To commemorate the beginning of our brand new Year 9 Rite Journey program, students participated in their Calling Ceremony and then joined their families for a moving Departure Ceremony.

The Rite Journey reinvents the traditional process of a ‘Rite of Passage’ to assist in transforming adolescents from dependency to responsibility.  Students are involved in the program for the whole of Year 9, in which they participate in symbolic ceremonies to mark the start and end of the year, various challenges, and the Year 9 Camp. The program helps to encourage ongoing development of self-awareness and builds strong, honest and respectful relationships with peers, parents and teachers, over time.

As part of the Calling – students walked together to Henley beach where they had the opportunity to reflect on their childhood and all they are grateful for, with the ceremony signifying the leaving behind of childhood behaviors and marking the beginning of their journey from childhood to adulthood.

Students returned to school for some time together in the chapel, a session with Scott Darlow, and shared some refreshments with their Journey groups.

Parents, carers and mentors then joined the students on our main oval for a wonderful evening ceremony, ceremony with Scott Darlow, enjoying a picnic, and an opportunity to reflect and look forward.  Students and parents/carers were asked to write a letter to each other, sharing favourite childhood memories, expressing gratitude, appreciation and future hopes and dreams, which they shared within family groups together during a picnic.

It was wonderful to see so many of our Year 9 community join us in what was a very special occasion filled with emotion, happy and sad tears, and lots of laughter too.   A symbolic opportunity for students and their loved ones to come together and show their support for this journey together into adulthood.