| Moffat Academy Army Cadet Force School Linked Detachment is an innovative new project run in partnership by Moffat Academy, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Community Learning and Development Service and the Army Cadet Force.
The project, which started in December 2015, is the first in Dumfries and Galloway and one of only seven school linked detachments in Scotland.
Seventeen young people from the S2 year group are participating in the project which will run over 18 months to the end of their S3 school year as a timetabled curricular option.
During the course of the project the young people will have the opportunity to undertake various accredited awards including SQA National 4 Uniformed and Emergency Services, SQA Level 4 Employability Award, Army Cadet Syllabus, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Saltire Awards and First Aid. Cadets are also expected to undertake volunteering in the community.
The project has been funded from a variety of sources; crucially, The Holywood Trust who awarded the project £8,337 and the Libor fund who awarded over £7300.
The project is delivered in Moffat Academy by Community Learning and Development Youth Worker, Lynda Halley and Army Cadet Force Instructor, Lieutenant Stuart Gray. During project contact time in school, young people are in cadet uniform.
The first milestone achievement of the cadets, completion of Cadet Basic Syllabus, was celebrated at a Presentation and Enrolment Ceremony held in Moffat Academy on Friday 22 April, where amongst other activities, cadets were presented with their ‘hackles’ – literally the feathers in their caps!
A host of people came together to help celebrate this achievement including parents, carers and family members, Moffat Academy staff, Community Learning and Development staff, Army Cadet Force representatives, Royal British Legion Scotland and Dowding House representatives.
Councillor Jeff Leaver, Chairman of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Education Committee, said;
“This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved for our young people through true partnership working. I congratulate all the Moffat Academy Cadets on their achievements to date and wish them every success during the rest of their involvement with the School Linked Detachment.”
On opening the event, Moffat Academy Head Teacher, Lesley Watson, said;
“We are proud, as a school, to be able to offer this unique opportunity to our young people. A wealth of work, by a wide range of partners, has gone into making this happen and we look forward to the continued success of this working partnership. We are, of course, also incredibly proud of our young people who have committed one hundred percent to participating in the project and who have demonstrated a very real ownership of their learning.”
Colonel Kevin Connor of the West Lowland Battalion Army Cadet Force, who presented the cadets with their hackles, said;
“The Army Cadet Force is a national voluntary youth organisation sponsored by the Army, but not part of the Army. The school linked detachments, though delivered by the Army Cadet Force, are by no means intended as a recruiting arm for the armed forces. Through our Cadet Training Syllabus we teach the Values and Standards of the Army which we know are transferable skills that will allow young people to achieve success in later life. That is our motto: “Inspire to Achieve”. We encourage our Cadets to learn to demonstrate selfless commitment, respect, loyalty, integrity, discipline and courage in all areas of their lives.”
Heartstart certificates were also presented to the cadets by Colonel Cadets Scotland David McFadyen and Rhonwen Paterson, Moffat Academy Cadet, gave a presentation on behalf of the detachment.
Archie Dryburgh, Armed Forces Champion for Dumfries and Galloway Council, echoed the Colonel’s words saying;
“The school linked detachment has been a great success to date and we hope the partnership between Moffat Academy, Community Learning and Development and the Army Cadet Force continues for the benefit of future potential cadets.”
Lieutenant Stuart Gray commented;
“The cadet programme is a powerful, alternative vehicle by which young people can develop a wide range of skills; confidence, self-esteem, resilience, good health and wellbeing, employability skills, respect, teamwork, leadership. It’s a real privilege to be working with such a motivated and enthusiastic group of young people who aspire to achieve their very best.”
Local businesses generously donated many high quality prizes for the fundraising raffle held on the night. The raffle and cash donations raised over £230. These funds, along with £750 awarded by Dumfries and Galloway Youthbank will go towards the costs of weekend company camps and the national two week summer camp.
Picture of ceremony attached |
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