Pastoral Wellbeing
Attendance Matters – Everyday Counts
Regular school attendance is one of the biggest factors in a child’s success—academically, socially, and emotionally. Being at school every day helps students build routines, stay connected to their learning, and develop strong relationships with their peers and teachers.
Did you know:
- Missing just 1 day a fortnight adds up to around 4 weeks of lost learning each year.
- Over a child’s schooling, this can mean more than a year of missed learning.
- Attendance below 90% (which is just 1 day missed per fortnight) is considered at risk and can impact progress.
Students who attend regularly are more likely to feel confident, achieve success, and stay engaged in school.
We understand that there are times when students are unwell or there are important family reasons for absence. However, wherever possible, we encourage families to prioritise school attendance and minimise time away from learning.
Simple ways to support strong attendance:
- Establish consistent morning and bedtime routines
- Aim to arrive at school on time—a settled start makes a big difference
- Avoid scheduling appointments during school hours where possible
- Plan holidays during school breaks
- Communicate with the school if your child is finding it difficult to attend—we are here to support
At St Kilian’s, we are committed to working in partnership with families to support every child to be present, engaged, and ready to learn. Even small improvements in attendance can make a big difference over time.
Thank you for your ongoing support in helping your child build positive attendance habits.
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!
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.