Focus is the ability to direct attention and effort toward what matters most in learning. It helps students move from simply knowing to actively applying their knowledge with purpose, persistence, and clarity.
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.
Let’s begin by sitting comfortably.
Place your hands gently on your lap or by your sides.
Close your eyes if you feel safe to do so, or soften your gaze.
Take a deep breath in… and slowly let it out.
Feel the air move in and out of your body.
Breathe in calm…
Breathe out tension…
Now bring your attention to the ground beneath you.
Feel the strength of the earth holding you up.
This land—Dja Dja Wurrung Country—has been cared for over thousands of years.
It holds stories, wisdom, and life.
Listen…
What can you hear?
Maybe the wind… the trees… the sounds of birds or people.
Feel the air on your skin.
Imagine your breath connecting you to the trees…
They give us the air we breathe.
You are part of this land, and this land is part of you.
In this quiet moment,
Say a silent thank you in your heart—
To the earth, the air, the water, and the Dja Dja Wurrung people who care for Country.
And offer thanks to God, who created this beautiful world and calls us to care for it with love.
Take one more deep breath…
And when you’re ready, gently open your eyes.
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.
God calls us to nurture the world around us by showing love, kindness, and care to others, and by protecting and respecting the environment. Just as God gently nurtures us with His constant love, guidance, and presence, we are invited to reflect that same love in how we treat people and how we care for the earth. When we nurture relationships and creation, we honour God’s command to love one another and to be good stewards of all that He has made.
In this heartwarming video, children share their thoughts on what it means to love others. They discuss simple ways to show love, such as being kind, helping friends, and spending time with family. The video highlights that love isn't just about big actions; it's also found in everyday moments and small gestures that make others feel special and cared for.
How do you show love to the people around you?
Can you think of a time when a small act of kindness made someone happy?
What are some ways your mother or caregiver shows love to you every day?
How do these actions make you feel?
Why is it important to show love and care to others, just as God loves us?
How can we reflect God's love in our actions?
Can you think of a special memory with your mother or caregiver where you felt especially loved?
What made that moment special?
What is one thing you can do this week to show love and appreciation to your mother or caregiver?
Plan a small act of kindness or a surprise to express your gratitude.
This video tells the story of how God made the whole world!
In just six days, God made light, the sky, land, trees, animals, stars, the sea, and people too.
On the seventh day, God rested because everything He made was good.
The video shows us how powerful and loving God is, and reminds us that we should take care of the world He made—because it’s His special gift to us!
Why do you think God called His creation "very good"?
What does this tell us about how we should treat the world around us?
In the video, what are some examples of the things God created?
How can we take care of these parts of creation in our daily lives?
God gave humans the responsibility to care for the earth.
What are some ways we can be good caretakers of God's creation?
How does taking care of the environment show love and respect for God?
Can you think of a time when you helped the environment? How did it make you feel?
What is one new thing you learned from the video about God's creation?
How can you share this with others to encourage them to care for the environment?
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…
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.
Loving God,
Thank You for mothers and all the special people who care for us.
Thank You for their love, their kindness, and the way they help us grow.
Bless them with joy, strength, and peace.
Help us to show them how much we care—
with our words, our actions, and our hearts.
May we follow their example by being gentle, caring, and full of love.
And may they always know how special they are.
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.
‘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.
Leave No Trace means showing care for our environment, shared spaces, and each other by making sure we don’t leave mess, damage, or harm behind. It reminds us to respect the places we learn and play in and leave them as we found them—or even better.
This connects to our school values:
Respectful – We treat all spaces with care.
Example: We walk around plants and artworks instead of stepping on or over them.
Safe – We keep areas clean and clear so everyone can use them safely.
Example: We put away sports equipment and pick up rubbish so others don’t trip or slip.
Responsible – We take ownership of our own mess and help others do the same.
Example: We tidy our workspace, push in our chairs, and pack up shared materials even if we didn’t use them.
By living these values, we show that we care for our school, our environment, and our community.
