Francesca Thompson
From Certificate in Outdoor Recreation (L4) student to Cadet at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra
Francesca Thompson has joined the New Zealand Army and is being
sponsored to study! Frankie, as she is known to friends and family,
is currently living in Australia and attending the Australian
Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra whilst undergoing military
training and studying towards a degree in civil engineering through
the University of New South Wales. She is one of only three New
Zealanders to be selected to attend ADFA and firmly believes her
Certificate in Outdoor Education, gained last year at the Aoraki
Polytechnic, prepared her well for the five day Officer Selection
Board (OSB) at Trentham Camp, Wellington, in December.
ADFA is a unique partnership between the Australian Defence
Force (ADF) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) which
provides training and education for the future leaders of the
Australian Navy, Army and Air Force plus a few select individuals
from other countries. Following Initial Officer Training at Wairou
Camp, the NZ Army Kippenberger Scheme normally sponsors up to
fifteen officer cadets annually through an approved undergraduate
degree at Massey University. Together they form the Kippenberger
Class, based at Linton Military camp (Palmerston North). This
year the top three cadets, based on NCEA results, performance and
interviews, were offered a place at ADFA and Frankie was one of
them! This is the first time the NZ Army has sent any cadets to
ADFA for three years.
After completing Year 13 at Craighead School in 2009 Frankie
applied for the 2010 Certificate in Outdoor Recreation at Aoraki
Polytechnic. Franes had always considered the army as a
career but did not feel ready; she now believes the skills,
knowledge, confidence and "I can do it" mentality learnt from
gaining the Outdoor Recreation Certificate at Aoraki gave her the
edge at OSB and ultimate selection for ADFA. Frankie says
"Although I miss my Aoraki mates and going on to study for a
Diploma, I shall never forget the experience, companionship,
knowledge and respect for the outdoors I learnt at Aoraki
Polytechnic during 2010 under the direction of some outstanding
instructors. Much of it has come in handy already!"