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Rite Journey 2015
 
Photo by Brendan Biggs

The Rite Journey

Brendan Biggs —

THE RITE JOURNEY

It was a cold Thursday morning and most of us were up at 5:30am to begin our journey to the top of Sugarloaf in the Port Hills. It got to 7:15 and our parents gathered with us to a Maori Calling and a talk from the teachers and head boys, followed by a blessing from Mr Donnelly.

We got told to look over to the sea, Christchurch and beyond and think back to our childhoods and say goodbye, before we begin our journey into manhood. We could see a bit of a sunrise through the clouds. Personally I thought the sunrise wasn’t that good but spending time with my parents was really good.

We then got in our cars and drove back to school. As we were coming down the hill the sun came out more. We got to school and were greeted with a smile, milo, coffee and a warm yummy croissant from the wonderful PFA ladies. We shared our letters of appreciation with our parents and they shared a childhood toy and memory with us, which was welcomed by laughs, hugs, and some tears.

We finished our food and drink and then it was time to say goodbye and get back to school work. I know and the boys felt it was an awesome morning and a great way to start our Journey to manhood and what will be an exciting year in the rite journey.

By Harry Mayo 10MA

Challenge day. The boys started in the Hall listening to STC old boy and former All Black Mark Hammett speak on his experiences being a mentor and with his mentors growing up. The Rite Journey students have been working with their own mentors learning a new skill over the course of the term.

After a shared breakfast kindly put on by the wonderful chefs from the Parents and Friends Association, the boys were off to complete the Bridlepath walkway from Lyttelton to Heathcote. The boys flew over the walk in record time making the most of the fantastic spring weather. The group of 100 boys were then off to Sumner beach to complete a range of challenges including beach sprints, sand sculptures and a very chilly swim. We were joined on the beach by a fur seal who was also making the most of the warm weather.

The Rite Journey builds next term preparing the boys for the end of year camp at the Boyle Lodge where they will complete a tramp, a solo overnight experience and other physical and mental challenges.

The Right Journey Program

The Right Journey Program was one full of both challenges and unique experiences that would have been difficult to recreate under any other circumstances. This program helped us change from un-aware individuals, into a brotherhood.

The first challenge we faced was that of ‘The Calling’. This was where as a Year 10 group we travelled up to Sugar Loaf and watched the sun rise. As well as this we had our Head boys – Delane and Tovia – Give us a speech on what it meant to them to become a man and the experiences they faced. After this we had a speech from Mark Hammett – A former pupil and All Black – on what developing into a man meant to him. Throughout the year we also faced challenges as a class. From the point of view of McClintock house we did a few challenges. The main challenge we undertook was a CPR challenge. This was when as a class we learnt CPR and how to use it in real life situations.

After this we had to prepare for Year 10 camp. This was to be a camp full of challenges. At camp we faced many challenges and fears. We put our safety in the hands of our brothers, both mentally and physically. From an abseil down a cliff, to getting flung up into the air by pure strength. We went to Boyle river as individuals and came back as one, as a family, a family of brothers that were not bound by a school crest but by hard worked for and hard earned trust and respect for one another.

At the end of the right journey program we removed a symbol of boyhood and replaced it with one that distinguishes us as St Thomas' men. We remove our long worn junior ties and replace it with the senior tie in front of the school at prize giving. After which we burn and bury them in the same place that our brothers before have. We watch the fire roar and consume the ties and finally remove ourselves from the mind-set of a boy and take on that of a man’s. We receive our affirmations (written by everyone in our class to each person) and give others theirs. Once all the ties are burnt away we all place a shovel of dirt on the fire and bury it for one next man to come. 

By Richard Washington