Year 7 students from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School, Wythenshawe, were invited to step away from their busy start at secondary school and enjoy space for team building, reflection and prayer when they spent a retreat day 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. Activities included icebreaker games, creating posters and writing prayers. The Year 7 students were able to reflect on their faith and their relationship with God, as well as with their peers.
The retreat was focused on thinking about Saints and completing a saintly challenge. Saints are an important part of Saint Paul’s, so the Year 7 students were given the opportunity to think about and complete tasks relating to their form saints. These activities were very helpful, fulfilling and enjoyable for the students.
Head of RE Monika Timkovicova 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.”
Year 7 Progress Leader Hannah Chisnall underlined the importance of the students knowing how God ‘loves us as we are.’
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Thanking the Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team, Headteacher Mike Whiteside said: “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.”