Re-wiring “gentlemen” behaviour in teenage boys
by Katrina Kalleske
An education program that is designed to help adolescent males develop into mature men, is proving to be a success at home in South Australia, as well as on the international stage.
The program has been developed by two South Australian teachers, Andrew Lines (pictured) and Graham Gallasch. Lines, a 1993 graduate of UniSA’s Bachelor of Education, is now teaching at Willunga Waldorf School, while Gallasch works at Cornerstone College at Mount Barker.
The program, the Rite Journey, is already taught at two SA schools and Lines and Gallasch are working with about 12 schools throughout Australia and the United States on implementing the customised program. This follows a positive reaction to the program at the US Association of Single Sex Public Schooling Education Conference in Tennessee last year.
"The Rite Journey has been developed to fill the current void in western culture of providing the necessary teaching and rite of passage that is required to develop respectful and responsible adult males," Lines said.
"In most indigenous cultures there is a rite of passage where the mysteries of adulthood are explored, and this transition is celebrated.
"The program includes curriculum content for Year 9 students that explores the essence of being a gentleman, and is coupled with the important acknowledgement and celebration of a boy’s transition into adulthood."
The program can slot into existing subjects such as Health and Physical Education or maybe a stand alone offering.
Last year the Rite Journey was introduced to the curriculum at
Adelaide’s Immanuel College,
with 70 Year 9 male
students studying the topic through their Christian
Living classes. A partner course was also taught to female students
in single gender classes with significant results, according to
Immanuel College Principal, Kevin Richardson.
"Not only do we feel that we are effectively passing on the ‘rules’ of being a mature adult to our students but we are already noticing a marked changed in the attitude and behaviour of this group of students," Richardson said.
"After five years of research, we have finally found a program that meets the developmental needs of adolescence.
"Staff and students are reporting on the tremendous impact of the program and parents are also expressing their gratitude for such a process."
Richardson said the program is creating a cultural shift in the college.
Lines and Gallasch are having the female-orientated program significantly redesigned for 2010, after input from specialists in that area.
Director of the US Association for Single Sex Public Education, Leonard Sax, said he was impressed with the Rite Journey program when it was presented at the Tennessee conference.
"The Rite Journey has arrived at the right time given the current challenges of the educational climate in engaging young adolescents," Sax said.
"A boy does not naturally become a gentleman, by which I mean a man who is courteous and kind and unselfish. That behaviour is not hardwired – it has to be taught."
For more information visit: The Rite Journey's website