Rite Journey 7 Ceremonies

  • The Call - Recognising the need for growth and change

  • The Departure- Beginning the journey, ‘leaving’ parents and being entrusted to teacher/guide

  • The Following - Working in classes through exercises and tasks

  • The Challenge - Specific tasks that challenge us – physical, emotional, spiritual

  • The Abyss - An overnight stay where the student is left on their own for approx. 20 hours

  • The Return - The culmination of the year’s topics and preparation for the end of the journey

  • The Home-coming - A final farewell to the year and being ‘returned’ to parents

Rite Journey

‘I can do all this through Him who gives me strength’  Philippians 4:13

The Rite Journey is a programme undertaken by Year Nine students, under the Christian Studies banner, designed around rites of passage – something that our western society has inadvertently disposed of. It provides opportunities to examine life issues in a safe environment with particular reference to how we, as Christians, view such issues.

The programme is structured around 7 ceremonies. They mimic the stages of ‘The Hero’s Journey’ (Joseph Campbell) and scaffold the programme into sections. 

Some of the programme highlights are:

  • Year 9 Camp at Glenhaven Park, Stockport which encompasses a high ropes course – definitely a physical challenge for most, a strong spiritual focus and a short 4 hour night time solo experience. 

  • ‘The Abyss’ is an overnight stay at Monarto Zoological Park. Students walk to the Zoo, are provided with a swag and are given a position on their own where they stay for the evening and overnight. This time is spent reflecting on previous life experiences, contemplating the future and perhaps meditating on their spiritual beliefs. Previous experience of this overnight stay has proven it to be one of the best aspects of the ‘Journey’ programme.

  • Use of the ‘Talking Stick’ as a means to hear and be heard.

For further information, please visit the Rite Journey website or click here to contact Jamie Fewster via email.

Jamie Fewster, Year 9 and Rite Journey Coordinator

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