Retreat Days

Retreat days are an important and valued part of the Catholic life of St Gregory’s, providing students with dedicated time away from the normal timetable to pause, reflect and grow spiritually. As a Catholic school, we recognise the importance of offering opportunities for stillness, prayer and reflection, allowing students to explore their faith, their relationships and their personal development in a supportive and faith-filled environment. Retreats support students in deepening their relationship with God, developing self-awareness and strengthening their sense of belonging within our school community.

Retreat days for each year group take place within school and are led by our Lay Chaplain, Mr Michael Coughlan. These retreats are carefully planned to meet the needs of each year group and are responsive to both the developmental stage of students and any contextual issues that may arise. Themes are adapted to ensure relevance and impact; for example, Year 7 retreat days focus on helping students to get to know one another as a new year group, with dedicated time to build relationships, foster trust and support a smooth transition into secondary school. Other year groups engage in themes appropriate to their experiences, encouraging reflection on faith, identity, relationships and responsibility.

Through these retreat experiences, students are given meaningful opportunities to reflect, pray and engage with their faith in ways that support their personal and spiritual growth. Retreats at St Gregory’s reinforce Gospel values, our Catholic Social Teachings, strengthen community bonds and help students to recognise God’s presence in their lives. Together, these experiences play a significant role in nurturing confident, reflective and compassionate young people who are supported on their faith journey and encouraged to live out our school motto, Pro Deo, “For God, the best and the greatest”.