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

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. 

Movement Inside the Classroom (Short Version)

1. Ready in Five

2. Listen for when, what, and who will move

3. Move silently and safely when told

4. 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. 

Movement Outside the Classroom (Short Version)

1. Ready in Five

2. Line up in two quiet lines

3. Stay with the person in front of you

4. Walk quietly and respectfully

5. Stop when asked and listen carefully

Reflection Questions:

• Why is it important that everyone has the same opportunity to be healthy and well?

• How can learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples help us build respect and understanding?

• What can we do at school or in our community to make sure everyone feels valued and included?

• Why is it important that we care about and support people who may not have the same opportunities as others?

The Close the Gap campaign began in 2007. It encourages governments, organisations, and communities to work together so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the same opportunities for health, education, and wellbeing as other Australians.

“Close the Gap” means working to reduce differences in important areas such as:

• How long people live

• The health of babies and children

• Access to doctors and healthcare

• Opportunities for education and jobs

In schools and communities, Close the Gap Day is often marked by:

• Learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and experiences

• Thinking about fairness, respect, and reconciliation

• Talking about ways we can support health, wellbeing, and equality for First Nations peoples

In Catholic schools, this day also reminds us that every person has dignity and deserves to be treated with care, respect, and fairness.

In this reflective writing activity, students are invited to write two short sentences — one on each hand outline.

• ✋ On the first hand, they write a sentence about why it is important to work together.
  
  

• ✋ On the second hand, they write a sentence about what they can do at school to treat everyone equally and fairly.
  
  

This task encourages students to:

• Think about the values of inclusion, respect, and fairness
  
  

• Reflect on how they can contribute to reconciliation in their own school community
  
  

• Use their own hands as symbols of action and unity
  
  

This activity supports meaningful classroom conversations about equality, teamwork, and kindness.

You can access the worksheet by clicking on the picutre or here.

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.

Life was hard for Manaini and her children living in rural Fiji. With the support from Caritas Australia’s partner, FRIEND, she learnt food processing and gardening skills, improving nutrition and creating new income opportunities to support her children’s education. 

The family lived from what they grew, but meals were plain and often lacked nutrition. Store food was too expensive. At night, the village was in darkness, leaving children and the elderly unsafe.

Almost one quarter of Fiji’s population live in poverty, and rates are higher in rural villages. Any extra income can mean the difference between children completing school, being able to buy medicine, or simply managing daily costs. This is what poverty looks like in rural Fiji – every dollar counts.  

Class Discussion

• How did Manaini earn money for her family before joining the FRIEND program?

• How did Caritas Australia and the FRIEND program help her?

• What new skills did Manaini learn?

• Why is it important for people to learn new skills?

• What has earning more money meant for Manaini and her family?

• How could you share Manaini’s story with others?

Catholic Social Teaching

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.