Principal News 01/08/2025

Dear Banyan Fields Primary School Community,

Welcome back to Term 3. We’re pleased to see our students settling in so well after the break. Despite some chilly winter weather, they’ve returned with great energy and tenacity, ready to take on the term ahead.

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

Attendance Matters

Starting this week, students with unexplained absences will receive an attendance note to take home. These notes will be distributed monthly by classroom teachers. We kindly ask that completed notes be returned promptly to the school office. Regular attendance is essential for every child’s learning and wellbeing. As part of our commitment to supporting families, we are following a clear process to monitor and improve attendance. You can view Attendance Roadmap Below for Parents for more information. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s attendance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Inside Our School – A Peek Into PLC Work

This Fortnight's Focus

Our staff are currently developing and implementing a whole-school token economy through Class Dojo. This week, we focused on what this system will look like in practice and how it will be implemented consistently across all year levels, always guided by our School Values.

Why This Matters

A consistent token economy helps create a positive, predictable learning environment for students. It reinforces expected behaviours, builds motivation, and strengthens our shared culture across classrooms and playgrounds.

Our Next Steps

Our focus moving forward will include professional reading and conversations about the role of Active Supervision, a key practice in supporting student engagement and wellbeing throughout the school day.

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

Parent-Teacher Interviews – Bookings Opening Soon

Parent-Teacher Interview bookings will be opening soon for families to select a suitable time to meet with teachers. Interviews will take place on Tuesday, August 19th, between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Bookings will be made through COMPASS, and further details will be shared once bookings are live. If you have any questions or require assistance with the booking process, please don’t hesitate to contact the office or your student's classroom teacher.

Carpark Safety

Due to concerns raised regarding student safety we have made the decision to close the gates to the staff carpark throughout the school day. Please use the street parking when visiting the school, or when dropping off or collecting your children.

Building a Positive School Culture: A Cause for Celebration

In 2023, our Parent Opinion Survey in the area of Promoting Positive Behaviour, 78% of responses were either marked as neutral or positive. In 2024, we’re pleased to report this increased to 91%, a significant improvement and a reflection of our continued focus on building a positive, respectful school environment.

This work has been a central focus of our School-Wide Professional Learning Community (PLC) in 2025. Through consistent efforts to implement behaviour expectations and promote a strong sense of school values, we’ve seen a noticeable decrease in classroom disruptions.

Our progress is also evident in the Attitudes to School Survey, where student voice tells a powerful story. In 2023, 65% of students in Years 3–6 reported feeling safe at school. In 2025, this figure has risen to 85%. A clear sign that students are experiencing the positive impact of our ongoing efforts.

We’re proud of this growth and remain committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for every student.

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

Uniform Reminder: Supporting a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment

We kindly ask all families to support our school’s uniform expectations to ensure consistency, safety, and a strong sense of school pride.

Please ensure your child is wearing full school uniform each day. As we move through the cooler months, we understand the need for warmth. However, beanies, hats, and hoods should not be worn inside the classroom.

A reminder also that any jewellery worn in the ears must be limited to small studs or sleepers. This is a safety requirement to prevent injuries during learning and play.

To support families, we run a second-hand uniform shop located just outside the school sickbay. A gold coin donation is requested for each item.

If your family is experiencing difficulty obtaining uniform items, please speak to the office. A member of staff will be in touch to discuss what supports may be available.

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping us maintain a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all students.

Patrick Halpin - Principal

Jennifer Churcher - Assistant Principal

Sharleen Nason - Assistant Principal

TheirCare