title: An integral rite of passage: embedding the aesthetic in adventure education in the pursuit of wellbeing

authors: Wagstaff, Ruth

subjects: wellbeing

abstract: The context for this study was the implementation of an arts integrated unit examined through the lenses of wellbeing, adventure education, children’s spirituality and aesthetic experience. The author’s personal experiences as a holistic educator, connecting theory and practice in educational settings, informed the devising of the learning experiences incorporated into this contemporary ‘Rites of Passage’, arts integrated unit. They also informed the qualitative methods selected for this research. Students reported on their own and others’ perceived state of “wholeness” and completeness of experience and the New Zealand Maori concepts of “hauora” – mental and emotional, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing were examined. Qualitative analysis of the data revealed that a holistic, integrative approach to learning was valued by the students and contributed significantly to their experience of wellbeing and wholeness. The coded data was considered in terms of a heuristic clustering of responses around the relational categories of Self, Others and the Environment. Connection, Relationship and Belonging emerged as the most important themes and, unexpectedly, Inclusion emerged as an important consideration to the participants in this study. Creative and resilience-building learning activities, as within this ‘Rites of Passage” unit and the integral “Wilderness Camp”, are supportive of the health and wellbeing of young learners. Such learning opportunities provide for intra-personal and inter-personal development, and contribute to their sense of self, place, meaning and purpose.

text: An integral rite of passage: embedding the aesthetic in adventure education in the pursuit of wellbeing The context for this study was the implementation of an arts integrated unit examined through the lenses of wellbeing, adventure education, children’s spirituality and aesthetic experience. The author’s personal experiences as a holistic educator, connecting theory and practice in educational settings, informed the devising of the learning experiences incorporated into this contemporary ‘Rites of Passage’, arts integrated unit. They also informed the qualitative methods selected for this research. Students reported on their own and others’ perceived state of “wholeness” and completeness of experience and the New Zealand Maori concepts of “hauora” – mental and emotional, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing were examined. Qualitative analysis of the data revealed that a holistic, integrative approach to learning was valued by the students and contributed significantly to their experience of wellbeing and wholeness. The coded data was considered in terms of a heuristic clustering of responses around the relational categories of Self, Others and the Environment. Connection, Relationship and Belonging emerged as the most important themes and, unexpectedly, Inclusion emerged as an important consideration to the participants in this study. Creative and resilience-building learning activities, as within this ‘Rites of Passage” unit and the integral “Wilderness Camp”, are supportive of the health and wellbeing of young learners. Such learning opportunities provide for intra-personal and inter-personal development, and contribute to their sense of self, place, meaning and purpose.

year: 2011

title: An Assessment of the Cognitive Ability and the Attitude to Rehabilitation of European and Maori Trainees at a Borstal Institution.

authors: Zimmerman, Malcolm Laird

subjects: Borstal Institution

abstract: The incidence of delinquency in New Zealand has risen and is a cause for serious concern for the future of the nation. "As in all fields of social inquiry it is much easier to specify the problem than it is to account for its occurrence ... In the case of delinquency, it is much easier to record what has occurred as opposed to why - it is even more difficult to prevent delinquency from occurring at all. Why should this be so?" (Blizard, 1967, p.i.)
There are no easy answers: there are no short cuts to understanding: there will never be an easily worked out, or easily administered programme for prevention. The road is hard, costly both in terms of men, money and time.

text: An Assessment of the Cognitive Ability and the Attitude to Rehabilitation of European and Maori Trainees at a Borstal Institution. The incidence of delinquency in New Zealand has risen and is a cause for serious concern for the future of the nation. "As in all fields of social inquiry it is much easier to specify the problem than it is to account for its occurrence ... In the case of delinquency, it is much easier to record what has occurred as opposed to why - it is even more difficult to prevent delinquency from occurring at all. Why should this be so?" (Blizard, 1967, p.i.)
There are no easy answers: there are no short cuts to understanding: there will never be an easily worked out, or easily administered programme for prevention. The road is hard, costly both in terms of men, money and time.

year: 1971

title: Decoding the puzzle: Chinese culture, familial transfers, and disputes in Western courts

authors: Liao, Zhixiong (Leo)

abstract: More and more Chinese live in Western countries nowadays and many disputes over transfers between Chinese family members are brought to Western courts. Generally, little documentary evidence on such transactions is available and the oral evidence is commonly divergent as to what was agreed and what happened. Western judges are faced with the puzzle whether the transfer was a gift, a loan, or an equity investment. This article elaborates on the relevant Chinese cultural dimensions and the recent developments. It discusses the cultural relevance in determining the nature of such transfers and investigates whether clearly established Chinese cultural norms could be admissible evidence aiding the interpretation, or even implied terms, of the transaction. It argues that Chinese culture should be seriously considered in assessing the credibility of Chinese witnesses. This article critiques the prevailing common law presumptions, and proposes an analytical model aiming to assist Western judges and lawyers to assess the cultural influence properly for better answers to the puzzles.

text: Decoding the puzzle: Chinese culture, familial transfers, and disputes in Western courts More and more Chinese live in Western countries nowadays and many disputes over transfers between Chinese family members are brought to Western courts. Generally, little documentary evidence on such transactions is available and the oral evidence is commonly divergent as to what was agreed and what happened. Western judges are faced with the puzzle whether the transfer was a gift, a loan, or an equity investment. This article elaborates on the relevant Chinese cultural dimensions and the recent developments. It discusses the cultural relevance in determining the nature of such transfers and investigates whether clearly established Chinese cultural norms could be admissible evidence aiding the interpretation, or even implied terms, of the transaction. It argues that Chinese culture should be seriously considered in assessing the credibility of Chinese witnesses. This article critiques the prevailing common law presumptions, and proposes an analytical model aiming to assist Western judges and lawyers to assess the cultural influence properly for better answers to the puzzles.

year: 2022