Kokoda Schools Leadership Program
School Groups
| We have introduced educational treks for school groups interested in the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign.
These treks are led by specialist trek leaders and follow the original wartime trail across the Owen Stanley Ranges. Detailed briefings are conducted at each of the major battlesites. The wartime history of the Kokoda campaign is more meaningful for those who have an understanding of the political situation that led to the war in the Pacific and eventually to the Kokoda campaign. To better understand Kokoda we provide a comprehensive briefing on the phases of war and the principles applicable to each phase. We then relate these to each battle that occurred from both an Australian and a Japanese perspective. |
Our student treks have an emphasis on leadership development. Many of our trek leaders have had significant leadership experience during their military careers and will share these experiences with the groups they lead. They have also studied the Kokoda campaign in great detail and will readily discuss the quality of our political and military leadership and the consequences of high level decisions on battlefield commanders.
Parents are welcome to join these treks and participate in all discussion groups. They provide a wonderful opportunity for teachers, students and parents to better understand each other in a challenging environment.
We have established close bonds of friendship with the Koiari and Orokaiva villagers along the Kokoda Trail over the past 20 years as a result of the work we have provided for their young men, the income we have generated for their villages and the ongoing philanthropic work we are conducting through our Network Kokoda foundation see www.networkkokoda.org
Benefits
Participants in the Kokoda Schools Program will gain:
- An appreciation of our military history;
- A respect for the sacrifice made by young Australians of a previous generation;
- An appreciation of a culture whose values are not based on materialism;
- A sense of responsibility for the outcomes of the choices they make;
- An appreciation of the qualities necessary for effective teamwork i.e. loyalty, trust, honesty, courage, leadership, respect, discipline and sacrifice.
- An understanding of the characteristics of Australian leadership;
- An appreciation of the 7 essential understandings of effective leadership (self, others, culture, environment, history, present and future).
Further Information
For further information on the opportunity to organise a group for your school please email your query to charlie@kokodatreks.com.au and advise of the objectives you would like to achieve and the probable size of the group you would like to organise.
We will then send you more information and a quote for your group.
'If the aim of the Kokoda Leadership Program was to develop personally, to learn more about teams and how they work, to identify personal strengths and opportunities for growth, to learn about leadership, to identify how I might instil better leadership qualities in myself, to appreciate others, to learn and appreciate Australia’s history, to live and learn and appreciate another culture ..... then all of these aims, and more, have been achieved'. Karen Dunshea |