BackOn 7 May 2026, Garratt Publishing, BBI-TAITE, and Vaughan Publishing launched
EDUCATOR’S GUIDE TO STUDENT RETREATS
Formation and Transformation through Retreats
Dr Jill Gowdie
The Educator’s Guide to Student Retreats is designed for educators, ministry leaders, mentors, and mission leaders, and provides a personal and professional map to create student retreats as an effective space for spirituality, faith, meaningmaking, and growth. Inside you will find a step-by-step framework for every aspect of student retreat facilitation – planning, using scripture, prayer, ritual and liturgy, as well as ideas for group work that can build trust.
Bishop Mark Edwards officially launched the book.
Author Dr Jill Gowdie and Bishop Mark Edwards were joined by Professor Gerard Moore (Principal and CEO at BBI-TATE), Emeritus Professor John Sullivan (who wrote the foreword for the book), Audrey Brown, Jo McDade, and Nathan Ahearne who discussed the book and its focus.
A video of the launch can be viewed below.
AUTHOR
Dr Jill Gowdie
Jill is a widely respected school and system leader. She was named in 2025 as one of the 35 leading thought leaders in Catholic Education across the US, UK, Ireland, and Australia. A published author, Jill is also a recognised speaker, writer, and facilitator in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. Her qualifications cross the disciplines of theology, leadership, education, spirituality, religious education, governance, and journalism, and include a PhD in Educational Leadership. She is a member of several national and international committees and associations, and currently serves as President of the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania.
VIDEO
