Today, 5th year students had the opportunity to take a break from the classroom and headed to the scenic valley of Gougane Barra for our annual RE retreat. It was a day designed for them to reflect and connect, and the mix of spring air and stunning scenery did just that.
The day kicked off with a sense of peace as we gathered in the iconic St. Finbarr’s Oratory. In the quiet of the tiny lakeside chapel, we held a short reflection and lit a candle for our intentions.
Afterwards, we took some time to walk through the outdoor Stations of the Cross, appreciating the history and the stillness of the island.
Then, we headed into the forest park for a hike along the nature trails. We got to see the local wildlife, waterfalls and where the River Lee begins its journey. We stopped for lunch together alfresco in the middle of our walk before making our way back down along the trail.
The real value of the day was the chance to spend time together as a group outside of the school walls, so getting away from the books and into the fresh air was exactly what was needed. Whether students were chatting on the trails or just taking in the silence by the lake, it was a great chance to reconnect as a group before this school term comes to an end.
