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.
Given the current lack of Rites of Passage in the western world, young people are left to invent their own, which are often unhealthy and unsafe. The Rite Journey reinvents the traditional process of a Rite of Passage to assist in transforming adolescents from dependency to responsibility. The program is part of the students' lives for an entire year, 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.
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 that have led them to where they are now and commit 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.
The 'Rough Sleepout'
Students participate in Baptist Care SA’s 'Rough Sleepout' where they sleep safely for one night, in the courtyard of Baptist Care SA’s WestCare Centre and participate in a range of empathy-building activities.
Year 9 Camp and Solo night
A camp designed to simulate the journey of transition from a child into adulthood. Students are required to be self-sufficient, complete necessary challenges to achieve goals and make it to certain locations.
Homecoming
The Homecoming is a celebration during which students symbolically finish the year and return to their families. 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.
