Pastoral Wellbeing

Attendance at St. Kilian’s 

At St. Kilian’s, we continue to place a strong focus on the importance of regular school attendance. Every day at school matters — not only for learning growth, but also for building friendships, routines, confidence, and connection within our community. We are very proud of the positive attendance across the school so far this year, with our whole school attendance average currently sitting at 91.25%.  

Thank you to all families for the ongoing support you provide in helping students arrive at school each day ready to learn, participate, and grow. 

Seeking Assistance? 

If your family is finding it difficult to get to school regularly, please know that we are here to help. You’re encouraged to speak with your child’s classroom teacher or reach out to our Wellbeing Team – Mrs. Antonowicz, Mrs. Maher, Mr. Teggelove or Mr. Podosky – for support. 

We can assist in a variety of ways, including: 

• Creating a positive morning routine to reduce stress before school 
• Helping your child feel safe and connected at school 
• Offering support for separation anxiety or school-based worries 
• Adjusting your child’s transition into the classroom 
• Working with families to make a plan that suits your situation 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to work with you and your child every step of the way. 

If you know that your child won’t be attending school, please contact the office and let them know that your child will be away!  

 School Holidays: Learning, Exploring and Making Memories 

As we head into the school holidays, we hope all of our students and families have the opportunity to rest, recharge and spend quality time together. 

While holidays are a wonderful chance to take a break from the routine of school, they are also a fantastic opportunity for children to continue developing important skills through everyday experiences. Reading together, playing games, cooking, exploring nature, visiting local attractions and simply spending time talking as a family all help children build confidence, curiosity and a love of learning. 

Supporting Learning at Home 

The school holidays provide a valuable opportunity for children to continue learning in meaningful and enjoyable ways. While a break from the classroom is important, learning doesn't stop when the term ends. Some of the most powerful learning experiences occur through everyday family activities and conversations. 

Children develop literacy skills when they read books, follow recipes, write shopping lists, send postcards or keep a holiday journal. Mathematical thinking grows when they help measure ingredients while cooking, compare prices at the supermarket, manage pocket money or estimate distances during family outings. 

The holidays are also a wonderful time to nurture curiosity and creativity. Visiting local attractions, exploring nature, building with LEGO, creating artwork, playing board games, solving puzzles or simply asking questions about the world around them all support important thinking and problem-solving skills. 

Equally important are the social and emotional skills children develop through spending time with family and friends. Learning to cooperate, communicate, show kindness, navigate challenges and build resilience are all essential parts of a child's growth and development. 

Some simple ways to support your child's learning over the holidays include: 

• Reading together each day. 
• Visiting the local library. 
• Encouraging outdoor play and physical activity. 
• Cooking or baking as a family. 
• Playing board games, card games or puzzles. 
• Writing a holiday journal or creating a photo diary. 
• Exploring local parks, museums and community events. 
• Having regular conversations and encouraging children to ask questions and share their ideas. 

Above all, we encourage families to enjoy time together, create lasting memories and embrace the many learning opportunities that naturally arise through everyday life. 

Free Activities Around Bendigo 

• Visit the Bendigo Library and borrow books, puzzles, audiobooks and games. 
• Explore Rosalind Park and its adventure playground. 
• Enjoy a family picnic and walk around Lake Weeroona. 
• Walk or ride sections of the Bendigo Creek Trail. 
• Visit the Bendigo Botanic Gardens and Children's Garden. 
• Explore local playgrounds across Greater Bendigo.
• Attend local community events, markets and library holiday programs. 
• Take a nature walk through One Tree Hill, Crusoe Reservoir or Greater Bendigo National Park. 
• Create a family scavenger hunt around Bendigo's historic buildings and landmarks. 

