Principal's News Flash 

Corinne Pupillo

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

I hope you enjoyed reading Part 2 of the Durrung of the Yan-yan in last fortnight's newsletter and are looking forward to how the Yan-yan (young man) navigates the Yaluk (river) . 

Part 3  - The Durrung of the Yan-yan - Heart of the young man.  

Told by Aunty Doreen Garvey- Wandin including Wioiwurrung words  

Part 3 

One day he was in his gurrong (canoe)  yana (going) fishing, where Badger Creek meets the Yarra River along the banks of Coranderrk. When he came to a fork in the yaluk (river), he thought to himself: "Which turn will I take?"  He decided to take the left fork of the yaluk (river)  Then from nowhere buladu (big) ngurndabil (thunder) and djirringu (lightening) appeared, and the yaluk (river) became very rough from the murnmut (wind), and tipped the yan-yan (young man) into the yaluk (river). He was so bambunya (afraid/ frightened)  that he would be swept downstream he asked wirrirrap (traditional doctor / magic man) for help.

Hot off the Press!  

Mini Woolies is coming to Jacana School for Autism. 

In December 2022, our Therapy Team applied for us to collaborate with Woolies and install a mini supermarket at JSA.   School Council last week, endorsed the collaboration with Woolworths and we will launch our new simulated Mini Wollies program on 13 August 2024. 

Woolworths have collaborated with Fujitsu to deliver mini supermarkets in Australian Special Education Schools with the aim of providing an opportunity for students to learn life skills and gain work experience in their safe school environment.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students of Jacana School for Autism.  We are very excited to be able to develop a range of teaching and learning programs including providing work experience for senior students at the School as they prepare to transition into post-school settings.  The collaboration with Woolworths aims to deliver a learning tool for students at our school.  Please watch the welcome video below of more details of the project. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvxPfCDVsY4

Health & Safety 

From time to time, situations occur that require us to engage emergency service to ensure the health and safety of all our community.  Last Friday you may have observed a range of emergency services onsite and this was a real situation, not a practice drill.  On this occasion a very inquisitive student found their way onto the roof and the Student Risk Management Plan was enacted.   This was the first time emergency services were called and the response was overwhelming.  Ambulance, Vic Police, SES and Fire Brigade attended and the emergency was quickly resolved with no injuries.   The school is working with the family and our OHS Committee and have introduced some additional risk controls to minimise this from occuring in the future. 

Our emergency services do an amazing community service and it was reassuring to know we can rely on them in an emergency. 

Staffing 

We will continue to recruit for a range of staff as we have vacancies for classroom teachers, Music, PE, Mental Health Officer and Occupational Therapist. 

• Welcome to Cassy Wang, Speech Therpist who commenced last week.  
• Middle Years Sub School Leader, Sarah Hill will be on leave the first 4 weeks of Term 3. Once we have appointed a replacement for Sarah whilst she is away, I will communicate this to families. 
• Secondary Sub School Leader, Ashley Stace will be returning to the classroom next term and we are recruiting for a Secondary Sub School Leader. 

School Council News 

Fundraising Coordinator - Vacancy 

Congratulations to Kristen Bellerini for being endorsed by School Council as our new Fundraising Coordinator.  

School Council also acknowledged the exceptional commitment of the out-going Fundraising Co-ordinator, Lisa Sette.  Lisa was the founding fundraising coordinator in 2010 and has being a long standing member of School Council over this time.  The fundraising team, lead by Lisa have been instrumental in raising funds for the new $60,000 stage curtain which now proudly hangs about our new performing arts stage. 

Our next School Council meeting will be held on Thursday 15 August 5.30pm 

School Council Sub-Committee Representatives

• Finance Sub Committee Representative - Mark Mansfield 
• School Infrastructure Sub Committee Representative – Denise Clarke
• Fundraising Sub Committee Representative –  Kristen Bellerini 

Unwell student 

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.

https://www.facebook.com/JacanaSchoolforAutism

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

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/