Principal's Message

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

• Eid Mubarak

• SWPBS Silver Award

• eSMART Week - Be Heard, Be eSmart

• Autism Acceptance Month

• Easter Holiday Activities

• Acting Principal - Term 2 (Bernadette O'Sullivan)

• 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,

It has been a busy but very positive start to the school year. Today we had our termly Achievement Assembly to finish off the term. Congratulations to all of our award winners.

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. 

SWPBS Silver Award

Congratulations to the staff and SWPBS Team for achieving the SWPBS Silver Award in 2024.

Silver level of acknowledgement recognises that our school has established both School-Wide Positive Behaviour Supports (SWPBS) Tier 1 foundations, classroom systems and achieved key fidelity measures in 2024. 

In 2025, work is ongoing to ensure that our students are safe, respectful and responsible when in indoor areas, outdoor areas and in the community (including online). We continue to work with students on expected behaviours on social media when away from school, focused around disrespect. 

eSMART Week - Be Heard, Be eSmart

This week was National eSMART Week; featuring the theme “Be Heard, Be eSmart”, this year’s event invites children and young people to explore what it means to be a positive digital citizen. Classes took part in activities to learn about being Cyber Safe, Digitally Responsible and Respectful Online. By taking responsible action, we can demonstrate how we all keep kids safe online and offline. This has never been more important with our children's increased screen-time and access to the internet. We know this causes many issues for our families at home and at school. Many of the issues we face are because children have access to social media and apps which are not age-appropriate. This creates a real safety concern for our students. Many apps and games have a minimum age requirement under their terms and conditions.

The eSafety Commissioner website has many resources for families, such as:

• eSafety has a guide for parents, carers and grandparents (in six languages) which covers key online safety issues for young people and includes a range of practical advice on what to do if things go wrong. These resources cover the big issues and has tips for the hard to have conversations.
• Screen time for your child – 7 tips on how families can balance their time on and offline.
• eSafety Parents provides advice on social media, screen time, personal information, cyber-bullying, stranger contact and inappropriate content.
• Be an eSafe kid for students with limited literacy.
• Join one of the Parent Webinars:  https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars 

If you have any concerns about your child or another child online, you can report this directly to the social media platform. If you do not get a response within 48 hours you can then report this to the eSafety Commission. Learn how to report cyberbullying, image-based abuse and illegal content. School wellbeing staff are always available to support you and your family where possible. Issues that happen on social media out of school hours can also be reportable to Victoria Police.

Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance month. Autism Acceptance Month is celebrated throughout April, starting with World Autism Awareness Day on Wednesday 2nd April, aiming to raise awareness, foster acceptance, and promote inclusion for autistic individuals and their families. Autism is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic and socio economic groups across the world. Autism is almost five times more common in boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189).

Easter Holiday Activities

Today is the last day of Term 1. The first week back of Term 2 is a short two-day week for students. Monday 21st April is Easter Monday so there is no school. On Tuesday 22nd April there is also a Pupil Free Day where staff are undertaking Neurodiversity Training with Sue Larkey. The first day of Term 2 for students is Wednesday 23rd April. Also note that Friday 25th is ANZAC Day where students are also off school. 

• https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/family-and-kids/school-holidays
• https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/kids/school-holidays-in-melbourne
• https://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/events 
• https://www.melton.vic.gov.au/Out-n-About/Events-Activities 

Today, some students took part in an Easter egg hunt. Students also came in today displaying their Easter bonnets made at home. Thank you to families for supporting with this tradition. Many of our community will celebrate Easter these school holidays.

Acting Principal - Term 2 (Update

As sent in my letter to the community yesterday. The Department of Education have appointed me to undertake a secondment at Riverwalk Primary School as the Acting Principal in Term 2. 

This is to ensure a smooth transition for the community whilst the Department of Education appoint a new Principal for the school.

An Expression of Interest has been advertised to appoint an Acting Principal of Jackson School for Term 2. 

I am pleased to announce that Bernadette O’Sullivan has been appointed as the Acting Principal for Term 2. 

Please find below a social story to support your child with this transition.

I am confident that the structures and processes embedded in the school will ensure continuity of your child’s learning during this time. I am confident that the talent and expertise of the leadership team will ensure this is a smooth process for the community.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding. 

I hope you all have a restful holiday, and I look forward to reconnecting with you soon.

Anthony