A time to reflect on reconciliation, kindness, and respect—honouring truth and healing, fostering safe and inclusive digital spaces, and celebrating care and appreciation in all relationships.
This week, you might like to invite students to create or say their own Acknowledgement of Country.
Using the sentence starters below, students can reflect on what they are thankful for, the promise they wish to make, and what they value about Dja Dja Wurrung Country. This helps make the Acknowledgement personal, respectful, and meaningful.
We would like to acknowledge the Jaara people, the traditional custodians of the land on which we are meeting today, we acknowledge ancestors and elders past, present and emerging and commit ourselves to work actively for reconciliation and justice.
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land we are on today, the Dja Dja Wurrung people.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and future.
We thank them for ______________________________________.
Today, we promise to ____________________________________.
We are grateful to walk, learn, and play on this ______________________ land.
Here are some examples you might use:
Thanking them for: sharing their knowledge, caring for Country, welcoming us
Promise to: care for the land, learn about culture, treat nature with respect, invite all with open arms, help others who come to this country/land
Describe the land as: special, sacred, strong, beautiful, ancient, peaceful, friendly, open
A quiet moment to pause, breathe, and bring our hearts and minds into God’s presence, preparing ourselves to pray with focus, gratitude, and openness.
You are invited to play the didgeridoo music while getting the students to centre...
Let us take a moment to pause… to breathe… to be still.
As the deep, ancient sound of the didgeridoo surrounds us, we are reminded of the land we stand on, the First Peoples who have cared for it, and God’s presence that has always been here.
Breathe in God’s love… (pause) and breathe out any worries.
Breathe in God’s peace… (pause) and breathe out any distractions.
As we quiet our hearts, we open ourselves to God—who walks with us, speaks to us, and loves us completely.
Loving God, be with us now. Guide our hearts, our thoughts, and our words as we come together in prayer.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
A quiet moment to pause, listen, and open our hearts to God, allowing His presence to guide our thoughts, deepen our faith, and inspire us to live with love and kindness.
A simple and powerful video that helps children understand the meaning of reconciliation. Through a child's perspective, it explains why acknowledging the past, saying sorry, and working together for a better future is important.
Reflection Questions:
Why is it important to acknowledge past mistakes and say sorry, both in history and in our daily lives?
How can we show respect and kindness to others, especially those whose experiences and cultures may be different from our own?
What is one small action we can take to contribute to reconciliation in our school or community?
Kindness Boomerang – "One Day" by Life Vest Inside is a powerful short film that showcases how small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect, spreading positivity and compassion throughout a community.
Reflection Questions:
How did each act of kindness in the video create a ripple effect, and how can small choices we make each day impact others?
Think of a time when someone showed kindness to you—how did it make you feel, and how did it influence your actions?
What is one simple act of kindness you can commit to today that could brighten someone else’s day?
A moment to open our hearts to God, whether in asking for guidance, strength, and help or in giving thanks for His blessings, love, and presence in our lives.
Thanksgiving prompts
Thank you, God, for the kindness I have received from…
I am grateful for the people who work towards reconciliation because…
God, I appreciate the times when I have been forgiven, especially when…
Thank you for the people in my life who teach me about kindness and respect, like…
I am thankful for the chance to make good choices because…
Asking prompts
God, help me to be kind to others by…
Please guide me to be a peacemaker when…
Lord, give me the courage to say sorry when…
Help me to notice when someone needs kindness, especially when…
Show me how to make good choices by…
Regular prayers
God, please watch over and heal those who are sick, especially…
I am thankful for the love and support of my family and friends, especially…
Lord, help those who are feeling lonely or sad to know they are loved, including…
God, please give strength and courage to people who are facing difficult times, such as…
Thank you for the beauty of creation and the many blessings in my life, like…
SIGN OF THE CROSS PRAYER | Learn to Make the Sign of the Cross!
Let's pray the SIGN OF THE CROSS with Tomkin the Catholic Cowboy.
A simple and beautiful way to bless ourselves reminding us of Christ's love.
Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Dear God,
Help me to listen with my ears,
but also with my heart.
When someone is speaking,
help me to stop, be still, and care.
When I am unsure,
help me to listen for Your quiet voice.
Teach me to be patient,
kind, and open.
Help me to listen like Jesus did—
with love.
Amen.
Father,
We believe that St Kilian’s School is a great place to learn and have fun.
We trust our school community will continue to welcome new members and will always help
and care for each other.
We thank you for the love and respect of our families, teachers and friends.
With Jesus as our model, may we grow to be the best people we can.
Amen.
These Hands - Andrew Chinn (St. Kilian's Version)
Open My Heart - Jesse Manibusan
Fill Us Up - Rob Galea
Go Now in Peace - Andrew Chinn
This week, our Positive Behaviour Blitz at school is all about “Moving Safely.” We are learning the importance of being respectful, responsible, and safe in how we move in our school, inside and outside.
Moving safely means using our bodies, voices, and choices to make sure everyone stays happy, calm, and free from harm when we are walking to a new place — whether that’s inside the classroom, to another learning space, or out in the yard.
One of our most important safety rules is: No running in the junior area.
This includes the spaces outside the Paderborn buildings and near the junior playground. Walking in these areas keeps everyone safe, prevents trips and falls, and makes sure younger students feel comfortable and confident when moving around.
