Retreat Life

All pupils in Years 7-10 have the opportunity to experience a retreat, where they are given time to reflect on their relationship with God and others.

Year 7: Transition Day

The theme of this retreat is ‘Managing our Challenges’ and it focuses on how our pupils can make the best of their time at The Barlow.  Pupils are based at St Catherine’s for the day and they have an opportunity to reflect on how they can make a success of their secondary school journey.  They begin the day celebrating Mass with the community and then have a fun-filled day completing challenges and developing character and confidence.  All pupils receive a Transition Award at the end of the day.

Year 8: Savio House

The theme of this retreat is ‘Building Bridges’.  This is a residential retreat for three days and two nights and is one of the many highlights of our school calendar.  Pupils are given an opportunity to reflect on their own faith, their place in our world and their hopes for the future, whilst being in an idyllic rural setting.  It is a chance to spend a few days away from their normal surroundings with the opportunity to reflect on their lives and experiences, learning more about their gifts and qualities, and discovering about the reality of God in their lives.  Pupils take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and plan and lead their own Barlow-Savio Mass as the pinnacle of their time there.

Year 10: Alton Castle

The theme of this retreat is ‘Anchored’ and pupils explore ‘big questions’ about who God is to us and who we are to Him; the aim is to give our pupils an anchor for their faith, so it continues to grow in confidence and live fully within them.  The retreat provides an opportunity for the young people to step back from their busy everyday lives; to connect with each other in friendship; to uncover the person they are made to be and to encounter God in nature, in each other and through moments of prayer.  The retreat offers a balance of quiet reflection and prayer and team work and excitement.  The young people prepare for, and participate in, morning and evening prayer and celebrate Mass together.  The retreat also provides an opportunity for pupils to engage in outdoor activities such as going on a trek, a low-ropes course and mountain biking.