Corinne Pupillo

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

Merry Christmas

This is our final newsletter for 2021 and as we approach the end of the school year, I'd like to sincerely thank students, staff and families for everything you do to maintain learning in another challenging COVID year. Despite the global pandemic we have maintained our partnerships to support your child/ren. Over the long break, I encourage you all to take this opportunity to connect with family and friends and enjoy these special times together.

Peace, good health and prosperity to you all.

Celebrations

It makes me so proud to be leading a school where celebrating students' individual achievement is valued highly by our community.

Graduation

Following long periods of restrictions of visitors to schools, we welcomed back on site a small number of family members to attend our Year 6 and Year 12 Graduation Ceremonies.

A special thank you to Karen Glare for her contributions to the success of the Year 6 and Year 12 Graduations. These two very special events were very memorable for our graduates, staff and parents.

Year 12 Graduation

Sharing dinner was an opportunity for staff and graduates to spend time with each other and enjoy each others company for the final time. The individual teacher reflection always adds that special personal touch for families and it was evident that the positive connections with families will be missed.

Wishing all our Year 12 Graduates every success as they celebrate their final years of schooling and say farewell to JSA. May you continue to be resilient lifelong learners as well as active participants in family and community life. Congratulations on completing your final year of schooling.

Farewell and Good Luck to:

Mason A
Amera A
Muhamed D
Jei Jei D
Bianca G
Noah H
John H
Logan Mc
John M
Macy R
Cephas R
Jordan S
Aiden Lee S
Joshua T
Stefani Z

Year 6 Graduation

As the primary years of school end, students are preparing for the secondary years where the school uniform is different and the programs become increasingly more tailored to meet post school options. It was delightful to have parents and carers back on site (albeit in small numbers) to celebrate this special occasion. Thank you to those family members that were able to celebrate the night. Wishing all our Grade 6 Graduates every success as they move into their secondary years of schooling.

Congratulations to:

Joshua M
Ethan C
Ryan S
Caglar C
Michelle C
Rehan B
Edward H
Saviour P
Patrick Z
Brian F

John Edmonds Memorial Scholarship

The Lions Club Auxiliary again was generous in awarding $100 scholarship to two students moving from primary years to secondary school. Congratulations to the following students.

Ethan Cardona – who has shown a huge improvement in his confidence and interactions with others. He is always willing to help out and voice his ideas in the classroom.

Michelle Colson – who has shown a huge improvement in her ability to engage in the classroom lessons. She is becoming more confident in communicating with others and always has a smile for everyone.

Celebrating Success: Annual Awards

A very special thank you to Karen Glare for organising the Middle and Secondary Awards over the last fortnight. Every student was recognised for their individual achievement for 2021. Linking individual achievement to the curriculum further strengthens the inclusivity for all students. Thank you to all the staff who provide the daily wrap around supports to our students and for working with families to build resilient life-long learners. The awards were presented in classrooms again this year due to COVID, but this didn't stop students feeling incredibly proud of their achievements. Congratulations to all our Middle and Secondary students. We recognize the importance of developing a positive partnership between home and school as a key factor in creating the pre-conditions to building stamina in your child.

Valuing the partnership between home and school and the co-construction of learning goals has been something that I have observed over time has been so critical. It’s been a journey where sometimes we support you and other times, you support us.

Developing successful and resilience children requires a long-term focus and commitment and collaboration from us all.

In strengthening JSA’s transition processes these events are important markers for our students and enable them to celebrate milestones and individual achievements.

Linking individual achievement to the curriculum further strengthens the inclusivity for all students.

School Service Award - this award recongises student/s who sets an example and acts as a strong role model to others in the school by;

taking initiative to further their involvement within the school community.
maintaining a cheerful, positive attitude and brings enthusiasm to the school.
reaching out to all members of the school, regardless of different grade.
willing to do tasks without being asked twice.
participating in an array of school events.
displaying a continuous commitment towards supporting the school.

Congratulations to the following students:

Middle Sub School:

Saviour Pesamino - Since joining Jacana this year Saviour set clear expectations to other students. He demonstrated that he is responsible, well-behaved and an engaged student. He inspires the other students to work hard and engage in their learning experience. Saviour sets great expectations for other students and isn’t afraid to stand up for an inclusive classroom. It has been an absolute pleasure to teach Saviour this year

Willam Kelly - Will has taken his role of student leader very seriously and has been an excellent role model for other students in our classroom. He models excellent behaviour and reminds other students about our expected behaviours. He is positive and cheerful in his approach to his peers and encourages other students to do the same. He will do anything he is asked by a staff member in our class and takes pride in assisting other students. He has worked to develop relationships with other students in our class and in other classes. He has participated in lots of school activities such as Jacanarama, dress up days etc. Room 17 staff are super proud of Will and the efforts he has made this year in his learning and wider school life.

