Celebration and reflection at the end of a term give students the chance to recognise their growth, appreciate their efforts, and feel proud of what they’ve achieved. These moments build confidence, strengthen self-awareness, and support learning in a joyful and meaningful way.
We say an Acknowledgement of Country to show respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples—the First Peoples of Australia.
Before our school, houses, or roads were built, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people cared for this land for a very long time.
It’s a way of remembering that we all share the land and that we want to take care of it and each other.
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.
All: May we all stand tall, stand firm, grounded in truth, together as one.
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
Junior Acknowledgement of Country
Here is the Land, here is the Sky, here are my friends, and here am I.
We play today on traditional Land, Our First Nation people, we walk hand in hand.
We’d like to say thank you for letting us share the Land that you love. We promise to take care.
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.
Begin by finding a comfortable position.
You may sit or stand tall, or lie down if that feels right. Let your hands rest gently — in your lap, at your sides, or over your heart.
Take a deep breath in…
And slowly exhale.
Do this again — in through the nose… and out through the mouth.
One more time, slow and steady.
Now gently bring your attention inward.
Let the outside world soften for just a moment.
Bring to mind one thing — just one — that you’re grateful for today.
It could be a person, a place, a moment, or even a feeling.
Let it rise naturally.
There’s no need to search — simply notice what comes.
As it arrives, pause with it.
Notice how it makes you feel in your body — warmth, peace, maybe even a smile.
Say quietly to yourself: “Thank you.”
Let those words echo gently inside.
Let the gratitude you feel fill you with a gentle confidence, a lightness, and a grounded sense of joy.
When you're ready, bring your awareness slowly back to the room.
Wiggle your fingers or toes.
Take one final deep breath.
And as you exhale, let a soft smile come to your face.
Carry this feeling with you — the gratitude — as you move into whatever comes next.
Begin by finding a comfortable position.
You may sit or stand tall, or lie down if that feels right. Let your hands rest gently — in your lap, at your sides, or over your heart.
Take a deep breath in…
And slowly exhale.
Do this again — in through the nose… and out through the mouth.
One more time, slow and steady.
Now gently bring your attention inward.
Let the outside world soften for just a moment.
Now shift to something worth celebrating — big or small.
It could be a recent achievement, a challenge you faced, a meaningful connection, or simply showing up today.
Breathe it in.
Acknowledge it fully.
Let it rise within you like a quiet joy, or a spark of light.
Say silently or aloud:
“I celebrate this moment.”
“I honour my growth.”
Let the peace you feel fill you with a gentle confidence, a lightness, and a grounded sense of joy.
When you're ready, bring your awareness slowly back to the room.
Wiggle your fingers or toes.
Take one final deep breath.
And as you exhale, let a soft smile come to your face.
Carry this feeling with you — the pride — as you move into whatever comes next.
Benedictus by 2CELLOS
Benedictus is a peaceful and emotional piece of music performed by 2CELLOS.
The music starts softly and slowly builds, creating a feeling of calm, hope, and reflection. It's often used in moments of quiet thinking, meditation, or prayer because it helps people feel peaceful and connected.
It’s a beautiful reminder to pause, be grateful, and notice the special moments in our lives.
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.
When we take time to think back on what we’ve done and learned, it helps us understand ourselves better. Reflection is like looking in a mirror—it shows us what we’ve achieved, what we’ve struggled with, and what we can improve. It helps us see:
Our Achievements: We can remember the things we’re most proud of and feel good about our efforts.
Our Challenges: By thinking about the tough moments, we can figure out how we got through them and what helped us. This makes us more confident for next time.
Our Growth: We can see how much we’ve learned and how we’ve changed over time. It helps us realise that even if something was hard, we’ve grown because of it.
Reflection is like being a detective of your own life—you find out what works best for you and learn important lessons that you can use in the future. Plus, it’s a great way to end the year feeling proud and ready for what’s next!
What is something you learned this term that made you feel proud?
What was a challenge you faced, and how did you overcome it?
