Meriden’s first cohort of Cadets has received promotions just six months into the group’s time in the program.
Year 11 students Charlotte Brennan, Amber Broadbent, Eisha Chanan, Annabel Gill, Juliette Lee, Genevieve McKeown and Ahnika Roberts received the rank of Corporal. Year 10 students Isabella Shannon and Melisa Arkan received the rank of Lance Corporal.
The Australian Army Cadets is a community-based youth development organisation based on the customs, traditions and values of the Australian Army. Cadets follow a syllabus called the Army Proficiency Certificate, which gets more challenging each year. Participants move through star levels until they reach four stars and the rank of Master Cadet, mastering a range of subjects including first aid, navigation and community service. Lance Corporals must pass the APC one star, while Corporals must pass the APC two stars.
With their new rankings, our Year 10 Lance Corporals are now responsible for helping Cadets with their kit, mentoring junior Cadets and leading small teams. Our Year 11 students with Corporal status will be learning to instruct other Cadets, lead larger teams and take a parade.
Dean of Cocurricula, Mrs Lisa Brown, said the girls’ promotions demonstrated their commitment to Cadets and their desire to serve others.
“The girls who have been promoted to Corporal have demonstrated leadership skills at regular Cadet parade afternoons and throughout the Annual Field Training Camp,” she said.
“Isabella and Melisa demonstrated excellent leadership whilst on the AFT Camp and were promoted in the field.”
Charlotte Brennan said she and her fellow Meriden Cadets were excited to have been recognised for a promotion.
“Moving up a rank makes me feel empowered and I think we will all use this as motivation to continue to do our best,” she said.
Charlotte said Cadets presents an excellent opportunity for her to see what she is capable of outside the classroom.
“The camps definitely put us in difficult situations that are outside our comfort zones but there we have the opportunity to prove that we can be responsible when times are tough and that we can be good role models for the younger cadets.”
