CHAPTER 4 |
CATHOLIC RETREATS |
LASALLIAN LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMP |
LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM |
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Designed for incoming student leaders , the Lasallian Leadership Training Camp ( LLTC ) is an experience unlike any other . Student leaders first learn what servant leadership is all about , and then collaborate with an external organisation on a service project which allows them to apply the leadership skills , knowledge and dispositions learnt . |
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The theme for LLTC this year is Ducens in Servio or Leading in Service where participants are introduced to Servant Leadership through experiential learning and reflections . |
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Students working together to find a clue to a crossword puzzle at the FIDEI Camp |
The camp began with a walk from different locations which ended at the MOE Dairy Farm campsite . Through the walk , students experienced first-hand the idea of unequal opportunities as some routes were much longer than others and groups arrived at the campsite at different times .
This activity would eventually culminate in the Social Realities Panel on Day 3 of the camp where speakers from organisations like Heartware Network , Edible Garden City and NTUC Welfare Home engaged the participants in a dialogue session and shared about the work they did to manage various social issues .
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Year 1 to 6 Catholic students participated in various spiritual retreats in 2024 , which offered time and space for students to engage in prayer and reflection , so as to encounter God through unique and diverse experiences . The FIDEI Camp was organised for Year 1 Catholic students with the theme ‘ Walk in the Light ’ in March , while Year 2 Catholic students had a Day of Recollection themed ‘ Transfigured Me ’ in August . The Year 1 Catholic students discovered what it meant to pursue a relationship with God and what supporting one another in fellowship might look like . The Year 2 Catholic students learnt about the distinction between transformation and transfiguration , and participated in an “ Old Me , New Me ” activity featuring an internal evolution from their old selves to their new selves . |
Students deep in prayer at the Year 4 Retreat |
To help them build the capacity to be able to visualise the value of contrasting views , participants also took part in a Polarity Thinking workshop , a valuable skill in a VUCA world . |
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The Year 3 Catholic students had the opportunity to participate in the Year 3 Retreat themed ‘ I in the Midst ’ from 22 March – 24 March , held at the Franciscan Mission of Mary House of Prayer and Formation , while the Year 4 Catholic students had their Year 4 Retreat with the theme ‘ Everlasting Hope ’ from 2 Feb – 4 Feb , also at the Franciscan Mission of Mary House of Prayer and Formation .
Edgar Chow ( LE303 ) shares his experience at the Year 3 Retreat :
The stillness and reflection offered by moments of silent prayer were particularly powerful . In these quiet moments , I found myself more connected to my thoughts and spirituality than I had been in a long time . It was a reminder of how easily we can become distracted by the noise of daily life and how important it is to take time for stillness and contemplation .
The retreat ended with Mass which was a unique experience as the Mass was celebrated outdoors . This seemingly trivial detail particularly struck me ; it was in that moment that I had realised that we could celebrate Mass anywhere , at any time .
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Students engaged in a reflection activity at the Year 3 Retreat |
Kaedrin Isaacs ( ML301 ) reflects on his experience :
The external organisation I partner with was Mamre Oaks , a home for individuals with intellectual disabilities . At first , I was apprehensive as I had no prior experience interacting with people with special needs . We were all worried about how to behave and were fearful of unintentionally causing discomfort or distress . One of my greatest concerns was doing something that could inadvertently upset the residents , which was a fear that stayed with me throughout the early part of our visit . However , as we began engaging in activities such as dancing and drawing with the residents , my apprehension slowly began to dissolve .
I discovered that the residents were easy to interact with and full of joy . Their warmth quickly put me at ease , and I began to enjoy our time together . It was heartening to see how much happiness they gained from simple activities like dancing , drawing , and laughing . These moments reminded
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me of how often we take everyday pleasures for granted . I was also struck by how much they value the little things in life , the moments that many of us might overlook or dismiss . This was a humbling realisation for me . Despite the challenges they face , the residents of Mamre Oaks exhibited remarkable resilience , strength , and a capacity for joy that was truly inspiring .
The experience opened my eyes to the importance of empathy and understanding in breaking down the barriers that ignorance or fear can create . The experience challenged my preconceived notions and prompted me to reflect on my own biases and assumptions .
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