Training Parade 5 - Reconnaissance Report | Monday 5 February 2024

MEET THE CUOS: BAND EDITION

BAND 1: MYLEN MANIVASAHAN

BAND 2: GRAYSON ODBERT

BAND 3: HUGH KIM

2020/21 | CDT (JLC) 2021/22 | CPL (SLC) 2022/2023 | SGT (CWC) 2023/24 | CUO

2020/21 | CDT (JLC) 2021/22 | CPL (SLC) 2022/2023 | SGT (CWC) 2023/24 | CUO

2020/21 | CDT 2021/22 | CDT (SLC) 2022/2023 | CPL Field Promotion | SGT (CWC) 2023/24 | CUO

What responsibilities does your rank entail?

“To ensure that Cadets are trained well, ready for AFX and the Regimental Passing Out Parade, as Bands are crucial for Passing out Parade”

What was your favourite experience during training parades?

CUO MANIVASAHAN “I really enjoyed watching my platoon grow together in teamwork and camaraderie, as they learnt new skills over the last few training parades..”

CUO ODBERT “My favourite Training experience was Abseiling at Wahroonga during my 3rd year of Cadets. It was rewarding to see the Cadets under my command overcoming a significant challenge.”

CUO KIM “My favourite experience during training was abseiling at Crocs Cave as a first year cadet.

I wasn’t necessarily afraid of heights, but regardless, looking down from the top of that cliff did leave me frozen for a bit. Taking that leap of faith and moving forward taught me to embrace the challenges both in and outside of Corps with an open mind.”

CUO ODBERT “My favourite experience during AFX has been participating in the Confidence course activity with my Platoon over the years. Like with abseiling at Wahroonga, it has been rewarding to see Cadets overcome an immense challenge, and enjoy the experience.”

CUO KIM “My most memorable memories from AFX were made at the campfires, at the dinners after a long day of trekking and valleycrossings. Sharing stories and eating meals all together around a fire always restored everyone’s spirits for the next day”

What is your advice to the cadets?

CUO MANIVASAHAN “Live in every moment. Don’t space out or ever distance yourself from the moment you’re living in; it only takes away from the TKSCC experience. If you’re ever struggling to find the enjoyment in Corps, just try to embrace every moment, and make a memory out of everything you do.”

CUO ODBERT

What was your favourite experience during AFX?

“Take advantage of as many activities as possible, both within Cadets and around the school. Speaking from experience, time flies at King’s, so you need to make the most out of those opportunities while you can.”

CUO MANIVASAHAN

CUO KIM

“Nothing can beat staying by the campfire under a clear night sky. Being able to talk to my peers without having worries or doubts is such an overlooked liberty I’ve made so many memories just from having good laughs with friends by the fire.”

“My advice to all cadets is to persevere, never give up. Whether it be an unsatisfactory result in the promotions course or experiencing failure in areas outside of Corps, keep pushing through and grow from your mistakes.”

SPECIALIST PLATOON SPOTLIGHT ROPING PL COMD: CUO FERGUS LAWSON

What does Roping do during training parades and AFX? “Roping is currently split into 2 sections.

Our first years are completing training for a Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation. Under the guidance of 5 Star and BMAC, they will be qualified by the commencement of AFX. The remaining 5 second year ropers including myself are split between the abseiling initiatives at Crocs Cave and Wahroonga, working with BMAC to send 1st and 2nd Year cadets down the cliffs.

Why should people join Roping?

What’s Roping’s role in TKSCC? “The Role of Roping Platoon is to professionally and safely operate the various abseiling initiatives during training parades and on AFX, giving boys the chance to push themselves beyond their pre-conceived limits, or in the case of those comfortable with heights, to have a bit of fun.”

“If you are motivated, looking to push yourself, gain some qualifications and have a fair amount of fun along the way, then roping is certainly the platoon for you. There is a lot of work that goes into the certificate, and the responsibility on a job like this is certainly significant, however in the long run it is my belief that this can only serve as a benefit for both your own development as a person and your journey as a leader in the corps.”

SIGNALS

Why you should you join Signals?

PL COMD: CUO PRASH SIVAGANGABALAN

“Cadets should join Signals as it provides deeper insight into the logistical backbone of the TKSCC and grants cadets superior situational awareness. Signallers have the chance to both trek and stay at a control station, and have constantly changing roles during training parades. Signals provides an experience unlike any other.”