Low-Cost Family Activities Around Bendigo 

Discovery Science & Technology Centre 

• Over 100 hands-on science exhibits, science shows and the famous vertical slide. 
• Adult: approximately $22 
• Child: approximately $18 
• Family: approximately $72 
• Website: www.discovery.asn.au 

Central Deborah Gold Mine 

• Explore Bendigo's rich gold rush history. 
• Surface Tour: Adult $8.50, Children Free 
• Underground Mine Experience tours available at additional cost. 
• Website: www.central-deborah.com 

Bendigo Tramways 

• Ride a vintage talking tram and learn about Bendigo's history. 
• Family ticket approximately $50 
• Website: www.bendigotramways.com 

Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre 

• Family swimming and aquatic facilities. 
• Casual entry fees apply. 
• Website: www.bendigoeast.com.au 

Bendigo Cinemas 

• Check holiday screenings and family movie sessions. 
• Pricing varies depending on session and age. 

Tenpin Bowling 

• A fun indoor activity for families and friends. 
• Pricing varies depending on games played. 

School Holiday Programs 

Many local sporting clubs, community groups, libraries and arts organisations offer school holiday programs throughout the break. Keep an eye on local community noticeboards and social media pages for upcoming opportunities. 

Learning doesn't only happen in classrooms. Every conversation, adventure, challenge and experience helps children grow. We encourage our students to be curious, active and connected throughout the holidays, and we look forward to hearing about their adventures next term. 

*Information and pricing are current at the time of publication but may be subject to change. Families are encouraged to check venue websites before visiting. 

Building Positive Play at St. Kilian's 

At St. Kilian's, we believe that students thrive when expectations are clear, consistent and taught explicitly. Over the past term, staff have been working together to develop a range of Yard Matrices that help students understand what it means to be Respectful, Safe and Responsible in different areas of our school.  

These matrices provide students with clear expectations for: 

• Football  
• Soccer  
• Break Club  
• Playground activities  

Students are explicitly taught the expected behaviours, problem-solving strategies and routines for each area. This helps create a positive, safe and enjoyable environment where all students can participate, build friendships and have fun during break times. 

By teaching expectations rather than simply responding to behaviour, we are helping students develop important social skills such as cooperation, problem-solving, self-regulation and respect for others. 

We encourage families to talk with their children about how they can demonstrate our school values of being Respectful, Safe and Responsible both at school and at home. 

 Our Classroom Routines – Supporting Calm, Ready Learners 

To help create calm, focused and respectful learning spaces, all classes use three shared classroom routines. These routines support students to transition smoothly, know what is expected of them, and feel confident and safe at school. 

Ready in 5 

What this routine teaches: Ready in 5 helps students learn self-regulation, organisation and focus. It supports children to pause, prepare and be ready to learn together. 

How the routine works: When “Ready in 5” is called, students have a short countdown to: 

• Sit or stand calmly 
• Face the teacher 
• Have hands still and voices off 
• Be ready to listen and learn 

How families can help at home: 

• Practise short countdowns for transitions (e.g. “Ready in 5 for dinner” or “Ready in 5 to leave the house”) 
• Encourage children to stop, look and listen when given a cue 
• Praise effort rather than speed: “You got yourself ready so calmly” 

Classroom Entry 

What this routine teaches: This routine helps students develop respect for learning spaces, independence and calm transitions. 

How the routine works: Students line up outside the classroom and enter calmly when invited, moving to their seat or learning space quietly and ready to begin. 

How families can help at home: 

• Encourage calm transitions between activities 
• Talk about the importance of entering spaces respectfully (e.g. libraries, shops, places of worship) 
• Reinforce the idea that how we enter a space sets the tone for what comes next 

Classroom Exit 

What this routine teaches: Classroom exit supports safety, responsibility and respect for others. 

How the routine works: Students pack up, stand behind their chair or line up, and wait to be dismissed calmly by the teacher before leaving the room. 

How families can help at home: 

• Practise waiting calmly before leaving the house or moving to the next activity 
• Encourage children to finish one task before starting another 
• Model calm exits when leaving places together 

These shared routines help create consistent expectations across the school and give students clear, predictable structures that support learning and wellbeing. Thank you for reinforcing these routines at home — your support makes a big difference.