Retreats & Reflection Days Your Students & Staff Will Love
Dave is a favourite facilitator in schools across Australia. One of the country’s most experienced and popular facilitators, he’s also the host of the “Do Life Better” podcast, the creator of the Live Your Code® framework and has a background in Psychology and Emotional Intelligence.
Create an unforgettable retreat or reflection day that will engage, form and inspire your students!
Dave’s retreats and reflection days are based on Catholic Gospel messages and include highly engaging activities, whole group singing, stories, discussions, personal reflection, and prayer.
His programs are designed to complement each other creating a purposeful journey for students across multiple year levels.
Most of Dave’s partner schools book him for two or more year levels.
Programs
Years 7 & 8
This program offers your students a transformative journey of self-discovery. Through engaging activities, they'll explore their values, beliefs, and identity, gaining a clearer understanding of who they are and how to live life to the fullest.
In a safe, supportive environment, students will have opportunities for self-reflection, personal growth, and meaningful connections, equipping them with the tools and confidence to navigate adolescence and embrace the boundless opportunities ahead.
John 10:10
Years 9, 10 & 11
Most of us, especially students, naturally focus on the negatives in ourselves and others. Therefore, it is important to counteract this by intentionally looking for and celebrating the positives.
As a Yr 9 student said, “This day helped us open our eyes to the positive qualities in each other and brought us closer together as a group”.
Your students will have an opportunity to celebrate the sacredness within each other.
Matthew 5:14-16.
MOST POPULAR
Years 11 & 12
Overnight Retreats are a special opportunity and invitation for your students to explore, discover and deepen their relationships with themselves, others and God.
Your students will experience an intentional journey, including discovering shared humanness, renewing relationships through affirmation and healing, spiritual exploration and expression, and plenty of fun and singing.
This program can support your school’s or year level’s themes.
Years 11 & 12, plus Student Leaders
Servant leaders regularly ask themselves one question: “What does this moment require of me?” This question guides their thinking, being, and acting in all situations.
Your students will explore what it means to be a servant leader and discover how they can use their current gifts and strengths to serve each other and their school community.
Years 8, 9, 10 & 11
Without a strong moral code and guiding beliefs, it is easy to forget to follow Jesus’ calling to “love one another as I have loved you”.
Your students will have time to reflect on and realign with the qualities they want to live by, which will guide their thinking, being, and acting in all situations.
They’ll also be invited to put these qualities into action through an opportunity to reconcile and/or show their support for each other.
John 13:34-35
Staff Professional Learning
For your staff to genuinely reflect Jesus’ teachings and share the Good News, it’s important that they explore how their unique gifts and perspectives align with the Catholic Social Teachings, especially in upholding the dignity of every person.
In this highly engaging and interactive program, your staff will discover the connection between the Emmaus story and the lens through which they can view and engage with your school’s charism and ethos.
Can’t find what you are looking for?
Dave can tailor a program specifically to your needs.
He also runs multiple programs in the schools he partners with, making sure that every experience feels new and exciting while guiding everyone on a meaningful journey.
Meet Dave
Dave Jorna is a highly sought-after facilitator of retreats and reflection days, delivering approximately 120 engaging, emotive, humorous, and impactful programs annually for students and staff across the country.
With over 25 years of experience, he has personally led more than 1,500 retreats and reflection days, reaching over 170,000 students.
A former Campus Minister, Dave has a background in Psychology and received accreditation as an Emotional Intelligence consultant and coach.
Dave is also the founder of the Live Your Code® framework and host of the Do Life Better podcast, where he interviews global leaders in leadership, well-being, and personal development.
Dave truly enjoys being a loving husband to his wife, Cath, and a devoted father to his two wonderful sons, Tobias and Eli. In his free time, you can often find him cheering on his boys during their cricket games, giving them throwdowns at the cricket nets, nurturing his (far too) many plants, or embarking on caravan adventures with his family.
“
Personally, I was on such a high after the day especially viewing how the students participated with enthusiasm, engagement, and openness in their sharing throughout the day.
Speaking with staff afterwards, they all agreed that it was a great way to start Year 10 and they saw so many benefits and highlights come out of the day. In speaking with some students they said it was the best Reflection Day that had been to.
Paul Crennan, Director of Mission, Sacred Heart College
23+
YEARS SERVING SCHOOLS
Dave’s been facilitating highly engaging and effective retreats and reflection days in schools around Australia since 2001.
110+
PROGRAMS PER YEAR
With most schools booking programs for multiple year levels, Dave facilitates over 110 retreats and reflection days per year.
175+
Dave has personally worked with over 175,000 students and thousands of staff. Though Dave can’t remember all their names, they have helped shape his programs into what they are today.
THOUSAND STUDENTS REACHED
Dave’s working with …
San Damiano College, Yarrabilba
San Sisto College, Carina
Santa Maria College, Attadale
Seton College, Mt Gravatt
Sophia College, Plainland
Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough
St Aloysius Catholic College Hobart
St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School
St Benedict’s College, Mango Hill
St Eugene College, Burpengary
St Francis De Sales Regional College, Leeton
St John Fisher College, Bracken Ridge
St John’s Catholic School, Roma
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Bracken Ridge
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Corinda
St Joseph’s College, Coomera
St Mary MacKillop Primary School, Birkdale
St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino
All Saints Primary, Albany Creek
Aquinas College, Ashmore
Assisi Catholic College, Upper Coomera
Brigidine College, Indooroopilly
Catholic Education, Diocese of Rockhampton
Cavendish Road State High School, Brisbane
Downlands College, Toowoomba
Emmaus College, Rockhampton
Emmaus College, Jimboomba
Grace Lutheran College, Rothwell
Holy Spirit College, Fitzgibbon
Holy Spirit College, Mackay
Iona College, Brisbane
Marist College, Emerald
McAuley College, Beaudesert
Mt Maria College, Mitchelton
Our Lady’s College, Annerley
Sacred Heart College, Hobart
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Beaudesert
St Mary’s College, Ipswich
St Mary’s College, Kingaroy
St Mary’s College, Maryborough
St Michael’s College, Merrimac
St Patrick’s College, Mackay
St Patrick’s College, Gympie
St Rita’s College, Clayfield
St Saviour’s College Toowoomba
St Stephen’s Catholic College, Mareeba
St Thomas More College, Sunnybank
St Ursula’s College, Toowoomba
St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon
St Virgils College, Hobart
The Lakes College, North Lakes
Trinity Catholic College, Lismore
Trinity College, Beenleigh
Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay
Let’s chat.
Interested in the programs? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!