St Cuthbert’s sixth formers shine at Ampleforth

The theme was ‘Light in the Darkness’, when sixth formers from St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School in Newcastle headed to Ampleforth Abbey for a two-day retreat.

The 20 students were the second group to visit the abbey from the school, and were led by Head of Religious Education Stephanie Peacock, alongside monks Father Bede and Brother Edmund.

“This was the second sixth form retreat held at Ampleforth, following last year’s retreat, which focused on the theme of hope,” said Mrs Peacock. “This year’s theme explored the idea that even in the darkest moments of life, light can still be found. As one student reflected, the retreat reminded them to ‘look for the positives in life, even when things feel difficult’.

“Over the two days, we took part in a range of activities that helped us reflect on the theme, and spend time together as a group. One of the highlights was the ‘Finding the Light’ prayer walk, where we were encouraged to think about moments of darkness in our lives, and where we have experienced light, support, and hope.

“It gave us time to stop and reflect on things we might not usually think about during a busy school week.”

There was also the opportunity for some artistic expression, with students tasked with creating their own artwork to explore the quote: ‘The darkness has not overcome it’.

“Everyone created their own artwork, showing what the message meant to them personally,” continued Mrs Peacock. “Seeing everyone’s different interpretations made the session really meaningful, and helped us understand the theme in a deeper way.”

Other memorable moments included ‘Protect the Beacon’, where the students competed together in teams to protect a symbolic light; and a group project to design and build a lighthouse to represent the idea of guiding light. In addition, they were privileged to be able to join the monks for Compline evening prayer.

“Overall, the retreat was a really valuable experience for everyone who attended,” added Mrs Peacock. “ It gave us the chance to step away from the normal routines of school, spend time reflecting on our faith, and build stronger friendships within the Sixth Form.

“Events like this are an important part of Sixth Form life at St Cuthbert’s. “They allow students to grow not only academically, but also personally, encouraging reflection, community, and a deeper understanding of how we can bring light to others in our daily lives.”