Year 12 Retreat Reflection 2025

The Year 12 cohort of 2025 ventured  on our final school camp – the Year 12 Retreat, from Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 February, receiving a warm welcome from Federation University, Ballarat. It was an opportunity to connect with our peers and reflect on our experiences and connection to faith, as well as a chance to prepare and relax for the year to come.

We were inspired by the guest speakers who shared their experiences and how they contribute to their community. Mursal Sadat of the Afghan Women’s Soccer Team spoke to us about compassion through her journey of coming to Australia and her passion for soccer. She is now going on to start her own business. Craig Schepis who owns the Ballarat Soup Bus provides food to the homeless and support to struggling students. We also had the opportunity to listen to speakers from the Salvation Army, the Sisters of Mercy and Indigenous members of the CMCB community.

We were able to connect as a year level and be vulnerable during our group sessions and wellbeing sessions. We also participated in bushwalking, Pilates, a strengthening and conditioning session, and created care packs from donations. The care packs were donated to McAuley Family Services and aim to provide support and comfort to those who are in need of these resources and to help them feel valued. We later received letters from our family members and carers, where we reflected on gratitude and what our values as a family are.

The second day finished with trivia, which was organised and run by two Year 12 leaders. Some students commented saying “it was the most connected they  had felt as a whole year level, during their whole experience at school”.

We concluded our Year 12 Retreat on Friday with a liturgy, led by Father Jackson. It was a fulfilling experience and one that I’m sure many will remember and reflect on in years to come. We are very grateful we had this opportunity to reflect, relax and branch out of our comfort zones over the three days, alongside our peers and teachers.

Sophie Hughes, Year 12

We pray for our school community this year, particularly our Year 12 cohort and teachers. Give us the strength to do our best this year and strive for success. Thank you Lord for blessing us with this time away to reflect and connect with one another. May we carry all that we have learnt about ourselves and our values to motivate us and guide us through any challenges we may face. Help us Lord to have an incredible year, appreciate each other and make the most of our final school year together. God of mercy hear us.

Prayer written by Year 12s on Retreat