The Rite Journey

All girls in Year 10 participate in an innovative life skills programme that has been designed to support their development as self-aware, responsible, respectful, resilient and resourceful adults.

Overview

A year-long programme, the Rite Journey helps to guide our Year 10 students from adolescence to adulthood. Using a Rite of Passage framework, the programme raises students’ consciousness about the transition from child to adult, deepening their experience of this important life transition. 

The year begins with our students showing gratitude for their life to this point and ends with them acknowledging all those who have supported them and who will continue to support them as they embark on their journey into adulthood. Throughout the year, students are supported with conversations and experiences to guide their transition, foster connections with positive adult role models, connect with their strengths, build self-awareness, and develop leadership and responsibility. 

St Margaret’s College has been awarded The Rite Journey Lead School Status for best practice implementation of the programme. Our health and religious education programme is integrated into the course, with students participating in three periods per week of Rite Journey classes, culminating in a six-day camp in November. 

Outcomes and themes

  • Consciousness

    This covers the importance of raising awareness of the issues that students might currently be facing as young women, as well as the skills and understanding required to navigate their way through early adulthood.

  • Connection

    This acknowledges the importance of relationships. Encouraging a number of threads of connection with self, parents, teachers, mentors and providing the important ingredient of time, allows connections to build and strengthen.

  • Communication

    Understanding self talk, communication and listening, prayer, hearing stories of adults’ experiences and having students share their stories and experiences develops communication skills.

  • Celebration

    Here, teachers and parents/caregivers provide ceremonies and celebration for the students, acknowledging the transition into the beginnings of adulthood.

  • Challenge

    Physical, social, emotional and spiritual challenges are provided as learning opportunities, and promote the importance of failure as essential to learning.

“It is only now looking back that I realise how powerful the Rite Journey programme is. This journey challenges your character, encourages mindfulness, supports self-development, and teaches you who you are and who you want to be.”

Grace Davies, SMC Old Girl

Visit the Rite Journey website for more information on the programme.

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