Jackson School Newsletter

Principal's Message

Anthony Jackson (Principal)

Jackson School is a collaborative learning community for all. We aim to develop independence through safety, respect and responsibility. We aspire to offer authentic, quality educational experiences that develop futures, create opportunities and inspire student potential; enabling our students to be valued and contributing members of the wider community. We share and celebrate our successes and achievements.   

The Issue Highlights

  • Welcome back to Term 2.  Hope you all have had a relaxing and well deserved Easter break.
  • Eid Mubarak to Muslim members of our community.
  • Welcome to our new staff!
  • Thank you to our families for supporting our Curriclum Day at the start of Term 2. 
  • It has been an action packed week as we commence a short nine week term. 
  • Our new Prep and Allied Health Therapy Centre have been delivered onsite during the first week of the school holidays. 
  • The 2023 COVID-19 booster dose is available for everyone aged 18 and above.
  • The Parents, Carers and Friends Committee will be holding a Mother’s Day Stall on Friday 12th May. Prices range from $1 to $10.
  • The Department's annual student Attitudes to School Survey (AToSS) will commence from 15th May.
  • Meet the Team:  Julie and Bernadette.
  • Students of the Week from our PBIS rewards system.
  • Showcase of students' learning from across the school in Primary and Secondary
  • Health and Wellbeing information to support you and your child.
  • Community news including from Jackson OSHC provider TheirCare.
  • School Dates -For the most up-to-date calendar dates, always refer to the Xuno Calendar in your Parent Portal.

Dear Families,

 

Welcome back to Term 2.  hope you all have had a relaxing and well deserved Easter break. Also Eid Mubarak to Muslim members of our community. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.

 

ANZAC Day

 

Last Wednesday our students took part in activities to remember all of the Australian and New Zealander soldiers who have fallen in the First World War and subsequent wars and conflicts. Lest We Forget!

Welcome New Staff

 

On behalf of the Jackson School Community, I would like to officially welcome our new Education Support Staff: Joelyna (1/2), Sumiyo (3/4), Angie (4-6), Maria (CRT 0.4), Dante (9/10 0.6) and Teacher: Colin (9/10 Support). Our OSHC provider Their Care also welcome a new 2IC - Caitlin Redmond. Caitlin has commenced on Monday 1 May and has previously worked at Yarraville SDS OSHC Welcome to our community!

Curriculum Day

 

 

Thank you to our families for supporting our Curriclum Day at the start of Term 2. Since we still don't have access to our whole hall, staff braved the morning chill under our new basketball shade sail.

 

The focus of the was on our transition from the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) to Disability Inclusion (DI). The Disability Inclusion (DI) Reform will impact Brimbank-Melton next year (2024). Kris Parsons, one of our past Assistant Principals, is currently managing this implementation across all schools in the South West Victorian Region. This will replace the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) and the way students are funded to be at Jackson. There is currently no change to the funding our students receive to attend Jackson School.

 

Term 2 revisions to your child's Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) will be published on Xuno over the next week in readiness for your Semester 2 reports. You're always more than welcome to book a Student Support Group (SSG) meeting with your child's class teacher at any point throughout the term should you have any questions. 

 

For more information on the Disability Inclusion Reform, please visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/disability-inclusion-extra-support-children-disability

 

First Week Back

 

 

It has been an action packed week as we commence a short nine week term. Our Year 3/4 classes have not only run an incursion to launch their Inquiry Topic (Needs and Wants) but they have also started their swimming program. Our Year 4-6 students went on their first camp away from home. Even the Year 4-6 students who didn't go away have had a blast in their makeshift classroom camp. Our Year 7/8s are now getting ready to attend their City Camp in two weeks time. We also have our Winter Fete to look forward to on Friday 2nd June.

 

New Buildings

 

Our new Prep and Allied Health Therapy Centre have been delivered onsite during the first week of the school holidays. These will now be ready for handover around Week 6 of Term 2. The old Prep portable will be removed in Week 7. Following the handover of our first stage of buildings, the Prep yard will be out of bounds whilst landscaping of this area occurs. Please see below the design for the new Prep-Year 2 playground. The build overall is still on track for completion in August of 2023.

 

Work is still continuing on site and things are starting to take shape. Our contractors have been busy building a staff professional learning space as well as renovating our admin building, community hub/library, food technology/cafe, and performing arts including our new radio and film studios. 

 

Over the holidays, extensive work has been conducted in the front car park to install the new fire service. Our Year 5-8 modular buildings are currently in production and I look forward to visiting the factory again in a two weeks time.

 

COVID & Winter Flu Vaccine

 

There were 6,452 COVID-19 cases reported in Victoria this week, an increase of 3 per cent on the previous week. The average daily number of new cases this week was 922, up from 894 last week.

 

The 2023 COVID-19 booster dose is available for everyone aged 18 and above.

Getting your booster dose remains the best way to prevent severe illness or hospitalisation, especially in people over 65 and those at higher risk of severe illness. The new bivalent vaccines are preferred for booster doses.

 

You can have your booster dose 6 months after your last dose or COVID infection. Children aged between 5 and 17 years who are at risk of severe illness can also receive a 2023 booster dose.

 

Get your next dose at your local pharmacy or GP. Find one near you using the Vaccine Clinic Finder

 

Coronation of Kind Charles III and Queen Camilla of Australia

 

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will be crowned in just a few days in a

ceremony steeped in tradition. There will be around 2,000 guests at the coronation.. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley will be walking behind an Australian flag down Westminster Abbey. The ABC and ABC News will broadcast the coronation from 5pm on Saturday 6 May. A coronation has never before been broadcast in Australia. 

Help Wanted for the Mother's Day Stall - Friday 12th May

 

The Parents, Carers and Friends Committee will be holding a Mother’s Day Stall on Friday 12th May. 

 

Students may purchase a gift for their mother or special person who cares for them. Prices range from $1 to $10.

 

If there are any parents willing to help with next week’s Mother’s Day stall (even for a short time) please let the office know and Bernadette (Leading Teacher) will get in touch with you.

 

We are also looking for parents/carers who may be willing to help at other school events. Please contact Bernadette on 9366 4322 or email bernadette.osullivan@education.vic.gov.au to register your interest. Thank you in advance for your support!

 

I wish all of the mums across our community a very happy, and restful Mother's Day on Sunday 14th May.

 

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

 

Anthony