Learning how to be an adult in any society requires guidance, mentoring and a great many conversations. In our society today, young people often turn to their peers, the internet and the media to source their knowledge and guidance. For this reason, a dedicated team of teachers investigated, trained and developed a new subject for our Year 9 students called 'The Rite Journey'. Here, students learn how to have important conversations about what it is to be a respectful and responsible young adult in our society. As the young adult journeys through the year, they will explore four main themes:
- relationship with self
- relationship with others
- relationship with Spirit
- relationship with the world.
We hope that the discussions they are having at school may also stimulate conversation in homes.
To mark this journey, over the last two weeks we held ceremonies titled ‘The Calling’. This name comes from the idea of a hero's journey, whereby they are called to action by something or someone. For our students, it is adulthood.
To acknowledge this milestone we gathered at Lillydale Lake — students, teachers and parents. Together we watched the sun set and listened to a reading that enabled reflection:
Tonight it is your turn. This evening you are called to this journey.
Have a look at the lake in front of you.
Something that was created by humans, but inspired by God.
Something that gathers people and creates cheer.
Its surface reflects and causes us to reflect too.
It’s mere presence makes us smile. Just like you.
But unlike you, this lake will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future,
there will be no movement — you though, you are growing
with more force and speed, your physical and mental energy
propelling you towards your purpose, namely: becoming an adult.
Our students sat with their parents and reminisced about their childhoods, sharing items that held great significance; important memories. They shared a letter of gratitude to those who've raised them, and the first of many of those important conversations were had. Together, they wrote on a gum leaf a message of encouragement and something they wanted to let go of. Then, as a group, we symbolically did exactly that and let go of the leaf, of childish ways, and embraced the journey to growth.
It seems small and unimportant, but the broad smiles and proud eyes of all involved proved otherwise. And the hot chocolates from the Mercy — Catherine's Cafe van only added to the feeling of warmth for the car ride home.
