Annual Retreat
Saint Benedict says during the season of Lent monks should 'keep its manner of life most pure and wash away in this holy season the negligences of other times.' It is appropriate then that during the Lent term the entire school changes into a different rhythm for a day and a half for the annual whole school retreat.
The school retreat is organised on a house basis, with plenty of scope for variety and innovation. Each house is able to adapt the theme of the retreat to suit their needs or interests. Most invite outside helpers, religious, priests and laity, and more recently a group of young people from Manquehue in Chile have helped to lead a retreat. Some of the houses take their students on pilgrimage to destinations such as Rievaulx or as far away as Holy Island.
From the perspective of the students, the annual retreat offers a chance to experience school and each other in a different light - to think about their faith, to deepen their prayer and to review their lives. The central chaplaincy is also developing programmes to allow year groups to go on retreat at other times of the year.