We celebrate those who nurture us—mothers, grandmothers, and all caregivers—through love, patience, and presence in our lives.
Mother’s Day is a special day to celebrate and thank mothers, grandmothers, and all the special people who care for us like a mother. It’s a time to show love and appreciation for everything they do—like looking after us, teaching us, listening to us, and helping us grow.
In Australia, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. People often give cards, flowers, small gifts, or simply spend time together. More importantly, it’s a chance to say a big “thank you” for all the love and care they give every day.
Mother’s Day reminds us to be grateful, loving, and nurturing—just like the people we are celebrating.
At St. Kilian's we are celebrating Mother's Day with a Mother's Day breakfast and Gifts! The details are in the picutres to the left.
Why do we celebrate Mother's Day?
What are some reasons mentioned in the video for honouring mothers?
What are some ways you can show appreciation to your mother or caregiver?
Can you think of a special activity or gift that would make them feel loved?
How do mothers and caregivers show love and care every day?
Can you share an example from your own experience?
Why is it important to take time to thank the special people in our lives?
How does expressing gratitude make them feel?
What did you learn from the video about the history or traditions of Mother's Day?
Did anything surprise you?
Sandhurst Switches Off is a special day on May 7 when schools across our diocese try to go without lights and technology we don’t need. It’s our way of showing that we care for the earth and want to help protect it.
By switching off for the whole day, we remember that God gave us the world as a gift—and it’s our job to look after it. Even small actions, like turning off the lights, help the planet and show love and respect for God’s creation.
Why do you think it's important to care for the earth?
What does the Bible or God teach us about creation?
What is one small thing you can do every day to help the planet?
At school? At home?
How does turning things off show respect for God’s creation?
Can a small action like this make a big difference?
What would happen if everyone in the world tried to care for the planet like we did today?
What kind of world would we live in?
Loving God,
Thank You for the beautiful world You have created—
the trees, the sky, the oceans, and all living things.
Help us to care for the Earth by using less, wasting less,
and remembering that even small actions make a big difference.
Today, as we switch off lights and technology,
help us to switch on our hearts to love Your creation.
May we be thoughtful, gentle, and grateful stewards of the planet You gave us.
Amen.
The Conclave is a special and very important meeting where Catholic cardinals come together to choose the next pope—the leader of the Catholic Church. It happens in a place called the Vatican, and during this time, the cardinals stay in a special area and don’t talk to anyone outside, so they can pray and think carefully.
They ask the Holy Spirit to guide them as they vote. When a new pope is chosen, white smoke rises from a chimney to let the world know we have a new leader!
This video explains how the Catholic Church selects a new pope. It shows how cardinals gather in a special meeting called a conclave, where they pray and vote until they choose the next leader of the Church.
What is a conclave, and why do cardinals gather for it?
What special place do the cardinals go to during the conclave?
How do people know when a new pope has been chosen?
What qualities do you think make someone a good pope?
Why is it important for the cardinals to pray before choosing a new pope?
Can you think of a time when you had to make an important decision? How did you decide?
Dear God,
Thank You for our Church and all the people who help lead it.
Please guide the cardinals as they choose a new pope.
Fill their hearts with wisdom, love, and peace.
Help the new pope to lead us with kindness and faith.
Amen.
Gaga Ball is kind of like dodgeball, but you hit the ball with your hands instead of throwing it, and the goal is to hit other players below the knees. Everyone starts inside the pit, and when the ball is served, the fun begins!
All players stand inside the Gaga Pit.
Someone drops the ball and shouts “Ga-ga-ball!” as it bounces three times.
Players hit the ball with an open hand (no throwing or kicking).
If the ball hits you below the knees, you’re out!
The last player left in the pit wins!
Why do we need rules in Gaga Ball?
What can we do if two players don’t agree on who got out?
How can we help new players learn the game?
What do we need to check before we start playing in the Gaga Pit?
What does being a fair and kind player look like in this game?