How have you become a better friend or classmate this term?
What is one thing you are thankful for from this term?
If you could go back and give yourself advice at the start of the term, what would it be?
What was your favourite memory from this term? Why was it special?
How did you help others this term? What did you learn from doing this?
What is something you tried this term that was new or outside your comfort zone? How did it go?
What did you enjoy the most about our classroom community this term?
Equipment:
Paper or drawing books
Coloured pencils, crayons, or markers
Steps:
Students draw a picture representing their favourite memory or what they are most proud of this year.
They pair up with a peer to explain their drawing and share their thoughts.
Volunteers or pairs share their reflections with the whole class.
Equipment:
Sticky notes or index cards
Pens or pencils
Whiteboard or large poster paper
Steps:
Students write one thing they are most proud of this year on a sticky note or index card.
They place their note on the 'Reflection Wall.'
Teachers read a few reflections aloud, or students take turns reading each other’s reflections.
Equipment:
Large sheets of paper or poster boards
Markers or crayons
Tape or blu-tack for displaying work
Steps:
Students write or draw their reflections on the large sheets of paper.
Display the sheets around the room like an art gallery.
Students walk around the room to read and look at others' work, leaving positive comments or discussing what they see with a partner.
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.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
a world without end.
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.
This routine teaches students how to use their mini whiteboards properly during lessons.
It helps everyone stay focused, answer quickly without shouting, and gives the teacher a fast way to see what everyone understands.
‘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.
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
Respectful:
How can we show respect to others while moving inside or outside the classroom?
What does respectful movement look and sound like?
How does being respectful help everyone focus and feel calm during transitions?
Responsible:
What is your responsibility when you hear “Ready in Five”?
How can you make sure you are following the teacher’s instructions during movement time?
What should you do if you notice a friend is not sure where to go or what to do?
Safe:
How can we keep ourselves and others safe when we move as a class?
What could happen if we don’t follow the movement routine properly?
How can you use your body and space to make sure everyone stays safe?
Each year from 1 September to 4 October, the Catholic Church around the world celebrates the Season of Creation – a time set aside to reflect on God’s gift of creation and to commit ourselves to caring for our common home. This season invites us to pray, learn, and act together for the environment, inspired by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’.
At school, we are marking this special season in a number of ways:
Diocesan Mass – Our leaders will join schools across the Diocese to celebrate Mass together.
Unit Masses – Each learning unit will gather for Mass with a focus on creation.
Prayer and Classroom Activities – Students will take part in prayers, reflections, and learning activities that highlight care for the earth and sustainable living.
Together, as a school and community, we can use this Season of Creation to deepen our awareness of God’s presence in creation and take steps towards a more sustainable future.
Genesis 1:31 (CEV)
“God looked at what he had done. All of it was very good!”
Everything God made—land, water, plants, animals, people—was good and beautiful.
Genesis 2:15 (CEV)
“The Lord God put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and to look after it.”
God gave humans the responsibility to care for the Earth.
Psalm 24:1 (NIV)
“The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
The Earth doesn’t belong to us—it belongs to God, and we are caretakers of it.
Psalm 104:24 (NIRV)
“Lord, you have made so many things! How wise you were when you made all of them. The Earth is full of your creatures.”
God made the world with wisdom and filled it with living things.
Proverbs 12:10 (NIRV)
“Those who do what is right take good care of their animals.”
Even animals are part of God’s creation and deserve kindness.
These verses show us that God made the world with love and care. He filled it with beauty, animals, people, and life—and He called it good. God invites us to be caretakers of this gift. That means protecting nature, being kind to animals, and making good choices for our Earth. The Bible teaches that the world belongs to God, not us, so we are to treat it with respect.
When we care for the environment, we are saying thank you to God for His creation. Picking up rubbish, saving water, planting trees, and protecting animals are all ways we live out what the Bible teaches. God didn’t just make nature to be pretty—He made it for us to enjoy, share, and take care of. Caring for creation is not just a good idea—it’s a holy responsibility.
