The Common Good means we think about what is best for everyone, not just ourselves. It’s about working together, sharing, and making sure everyone feels safe, happy, and included. During Lent, we think about the Common Good because it is a time when we try to be more like Jesus by caring for others, especially through kindness, sharing, and helping those in need.
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.
Take a moment to settle into stillness. Gently close your eyes.
Take a deep breath in… and slowly breathe out.
Again, breathe in deeply, filling your lungs… and exhale, releasing any tension.
As you breathe, imagine God’s love surrounding you—warm, steady, and constant.
Breathe in His peace… and breathe out any worries.
Breathe in His presence… and breathe out distractions.
Breathe in His love… and let go of anything weighing you down.
With each breath, feel yourself resting in His care, knowing you are held, known, and deeply loved.
Now, take one more deep breath in… and as you exhale, gently open your eyes, bringing this peace with you into the rest of your day.
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.
In this video, we learn something really special: God made the whole world, and every single person in it — including you! That means we are all part of one big family, no matter where we live or what we look like.
The video teaches us that Jesus wants us to look after one another. Some people don’t have as much food, clean water, or a safe place to live, and Jesus asks us to care for them first. When we help others, we are showing God’s love.
We also learn that the world is our home — our common home — and we have to take good care of it. That means looking after plants, animals, the oceans, and the land, so everyone can enjoy God’s creation.
The video reminds us to be fair, to share what we have, to stand up for people who are being treated badly, and to work together to make the world a better place.
When we do these things — when we are kind, caring, fair, and brave — we are living just like Jesus taught us. And even small actions from kids like you can make a big difference in the world.
Who are some people you think of when you hear the word family?
How can we show kindness to people who are far away or different from us?
What is one small thing you could do today to help someone who might be having a hard time?
Why do you think Jesus wants us to look after people who are struggling?
Have you ever seen something that wasn’t fair? What happened?
What could you do if you see someone being treated unfairly at school?
What is one way you can take care of the earth this week?
Why do you think God wants us to protect the world?
What is something you are good at sharing?
How does working together make life better for everyone?
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 giving me…
Thank You, God, for helping me…
Thank You, God, for the people who…
Thank You, God, for the beauty of…
Thank You, God, for the lessons I learn when…
Thank You, God, for always…
Thank You, God, for the moments when…
Thank You, God, for the strength to…
Thank You, God, for Your love that…
Thank You, God, for the joy of…
Asking prompts
Please, God, help me to…
Please, God, give me the courage to…
Please, God, guide me when…
Please, God, help me to be more…
Please, God, show me how to…
Please, God, help me to forgive…
Please, God, remind me to…
Please, God, be with me when…
Please, God, give me the wisdom to…
Please, God, teach me to…
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.
Our Father Prayer
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.
Five Finger Prayer - a guided prayer, helping to think wider than themselves
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.
Hail Mary for Children in Song
A fun way for kids to learn the Hail Mary with song.
Mary, Our Heavenly Mother, Pray for Us! | Let's Pray with Tomkin
Let's pray the HAIL MARY with Tomkin the Catholic Cowboy. A most beautiful prayer to honor Our Lady, the Mother of God! Mary, Our Heavenly Mother, Pray for Us!
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.
Sometimes, problems at school—whether with friends, classmates, or learning—can feel tricky to solve on your own. That’s why your teachers are here! If something is making you upset, confused, or unsure, asking a teacher for help can make a big difference.
Teachers can help you:
🔹 Find fair and kind ways to solve conflicts.
🔹 Give advice on making good choices.
🔹 Support you when you feel worried or frustrated.
🔹 Make sure everyone feels safe and respected.
Asking for help is a smart and strong thing to do. You don’t have to handle everything alone—your teacher is here to listen and support you!
At St. Kilian's, we have a visual to help teach and remind us of what we can do when something is bothering us.
If something is bothering us we can;
Keep doing what I am doing.
This means to stay focussed on what I am doing. If that doesn't work, then try the next step.
I can move away.
This might mean moving away in another space in the room, or moving to a whole another new space.
This could also mean moving to another group of people.
If this doesn't work, then try the next step.
I can ask an adult for help.
If the first two steps didn't work, then you can ask an adult to help you solve your problem.
Hands On
At St. Kilian’s, we keep our hands and feet to ourselves to make sure everyone feels safe and respected. If a hands-on incident happens (like pushing, hitting, or grabbing), here’s what will happen:
A teacher will step in to stop the situation and check that everyone is okay.
The incident will be reported to all staff and Mr. Teggelove and Mr. Podosky so they can follow up.
Parents will be informed about what happened.
A consequence will be given - 1 break off the yard
A restorative conversation will take place to help you understand what happened, why it wasn’t okay, and how to handle things better next time.
Our goal is to help everyone feel safe and supported while learning how to make positive choices and solve problems without using hands-on behaviour. If you ever feel unsafe, always talk to a teacher or trusted adult!
Project Compassion is about helping people who don’t have what they need to live a happy and healthy life. It’s a special project that raises money to give food, water, shelter, and education to people in different parts of the world. When we take part in Project Compassion, we are showing kindness and care for others, just like Jesus teaches us to do.
Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten campaign, inviting us to live out our faith by supporting people in need, both in Australia and around the world. Each year, it shares real stories of individuals and communities who are working to overcome challenges such as poverty, lack of access to education, and limited healthcare.
Through Project Compassion, we are reminded that even small acts of generosity can make a big difference. Funds raised go towards sustainable, long-term solutions — helping communities to become stronger, more independent, and full of hope.