What’s Signals’ role in TKSCC? “The role of Signals platoon is to ensure communications within the TKSCC is functional and optimised.”

What does Signals do during training parades and AFX? On camp, we have stations at Trek Control and Base Camp to allow staff, CUO's and Cadets have access to upto-date information on the proceedings and activities throughout the week.

During training parades Signals runs a second year initiative as well as 2 stations at HQ and the Hay-Shed to communicate with platoons on the Lake Parramatta Trek.

A Trip into the Past

AlAN MITCHELL (TKS 1930-34) A famous Australian poet

In a letter to PS Waddy published in the September 1915 Magazine, Waddy speaks about being on a boat heading for the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) with a couple of other TKS boys, Arthur Champion and H.A. Britten.

In the same issue of the Magazine is printed a copy of the letter Nat Barton wrote to Alan’s brother Clive:

Alan David Mitchell was distinguished schoolmate of TKS from 1903 to 1910, characterised excellence both in academia and sports. Born in November 1891, he excelled as a school monitor, a key player in the 1st XI cricket team for two years and captained the 2nd XV rugby team in 1910.

His leadership extended beyond the playing fields, serving as the Honorary Secretary of the Old Boys’ Union between 1912-1913.

Sadly, AD Mitchell’s bright future ended when he died from wounds on May 5 1915 during World War 1. To honour him, the Old Boys’ Union created the AD Mitchell Memorial Prize in 1916. His family also donated a bell to the school chapel as a tribute to him.

“Alan was one of the first of our Old Boys’ to fall at Gallipoli, he was wounded by a sharp-shooter in the foot……. It took a while for him to receive medical attention by which time the blood poisoning had set in. I spoke to him and despite him not being very well he was tremendously plucky- he did not utter one word of complaint.”

Alan David Mitchell's life was a story of bravery, talent, and dedication. Although his life was cut short by war, his legacy lives on through a memorial prize and a chapel bell, reminding us of his remarkable balance of sportsmanship, academic excellence, and courage. His contributions and memory continue to inspire us.

LOOKING FORWARD TO AFX? (1st & 2nd Years) CADET WILLOUGHBY O'BRIEN “I can’t wait for my first AFX. I’ve heard so many fun stories about the camp fire, activities with mates and going on a trek with your platoon.

Hope it will be great.”

LCPL SAM BUCKLEY

“I enjoyed my first AFX so much last year. Although year will be more challenging as I lead the younger cadets, I think it will be exciting”

CPL HARRY HEAD

“I can’t wait for ration packs. I love them so much and they taste so good.

I can’t wait to cook some with my mates.”

LOOKING FORWARD TO AFX? (Year 12s) CUO CAMERON SCHULTZ “It’s pretty sad that this year’s AFX is the last AFX in my life. Hope it will be a good one as I need to take a whole responsibility of a platoon.”

CUO WILL ROGERS

“Happy, sad.”

WO2 CHARLES ROWE

“I learnt a lot of skills from doing 4 years of Cadet Corps. Hope I can teach those skills to my cadets during AFX so they can become global thought leaders.”

PADRE'S WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE

MESSAGE FROM ADJ PAYNE

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."

– Proverbs 16:3 The best chance for success comes when plans are aligned with truth. That means those who submit to God's will and seek Him are in a better position than those who ignore or reject Him. Following God is never a guarantee of earthly success (John 16:33). However, acting in accordance with truth and goodness removes many dangers from life (Proverbs 1:7; 13:20–22). When someone's efforts are fully entrusted to God's will and His control—when they are "committed" to Him—those labors are less likely to cause their own downfall.

Provided by CPL Deenan Navaratnam

“We only have 5 training parades left so make sure to work with utmost effort and try hard as much as possible. The better we do during the training parades, the easier and enjoyable AFX becomes.”

MOMENTS FROM TODAY'S PARADE

MEDIA AND DESIGN 2023-2024 CUO Peter Wang WO2 Marcus Madrid NEWSLETTER TEAM PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM SGT Justin Cho SGT Christian Teo CPL Yiming Bai SCPL John Awakian SCPL Edward Huang VIDEOGRAPHY TEAM CPL Charmin Abhayawickrama SGT James Harrison CDT Edward Wong SCPL Vikram Goel EDITING TEAM SCPL Chris jarnsch SGT Kevin Xiong SCPL William Giorgione SCPL Caden Anbu CPL Athithan Vignakaran CPL Tom Tang CDT Prangan Das