When we move safely, we are showing our school values:
Respectful – We give others space, move quietly, and don’t disturb learning or play.
Responsible – We follow the teacher’s directions, stay with our group, and look after our own safety and the safety of others.
Safe – We walk in the right areas (especially the junior area), keep our hands and feet to ourselves, and move in a way that prevents accidents.
When everyone moves safely, we can enjoy our learning and play without anyone getting hurt.
This routine is used anytime students need to move around within the classroom (e.g., from mat to table, or into groups).
It keeps the classroom calm and safe, helps everyone know what to do, and stops confusion or rushing.
Ready in Five
Listen for when, what, and who will move
Move silently and safely when told
Stay focused and listen for the next instruction
This routine is for times when students move out of the classroom (e.g., to specialists, Mass, assembly).
It shows respect to others, keeps everyone together and safe, and helps the class arrive at places calmly and on time.
Ready in Five
Line up in two quiet lines
Stay with the person in front of you
Walk quietly and respectfully
Stop when asked and listen carefully
‘Ready in Five’ is a consistent teacher prompt used to gain students' full attention before giving instructions or starting a lesson.
The teacher stands in a central position, counts down from five while scanning the room, and waits for 100% of students to respond and make eye contact. It teaches students to stop, look, and listen, creating a calm and focused transition into learning.
The Classroom Entry Routine sets clear expectations for how students enter the room after breaks or transitions.
Students line up in pairs, enter quietly, stand or sit in their spot, and wait with eyes on the teacher before being greeted and seated. It promotes calm, safe, and respectful beginnings to lessons, helping students settle quickly for learning.
The Classroom Exit Routine guides students in leaving the room calmly and respectfully at the end of a lesson or day.
Students pack up quietly, stand behind their desks, respond to the teacher's farewell, and are dismissed row by row. It ensures a smooth and safe transition, reinforcing gratitude, order, and readiness for what comes next.
The National Apology Anniversary is a special day when we remember the time the Australian Government said sorry to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for past wrongs, especially the Stolen Generations—children who were taken from their families. It’s a day to learn, listen, and show kindness and respect to help build a fair and caring community for everyone.
The Anniversary of the National Apology is on Thursday February 13 each year. National Apology Day is a day that commemorates the first national apology made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008 for the Stolen Generation. This was the official apology to the children and families traumatised by past forced child removal and assimilation government policies. The Stolen Generation's suffered significant abuse and trauma, living under harsh conditions and abusive treatment, and were made to reject their Indigenous heritage. The impact of the Stolen Generation is still felt today.
It is a time to reflect on past injustices, acknowledge the impact of historical wrongs, and commit to respectful relationships built on truth, understanding, and healing. This is an opportunity to listen, learn, and take meaningful steps toward reconciliation in our communities.
Reflection Questions:
Why is it important to remember and acknowledge the experiences of the Stolen Generations, and how can we show respect and kindness to those affected?
How do you think the National Apology helped Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and why is saying sorry an important step towards healing?
What can we do in our school or community to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and show support for reconciliation?
Apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples (2008)
Reflection Questions:
What emotions did you feel while watching the apology speech? Why do you think you felt this way?
How do you think Indigenous communities might have felt hearing the apology?
If you were to explain the significance of this apology to someone unfamiliar with it, what key points would you include?
10th Anniversary since the Apology to the Stolen Generations - Behind the News
Reflection Questions:
What stood out to you the most from the video? Why?
How did hearing the perspectives of Indigenous people impact your understanding of the Apology?
How can schools and communities ensure Indigenous voices are heard and valued?
The Stolen Generations - Presentation
Reflection Questions:
How would you feel if you were taken away from your family, community, and culture at a young age?
What were the main reasons the Australian government gave for removing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families?
How did the loss of culture, language, and traditions impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities?
Collaborative Colouring Activity
This collaborative colouring activity symbolises reconciliation by bringing students together to create a shared artwork that acknowledges the past and promotes unity. Just as each student contributes a piece to complete the whole image, reconciliation is about working together to heal, understand, and move forward as a nation.
Safer Internet Day is a day to remind us how to use the internet safely and kindly. Just like we look out for each other in real life, we should be respectful and make good choices online. This means thinking before we post, being kind to others, and telling a trusted adult if we see something that doesn’t feel right.
A reminder to be kind, respectful, and responsible online. Just as we build positive relationships in person, we must foster safe and inclusive digital spaces by thinking before we post, standing up against cyberbullying, and using technology to uplift and support others.
Reflection Questions:
What are some ways you can stay safe online, and why is it important to think before you click or share?
How can you be a kind and respectful friend on the internet, just like you would be in real life?
If you ever feel uncomfortable or see something worrying online, what steps can you take to protect yourself and others?
Valentine’s Day is about showing love and kindness to the people around us—our family, friends, and classmates. It’s a chance to appreciate those who care for us and to spread kindness by saying kind words, helping others, and making people feel special.
More than a celebration of romantic love, this day is an opportunity to practise kindness, gratitude, and appreciation for all relationships. By showing care and respect to friends, family, and ourselves, we strengthen our connections and build a more compassionate and inclusive community.
Reflection Questions:
What are some ways people have shown love and kindness throughout history, and how can we do the same today?
Why is Valentine’s Day not just about giving gifts but also about showing appreciation and care for others?
How can small acts of kindness, like kind words or helping a friend, make someone’s day special?