Catholic Identity and Mission and Wellbeing

Retreats: Where Wellbeing and Spirituality Meet

A retreat is a wonderful and unique experience. It is an opportunity to stop and to reflect on our lives, away from the busyness and everyday distractions. At a retreat, students and staff share together a sense of who we are and what it is that they are called to do with their lives. It is important that all participants develop trust – as a sign of respect for each other during the experiences they share. We strongly encourage all our parents and students to utilise the amazing opportunities to support our retreat programs.

The Purpose of the Retreat

People today are bombarded with so many stereotypical images and expectations, how to look, what to wear and so on. It’s all quite confusing and not necessarily the way young people feel comfortable being.

Consequently, many people are confused and have no idea what it takes to be an authentic person. They seek inappropriate role models and imitate the bad behaviour that they see on a regular basis. Society needs people who are respectful, loving, and willing to contribute to society in a positive way. Mary MacKillop College integrates fun filled, inclusive learning opportunities to develop personal and group confidence. We are lucky to be inspired by Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods our founders. 

The Year 11 retreat experience July 20-22, is a two day journey calling students to respond to their  life situation in new and positive ways. Students explore themselves, examined their inner being, and hopefully grew emotionally through the experience. We are all, each and every one of us, called to be leaders in our community, to stand up for what is right and just. The retreat challenges the students to take on the responsibility as leaders in our College. 

For some, that will mean formal roles of responsibility such as Captains, and for others it means exercising the kind of respect and responsibility required of senior people in our College.

We are very proud to be extending this very personal invitation to each of the students who attended. We hope the students use their unique gifts in the service of others, as leaders in our community.

The invitation issued asks students to consider taking on a leadership position in your community, as part of next year’s Student Mission Team. If students decide to put themselves forward for this team, we’d like them to be sure that they feel a genuine desire to take on this responsibility in our school.