JOHN SEPTIMUS ROE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
THE RITE JOURNEY | NAVIGATING ADOLESCENCE Making sure students are on the right journey is part and parcel for staff at John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School. Principal Jason Bartell said adolescence could be a challenging time, with students navigating in a world of complex messages influenced by what they see and hear through the media, social networks and peers about how adults should act, the way relationships are fostered and the world they live in today.
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The Rite Journey program also partners with families in helping students work through these complex times and had received positive feedback from parents. The program enables students to engage in meaningful conversations with their parents, peers and their Rite Journey teacher. “I’d never had conversations like that with my dad, it was really nice” one student said.
“As a School, we have implemented a rites of passage program titled The Rite Journey, which culminates in an Adventure Works Into Adulthood Camp for all Year 9 students,” he said.
Through the Rite Journey program, the School endeavours to empower and equip students to face the challenges of today and tomorrow through weekly class activities, discussions, challenges, a mentoring program and an Into Adulthood Camp, covering four key topics.
“This program encourages students to look back at significant events in their childhood that may have shaped their character, gain an understanding of who they are now and the type of person they would like to be as an adult.”
In the first topic, ‘Who am I really?’ students gain an understanding of themselves by exploring self-identity and the expectations placed on them by society. Discussions include self-awareness, gender identity and body image.
