Formation
Formation at Riverview supports the spiritual and personal growth of parents, students and staff.
Parent Formation
As companions with the Jesuits, Riverview parents are invited to travel on a journey with Ignatius, seeking and finding God in all things — in every moment of the day and in every event of life, large or small.
We believe that through an understanding of Ignatian spirituality, parents can come to know God and Jesus Christ more closely, more clearly, more deeply. The Ignatian Formation Programs offer parents an opportunity to discover more about Jesuit education and St Ignatius himself — his life, his dreams and his desires to help others ‘for the greater glory of God’.
Student Formation
Retreats
Retreats are designed to assist students in nurturing their relationships with God, themselves, and others. The compulsory Retreat Program, which runs from Years 5 to 12, tailored to each year group and linked directly to the year's theme and the formal Religious Education curriculum.
Liturgies
The College’s liturgical life is an integral part of its identity as a Catholic school. Apart from whole-school celebrations, there are a variety of liturgical experiences that occur regularly throughout the College year. The Eucharist is celebrated daily and on major feast days and special events across the whole school community, and student Masses occur approximately twice a term.
Arrupe Academy for Ignatian Leadership
The Arrupe Academy is a five-week program that focuses on developing Ignatian Leadership in students. Each week, a guest speaker addresses a different aspect of Christian leadership. The aim of the program is to develop an understanding of important principles of Christian leadership, especially those related to one’s own internal values, community building, decision-making, and service.
Staff Formation
The College is deeply committed to its Staff Formation program, providing opportunities for reflection, learning, and ongoing professional and spiritual development. At the same time, we recognise that Ignatian spirituality is not an end in itself, but one of many pathways through which we can encounter God and bring purpose, compassion, and integrity to our work and daily lives.
The core program
All staff are required to complete the four components of the core program during their first four years of service. In addition to these seminars, all staff participate in an annual Day of Spirituality.
What else is offered?
Spiritual formation—like learning—never ends, and we offer a wide range of activities that staff are invited and encouraged to participate in during their time at Riverview. Although some of the programs are specifically for teachers, others are more general, and all staff members are welcome to participate.
One such opportunity is a three-day retreat held away from the College that introduces staff to the outline of the Spiritual Exercises. Each year, the College offers an opportunity to undertake a retreat in daily life, in which participants pray daily and meet regularly with a spiritual director. Another popular option is a structured reading program run by the Ignatian Centre.
