Retreats – Turnbull High School Religious Education and Chaplaincy

October 30, 2024

October Update

Things have been so busy this term that there has been no time for blog posts!

Here is a super fast rundown of some of what has been going on since the start of September.

We were one of the first schools to take part in the new Caritas Formation Retreat

S1 Retreats- Based on the School Values and Virtues

S2 Drama Workshops with AGAP based on the Rosary for the mont of October

First time S5 FireCloud Retreats based around Discipleship: Being an apprentice of Jesus the master craftsman

Our S6 Caritas pupils were stewards for the National Pilgrimage Mass at Carfin with all the bishops etc

The Music department provided the music for the Archdiocesan High Schools’ Mass

Aid to the Church in Need Youth Rally- one of our Caritas pupils was involved in asking a question via live-link to Africa

S3 Vocations Conference – Pupils had the chance to meet and talk with priests and religious about finding your calling from God

S2 Marriage Talks from SPUC

S6 ‘Best life’ talks from SPUC

And that doesn’t include all the charity work! Well done everyone! Onwards and upwards for Jesus!

October 5, 2021

During September S1 were launched into our extensive retreat programme at Turnbull. In addition to assisting at class Masses during RE, pupils had a half day retreat that gave them the opportunity form a deeper connection to God.

The S1 retreat aims to take pupils from the point of their confirmation and help them to consider what it means to be a mature disciple of Jesus. Pupils reflected on what influences them and also explored what it means for Turnbull to be a centre of the New Evangelisation. The young people explored the strands of evangelistation- Witness, Proclamation, Discipleship and Mission- and how they relate to each of our house saints. We also looked at the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit which they received at Confirmation. Through a different range of games and activities S1 learned how to improve their connection to God and understand their prayer time. The retreat is designed as a day away from the usual timetable of the school which allows the pupils to work together, reflect and share together and pray. Pupils also took part in times of quiet prayer, culminating in an Ignation Meditation on the calling of the first disciples with our visitors from the archdiocese of Glasgow youth team. This retreat draws on the first topic in the RE curriculum and enables pupils to consider how they can use their God-given gifts and talents to share the Good News of the Gospel with others.

November 1, 2020

Confirmation Retreats 2020

This year, the RE & Chaplaincy department has had the unusual pleaser of preparing young people to receive the sacrament of confirmation. In anticipation of the delayed sacrament. we facilitated preparation in three ways

Class learning- providentially, S1 always learn in more depth about the sacraments of initiation at this time of year and so we augmented the class learning that would have been taking place.
Family learning- we made the resources for home learning available to S1 families through Show My Homework
S1 Retreats- S1 enjoyed a half day retreat which comprised of games, group tasks, drama and time for prayer and reflection. Despite the challenges of making a retreat fit the Covid restrictions, within their class bubbles, pupils had a great time, learned lots and spent time with God in prayer.

Highlights of the Confirmation Retreats can be seen in the following video:

June 2, 2020

NET Retreat 2020

It seems difficult to remember the 14th of March-it seems like years since we were in school. One of my last memories of being together at Turnbull is our annual NET retreat which, over two days, offered our S3 pupils a valuable opportunity to consider their identity as a child of God.

The chosen theme ‘In His Image’ presented a message that is at odds with what many loud voices in the world encourage us to think. Where the world tells us that we are only the sum of our weaknesses, God tells us that his grace is sufficient. When we are told that we are not enough unless we act and dress a certain way, God says ‘you are fearfully and wonderfully made.’ When we base our worth on what others think, Jesus reminds us that he looks at the heart and sees who we really are. When we are told that our mistakes have ruined us and we have nothing left to give, we see the arms of Jesus outstretched on the cross, suffering to offer us a fresh start and longing for our embrace.

Through fun sketches, games and times of prayer and discussion, our young people were inspired by the joy of the NET team who embody our vision of of what it means to be a passionate and articulate Catholic.

As I think back, I hope that in these times of trial that we are facing, our young people have continued to reflect on their experience with the NET team and that they continue to open their hearts in simplicity as they seek what is true, good and beautiful.

Listen here to hear what the young people made of the experience!

Mr Pearce