Day One - Wednesday 27th November 2024

After a short 40 minute journey to the SPEC Centre - our Retreat finally started! 

We were introduced to the teachers who will be working with us while we are here and they showed us our bedrooms. Some of us are staying in dormitories and some of us in rooms of 4. The rooms are very posh and the beds look very comfy! We then had a delicious lunch - jacket potatoes with cheese, beans, coleslaw and loads of salad. Afterwards we had one of Chef Alan's delicious chocolate cookies. We then had 40 minutes to explore the grounds outside. We hunted for these mysterious Drop Bears that we are told may be found lurking in some of the more remote parts of the 7 acre site. Some children are adamant they have already spotted one. We will keep you posted. The children have now started their first set of activities. The theme of our Retreat is, 'Living Life to the Full' and the children will be understanding more about how God loves us; how God wants us and how God needs us.  

Evening

It has been a busy day. The children completed a treasure hunt and explored the whole site looking for clues and finding the answers. They took part in a drama workshop and then started to look at the lives of some Saints as examples of those who have lived life to the full. We had a dinner of Cottage Pie with vegetables. Most of the children said they had never eaten cottage pie but they loved it and wanted more. For desert the children had Jam Roly Poly. Chef Alan is getting lots of compliments. After dinner we had some free time in our Play Room and then headed over to the main house for our final activities. The children have made a Rosary constructed from their own prayers and have been given a set of Rosary Beads to bring home. After the session, I heard a group of boys discussing the prayers they would say in their rooms tonight. After this we finished the evening with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel. 

I have been so impressed with the way the children have answered questions and responded to the adults. Their religious literacy and subject knowledge is just outstanding. In the Chapel it was truly a privilege to be with your children in prayer. The reverence and respect they displayed throughout Exposition was very special to see. We have a group of children who can go from hunting for Drop Bears and building traps for them to slowing down and engaging in a mature and impressive way with the retreat. Your children are an absolute credit to you and I am a very proud Headteacher. I know that lots of prayers were said for all of you tonight.  

We are now enjoying 'film night' with popcorn and will soon be heading off to bedrooms. In the morning I will let you know how the night goes. Goodnight from Pinner!

Day Two - Thursday 28th November 2024

Good Morning from a frost covered and chilly Pinner. 

The children slept soundly last night - one of the best year groups I have been away with - and have all woken ready for another full day of activities. I think our late night 'Adventure Walk' round the grounds of SPEC with torches ensured they were all ready for their beds. 

This morning we have all had a huge breakfast - cereals, fruit, yoghurts, apple and orange juice, croissants, toast and pain au chocolat. We will send more updates at lunch time. 

Afternoon - Thursday 28th November 2024

This morning the children were learning all about  the lives of some Saints who have lived life to the full. They have been busy preparing a play for us all to watch tonight - we can not wait!

For lunch the children had spaghetti bolognese with garlic bread and salad. It was so nice that plenty of them had seconds. They then enjoyed a delicious flapjack.

We have also had lots of time out in the glorious Pinner sunshine. There are plans afoot to capture two of the Drop Bears and bring them back to our Forest (subject to Miss Emma's approval) and start a breeding programme. Some of the children have found plane wreckage and toxic waste (we are still safe) and there have even been military style planned projects to see if we can find some hidden treasures on the grounds. It is all very exciting! 

The children have now all headed off to take part in a creative art session with their group leaders. 

We will send another update this evening.  

Evening - Thursday 28th November

After lunch the children took part in Stations of the Cross around the grounds of SPEC; brought the outside inside when they made some beautiful nature art and performed their Saints play for each other. We saw wonderful retellings of the life of St George, St Bernadette, St Patrick and others. We have some very talented actors! For dinner the children had Southern Fried Chicken, potato wedges or fries, homemade barbecue sauce; ketchup and mayonnaise for anyone who needed some more flavour. For desert we enjoyed some delicious apple crumble with cream. After dinner we had some time in our Common Room and then headed outside for a camp fire. With hot chocolate in hand, we all shared our favourite moments from the Retreat and sang songs together - it was a lovely way to end day two. 

We have an early start tomorrow. Children need to be packed, washed and out of their rooms by 7:45am - wish us luck! We have Mass at 8am and this will be followed by breakfast and a day of activities. We do hope we will arrive back in Acton with our male and female Drop Bears - bait has been set over night so we can't wait to see what we catch...

The children will be heading off to bed shortly and I am sure they will sleep soundly. 

Good night from a happy and sleepy Pinner.  

Day Three - Friday 29th November 2024

Good Morning Parents

Some doubted it could be done...By 7:45am the children had to have their beds stripped and all the bedding out of the room; suitcases packed and brought to an outside tent; gather up all their things from the upstairs of our accommodation; be washed and ready for Mass. No one should doubt these children. We were of course ready!  

Father Michael, Diocesan Youth Chaplain and Assistant Priest at St George's Parish in Sudbury, celebrated Mass with us. He spoke about the importance of attendance at Mass and how it is by far the most important thing we do if we are to live life to the full. He spoke about Blessed Carlo Acutis and how he gives us a great example showing us the importance of the Mass (he even brought his mother and father back to attending Mass regularly), 'The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.'  

The children slept soundly last night and we had to knock doors to wake them up. After Mass we had breakfast - same options as before - and then headed outside for a play. Our plan to catch wild bears was foiled and someone removed our trap. We will need to have a rethink and see how we can acquire one. 

The children have now headed off for their activities - stain glass painting windows and then they will be reflecting on their time together. 

At the campfire last night all the children spoke about their highlights from the residential - it was lovely to hear how much the children have enjoyed this time together. I know that they will have lots to share with you on their return. As I went round the rooms last night turning off lights, so many children were praying together - something that I have not experienced on any of the retreats I have been a part of before. 

It has been a real pleasure to be with your children and they are a credit to Holy Family and you. I sincerely hope that they have all made memories that will last with them until they are as old as me! 

Lunch is at 12pm today and the plan is that we depart at 2pm so we expect to be at school for around 2:50pm. Once they get off the coach, all the children will head to the Parish Hall and we will dismiss from there. We are looking forward to seeing you soon.