“It was brilliant – dare I say – life changing.” – Stella Alexopoulos, Glenroy College, Vic.
“Thank you – this was even more fantastic than I expected – I knew it would be so – a team growth, personal growth and tools for nurturing our young men at Knox.” – Helen Clarke, Knox Grammar, Sydney.
“I have such gratitude toward and admiration for you both. Thanks.” – Peter Tattersall, Regenesis Youth, Sydney.
“Andrew is a passionate presenter who sees a genuine need for a better and more deliberate path to adulthood. His professionalism and practical ideas are fantastic.” – Dustin Dever, Lilydale Adventist Academy, Vic.
“This has been awesome! So many new ideas, thoughts and feelings. Thank you.” – Mandy Meltz, Moriah College, Sydney.
“Andrew is a natural, Amrita is excellent. What a blessing to have two such talented and passionate people walking us through the program.” – Terry Cook, Ocean Forest Lutheran College, WA.
“This has been one of, if not THE best workshop experiences I have had. I’m looking forward to starting the program and seeing the benefits for our students. Congrats Andrew and co. for such an amazing, NEEDED program. It is the reason I got into teaching.” – Anthony Bothe, Victory Lutheran College, Wodonga.
“The workshop was a really beneficial experience as it built up and extended my toolbox of conversations and activities that will be really beneficial for the boys I work with.” – Gideon Robertson, CYC, NZ.
“The presenter’s enthusiasm for the program and knowledge base that forms this is inspiring. An outstanding program and workshop.” – Phil Hodges, St Mark’s College, SA.
“All staff should do this course – if not to teach The Rite Journey but for growth of themselves”. – Kay Simpson, Irene McCormack College, WA.
“I think that The Rite Journey is a wonderful tool which will help me reach the students at a time when they are in dire need.” – Inez McGinley, Irene McCormack College, WA.
“Well done, a great 2 days, pumped to implement changes at our school. Thanks Andrew and Amrita. Legends!” – Cam Golding, Dominic College, Tas.
“Keep up the amazing work and keep challenging the status quo.” – Jo Boyd, Dominic College, Tas.
“Excellent – really enjoyed the whole thing. Love your passion! – Scott Carson, Harvest Christian School, SA.
“A brilliant program, your passion is evident! My dream is that The Rite Journey is held in EVERY high school in Australia!” – Christine Winkler, Harvest Christian School, SA.
“I found the whole workshop beneficial, offering constructive ideas to customise to suit our environment and ethos. Personally, the activities made me feel part of a team allowing all involved to express themselves – thus seeing some of my colleagues in a different light” – Pat Isaaks, London Oratory School, UK.
“It was an excellent workshop and I have a much better appreciation of the program. I am really looking forward to implementing it at Knox” – Brian Sullivan, Knox Grammar, Sydney.
“Andrew is a well informed and passionate presenter who understands the participants and trains in an authentic manner.” – Vanessa Bromhead, Knox Grammar, Sydney.
One of the Rite Journey classes at Timaru Boys’ High School (NZ) has had their letter to the editor about violence published on the front page of the Timaru Herald.
Never before has that paper chosen to publish a letter to the editor on the front page…but these lads have put together a thoughtful, strong piece about violence in sport.
What an amazing group of young men…feeling passionate enough about this topic to take this action.
Here’s what was published on the front page:
The rugby brawl that occurred at the end of the Temuka-Geraldine senior rugby match on Saturday has drawn comment this week.
Yesterday the following was sent to the Herald by class 10 NL of Timaru Boys’ High School. It is unusual for us to present it in this way, but we felt it deserved special treatment.
Dear Editor
We are a group of Y10 students going through the Rite Journey programme at Timaru Boys’ High School. We are looking at stereotypes and the impact that the media has on creating these and the impact this can have on us. We have looked at the media’s response to State of Origin Game 1 with the Paul Gallen fight. The highlight reel on stuff.co.nz only showed this fight! No good plays, tries or good sportsmanship was evident.
We then looked at the recent developments of our local, club rugby senior game between Geraldine and Temuka. The player/coach quote on Monday of “a good old fashioned slugfest” and “the most exciting part of the game” surprised us. We are taught that fighting is not OK and that “it takes a bigger man to walk away”. We realise that the player/coach probably made these comments in the heat of the moment, but it appears as if the media glorifies these behaviours.
During this class our teacher showed us the TV3 news report on the death of the Kelston Boys’ student, Stephen Dudley, who was killed as a result of a fight after rugby practice. We were deeply saddened by this but pleased that the family has said “we need to address the culture of violence across our country so something like this doesn’t happen again”.
We are confused that violence at a rugby game is not seen as assault and that it is dealt with by a slap on the wrist and not by police. Is this why the 15 and 17-year-old boys who allegedly assaulted Stephen Dudley got it wrong? Did they think they would get away with it because the fight took place on a rugby field, after rugby practice?
Throughout our Rite Journey Programme we are challenged physically, mentally and emotionally. Our challenge to The Timaru Herald is to make a stand against the glorification of violence in our paper and to the people who make the decisions about assault that occur on the rugby paddock from spectators or players.
Why are these incidents not handled by police? What is the message they are wanting to send the youth of today?
The editor responded to their letter with his own opinion piece the following day. That can be read here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/opinion/editorials/8800138/Editorial-We-re-on-the-same-side
Well done Class 10NL at TBHS for taking a stand.
Just Brilliant!
The Rite Journey recognises and pays our respects to the First Nations peoples across this country, whose lands were never ceded and remain important to the living First Nations peoples today. In particular we would like to acknowledge Peramangk First Nations Peoples and their ancestral lands on which our office is located.
We respect and acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging along with the living cultures, spirit, and country of all First Peoples.
