Attendance

 

At Banyan Fields, we know that every day at school matters. Each day of learning builds on the one before, helping children develop knowledge, confidence, friendships, and a strong sense of belonging.

 

When children attend school regularly, they don’t just keep up with their learning — they thrive. They feel connected to their classmates, enjoy the routines of school life, and develop the habits that lead to long-term success.

 

 

Why attendance matters

Missing just 10 extra days of school a year (that’s about one day each fortnight) can make it harder for students to achieve key learning goals and maintain steady progress. Regular attendance helps students to:

• Build on what they learned the day before
• Stay connected with friends and teachers
• Feel confident in their learning
• Develop important life skills like responsibility, persistence, and teamwork

 

Being on Time Matters Too

Arriving on time each day helps children start the day calm, confident, and ready to learn. When students arrive late, they can miss important instructions, routines, and social time that set them up for success. Punctuality also builds a strong sense of responsibility and respect — key parts of our Stewardship value. We encourage families to plan morning routines so children can arrive before the bell and begin the day positively with their classmates.

 

 

Our values and approach

Our attendance practices reflect our TESS values — Tenacity, Equity, Synergy, and Stewardship.

• Tenacity: We show up, give our best effort, and keep going even when things are challenging.
• Equity: We support every learner, recognising that some families face different challenges.
• Synergy: We work together — students, families, and staff — to solve problems and celebrate success.
• Stewardship: We take responsibility for our learning, attendance, and the wellbeing of others.

When absences happen

We understand that sometimes children need to be away due to illness, family emergencies, or other unavoidable reasons. When this happens, we ask families to:

1. Notify the school via Compass, phone, or note as soon as possible.

2. Stay in touch with teachers if absences are ongoing, so we can provide learning support.

3. Reach out early if attendance becomes difficult — our wellbeing and attendance teams are here to help.

Working together

Our goal is to make sure every child feels safe, valued, and ready to learn. If your child is finding it hard to come to school, please talk to us. Together, we can put small, positive steps in place — from morning check-ins to personalised attendance plans — to help your child feel confident and connected.

Every day counts, and every child matters.

Let’s work together to make sure all students have the best possible opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.