St Kilian's School Newsletter

Pastoral Wellbeing

Attendance 

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students attend school regularly. We're pleased to share that whole school attendance improved again in Week 8, reaching 93.53%. This is the second week in a row of growth, following a low point in Week 6, and reflects a strong return to routine across the school. 

So far this term: 

  • We started strong in Week 1 at 97.18%, with some expected drops across the middle of the term. 
  • Week 6 saw the lowest attendance at 89.62%, but since then, attendance has climbed steadily. 
  • We’ve seen a large increase in students attending 90–98% of the time—from just 4 students in Week 1 to 67 students in Week 8. 
  • Some classes have shown consistent growth over several weeks, including 2AP, 3JS, 3JW, 4CM, 4GF, and 5EM. 

These improvements show the positive impact of strong home–school partnerships, and we thank you for ensuring your child is at school each day, ready to learn. We know that regular attendance builds strong learning habits and helps students feel connected and confident at school. 

Let’s keep the momentum going! 

 

✅ Why Attendance Matters 

✅ Every school day counts! Regular attendance helps students stay connected, build friendships, and keep up with learning. 

 

Thank you, families, for supporting your child’s routine and engagement at school. 

Let’s keep building positive attendance habits together! 🎉 If you have any questions or need support, feel free to speak to your classroom teacher, Mrs. Antonowicz, Mrs. McSweeney or Mr. Podosky. 

 

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!  

 

PBIS 

Each week we have a routine or a blitz that we are focusing on. This week’s is about how to use our Mini Whiteboards. 

 

Supporting Positive Behaviour at St. Kilian’s 

At St. Kilian’s, we are committed to creating a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. To support this, we have clear expectations around attention signals, hands-on behaviour, and problem-solving. 

 

Ready in 5 – Our New Whole School Cue to Start 

At St. Kilian’s, we’ve introduced a new routine called “Ready in 5” to help students transition smoothly and calmly into learning. This strategy will be used by all teachers and during whole-school gatherings to help create a calm and consistent environment where students know exactly what is expected of them. 

 

How it Works – The “Ready in 5” Routine: 

  1. The teacher says: “Ready in 5” 
  2. They raise one hand and count down with their fingers: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 
  3. Then the teacher asks: “Ready?” 
  4. Students respond by saying: “Ready”, stopping what they’re doing, looking at the teacher, and listening 

This approach supports calm transitions and helps everyone start on the same page, ready to learn. 

 

Try It at Home! 

“Ready in 5” can be a helpful tool at home too—for transitions like packing up, getting ready for school, or coming to the table. Using the same consistent cue your child hears at school can make home routines smoother and more positive: 

  • Say: “Ready in 5” 
  • Count down: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 
  • Ask: “Ready?” 
  • Wait for your child to respond “Ready” and give you their attention 

It’s a simple but powerful way to help children learn to pause, focus, and get ready to listen—whether at school or at home. 

 

Problem-Solving – Getting Help from an Adult 

When problems arise, we encourage students to use their words and seek help from a teacher or staff member if they cannot solve the issue on their own. This might be if someone isn’t following the rules, if they feel unsafe, or if they need help working through a disagreement. Teachers are always available to listen, guide students through a solution, and ensure fairness. 

 

💡 How Families Can Support at Home: 

  • Model problem-solving language – Phrases like “Can we find a way to share?” or “Let’s take turns” help students learn effective communication. 
  • Encourage independence – Before stepping in, ask “How do you think you could solve this?” to help them develop their own strategies. 
  • Remind students that teachers are here to help – Let them know it’s always okay to ask a teacher for help when needed. 

By working together, we can continue to make St. Kilian’s a safe, respectful, and supportive place for everyone. Thank you for your partnership in reinforcing these expectations at home!