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“Every boy will become a man, but not every boy becomes a gentleman.� 2
Welcome to the journey Welcome to CBC Fremantle, a school in the tradition of Edmund Rice for boys in Year 7 to 12 and one of Australia’s finest Catholic schools.
Established in 1901, the College specialises in boys’ education and provides a breadth of experiences that give equal value to spiritual, academic, emotional, cultural and sporting development. The College supports students to become leaders and true gentlemen who, informed by Christian values and with a strong sense of justice, are prepared to shape a better world. Our teachers understand how boys learn and provide educational experiences that challenge and extend them to achieve personal excellence. The College’s unique Pastoral Care programmes involve ceremonial rites of passage that nurture young men throughout their secondary school years, underpinned by strong teacher/student and school/family relationships that are integral to the development of our good young men ... our gentlemen.
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History Time hasn’t changed society’s need for good men. That’s what led the Christian Brothers to establish a Catholic school for boys in Fremantle during the Federation years in Western Australia. CBC Fremantle traces its origins back to 1882 when the Fremantle Catholic Boys’ School was first opened in High Street in a building still standing on the school grounds. In 1901, due to a change in the colony’s education act, the religious order of Christian Brothers was invited to take charge of the Parish School and establish a High School for the education of boys in Fremantle. In the spirit of the Edmund Rice story, the founding Brothers provided education to local boys in need, recognising the dignity of every human being and with a strong sense of social justice that remains at the core of CBC Fremantle to this day. Their legacy is evident in the College’s culture and motto, Palma Virtuti (Goodness is its own reward), which has guided the College for more than six decades. The community of the Christian Brothers has remained an integral part of the school’s life since its historical beginnings. For much of the College’s history this community provided all of the staffing for the school and accepted responsibility for the wellbeing of students.
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In the last 40 years CBC Fremantle has been staffed predominantly by lay teachers. While the involvement of the Brothers in the day-to-day life of the College is less direct, the ethos and values of the Edmund Rice tradition continue to be developed by our staff. CBC Fremantle is governed by Edmund Rice Education Australia, the College Board and the Principal. The College is a member of the Catholic Education Office of WA and is one of 42 schools in Australia that form a national network of schools in the Edmund Rice tradition. The educational policies of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority are followed and only courses recognised by this authority are taught. CBC Fremantle continues today on its original site and experiences a strong sense of identity with the surrounding Fremantle community. In striking a balance between the positive progress of modern day society and the enduring values and traditions of its forefathers, the College serves to enrich young men’s lives and the communities which they will serve.
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Pastoral Care At CBC Fremantle, students are guided through their transition to manhood to become good men ... gentlemen. With more than a century of experience in assisting parents to guide boys into becoming men, the College draws on a rich tradition of Pastoral Care. Our unique programmes involve ceremonial rites of passage and nurture young men throughout their secondary school years, as well as supporting parents in strengthening their relationship with their sons.
House System At the heart of the College’s Pastoral Care programme lays the House system where the individuality of each student is recognised and every member of the community is nurtured and encouraged. The College has four Houses named after influential people in the history of the College or local community: Morgan, Patrick, Rice and Samson. Each House is comprised of seven sub-groups called Mentors. On entry to the school each boy is assigned to a Mentor Room where he meets with his House Mentor and peers each morning.
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A student will usually spend his time at the College with the same Mentor teacher, who is concerned with the social, emotional and physical wellbeing and academic progress of each boy. Heads of House provide leadership for House Mentors, assisting them to work as part of a team and also liaising with the Vice Principal on matters of importance. We engender Christian values of trust, cooperation and concern for others and a well structured discipline system is in place, recognising the rights and responsibilities of all in the College community. Where teasing or bullying problems arise the ‘No Blame Approach’ is adopted. Through mediation, led by the Pastoral Care Coordinator, students are encouraged to recognise their mistakes and take the appropriate corrective action without the threat of punishment. If the problem persists, disciplinary action is taken.
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Catholic Teaching Our Catholic community upholds the traditions of Blessed Edmund Rice while fostering positive relationships throughout the school environment.
