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In November of 2020, Aquinas College completed its 100^th Encounter Retreat which began in 1996.

Although the College has 24 Retreats each year, four of these are specially designed for 16-year-old boys. These are called Encounter Retreats and are an attempt at a ‘rite of passage' experience for the boys.

Each of these retreats is held over several days and nights at a campsite in Baldivis, about 40 km’s south of Perth. Over the years they have been much appreciated by the lads and their parents.

Paul O’Neill was the first student I approached for our initial Encounter Retreat. Since leaving school Paul has forged a compelling international career with the Berlin Opera Company in opera houses and concert halls throughout Europe and Australasia. Paul is now back home in Perth and gladly accepted an invitation to open the 100^th Encounter Retreat, and what a fine opening he gave us.

The retreats program was introduced for three reasons. Firstly, to give the boys a chance to open themselves, to themselves and God, i.e., to have a serious ENCOUNTER. Secondly to help combat the alarming rise in numbers of male suicides in Australia, and thirdly, my conviction of the latent power for good of positive peer pressure.

Incidentally, we always have a past pupil guest speaker for each Encounter Retreat. At our last Retreat Justin Langer was our speaker. What an inspiring presentation he gave us! He has done this about ten times over the past years. It is quite humbling to have him re-organise his heavy schedule as Coach of the Australian Cricket Team to be present, but he loves it, and so do we!

Cameron Bancroft has also been a guest speaker.

This was shortly after the ball-tampering incident. His genuine humility and words of wisdom were powerful witnesses for all present.

Nowadays I help in the running of our retreats, especially the Encounter Retreats. This includes training/coaching senior students to run group discussions and to give presentations to their younger peers.

Each senior student gives a 15-minute talk on a virtue he values, then leads a discussion. It’s positive peer pressure at its best. Gospel values and insights from Richard Rohr OFM, form the basis of the presentations.

We have estimated that over 5,000 students have completed an Encounter Retreat since 1996.

Paul O’Neill should be around for the 200th Encounter Retreat, but I have serious doubts about my own presence!