Gold Star Training

Captain Jim Connery
Contact Information:
Office location: Cadet Corps Office
Telephone: 905 727 3189 x298
E-mail: jim.connery@sac.on.ca

Rationale:
GPP30 Unit 3 Gold Star: Leadership in Action
How can I use my leadership and support skills to help others?

Design Process Template:
Design, organize, conduct and effectively debrief an expedition or community service venture. Develop skills as a peer Instructor through Platoon Leadership.

Unit Description:
In this unit, students will apply skill and knowledge developed in previous units through a Corps or community leadership or support project. Guided by the questions in the leadership and support project design process, students assess needs and skills required to meet those needs. Students assess their current leadership and support skills and interests, select a leadership or support project. and define the needs of that project. Students will then develop a personal action plan and apply their knowledge in a significant leadership or support project. Students may choose either leadership as an expedition team leader with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award group, as a Community Service project leader, or in a peer support role as a Platoon Instructor. Students may submit their own proposals for approval.

Much of the learning process will take through the completion of the leadership project. In addition to this, students will develop leadership skills through:

Students are required to complete their Leadership Portfolio for submission at the end of the Gold Star program for review.

Unit Title	Content	No. of Hrs
1. Conflict resolution	Techniques utilized in mediating conflict and responsibilities of leader when dealing with disclosure	2
2.Recognizing positive relationships and maintaining mental health	Analysis of characteristics and development of personal strategies. Develop an understanding of common adolescent issues and leadership tactics on guidance	2
3. Recognizing and handling adolescent issues as a leader	Developing leadership strategies in order to prepare for challenges to leadership role Effective discipline as a leader in the Corps	2
4.Designing a program	Study and application of the Design Process Template. Developing a proposal and plan based on needs, interest and personal strengths	4
5.Effective implementation of plan	Application of interpersonal difficulties and influences with empathy assessing leadership and support program.	4
6. Providing feedback	Skills required to respond to individual difficulties and influences with empathy, assessing leadership and support program. Review areas of strength and weakness in personal project.	4
7. Skills and Applications	Leadership theory, Instructional techniques and advanced Army Cadet skills	34
8. Platoon Training	Application, analysis and self-assessment of leadership styles, effective communication, team building and goal setting	35

Evaluation:
Evaluation is based on the four Ministry of Education achievement categories of knowledge and understanding, thinking/inquiry, communication, and application/creation. A single evaluation may include one or more of the above categories.

Evaluation in this course will be continuous from Silver Star and will include a variety of assessment methods (e.g. assignments, projects, practical exercises, presentations, discussions, unit tests, special tests and an examination). Much of the practical leadership evaluation will take place through the completion of Leadership Module #13 The Design Process.

The distribution of marks into a grade is based on the departmental assessment and evaluation guide for the course and will reflect the student’s most consistent level of achievement where appropriate.

Comments on the development of learning skills and contributions to the course will also be provided on reports. Term work will be 70% of the overall grade for the course; the final summative evaluation will be 30% of the overall grade.

Late Work:
Late submissions will receive a 15% penalty but will be accepted for one week past the submission date. A zero mark will be recorded for any assignment not submitted within one week of the submission date.

Final Evaluation and Reporting:
The summative exam is based on all material covered in the Army Cadet Handbook. Exams are created at the Cadet Corps training office in accordance with standards set by the Canadian Cadet Organization. Examinations are graded by Course CIC Officers.

This course is completed at the finish of Term 3 Gold Star. Final mark is represented under course code GPP30 Leadership and Peer Support, a fully disclosed, Ministry approved credit.

Note Taking:
Cadets will be required to maintain a personal leadership journal which will be assessed throughout the course. Additionally, Cadets must maintain notes from classroom and field lectures using written means or laptop technology.

Expectations:
Completion of GPP30 is a three year process beginning in Grade 9. This grade level will complete the Cadet “Gold Star” program and will qualify the candidate to the rank of Sergeant. Additionally, successful students will qualify for all level of senior leadership positions within the Cadet Corps.

Classroom Guidelines:
Conduct and participation in this course reflect one’s effectiveness as a Cadet in the Corps. Personal discipline, team work, and enthusiasm are encouraged both in the classroom and in the outdoor environment.

Steps for Success:
Success in this program is determined through both written and practical means. The course report identifies areas of success such as initiative, cooperation, and leadership potential which will affect final mark and future promotion in the Corps.

Term

Course End