Year 12 Retreat

Year 12 2021 Retreat explored the theme:

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one, wild and precious life?

Creating a cohesive team of students, who will support and encourage each other on their journey towards completing the HSC, involves positive interactions with role models from within the staff of KCC and an acknowledgment of our interconnectedness with all of creation, God and each other. Through small and large group activities, the students participated in challenge activities, shared some of the story of their lives, explored issues that could be holding them back, healed hurts and whole heartedly enjoyed the ”Who is your hero?” themed dance party.

Additionally, the Burn Bright Leadership Team explored how everyone can be a leader, through being real, authentic and genuine in order to “Live your Truth!” The themes explored included:

At the conclusion of the Retreat, a presentation created by Steph Garrod, demonstrated to Year 12 2021 just how far they have travelled from Year 7. The students were also given an opportunity to move forward through writing themselves a letter, reflecting on their time together and planning the next six months. Year 12 will receive this letter on their last day of Year 12 before their HSC Exams.

Thank you to the Year 12 2021 Retreat Team: Peter Gaffney, Steph Garrod, Zack Cohalan Caitlin Fahey, Callum Potts, Crisa McCartan, Max Pilon, Tegan Bonet, Ben Colenso, Bindi Belling, Nicole Goggin and Tom Hull (our DJ), for your enthusiasm, commitment, care and support of our extraordinary Year 12 2021 leaders.

A special thank you to Fr Paddy Sykes and Fr Damian Jellett, for their presence throughout Day 1 and facilitation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which was readily taken up by a number of students. It was wonderful to have Chris Browne present with us for our healing ritual.

What a privilege it is to work with such a professional team and to accompany a wonderful group of young leaders. Please continue to keep Year 12 2021 in your prayers as they continue their HSC journey.

Reflections from Year 12 Students:

• For me, the Retreat was a crucial turning point for us all. Together as a year we connected and shared our experiences, especially to people we weren’t familiar with. We all showed compassion and offered our respect and love to each other. Now we have made a pact to support and guide each other for our “one, wild and precious life"
   
• The Year 12 Retreat was in all honesty, the most eye-opening experience in my entire high school career, and I will value and treasure the memories made on that trip for many, many years to come.
   
• Highlight #1: being fed almost 6 times a day 
  Highlight #2: sleepover with my friends!!!!!!!! 
   
• I really loved the candle lighting and reconciliation night, it was so moving and emotional. I feel everyone really came together on the dance night it was so much fun!
   
• The Year 12 Retreat was awesome, especially because we know what teamwork is, which is that we can share our own stories, challenges and dreams with each other and offer support. 
   
• I believe that Retreat gave everyone an opportunity to promote a sense of trust within each other which enabled people to feel confident in themselves and capable of doing their job and contributing to the team.
   
• I really enjoyed getting to know everyone in my year better and spend time learning their stories. 
   
• A truly eye opening experience which has allowed me to understand and connect with others better.
   
• The Retreat was an amazing experience to bring our whole year closer together. The Hurts and Healing liturgy was a really great opportunity to show someone how much you appreciate them by lighting a candle with them, which brought us all closer on the first night.
   
• The Retreat was a great opportunity for self reflection.
   
• The Year 12 Retreat was very beneficial to everyone I think because it allowed us to open up with our peers, to tell personal stories and make amends which was an amazing experience for us.

Canberra Islamic Centre & the Sakyamuni Buddhist Temple

Being so close to Canberra, the students had the opportunity to visit the Canberra Islamic Centre and the Sakyamuni Buddhist Temple as Christianity, Islam and Buddhism are the Religious Traditions studied in Studies of Religion at Kildare. Imam Adam and Master Thich shared their knowledge of Islam and Buddhism respectively, and the communities were very warm and welcoming, hospitable and generous, showing us around and providing us with morning tea. This was all the more generous as the Muslim community are in the middle of Ramadan - the month of fasting during daylight hours. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience contemporary religious expression in these two traditions. The Canberra Muslim and Buddhist communities were delighted to host our young people and we were very appreciative of their time and efforts.

Dates for your diary:

Monday 3 - Friday 7 May - Catholic Schools Week

Wednesday 5 May - Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice

• Kildare Day Mass: 10.00am in the College Hall
• BBQ Lunch for everyone supplied by the College

Monday 17 May - Terry Kennedy’s first anniversary

• Crazy Tie Day: gold coin donation for Vinnies Winter Appeal

Sunday 23 - Saturday 29 May - Palliative Care Week

• Palliative Care "It's more than you think"

Blessings for a productive Term 2.

Christine Savage | Leader of Mission