School Retreats
​I have over 30 years experience in delivering quality retreat experiences to young people in schools.I am conscious that schools are under constant financial strain, and retreats are often neglected due to this pressure. My experience enables me to be creative in delivering retreats that, while still maintaining a high quality of experience, can also reduce the financial impact on schools. While a purpose built retreat centre is perfect surroundings for young people on retreat, the bulk of my experience is delivering retreats in the school premises. Along with financial savings, with the appropriate co-operation with staff, this model has the advantage of reinforcing the retreat as as integral part of the school experience, rather than as add on that is delivered off site.
Aims of my retreat work in schools:
1. To give young people a good experience of themselves as members of the faith community
2. To invite young people to accept the project of their own lives
Age Group:
My preference is to work with Years 11-14 (14-18 year olds)
Methodology
A mixture of large group input; small group discussions and meditation exercises.
​Staff Input
Discussing the aims of the retreat with staff is essential before a programme is agreed. Staff are welcome to join the retreat at any stage if they wish.
Feedback from Staff and young people
Staff
As a College we had been looking for a retreat experience that was going to speak directly to our Sixth Form students, to allow them the physical and mental space to open up and to discuss spiritual, emotional and social issues that were affecting them, and with Brian McKee we found exactly that. A professionally run, open and honest delivery that allowed our students the space they needed to reflect and engage. It was run over two days so as to allow the groups to be as small as we could make them as finance was an important consideration. Brian's warmth, laughter and experience came to the fore as evidenced by the students' responses and level of engagement. The feedback from students has been really positive, and many have commented to teachers on how enjoyable and rewarding an experience the retreat was for them. I am very happy to recommend this retreat experience to fellow teachers and colleges. (Kieran Downey. Head of R.E.: St Killian's College, Garron Tower)
Young People
I didn't expect to enjoy the school retreat as I had never been on one before, but the day was great fun and also helped me understand myself a lot more.
​Great fun and made a lot of sense.
Best school day ever!
Really surprised at how much I enjoyed the retreat.
The meditation was brill! Hope we can do more in class.
​Not what I expected - thank God!
Aims of my retreat work in schools:
1. To give young people a good experience of themselves as members of the faith community
2. To invite young people to accept the project of their own lives
Age Group:
My preference is to work with Years 11-14 (14-18 year olds)
Methodology
A mixture of large group input; small group discussions and meditation exercises.
​Staff Input
Discussing the aims of the retreat with staff is essential before a programme is agreed. Staff are welcome to join the retreat at any stage if they wish.
Feedback from Staff and young people
Staff
As a College we had been looking for a retreat experience that was going to speak directly to our Sixth Form students, to allow them the physical and mental space to open up and to discuss spiritual, emotional and social issues that were affecting them, and with Brian McKee we found exactly that. A professionally run, open and honest delivery that allowed our students the space they needed to reflect and engage. It was run over two days so as to allow the groups to be as small as we could make them as finance was an important consideration. Brian's warmth, laughter and experience came to the fore as evidenced by the students' responses and level of engagement. The feedback from students has been really positive, and many have commented to teachers on how enjoyable and rewarding an experience the retreat was for them. I am very happy to recommend this retreat experience to fellow teachers and colleges. (Kieran Downey. Head of R.E.: St Killian's College, Garron Tower)
Young People
I didn't expect to enjoy the school retreat as I had never been on one before, but the day was great fun and also helped me understand myself a lot more.
​Great fun and made a lot of sense.
Best school day ever!
Really surprised at how much I enjoyed the retreat.
The meditation was brill! Hope we can do more in class.
​Not what I expected - thank God!