Adventure
Year 9 to Year 12
A spirit of adventure is characterised by those who push themselves beyond their perceived limits, cross boundaries and discover that they are capable of more than they thought. It encompasses preparedness to take risks, face a challenge and persist against the odds and in the face of potential failure.
Willingness to rise to unusual, exciting or frightening experiences is evident, as is a compulsion to set and then stretch to reach a personal goal in any hobby or area of interest. Courage, discipline, tenacity and resilience are foundations on which ambition is built and personal development is achieved.
A person living out a spirit of adventure seeks out opportunities to stretch and push themselves beyond their own perceived abilities and the expectations of others. They are dynamic and driven, thriving on practical, experiential learning, and willing to tenaciously pursue their objective, overcoming setbacks and obstacles along the way.
An appreciation that adventure is a very personal experience, and will mean different things to different people, allows for supportive celebration of others’ achievements in all aspects of life. As such, a readiness to embrace uncertainty, to explore and pioneer in any field is supported and encouraged.
Duke of Edinburgh
Year 9 to Year 12
Learning can take place anywhere at any time. MLC School facilitates the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which fosters leadership, independence, personal challenge and takes girls from the great outdoors of Australia, to international residential projects.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a voluntary program of activities for anyone aged between 13 to 25. It offers individual challenge and encourages young people to undertake exciting, constructive and enjoyable activities in their free time.
Participating International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme students are able to meet the requirements for the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) component of their IB Diploma.
The program has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
For full details on this program, students should pick up a Duke of Edinburgh starter pack from the Studies Office and discuss participation with parents/carers.
Duke of Edinburgh Award components are integrated into students’ current activity commitments. MLC School created the ‘Double’ Adventurous Journey (AJ), allowing students to complete two components in one trip.
Coordinator: Glen Mole
Time: Meetings: One lunchtime per week (Monday)
Adventurous Journeys: Various, commonly School holidays. Extra cost.
Location: SCG01
Cost: To be advised
Enrolment: Contact the coordinator
The Adventurous Journey (AJ) provides participants with the opportunity to learn more about the wider environment, as well as develop their self-confidence, team work and health. Participants are taken out of their comfort zone in an unfamiliar environment but kept within a safe and secure setting, achieved through suitable training and supervision.
Taking part in the MLC School Cadet program may count towards a participant’s Bronze and Silver AJ. Students must check with Xavier Maling, MLC School Cadets coordinator, to ensure cadet camps will meet the Duke of Ed requirements.
Newington College Army Cadet Unit
Year 9 to Year 12
Must commence in Year 9, with a two-year minimum commitment
The Australian Army Cadets is a Youth Development Program focused on Defence customs, traditions and values. Cadets are involved in numerous outdoor experiences including abseiling, hiking, high ropes, rifle shooting, etc.
The Cadet Program provides skills and educational framework for the personal development of young people. It provides a pathway to varying promotions and leadership opportunities.
The Australian Army Cadets adopts the values of the Australian Defence Force to empower youth to achieve their potential. These Values are:
- Service. The selflessness of character to place the security and interests of our nation and its people ahead of my own.
- Courage. The strength of character to say and do the right thing, always, especially in the face of adversity.
- Respect. The humanity of character to value others and treat them with dignity.
- Integrity. The consistency of character to align my thoughts, words and actions to do what is right.
- Excellence. The willingness of character to strive each day to be the best I can be, both professionally and personally.
Home Training occurs fortnightly on the Newington College Campus in Stanmore. During the course of Home Training every Cadet will learn:
- Radio Conduct
- Knots
- Mapping
- Navigation
- Drill
- Camp Craft
- First Aid
- Field Hygiene
- Community Service
Home training forms the foundation for Cadets skills that will then be implemented at Annual Camp.
Coordinator: Xavier Maling, LT
Time: Alternate Fridays, 1.30pm–5pm
Location: Newington College – Stanmore Campus
Cost: There are costs involved with these activities, charged directly to school accounts:
Enrolment: Students will be part of an Observation session before the parent/carer information evening. Enrolment will be via a form distributed to those who have attended the Observation session
After the Administration parade at MLC School, the Cadets will travel by train to Newington every second Friday under the supervision of the CUOs (platoon leaders/senior MLC School students)
Note: Once enrolled, girls are committed for two years minimum – compulsory JNCO promotions in
Year 9
YEAR 9 RECRUIT – B COMPANY, CADETS (CDT)
All MLC School Cadets will attend Home Training each alternate Friday. Junior Non-Commissioner Officer Cours (JNCO) is compulsory for all. This is held after Home Training.
YEAR 10 – A COMPANY, CADET LANCE CORPORAL (CDTLCPL)
After successful promotion from JNCO girls will become a Lance Corporal.
Whilst in Year 10 the girls will have the option to continue the leadership option as part of Sergeants (SGT) Course.
This is held after Home Training.
YEAR 11 – CADET CORPORAL (CDTCPL), CADET SERGEANT (CDTSGT)
If unsuccessful promotion from SGT girls are still able to continue as a Cadet Corporal.
Those successful will become a Cadet Sergeant of a platoon. They serve as the “bridge” between the CUO and the rest of the platoon, leading the platoon in many assigned tasks and assuming command in the platoon commander’s absence.
Cadet Under Officer Course is run after Home Training in Year 11.
YEAR 12 – CADET WARRANT OFFICER CLASS 2 (CDTWO2) (CSM), CADET WARRANT OFFICER CLASS 1 (CDTWO1) (RSM), CADET UNDER OFFICER (CUO), SENIOR UNDER OFFICER (SUO)
After successfully completing CUO Course girls will be promoted to one of the above positions. These roles hold a lot of responsibility and respect amongst the Unit.
Two camps are held each year. Further information will be provided at a later date.
AFX (Annual camp)
Term 3 Week 2
Five days
PROMOTIONS CAMP (for those enrolled in Sergeant or CUO courses)
March/April
Three days
Round Square Conferences
Year 10 AND Year 11
Each year, Round Square schools send a small delegation (Year 10 and Year 11) to the international conferences held at member schools. Discussions, related to the theme of the conference, examine topics of importance to the member schools and the world.
Friendships are made through activities, expeditions and events organised by the host school. Visitors are introduced, not only to the host school, but also to its country, culture and environment.
Coordinator: Xavier Maling
Time: International Conference: Term 3 school holidays
Location: To be advised
Enrolment: All MLC School students are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to attend the conferences. Delegates are selected based on their response to specific IDEALS questions. The form should be submitted to the Round Square coordinator and the student’s Head of Year and Head of House.