Affiliated With: | Hato Hone St John |
---|---|
Youth members: | 4,037 as of 9 June 2024 |
Chief Executive: | Peter Bradley CBE KStJ |
National Youth Manager: | Kerry Mitchell CStJ JP |
Highest Youth Award: | Sovereign's Award |
Second Highest Award: | Grand Prior’s Award |
St John Youth is a cadet-based programme for young people aged between five and eighteen. Members who turn eighteen tend to remain involved in leadership roles. St John Youth is closely affiliated with the Order of St John in New Zealand, of which His Majesty King Charles III is the Sovereign Head. St John Youth consists of two programmes; the Penguin Programme is for children in school years 0-6, and the Cadet Programme is for young people in school years 7-13. [1] The Youth curriculum focuses on leadership, life skills, first aid, and fun, as well as other unique aspects only to New Zealand and military-style drill.
St John Youth is divided into three regions (being Northern Region, Central Region and South Island Region) around New Zealand; each has a Regional Youth Manager, Regional Cadet of the Year (RCOTY) and Deputy Regional Cadet of the year (DRCOTY). The organisation is also led by the National Youth Manager, Youth Strategic Development Manager, and National Cadet of the Year (NCOTY).
Cadets of the Year (District [x24], Deputy Regional [x3], Regional [x3], and National [x1]) represent the interests of young people at all levels of the programme, from District Youth Leadership Teams to Priory Chapter, the highest governing body for Hato Hone St John in New Zealand. For the duration of their term (one year), on their uniforms, DCOTYs wear blue fourragères; DRCOTYs wear silver fourragères; RCOTYs wear white aiguillettes; the NCOTY wears gold aiguillettes.
For 2024, they are:
National Youth Manager (NYM) | Youth Strategic Development Manager (NYSDM) | National Cadet of The Year (NCOTY) |
---|---|---|
Kerry Mitchell CStJ JP | Rebekah Buist MStJ | Bria Walker |
Region | Regional Youth Manager (RYM) | Regional Cadet of The Year (RCOTY) | Deputy Regional Cadet of The Year (DRCOTY) |
---|---|---|---|
Northern Region | Anastasia Tinsel MStJ | Sophie Harris | Harrison Tinsel |
Central Region | Daniel McDowall MStJ | Issac Burt | Dayna Bennett |
South Island Region | Lynda Walter OStJ | Lily Wilson | Toby Benison |
The Grand Prior Award is among the highest achievements available for St John Youth members (the Sovereigns Award being the highest, only achieved once in New Zealand as of 2024). Badges are split into four levels: Kororā, Hoiho, Blue, and Gold. In order to earn the Grand Prior's Award, cadets must (under the new curriculum, updated in 2023) achieve the 5 compulsory badges (shown below) plus 5 other optional badges, all at Gold level, Level 2 First Aid (15+), and an additional 100 community service hours. [2]
Under the old curriculum, a cadet had to achieve 6 compulsory badges (shown below) plus 6 other optional badges, all at Gold level, and an additional 100 community service hours.
Badge Name | Compulsory For Grand Prior? |
---|---|
Adventures | No |
Casualty Simulation | No |
Child Development | No |
Community Engagement | No |
Drill and Ceremonies | Yes |
Emergency Management | No |
Environment | No |
Global Citizenship | No |
Healthcare | Yes |
Hauora | Yes |
Innovation | No |
Life Skills | Yes |
Safety | No |
St John | Yes |
Hoiho/Korora | Picture | Blue | Picture | Gold | Picture |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Super Hoiho | Saphire Sheild | Grand prior | |||
Super Korora | (intentionally blank) | (intentionally blank) | (intentionally blank) | (intentionally blank) |
Badge Name | Badge Image | Compulsory for Grand Prior? |
---|---|---|
Accident Prevention | No | |
Animal Care | No | |
Camping | No | |
Caregivers | Yes | |
Casualty Simulation | No | |
Child Care | No | |
Civil Defense | No | |
Communication | Yes | |
Community Awareness | Yes | |
Drill | Yes | |
Environment | No | |
Faith | No | |
Fire Safety | No | |
First Aid | Yes | |
Fitness | No | |
Global Citizenship | No | |
Hauora (Health) | No | |
Hobbies | No | |
Home Technology | No | |
IT (Information Technology) | No | |
Kiwiana | No | |
Leadership | No | |
Maoritanga | No | |
Media Studies | No | |
Road Safety | No | |
St John | Yes | |
The Arts | No | |
Ventureship | No | |
Water Safety | No |
Rank | Cadet Leader | Cadet Sergeant | Cadet Corporal | Cadet |
Insignia | ||||
Notes | A Cadet Leader is the highest possible rank a Youth Member can achieve. Cadet Leaders have the benefit of having said rank until the age of 18-19. | Second highest NCO in St John Youth. | The first NCO rank in St John Youth. Ranks are earned by undergoing Leadership Development Training. |
Competitions are held regularly throughout the year, with tests on trauma, medical, mprovisation (no first aid kits), Communication, Drill, Pairs 1&2, Pairs 3&4 and a Team Leader Test Divisions can enter teams of up to two competitors for Kororā (Yr1 to Yr3), Hoiho (Yr4 to Yr6), Intermediate (Blue) (Yr7 to Yr9) and Senior (Gold) (Yr10 to Yr13 or until you turn 19) competition teams. In senior competitions, there is also the senior individual category which is made up of one senior cadet who participates in a Trauma, Medical, Improvisation, Communication and Drill Test. (The drill test is done with a Senior Team)
All three regions hold District Competitions where the top teams and individuals then progress through to the Regional Competitions.
