Principal's Message

The Issue Highlights

• Today staff undertook training for our Common Professional Practice Day 
• Thursday 26th May 2022 was National Sorry Day, which led into National Reconciliation Week this week. ‘Be Brave. Make Change'.
• Free flu shots for all Victorians in June - Help Stop The Spread.
• Flyer on Brimbank COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics.
• Full 2021 Annual Report to the School Community & Highlights
• Our first Family "Meet & Greet" session will take place on Thursday 9th June between 12-1pm in the staffroom. If you would like to attend please complete the following RSVP form:  https://forms.office.com/r/BBRzkLm86i
• This week I attended the state-wide Education State Principal's Conference in Melbourne. DET's Secretary and Deputy Secretary for Schools and Regional Services will be visiting Jackson School next week.
• Student of the Week from our PBIS rewards system.
• Showcase of students' learning from across the school in Primary (including Year 3/4 Excursion to Jumpside) and Secondary (as well as our Year 9/10 Hungry Jackson Cafe).
• Allied Health and Wellbeing information to support you and your child.
• Community news including from Jackson OSHC provider TheirCare.

Dear Families,

Today all staff took part in de-escalation training to meet the specific needs of a wide range of disabilities as well as for those displaying wellbeing or emotional regulation barriers. Thank you for your flexibility and support with your children being at home, with you at work or with family members today. DET recommended that schools hold our professional practice day on the same day for all staff this term. This is due to the current staffing challenges experienced across the state in schools and other industries.

National Sorry Day & Reconciliation Week

Thursday 26th May 2022 was National Sorry Day, which led into National Reconciliation Week from Friday 27 May to Friday 3 June 2022. For National Reconciliation Week this year, all Australians are asked to be braver on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. National Sorry Day gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the injustices of the past and the strength of Stolen Generations survivors and to reflect on how we can all be part of the healing process. The theme of National Reconciliation Week this year ‘Be Brave. Make Change' gives us the opportunity to do more for reconciliation in our daily lives. It challenges us to work together on the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can make change for the benefit of all Australians. At Jackson we have 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families within our community. I am proud to lead such a diverse community where all people can feel safe, feel respected, feel included and feel a sense of belonging. 

On behalf of the community, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which our school is situated, the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation, and pay our respect to elders, past, present and present. 

Influenza & COVID-19

Cases of flu in Victoria have increased by more than 30% in the past week alone across the state after two years of COVID-19 and reduced international travel led to limited immunity to the common winter virus.

We have many students, staff and families who are/have been affected already by the flu this year. This has meant that a number of students and staff have been off work whilst they have been unwell. 

Even though, student attendance remains a priority for us as a school, if your child is experiencing cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms it is important they continue to test for COVID-19 using your free RATs and remain at home until their symptoms have gone; regardless of whether it turns out to be COVID-19 or flu. People who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for seven days from the date of their result.

To help make getting the jab as easy as possible, more than 3,000 GP clinics and community pharmacies across Victoria will be invited to offer the free flu vaccinations from Wednesday 1st June. All Victorians aged six months and over will be eligible for the free flu shot between 1st and 30th June to help boost vaccination coverage as much as possible and avoid more hospitalisations throughout winter.

The cold weather also serves as a timely reminder to make sure your child is up to date with all their vaccinations, including their COVID-19 jabs. There is no interval required between receiving a COVID-19 and flu vaccine.

For more information visit: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/stay-well-this-winter

Brimbank COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

As we approach winter, it’s as important as ever for children to be vaccinated to help them stay healthy, and protect families and our community.

Onsite COVID-19 vaccination clinics are being held at schools in Brimbank over the next few weeks. All community members of any age are welcome to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at the clinics, and can walk in with no appointment required. For more information see the flyer below: 

Families must continue to notify the Department of Health and the school if their child returns a positive RAT result. Additionally, you should inform us if any of your children are household contacts. 

After doing the tests at home each morning, if it is positive, you will need to:

1. let the school know on the via the Jackson COVID Hotline 03 9366 4322; Option 4 and/or dedicated email address covid@jacksons.vic.edu.au. There is a message bank on the phone for when the phone is unmanned by our rostered COVID Officer. Families are able to message the mobile number and/or email address 24 hours a day. Please note we will only be able to respond to messages and calls within office hours.
2. keep your child at home for 7 days 
3. contact the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form or call centre on 1800 675 398.

Thank you again for your ongoing cooperation and support during this time.

Annual Report to the School Community

The 2021 Annual Report to the School Community was  presented at the April Public Reporting Meeting of the School Council. This has now been signed off my DET.  The Annual Report to the School Community (Annual Report) provides myself on behalf of school council with an opportunity to share the year’s achievements and progress with the school community. This includes reflecting on the school’s performance and explaining the positive impact of school improvement efforts on student outcomes. 

Despite the challenges we all faced in 2021, it gives me great pleasure to share with you our successes and achievements. Any areas for school improvement have been addressed in our 2022 Annual Implementation Plan.

Some Highlights Include:

• 100% of students have been placed into further education, training or employment
• In Semester 1 2021, 95% of students made good or above progress against their ILP goals in English, Mathematics and Personal and Social Capability, including 40% who made excellent progress.
• In Semester 2 2021, 86% of students made good or above progress against their ILP goals in English, Mathematics and Personal and Social Capability, including 36% who made excellent progress.
• Students' achievement levels above remained better than similar special schools
• 82% of Parents/Carers are satisfied overall with the school
• 80% of students NOT experiencing bullying (Excelling) compared to 71% in similar special schools
• 83.8% of Staff in the School Survey indicated positive responses in the School Climate compared to 64.9% in similar special schools90% Staff feel that school leaders care about staff health and safety compared to 75% across the state
• 91% Staff feel that school provides a safe and supportive work environment compared to 75% across the state

To download the full report please click here: 

Family "Meet & Greet"

To increase our families' connection with the school and each other, we are starting regular Family "Meet & Greet" drop-in sessions with light refreshments provided. It was lovely to see so many families attend the NDIS Information Session this Thursday. Our next session will take place on Thursday 9th June between 12-1pm in the staffroom. I would love to see as many of you as possible. If you would like to attend please complete the following RSVP form:  https://forms.office.com/r/BBRzkLm86i

Education State Principal's Conference

This week I attended the Education State Principal's Conference in Melbourne with the other School Principals from across the state. Robyn was able to attend virtually to share in the professional learning sessions offered. It was an opportunity to hear from The Hon. James Merlino (Minister for Education), Jenny Atta (Secretary of Department of Education and Training), David Howes (DET Deputy Secretary for Schools and Regional Services) and world-class educational researchers. 

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Anthony