God calls each of us to live with purpose and love. Striving for excellence doesn’t mean being the best at everything — it means giving your best, every day, with a good heart. When we do that, we grow closer to being the people God made us to be — saints in the everyday moments of life.
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.
We pray to talk to God. Just like we speak with our family or friends, prayer is our way of staying connected to God. We might pray to say thank you, to ask for help, to say sorry, or simply to spend time with Him.
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 deep breath in… and slowly let it out.
Let the noise around you fade away.
Feel your feet on the ground and your body resting in stillness.
Be present in this moment.
Now, imagine you are standing in a peaceful garden. The sun is warm, and the air is calm.
In front of you is a small table. On it sits a gift — wrapped just for you.
You gently open the gift… inside is something special — something that represents your gifts and talents.
Maybe it’s a paintbrush, a notebook, a ball, a cross, or a heart — something that shows what you are good at, what you love to do, or how you care for others.
Take a moment to look at that gift.
Think about how you use it — in your schoolwork, your friendships, your play, your kindness.
This gift is from God. He trusts you with it.
He doesn’t ask you to be perfect — He asks you to use what you have with love and effort.
Now, imagine God smiling at you.
You hear His gentle voice say:
“Well done, my child. I am proud of you. Keep using your gifts. Keep trying your best. Keep growing in love.”
Think about one way you can use your gift today — maybe by helping someone, doing your best work, or showing kindness.
Remember, excellence isn’t about being better than others — it’s about becoming the best version of who God created you to be.
Take another deep breath in… and slowly let it out.
As you breathe, thank God quietly in your heart for the gifts He has given you.
(Pause for a few moments of silence.)
When you’re ready, slowly open your eyes.
Carry that sense of peace and purpose with you today — knowing that when you do your best with love, you are honouring God and becoming the saint He calls you to be.
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.
God calls each of us to live with purpose and love. Striving for excellence doesn’t mean being the best at everything — it means giving your best, every day, with a good heart. When we do that, we grow closer to being the people God made us to be — saints in the everyday moments of life.
Saints are ordinary people who do ordinary things with extraordinary love and effort. Every time you show kindness, courage, or do your work with care, you are living out God’s call to holiness.
These verses remind us that God calls each of us to live with excellence — to give our best, to be kind, and to grow in faith every day. The Bible shows us that striving for excellence isn’t about being perfect or being better than others, but about living with love, effort, and purpose. Each verse teaches us a different way we can live as saints in our everyday lives — by working with heart, thinking good thoughts, shining our light, staying determined, and choosing holiness.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord.”
This verse reminds us to give our best effort in everything — not just for teachers or parents, but for God. Whether we’re learning, helping, or playing, we can treat our effort as a way of showing love and gratitude to God.
Excellence is about giving our whole heart, knowing our work and attitude can honour God.
Reflection Questions:
What are some ways I can show my best effort in my schoolwork, friendships, or sport this week?
How would my attitude change if I saw my work as a way of showing love to God?
“Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—think about such things.”
God wants us to fill our minds with good and positive thoughts — truth, kindness, beauty, and goodness. What we focus on shapes who we become.
Striving to be a saint begins in the heart and mind — choosing to think and act with goodness leads us toward excellence.
Reflection Questions:
What kinds of thoughts or things help me feel closer to God and to what is good?
How can I focus more on positive and loving thoughts during my day?
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Jesus tells us to use our gifts and actions to bring light to others. When we do good things — with joy, compassion, and humility — we reflect God’s light to the world.
Excellence isn’t about showing off. It’s about shining God’s light through our actions so others can see His love.
Reflection Questions:
What does it mean to ‘shine your light’ at school or at home?
How can my actions help others see the goodness and love of God?
“Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
St. Paul compares life to a race — one that requires effort, focus, and perseverance. We don’t give up when things are hard; we keep going because we’re striving for something greater — a life filled with purpose and faith.
Striving for excellence means never giving up on doing what’s right and giving our best effort, just like an athlete training to win.
Reflection Questions:
What is something I’m working hard toward right now, and how can I keep going even when it’s difficult?
How can I show determination and perseverance like an athlete in my faith and learning?
