Residential Retreats

At Cardinal Wiseman, students across all year groups are invited and encouraged to take part in a residential retreat each year. We as a school have built an excellent reputation with our Diocesan retreat centres as well as those in other Diocese and staff and students alike often say that their residential is the highlight of their year.

Alton Castle, Staffordshire

Our Y7s get the chance to go to Alton Castle, a Diocesan retreat centre set in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside. Students get to stay in the Gothic 19th Century castle for two nights and spend their days taking on exciting outdoor challenges such as bike rides, treks, archery, rock climbing and so many more! The centre prides itself in the opportunity to experience and grow a relationship with God whilst challenging ourselves and spending time with others who are doing the same.

The Briars, Nottinghamshire

Y8 move into the Nottingham Diocese for their residential retreat

At at The Briars. The Briars is able to boast the beautiful countryside of Derbyshire and a key part of this retreat is rambling through and taking in the views. At The Briars, students experience a number of different ways to pray and to live out their faith - they are encouraged to discuss difficult topics they may be facing in our modern world as well as playing plenty of games, other fun activities and spending time as a community.

Soli, Stafforshire

Both Y9 & Y10 go to Soli, just down the road from Alton Castle. Soli offers the added bonus of a trip to Alton Towers as part of their retreat so students are able to spend the day at the theme park before heading back to the house to take part in outdoor activities, sessions and moments of encounter. They also experience a number of different types of prayer and reflection with the youth volunteer team. Soli is all about the individual learning more about themselves, their faith and their relationships with one another and with God. Even though Y10 return to the same retreat centre after Y9, their retreats are tailored and therefore offer plenty of new content and activities

Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul Retreat Day

On 29th June each year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul and as a Catholic community, we come together on this day to celebrate the Mass together. Where we can, we combine our whole school Mass with a whole school retreat day, this year with a particular focus on the ‘Lift the Ban’ campaign and the work of St. Chad’s Sanctuary.

 We welcome visitors from St Chad’s Sanctuary and The Columban Missionaries who shared with us about the campaign and were able to give first hand experience about how being unable to work during their asylum seeking journey was detrimental to their mental health and wellbeing. Many of our students signed a petition to get this ban lifted and further welcome our brothers and sisters seeking refuge in Birmingham and other places in the UK.

Pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Pupils and staff joined the Birmingham Archdiocese on their pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. Pupils worked exceptionally hard in the year leading up to the trip to fundraise the funds to attend. From speaking in local parishes to non-school uniform days in school and so many other things, our pupils’ commitment to fundraising and attending was an inspiration to many. Giving up their half term holiday, they spent the week in France aiding the sick pilgrims through acts of service and kindness, with their most valued time spent in conversation and quality time with the VIPs.