Principal's News Flash 

Corinne Pupillo

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

Focusing on wellbeing 

Our School Vision 

Jacana School for Autism fosters resilience and independence, enabling students to be engaged participants in community life.

Jacana School for Autism believes that to succeed in the world, students need to develop the capacity to:

• Manage themselves as individuals and in their relations to others.
• Understand the world in which they live and act effectively in their wider community

School Goal 

Implementing whole-school approach to proactive mental health and wellbeing initiatives.

Restorative Practices 2.0 

In September 2022 Jacana School for Autism launched a three-year partnership with Real Schools where expert facilitator, Sheila Bollard introduced us to Restorative Practices 2.0. 

Over the past 12 months we have been embedding the check in circle in our day to day practice which includes the use of affirmative language. 

Committed Teachers 

Caring Students 

Connected Communities 

Focussing on restorative practices will create and maintain a safe and supportive environment where healthy relationships are nurtured by using a whole school approach.   Sheila is our our school's mentor and will engage with us throughout the three-year partnership.

Sheila Bollard has been onsite today for an “in school” day with the  purpose of visiting classrooms to observe some of the  the practices we have in place ahead of developing our own schools Restorative Practice Plan on Monday 4 September.  

Today Sheila observed staff engaging in RESPONSE circles  using  a situational event or real event.   Response circles are used when something has happened or needs to be restored.  

Here are a few photos of secondary classrooms engaging in response circles.   Sheila observed many examples of acceptance and curiosity where teachers supported students to think about the past, present and future by using affective language.  How do you feel, how can you fix it? 

Virtual School Tour 

Our virtual school tour is now live on our school website.   Please check it out and refer any members of the community to our page. 

https://www.jacanaschoolforautism.vic.edu.au/

Our next PUPIL FREE Days are:

Monday 21 August: where teachers will be collaborating and planning and education support staff will have a range of professional learning activities planned. 

Monday 4 September - Expert Facilitator, Sheila Bollard will be providing an overview of Restorative Practices as well as working with staff to design our student engagement plan. The partnership with Real Schools commenced in 2022 and we are now in our second year of the program.  After some 

SCHOOL COUNCIL

The next School Council Meeting will be held on Thursday 7 September  @ 5.30pm 

School Council Sub-Committee Representatives

• Finance Sub Committee Representative - Mark Mansfield 
• Building and Grounds Sub Committee Representative – Denise Clarke
• Fundraising Sub Committee Representative – Lisa Sette
• School Council Representative on Student Representative Council (SRC)  

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 and Instagram Page. Please like and follow our pages.

REMINDERS

Unwell Students 

Each morning when students are getting ready for school, I ask that you be mindful of how your child is presenting.  If they/he/she is feeling/looking/acting unusual or is complaining of being unwell please take them to the doctor. Minimising the cross-infection will assist in reducing the risk of spreading bugs and viruses.

All student absences can be made through the dedicated student absence notification number. Text the student's name, room number and reason for absence.

Make sure you have the student absence notification number saved in your contacts: 

Student absence line: 0439 114 197