Principal's Desk
Corinne Pupillo
Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,
As we come to the end of final week of Term 1, a feeling of exhaustion and fatigue has been felt by everyone. The first full term onsite since March 2020 has certainly had an impact on the wellness of the entire community. Being run down makes us susceptible to common colds and bugs and like many other school's we've experienced high absences. The two week break enables us all to recharge ahead of the new term.
Jacanarama - Celebrating Autism
A glorious sunny day was the backdrop for our 2021 autism celebration. It was a day where the community came together to recognize the abilities of every person on the autism spectrum. Our students help us to understand diversity, inclusion and acceptance and their resilience and unwavering focus creates the platform for them to achieve their goals. Thank you to the students, families, staff, and the fundraising committee for making this an amazing day for everyone.
2021 Student Leadership Group
During Term 1, the Student Engagement Team have establishing ways to strengthen student voice, agency and leadership by expanding the Student Representative Council and creating a Student Leadership Group. Students have democratically elect peers to represent all students within their school. They collaborate with peers and members of leadership to represent the student body in school wide decision making, including implementing initiatives for all students to participate in and enjoy school life.
Some of the opportunities include:
School House System
- Participating in the planned events by providing leadership roles
- Establishing roles and responsibilities for the House Captains
School House Events
- Planning for the Mini Olympics and PBS House Spirit Trophy Celebration
Cultural and Celebrations Diversity
- Planning, participating and communicating to their peers about the school wide cultural events
- Flag Raising Duties
PBS Ticket Draw
- Planning of resources, scheduling and facilitating duties
Congratulations to the following students for being elected
House | Student Leaders |
Blue House | Laith H (P) Lucas P (S) Tyler S (M) Muhammed D (S) |
Green House | Jonathon Mc (S) Lachlan M (M) Emily M (M) John M (S) |
Red House | Moses A (S) Kaan A (M) Christopher L (M) Jackson B-H (M) |
Yellow House | Jordan S (S) Aaron R (M) William K (M) Andreas K (S) |
School Council 25th March 2021
The Annual General Meeting was held and the 2020 Annual Report to the School Community was endorsed by school councillors. The report highlights a range of improvements that had a direct impacted on student achievement last year. A relentless focus on our school strategic plan goals by using the the improvement cycle has been a critical factor in our 2020 success. A digital is available to download on the school website or please call the office for a copy.
Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy
Overt the past 3 years our approach to supporting student's wellbeing and engagement has been regularly reviewed and a new Multi Tiered Support Framework has been introduced to enhance engagement opportunities and works as an integral part of our Positive Behaviour Support Framework. A digital copy is available to download on the school website or please call the office for a copy.
School Council Office Bearers
Congratulations to our continuing office bearers for their willingness to support our school governance. I sincerely appreciate that councillors have time in their busy lives to offer their skills and knowledge to support our school improvement journey and look forward to positive and productive year ahead.
President - Lisa Sette
Vice President - Michelle Owen
Treasurer - Sharon Borg
Sub Committee Representatives
Finance Sub Committee - Sharon Borg
Building and Grounds Sub Committee – Alisha Minns
Fundraising Sub Committee – Lisa Sette
Student Representative Council (SRC) –Alisha Minns
COVID-19 Assurance Program
On Thursday 25th March an Occupational Health and Safety consultant from Mercer Marsh Benefits attending the school for the purpose of a COVID-19 Assurance. This included a review of our Infection Control, wellbeing of the community and COVIDsafe practices. The consultant identified some small adjustments to our infection control but on the whole he was impressed by the school's responsiveness to the way we managed and supported the school community over the past 12 months. The school will be provided with a detailed report in the coming week. A special thank you to our OHS Manager nominee, Leila, OHS committee and our First Aide officers for their hard work and diligence, creating a COVID free environment for our community.
Capital Works Project
Following tender interviews a few weeks ago, it's now official, Musk Studio Architects have been the successful applicant and will lead our $10 million capital works project. I am super excited to have the Musk team onboard working with our community. The next step in the process will be to establish an Asset Management Plan (AMP) which incorporates the Master Plan and Cost Plan and is due by 31st May 2021.
The AMP is based on:
- Approved Student Enrolment number for design purposes - 281 - 288
- Announced scope of works: upgrade and modernisation
Staffing updates
A we approach term 2, there are a few staffing changes due to the successful appointment of Dan Moloney to the Assistant Principal role. Dan is completing the Master of Inclusive Education and is in the final stages of the course and he will then successfully complete his Special Education Qualification. Dan has a range of mainstream teaching experience both in the classroom and as a wellbeing co-ordinator. Congratulations to you Dan, we look forward to you being part of the leadership and Principal Class Team. A special thank you to Denise Clarke for stepping into the acting assistant principal role for Term 1 while we recruited for a new assistant principal. Denise will move back to the Capital Works Manager role from the beginning of term 2.
Assistant Principal: Daniel Moloney
Acting Teaching and Learning Coach: Miranda Ingram
Classroom Teachers: Karen Mohoney & Marita Grafi-Tschur
Wishing all our community a very safe and restful Easter and break.
Aerial View - Jacana School for Autism
To complement our Schools Virtual School Tour, Karen Glare has engaged a photographer that has captured our school from above.
Please take a look and see how wonderful the facilities look from above.
School Council Meeting
The next meeting of School Council will occur Thursday May 13th at 5.30pm.
| MEMBER | POSITION |
| Corinne Pupillo | Executive Officer (Principal) /corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au |
| Lisa Sette | Parent Representative & President / lisa.sette@education.vic.gov.au |
| VACANCY | Parent Representative |
| Andrew McDonough | Parent Representative |
| Paul Malavisi | Parent Representative |
| Angel Sauzier | Parent Representative |
| Michelle Owen | Parent Representative |
| Sharon Borg | Parent Representative |
| Virginia Smedley | Community Representative |
| Dr. Denise Clarke | DET Representative |
| Alisha Minns | DET Representative |
| Stephanie Di Salvo | DET Representative |
School Council Sub Committee Representatives
Finance Sub Committee Representative - Sharon Borg
Building and Grounds Sub Committee Representative – Alisha Minns
Fundraising Sub Committee Representative – Lisa Sette
School Council Representative on Student Representative Council (SRC) –Alisha Minns
Reminder: Our newsletter is published each fortnight and will provide you with important information about the school and events that may be of interest to you. I encourage you to read the newsletter that will be sent home via your home email, on the school's Facebook Page or on the school's website.
JSA also has a Facebook Page administered by the leadership team. Please like and follow our page.
https://www.facebook.com/JacanaSchoolforAutism
