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Sunday, May 08, 2005  

Year 12 Retreat

As with parties, it is difficult for most events to stand up to the hype they are often given. I had feared that year 12 Retreat could follow in this pattern. I was not disappointed however, as the Tatachilla retreat was bloody awesome.

I don't want to give a step-by-step recount of the retreat, as I feel such details should be reserved for those that were on it. I would like to tell you what parts of the retreat I found to be most rewarding.

Seeing as I had Dick Michael as my group leader, our group sessions were often very tense, as most of us detested this person, so our small groups were not the most open or fulfilling sessions. I found the insights into Mr Francis quite interesting, and appreciated his openness. We celebrated his 28th birthday, which is actually today, on Thursday night, with a cake and all.

One of my favorite exercises was the Candle exchange. People took it quite seriously and were sincere with who they gave it to. After 45 minutes however, people tended to run out of real options, and I think it became quite trivial.

Affirmations were also very rewarding. Liked them a lot. It made me remember our affirmation books that we had in year 7. I went through it and read it. God they were pathetic. We used to say stuff like "you have a nice personality".

Also, free time, I think, is one of the most important parts of the retreat. It's a time where we can consolidate what we've thought and done in our group sessions. Free time activities included:

• pool (we actually had a tournament)
  
• table tennis
• eurotrash
• indoor/outdoor soccer
• footy
• basketball
• eating
• trashing dorms (or attempting)
  
• Sitting
• Poker (both normal and Chinese)
• Charades
• Celebrity Heads
  

So here are some photos:

Lucy, after replacing my L trackpants with Heriot's S trackpants.


He's actually dutch, not american.






The wonderful scenery at Tatachilla








Not quite sure what Ben is doing here.


Ella gives herself a score out of 10.


B-Ball.




So pretty.


The girls attempt to stop us from trashing their dorm in retaliation.






Ravid.


Della.


Sitting.


The boys attempt to see the 'man' between our beds.


Charades.


Celebrity heads.


I promise, there was no alcohol. David still looks drunk tho?


Edi, the infamous walking eurotrash machine.


Francis cutting his cake.






Edgar, attempting to be Monique.


Back at school.

Overall, the Year 12 retreat was a very rewarding experience, that will no doubt help us to maintain our focus leading into the busiest period in the year. Like Patrick, i have been left in that mood of loving everyone. Also, like Patrick, I'm not sure how long this mood will last. We shall see.

Yesterday, I had my first game of soccer for the year. Playing in the B's, we beat PAC 6-2. Was a very good game. After Soccer, I headed down to Glandore oval as I was the runner for the first 18s. They lost, but i reckon they played pretty well considering it was their first game of the season. Look forward to next week. Neway, this new burst of exercise has taken its toll on my poor body, and I am aching today.

Well, I shall see you all tomorrow.
Tomah.

   [ posted by Tom @ 12:13 pm ]