Reflection Questions:
What is your favourite thing in nature that God made? Why?
How can we show God we’re thankful for the world He made?
What are some ways we can care for animals and plants?
If the Earth belongs to God, how should we treat it?
Can you think of one thing you can do this week to care for God’s creation?
As part of the Season of Creation, students will be engaging in simple classroom activities that highlight God’s gift of creation and our responsibility to care for it. These include a Creation Gratitude Walk to notice and thank God for nature, Care for Creation Pledges where students commit to small actions that make a difference, and a Creation Prayer Circle to give thanks and pray together for our common home. Each activity helps students reflect on how faith connects to caring for the environment in meaningful, practical ways.
Instructions:
Take students outside to the schoolyard or a nearby green space.
Ask them to walk slowly and silently for a few minutes, noticing the plants, animals, sky, sounds, and smells around them.
Back in the classroom, invite students to write or draw one thing in creation they are most grateful for. Display these on a “Creation Gratitude Wall.”
Reflection Questions:
What part of creation stood out to you the most? Why?
How did it feel to slow down and notice creation?
How can we show gratitude to God for creation in our daily lives?
Instructions:
Discuss Pope Francis’ message in Laudato Si’ about caring for our common home.
Ask each student to think of one small action they could take this week (e.g., picking up rubbish, saving water, recycling, walking instead of driving).
Have students write or draw their pledge on a leaf-shaped card.
Place the leaves on a classroom “Creation Tree” display.
Reflection Questions:
Why is it important to care for creation?
What difference do small actions make?
How do our choices connect to our faith?
Instructions:
Arrange chairs in a circle. Place a candle, cloth, or natural objects (rocks, flowers, leaves) in the centre as a prayer focus.
Begin with a short reading from Scripture (e.g., Genesis 1:31: “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.”).
Invite each student to say aloud one thing in creation they want to thank God for.
Finish with a simple prayer together for the earth and all living things.
Reflection Questions:
What did you feel when you heard everyone’s thank-yous?
Why do you think God called creation “very good”?
How can prayer help us take better care of the earth?
At our school, every student has the right to feel safe, respected, included, and supported. You should always be treated fairly and listened to, and if something doesn’t feel right—whether it’s bullying, feeling unsafe, or being worried—you can and should speak up to a trusted adult, because it’s your right. We all share the responsibility to make school a safe place by being kind, respectful, honest, and following school rules. Child Safety Officers and teachers are here to listen and help, and together we can make sure school is a place where everyone belongs and can learn and grow.
Every student has the right to feel safe, accepted, valued, heard, and supported.
You can talk to a trusted person if you’re being bullied, feel scared, worried, or sad.
The school has Child Safeguarding Officers trained to listen and help.
The whole community works together to keep children safe and ensure their voices are heard.
The Child Safe Standards were created to make sure children are protected in schools, sports clubs, and other organisations.
Adults must be carefully chosen, listen to what makes you feel safe, and act if something is wrong.
You have the right to be safe everywhere—and if you ever don’t feel safe, you can and should tell an adult, and they must help you.
You have the right to be safe, respected, treated fairly, and included at school.
You also have responsibilities: be kind, follow rules, be honest, include others, and help make school safe for everyone.
Bullying, harassment, and ignoring teachers’ directions are not okay.
If you feel unsafe, talk to a trusted adult (teacher, parent, carer, or Child Safety Officer).
Consequences happen if rules are broken, but the aim is to make school safe for all.
What does it mean to feel safe at school? Can you share a time you felt safe?
Why do you think it’s important that everyone has the right to be heard and believed?
Who are the trusted adults you could talk to if something didn’t feel right?
How can students help make school a kind and respectful place?
What’s one small action you could take to include someone who feels left out?
Why do rules exist, and how do they keep us safe?
Sometimes it’s hard to tell an adult if you’re worried. What might make it easier?
Why do you think the posters say “Speak up—it’s your right”?
How can we support each other if a friend is scared to speak up?