program and training...
Photos on this page: Challenge - a 24 hour wilderness solo experience.
"A successful and happy adolescence entails hundreds of conversations about what matters, who you are and what you stand for." Steve Biddulph
The Rite Journey program is taught in conjunction with the Student Guidebook. (view boys' sample cover, girls' sample cover, page 19, page 145)
Throughout The Rite Journey students explore and discover consciousness, connection, communication, challenge and celebration:
Consciousness. The importance of raising a young person's awareness of the issues that they might currently be facing as well as the skills and understanding that are required to navigate their way through beginning adulthood.
Connection. Acknowledging the importance of relationship over role. Encouraging a number of threads of connection (with self, teachers, parents/caregivers, mentor, Spirit and the world). Providing the all important ingredient of time to allow these connections to build and strengthen.
Communication. Understanding self-talk; communication and listening with others appropriately; prayer; hearing stories of adults' experiences; having students share their stories and experiences.
Celebration. Acknowledging the transition into beginning adulthood; teachers and parents providing ceremony and celebration for the students as they are the 'elders' in our society.
Challenge. Providing physical, social, emotional and spiritual challenges as learning experiences and as a rite of passage.
Each of these areas is explored within term length topics: Relationship with self; Relationship with others; Relationship with Spirit; Relationship with the world.
The Rite Journey's Implementation in Schools
The Rite Journey has been created to be adaptable regarding its implementation in schools. Most schools place the program within the year 9 curriculum and provide up to 150 minutes of curriculum time per week. However, it is possible to provide the program with less time or over a more intensive period (e.g.10 weeks). Youth Health Services tend to use the intensive model.
The training for implementing The Rite Journey in schools typically takes place over two days.
Day 1
The Rite Journey Framework
Introduction
What is a rite of passage?
The rationale for creating a rite of passage.
Why is this best done in a school setting? How is this done in a school?
The role of the teacher-guides.
Principles of The Rite Journey
The 7 elements of The Rite Journey.
The role of ceremony and celebration.
Creating the ceremonies for your school
Day 2
The Rite Journey Curriculum
Curriculum Content - exploring the student guidebook and the year's work
Evaluation Process
What happens after Yr 9?
Possible issues
Resources & reading
Colleen Petschel, Teacher, Rainbow Secondary College, Vic.
"The training is probably the most self-reflective 2 days I have ever spent. This is a revolution in education!"
Patrick Tracy, Youth Worker, Exodus Foundation, NSW.
