Cadet Ceremonial Parade
The Fifty Fifth Annual Cadet Ceremonial Parade was held on a bright and blustery autumn day. The parade signifies the end of the Cadet year and is a highlight of the Cadet calendar at Ivanhoe Grammar School. It was wonderful to see the full breadth of the Cadet program on display in all its glory.
It was reviewed by Lieutenant Colonel David Waugh, RFD Commanding Officer (1981 – 2015) which was very special as he will be retiring after a long and dedicated service at the end of 2016. The Unit was formed in 1961 and many members and friends of the Unit were in attendance. Members of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) Signals who were stationed at the School during WW II were also in attendance.
Students join the Cadet Unit halfway through Year 8 and undertake a year of basic recruit training. The skills learnt are military movements, navigation and communication skills and the ability to live in a bush environment comfortably.
At the end of Year 9, Cadets are selected to undertake their first peer leadership program called a Corporal’s Course. Here students learn leadership and instruction techniques.
In Year 10 the junior leader then has responsibility for a group of up to seven Year 9 Cadets. Further leadership courses can be undertaken leading to the Cadet Under Officer’s Course when in Year 12. Here the platoons of up to 30 Cadets have one Year 12 student as their senior leader supported by leaders in Years 10 and 11.
This is a major leadership opportunity and provides unique opportunities for students in Year 12 to exercise real leadership skills.
The Cadet Unit provides opportunities for both young men and women to undertake leadership skills training which complements their academic progress as they develop through the school and into further studies or employment.
The Cadet Unit at Ivanhoe Grammar School dates back to 1923 when a Rifle Club was formed at the School. This continued till just before World War Two. In 1961 the Unit was re-raised as part of the Australian Cadet Corps.
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