Principal's Message

Jackson School is a collaborative learning community for all. We aim to develop independence through safety, respect and responsibility. We aspire to offer authentic, quality educational experiences that develop futures, create opportunities and inspire student potential; enabling our students to be valued and contributing members of the wider community. We share and celebrate our successes and achievements.   

The Issue Highlights

• Year 12 School Leavers
• School Saving Bonus Code & Portal
• KDC / Jackson Farm Awards
• 2025 Planning
• Students of the Week from our PBIS rewards system.
• Showcase of students' learning from across the school in Primary and Secondary
• Health and Wellbeing information to support you and your child.
• Community news including from Jackson OSHC provider TheirCare.
• School Dates -For the most up-to-date calendar dates, always refer to the Xuno Calendar in your Parent Portal.

Dear Families,

Year 12 School Leavers

Our Year 12 VPC students are finishing school today. This marks the end of their 13 year education journey as they now enter the world of work. I hope you all have a great time on your camp next week. 84% of our Year 12 Graduates have fully completed their Victorian Pathway Certificate. Congratulations. 94% of Year 12 VPC students still attending full time onsite have completed VPC. We are looking forward to your Year 12 Graduation on Wednesday to celebrate all of your successes and achievements. I wish all of our graduates all the very best for your futures. We will miss you!

School Saving Bonus Code & Portal

From Tuesday 26th November, families should receive an email from the Department of Education with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code. If you have multiple children enrolled in Victorian government schools for 2025, you will receive one School Saving Bonus code per child, via email. These emails might arrive on different days. Please make sure to check your spam/junk email folder.

The School Saving Bonus will help families cover the cost of uniforms and camps. Unfortunately, the School Saving Bonus doesn’t cover Voluntary Financial Contributions ($70 in 2025). Please note the school is assisting with the rollout of the School Saving Bonus however we were not consulted with which items families can purchase with these funds.

Our uniform supplier is A Plus Schoolwear in 133 Bakers Road Coburg North 3058. You can use your school saving bonus in-store using the code sent in the email from the Department of Education. If purchasing online, you must first login to the School Saving Bonus Portal, select online purchases and "A Plus Schoolwear" as the School Nominated Supplier. You must also visit https://www.aplusschoolwear.com.au and register/login as a Returning Customer and not checkout as a Guest. Do not select Uniform Group of Companies. We have asked the Department of Education to remove this option. 

Please note that A Plus Schoolwear also offer FREE Delivery to the school every Wednesday during term. Orders must be in by 8am Monday to make the delivery. Orders made after this time will be delivered the following week. If you are choosing to use all of the $400 School Saving Bonus on uniform, we recommend purchasing more than one of each item. This could be in the next size for when your child grows. If you don't use all of your $400 by the end of Term 2, this money will sit in your family account at the school and can be used for camps in the future. 

Families can also use their School Saving Bonus to purchase non-branded school uniform, bags, shoes, workwear and swimwear through State School Relief. Please visit: https://stateschoolsrelief.shop. Please be advised that the School Saving Bonus is in addition to existing and continuing means-tested supports for Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) and the Affordable School Uniforms Program, through State Schools’ Relief.

If you have not received your School Saving Bonus code via email by Friday 29 November, please contact the Department of Education by emailing school.saving.bonus@education.vic.gov.au or visit https://www.vic.gov.au/receiving-school-saving-bonus.

See the video and resources below to support you in accessing the School Saving Bonus Portal:

KDC / Jackson Farm Awards

On Thursday 21st November, our Hands on Learning students attended the Victorian Schools Garden Program award ceremony in the Royal Botanical Gardens. We were first awarded the prize for best use of a green space award. Then we won the Regional Award for scoring so high in the criteria. We didn’t stop there either, we were also awarded the State Award. We took home the treble and $2850 worth of prize money. We look forward to our official opening at Keilor Downs College next Friday. Thank you to Helena, Cam and our Hands of Learning students for all of your hard work.

Art & Design Show Special

On Wednesday 20th November we held our annual Art & Design Show. Our Jackson Student Leadership Team (JSLT) did an amazing job at welcoming and hosting the event. Thanks to all of the parents, carers and family members who were able to attend. I think you'll agree with me, that our students are so talented. Thank you to Ane O'Day for coordinating the exceptional work with our students and the evening. 

2025 Planning

Staffing for 2025 is now complete. We have invested an additional $3 million of staffing for 2025 to support our students. This includes an increase in Allied Health staff. Next week teachers will spend a day out of class for their planning day. Teachers teams will work with leadership staff on their curriculum planning and assessments in readiness for 2025. Teachers are also currently completing their end of year assessments before student reports are completed over the next couple of weeks. On Thursday 12th Decemeber, students will participate in step-up day to meet their new class, teacher and education support staff. This day enables us to see the dynamics of the class groupings with the 2025 staff. Parents/carers will be formally notified about 2025 classes after this date as there may be changes to classes following step-up day. Thank you for your understanding as always so we are able to set your child up for success in 2025. 

A reminder that the last day for students in 2024 is Wednesday 18th December. The Concert in the Courtyard in on Monday 16th December with the end of year Achievement Assembly and Year 6 Graduation on Tuesday 17th December.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Anthony