.au. If your son needs to be collected early from training, please apply for an Early March Out through the same email.
I wish everyone a safe and restorative school holiday break.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
In order for our cadets to enjoy water activities on the Annual Field Exercise (AFX), all cadets need to be swim tested in their cadet uniform, and 12 Platoon started this process last week. Over the course of the next two terms, each platoon will have the chance to demonstrate their capacity to swim 25m and tread water for 2 minutes in their DPCU shirt and pants. We are grateful to St Catherine’s for providing the venue for this competency test.
All Recruit Companies have now been trained in the AAC Defence Youth Safety Program which guides our young people in appropriate behaviours when interacting with each other, with rank, with staff, and in the online environment. Those who have not yet completed this training will need to complete it online with the AAC. An email with further details will follow.
Next week, Friday 16 September, is the last Cadets for this term. We wish all in the Unit a safe and enjoyable break over the school holidays, and look forward to welcoming you back in Term 4, when we will enjoy archery, the climbing wall, the Golden Boot Competition, among other activities building fieldcraft skills in the lead up to AFX.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
Learning leadership takes time and practice, and a week-long Promotions Course is just the beginning of the journey. One week does not an instant leader make! New teams always need a period of adjustment, as they determine how to work together for the good of the collective.
We are grateful to all our rank for their maturity and patience, as they adjust to the new dynamics of their Unit and their Companies. To have the opportunity to learn these skills within the supportive environment of the schools, is one of the benefits of promotion in Cadets.
Our rank will go on to be well-placed as leaders in the wider community, taking with them an understanding of team dynamics and the compromises needed to work well with a variety of people.
We were proud to recognise our Duces of Promotions Courses again on Friday, with the presentation of the AAC medallions and certificates.
A team of five dedicated cadets competed in Round 1 of the CSIRO National Cyber Taipan Competition on the weekend. Our team performed strongly across the day’s cybersecurity activity, finishing 21st out of 140 teams.
Congratulations and thank you to:
Amelia Avery, Anika Bradford, Lachlan Marzol, Julia Mallam and Paul Muir.
Training continues to go well on Friday afternoons, despite the regularity of rain. I would urge all parents to download the Waverley app, and include Cadets as one of the notifications, to see the latest on uniform requirements (such as ponchos), and early dismissal times when the conditions dictate.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer – WCCU
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
The Reveille Mess is a chance for the Old Boys and Old Girls of the Cadet Unit to come together to share memories and to celebrate our connection with each other and our history.
This year’s Mess takes place on Saturday, 17 September at the Stamford Plaza Airport Hotel, and all past members of the Cadet Unit are all invited.
Ticket sales on TryBooking are due this week. Please email me if you have not yet received your invitation.
MAJ(AAC) Julie-Ann de Kantzow
Commanding Officer
E: jdekantzow@waverley.nsw.edu.au
We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation who are the traditional Custodians of the land on which Waverley College is located. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual connections to the land, waters, seas and sky and their rich contribution to society.
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