CCF Cadets: Kalina – Spearheading Female Leadership

Our talented, dedicated and friendly Year 12 Non-Commissioned Officer, Kalina, joined Alleyn’s CCF in Year 9, with good friends Natalia and Sasha by her side. Nearly four years on, the trio have progressed through the force together, each landing senior leadership roles for the incoming year of CCF and picking up unique experiences and stronger skill sets along the way.  

One of the most memorable experiences for Kalina is last years’ Summer Camp to Cyprus which she viewed as a once in a lifetime opportunity.  

‘I'm never going to be able to do something like that again. I got to meet people from different schools and learnt a lot by just working with people that don't go to the same school. Everyone had a different experience with CCF and Summer Camp gave us the chance to collaborate and work as one whole cohort’. 

Kalina also reflects proudly on her time during the Year 11 Cadre exercise; a weeklong tactical exercise that places cadets into realistic scenarios and is designed to test their leadership, decision making, resilience and teamwork.  

‘Cadre was an experience where I really grew. I was in a section with all boys, which was quite tricky and intense, being with just boys for seven days straight. You make a lot of new friends on Cadre as you spend a whole week shoulder to shoulder with your section.  

‘While on exercise I struggled quite badly with an ankle problem, so I had to opt out of a few things, but it tested my resilience and taught me to know my limits’. 

In Cadre, cadets need the confidence to make decisions on behalf of the Year 11 platoon while they navigate realistic tactical scenarios, ultimately calling on strong leadership and the ability to stay steadfast in times of pressure. Through CCF experiences just like Cadre, Kalina has strengthened her confidence levels; not only developing as a cadet but blossoming as a leader. 

Just gaining that confidence has helped Kalina outside of CCF because it has enabled her to engage more strongly with other facets of school life; like teaching groups and leading school assemblies. 

‘I've felt the difference (in my confidence). Last year I was anxious to do one, and now, I lead whole school assemblies on a regular basis. I didn't expect to gain this much confidence through CCF.’ 

On top of her CCF involvement, Kalina also chairs the Alleyn's Charity Committee and provides support to the Homework Club, which requires patience, a knack for encouraging attendance and the ability to motivate different year groups to take advantage of the mentoring on offer. These other activities give a complimentary balance to what Kalina does in the CCF and have plenty of overlap in required skills. 

Kalina has been doing the last year of CCF with her younger brother Miki, who has joined the Year 9 ranks, stepping in as a sounding board for Miki’s queries and helping him with different facets of cadet life. Miki is involved in cadets outside of Alleyn’s, and Kalina has been happy to coach her brother along. It gives Miki a boost and provides Kalina the chance to practice her teaching skills at home, before she goes out and teaches the younger cadets at school. 

Kalina has no shortage enthusiasm for the CCF, clearly inspired by her own achievements and development, and strongly encourages others to get involved; 

'Join. Even if your friends aren't doing it, you will make friends through CCF. You really bond with people you don't expect to bond with, even across year groups, which is just something that does not happen in a single other club. 

‘I'm friends with Year 13. I see Year 10’s around the school and I can say hello. I can have a chat with them, not just about CCF, but also about stuff in general. And that's just something you'll never experience in anything but CCF.  

'Join for the experiences that you'll get nowhere else’.  

That enthusiasm is just infectious, and we are so lucky to have Kalina involved with CCF at Alleyn’s. We look forward to seeing her thrive in her new (and highly deserved) senior leadership position; Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant.