WORKING TOGETHER Girls in green: Army Cadet Unit at Pymble By Stuart Clark, Director of Experiential Learning and Officer Commanding of the Pymble Ladies’ College Army Cadet Unit
Pymble Cadets celebrate challenge and achievement – key themes of the Cadets program
Cadets was a place in which my selfconfidence and personal conviction was allowed to flourish as I was encouraged to trust my instincts and give everything my best try. I found weaknesses to overcome and strengths I didn’t even know I had.”
Pymble Cadet, Year 12 (2019)
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hough anecdotal student reflections may not be viewed as rigorous scientific analysis, one would find it hard to debate the authenticity of the evidential thread collected in a recent student survey relating to the outcomes of the Pymble Ladies’ College Army Cadet program. The quote (left), from a recent Year 12 graduate, is reflective of the collective Cadet participant voice. This article will discuss the key areas for personal growth and capacity-building achieved through the program. In April 2017, the Pymble Ladies’ College Army Cadet Unit was formally ratified by the Australian Army Cadets. At that time, the unit was the first all-female Australian Army Cadet Unit in Australia.
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Illuminate EDITION 4 2020
Though this marks an impressive and progressive step for the College, it is certainly not the reason we embarked on this unique cocurricular journey. The Australian Army Cadets program simply has too many benefits for Pymble girls to leave unexplored and, three years in, the benefits are proven. Australian Army Cadets, which is part of the Australian Defence Force Cadets program, provides a personal development program for young Australians, designed to benefit the nation by helping to create responsible, mature and self-confident young people and future leaders. This is achieved by providing progressive Cadet training, often of a challenging and exciting
Pymble Ladies’ College