“Be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
God invites us to live in a way that reflects His goodness — to be patient, kind, forgiving, and loving. Holiness isn’t about being perfect, but about living each day the way Jesus would.
Being a saint is living with holiness in our everyday actions — choosing love, even when it’s hard, and trying again when we fall short.
Reflection Questions:
What does it look like to be holy in the way I treat others each day?
How can I try again and keep growing when I make mistakes or find it hard to do the right thing?
Being excellent and striving to be saints means trying your best in everything you do, filling your heart and mind with goodness, shining God’s light through your actions, never giving up when things get tough, and choosing love and holiness in all you do.
God doesn’t ask us to be perfect — He asks us to keep trying, keep growing, and keep loving.
This story reminds us that God has given each of us unique gifts — talents, abilities, time, and opportunities — and He wants us to use them well. Excellence isn’t about having the most talents; it’s about making the most of what you have.
When we use our gifts to help others, learn new things, and bring joy to the world, we are doing what God asks of us. But if we hide our gifts or hold back out of fear or laziness, we miss the chance to grow and bless others.
Striving to be saints means giving our best effort, even in small things. It means using our gifts for good and trusting that God can do great things through us when we try our best.
What are some of the gifts or talents God has given me (skills, kindness, creativity, leadership, helping others, etc.)?
How can I use my gifts this week to help someone or make a difference in my school, home, or community?
What might be holding me back from using my talents — fear, doubt, or thinking they aren’t important?
What would it look like for me to hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”?
How can I encourage others to use their gifts and be their best selves too?
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.
Dear God,
Thank You for giving me gifts I can use to help others.
Teach me to be a kind and brave leader—
to listen well, to include others, and to do what is right.
Help me to lead like Jesus, with love and care.
Amen.
The Aboriginal Our Father is a version of the traditional Christian Lord’s Prayer expressed through the language, imagery, and spirituality of Aboriginal culture.
The Aboriginal Our Father reminds us that:
God is close – like the land we walk on and the sky above us.
Forgiveness and peace are part of walking together.
We are called to live in respect, balance, and care for one another and the earth.
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.
Over the first two days of November, the Church celebrates two deeply connected feasts — All Saints Day (1 November) and All Souls Day (2 November).
All Saints Day honours all the saints — known and unknown — who now live in the fullness of God’s presence. It reminds us of our shared call to holiness and the many ordinary people who lived extraordinary faith.
All Souls Day invites us to pray for all the faithful departed, especially those who are still on their journey to heaven. It’s a day of hope, mercy, and remembrance. Together, these days remind us that the Church is one family: the saints in heaven, the faithful on earth, and the souls in purgatory — the Communion of Saints.
All Saints Day is celebrated on 1 November and honours all the saints in heaven—those who are officially recognised by the Church and those whose holiness is known only to God.
It reminds us that we are all called to holiness, not just priests or religious, but teachers, parents, and children too. Saints show us what it looks like to live a life of love, faith, and courage.
This feast encourages us to follow their example in our everyday lives — through kindness, forgiveness, and choosing what is right, even when it’s hard.
Classroom ideas:
Create a “Saints Wall of Fame” with short bios or drawings of saints.
Learn about a saint!
Discuss: What does it mean to be a saint today? How can we follow Jesus like the saints did?
Write a class prayer: “God, help us to be saints by loving You and others.”
Prayer focus:
Thank God for the saints who inspire us.
Ask for the courage to follow their example.
Pray the Litany of the Saints or include a few saints’ names in class prayer.
All Saints’ Day Cloze Activity
Students complete sentences using a provided word bank (e.g., “All Saints’ Day is on the 1st November”). The sheet reinforces understanding of key vocabulary like saints, mass, pray, and Australia.
All Saints’ Day Prayer Writing Activity
Students write a short prayer to a saint, thanking them for three things and asking for one intention for themselves, their loved ones, or the world.
All Saints’ Day Bookmarks
Printable bookmarks decorated with “Happy All Saints’ Day” messages and saintly imagery.
All Saints’ Day Guessing Game
Students read short clues and guess which saint is being described (e.g., St George, St Mary, St Patrick). Each card includes facts about the saint’s life and mission.
