Year 8 Retreat

The Year 8 Retreat was on Wednesday 15 November. It started with games that, even though rowdy, were a lot of fun for the students. The the ministers gradually introduced the students to concepts such as self acceptance, self esteem and finding God by playing games. The games continued all day finishing with a reflection on Jesus and a prayer.

A group from YMT (Youth Mission Team) came to the College and spent the day teaching the Year 8’s to keep faith in each other, God and themselves. The day was filled with many little games and activities, finishing off the day with a massive game of duck duck goose which included the whole grade. The YMT members were very nice and cheerful, sharing their life stories to help us reflect on God and make us believe that God is always helping us no matter what.

Abbey Howley

So lets start with the fact it got us a day out of class and every kid would take that chance the minute they got it, this then made us want to enjoy the day and have fun with our fellow students. Well it was an enlightening experience and it allowed us to relate with others with things we have experienced with the stories of the Youth Mission Team. The team gave us the opportunity to understand who God really is and not the things people make him out to be, they showed us this through an entertaining and humorous skit. There were many skits throughout the day all teaching us a lesson but they were centred around our faith and having faith. As a student at the start of the day I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy it as I was in a moonboot and thought I wouldn’t be able to participate and have a good time, but I did and I enjoyed myself and in my small groups I was with some people I normally wouldn’t be with and still had fun. My group leader was Anushka, she was kind and funny and understood what we were saying especially when we had to relate to life being like a bouquet of flowers. Overall it was an entertaining and enlightening day where we grew closer to God as the day progressed. Also a big thank you to Ms Kyd for organising the day.

Zeta Stevens

In my opinion, the Year 8 Retreat was a very memorable day filled with laughter, smiles, sad stories and new friends. The skits created a story that some people could relate to. The personal stories crafted strong bonds and connections. We got put into small groups and that made me anxious and thought I wouldn't be put in a group with my friends, but all was well and it was basically the best group. My leader was funny and she was really chilled. The day ended well with a major game of 'duck duck goose' and it was so exhilarating. The day made me consider my thoughts and beliefs about God and who he really is to me. I'm so glad I went and hope to do it again soon.

Angel Moffat :)