Exploring knowledge, humility and wisdom | Mrs Catherine Porter, Program Leader - Retreats and Service Learning
Next week, another group of our Year 12 gentlemen will head off to their Kairos retreat. Kairos is the end of our retreat experience at Terrace and across all year levels, boys are given the opportunity to explore what it means to truly live out our Terrace values of knowledge, humility and wisdom. This semester, we've seen students from Years 5, 7, 8 and 12 exploring these values from the unique lens of their point on the Terrace journey.
Year 5 students were able to explore Liberating Education on the grounds of St Stephen’s Cathedral, starting their retreat journey where Terrace began. Boys considered how they could be free to be the best that they can be and, in doing so, free others to achieve their potential. Like Edmund, the boys examined what constraints limited people from being their best and named transformational qualities. Their promises were added to each class’s canvas, pledging to be kind, compassionate and supportive of one another.
Year 7 welcomed and celebrated their new House Groups in the Inclusive Community retreats. Supported by the House Deans and student leaders from Years 11 and 12, each group explored ways boys new to the College and those continuing could build the foundations for long-lasting friendships and cohesive House spirit.
Year 8 House Groups have begun their retreats, focusing on the examples of St Joseph and the Old Testament figures of Joseph and David in Gospel Spirituality. House Deans challenge boys to contemplate how to form respectful relationships, connecting forwards to their Waterford journey and the challenges of being a young man in a rapidly changing world. Again, Years 11 and 12 step up to lead, a vital aspect of our formational journey path. We are blessed to have such fantastic role models who generously give their time and wisdom.
Finally, three groups of Year 12s have also participated in Kairos, a voluntary three-day retreat that is the culmination of the program at Terrace. Their willingness to enter into the experience with little information highlights the cohort's maturity and sense of community. At the conclusion of each retreat, parents joined the boys at the Br Buckley Outdoor Education Centre at Maroon. For many families, this is another of the final events that their son will experience in 2022. Sharing food, the view from the sunset deck overlooking Maroon Dam and hearing some of the reflections made these powerful celebrations.
Across all year groups, there has been enthusiastic participation in the retreat programs, demonstrating the depth to which our Touchstones are embedded in the everyday life of the College.