Solo Camp
The announcement of an Extraordinary Public Holiday in late September threw a spanner in the works for our Rite Journey Solo Camp. Suddenly, this long-awaited pilgrimage had to be reengineered for new dates in Term 4. Thankfully, in week 2, we were able to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and school campus to wilderness locations for reflection and solitude.
The Year 9 young women camped out at The Paddock, a campsite near Popanyinning in WA’s Wheatbelt region. It was actually tough going in the hot sun! The Year 9 young men traveled south to the Boranup Karri Forest in the Margaret River Region. Each student came prepared with their own tent, meals and a journal to guide their reflection on the year that’s been and their plans for the future.
Romans 12:2 speaks about having a renewed mind and a transformed life. It reads:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Our modern world throws many distractions our way. Self-reflection places us in a position where we can examine our beliefs, thoughts, and emotions to ensure that we are not blindly conforming to the world’s system. It aids in the everyday renewal of our minds, allowing us to be transformed.
The Rite Journey program has sought to support the Year 9’s development into self-aware, responsible, respectful, resilient and resourceful young women and men. The Solo Camp was a significant milestone on that journey and I am so grateful to the Rite Journey teaching team who all pulled together to make it happen this year.
Homecoming Ceremony
Continuing with The Rite Journey theme, we will host all Year 9 families and mentors on Friday, 25th November 2022, at the ‘Homecoming Ceremony’. This is a special family event which serves as a closing celebration of the year’s work and acknowledges the significant growth the Year 9s have had.
Students will display their personal projects, each student setting up their own stand to display their project with their mentor. Some students will have constructed something tangible, others with show photos of an experiential project they undertook. If you would like to browse the projects, please pop by M Block between 5:30pm and 6:00pm on Friday in Week 7. We’d love to see you there.
If you have any questions about the Pastoral Care work we do in Year 9, please contact your child’s form teacher or myself. We’d love to connect with you.
Simon Bint
Head of Year 9