Friday

We have thoroughly enjoyed our final day at SPEC together and are on the bus excited to be reunited with our families!

After breakfast, we made some lovely bookmarks to remind ourselves to have courage and be brave. We took part in the visio divina together based on the picture of the last supper together.

We also had the opportunity to showcase our art skills by making a stained glass window  which we all thoroughly enjoyed and we can’t wait to show you our creations!

Finally, we had a lovely mass with Father James Boyle who has been ordained as a priest two months ago! He gave a beautiful sermon to the children about God’s plan for them.

For lunch, we had fish, chips and peas followed by chocolate sponge with chocolate sauce.

Thursday evening

We have had a wonderful last evening together at SPEC and feel very grateful for the experiences we have shared as a year group.

We had a yummy dinner of chicken and chips with a side of coleslaw and corn which fuelled us well for an evening jam packed with activities.

We showcased our drama to our teachers and camp leaders. In groups, we prepared a short narrative with acting about a Saint. This was filled with lots of fascinating information and new learning for us to share!

We shared a hot chocolate by the campfire under the night sky to conclude our amazing time at SPEC. We reflected on our journey here, what we have learned and what we will share with our families when we return home. We played some fun games around the fire and we were told a story about Saint Patrick in Ireland, followed by some hymns sung together.

We are exhausted after such a busy day and are in bed to recoup for tomorrow morning. We are having such a great time with each other but we are really looking forward to getting back to our families tomorrow!

Thursday afternoon

We have a great afternoon planned here at SPEC!

after a yummy lunch of macaroni & cheese with garlic bread and salad, the children have gone into their small groups and are participating in an art workshop linked to their learning of the stations of the cross which will lead us into our drama preparation. We are really excited for this and to work together to deliver it!

We also have some fun puzzles and nature art coming up before dinner which we can’t wait to get stuck into!

Thursday Morning

We have all woken up excited for another day full of activities!

We were really happy with our room allocation and slept peacefully. They were delighted with their wide selection of breakfast options to choose from such as pastries, cereals, fruit and yogurts.

We had some downtime before our morning prayers and playtime. We stayed in the common room and were crocheting, playing twister, chess and foosball!

We are really looking forward to our Saints drama preparation and quizzes!

Wednesday Evening

We’ve had a lovely evening together here at SPEC! This evening, the children enjoyed a hearty meal of cottage pie with vegetables, followed by a warm jam sponge cake and custard for dessert.

After dinner, we wrapped up warm, grabbed our flashlights, and set off on an exciting night adventure around the site. Seeing the grounds in the dark gave everyone a brand-new perspective, and the children did brilliantly at staying together, watching their step, and supporting one another.

We then made our way to the church for a special exposition. This was a calm, reflective time where the children listened to a guided narration from our camp leader and were encouraged to think about the roles they play in their communities and families. Following this, they took part in a rosary workshop, learning about the significance of the rosary and how to pray it. Each child received their own set of rosary beads to bring home and share with you.

To finish off a very full day, we relaxed with a movie and some popcorn. The children are now tucked up in bed, tired but happy, and looking forward to another action-packed day tomorrow.

Wednesday Afternoon

We have had a wonderfully full and exciting first day—and it isn’t over yet!

Upon arrival, the children were warmly welcomed by our retreat leaders, who will be supporting and guiding them throughout the week. We began with a tour of the site, including a visit to the chapel where we did some kerygma drama, the children responded very well to this moment of reflection together. Afterwards, they created unique crosses to thank Jesus for the relationship they have with him.

Lunch was a welcomed break, with everyone happily tucking into baked potatoes with beans, accompanied by fresh salad and coleslaw. After a busy morning, the meal was very much appreciated and set us up well for the afternoon.

The afternoon brought plenty of outdoor fun, including a refreshing walk, followed by an engaging scavenger hunt. This activity put the children’s Bible knowledge to the test, but with teamwork—and a few helpful clues from the leaders—they rose to the challenge brilliantly. It was a fantastic opportunity to work collaboratively, and the children did themselves proud!

‘I painted my cross many colours - The pink is the joy that he will be rising. The yellow is the hope that he will be coming and for the future. The blue is the sadness of how he was crucified and the green is how he handled it with calmness.’ Emily