Year 7 students were offered an opportunity to step away from their busy start to their high school lives and enjoy some space for team building, reflection and prayer when they recently spent a day on retreat with the Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team.
The students engaged in a number of group-based activities and the day was full of thoughtful activities which they enjoyed very much. Some of these activities included icebreaker games, creating posters and writing prayers. The Year 7 students were able reflect on their faith and look more closely at their relationship with God as well as with their peers.
One of the focuses of the retreat was thinking about Saints and completing a saintly challenge. Saints are an important part of our school, so the Year 7s were given the opportunity to think about and complete tasks relating to their Form Saints. These activities were very helpful, fulfilling and enjoyable for our Year 7s.
Mrs Timkovicova, Head of RE, said: “The retreat offered many bonding opportunities for the Year 7 students whilst at the same time providing a time for reflection and peace. The retreat is seen by the school as an integral part of the life-long faith formation of young people. The students withdraw from the ordinary activities of the school for a period of time to be with God in prayer and reflection.”
“We all need the space and the silence to reflect and pray, it can help us begin to sense a deeper truth about ourselves and God, how he loves us as we are,” explained Mrs Chisnall, Year 7 Progress Leader. “The retreat gave us the opportunity not only to reflect upon our goals and ambitions and how our faith supports us in achieving these; but also a chance to get to know each other better.”
Mr Whiteside, Headteacher, added: “The retreat is a spiritual exercise which provides the opportunity for our pupils to deepen their relationship with God, with others and with themselves, through reflection and prayer.”
We want to thank Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team for taking our Year 7s on this journey of faith.
