In the first week of Term One 2023, our Year 12 students spent three days in the historical Goldrush town of Beechworth for their Retreat and Study Skills Camp. 

This is an annual event that helps each student lay a platform for the year ahead.The Retreat is a time for students to consider the year ahead, their goals and desired outcomes for the year. They reflect on their work habits and life balance, and consider how this will impact their current year. They were asked to consider how their peers can motivate them and how they can work together to complete Year 12 year with positivity and support.

The students were fortunate to hear from motivational speakers such as our Educational Psychologist, Dr Kevin Quin, and Senior Psychology teacher Candace Potter from Cathedral College Wangaratta. Candace and Kevin talked to the group about goals, motivation, stress, supports and balance. The students’ parents and guardians wrote them a letter about their hopes and dreams for their young person in 2023, then the students wrote a letter to themselves about what they hope the year will bring.The students also worked together to create a Year 12 code of conduct, held a Liturgy service to reflect on their Anglican Identity, and were presented with their Year 12 rugby jumpers which is always a momentous occasion for our most senior students.

The group also got to enjoy some downtime during the Retreat, such as visiting the old Beechworth Gaol and exploring the beautiful landscape of Woolshed Falls. An opportunity for collective bonding was an important aspect of this Retreat as the students will need to rely on each other more than ever during VCE.