Every Student, Every Morning

Over the past few weeks, our Daily Homeroom Check-In (Breda Bonds) has become an important part of how students begin their day at Kilbreda.

The idea is simple – to make sure every student starts their morning feeling welcomed, known and connected. Homeroom teachers greet students by name and use a short conversation prompt to encourage connection. These might be a fun ‘this or that’ question, something about students’ interests, or a prompt about belonging, community or reflection.

These few minutes also give teachers an opportunity to notice how students are arriving at school and to quietly check in with someone who may seem a little different from their usual self.

It may be a small part of the day, but these regular moments of connection help us continue to build a strong sense of belonging and reinforce an important message for our students – you are known, you are valued and you matter at Kilbreda.

Supporting Learning and Wellbeing in the Classroom

Our staff have continued their professional learning with The Wellbeing Distillery, exploring how wellbeing can be embedded naturally into everyday teaching and learning.

The focus is not about adding another program or more work for teachers. Instead, staff explored practical ways to create classrooms where students feel safe, connected and ready to learn.

During our last Professional Learning Day, we considered the different stages of a lesson – from how students are welcomed into the classroom, through to supporting them when learning becomes challenging and helping them finish a lesson feeling settled and ready for what comes next.

One of the key messages from the day was that learning and wellbeing go hand in hand. When students feel that they belong, understand what is expected of them and have strategies to manage challenges, they are better placed to engage positively in their learning.

We look forward to continuing this work as we strengthen consistent practices across the College.

Pastoral Focus

During Pastoral this term students across Years 7–12 took part in a range of engaging Pastoral Programs designed to build important skills, knowledge and awareness beyond the classroom.

Year 7 – Stand Up Project
Students explored the differences between friendship challenges, mean-on-purpose behaviour and bullying. They developed practical strategies to help them become safe, confident and effective Upstanders within our community.

Year 8 – Toolbox Education: Thinking Traps
Year 8 students explored common “thinking traps” and learnt strategies to recognise and challenge anxious or unhelpful thoughts.

Year 9 – Pat Cronin Foundation
Students participated in an important awareness and education session focused on the Pat Cronin Foundation’s mission to End the Coward Punch, encouraging respectful choices and positive action.

Year 10 – Financial Literacy
Year 10 students developed practical financial literacy skills to support them in making informed and responsible financial decisions now and into the future.

Year 11 – Student Leadership
Year 11 students began exploring the Student Leadership Application Process for 2027, considering the opportunities available to contribute to and lead within our College community.

Year 12 – On the Ropes
Year 12 students were scheduled to participate in On the Ropes, an educational youth theatre production developed in partnership with community legal services and youth wellbeing experts. Unfortunately, the performance was unable to proceed on the day and will be rescheduled for a later date.

It was wonderful to see students engaging in programs that support their personal development, wellbeing and preparation for life beyond school. A big thank you to Angelica Willis for coordinating the facilities and logistics that supported the day.

Same Day Response

As part of the ongoing review of our Student Behaviour Support Policy and Procedures, we have introduced a Same Day Response process for serious or high-risk behaviour.

A Same Day Response may be used when there has been a serious breach of College expectations or when a student’s behaviour creates a significant risk to their own health, safety or wellbeing, or that of others.

When this occurs, the student returns home for the remainder of the school day. Before returning to classes, a meeting is held with the student and their parent/carer. Together, we review what has occurred and develop a Return to School Plan with clear goals and supports to help the student make a positive and successful return.

Our aim is to respond to serious behaviour clearly and consistently, while also ensuring students are supported to reflect, repair relationships where needed and move forward positively.

The Student Behaviour Support Policy and associated procedures will be finalised at the end of Term 3.

Child Safe Focus – Partnering with Families

This term, we continue to highlight the Child Safe Standards and what they look like in practice at Kilbreda.

Child Safe Standard 4 focuses on the important role of families and communities in creating environments where young people feel safe, supported and heard.

We know that parents and carers know their children incredibly well. When families and schools communicate openly and work together, we are better able to understand and respond to the individual needs of our students.

At Kilbreda, this means involving families in decisions that affect their child, seeking their perspectives when developing support and return-to-school plans, communicating important information clearly and providing opportunities for families to contribute to College policies and practices.

It also means ensuring families know how to ask questions, raise concerns, provide feedback or seek support when they need it.

Strong partnerships between home and school make an enormous difference to young people’s learning and wellbeing. We thank our families for continuing to work alongside us and for the important role you play in helping our students feel safe, connected and supported at Kilbreda.

Supporting Student and Family Wellbeing

Kilbreda is committed to supporting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all students and their families. For support and resources, please view the Resources and Links page of this Newsletter.

Leah Cristiano

Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement