Jacana School for Autism Newsletter

Principal's News Flash 

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,

 

I'd like to take the opportunity to inform our families about SSG's or Student Support Group Meetings.  All students attending Jacana School for Autism will have a SSG each term.  An SSG is a partnership between schools, parents/carers, the student and relevant agencies. The group works together to plan and support the educational, health, social, cultural and emotional wellbeing of students with diverse learning needs. 

 

An SSG is responsible for developing and implementing an Individual Education Plan (IEP). 

An IEP:

  • outlines clear educational goals for the student

  • encourages student voice to allow the student to engage and take part in their own learning

  • is strength-based with a focus on the student’s potential to achieve positive educational outcomes

  • is age appropriate, holistic in its approach, supports cultural needs and safety, and is flexible and future orientated

  • includes short-term goals that will lead to the achievement of long-term goals

  • is developed in consultation with the student (where appropriate) and their parent/carer/guardian.

  • should be used (along with SSG minutes and documentation demonstrating student progress against agreed IEP goals) as supporting information for students participating in a Disability Inclusion Profile

  • communicates individual and shared responsibilities

  • includes a record of important decisions, actions and student progress

  • is supported and informed by other relevant plans such as a cultural plan or behaviour support plan

  • is reviewed regularly in accordance with the timeline as agreed by all members of the SSG (or at least once per term for students supported under individualised disability funding programs including the PSD and Disability Inclusion and those in Out Of Home Care)

  • acknowledges and celebrates the achievement of student progress.

 

Responsibility of the Student Support Group (SSG) are to:

  • identify the student’s needs
  • determine any adjustments to be made to the curriculum, teaching and learning
  • plan an appropriate educational program
  • develop an IEP
  • discuss the plan with teachers and provide support to implement the IEP
  • provide advice to the principal/principal nominee concerning the additional educational and support needs of the student and what may be required to meet these needs
  • review and evaluate the student’s program once per term, and at other times if requested by any member of the group

It is essential that a cooperative working relationship is developed and maintained within the SSG and with the school.

The SSG represents a partnership in the educational planning process between the parent/carer(s), the student and the school.

 

Whilst I am unable to  attend all students SSG, I'm always happy to be invited to attend and learn more about your child's individual education plan, please reach out to your child's teacher and they can invite me to attend. 

 

Spring has Sprung

Spring has Sprung, the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining (sometimes), and spring is finally here. It's a season of new beginnings, fresh energy and growth - both outside and in our learning. Let's carry that energy into our classrooms and playgrounds.

 

 

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 co-ordinators, 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 both.  

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 - 2.20pm 

  • Secondary Sub School - Wednesday 17 September  1.30pm - 2.30pm 

Father's Day - 4 & 5 September 

Don't forget the Father's Day Stall that will be held on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 September 2025.  The Fundraising Team have lots of gifts to purchase. 

Parent / Carer Survey 

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 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: 

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

Our next School Council meeting will be held on Thursday 11 September 2025 at 5.30pm 

 

MEMBERPOSITION 
Corinne PupilloExecutive Officer (Principal) /corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au
Lisa SetteCommunity Representative  & President / lisa.sette@education.vic.gov.au
VACANCY Community Representative 
Paul MalavisiParent Representative
Mark Mansfield Parent Representative
Chris ErnstParent Representative
Savana BahjatParent Representative
Andrew McDonoughParent Representative
Abdul Qadir Amir Memon Parent Representative
Mary BoutrosDE 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/