From the Principal Team

Natalie Shanahan, Sam Fleming, Claire Johnston

Welcome to this week's newsletter.

It's been a busy two weeks with our classes now well and truly settled into the new year. Our start up program focusing on developing relationships, revisiting school values, learning classroom processes and creating class norms has been successful in ensuring the beginning of the year has been so positive and calm and students are happy and ready to learn.

Life's a Picnic!

Another highlight from the start of the year was how wonderful it was to see and chat with so many of you at last week's family picnic and open classroom night. Our brief of 'summer vibes' was definitely realised with amazing weather, great tunes and lots of happy families with summer snacks. We really want to thank everyone who was able to attend, particularly those who welcomed our new families into the amazing Banyule Primary School community.

Let there be shade!

Today we were lucky to have our new shade sail installed over the sandpit, and it looks so cool....literally! We thank our Community Engagement Committee and our generous school community for making this possible through our 2025 fundraising efforts. .

Keeping BPS and Beyond Respectful, Safe and Engaging

In November last year the Minister for Education released a Statement of Expectations and Behaviour for all Victorian Government Schools. This statement reinforces the shared responsibility of schools, families and students in creating safe, respectful and inclusive learning environments.

At BPS, we are proud of our positive, values-driven culture where students understand what it means to be a respectful and responsible member of our community. This culture does not happen by chance — it is built through the consistent efforts of our staff and a strong collaboration with families.

Our school programs play an important role in developing these foundations. The Respectful Relationships curriculum and our UR Strong program explicitly teach students the skills needed to build healthy friendships, develop empathy, and understand the importance of trust and respect in their daily interactions. These programs support students to navigate social situations with confidence and integrity.

With your continued support, our teachers can focus on delivering high-quality learning in calm and respectful classrooms, while our students feel safe, connected and valued. Breakdowns can occur when students do not take accountability for their behaviour choices, integrity is overlooked, or inappropriate behaviour is excused. Life brings consequences, and it is important that we all take responsibility for our choices and learn from our mistakes, both adults and students alike.

How students demonstrate expected behaviours

Students meet the behaviour expectations by being respectful, safe and engaged.

Respectful

Following staff instructions and school rules.
Caring for school property and others’ belongings.
Using respectful language.

Safe

Keeping themselves and others safe from harm.
Speaking up or seeking help from an adult if they or someone else is being treated unfairly.
Only bringing safe and necessary items to school.

Engaged

Going to school every day, being on time, and ready to learn.
Taking part, doing their best, and asking for help when they need.
Knowing and following the school’s policies, including the mobile phone policy.

How parents and carers can help

As a parent and carer, you play a vital role in helping your child to understand and meet shared behaviour expectations. By modelling and encouraging positive behaviour, you help your child build the skills and habits they need to be successful at school. This can include:

Respectful

Knowing the school’s rules and supporting them at home.
Modelling respectful behaviour in how you speak to and about school staff, families, and others both in person and online.
Making use of the school’s processes to raise and resolve concerns early.

Safe

Working together with staff if your child is having problems at school to understand and resolve the issue.
Ensuring your child knows it is okay to ask for help from a trusted adult at school.
Ensuring your child stays safe online by talking with them and addressing concerns early.

Engaged

Helping your child to attend school every day - every day counts.
Communicating with school staff and working together to support your child’s learning and wellbeing.
Talking with your child about their day and how they are feeling and encouraging their learning by noticing their effort and progress.

You can see the Respectful, safe, engaged: shared expectations to support student behaviour statement on the department’s website.

When schools, families and students work together, we achieve the strongest outcomes. These partnerships are essential in creating environments where every student feels a sense of belonging, is ready to learn, and is empowered to thrive. Together, we ensure our school remains a place where all members of the community can do their best and be their best - because "Happy Kid's Learn".

Good Doggy!

We love seeing furry family members tag along for school pick up and drop off, however we'd like to give a quick reminder that dogs aren't permitted on school grounds and encourage those tying them up nearby do so in a safe place away from passing foot traffic coming in and out of school.

We look forward to seeing you around,

-Natalie, Claire and Sam

Want to see more?