From the Deans of Students
Year 8 Rites of Passage and the Queen Bees High Tea
Our Year 8 students recently participated in a meaningful Rites of Passage experience, providing an opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate the journey of growing from childhood towards young adulthood.
For our Year 8 girls, the Queen Bees High Tea was a beautiful time of community, connection and conversation. The girls were invited to share in the common journey of what it means to be an adolescent young woman, exploring some of the trials and challenges they may face along the way, as well as the strength, resilience and sense of empowerment that can come from knowing that we do not have to navigate these experiences alone.
The morning included a beautiful high tea prepared by our very own Natalie Meisenhelter from the Canteen, which provided the perfect setting for conversation and connection with staff including Alicia Michielsen, Danielle Pearson, Katrina McKillop and Amal Siorokos. The girls also participated in an Encouragement Circle, an activity designed to give each student the opportunity to speak life and encouragement into the world of another. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness, friendship and lifting one another up.
Meanwhile, our Year 8 boys participated in their own Rites of Passage program, led by our very own Principal, Steve Coote. The boys ventured out into Sticktopia, where they spent time together in nature. Students had a quiet time of mindfulness, read and wrote poetry with our new Chaplain, Dave Catto, and shared in music and singing with Luke Webb.
The morning concluded with all the year 8 students coming together in the Chapel to reflect on what it means to become young adults and to consider the responsibilities, choices and qualities that accompany this journey.
As part of the experience, each student was presented with a WE ARE CREW bracelet.
The bracelet represents a commitment to making the decision to work as a crew, to belong, to support one another and to recognise that we are stronger when we choose to be part of a community.
We look forward to more events like this in the future.
Amal Siorokos
Dean of Students Years 7-9