Jhan Bozkurt - Jhan has excellent rapport with the younger students, often receiving PBS tickets for how well he treats them during playground. Jhan ALWAYS has a positive attitude! He loves school, and was one of the most engaged students during Remote and Flexible Learning – he completed every task posted for him on SeeSaw, participated in the remote dance lessons, and attended our regular WebEx classes with a smile every time. He is a kind, diligent student who cleans up after others, and is always one of the first students to volunteer for anything asked of the class. PBS ticket draw, Jacana Smash!, Remote Dance Lessons, Sub School Performance etc. Jhan is always doing the right thing. He frequently helps other students in my class once he has finished his work, and makes an effort to get along with all of his peers.

Secondary Sub School:

Joshua Thorne - Consistently setting an example as a strong role model and being a kind and empathetic person who always maintains a cheerful and positive attitude towards everything he sets his mind to.

John Morley - John is an outstanding role model because he looks after himself, others and school property. John personifies the school values of respect, empathy and inclusion in every way. He is a gracious host, a team player and a great maintenance assistant.

2022 Class list

Students returning to JSA in 2022 were provided with their class list on Friday 3rd December and staff have been busily preparing. Whilst this can be a busy time, it provides a full week for students and staff to become accustomed to their new class mates and or/ classroom, every effort is made to ensure this is a smooth transition. Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

Reminder: Unwell students

When we return to school, I ask that you are 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 the winter bugs and viruses.

All student absences can be made through the dedicated student absence notification number. Text the student name, room number and reason for absence.

Make sure you have the student absence notification number saved in your contacts: 0439 114 197

School Council

Our final School Council meeting for 2021 was held last night via Webex. A focus on some of the school's achievements and planning for 2022 will enable us to prepare for a successful year ahead. School Councilors spent time going through the Child Safe Training for School Council as part of the Minimum Standards (including Child Safe Standards)

There were a number of policies endorsed and if you would like copies of these or any other policy, please contact reception.

Tabled /endorsed policies included:

Class Placement Policy
Complaints Policy
Staff Health and Wellbeing Policy
Chid Safety - Code of Conduct
Curriculum, Assessment & Reporting Policy
Student health Policy
Holocaust Policy

In 2022 the school will be undertaking a School Review and an opportunity for us to assess our 4 year goals and create new goals and vision for our community. It's an exciting time for the school as we will also commence the Capital Works building phase.

A special thank you to all our school councilors for their commitment and contributions to our school over 2021. We hope to see you all back in 2022 and to meet face to face again.

Casual (parent) Vacancy on School Council

We currently have one parent representative vacancies on School Council. If you would like to learn more about the school and be part of our team that shares the governance role, please get in contact with Corinne Pupillo - Principal, either by email corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au or calling the office.

Aerial View - Jacana School for Autism

To complement our Schools Virtual School Tour, this aerial photography has captured our school from above. Please take a look and see how wonderful the facilities look from above.

School Council Meeting

The next meeting of School Council will occur Thursday 24th February 2022.

MEMBER	POSITION
Corinne Pupillo	Executive Officer (Principal) /corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au
Lisa Sette	Parent Representative & President / lisa.sette@education.vic.gov.au
Andrew McDonough	Parent Representative
Paul Malavisi	Parent Representative
Angel Sauzier	Parent Representative
Michelle Owen	Parent Representative
VACANCY VACANCY	Parent Representative Parent Representative
Virginia Smedley	Community Representative
Dr. Denise Clarke	DET Representative
Alisha Minns	DET Representative
Stephanie Di Salvo	DET Representative

School Council Sub Committee Representatives

Finance Sub Committee Representative - Alisha Minns
Building and Grounds Sub Committee Representative – Alisha Minns
Fundraising Sub Committee Representative – Lisa Sette
School Council Representative on Student Representative Council (SRC) –Alisha Minns

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 Page administered by the leadership team. Please like and follow our page.

https://www.facebook.com/JacanaSchoolforAutism

Student Engagement

Term 4 Events and Recognition at JSA