From the Principal's Desk

Welcome to Week 9! As we move through into the tail end of Term 2, I want to thank you all for the positive energy you bring to our school community. There is lots happening at Banmira, and plenty to look forward to!

NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS- LAST WEEK OF TERM

In the final week of term, we’ll come together as a school community to celebrate NAIDOC Week. This is a special time to honour and learn from the rich cultures, histories, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme is: “The next generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.” It reminds us that our children are the future leaders, knowledge holders, and changemakers. We all have a role in walking beside them with respect and care.

At Banmira, we’re working hard to make sure that First Nations voices, knowledge, and culture are part of everything we do. This is not just something we “tick off” during NAIDOC Week.

There’s a saying that some elevator “close door” buttons don’t really work. They are just there to make you feel like you’re doing something. We don’t want our efforts to be like that. We’re committed to real, respectful action, not just the appearance of it.

We’re continuing to build strong relationships with our local Aboriginal community, embed culture into everyday learning, and create a school where every child feels seen, safe and proud.

We can’t wait to celebrate NAIDOC Week with you. Even more importantly, we’re excited about the journey we’re on together all year round.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

One important date to pop in your calendars is School Photo Day on Tuesday, June 17th. Please ensure your child comes to school in their school uniform on the day. If you need any support with uniform items, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help.

Did you know that school photos at Banmira aren’t just treasured keepsakes for families?

We use student photos every day in a wide variety of ways. These include marking the roll, supporting morning circle check-ins, and displaying names and faces around the school. 

They are a vital visual tool that helps many of our students, especially our emergent readers, to recognise their peers and build confidence in navigating their environment.

Please contact MSP on 03 5482 3190 for further information.

HIGH INTENSITY OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE (HIOSHC)

Our High Intensity Outside School Hours Care (HIOSHC) program is also going from strength to strength. Each afternoon, students are supported through engaging and structured sessions that meet both their needs and interests. We are also excited to share that HIOSHC will be operating during the first week of the upcoming school holidays, providing continuity and support for families who need care during that time.

The OSHC team is currently seeking permanent part-time educators to join their amazing crew. If you or someone you know is passionate about supporting students with additional needs in a dynamic and caring environment, please check out the OSHC section of this newsletter for more details. Feel free to share the opportunity within your networks.

2025 DEBUTANTE BALL

In exciting news, preparations for our 2025 Debutante Ball are now underway. This event is an absolute highlight of the year, and a treasured tradition in our school community. It provides a chance to celebrate our senior students — many of whom have been with Banmira throughout their entire childhood and teenage years — in a joyful and inclusive way. We are currently seeking community partners and local businesses to help sponsor the event. Our goal is to reduce costs for families and make the Ball as accessible as possible for every student who wishes to take part. If you or your business might be able to support in any way, we would love to hear from you.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Warm regards,

Jesse Whittaker

Acting Principal

Banmira Specialist School

School arrival time

In the interests of student safety, please note the arrangements around school supervision each morning. 

Morning Room is open from 8:30am. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer supervision earlier than this. 

Thank you for your cooperation.

CSEF

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF): The CSEF is an annual payment paid to the school, to be allocated towards camps, sports and/or excursion expenses for the benefit of the eligible student.  If you are the holder of a concession card such as a Pension Card or Health Care Card, you may be eligible for CSEF.

    The annual CSEF amount per student is as follows:

• Primary school student rate: $154 per year

• Secondary School student rate: $256 per year

If you believe that you qualify for this payment, please contact the office for further information.           

Applications close on 4th July 2025.