Year 11 Retreat

Retreat Reflections

Charlotte Fox

On Wednesday the 16th of March, the Year 11 students met at the back of the Town Hall at 6:30AM so we could leave for our 3 day retreat to Beechworth. We were all pretty tired but keen to get on the road. The bus trip was around 3.5 hours which was longer than we thought but it gave us the chance to watch The Breakfast Club which we all enjoyed. 

Once we arrived at Beechworth we started by finding our rooms, having our first sessions and then dinner. On Day 2 we all got to make masks which showed the qualities we display and the ones we hide. It was really interesting to listen to each other and support one another. After we did our masks we got to go into Beechworth for an hour and see the town. In the night-time we had a liturgy and watched the talent show. On Day 3 we got to eat breakfast, had a couple of discussion groups and then we had to tidy and pack the buses so we could head back home. We all got on the buses around 11am, stopped at Yea for lunch and then we got back to school by about 4 o’clock.  Overall I really enjoyed the retreat and made some new friends, got to know my teachers a little better and learnt about myself and others more. 

Zoe Walsh

After starting our Year 11 VCE and VCAL journeys, our Retreat to Beechworth was the perfect way to wind down and take a break from our studies. Being put into discussion groups, we talked about our characteristics that we have and we want to work on, our masks displaying what we show people and what we hide away, and our crossroads and signposts that we have faced in our lives, both good and bad. Discussing these in our groups we got to learn about others and what they have faced, but we also learnt a lot about ourselves, and were able to grow in the short three days of our journey. Travelling into town we were able to explore and be with friends, letting loose from all the stresses we have faced and have fun. Overall I think I can speak for the whole of Year 11 when I say that retreat was a much needed time to journey and develop as a person and a group, and will be a cherished and memorable experience for us all.

Mila Cvetkosk

I really enjoyed the Retreat. It was amazing to be able to spend lots of time with my friends, make loads of new friends and not have to worry about school or any assessments. Our theme for this retreat was ‘Our Journey’.  We focused more on the theme in our small discussion groups through talking about the crossroads and sign posts throughout our lives, backpack journeying and through mask making. All of these small activities with these groups allowed us to share things with each other and start to form some new friendships. I know I can definitely say I came out of this retreat with a lot more new friends and can't wait for these friendships to continue to grow over the years. The trip into the town of Beechworth was lots of fun. Being able to walk around the town with friends, buy some gifts for family and most importantly, being able to go to the amazing lolly shop and try the town famous ‘Bee sting’ from the local bakery. The main highlight of the retreat was definitely the talent show. All the girls that signed up were amazing and definitely made the last night of retreat the best night of our lives and definitely left the whole year level starstruck on how much talent the Year 11s have. Overall, the three days away were the best three days and I can say that this retreat has created memories for a lifetime.