At the beginning of this term our Year 12 students embarked on a meaningful and reflective retreat, marking the beginning of their final year at McAuley Catholic College. This now annual retreat is a reflective experience that invites each student to look back on their personal journey, celebrate their unique gifts, and grow in their understanding of being deeply loved by God and others for who they really are.

The retreat’s theme, inspired by Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s poem “Who Am I?”  invited students to consider who they are beyond the roles they play and to explore their true selves. The activities across the sessions were thoughtfully designed to encourage reflection and build connections with oneself and others. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of the people studied in Year 12 Studies of Religion, it was a great introduction to his life.

The retreat began with students drawing a timeline of their lives, marking significant milestones and noting how they see themselves today. This reflective exercise allowed students to pause and observe the road they've travelled — the happy memories, challenges, and growth points that have shaped who they are.

Building on this, students engaged in a study of Bonhoeffer’s poem which allowed for them to examine the “masks” they wear — the faces they show in different contexts like school, family, and friendships.

In the evenings, students let loose with a fun-filled “Minute to Win It” game, trivia and karaoke sessions with Sebastian Breward also entertaining the staff and students with his amazing piano performances.  

The retreat concluded with a beautiful liturgy where students reflected on their life journeys through the “3 H’s”: a Hero, a Hardship, and a Highlight. These reflective elements allowed them to find purpose and connection in their past, present, and future, rooted in the understanding that “Whoever I am, You know me, I am Yours, O God.”

The Year 12 retreat was a memorable, grace-filled experience that honoured the individuality of each student while celebrating the collective spirit of our McAuley College community. The retreat created lasting memories and allowed time for reflection as well as plenty of laughter. It offered our students space to pause, reflect, and embrace the Year 12 path ahead, grounded in faith, love, and a deeper sense of belonging.

Special thanks to Mr. Moore, Mrs. Dougherty, Mr. Ellison and Miss Mason for their presence, support, and guidance throughout the three-day retreat.

We asked a few students about the experience, and this is what they had to say:

“I think the best part of the retreat was making the most of the people we were with. Our last excursion together and we only just found out how amazing Sebastian is at the piano!! Terry cooked up some mean meals – yummo” Phoebe Oag

“The year 12 retreat was good, it was nice to be with all of the others in Year 12 and the last night we were all singing and dancing!” Adrian Barnard

“The trip was great as we made some fun memories. Thanks for the well-planned activities” Ruben White

“The Jindabyne Retreat was a wonderful experience for me. My favourite part of the retreat was being able to make people happy by playing the piano. The food was great, and we all learnt more about each other and celebrated how far we have come” Sebastian Breward

And a word from the Principal…. “Retreat is always a special time to learn about yourself and to learn about others. It is important to know that you have a team of people around you to help you through the joys and challenges of Year 12. Thank you all for participating so thoughtfully in the activities…” Eamonn Moore