For some students ‘growing up’ cannot come soon enough, but a very touching ceremony under gloomy skies at the Noosa River mouth stopped the clock, if just for a moment, and allowed for deep reflection for both student and parent.
The Year 9 students at Good Shepherd begin the Rite Journey program as part of their Christian Studies program over Years 9 and 10.
It is a program honouring the transition from young person to young adult and is a collective partnership between student, parent, teacher/mentor and broader College community.
The official launch of the program is the “Calling and Departure” ceremony, with close to 115 Year 9 students and their families attending. The ‘Calling’ encourages students to show gratitude for their childhood and calls them on their journey to young adulthood. The second component to the ceremony is the ‘Departure’, which involves parents, carers and teachers/mentors joining the students for an opportunity to learn, reflect and look forward.
Program coordinator Nicole Drew explains “Students and parents were able to connect through reflection of memories of significant events or items from the child’s formative years. Then, together as a family, the notion of transitioning from child to young adult and what this process would challenge students to let go of or change was discussed over breakfast.’
The journey represents the pathway of learning and personal growth.
A precious memento for Zanzi Andrews’ one of her letters to the fairies.
“After days of rain and watching the weather forecast there were clear skies just long enough for us to hold our ceremony at the Noosa River Mouth. Our Year 9s and their families gathered on the beach, not only because this is a local landmark but because it is where the river meets the sea and becomes something bigger, something stronger, something broader. This analogy was the focus of our ceremony and used intentionally to map the rite of passage of our Year 9 students.”
Good Shepherd Principal Anthony Dyer left his Principal hat at work and attended as a parent, to commence the journey with his own son. “It was a special moment for our family. The process helps you reflect on the past and the future and how you can assist your child to transition into young adulthood.”
Mr Dyer also said “The proverb that it takes a village to raise a child was beautifully demonstrated throughout the ceremony. As a College we are honoured to facilitate and share our students’ journey.”
