Respect is a word that is often referred to when discussing the actions, emotions and reactions of teenagers. By definition, respect is a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by abilities, qualities or achievements and a due regard for the feelings, wishes or rights of others. With this definition we need to then consider whether we are giving our teenagers the right signals regarding respect for our actions or requests.
In week 3 of college I walked alongside the Year 9 students and staff who took on the Great North Walk from Somersby to Sydney. We left on Monday morning on foot from college at Kariong, joining the official path behind Somersby. This was meant to be a 5 day trek involving camping in tents, sleeping in lodges and walking approximately 125km.
During the journey we had 5 staff members supporting and sharing the challenge of what has become a college tradition for Year 9 students. With almost 45 students starting the trek, we set off in warm conditions for the first leg of a challenging hike over rocky inclines and descents but the mood was good with many students involved in good conversation.
After four hours we arrived at our first campsite under the bridge on Mooney Mooney Creek on the Old Pacific Highway. This is where new challenges became a part of the trek for many students as they got used to being in less comfortable surroundings. The hot weather gave the students a huge thirst for fresh water as well as a need to cool off in the river.
The remainder of the trek improved daily with everyone starting to contribute towards achieving the goal of arriving in Sydney. The bonding of students and staff was a joy to watch as many of us talked and laughed along the way. The staff members Mitch, Sue, Laura, Jono and myself shared both the lead and the tail end with the walkers to ensure no one was left behind.
One student in particular earned the respect of the staff and students for his sheer determination to make it to the end of the trek. He was a victim of a cut foot earlier in the week but he soldiered on, with a grimace on his face towards the end of each day. We tended to his cut and ensured it was clean and bandaged before leaving for the next walk. He insisted that his trek was not over and did not want to quit. His brave jump at the infamous jump rock in Crosslands Reserve was cheered by all who witnessed him launch over the 10m drop.
The strengthening of friendships was very evident by the end of the long trek. Staff and students made some headway in the sometimes difficult relationship between kids and their elders. I believe this tough challenge of the Great North Walk has many hurdles that provide great lessons for everyone involved.
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