St Marys girls’ journey of self discovery

THE five St Mary’s Grade 9 journey groups returned from their 21-day adventure experience of self discovery while hiking through the Spioenkop and Berg area.

The Grade 9 Journey is an integral part of the personal growth of the girls and is part of the curriculum that focuses on social and emotional learning. It is a wonderful learning opportunity for the girls, with each girl having to work individually and in team situations towards self-discovery.

“They come to the realisation that they are far stronger physically and mentally than they might have believed and learnt the skill of interacting daily with 18 other girls in their group. They carry their tents and food and work as a tight-knit group,” said Jonathan Manley, principal of St Mary’s DSG.

The Journey groups are carefully structured and planned so that every Grade 9 girl can take the maximum away from the 21-day experience. This year, for the first time, Grade 12 girls were appointed as Journey mentors to each Journey group to help ease the concern and trepidation that some of the Grade 9s had regarding the Journey.

“Our pupils leave on the journey as young girls, and when they return from this amazing adventure, they return having learnt what it really means to be independent and resilient. Teenagers need healthy challenges and experiences in order for them to grow into successful adults,” said Manley.

Hannah Mackay, one of the pupils in group one, said that she found the Journey amazing. She said it was hard at times, just like real life. She found the first week challenging and then, once they had settled into a routine, she said it was wonderful. She loved making new friends with girls she hadn’t really known beforehand and she found that once you got used to the outdoor sounds, they were very soothing and peaceful.

“At times we were hiking in temperatures of two degrees with frost on our eyelashes, but I wouldn’t change the experience for anything,” she enthused.