This video presents a simplified, child-friendly version of the traditional Litany of the Saints, designed to help children engage in prayer with the saints on the feast of All Saints’ Day. It uses repetitions of short invocations and responses and invites active participation.
Suggested use in the classroom:
Play the video during your class prayer time on or near All Saints’ Day.
Encourage students to respond with the phrases along with the leader.
After watching, invite students to name their favourite saint and pray together for their intercession.
Use it as a transition into drawing or writing a short reflection: “Which saint inspires me and why?”
All Souls Day, celebrated on 2 November, is a day of prayer and remembrance for all the faithful departed—our family members, friends, teachers, and parishioners who have died.
We pray that God will welcome them into eternal life and bring comfort to all who miss them. It’s also a reminder of our faith in the resurrection and everlasting life.
This day invites students to think about love, memory, and hope — that even when someone dies, God’s love continues.
Classroom ideas:
Set up a Remembrance Table with flowers, candles, or photos of loved ones.
Make remembrance hearts or leaves with names of people students wish to pray for.
Read or share stories about remembering and honouring people we love.
Reflect on: Who do we want to remember and pray for today?
Prayer focus:
Pray for all who have died, especially those who have no one to pray for them.
Offer a moment of silence or a candle-lighting during class prayer.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.”
A reflective colouring activity featuring the traditional prayer:
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.”
A visual presentation introducing the meaning and traditions of All Souls’ Day across different cultures. It explains how people remember and pray for loved ones who have died, including customs from countries like Ireland, Mexico, and Lithuania.
This reflective prayer resource helps students remember and pray for loved ones who have died. It explains the meaning of All Souls’ Day, connects it to traditions like Día de los Muertos, and includes guided prayers for peace, comfort, and thanksgiving.
The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous horse race, held every year on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. It’s often called “the race that stops a nation” because so many people around the country pause to watch it.
The Cup is a 3200-metre race for thoroughbred horses aged three years and older, and it’s one of the richest and most prestigious races in the world. The day is part of the Spring Racing Carnival, marked by fashion, celebration, and community events.
The Melbourne Cup Sweep is a fun and inclusive classroom game that helps students engage with one of Australia’s most well-known national events — “the race that stops a nation.” In a sweep, each student is randomly assigned a horse competing in the Melbourne Cup. Once the real race is run, students can check which horse won and celebrate their results in a friendly way.
What You Need
A Melbourne Cup Sweep sheet with a numbered list of horses.
A hat, box, or envelope to draw horse names from.
Scissors (to cut the horse names into strips).
Optional: tokens, stickers, or small prizes (these can be non-monetary, e.g. “pick a classroom game” or “sit next to a friend”).
Access to the official race results (you can view them online after the race).
You can watch the race here: https://www.9now.com.au/melbourne-cup-carnival
Melbourne Cup PowerPoint
A colourful slideshow introducing students to the history, traditions, and key facts about the Melbourne Cup — including famous horses like Phar Lap and Makybe Diva, the race’s length, prize money, and fashion traditions.
Design a Jockey Silk
Students design their own jockey outfit using bright colours, patterns, and shapes to help racegoers identify them from a distance.
Melbourne Cup Colouring Sheets
Printable colouring pages featuring horses, jockeys, and race themes.
Melbourne Cup Word Search
Students search for words related to the Melbourne Cup, such as “jockey,” “racehorse,” “Flemington,” and “trophy.
This week, our Positive Behaviour Blitz at school is all about “Leave No Trace.” We are learning the importance of being respectful, responsible, and safe in how we treat our belongings in the classroom and on the yard.
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.
This week we have a particular focus on picking up our belongings when the music plays at the end of break. Our PBIS focus of “Leave No Trace” reminds us to take responsibility for our things and leave the yard tidy for everyone.
When the bell rings, grab your things!
Here’s a simple social script to remember:
When I hear the music, I know break time is finished.
I look around for my hat, jumper, drink bottle, or sports equipment.
I pick up my belongings and take them with me.
That way, I leave no trace and I’m ready for learning.
These are the routines that our school know well! Let's continue to focus on these.
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?
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.
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?