Secondary Retreat 2025: A Journey of Teamwork, Courage, and Lasting Memories
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
by Esther Wittstock
From December 1 to 4, the GESM secondary students set off on this year’s retreat. A total of 122 students from Grades 5 to 12, accompanied by 19 teachers, took part in the four-day adventure. Our destination was the Caliraya Resort Club, which we reached after a three-hour bus ride followed by a short boat trip across the lake to the resort. We were incredibly fortunate to enjoy three full days of sunshine and warm weather, creating the perfect setting for all planned activities.
At the heart of the retreat were numerous teambuilding activities aimed at strengthening class communities, building new friendships, and developing key competencies such as communication, leadership, and collaboration. Students had many opportunities to grow both individually and as a group.
One major highlight was the Floating Playground, which provided endless fun on the water for both younger and older students. Our senior students also had the opportunity to explore Caliraya Lake by canoe, taking part in an exciting canoe relay. The Super Slide with inflatable rings and the exhilarating Mudslide added to the laughter and energy of the group, with countless smiling faces to be seen.
Another day took us to new heights—literally. With activities such as the Sky Bicycle, Zipline, and Giant Swing, many students, especially the younger ones, challenged themselves to overcome fears and ended the day feeling proud, confident, and braver than before.
On the last evening the retreat concluded with a warm and memorable campfire by the lake. Students roasted marshmallows and enjoyed freshly grilled s’mores, played guitar, sang together, and shared stories—creating the perfect atmosphere to deepen new friendships and reflect on the shared experiences of the past days.
On Thursday our secondary students returned after four days with new memories, strengthened friendships, and a renewed sense of independence and confidence—already looking forward to the next retreat.
