Principal's Message

The Jackson Student Leadership Team (JSLT)

Last week student leader interviews were conducted. Students have to complete an application for their position. Congratulations to all of our successful Jackson Student Leaders. The Jackson Student Leadership Team (JSLT) meet regularly to provide feedback from students about the running of the school and are part of two committees: PBIS and School Events. I would like to introduce Noah B (Year 10) as our 2021 School Captain, Brydee A (Year 10) is our School Vice-Captain,  Valerie A (Year 6) as our Primary Captain and Lorenzo Z (Year 6) as our Primary Vice-Captain . 

School Council Elections

The new School Council met on Tuesday for the Annual General Meeting. I would like to welcome Joe Lawrence as our new member. Noah B and Brydee A as our School Captain and Vice-Captain have also been asked to attend to share feedback from our students - Thank you. I would like to congratulate our returning School Council President - Craig Barnett and our Vice-President and Treasurer - Nerida Auld. The School Council is the school's governing body with a range of powers and functions with particular oversight of school policy, strategic direction, finances, buildings and grounds. The School Council represents the wider perspective of our school community.

For further information around the role of School Council please visit: https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/school-council-powers-and-functions/policy 

Staffing

I would like to congratulate Belinda Farrington on the successful appointed as a Prep teacher who has been working alongside Bronagh since the start of the year. We have now filled the 3/4 classroom teacher position with Gordon Money who comes with a wealth of educational experience. Di Burns  will support VCAL three days a week. We have appointed two additional Education Support Staff to support students with individual learning needs: Soumya and Ainsley. Welcome to our community.

Annual Implementation Plan

The 2021 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) has now been endorsed by School Council and was developed with the leadership team. This focuses around the DET COVID-19 priorities of:

• Learning, Catch-up and Extension
• Happy, active and healthy kids
• Connected Schools

This outlines the activities and actions to deliver the COVID priorities including: the DET Tutoring Learning Initiative (TLI), the launch of our physical and mental health and wellbeing strategy, and strengthening our connection and engagement with families to support student's learning.

The full version will be published on our website when it has been signed off by DET.

Attendance

Attendance remains a priority for us as a school. In 2020 the average number of attendance days was almost 35 days! This means that many of our student miss 7 weeks of school and valuable learning time each year. It is also important that the office have a reason if your child is absent from school as these are tracked by DET. 

In the present COVID climate we are no longer using “It’s Not OK To Be Away” strategy. To keep everyone fit and healthy, all students should stay at home if they are displaying cold and flu like symptoms and continue to get tested for COVID-19. We are now promoting our new slogan which is “Every Day Counts”. Our aim is to have as many students attending five days a week as often as possible.

We have a team of people who can support families with students not attending school. If you would like support to get your child to school, please contact the school office. Further information on attendance from DET can be found at: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/going-to-school/Pages/attendance-missing-school.aspx 

Buildings & Grounds 

Phase of 1 of the Asset Management Plan (AMP) has now been approved we can now proceed to the next consultation phase to design the masterplan for Jackson School. On Friday the three architect firms pitched their proposals for how to upgrade our facilities using the $10m awarded in December. The successful architect following this tender is: FMSA Architecture. We are very happy with this decision and FMSA bring over 50 years of experience and have worked on many special school projects for the VSBA. We look forward to working with them in developing our school environment for the future.

Community Events

On Friday we also celebrated our annual School Fun Run. This year this was not a fundraising event as a school we have also decided to not locally raise any revenue or fundraise for charities in 2021. Our Primary and Secondary students ran laps around an obstacle course on the oval. Many families attended this event as it was held outside as per the COVID Safe guidelines. It was lovely to welcome parents/carers back onsite and have a sense of normality at school. 

This week was Harmony Week where we celebrate the diversity of our school community and highlight to our students that 'everyone belongs'. At Jackson, there are six Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander students, 45% of students have a language background other than English and with families speaking 24 different languages. We also have staff from all over the world who bring a rich experience of different cultures. 

This week, the Leadership Team and PLT Leaders begin planning for Term 2. Teachers will have their Professional Practice Days released as a team in Weeks 9 and 10 to prepare for Term 2. The first day of term will begin with a pupil free day where we will renew staff first aid training. The last day of Term 1 is Thursday 1st April due to Good Friday. The first day of Term 2 for students is Tuesday 20th April.

Thank you all for your ongoing support this term. I hope you all have a safe and restful break.

Anthony