Year 8 Trip to Alton Castle - April 2023

On Wednesday 19th April 65 year 8 students went to Alton Castle for 3 days on a religious retreat. Once the students got to Alton Castle, they went to a discovery centre and were welcomed warmly with an assembly where they were introduced into the religious aspect of this retreat with the them ‘Rooted in Christ’. After lunch, we did the first of our activities in our small groups: Pugin, Talbot, Kenelm, Scahill and De Verden. The main activities included: Survival, Low ropes, Trekking, and Mountain Biking and night line on the first evening.

Prayer was a central part of the retreat, each day started and ended with prayer in our small groups, which made it more meaningful as it allowed us to reflect on our day together and use our journals to think about our own faith journey. The Castle taught us creative ways of praying, for example chanting to thank God for our food after every meal.

Meditation was practiced every day during our activities which gave us a chance to think about who we really are and have a moment of peace in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside. A piece of scripture was also read out and we reflected upon what it meant for us as humanity and Gods on creation. We also had the opportunity to have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church on our first evening, a chance to take a step back from our daily lives and spend a moment in prayer in our hearts with Christ.

Finally, a special part of the retreat was our Mass at St Johns Church, students served, read and even sung the communion reflection “the blessing”. Our beautiful celebration of Mass was finished with the praise and worship song “This Is Amazing Grace” where the whole Church was filled with joy and the students joined in with the actions to the chorus.

Our last evening together was rounded up by a talent show with an unforgettable performance of footloose by Mrs Witheridge followed by an Irish reel by staff, however Mr O’ Sullivan definitely stole the show which his dancing!

Students were a credit to the school and a wonderful time was had by all!

Miss Farrell
Lay Chaplain

From the beginning of the retreat, I was immediately engulfed in a sense of community, I was introduced to the wonderful staff and then throughout the day we had activities we partook in which showed teamwork, our problem-solving skills and how Christ is at the centre of our school community. The focus of the retreat was ROOTED. This was how we can grow as a person through Christ to show the gifts and talents God has given us and what exceptional people we are, like a seed which grows into a tree. Whether it was in our dorms or during our activities, everyone felt included and was not left out. Even through our struggles, if it was biking up a hill, on the low ropes or walking 7 miles with a bear lurking around, we all worked as a team, as a family to persevere. I was encouraged to keep going, not just by the staff and teachers but by my classmates. I wanted the retreat to be longer even through my tiredness. I was extremely glad that I ended up going on the retreat as it was the best experience of my life and I believe everyone who went on the retreat would feel the same way.

Jamin 8RO

The trip to Alton Castle was an experience that I cannot explain not only with words but along with emotions. Alton was a step back in my typical unorganised life going there was a relief to any stress and anxiety I had, the experience allowed me to make stronger friendships with my peers who I didn’t even know that well. As each night past I was more curious with those around me. I without a doubt was delighted on the trip.

Nova 8MO