2023 Journey – Part 3
After our Year 10 Journey assembly, where our students shared their stories of the Journey with the rest of the high school, a deeper reflection was shared with the parents at our JourneyGet2Gether where everyone is invited to share a meal and watch a video compilation of all the photos. Enjoy reading some more excerpts of their reflections in this final installment.
“Because I was new to the school, I went into the Journey sort of alienated but soon everyone warmed up to me. Some started to see me as a friend but most saw me as a brother. In Johannesburg I had known my friends for many years so the most important thing for me during the Journey was to make meaningful connections with the people around me. And now looking around me, I can say that I have achieved that.
Journey, as an overall experience, was amazing. But don’t misunderstand what I mean. During Journey you realise that your highs are high and your lows are low. But by about day six that all changed. The highs, the socializing after that day’s hike, and the lows, all the walking we did, started to mix and there started to be no bad times.
Some of my highlights were cooking for everyone and spending time with my no-longer friends, but family.
On day three we walked 25km on the beach and that was the worst day of Journey. As we all remember, towards the end of the walk Zane and Ronan didn’t want to tell us how much longer there was to walk and we all collapsed on the ground on the side of the road because we could not walk anymore. But arguably, that day taught us the most about ourselves.
Journey teaches us that although there are physical mountains to climb, the first mountain you have to climb is the one in your mind. During Journey, I watched as the people around me grew mentally and changed into better people and it was amazing! I hope that I have changed for the better.
Truth be told, I don’t think I could have completed the Journey by myself, therefore I can confidently say that because of the people around me, including Ms van Zyl and Mr Kotzee, I completed Journey.”
– Kiyan Govender
“The Journey, for me personally, was an escape from reality where I discovered new things about myself and my classmates. I learnt not to take aspects of my life for granted such as family, books, a warm bed and a good hearty meal. I’ll admit in the beginning I had my resistance and an attitude for giving up but as the days went by I didn’t mind all the hiking, sore feet and heavy bag. Despite an injured knee, I persevered until I reached the finish line and I was so happy to see my best friend in the entire world, my mother.
Some friendships grew stronger, unbreakable bonds were built. I felt comfortable sharing pieces of myself because I knew I could trust these people. In short, the Journey was an adventure, one where you had no limits to be yourself, discover foreign grounds and learn to have gratitude and love for the people around you. I would not change the fact that I got injured because it helped me realise that I’m brave, courageous and that I’ll do anything to succeed and not let imaginary limits stop me.”
– Imitha Mhlungu
Ms Terena van Zyl, High School Teacher