CBC Fremantle welcomes families and children from other Christian denominations, and finds great community solidarity in sharing Christian values while holding true to our distinctively Catholic nature. Educating young men in faith is no easy task. Today’s youth often grow up confused about their values because of the attitudes of the society in which we live, and the world portrayed through the media. The impact of the message from our schools is often dampened when young people are confronted with leaders and outstanding figures in business, sports, politics and entertainment behaving in a manner not consistent with Christian values. At CBC Fremantle we seek to highlight the relevance of faith to life as part of our teaching and learning programme. Religious Education is the central component of the College curriculum. Boys in Years 7 to 12 are required to undertake a rigorous curriculum that includes the core teachings of Christ as found in the Gospel, the doctrines of the Catholic Church and its history. All boys are also required to participate in the College’s liturgical programme and students have the opportunity to participate in the Church’s sacraments, including a regular celebration of the Eucharist. The Christian Service Learning Programme gives boys the opportunity to engage in service programmes throughout their time at the College and is a graduation requirement of CBC Fremantle.
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Curriculum At CBC Fremantle, our teachers understand how boys learn and provide educational experiences that challenge and extend them to achieve personal excellence.
With a teacher-student ratio that maximises the individual’s learning and yet provides a capability for dynamic teamwork, our objective is to provide an academic challenge which enables each boy to realise his potential. At CBC we create an environment to support success by providing: • A friendly environment which promotes a good work ethic and encourages all boys to acquire an independent and critical approach to learning; • A wide range of sporting, musical, arts and co-curricular club activities through which boys can develop a breadth of interests and learn to work cooperatively; • Specialised programmes in Christian Leadership, Physical and Outdoor Education, Academic Excellence, Technology and Computing, Music and the Arts. Students who require additional learning support receive specialist attention at CBC Fremantle. Very able boys are offered additional teaching to inspire and nourish their enthusiasm.
Year 7 Curriculum The curriculum draws on the best of both traditional primary and secondary education. Each student works with a numeracy specialist for Mathematics and Science and a Literacy specialist for English and Society and Environment. Arts and Technology and Enterprise are delivered by specialists in their respective fields.
Year 8 Curriculum Year 8s complete a set timetable that allows them to explore a wide range of subject areas. This exposure ensures informed choices in Year 9 and beyond. Students study the core subjects for the full year as well as rotating each term through a different Arts and Technology and Enterprise subject.
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Year 9 and 10 Curriculum Year 9s and Year 10s complete core subjects and three electives.
Year 11 and 12 Curriculum Students select five courses of study in addition to the compulsory Religion and Life course. Satisfactory completion of the Year 12 course leads to the WA Certificate of Education. The College has facilities to present a balanced curriculum that provides opportunities for students with academic and technical skills. In recent years about 70 percent of our students have moved into university studies and about 30 percent have enrolled for TAFE courses and the work force through apprenticeships or other forms of schoolbased training.
INSTEP The Innovative Skills Training and Education Programme (INSTEP) provides senior students who are seeking vocational employment with the opportunity for ongoing work placement while completing Years 11 and 12. Students are assessed in their normal school subjects as well as their level of competency in the generic and specific skills associated with work placements. Participation in INSTEP encourages a growth in confidence and purpose, assists students with secondary graduation and acceptance to TAFE, and creates opportunities for full-time employment.
VET Vocational Education and Training (VET) is offered to senior students to allow them to gain nationally accredited certification.
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Co-Curriculum At CBC Fremantle, our students enjoy a range of activities to help them achieve their goals, and an important part of the motivation to succeed is our co-curricular programme. To assist in the education of the whole boy, and to promote a healthy lifestyle and physical aptitude, all students are expected to participate in weekly House Sports and are encouraged to be involved in other co-curricular activities.
Sports Programme CBC Fremantle offers a variety of team sports including basketball, cricket, football, hockey, rowing, volleyball, tennis, touch rugby, soccer, squash and beach games. All year levels compete in the school’s swimming, athletics and cross-country carnivals and the College is always represented by big teams at these events. CBC students are involved in a number of sports at state and national level.
