By TBHS | Posted: Wednesday November 25, 2015
The Rite Journey at Timaru Boys’ High School continues to offer all Year 10 boys significant support and guidance as students transition from juniors to seniors in a time of their life that can pose difficult challenges.
Given the current lack of rites of passage in the Western World, young people are left to invent their own, which are often unhealthy and unsafe. The Rite Journey reinvents the traditional process of a Rite of Passage to assist in transforming boys from dependency to responsibility. The boys have just completed the final challenge of their journey which involves a 20 hour solo at Peel Forest. The successful completion of this solo symbolises the boy’s ability to be resilient, respectful and responsible.
Throughout the Rite Journey year, the students have had to complete a range of social, emotional and physical challenges. – The Hadlow to Harbour, Class Sing off and Clash of the Class Haka are examples of these and are all designed to push boys outside their comfort zone.
The year-long programme raises boys’ awareness of issues that they may currently be facing as well as providing them with the skills and understanding that are required to navigate their way through beginning adulthood. Through conversations with the classes, Rite Journey teachers discuss a wide range of topics from dealing with change, emotions and relationships to future aspirations and bush craft. Many parents will be giving their boys the same messages and the programme is designed to reinforce positive messages they receive from home. The more adult connections a student can have through this transition, the less the risk of a negative outcome.
In 2015 the boys have had a range of internal and external support. These have included “Attitude” and Grant Lord who presented issues around drugs and alcohol; Blair Poulter (Careers Advisor) who provided boys with important careers information; Tony Bunting (School Counsellor) who discussed issues surrounding pornography; Keri Brown (Timaru Police) presented the facts around sex and the law; Linda Merrilees, (Public Health Nurse) through our health programme, is an important part of conveying messages around sexuality education; Reon Nolan (NZ representative cyclist) shared his inspirational story of how his life spiralled out of control and led to stints in jail and failed rehab attempts before he picked up a bike and finally felt like he was an insider, not an outsider. Josh South will also share his story with the boys after the completion of their Solo.
If a student successfully completes the Rite Journey they receive their Timaru Boys’ High School Rite Journey badge - a very important addition to the senior blazer.
The following are contributions from 10NL
"For me, the Solo was a new experience, one which I enjoyed lots as it gave me time to think about what to do next. The solitude was good, making it easy to think, with plenty to do and also gave me some time to read."
"My experience on the Solo was something I had been looking forward to and waiting for. A moment to get away from everything, time to reflect on yourself and your life. Over the time of the Solo I would think about how lucky I am to be getting this opportunity to really get out of the virtual world without going back, and really exploring the real world - time to cut down branches of the over grown bush, clear pathways and let out all that energy. You'd be surprised how much time you really get to yourself. This is the highlight of my year and Rite Journey. Passing this earns you your badge, an opening to more opportunities in life. Really cherish this time you have as you may never get it again. Don't ruin it for everyone else. I'm glad I can say I did it for my teacher Mr Nelson."