Both Northern and Central regions compete annually at Interprovincial Competitions. To qualify to go to Interprovincial Competitions, teams must be in the top 6 scorers in the Quiz test, held either as the Communications test at district competitions or held at a separate date closer to the competition. Additionally, both regions send 6 teams to Interprovincials from either the Quiz test and an 7th guest team can be sent by the hosting region (it switches between northern and central every year).
The National Youth Festival is held every year in a different region. This is a competition where all regions from around New Zealand meet for competitions which are often held in April.
The 2024 National Youth Competitions were held in Auckland. Palmerston North will host in 2025. All regions run a process to select their squads that will represent their region at competitions. Each region has a different process and must select a regional squad that consists of four teams of four, four individuals and four ‘emergencies’. Phased out in 2020, some Regions selected development squads that don't compete on the day but train with the squad, or as a non-competing emergency.
The National Youth Festival is often considered the highest level of competing within the St John Youth programme.
The Champion Region title is currently held by Northern Region (2024).
In 2010 New Zealand hosted an International Youth Festival. Held between 25 and 31 January at Lincoln University near Christchurch. Cadets from 8 other countries (England, Wales, Germany, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia) attended the festival, which incorporated both the National and International competitions. The Northern Region South Island (NRSI) (since amalgamated into South Island Region) team won the National Competitions, winning Champion Team, Champion Individual and Champion Region, amongst other trophies. Other activities during the festival included an 'Amazing Puzzle Race' around Christchurch city center, a visit to Hamner Springs and Thrillseekers canyon, a Youth Symposium, in which cadets listened to speakers and discussed issues faced Youth in today's world, a sports championship, surfing and Sightseeing around Christchurch City and the International Antarctic Center.
Every four years, an International Youth Festival is held. The last International Youth Festival was held in South Africa in 2020.
Each region in St John Youth is made up of "Divisions" in which cadets meet. Divisions usually meet for an hour and a half and once a week. [3] Each Division is run by a Division Manager, Assistant Division Manager, and other volunteer youth leaders.
In New Zealand, the first cadet division was started on 2 May 1927 by Mr Ted Gilberd in Whanganui.
St John Youth has a nationwide Child Protection Policy (CPP), which ensures the safety of its young people. [4]
Those who wish to join St John Youth can contact a Division in their area and then attend a Divisional Meeting. It costs $25 each term the cadet is attending, $25 to join and $50 for uniform costs. Competitions, camps, and other activities also will cost extra (price depends on what activity). The sew-on proficiency badges, certificates and badge material are included in the annual fee. [5] For those facing financial hardship, St John has funds available to meet costs in cases of financial hardship. [3]
A drill instructor is a non-commissioned officer in the armed forces, fire department, or police forces with specific duties that vary by country. Foot drill, military step, and marching are typically taught by drill instructors.
The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a youth organisation in the United Kingdom, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which operates in schools, sub divided into Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force sections. Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and perseverance".
The Army Cadet Force (ACF), generally shortened to Army Cadets, is a national youth organisation sponsored by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence and the British Army. Along with the Sea Cadet Corps and the Air Training Corps, the ACF make up the Community Cadet Forces. It is a separate organisation from the Combined Cadet Force which provides similar training within principally private schools.
The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a Canadian national youth program for young individuals aged 12 to 19. Under the authority of the National Defence Act, the program is administered by the Canadian Forces (CF) and funded through the Department of National Defence (DND). Additional support is provided by the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada (ACLC). Together with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and Royal Canadian Army Cadets, it forms the "largest federally funded youth program in the country". Cadets are not members of the military and are not obliged to join the Canadian Forces.
The New Zealand Air Training Corps is one of the three corps in the New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF), alongside the New Zealand Sea Cadet Corps and the New Zealand Cadet Corps. It is funded in partnership between the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and local communities. Members are civilians with no obligation to enlist in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). Should a cadet enlist, their service in the ATC cadet does not translate into higher pay, rank, or seniority.