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Music Programme CBC Fremantle has a thriving Music culture and ensembles regularly perform at College functions and community events and festivals. Students are also instructed in theory and composing using the latest software in a dedicated Music computer studio.
Information and Communication Technology CBC Fremantle has a progressive ICT programme that enhances the College’s teaching and learning environment. Laptops are issued to every student at Year 7 and are seamlessly integrated into the curriculum until Year 12. ICT empowers students to become motivated and autonomous learners. Access to current technologies, supported by a robust ICT infrastructure, including a high speed wireless network across the campus, enables boys to be active and creative in achieving their academic goals.
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Parent Support At CBC Fremantle our close-knit College community, underpinned by strong teacher/student and school/family relationships, is integral to the development of our good young men. We recognise and acknowledge all parents as the primary educators of their children. By being explicit about our College values and our hopes for each of the young men in our care, we invite parents to trust that we will reinforce their work during the school day to deliver a consistent message to a young man about what it means to develop as a gentleman. This support is also readily expressed in the willingness of so many of our parents to provide voluntary service at the College. The College Board, Parent Council and Music Parents’ Group are formal expressions of this selflessness but there are many others. Service in the canteen or uniform shop, providing exam supervision or assisting at a variety of College events ranging from Open Day to House fundraisers are excellent examples for the boys and assists them in understanding their Christian calling to serve others. Parent Auxiliary The Parent Council is a group of parents who meet on a regular and formal basis to provide support and advice to the College’s administrative team especially related to areas of parental support.
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CBC Fremantle is located in the heart of the port city of Fremantle. With a rich history and proud community, the College is one of the oldest schools in Western Australia and enjoys a strong connection with the local parish of St Patrick’s. The College campus can be seen here to the left of Fremantle Park, on the corner of Ellen and Stirling Streets, with the original school built in 1882 shown on page 5 still standing on the main High Street into Fremantle. 19
A CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN THE EDMUND RICE TRADITION
51 Ellen Street Fremantle Western Australia 6160 PO Box 1345 Fremantle Western Australia 6160 T 08 9336 2700 F 08 9336 2776 www.cbcfremantle.wa.edu.au 20
Excellence in Education | Academic Excellence Programme
Creating academic challenges
AT CBC FREMANTLE, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE MEANS MORE THAN JUST GAINING GOOD GRADES. INTRINSICALLY LINKED TO PERSONAL EXCELLENCE, THE ULTIMATE OUTCOME FOR EVERY STUDENT AT THE COLLEGE IS THE MAXIMUM DEVELOPMENT OF HIS INTELLECTUAL CAPACITIES AND SKILLS IN SERVICE TO HUMANITY.
Striving for excellence CBC’s Academic Excellence Programme (AEP) exposes students to the joy of achievement in an academic environment. Students are invited to participate in a variety of activities designed to enhance natural abilities through group work and projects, as well as being inspired by witnessing first-hand achievements of people in diverse fields of enterprise including the media; mining; mechanical, civil and chemical engineering; music; architecture and art. To achieve academic excellence requires hard work and dedication, and AEP students are focussed and motivated to achieve their potential. Currently the programme offers eight academic extension activities, covering a broad range of interests: 1. Debating 2. Literature & Media 2. Maths & Engineering 3. Motorsport 4. Music 5. Radio 6. Robotics 7. Science & Technology Students can join the AEP only by invitation, which depends on their academic results, and their membership status is reviewed twice a year. The main purpose of this programme is to celebrate the academic achievements of our talented boys and in doing so also challenge every student at CBC Fremantle to strive for personal excellence and achieve academic growth.
Giftedness versus Talent One of the widely accepted theories of Gifted Education is proposed by Professor Fancoys Gagne from the University of Quebec in Montreal. Prof Gagne proposed that we all possess gifts in different areas of our lives and that these gifts can be turned into talents once the individual applies the effort required. The gift can be triggered through a ‘catalyst’, argues Prof Gagne, which drives the individual to apply his gift to acquire talents.
