Year 9 Rite Journey Begins

The Rite Journey program assists Year 9 students as they move into young adulthood. The Rite Journey involves 14 principles:

• To offer a healthy rite of passage for adolescents.
• To provide a same-gender teacher-guide to promote a passage towards and an example of responsible, respectful adulthood for students.
• To acknowledge and develop the holistic nature of students.
• To show students by example that they are cared for and loved.
• To develop strong relationships with both peers and adults.
• To incorporate mentoring from ‘elders’ to ‘younger students’.
• To challenge students with their own talents and abilities.
• To celebrate the physical, social, emotional and spiritual growth of students throughout the year.
• To nurture the self esteem of students.
• To help students understand that individual rights should be balanced by reciprocal responsibilities and service to others.
• To open students in understanding themselves and what they believe.
• To encourage resilience in the students in the face of challenge.
• To provide a space for young people to share and discover who they are.

Last week, this year’s program officially commenced with the Departure ceremony. College Captains, Alli Whitmore and Sam Wilson, began the afternoon with their reflections about Rite Journey and some words of advice for the Year 9 cohort. Students then spent time with their teacher guides, reflecting on their childhood and discussing their hopes for the future. A simple ceremony was shared by all student groups, as they recognised habits they wanted to leave behind as they move onto adulthood. These were written on a small rock and cast away.

Parents were also involved in the afternoon, giving their blessing for their child to embark on the Rite Journey. There were some touching moments as parents and children reflected on the past and shared their hopes for the future. We thank parents for their involvement this year.

Information about Rite Journey, the Centurion program and Year 9 camp was also shared with parents. The Centurion program is an opportunity unique to Pacific Lutheran College, where students are challenged to serve their world, each other and their family. Developed by Mr Duncan McNee, the program was implemented for the first time last year. More than 20 students reached the target of 100 points of service in 2016, with a few surpassing that target significantly. The challenge has been set for Year 9 2017!  

We wish the Year 9 cohort of 2017 God’s blessings for this year and thank teacher guides Ms Leigh Finter, Ms Margaret Gunn, Mr Duncan McNee and Dr Peter McMahon for their dedication to this special program.

Ms Michelle McMillan, Head of Christian Studies