Pymbulletin Semester 2 2021

Page 33

Rites of Passage RITES OF PASSAGE, CIRCLES AND STORIES: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE – EMPOWERED TO BE COURAGEOUS

Year 7 students and their parents

Year 7 students embarked on their

with, the girls were separated from

first camp to Vision Valley during two

their families for four days. They then

separate weeks in May and June.

experienced a range of activities and

The story-sharing, smiles and tears,

challenges that were exciting and

challenges, time spent in nature and

potentially out of their comfort zone,

the deepening of the connection to

before moving into a visioning and

community are a big part of our

honouring process, and finally returning

Outdoor Education programs.

to their homes and lives. The parents of

were the first group to experience the framework in practice. To begin

each of the girls were invited to draft a The Rites of Passage Institute has been working with Pymble in 2021 to enhance our focus on student wellbeing, and cultivate and engage the whole community of teachers/staff, parents and students on the journey. This includes designing and gradually embedding key

special letter to be given to them during the camp. They were also invited to attend the final night of the program to experience Vision Valley, hear from Dr Hadwen and me, and participate in a simple process with the students and their Compass groups.

components of the Rites of Passage transformational education journey into

Each student took their time to read and

the current and future framework of

think carefully, in private, about what

the school. The main components of

their parents had shared with them in

a Rite of Passage at key life transitions

their letter. It was a beautiful time of

involves firstly Separating out of your

reflection for the girls.

normal environment, followed by a Transformational process appropriate for

The girls also took time to think about

the culture, age and level of the group,

their peers within their Compass

and then being supported by good,

group and identify three things about

practical Integration practices.

each person that they like, love, respect or admire.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.