The Academic Excellence Programme constantly seeks ways to engage students in the learning process by providing experiences that may act as the catalyst they need to explore their gifts and achieve excellence. • Debating students work on their communication skills by expanding their capacity for informed argument and critical thought, competing with other schools through the Western Australian Debating League. • Literature & Media students are inspired to explore their budding craft by applying practical skills in writing, editing, photography and multimedia to College materials, as well as entering national competitions and visiting major media organisations. • Maths & Engineering students discover the diverse application of mathematics with engineering professionals. They compete in Mathematics competitions and learn higher order thinking and problem solving skills. Hands-on engineering projects are part of this aspect of the programme. • Motorsport students design and build their own remote controlled car which is then tested for endurance and speed. • Music students perform in bands, ensembles and as soloists at school and community events. • Radio students broadcast to the school from a designated studio located in the Library. Their programmes include music, interviews, school and local news. • Robotics students explore computer programming languages and microcontrollers to implement digital electronics into their ever-evolving robots. • Science and Technology students are immersed in the different sciences including physics, biology, human biology and chemistry with hands-on laboratory work and practical experiments complemented with information from guest speakers and excursions. All AEP students have the opportunity to participate in a tour to Canberra, where they are exposed to excellence in art, science, politics and law. Visiting Government House, experimenting at the CSIRO, debating in the Houses of Parliament, observing elite athletics training at the AIS and seeing how money is made at The Mint are all part of this experience.
The sky is the limit As well as introducing students to the enormous opportunities to be gained from academic success in the local and national arena, the Academic Excellence Programme provides an incredible opportunity for students participating in the programme to tour in the USA visiting Orlando, Washington DC and New York. The tour includes a visit to NASA and the Kennedy Space Centre, Orlando Science Centre, Florida Everglades, Disney World, Universal Studios, Capitol Building, The White House, The Smithsonian Institute, One World Trade Centre and Ground Zero, Central Park and Times Square. The tour provides a unique opportunity for boys to share in the reward of seekin gpersonal excellence with their AEP cohort.
Excellence in Education | Music Programme
Music opportunities at CBC
CBC FREMANTLE HAS A THRIVING MUSIC CULTURE AND ENSEMBLES REGULARLY PERFORM AT COLLEGE FUNCTIONS, COMMUNITY EVENTS AND FESTIVALS. MUSIC AT CBC ENHANCES AND SUPPORTS THE COLLEGE’S ACADEMIC AND PASTORAL PROGRAMMES AND ASSISTS WITH THE PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, SPIRITUAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUNG MEN.
Instrument lessons From Year 7, all students at CBC Fremantle are introduced to Classroom Music where they are exposed to various styles, instructed in theory, and learn to appreciate the role of music in our 21st century through using the latest software in a dedicated computer studio.
Learning an instrument at CBC Students can also choose to join CBC’s Music instrumental programme, and focus on learning clarinet, drums, electric bass, guitar, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet or voice. Individual instrumental tuition is scheduled during normal classroom time, and students simply leave their class to attend the music lesson and catch up on missed activities when they return. The Music rooms are easy to access from anywhere on campus and instruments are kept in a dedicated room close by. Once a student has embarked on the Music tuition course, it is an expectation that he will complete the programme and receive 32 lessons over the year. Music practice is most effective when it is regular; 30 minutes a day, six days a week is recommended.
Lesson attendance Lessons occur on a rotating timetable and it is the student’s responsibility to attend his individual instrument lesson. If a school activity is scheduled that coincides with his music lesson, he must do one of the following: 1) Notify the Head of Arts to arrange a new lesson time. 2) Ask another music student who doesn’t have a test to swap lessons, 3) Let the instrument teacher know that he will miss a lesson beforehand. The lesson may be rescheduled but the teacher is under no obligation to provide makeup lessons. CBC Music department policy is to guarantee that students have an average of eight lessons per term, a minimum of 32 lessons over the course of the year. The Music fees are based on this amount, to allow for interruptions with school activities. If a student receives more than 32 lessons over the year, there is no extra charge. Due to contractual obligations to instrumental teachers, Year 7 students must commit to learning their instrument for one full year. No refunds can be offered for early withdrawal from the programme. Year 8 to 12 parents must give the College one term’s notice in writing of the anticipated withdrawal of their son from the course, before the commencement of a new term.