As a school community, we are invited to take part through prayer, awareness, and giving, putting our faith into action and standing in solidarity with others.
Monoranjon lives in a village in Bangladesh close to the sea, where floods and storms often damage his crops and his home. With support from Project Compassion, he learnt climate-resilient farming techniques and new ways to diversify his income, helping his family survive and build a safer, more sustainable future.
What is Monoranjon’s job?
What is making farming difficult for Monoranjon?
How did Caritas Australia and Caritas Bangladesh help?
Why did Monoranjon learn to farm fish, prawns and crabs?
What new skills did Monoranjon learn?
How will you share Monoranjon’s story with others?
Catholic Social Teaching helps us learn how to live like Jesus. It teaches us to love others, be kind, share what we have, and stand up for what is right. It reminds us that every person is important and deserves to be treated with respect.
We learn this through these key ideas:
Human Dignity – Every person is special and important
The Common Good – We work together so everyone is cared for
Participation – Everyone belongs and has a voice
Preferential Option for the Poor – We care for people who need help the most
Solidarity – We are one big family and stand together
Subsidiarity – We make fair choices close to where people are affected
Stewardship (Care for Creation) – We look after our world
The Bible teaches us to take extra special care of the most vulnerable people in society. This means we try to notice and help people who need it the most. Just like Jesus, we care for people who might be sad, hungry, lonely, or struggling. We don’t leave them out — we include them, help them, and make sure they feel loved.
By doing this, we are helping to create a fairer and more loving world for everyone.
Monoranjon’s story shows us what it means to put the needs of the poor first. He and his community were struggling because farming was becoming very difficult, which meant they didn’t always have enough food or income.
Caritas Australia and Caritas Bangladesh chose to help Monoranjon and his community because they needed it most. Instead of ignoring their situation, they supported them by teaching new ways to farm, like raising fish, prawns, and crabs. This helped Monoranjon build a better future for himself and his family.
This is an example of the Preferential Option for the Poor because:
People who were most in need were supported first
The support helped them become stronger and more independent
It was a response of love and fairness to an unfair situation
It reminds us that, like Caritas, we are called to notice people in need and take action to help them.
Questions:
Who are people in our world, school, or community that might need extra help or care?
How can you notice when someone might be feeling sad, left out, or struggling?
What is one kind thing you can do this week to help someone who needs it?
How can we make sure no one is left out when we play or learn together?
What does it look like to be like Jesus when someone needs help?
How can our class show love and care for people who are less fortunate?
How does giving to Project Compassion help people around the world?
Why is it important that we don’t just think about ourselves?
During Lent, we are called to deepen our relationship with Jesus through three key practices: Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer. Below are some different ways you might explore these practices during Lent. You might like to use these practices in your daily routines.
Lent: A Time of Renewal
On Ash Wednesday we begin the season of Lent. Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal as we prepare for Easter. It lasts for 40 days, reminding us of Jesus’ time in the desert, where He fasted and prayed. During Lent, we are called to deepen our relationship with Jesus through three key practices: Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer.
Fasting: More than just giving up food, fasting is about making space for God. This could mean reducing screen time, cutting back on unnecessary spending, or letting go of habits that distract from faith.
Almsgiving: Lent is a time to be generous and serve others. You might donate to a charity, support a parish initiative, or simply offer time to someone in need. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
Prayer: Deepen your connection with Jesus by setting aside time for prayer each day. This could include reading Scripture, attending Mass, praying the Rosary, or keeping a gratitude journal focused on God’s blessings.
Donate clothes, toys, or books to someone in need.
Give money or food to a local charity, food bank, or mission.
Offer to help a neighbour or family member without being asked.
Share your time by visiting someone who is lonely or writing a kind note to a friend.
Participate in school or parish fundraising efforts for those in need.
Do extra chores at home and donate your allowance to a good cause.
Be generous with kind words and encouragement to others.
Offer to sit with someone new at lunch or include them in a game.
Pray for people who are struggling, especially those without food or shelter.
Give up sweets, snacks, or soft drinks and offer that sacrifice to God.
Avoid video games or TV for a day and spend time helping others instead.
Skip complaining and choose gratitude instead.
Fast from unnecessary screen time and use the time for family or prayer.
Give up negative thoughts or gossip and focus on kind words.
Eat simpler meals and remember those who don’t have enough food.
Walk or bike instead of taking the car, appreciating God’s creation.
Avoid wasting food or water and be mindful of how you use resources.
Take a break from buying new things and appreciate what you already have.
Begin and end the day with a short prayer of thanks.
Say a prayer before meals, even silently.
Spend a few moments in quiet reflection or meditation each day.
Pray for family, friends, and those in need, including people you struggle with.
Read a Bible verse and think about how it applies to your life.
Write a list of things you are grateful for and thank God for them.
Create a prayer jar, writing down intentions and offering them to God.
Attend Mass or a prayer service with family or school.
Pray a decade of the Rosary or another simple prayer form.
Try journaling your prayers or drawing a picture to express your thoughts to God.
This Lent Prayer is a reflection on the season of Lent, focusing on growing closer to God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It begins with centering oneself in God’s presence and encourages self-discipline, kindness, and spiritual growth. The prayer includes Prayers of the Faithful, asking for strength, forgiveness, and gratitude, reminding us to be our best selves and to prepare our hearts for Easter.
Click on the picture to the left, or the link above to access the prayer.