The New Zealand Cadet Forces is a voluntary military-style training organisation for New Zealand youth between the ages of 13 and 21. Run in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and local community organisations. Through its three branches, the New Zealand Cadet Forces provide young adults with a four-year training curriculum, while a number of local, area, and national camps and courses provide further experience and qualifications. It is jointly funded by the Ministry of Defence, the Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association, local communities, and the Associated charities belonging to each branch. Overall it is directed by Air Marshal Kevin Short, Chief of Defence Force. Cadets are not under any obligation to join the New Zealand Defence Force, however many choose to do so upon turning 18 years old.
An aiguillette, also spelled aguillette, aiglet or aglet, is a cord with metal tips or lace tags, or the decorative tip itself.
Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) is a nationally recognised uniformed police youth organisation which operates in most parts of the United Kingdom. It is one of several cadet youth organisations including the Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadets, Royal Marine Cadets, Air Training Corps and Fire Cadets. The Police Cadets teach young people skills in policing, and some may assist police officers with low-risk activities. The purpose of the VPC is not to recruit police officers of the future, but to encourage the spirit of adventure and good citizenship among its members.
The New Zealand Cadet Corps is one of the three corps in the New Zealand Cadet Forces, the other two being the Air Training Corps, and Sea Cadet Corps. There is no reference to the Army within the official title of the NZCC, but an army theme is used for the NZCC. All of its members, from the cadets themselves to the officers and the support committees are civilian volunteers. Members have no obligation to head into the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF); however, some do choose to join the NZDF.
St John Ambulance Australia (also known as St John) (SJAA) is a charitable organisation, dedicated to helping people in sickness, distress, suffering or danger. It is part of an international organisation that consists of eight priories that form the Order of St John. The organisation is sometimes incorrectly referred to as "St John's Ambulance" instead of "St John Ambulance".
From its beginnings, St John Ambulance employed ranks and insignia to distinguish grades within its membership and management structure; these were extended across the wider organisation following its merge with the St John Ambulance Association to form St John Ambulance. Based upon the British Army officer and the British Army other ranks structure and insignia, the original ranks and insignia have been subject to several modifications over the history of the organisation.
The NewZealandSea Cadet Corps is one of the three corps in the New Zealand Cadet Forces, the other two being the Air Training Corps, and New Zealand Cadet Corps. It is a military-style training organisation for young people between the ages of 13 and 21. Activities include sailing, and boat work, ropework shooting and drill, amongst other activities, many of which involving the other branches of the NZCF. Cadets need to pass an annual swimming test to undertake water-based activities.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is the national association representing 74 Surf Life Saving Clubs in New Zealand. The organisation's motto is 'In it for Life'. This refers to both the long relationship many members have with the organisation, as well as to the organisation's purpose of preventing drowning and injury, thereby saving lives.
The Australian Army Cadets (AAC) is the youth military program and organisation of the Australian Army, tasked with supporting participants to contribute to society, fostering interest in defence force careers, and developing support for the forces. The program has more than 19,000 army cadets between the ages of 12 and 20 based in more than 200 units around Australia. The values of the AAC are "Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence".
St John Ambulance is a charitable non-governmental organisation dedicated to the teaching and practice of first aid and the support of the national emergency response system in England. Along with St John Ambulance Cymru, St John Ambulance Northern Ireland, and St John Scotland, it is one of four United Kingdom affiliates of the international St John Ambulance movement.
Hato Hone St John is a charitable organisation providing healthcare services to the New Zealand public. The organisation provides ambulance services throughout New Zealand apart from the Greater Wellington Region and Wairarapa, as well as certain other health services.
St John Singapore is a voluntary secular organisation in Singapore established in 1877 which provides training in First Aid and Home Nursing. It is affiliated with the Order of Saint John based in the United Kingdom. Its ambulance members and nursing members perform voluntary first aid coverage duties during national events and other events. It comprises 3 sub-organisations, namely the St John Brigade Singapore, St John Association Singapore, St John Fellowship Singapore.
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The St John Ambulance Australian Youth is an organisation of St John Ambulance Australia that aims to teach and develop young people first aid and other skills with a spirit of community service. The movement has more than 3,500 youth members, aged between 12 and 18 across Australia.
The Grand Prior's Award, also called the Grand Prior Award, named for Grand Prior of the Venerable Order of Saint John, is the highest award that a cadet in the St. John Ambulance Youth Programme can achieve after the Sovereign's Gold Award. The Grand Prior's Award recognises a self-motivated and capable young person's ongoing commitment, compassion, and support. It is recognised and awarded internationally by various branches of the program. The Grand Prior's Award is recognised in many countries, including England and the Islands, Wales, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Australia.