Pastoral Wellbeing

School Attendance – Starting the Year Strong 

Regular school attendance plays a big part in helping children feel settled, confident and ready to learn. Being at school every day helps students build strong routines, friendships and learning habits that support their wellbeing and success. 

If your child is going to be absent, please: 

• Contact the school office as soon as possible to notify us of the absence, and 
• Let your child’s classroom teacher know, either before or after the absence, so we can support their learning and wellbeing. 

Tips to support regular attendance: 

• Establish consistent morning and evening routines, especially during the first few weeks of school 
• Prepare uniforms, lunches and bags the night before 
• Talk positively about school and the day ahead 
• Aim for on-time arrivals, as late starts can be unsettling for children 
• If your child is feeling anxious or unsettled, let us know early — small supports can make a big difference 

We understand that every family and child is different, and sometimes challenges can impact attendance. If you have concerns or need support, please reach out to: 

• Your child’s classroom teacher, or 
• Daisy or Miggy, who are more than happy to work with you to support your child’s attendance and wellbeing. 

Strong attendance is a shared effort, and we appreciate your partnership in helping your child get the most out of each school day. 

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. McSweeney 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.