“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
On Monday, 21 September, our Year 9 students had their Retreat at the College. The theme for the Retreat was Rising Stronger, reflecting on the skills of resilience and the comfort of knowing that God watches over us. Retreats are an opportunity for students to grow as people, but also to think about the role faith has in their life and putting this into action.
The day involved a series of reflection activities, games, a liturgy and hearing from a guest speaker. The day began with rotating around a series of challenges in groups, to test their resilience. These groups had to put their skills of resilience to the test, solving the challenges and then reflecting as a group on the different skills and abilities to complete the challenge.
In the middle of the day we welcomed guest speaker, Samuel Clear. Samuel is a Tasmanian who has travelled the world and spoken to thousands to share his incredible story. He walked over 15,000 kilometres from South America across to Europe on his mission of Walk4One, meeting to pray with people for unity in the Church. Along the way, Samuel faced hardships, fear, near death experiences and encounters that crushed the heart. He used this story to talk to students about resilience and was very well received by the students and staff.
The day concluded with the students creating their own wristband using beads and letters to make something personalised to remind them of the day and what they learned. We then all moved down into the Chapel for a concluding liturgy, led by some students. The students really threw themselves into all the activities making it a great day. I am very thankful to all the staff who helped make this day a success and also to God for blessing us with the opportunity to spend a day growing in faith!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9)
Mr Patrick Fabian
Director of Faith & Ministry
