On the 2nd of August 2026, two members of the Huntly College Services Academy were given the opportunity to attend the Advanced Leaders course with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Youth Development Unit (YDU) at Whenuapai Airbase.
The course spanned 6 days, with academies all over New Zealand attending. This Advanced Leaders course consisted of multiple tasks that tested our individual strengths as leaders. Examples of these tasks included constructing a 14×14 tent, collaborative leadership while pairs were blindfolded, and applying personal skills to a task.
Other aspects of leadership within the course were high levels of personal dress, maintaining a high standard of cleanliness within the barracks, and upholding personal discipline throughout the camp. The camp had 2 summative assessments and a drill assessment.
The formative assessments were a quick look-over or practice for our summative assessments, which were more comprehensive and important than the formative assessments. Our routine was always the same, despite the different activities each day, such as: morning routine, breakfast, lunch, and dinner timings, along with night routine as well. Throughout the camp, we met new leaders and learnt how to work alongside them, using their individual strengths in a task. Made some good friendships and learnt new things from each one of them. Maintaining discipline as leaders is not so different from when you’re just a trainee, but there are some key differences.
Being at this 6-day course, we learnt to strive for greatness as a leader and how to apply it in school and our daily lives. We used our strengths as one and achieved multiple tasks, made friendships along the way, and took charge of our future.
Te Awatea Hohepa-Creed and Patrick Wichman-Kaihe
Services Academy students
