Principal News 29/08/2025

Dear Banyan Fields Primary School Community,

As we enter the final week of Term 3, it is a wonderful time to pause and reflect on the learning, growth, and achievements our students have made over the past eight weeks. This term has been filled with rich learning opportunities, special events, and moments of connection that have helped strengthen our school community.

The last week of term is always a busy and exciting one, with plenty of opportunities to celebrate our students’ efforts and acknowledge the commitment of staff and families who continue to support them. We thank you for your partnership and encouragement throughout the term—it makes such a difference to the learning journey of every child.

We look forward to finishing the term strongly together and wish all families a safe and restful break ahead. Remember that school finishes at 2:30pm on Friday, September 19th. TheirCare will operate over the break so please see their newsletter article for details on how to register and book your child into the service.

Tenacity: We try, we learn, we never give up.

ICAS Participation

Congratulations to all the students who took part in the ICAS assessments over the past four weeks. These assessments provide students with the opportunity to challenge themselves in a range of subject areas, including English, Mathematics, Science, and Digital Technologies. We are very proud of the way our students approached each test with commitment, resilience, and a willingness to do their best.

Participating in ICAS is a wonderful way for students to extend their learning, apply their knowledge in new contexts, and build confidence in problem-solving and critical thinking. We look forward to celebrating student achievements when certificates are shared next term.

Synergy: We listen, we learn, we grow together.

Footy Day – Friday 19th September

Get ready to show your colours—Footy Day is here!

Students will enjoy:

Fun footy activities on the oval - Longest Kick, Handball Target and Greatest Mark!
A lively Footy Parade - celebrating our AFL teams and other sports including NRL and Soccer
Exciting classroom activities for students to take part in

It’s all about school spirit, teamwork and celebrating our favourite teams, so wear your colours proudly and get ready to cheer!

We can’t wait to see the energy, smiles and sportsmanship on the day!

If you are available to help out on the day, please contact the school office to express your interest.

School Canteen

School Council will release a call for expressions of interest in re-establishing our school canteen. School tours for interested parties will be held over the term break but, before we invite people in, we need to give the canteen space a deep clean and we need your help! If you are available at any time between 2:30pm and 5:30pm on Wednesday, September 17th, please email patrick.halpin@education.vic.gov.au and bring your rubber gloves along!

PTA - Parent Teacher Association

Exciting Opportunity: Let's Build Our PTA Together!

We’re thrilled to announce the possibility of starting a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at Banyan Fields Primary School, and we need YOUR support to make it happen! The PTA plays a vital role in enhancing our school community by organizing events, supporting staff, and advocating for the needs of our students. Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to get more involved, there’s a place for you in shaping the future of our school.

In order to establish a PTA, we need at least 6 parents to sign up. You can do that by completing the letter (Please email banyan.fields.ps@education.vic.gov.au to receive this letter as we cannot attach to this newsletter) and return the form via emailing it to the school office by Friday, September 12th - banyan.fields.ps@education.vic.gov.au

We look forward to hearing from you and working together to make a lasting impact!

Celebrating Growth in Student Inclusion

We are excited to share some fantastic results from the 2025 Attitudes to School Survey! Our students reported a strong increase in their sense of inclusion, growing from 86% in 2023 to 94% in 2025 – an impressive 8% improvement.

Key highlights include:

12% increase in students agreeing that “My teacher makes me feel like I matter.”
9% increase in students agreeing that “My teacher makes sure all students feel included.”

This growth is a reflection of the hard work, care, and dedication of our staff in creating learning environments where every child feels valued and supported.

We are proud of these results and will continue to build on this positive momentum to ensure all students feel a strong sense of belonging at Banyan Fields Primary School.

Parent Opinion Survey Reminder

Complete the Parent Opinion Survey by 19th September: Your opinion matters and helps shape the future of our school.

Link: https://research.orima.com/parent

You’ll need our unique PIN – 37 17 80

Why take part?

✔️ Share your experiences

✔️ Help guide school decisions

✔️ Make a difference in shaping our direction

Every response counts – let’s build the best future for our kids together!

Equity: We include, we respect, we support.

Inside Our School: PLC in Action

Stewardship: We care for people, places, and possibilities.

Being Safe Online

As technology continues to play a big role in our children’s lives, it is important that we work together to ensure their online experiences are positive and safe.

Some reminders for families:

Supervision matters – where possible, keep devices in shared family spaces rather than bedrooms.
Know what your child is using – talk to your child about the apps, games, and websites they are accessing.
Privacy first – remind your child never to share personal information, photos, or passwords online.
Set boundaries – agree on clear rules about screen time and online behaviour.
Talk early and often – encourage your child to come to you if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe online.

We also encourage parents to visit the eSafety Commissioner’s website (www.esafety.gov.au) for excellent resources, guides, and support to help keep children safe online.

Together, we can cultivate safe and respectful online habits that support our students' well-being and learning.

Patrick Halpin - Principal

Jennifer Churcher - Assistant Principal

Sharleen Nason - Assistant Principal

Student Empowerment