Music diaries Every student uses a Music practice diary, which is an important method of keeping note of what is required each week, as well as recording times of home practice sessions. The Music diary is a simple and effective form of communication between parents and the Music teacher.
Hiring an instrument from CBC CBC Fremantle offers an instrumental hire scheme for students in their first year of learning music at the College. Under this scheme students are able to hire an instrument at a subsidised fee from the school for a period of up to one year before committing to buying an instrument. The Music department has brass and woodwind instruments available for hire, including trumpets, trombones, clarinets and saxophones. Other instruments, such as guitar, piano and keyboard, drums and bass, must be purchased for the student from the beginning of their tuition. When looking to purchase an instrument, students should consult their Music teacher.
Instrument maintenance Students are expected to keep their instrument in good working order by cleaning it regularly and ensuring equipment such as valve oil, slide/cork grease, spare reeds and a cleaning cloth are kept in the case.
Rehearsals New students are encouraged to join ensembles as soon as their teacher believes they are ready. Students are required to attend all rehearsals and performances and honour the commitment made to their fellow musicians. If for some reason the student cannot be at a rehearsal, he should inform his ensemble teacher beforehand.
Performance uniform The official performance uniform is a white long-sleeved shirt (available from the Uniform Shop), grey school trousers, tie and polished black shoes. Big Band members are issued a waistcoat and Jazz Orchestra members wear a JO tie and black blazer. Waistcoats and blazers must be drycleaned before returning.
Music reports Instrumental Music reports are issued at the end of each semester with the school report. There are instrumental music tests during lessons in Week 6/7 of Terms 2 and 4. CBC MUSIC STUDENTS PERFORMING AT THE FREMANTLE TOWN HALL
Music scholarships CBC Fremantle offers annual Music scholarships with applications being invited in Term 1. Students are assessed on their music ability and aptitude and will need to be keen and dedicated to the learning of their instrument from Year 7 through to Year 10. Further information can be found on the College Website.
Music department CBC Music department engages talented peripatetic staff with years of teaching experience in individual instrument tuition and practical ensemble and band performance. Each student who is learning a musical instrument at the College participates in an ensemble when they have developed the skills to contribute. Ensembles play a dynamic role in fostering teamwork and leadership and introduce diversity of music that is relevant and appropriately challenging. Band, ensemble and choir rehearsals are scheduled before or after school. Performances at College events including Open Day, assemblies and Masses are complemented by external community engagements to provide students with experience in appearing in front of a diverse audience.
Music staff Mr Shane Mancuso
Head of Arts Director of Bands Class Music Woodwind
Mrs Emma Tandy
Class Music Brass Choir Vocal Ensemble
Mr Kim Anning
Guitar Guitar Ensemble 1
Mr Alex Borthwick
Guitar Guitar Ensemble 2
Mr Carl Harper
Trombone
Mrs Gemma Farrell
Big Band Woodwind
Mr Harry Mitchell
Piano
Mr Luciano Trebse
Piano
Mr Manoli Vouyoucalos
Bass Guitar
Mr Tim Woolley
Drums
Music staff can be contacted by sending an email to Mr Shane Mancuso at shanem@cbcfremantle.wa.edu.au.
Pastoral Care | Anti-bullying and harrassment
Positive peer relations at CBC
AT CBC FREMANTLE, YOUNG MEN LEARN HOW TO BE GENTLEMEN. INFORMED BY CHRISTIAN VALUES,, STUDENTS ARE EQUIPPED TO BE LEADERS WHO WILL SHAPE A BETTER WORLD. EVERY STUDENT LEARNS IN AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT AND POSITIVE BEHAVIOURS AND ACHIEVEMENTS ARE CONSISTENTLY ACKNOWLEDGED AND REWARDED.
CYBER BULLYING CAN OCCUR OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS AND OFF CAMPUS. FOR THIS REASON, AT CBC FREMANTLE WE UNDERTAKE TO ADDRESS CYBER BULLYING WHENEVER AND WHEREVER IT OCCURS IF IT RESULTS IN COMPROMISING THE WELLBEING OF ANY STUDENT, OR RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STUDENTS.
