Corinne Pupillo

2025 SCHOOL THEME: EMBEDDING INCLUSIVE PRACTICES TO ENHANCE LEARNING AND WELLBEING.

When we implement inclusive practices, students feel welcomed, supported, valued and will also empower parent/carer voice and collaboration.

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

It's been a super busy few weeks with many exciting things happening across the school. A notable mention goes to the VPC class for their commitment to the the collaborative project - The Garage Sale. The level of communication, professionalism and collaboration was very impressive. Well done to all the team on a successful fundraising event.

I love my pre loved Peter Rabbit soft toy purchase. A real bargain at $5.00.

Respectful Behaviours

At our School Council meeting last night, councillors discussed workplace violence and agreed to emphasise to the community that they fully endorse the department's policies and practices regarding safe and respectful schools and workplaces. School Councillors would like our community to know that when parents, carers and school staff work together as one team, our students do better. Everyone at school, particularly staff and parents/carers, play a role in making school a better place for learning and work.

Parents, carers and school staff have a relationship that can last many years. This is an opportunity to work together to create a positive relationship in the best interests of your child. When this relationship is built on respect and trust, students learn better and feel like they belong in the school.

Every member of our school community has a right to feel safe and be protected.

The department’s Respectful Behaviours within the School Community Policy describes the positive behaviour expected from parents, carers, and other adults in Victorian school communities. The policy sets clear standards of behaviour to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for students, staff and adults.

There are also resources to support safe and respectful relationships in our school community, including information about getting involved in the school, advice on how to raise a concern or complaint, and parenting support resources. You can find the policy and these resources here. You may also see a new poster up around our school, promoting positive behaviour. For more information on how to engage positively with our school, please contact Corinne Pupillo – corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au / 9309 6258.

Fundraising Team

Thank you to our small but very hard working Fundraising Team.

This year Kristen, Radha and Deb supported students to choose a gift for the special dad in their life. We appreciate all your hard work and it certainly is a favourite event on the school calendar.

Congratulations to Brooke & Kaine

Brooke dropped by last week with her adorable new baby boy, Tyler Kaine. It was lovely to see them both looking incredibly well and healthy. Congratulations to you both on the safe arrival of your second child.

Brooke and Tyler Kaine

2025 School Performance.

In the next few weeks of the term, all classes will have a strong focus on preparing for the 2025 school performances which will be held in the Performing Arts space (in the Yaluk Building) this year. This space has capacity for more families and friends so make sure you don't miss this opportunity to see your child perform on the new stage with the new stage curtain. Week 8 has been dedicated for full dress rehearsals which will also take place in the Yaluk Gym.

Our school performance coordinators, Mary Boutros and Elishia Bartolo have been working behind the scenes with classroom teams and students to make sure it will be a memorable occasion. Thank you to you both for all your hard work supporting the school performances.

Just a friendly reminder to book your seats and arrive at 1:15pm to be seated prior to the curtain being raised.

Primary Sub School - Monday 15 September 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Middle Sub School - Tuesday 16 September 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Secondary Sub School - Wednesday 17 September 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Parent / Carer Survey Reminder

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open online from Monday 18 August to Friday 19 September 2025.

All families are invited to participate in the survey - please refer to the Assistant Principal Page for more details.

Student Absence Line

From Monday 18 August when a parent / carer send a TXT or calls the Student Absence Notification Line –there will be no response sent back to the family member/carer.

If parents / carers need to discuss any other issues, they must call the office 9309 6258 from 8:00am - 4:30pm.

We have also streamlined the way we communicate student absences to the classroom team so this is more manageable for admin staff and teaching teams.

Student absence line: 0439 114 197

Communication with Staff Policy

Jacana School for Autism understands the importance of providing helpful and timely responses to common enquiries from parents and carers. To ensure that members of our school community are directed to the most appropriate person to assist them the information below outlines key contacts for common queries:

to report a student absence, please text the Absence Line on 0439 114 197
to report any urgent issues relating to a student on a particular day, please contact the general office on 9309 6258
to discuss a student’s academic progress, health or wellbeing, please contact your child’s classroom teacher/ sub school leader.
- Primary Sub School Leader: Daniel Moloney
  daniel.moloney@education.vic.gov.au
- Middle Years Sub School Leader: Amelia Frantz amelia.frantz@education.vic.gov.au
- Secondary Sub School Leader; Stefania Mantinioti stefania.mantinioti@education.vic.gov.au
- Senior Secondary Sub School Leader: Sean Procko sean.procko@education.vic.gov.au
for enquiries regarding camps and excursions, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
to make a complaint, please contact the Principal/Assistant Principals on
9309 6258.
- Principal:
  Corinne Pupillo | corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au
- Assistant Principal [Inclusion and Wellbeing] :
  Daniel Moloney | daniel.moloney@education.vic.gov.au
- Assistant Principal [Teaching and Learning]:
- Ellen Paterson | ellen.paterson@education.vic.gov.au

Please also refer to our Complaints Policy, available on the school website

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

to report a potential hazard or incident on the school site, please contact:
OHS Manager Nominee
Mary Boutros on 9309 6258 or mary.boutros@education.vic.gov.au
for parent payments, please contact the general office on 9309 6258
for all other enquiries, please contact our Office on 9309 6258

School staff will do their best to respond to general queries as soon as possible and ask that you allow us 2 – 3 working days to provide you with a detailed response. We will endeavour to respond to urgent matters within 24 hours where possible.

School Council

School Council met last night - Thursday 11 September 2025

Policies that were endorsed included:

Anaphylaxis Policy & Checklist
Asthma Policy
Emergency Management Plan 2025/26

The next School Council meeting will be on Thursday 30 October 2025

As usual, if you would like a copy of any of our policies, please contact reception and they will provide a copy for you, alternatively they can be located on the school website.

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
Savana Bahjat	Parent Representative
Andrew McDonough	Parent Representative
Abdul Qadir Amir Memon	Parent Representative
Mary Boutros	DE Representative
Daniel Moloney	DE Representative

School Council Sub-Committee Representatives

Finance Sub Committee Representative - Mark Mansfield
School Infrastructure Sub Committee Representative – Mary Boutros
Fundraising Sub Committee Representative – Fiona Micelotta

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.

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.

https://www.facebook.com/JacanaSchoolforAutism

https://www.instagram.com/jacana.school/

School Website

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

Student Engagement