It was quite an amazing experience as Sancta Maria College’s Year 13 students had their final retreat at St Paul’s in the Park Church in the early morning of Friday 20 February 2026. We began the retreat gathered outside at Barry Curtis with the most astounding view of the sunrise during a wonderful Mass led by Father John Paul.
After a shared breakfast, we began our first session as a whole group which was led by a former R.E teacher, Mr Yalda; he shared his vulnerabilities as an immigrant – allowing us to reflect on overcoming hardships with God’s guidance.
Throughout the day, we encountered Jesus Christ through various team building sessions, thought-provoking discussions, and inspirational talks.
Mr Piggin’s activity consisted of visual demonstrations to accentuate the importance of defending the vulnerable within our society.
Mrs. Kubala’s discussions challenged our moral and ethical decision-making as we were given hypothetical situations that corresponded with biblical stories. During Mr Bidwell’s session, we journeyed through the stations of the cross, emphasising Jesus’ sacrifice, with each student carrying water buckets or the wooden cross throughout the park.
Mr. Gutry’s session highlighted trust, communication, and collaboration through exhilarating physical activities.
Not only was this retreat enjoyable, but it also became a lasting memory for all Year 13s that day.
During the final moments, we thanked our amazing teachers, staff, and helpers who allowed us to experience this remarkable opportunity to truly connect with our peers for our last year at Sancta Maria College.
