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
ANZAC Day
Staff News
School Grounds
Car Parking
Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS)
Showcase of students' learning from across the school in the Junior School, Middle School and Senior School
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

I hope you all have had a relaxing and well-deserved Easter break. Term 1 was a positive start to 2026 and we look forward to a busy term ahead of learning, activities and events. Mother's Day is fast approaching and the Parents and Friends group have organised a stall and special morning tea to celebrate our mothers and mother figures for all the work they do. This will be held in the school hall on Friday 8th May from 9:30am - 11:00am. The Winter Fete is always one of the highlights of the year for our school community to come together, so make sure you save the date for Friday 6th June and we look forward to seeing you there.

ANZAC Day

During our first week back for the term 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!

Staff News

On behalf of the Jackson School Community, I would like to officially welcome our new staff for 2026.

ES Staff: Aviaja (Prep A), Faye (3/4C) and Dylan (7/8F)

We also say goodbye to Libby, who has worked with us as an ES since the start of last year. Libby is now exploring legal assistant positions. Libby has made many staff friendships in a short time, so I am sure we will see you again soon. We also say goodbye to ES Sonja and ES Sangeetha, who have secured other positions. Thank you for your short time with us. We wish you all the very best.

From Term 2, Gordon has been successfully appointed to coordinate our Active and Sporting Schools initiative. He will teach Health & Fitness, including the GMP program and VPC PE following Ian Phelan's retirement. Julie Sinclair will now teach 7/8E with ES Sumiyo for the remainder of the year. Ane has reduced her time fraction and will now teach Art from Wednesday to Friday. Cody will teach Art on Monday and Tuesday.

School Grounds

We continue to work on improving and maintaining our environment for our school community. Over the holidays, we continued to have several trades in each day. These have included:

Prep-2 Playground Outdoor Learning Sheds
Cubby Renovations (signs will be installed next week)
Alarm works
Bus Maintenance & Servicing
Deck staining
Foyer subsidence investigations
New container for furniture storage
Completion of Kathy's Office so that all Leading Teachers of the sub schools have a private space to talk with staff and support students

Car Parking

Further to my letter to families in February 2026, Brimbank Council has now completed installation of the new parking signage in the Sunshine Hospital and Ginifer Station area. The new parking restrictions are now active and being enforced. Parking inspectors are regularly patrolling the area and fines are being issued.

What this means for Jackson School families:

Front Car Park

When the pick-up bays are full, the electronic gates will close to prevent congestion and unsafe traffic build-up.

The gates will automatically close between 2:15pm and 3:00pm each school day. They will only be reopened for emergencies by authorised staff.

Illegal Parking

It is not permitted to:

• Stop or park across a driveway (crossover)

• Block footpaths

• Stop in No Standing or No Stopping zones

Council officers are issuing infringement notices. The fine for obstruction offences is currently $814.04.

Where to Park

We strongly encourage families to park in surrounding streets and walk 5–10 minutes to school using the supervised crossing. Most nearby streets are two-hour parking (2P). Please follow all local signage.

Parking away from the school gates reduces congestion, improves safety and supports our neighbours and the hospital precinct.

Reducing Traffic at Pick-Up Time

Families may be eligible to access the free Student Disability Transport Program (SDTP) bus. Please contact the school office for further information should you wish to enrol you child on a free school bus.

Our priority is the safety of students, staff and families. We appreciate your cooperation as we manage increasing traffic demands in our area.

Before School Supervision

Staff are allocated in the morning and afternoon to keep traffic moving. Parents/Carers are responsible for the supervision of their children until 8:45am. We are unable to open the school grounds before 8:45am due to staffing and supervision requirements. As per DE policy, schools are required to supervise students on school grounds 10 minutes before the start of the school day (8:50-9:00am) and 10 mins after school (2:50-3:00pm).

Attitudes to School Survey (AtoSS)

The Attitudes to School Survey is a voluntary student survey from Year 4 to Year 12, offered by the Department of Education every year to help schools and the department understand students' experiences of school. We will ask your child about their thoughts and feelings about their school, their learning, relationships with other students, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general.

This year, the survey will be conducted at your school from 11th May to 29th May. For further information please read the letter attached.

If you have any further questions, please contact Michelle Zammit (Leading Teacher - Mental Health & Wellbeing).

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Anthony

Health & Wellbeing News