Australind students are ready for life

A unique Australind Senior High School project has brought together students from Years 8 to 12 to learn valuable life skills and tackle challenges first-hand.
With a “take the challenge” motto, the Emergency Services Cadet Corps program teaches students a range of skills for life and emergency service.
“The cadet program is one of the only platforms in the whole school that has that vertical interaction where Year 8 students interact with Year 12 students,” unit leader Ross Hillier said.
“Cadets is a place where every student is welcome.
“Some of them are academic, some are sporty, either way the program provides a safe space for all students to feel a sense of belonging and to be part of a team.”
The cadet program was introduced at the school in 1999 by cadet chief instructor and former deputy principal Graham Watson.
“As cadets, students learn resilience skills which are so important in today’s society,” Mr Hillier said.
“We have had a number of students complete the program that have ended up in the military or have asked us to reference them for employment.
“It just shows that the skills they have learnt have proven to be vital to their careers and as teachers it has been great to see them benefit from a program like this.”
After continuing to demonstrate its support of the ESCC program over the past 21 years, the school was awarded the Host School Award at the weekend.
“The award recognises high schools that have taken steps and put measures in place to assist the running of the unit,” Mr Hillier said.
“Recently Australind Senior High School school went above and beyond to show their support for the program by funding a $30,000 shed to assist in running the unit.”
A student from Bunbury’s Grace Christian School also took home an award at the recent ceremony.
Recognised for his leadership and training skills, Jordan McIntosh was presented with the Cadet Achievement Award.
Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan congratulated the students who participate in these cadet programs and thanked them for their outstanding efforts.
“Each of the winners have shown a great level of endeavour and commitment to the emergency services,” he said.
“Cadets and their mentors are improving the safety of their communities by developing the capacity and resilience to both prepare for, and respond to, an emergency.”
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