Effective Pastoral Care CBC Fremantle is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all members of the school community and recognises the need to create a positive, caring environment to support and encourage personal excellence and achievement. Effective Pastoral Care at CBC is a pivotal element in providing each boy with a sense of security and self-worth. All members of staff work towards building healthy relationships with students and nurturing their growth and development. With positive role-modelling and leadership from senior students, the whole school community contributes to a climate of respect and friendship where students appreciate their own role in building a safe environment. Students meet every morning in vertical House Mentor Groups comprising Year 12 through to Year 7, building strong relationships, loyalty and support throughout the College. Modelling and teaching good social skills, resilience, conflict resolution and how to respond to bullying and
anti-social behaviour is integrated into classroom practice. High visibility of staff presence on grounds during all breaks as well as positive classroom management strategies also highlight our concern for students’ safety and wellbeing.
CBC action against inappropriate behaviour If the safety and wellbeing of any member of our community is compromised, practices which focus on positive behaviour change and accountability are invoked. These ‘restorative’ measures include reflection on how hurtful behaviours affect others and ‘making things right’ rather than punitive approaches. Suspected bullying behaviour is reported to the Head of House or Year 7 Coordinator who engages with concerned parties and notifies parents. The report is documented and ongoing feedback and monitoring facilitates open communication and trust. The primary aim is to restore relationships in the most positive manner and, if appropriate, the College Counsellor is available for support.
The College Pastoral Care team consisting of Heads of House, College Counsellor, Year 7 Coordinator and Vice Principal work together to provide a positive outcome to all incidents involving conflict or confrontation.
What is bullying? • Behaviour that hurts, threatens, embarrasses or intimidates and is repeated. • Is defined by the effects on the victim, not the intent of the person doing the bullying. • Can take many forms: verbal/written, physical, psychological/emotional and cyber. • Usually involves an imbalance of power (eg. group vs one or two others), and causes harm or distress to those bullied. • Can lead to low self-esteem, school refusal, impaired social functioning, anxiety and depression.
What can you do if you are being bullied? • Tell your parents, your mentor teacher or a staff member. This is not ‘dobbing’; it is your right to be safe and treated with respect at
all times. The sooner you report bullying, the sooner it stops. • Avoid trying to get even. It often makes the situation worse. • Stay away from places that aren’t comfortable for you. • Have your own support group by building strong friendships at school.
As a student, what can I do to stop bullying? • Be a supportive bystander. Bystanders can play a positive or negative role in bullying. The negative roles include actively joining in the bullying, passively witnessing it and doing nothing or giving encouragement or silent approval. If you witness bullying, take a stand by telling the person to stop, or reporting it to a staff member • Do not forward offensive material, be part of online groups or sites that participate in cyber-bullying or any activities that demean others. • Show care and respect to others at the College. Make a special effort towards someone who seems lonely or is having a hard time. • If you get involved in bullying yourself, stop it and put things right with the boy you have hurt.
AT OUR COLLEGE, STRATEGIES AND ROLE MODELLING FROM STAFF AND SENIOR STUDENTS ENCOURAGE STRONG, CAMPUS-WIDE VALUES AGAINST BULLYING.
CBC RESPONDS POSITIVELY AND IMMEDIATELY TO ALL INCIDENTS OF BULLYING AND HARRASSMENT.
Tips for parents • If your son reports that he is being bullied, encourage him to talk freely. Discuss ways of addressing the issue. • Contact his HOH or the Vice Principal. This is very important as bullying usually does not stop without intervention at the school level. • Assure your son that the process that the College follows to address bullying is confidential, effective and minimises any risk of reprisal. The College takes any attempt at retribution very seriously. • Discourage any form of retaliation as this may make the matter worse. Desist from contacting the alleged bully or his family in the first instance. Trust the College to do the initial follow-up. • Be vigilant for signs that may indicate your son is being bullied. These include reluctance to go to school, mood swings, complaints like headaches and stomach pains, sleep disturbance and social withdrawal.
