“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105
In Week 4, our Year 12 cohort stepped away from the busyness of daily life and ventured to Jindabyne for their annual retreat. Surrounded by the beauty of the Australian bushland, with the calls of kookaburras echoing through the trees, the boys were invited to disconnect from the noise and be fully present.
We began gathered around a yarning mat, acknowledging the rich traditions of storytelling on the land we stood upon. This set the tone for deep reflection, as staff shared their own experiences of navigating life’s challenges—what happens when things don’t go to plan, and how we can find light even in moments of uncertainty.
Of course, no retreat with all boys is complete without plenty of food. Every two hours, Terry in the kitchen ensured the boys were well-fed, and in true Eddie’s fashion, friendships were formed—by the end of the retreat, Terry had been affectionately renamed ‘Tezza’ by the group.
Fr Chris provided invaluable pastoral and spiritual support, offering the opportunity for reconciliation, and celebrating Mass on a hill overlooking the lake—a powerful moment of stillness and connection with God. On the final evening, we gathered around a campfire for affirmations and gratitude, reflecting on how we can be the best versions of ourselves.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff—Anna Blore, Tim MacArthur, Joachim Fatiaki, Caroline Devlin, Trent Masters, and Mike Brennan—who made this experience possible.
As our Year 12s return to the realities of assessments, exams, and their final months of school, we hope they carry with them the lessons of the retreat: to pause, reflect, and seek the light in the midst of life’s chaos.
Carmela Wilson
Head of Religious Education,
Assistant Principal- Mission & Identity
