Principal's News Flash
Corinne Pupillo
Aloha parents, carers and friends of the school community,
I hope you are all enjoying the break and found ways to connect with family and friends as well as managing to do some of the things that fill you and your child's wellbeing bucket.
I was fortunate to have been able to spend time with my family in Honolulu, Hawaii where we spent 8 days exploring the sites and hearing about the culture of what the locals refer to as the “big Island”.
One of the main concerns the locals have is the significant rise in the cost of living. We stayed at the Hilton Waikiki and for the week we were there, staff protested for a pay increase. The workers protested from 6am – 9pm at night and whilst they were peaceful, we heard loud and clear that $12 an hour meant they were working 3 jobs just to afford basic provisions to live and raise their family. Whilst having no room service in the time that we were away, we began to empathise with the protestors and this certainly gave me a very different perspective on their grievances.
Makawala, (W has a V sound - Makavala). A Hawaiian word that means eight eyes. To look at a situation from many different perspectives in order to thoroughly understand every aspect. The ability to consider a variety of factors will often produce the best results.
In everything we do at professionally and personally, I encourage you to practice having eight eyes (Makawala) as life is complex and it’s what we learn along the way that helps us get through the challenges.
If you are ever in a situation to travel to Hawaii, I hope you enjoy the incredible landscape and culture. Here is a photo of my family when we visited the majestical Kualoa Ranch, established in 1850, and has an amazing 4,000 acres named Kualoa, Hakipu’u and Ka’a’awa.
Kualoa has been the site of over 70 Hollywood movies since the 1950’s. Blockbuster films such as Jumanji, Kong Skull Island, Jurassic World, Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom, Jurassic Park, Windtalkers, Pearl Harbor, Godzilla, Tears of the Sun, and 50 First Dates have all been filmed at Kualoa. TV shows like Hawaii Five-O, Magnum P.I. and LOST have also used the amazing backdrops of Kualoa, it is known as Hollywood’s “Hawaii’s Backlot,” and has been seen by more than a billion people in all the movies filmed at the ranch over the past 60 years!
We never stop learning so if you get the opportunity to step outside your usual hometown, embrace the opportunity and learn as much as you can.
Kualoa Private Reserve
AVT Tour at Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Private Reserve
AVT Tour at Kualoa Ranch
Planning for 2025
The Leadership Team are in full swing planning for the 2025 school year and our school goals are at the forefront of everything we do. At the heart of our organisational practices are our students and we are not only planning for our current students, but also our 2025 Prep students.
Prep orientation sessions are scheduled for Wednesday 13 and Friday 15 November and the school also has created a dedication week for students to transition to their 2025 classroom. Transition Week - Monday 16 - Friday 20 December 2024.
World Teachers Day - 25 October
On behalf of the whole school community, I would like to sincerely thank all of our amazing teachers. Their contributions across all areas of the school are highly valued. In appreciation of all the work, a special lunch Hot Potato lunch is organised for Wednesday 23 October for staff to celebrate the event.
VALE - Tony Duca 01 November 1947 - 02 October 2024
On Thursday 10 October, Michelle McMaster and I attended the funeral service for one of our past cleaning contractors. Tony and his wife Mary worked at Northern School for Autism and also continued to work at Jacana School for Autism for quite a few years after the demerger in 2013. Tony passed away after a long illness with cancer, leaving behind his wife, Mary and two children. We were always grateful for the way they cared for our school, just like it was their home.
Rest Easy Tony.
Term 4 PUPIL FREE Days:
- Monday 4 November: Teacher - Professional Practice Day / Education Support Staff - Professional Development
- Friday 13 December - Preparation for Transition Week [Monday 16 - Friday 20 December]
Virtual School Tour
Our virtual school tour has been updated to include the new Yaluk Building and is 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/
School Council
The next School Council Meeting will be held Thursday 31 October
| MEMBER | POSITION |
| Corinne Pupillo | Executive Officer (Principal) /corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au |
| Lisa Sette | Community Representative & President / lisa.sette@education.vic.gov.au |
| VACANCY | Community Representative |
| Paul Malavisi | Parent Representative |
| Mark Mansfield | Parent Representative |
| Chris Ernst | Parent Representative |
| Michelle Owen | Parent Representative |
| Andrew McDonough | Parent Representative |
| Jay Murali | Parent Representative |
| Stephanie Torchia | DE Representative |
| Daniel Moloney | DE Representative |
School Council Sub-Committee Representatives
- Finance Sub Committee Representative - Mark Mansfield
- School Infrastructure Sub Committee Representative – Dr Denise Clarke
- Fundraising Sub Committee Representative – Kristen Ballerini
Unwell students
If your child is presenting with cold and flu like symptoms we kindly ask families to keep your child at home if they are experiencing symptoms. In the event that your child tests positive on a RAT for COVID, we strongly recommend a 5 day period of recovery in this case.
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
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 and Instagram Page, Seesaw or on the school's website.
JSA also has a Facebook and Instagram Page. Please like and follow our pages.