Principal's News Flash
Corinne Pupillo
Yaluk Building
I was excited to visit the new Yaluk Building last week with a small group of staff and I was particularly impressed with the incredibly large platypus that represents the rivers and waterways that surround the Yarra River Valley, covering much of the present location of Melbourne. Aunty Doreen (Wurundjeri Elder) collaborated with the project planning team. She offered her story “The Durrung of the Yan-yan” which captures the challenges of being a young man hunting in the river as part of the project. The story inspired the students to choose “Yaluk” – meaning river - as the name for our beautiful new teaching and learning building and is the inspiration for the interior design colours.
Hands on Learning [HOL] Cafe
Many of our programs are in full swing now and on Friday 1 March, I was invited to a special Buffet luncheon prepared by the students in HOL Cafe February. It was a pleasure to see the improvements in the technical skills but also the development of students interpersonal skills. Congratulations to you all on a successful project and thank you to Helen Capuano and all the HOL students.
Enrolment Census
We have had quite a bit of student movement since the start of the school year.
On 28th February we have 227 / 220.7 (Full Time Effective), which is 0.6 greater than expected compared to the estimated enrolment.
Thank you to Disability Inclusion Leader, Amanda Hollway for all her hard work coordinating transitions for our families.
Public Holiday - Monday 11th March
Curriculum Day - Tuesday 12th March
This is a student-free day and staff will be engaged in professional learning with a focus on Making SPACE for Learning training – Facilitated by Australian Childhood Foundation.
This training is built into our Annual Implementation Plan and closely linked to the 2024 school theme SUPPORTING INCLUSION THROUGH TEACHING AND LEARNING as well as an important element of our Occupational Health & Safety Action Plan.
Professional learning to include:
- understanding of developmental trauma, impacts on children’s brain, body, emotions, relationships.
- Recognise signs of trauma / differentiate from autism behaviours.
- Practical strategies to support trauma responsive practice in classroom.
- Information on how to identify mental health early warning signs.
- Explore practical ways to embed self-care strategies into everyday practice.
SCHOOL COUNCIL NEWS
2024 Annual General Meeting
The School Council Annual General Meeting is on Thursday 21 March 2024, and I would also like to extend an invitation to all families to attend and hear first hand the 2023 Annual Report to the School Community which highlights all the achievement but also the areas for further development. For catering purposes, please RSVP to Fiona Micelotta fiona.micelotta@education.vic.gov.au / 9309 6258
| 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 |
| VACANCY | Parent Representative |
| Stephanie Torchia | DE Representative |
| Daniel Moloney | DE Representative |
REMINDERS
Unwell Students
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 Page 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.