The Rite Journey

MIDDLE SCHOOL / THE RITE Journey

Year 9

A Rite of Passage Program

The Rite Journey is a unique educational program designed to support the development of self-aware, vital, responsible and resilient adults.

The absence of traditional Rites of Passage in Western culture has resulted in young people creating their own paths, often with harmful and dangerous consequences. The Rite Journey reinvents the traditional process of a Rite of Passage to assist in transforming adolescents from dependency to responsibility. The program lasts for an entire year and includes symbolic ceremonies marking the beginning and end of the year, participation in various challenges, and a significant challenge. The program helps to encourage ongoing development of self-awareness and builds strong, honest and respectful relationships with peers, parents and teachers, over time.

Curriculum

the rite journey curriculum consists of four parts.

Part 1: Who am I really?

Exploring identity, heritage, personal strengths and weaknesses and share testimonies.

Part 2: How do I get on with others?

Exploring emotions, relationships, self regulation and awareness, friendships, cyber safety and sexuality.

Part 3: Is there something more?

Exploring prayer, spirituality, God’s creation as well as prepare for our Camp.

Part 4: What is my purpose and what do I have to give?

Exploring what it means to take healthy risks, be grateful, learn boundaries, look for purpose and deal with change.

The Program

The departure

The Departure is a ceremony to acknowledge the importance of childhood, the important bond between parents and their child, and allows time for the parent to bless and release their child to continue their journey into adulthood.

The CAlling

The Calling is a ceremony in which the students themselves resolve to move forward and turn away from ‘childish things’. They will consider their past and the events which have led them to where they are now and make a commitment to grow, be challenged and take up ‘the calling’ that God has placed before them.

challenges

To model healthy risk taking and simulate authentic success and failure experiences, students have a set number of challenges to complete over the year. Some are group challenges, and others are completed individually.

homecoming

The Homecoming is a celebration time in which the Year 9s symbolically finish the year and return to their families. This will be a time they will express how they have grown over the year, what they have learned about themselves, and what sort of man/woman they would like to become.

Find out more about the rite journey program