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Today we held the “Calling and departure” ceremony at Sorrento Beach for our Year 9 students embarking on The Rite Journey in 2024. It is the beginning of a year-long rite of passage that can be profoundly transformational for students and their families.

It is well known that nearly all cultures have traditionally transitioned community members from one role to another, or from one phase of life to another through ‘rites of passage’. This is a way for the community to both recognise and support the individuals making the transition, but sadly most of these rites have been stripped from our way of life in Australia today. 

At St Stephen’s School we have introduced The Rite Journey for Year 9s at the Duncraig campus, which involves seven stages staggered over the course of the year. 

Rite Journey Coordinator, Sian Freeman, can testify to the power of the program, having seen many students following the path over the years. 

A core part of the program is the relationship between each student and their mentor. 

“The mentor is someone that the students select for themselves. It can be a family friend, someone in the community or a member of their extended family. It’s about building a relationship with another adult other than their parents,” said Sian. 

“The mentor works side-by-side with the students on a project over the course of the year. The project is chosen by the student and can be anything they’re interested in. It could be fundraising, building something for the community or learning a new skill. Anything that engages them.” 

 “The whole philosophy behind the project is that it gives them a reason to spend time with their mentor,” Sian explains. “During catchups about their project, conversations about all sorts of topics can happen, and mentors can give support and guidance.”  

Willow speaking at the Homecoming.

Despite some early reservations, student Willow Potter (now in Year 10), thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities presented through The Rite Journey and courageously shared her thoughts in the Homecoming ceremony at the end of 2023.

“I’ve got to admit I wasn’t super excited of the idea of the Rite Journey course, and I’m sure a lot of other Year 9s were the same. I remember a conversation I had with my folks about it. ‘Mum and Dad, the teachers are making us do a class where we have to talk about our feelings, and share our personal thoughts, and make us do long bush walks’ What a crime! But my views changed over the year. I thought this class would be a waste of time, but it became the class I looked forward to the most,” said Willow. 

This class was not just about feelings, it was about discovering who we are, and being able to say ‘I’m confident with who I am’. I don’t know if that was the goal of this class. But it was the outcome. It taught us that it’s okay to stand out and it’s okay to laugh. And yes, we learnt that we had to let go of childhood habits, but we learnt that was okay, that we had to challenge ourselves, and that we can do anything if we put our mind to it,” said Willow. 

Movingly, Willow acknowledged her teachers for the experience of The Rite Journey. 

“Thank you, teachers, for making it a safe place. Thank you for telling us it’s okay. Thank you for telling us that our opinions matter and that we are beautiful. Thank you for challenging us. Thank you for being our mentors. I can confidently say that we have made it through to end of childhood and we are now ready to being the next chapter in our lives, the right way. Thank you.” 

Eva Chahal is in Year 9 this year and read the Student Pledge which is an important part of today’s “Calling and departure” ceremony as it aligns the students for the year ahead. 

“To start off with when I looked through the book, I was really nervous because I felt that it would be uncomfortable talking about myself. My teacher, Mrs Sargeant is absolutely delightful. Each time I leave the room I am looking forward to the next Rite Journey class,” said Eva.  

“During the class we watch videos and do fun stuff. We work in teams with people that we wouldn’t normally work with, which is a new experience.” 

When asked about her aspirations for The Rite Journey, Eva shared, “I’m hoping that over time I get to know each and every girl in my class and we get closer. I want to walk out of the last class feeling less insecure and understanding more of what it means to be a teenager.” 

Eva’s also looking forward to her project. “My mentor is my sister’s teacher, and my project will be working with Year 2 students at a local primary, helping in the classroom. I’m really excited to have a full week with them during the July school holidays. I just love working with younger students.” 

We’ll follow Eva’s progress, and share her stories as well as some other Year 9s as their Rite Journey progresses. 

Year 9 students at the Carramar campus undertake a similar program called “Compass”, and we look forward to sharing their stories with you in a future edition of In Focus.