Flowchart for reporting inappropriate behaviour at CBC Parents/ Student
Classroom Teacher
Mentor Teacher
Staff/ Coach
Head of House or Year 7 Coordinator
College Counsellor
Vice Principal
Principal
Peers
Pastoral Care | The Rite Journey
The journey to manhood
IN A CULTURE WHERE YOUNG ADULTS CAN RECEIVE CONFLICTING MESSAGES ABOUT GOOD VALUES AND EXPECTED BEHAVIOURS, CBC FREMANTLE HAS EMBRACED THE RITE JOURNEY TO ASSIST OUR BOYS AS THEY BEGIN TO MAKE THEIR TRANSITION INTO HEALTHY, RESPECTFUL AND RESPONSIBLE YOUNG MEN.
Taking the first step The Rite Journey is a unique educational programme designed for Year 9 boys which supports the development of self-aware, engaged, responsible and resilient young men. Year 9 is a time of significant change in the lives of adolescent boys. It is widely recognised as an important developmental stage when boys may look to establish their independence, test boundaries, take risks and question some aspects of authority. Today’s boys...tomorrow’s gentlemen There are significant challenges that many young people face in today’s society. Learning to be a young man involves guidance, mentoring and a great many questions. However, in our society today we often see young people turning to peers, the media and the internet to source this knowledge and support. There has been a loss of human-connection and nurturing as a variety of screens and devices dominate adolescents’ lives in our technologically saturated world. At CBC The Rite Journey provides the developing young men with the opportunity of experiencing rites of passage and important life lessons, guided by caring teachers and significant adult mentors. During The Rite
THE RITE JOURNEY PROVIDES THE DEVELOPING YOUNG MEN WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF EXPERIENCING RITES OF PASSAGE AND IMPORTANT LIFE LESSONS, GUIDED BY CARING TEACHERS AND SIGNIFICANT ADULT MENTORS.
Journey students have numerous opportunities to define what it is to be a respectful and responsible young man in the world. The College community works alongside parents and another adult male mentor so an ongoing supportive and rewarding relationship is formed that offers guidance for each boy beyond the culmination of the year-long programme. The Rite Journey is exciting in its vision of helping boys move towards beginning manhood. It complements the College’s aim to develop good young men who act as agents of change to create a more just and caring society. There are seven steps in The Rite Journey programme: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
The Calling The Departure The Following Challenges The Abyss The Return The Homecoming
Front: Year 9 students greet each other at The Rite Journey opening ceremony, The Calling. Above left: Year 9 Rite Journey students and their families at The Calling ceremony Above right: Writing reflections in a journal during The Abyss camping experience Back: Young men with their Rite Journey teachers at The Homecoming ceremony
The journey The Calling and The Departure The first step in the programme symbolises the boys being called to the journey of becoming a man. The ceremony involves a poignant reflection of their childhood and appreciation of the love and support of their parents and families. The boys then symbolically ‘depart’ on the journey with their Rite Journey teachers. The Following For the entire school year, students meet once a week with their Rite Journey teacher to engage in activities, discussions and challenges related to being a respectful and responsible adult. As part of the process beyond the classroom, encouraging life-long growth and development, the student also develops a strong bond with an adult male mentor he and his family have chosen. Challenges Appropriate risks along the journey provide the boys with increasing awareness of themselves and those around them. Involving the physical, social, emotional and spiritual development of the young men, the challenges foster reslience and nurture self-esteem. The Abyss Towards the end of the year’s programme, the students participate in a solo experience which symbolises coming into adulthood. Camping out alone and going through a period of self-reflection encourages a commitment to self-responsibility and reliance. The Return and The Homecoming The culmination of the programme is a powerful ceremony symbolising the return of the young man who departed a boy at the beginning of the year. Given the changes they have experienced during the year, the young men consider what their fears, doubts, hopes and dreams are, and write a letter to themselves as a benchmark for their future as a good young man.
THE RITE JOURNEY IS EXCITING IN ITS VISION OF HELPING BOYS MOVE TOWARDS BEGINNING MANHOOD.