YEAR 11 RETREAT

In Week 8 of this term, the Year 11 cohort gathered at the CRU Galston Gorge Conference and Recreation Centre for the second of their Senior Retreats. The theme of the Retreat is We Are God’s Creation and is based on the scripture: “I thank you God, for I am wonderfully made.” Psalm 8 is also the scriptural basis for this Retreat, part of which states, “You (God) made people almost like gods and crowned them with glory and honour.” Therefore the Retreat explores each person’s giftedness and value. The Retreat culminates in each girl receiving affirmations for her giftedness and personal qualities.

The Year 11 girls are to be highly commended for the way in which they entered into the Retreat experience. They wholeheartedly took up the advice to get out of the experience what they were prepared to put into it. With openness and trust, the Year 11 girls were able to gain lasting memories of a very positive and affirming experience with their peers.

Thanks is extended to the team of teachers who co-facilitated this Retreat: Ms Bella (acting Year Coordinator), Ms Bleyerveen, Ms E Wilson, Ms Pereira, Ms Aboud, Ms Wallin.

YEAR 10 RETREAT

In Week 9 of this term, the Year 10 cohort gathered at the Winbourne Conference and Retreat Centre for the first of their Senior Retreats. One of the themes of this Retreat is “On the Journey”. This theme highlights that life is a journey along which signposts and crossroads are encountered. At each signpost and crossroad, we must draw on our inner strength and giftedness in order to successfully navigate life—with all its ups and downs.

Another theme of the Year 10 Retreat is based on the last sentence of the parable of the Good Samaritan: “Go and do likewise.” This theme links to the Year 10 Community Service Program which exists as a practical way for our St Pat’s girls to live out this command from the parable—to go and be neighbour to all people.

As with the Year 11 girls, the Year 10 cohort entered their first Retreat experience with openness and trust. They received and engaged with the various activities with enthusiasm and this meant that they gained much from the experiences presented to them.

Thanks is extended to the team of teachers who co-facilitated the Year 10 Retreat: Ms Glase (Year Coordinator), Mr Stevens, Mrs Conti, Mr Muller, Ms Young, Ms Brown.

Angelo Gattone - Mission Coordinator

Retreat Reflection 

By Sienna W and Summer D - Year 11 Students

Year 11 retreat was an extremely eye-opening experience for the two of us. Arriving at the Galston Gorge Camp and Conference Centre allowed us to temporarily leave behind distractions we face in our everyday lives and enter a space and time of reflection through various activities. The retreat also supplied us with an opportunity to build a stronger sense of connectedness with not only our peers but ourselves as well. 

One activity that stood out to us was a movie that we watched on the first night. This movie talks about a young man who was determined to achieve his dream of becoming a school teacher. This movie related to the key theme of the retreat which was ‘We are all wonderfully made in the eyes of God’ as it shows God created human beings in his image. 

Another activity that stood out to us both was the liturgy on the second day of our stay. This liturgy allowed us to quietly reflect individually on various activities, such as reading, writing about the clay sculptures we had made earlier that day, and also lighting candles. Seeing as though retreat is greatly used as a time of reflection, the sacred space of the liturgy allowed us to relax and take the time to deeply reflect on ourselves. 

Overall, the Year 11 retreat was an amazing experience for both of us as it allowed us to gain a sense of connection within ourselves, and also allowed us to reflect on our lives through the activities we were able to participate in. We are both excited to see what the Year 12 retreat will have in store for us next year.